Remember late last year when I was flown to Brisbane for the opening of that amazing Japanese Fashion exhibition at QAGOMA? Well the above dress is what I had dreamed of wearing to the opening, by local Melbourne label Alpha 60 it has that modern Japanese sensibility to it and I wanted to represent some local Melbourne design at the event. However at the time this dress did not fit me at all, so I had to make other outfit plans - but I never forgot the dress. Since then I've been on a bit of a journey, both of the emotional and physical kind, and part of that journey was signing up for a weight loss trial with a local university and I've lost 20kgs so far. Previously I had never in my life actively tried to lose weight, I was happy as I was, and even now I am completely comfortable with being whatever size I may be, big or small I am still 100% body positive. I did this for me and I am proud that I have lost the weight but I do know that me doing this won't make everyone happy in the fatosphere and there could be a backlash which is why I've not really addressed it before today, even though people have noticed in the comments. At this point I'm still fat, I still happily identify as fat, and I'm not currently trying to lose any more weight. Right now, even more so than before, I sit in that awkward "inbetweenie" size range where I can fit into certain pieces in straight sized stores and still fit into plus size clothing too. As you all know I've always shopped and worn both plus size and straight sized clothes but now I just have more options in the straight sized clothing world, and this dress is one of them. It was such a freaking surprise that this fit me, I saw it sitting in the Alpha 60 outlet store in Fitzroy and remembered how much I had wanted it to fit just a few months ago for that opening night in Brisbane, so I decided to try it on. I honestly could not believe it got on, surely I hadn't lost that much weight? I don't really see it when I look in the mirror, I only notice it when I go to wear an old favourite skirt and it won't stay up, or in this instance something I really wanted but couldn't get over my head in the past in size L would now fit me in the size M. FYI sizing is weird and arbitrary, every store is different and if there's one thing I've learnt over the years it is it pays to always try things on. I'm still plus size, but I fit more into the size 14-16 bracket now, I still can't go into most stores and have something fit, but when I can it honestly is mind blowing. I can't imagine what it's like to have that be every single shop in every single street, that is a heck of a lot of choice, I'm not sure I or my wallet could handle it, especially considering my old rule of if it fits I buy it because finding something that fit was so rare. Experiencing some elements of thin privilege for the first time is certainly an eye opener and for now I'm happy to stay in this happy middle ground, but who knows what the future may bring? I may not be able to maintain the weight loss, which I know from extensive reading and the doctors I've been seeing is extremely common as your body is naturally fighting to go back to its set point weight. The weight loss industry feeds off this, and blames the dieters for going back to their old habits creating a never ending cycle of profit off the backs of people who then get depressed and blame themselves. I'm glad I've still never paid a single cent to the diet industry, not that there's anything wrong with you if you have. Eeeep this is meant to be about a dress and not an essay on my feelings about the evilness of the diet industry. This dress is what dreams are made of, white spotty silk goodness, I'm so happy that eventually we were able to be together.
White spotty dressAlpha60 Clearance Store Gold satchel bag Comme des Garçons x Cambridge Satchel Co collaboration piece Gold bunny mask H&M Gold clogsFunkis Gold flakes resin bangleSly Pony Gold pom pom braceletPoms Jewellery Gold flower ringMarc by Marc Jacobs, Gold nailsKmart press on nails, only $2!
I found this amazing gold bunny ears mask whilst cutting through H&M one night as it was raining outside. It was just sitting there with a giant red $2 sticker, and as much as it pains me to buy anything at H&M because I deplore their unethical factory conditions, I also really loved this mask. I've spoken before on my relationship with cheap fast fashion and preferring to steer clear as much as possible, but I also indulge very occasionally when something really stands out and catches my eye. Personally I believe I do the best I can and really it is up to the corporations to do better and not the individual entirely, yes I can and do mostly take my money elsewhere but sometimes I don't and that's okay too. Basically guys, this mask was cute, and hey, at least I'm talking about the issues of shopping at H&M and not glossing over it with pretty pictures like 99% of the blogosphere out there?
I am so in love with this bag! It's a Comme des Garçons x Cambridge Satchel Co collaboration piece that I found on a buy and sell facebook page. Such a fun bag to wear, and I love how I now have accidentally collected a bunch of gold accessories to pair with it, even down to my gold press on nails which were another cheapo $2 score this time from Kmart (who have signed the Oxfam accord, so potentially not as unethical as H&M but you can never be 100% sure).
Accessories! Gold satchel bag Comme des Garçons x Cambridge Satchel Co collaboration piece Gold flakes resin bangleSly Pony Gold pom pom braceletPoms Jewellery Gold flower ringMarc by Marc Jacobs, Gold nailsKmart press on nails, only $2!
I have always wanted a pair of Funkis clogs, and as I was walking through the city one night I noticed they were having a big sale at their Strand Arcade store in Melbourne. I got these for only $60, quite the score, and this time the bargain is an ethical one! I think I'm having a bit of a gold moment hey?
I actually shot this outfit late last year but lost the photos until today when I found my long lost sd card. I've worn this outfit a lot this summer and every time I do I end up getting lots of people stopping me to tell me they love it. I can see why, it's just so bold, bright and cheerful. I'm never one to play it safe so mixing these two prints and colours together comes naturally to me. My fashion motto is to wear whatever pleases me and this outfit pleases me greatly, I mean how could it not? It's just so fun to wear.
My cute fruity nail art was done by the lovely ladies at Magic Nails in Box Hill using shellac colours. I loved having this manicure, looking back at these photos makes me want it all over again.
As some of you may know I just moved house. As such I need to downsize my wardrobe so I'm having a HUGE clear out at this Sunday's A Plus Market at the Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre from 10am - 3pm. I'll be selling pieces from lot's of plus size brands - ASOS, City Chic, 17 Sundays as well as a few larger pieces from H&M, Monki, Gorman, Obus and Sportsgirl. Of course there will also be vintage pieces I no longer wear and lot's of shoes, bags and accessories. Will be a good day with lot's of other stalls all selling plus sized clothing, hopefully see you there xoxo
Getting away from Melbourne for a few days last week to the beautiful Sunshine Coast was a much needed break and I'm already missing the lazy days by the pool. I have had a lot of changes to my life recently, namely Henry and I have mutually decided to end our relationship, or as Gwyneth would say we have decided to consciously uncouple. We are both happy and at peace with our decision and looking forward to what the future brings. He will always have a special place in my heart and I am hopeful that we will continue as friends. The Sunshine Coast was the perfect place to regroup and focus on myself in the wake of this situation and I'm really glad I got to enjoy some much needed fun in the sun with friends. Of course I went all out with the #pinkcore poolside pieces as my love of pink just never ends!
I just love this pink floral bikini by independent Australian swimwear label Azalea Swim. I'm all about the #fatkini this year and this one is just so cute. I love love love the cute little frills. Azalea Swim cater up to a size 18 which is perfect for inbetweenies like me.
Not having Henry as my usual outfit photographer is going to take some getting used to. I really wanted to showcase just how bloody awesome these Doodad and Fandango ice cream earrings really are, hopefully you can tell. I've been wearing them everywhere since I got then. I want so many things from their collection, would make the best Christmas pressies!
Ok I'm kinda against shopping at H&M but I do pop in to have a look from time to time, usually on my way to the Strand Arcade's boutiques such as Gorman's Weekend store, Fat or Funkis. Anyway I was doing just that when I chanced upon this cute pink basket bag and I just had to have it even if H&M are highly questionable ethically and I prefer to shop local whenever possible. I can't be perfect all the time guys! This was only $10 which is both good and bad, good for my pocket but bad knowing just how little the people making it would receive. I feel so much guilt but I figure I do more than my bit and one bad thing is allowed. Don't hate me.
Oh look here! This is me doing my bit, haha. These awesome cute thongs/sandals are by Honeybees Australia and $2 per every pair sold goes directly to bee research. Bees are currently endangered and with them they will take our flora, fauna and a third of our diet if they do die out. So saving the bees is a really important cause, why not get some cute poolside shoes at the same time?
Winter in Melbourne is all about layering. It's a must in this city of four seasons in one day, so that's why we're always carrying around cardigans, rain coats and umbrella's as you just don't know what to expect. That's why I love this lightweight floral rain poncho by Tsumori Chisato I picked up whilst in Tokyo last month. It's not only cute and fun - it's practical too! You see it folds up into an easy pouch so you can slip it right into your bag to use when needed. I love it's fun colours and floral print though so I've just been wearing mine as much as possible (mixing prints is a bit of an obsession of mine), but as the weather warms up I can see myself popping it into my bag for those colder moments Melbourne is known for.
I bought this cropped red jumper at Target on sale for $15 the other week when I was caught out in exactly one of those bitterly cold Melbourne moments and needed something fast as I'd forgotten my cardigan. Thankfully I found this and I think it works perfectly layered with this outfit. I think cropped style tops work really well on my body even though they're actually considered a plus size no-no. Obviously I don't listen to those out dated fashion rules and you shouldn't either! Stuff the rules, wear what you want and you'll look fabulous (like me haha).
What's this? Another Gorman dress? Why yes. Yes it is. You could say I have a slight addiction to the brand right now. But it's not my fault that they produce so many cute dresses now is it? Anyway I bought this dress the other week after waiting and waiting for it to go on sale but it just never did so I caved and bought it full price because I didn't want to miss out. That is until it went on sale today. So yes while I paid full price you can now get it on sale for $40 off. Lucky you! I'm just so in love with the dress that it doesn't matter too much that I missed out on getting it on sale.
Look how cute the cat ear shaped flaps are on the pockets of the rain poncho! Kawaii!
Henry bought me this fabric scrap chain link necklace by Mercibeaucoup for my birthday. That and all my other Tokyo purchases will be featured in a new Tokyo shopping haul video next week so look out for it.
My first show of the week for Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival aka #VAMFF was Runway 3 presented by Frankie Magazine which featured some of my favourite local designers such as Alpha60, Kuwaii and of course Gorman. So in honour of this fact I wore pretty much head to toe Gorman to the show as I've been loving them so much recently. Yes, I bought even more of the pineapple print Spring/Summer collection which conveniently has been on sale in stores recently. How could I say no to this gingham and pineapple print dress for under $100? I actually tried it on at the start of the season but wasn't convinced that the boxy shape suited me. It's also a little too short for me to wear without tights so luckily I bought it at the start of Autumn when the weather is just right for a light weight dress and tights combo. I teamed it with my favourite polka dot parka from Gorman last season which they've re-released in a few new tempting prints this season (which you'll see below in my runway coverage). I actually have two other Gorman looks to share with you also bought on sale - this obsession is kinda getting out of hand don't you think?
Outfit details Polka dot parka Gorman Pineapple & gingham dress Gorman Pineapple bag Gorman Pineapple necklaceGorman Sunglasses Tsumori Chisato from Pet Shop Girls Tights City Chic Holographic heels Windsor Smith Pom pom earrings Tokyo Faux fur bangleBubbles Harajuku
I kinda love how my new hair looks here. So sharp and blunt. Too bad it's such a bitch to get to sit like this about 99% of the time. Fine hair is just so whispy and flyaway I dream of having thick hair that sits how you set it.
When will I get over wearing these sunglasses I hear you ask? Well the answer is NEVER!!! These are just the best sunglasses to ever exist in all of history.
Pineapple necklaceGorman Sunglasses Tsumori Chisato from Pet Shop Girls Pom pom earrings Tokyo
Gorman
Gorman's new Autumn/Winter collection features their signature oversized prints and cute matching separates that team perfectly together. Dressing head to toe in this label and still looking unique and individual is actually very possible as I can attest to. This season's print is an all over vegetable print, which surprise surprise I love. Gorman in my opinion is going from strength to strength in asserting their aesthetic and place in the market.
Alpha60
Alpha60's aesthetic has matured in recent years whilst also discarding what I thought was one of their key markets by dropping their menswear line, which is very missed by a few of my male friends. The focus on womenswear however has seemed to improve the collections focus which they seemed to have lost in seasons past.They have also expanded into a much coveted footwear line (as evidenced by a certain facebook resale page where they pop up from time to time to much excited 'sold' and 'next in line' comments). As they were the first to walk the runway my photos aren't the best as I tried to adjust quickly to the lighting settings, sorry about that.
Búl
Bul is a label which has just seemed to pop up in seemingly no time at all out of nowhere with 5 stores across the country and a devoted fan base. Personally Bul does nothing for me with it's minimalist aesthetic and tonal colour palette but I can see its appeal. I especially loved the draped dress in rust and hope to see it being worn around Melbourne this winter.
Jolet
Known for their photographic digital prints and use of sheer layers Jolet showed a collection that didn't disappoint. Their outerwear was a highlight with a colour blocked coat that I loved.
Kuwaii
I've noticed people in Melbourne think you spell kawaii kuwaii and it's all because of this label and it's play on words name. The thing is Kuwaii's collections are actually really kawaii, their recent Spring/Summer collection especially so with it's soft pastel palette and cute cuts. The Autumn/Winter collection presented at VAMFF Runway 3 expanded upon that kawaii aesthetic with a more grown up take with incredible technique and attention to detail whilst still using the colour pink. Kuwaii's shoes are always a highlight and this season I want just about every pair!
Leonard Street
To me Leonard Street are like Gorman's kid sister - a younger, cuter take coming from a similar place aesthetically Also the cuts are smaller which does lend itself to a younger wearer - there have been a few pieces I could've seen myself wearing over the years but the smaller cut has meant I've been sized out of the brand. This season there are some oversized jackets and stretchy knits which do seem promising, I especially loved the navy blue button down dress with the peaked sleeves, will report back to you if it does indeed fit. The little navy biker jacket also caught my eye - I am loving that whole outfit to be honest.
Livia Arena
The last time I remember seeing a Livia Arena collection I just remembered a lot of white shirting (albeit interesting cuts with slashes and cut outs) so this collection was a welcome surprise. The hip hop/boxing inspired draw string silk shorts are very on trend right now but these have been tastefully crafted and I can see them being popular around Melb town which has gone 90s hip hop crazy it seems. The camel slashed coat is a must have from this collection.
