Zara
I nicked into Zara this week to check out the latest. I love it. There are a few fashion people who like to ‘poo pah’ it saying it’s badly made and not as good as what you get in Paris , boring etc. Oh shut up. It’s just tall poppy syndrome. What do you want for $69? It’s fast fashion that’s cheap and they do a great job at it. It’s sad that there may be repercussions for the Australian chain stores because they are faster, cooler and cheaper. But what can you do ? I am here to tell you where to find the best pieces wherever they are, on the street or online. By the way I want to support the Australian fashion industry but it is tricky for me to recommend, say, something I see by an Australian store when I know the actual original (it’s copied from) is available online and on sale for a fraction more of the price. How can I ask my readers to pay more for a copy? If I find it’s a great version at a really good price ( thank you Witchery and Country Road) then I am happy to spread the word!
SO back to shopping…My picks ( and my iphone shots) are:
- The fabulous ¾ straight coat/jacket in black. It doesn’t have a collar and it’s very Celine inspired. It’s the new shape; that narrow straight longer jacket, (so 90’s I am little scared) for next winter so buy it up now and get years of wear. Love it with skinny pants or over a flirty skirt $199. You can see they have it here with a taupe top with a perfect neckline ( read NOT scoop).
- I am happy to report that there are some fabulous classic Tees here: yes, with the perfect round neckline. Buy it in every colour. $29, This is what we all need to layer under everything.
- Everyone is talking about paisley prints for next season and I do love a bit of a caftan tunic style dress in this print $119. Perfect for summer if it ever comes…
- There is a rather fab black Rick Owens style floppy/cardigan draping leather jacket: a little bit expensive but it’s pretty cool because it’s perfect for trans seasonal weather. You can wear this to dinner and not worry about taking it off $299.
- For a great under top that is more interesting than a simple tank may I suggest that you try on the chic sleeveless tank tee with the look of ribbons kind of ironed on : buy every different colour . $39
- And can you believe it? There are already versions of the hot floral dresses inspired from Celine or Balenciaga. Sorry I know it’s cute but florals are for just anyone under 35. Anyway this is way too short for anyone over 40. But it’s tres groovy. Especially with wedges.
- By the way check out the fabulous campaign with over 40 model Stella Tennant. Another reason to show you that you can look chic at any age . Please note: she is not wearing any florals, scoop necks or short skirts. She is wearing darker colours with a dash of colour and textures. I rest my case.
GAP
It was dead when I walked in here this week. That’s a worry. I think GAP are having a mid life crisis (all over the world so it’s just here.) But there are a few good buys:
- You want the cream sleeveless white tank in chiffon with white cutouts sewn on the front $69. You can wear under all your blazers and it will look great. Perfect for work or back with jeans.
- Buy the back shiny plastic Moto -nylon biker jacket with black zips : Not bad at all $149 . It’s actually $81 on their site and shipping is $19.95 so you do the math! Wear this as they are showing it below with a pretty dress or back with the cream blouse above. Love with a pencil skirt and a great marle Tee. It’s very plastic patent but that MOD look is coming back and it means it’s also a lighter fabric for summer. Cool
- Buy the Jeans or chinos here because they have a fabulous variety. You should check out the wide leg 70’s look : Try the 1969 mid-weight buckle trouser jeans. As you can see they are in a lighter denim and will so fabulous with all the wedges I have been telling you to buy for months .$81 and you can buy online here
Witchery
It’s all red and brown and navy here. Love that combo don’t you? My picks this week:
- I have to say I do like the brown vintage leather cropped jacket. It has a double breasted, neat cut and although it is rather expensive for $499 it’s looks like the price. Love with those high waist denim jeans or with my favourite piece: a black pencil skirt. it will work with your chinos as well. You can wear a shirt hanging out under it if you like.
- I know the small red shoulder bag is all the rage but for work or when you need something bigger then I suggest the black Lexi Twin Strap Tote. It has the long shoulder strap and it’s a great medium size. We are over oversized bags. I like the laser cut leather for summer $269.
- You have to love the tan wooden wedges: I am not sure how heavy they are to walk in but they look fabulous! Love a natural/tan/brown shoe for summer. Lightens up the black and works back with red and white as well. $189
- You can see in the Witchery shoot here that the shoes look fabulous with red short shorts. I wish! Trade them in for skinny red jeans or your grey chinos.
Witter shoes
I am so excited about the shoes this season: You could go crazy! There are so many to choose from : cute kitten heels, bright wedges, lovely flat sandals or fabulous heels. They are looking a lot more wearable than a few seasons back. Hallelujah!
My picks here:
- Adore the black wedges that are also in snakeskin ( seen here below ) which is the hot look. I think I bought the same ones in black patent about 4 years ago and although they don’t have a platform they are very comfortable. The wedge heel looks higher than it is. I loved in them and killed them. They finally fell over and died. Buy them in plain black as well. $149.
- For another every day shoe you can’t go past the platform wedges with a rope trim detail: I would say very Chloe inspired. Black is great and so is brown or taupe. $149
- You can be amazed that the very Prada inspired ( well, let’s just say it: a copy) platforms brogues are right here if you are into that look. I am a little worried they are too much of a copy. You can see the model /blogger Hanelli and Australian Vogue editor Meg Gray are wearing the original Prada wedges here . Cool.$189.
- Love the version of the Valentino pointy toe studs heels. The hot shoes at all the shows last season as you can Alexa Chung wearing them below. A slight feminine contrast to the Prada Brogues! $169
Loading ...
Hi Fifi, thanks for a fabulous report again! I was just wondering if you might be able to show us a picture of what you would call a really bad “scoop” neckline, as opposed to a “perfect” neckline. I am very scared that I could possibly accidently buy one or even worse already have some Scoops taking up valuable room in my cupboard!! Thank you, thank you!!!
I bought those black patent wedges on your advice last year FiFi and you’re right- incredibly comfortable but I throughly trashed them in one season and they had to go. At this price I don’t mind if I only get one season, I just want comfort and new shoes!
Might go for the snakeskin this time around!
Also agree with N about the ‘bad scoop’
Hi FiFi absolutely love the report and going out to get the black wedges. FiFi TV would love to see some fashion makeovers in some of these stores with real people. Could you do a segment on women with grey hair, in my 40s and going so grey, can we embrace this inner grey or should we colour and OMG what to wear with it. Can grey be funky and cool!
I’m in two minds about the floral prints for over 40’s. I think it depends on the style, colour and cut of the garment in question. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t be caught dead in the Zara dress above or anything like it, but something soft, floaty with a watered-down print in muted, neutral tones. It could be a dress or blouse, a la Faye Dunaway circa 1979 is ok by me.
Yes, it does depend on all those things : you are so right ! It’s all up to your personal style . But generally as a rule florals can add years ! Fay Dunaway was under 40 when she was wearing those dresses!
On your advice I ducked into Trenery (when I was meant to be grocery shopping) and in 20 minutes flat I bought the fabulous leather skirt and beautiful drape front suede jacket. Great to go armed with a succinct list of items to try, so the shop-attack in my time poor and child-focused (yawn) world can be highly efficient. Of course the other great thing about shopping in the Country Road family is that you get to ask if they have a smaller size all the time, as their sizes are so big. Marvellous.
I have been visiting my purchases in my closet and patting them every now and then. And my newborn hasn’t even managed to vomit on them yet, so it’s all good. Feel like a new woman.
Thank you for bringing me back from the world of tracksuits.
Thanks so much for the lovely feedback! The black wedges are fabulous! FiFi TV will be coming one day if I can find the time:
I am not sure about going grey: I think it’s best to go lighter and maybe do blonde streaks ( such as my good self). I think grey hair is softer on the skin but let’s face it it is aging! Go lighter like all those chic French women..then when you are 60 you can go slowly just go greyer and greyer.
But it’s really up to you and how you feel and what makes you happy! Stick to your own look and that is true style.
Yes great idea about the describing the good and bad scoop neckline ! I think I should post something on the FiFi Blog page…with good examples of why a high neckine works and a scoop makes your neck look shorter!
Yes , those Wittner wedges are really comfortable and so are the platform wedges with the rope detailing..and I agree who cares if you thrash them for a season or so for that price!
Thanks for your reply about the scoop - that would be fantastic. I am pretty computer illiterate, so please excuse this question… but is your Blog page something else to subscribe to? or will you write it on your weekly report with a “link”? - I just don’t want to miss it!!!