Life & Style Blog - Fashion
01 March 2012, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Image source: Hoodie from Bonds, available at Myer, Crop top and Sweat pants from Myer
I don’t know about you, but hours of sitting on the couch, cookies and cream ice cream in lap, watching The Biggest Loser and Excess Baggage has left me feeling a) vaguely guilty and b) this new thing I’ve been told is motivation. I’ve probably experienced pangs of motivation previously – before being a bridesmaid, after particularly hedonistic holidays, when the naturopath became deeply distressed re: my caffeine driven, alcohol fuelled sedentary lifestyle… but there’s something majestic about K. Fed that is driving me to believe that this time, it might be different.
In order to push this new motivation past the initial gym membership sign-up and into the actually using your gym membership bit, I’ve decided the best course of action is to buy actual activewear. The philosophy is, if I’m wearing purpose-built clothes, the likelihood of gym attendance is much higher – like forcing myself into makeup and heels on a Saturday when all I want to do is watch old episodes of 30 Rock, it’s just another way to dress for the occasion.
In the same vein, if you make yourself change into gym gear that doubles as pajamas after work and then hop behind the wheel, it’s dangerous. As far as your physical self is concerned, this sloppy tee is as much couch appropriate as it is treadmill, and guess where you’d rather be?
Finally, it’s probably a good idea to get yourself into duds that are designed for high levels of physical activity – not only is it nice to wear something that breathes, it’s nicer to wear something that supports your aching muscles as you push for K. Fed-style glory.
What do you think? Comment here
Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Myer, Trends
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22 February 2012, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Image source: Watch from Fossil, Wallet from Myer, Shoes from Politix
Twain reckons clothes make the man, and some guy called William of Wykeham said manners maketh them, and while I'm loathe to disagree with a 1300s scholar or America's most beloved author, I've got to say that I believe accessories maketh men. Why? It's all in the details: a guy with great accessories is more likely to have a discerning eye - basically; it's a great taste indicator. Maybe it's more commentary on my upbringing, but a childhood surrounded by finicky dudes in Italian leather has always left me judging men by their shoes. And for guys, accessories are largely articles you can hold onto for years, so it's worth investing in something worthwhile.
Wallet
Hey Costanza, your wallet should not appear to be a pocket-sized tumour. Simplify, go for a leather bi-fold and don't carry everything you've ever owned in it unless you've got a girlfriend to carry it in her purse for you.
Watch
Every dude has heard about the importance of a nice watch or two – having written a fair bit about luxury watches in my time (heh), I can confirm that the industry is mind-boggling. Niche sports star endorsed, diamond encrusted bezels, sapphire glass faced – the choices are epic. But to boil it down, men should have at least two watches: one dress for fanciness, one casual for everyday wear. Depending on your penchant for Kanye-West style bling, a dress watch should be streamlined, slim and with an elegant, less complicated face. Your casual watch can be the crazy chunky one that tells you stuff you don't need to know, like how far you are above sealevel or whatever.
Shoes
Now, I know you've all got dress shoes – boring or not, they're probably OK. But are you still wearing trainers with your jeans? Unless you're Jerry Seinfeld, stop that! Get yourself a clean pair of canvas laceups, some boat shoes or a moccasin. Please do not wear socks with your moccasins.
What do you think? Comment here
Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Fossil, Myer, Politix, Trends
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16 February 2012, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Image source: Skinny Jeans from Levi's, Bag from Fossil, Sunglasses from Sunglass Hut
So, don't be too envious or attempt to tie me up, hide me in your basement and then steal my identity in order to live my life, but I'm about to embark on a 2.5 month holiday in and around India. I know, right? I'm excited for me too. And before you start hyperventilating because you're so attached to me, FEAR NOT: thanks to the power of THE INTERNET, I'm still able to help you procrastinate your Fridays away with the best of Forrest Chase.
Naturally, I've been doing a heckload of thinking and researching re: travel essentials. It's a fact universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a plane ticket is in want of a woman to probably pack his bags while he watches re-runs of The Love Boat. Because packing sucks more than Tony Abbot does attempting to win the female vote (BOOM), I'm going to impart hours of research and years of experience on you:
Shoes: do not bring more than three pairs, ever. You do NOT need them.
Carry-on: It's a great idea to try and combine your carry-on luggage with your daypack if you're going to be doing mini trips during your holiday. Go for a medium sized bag that can be slung over your shoulder so you have free hands, something of decent quality so the strap doesn't break, something with a zip to keep everything safe and a front compartment for easy access to the essentials. Something much like the Emilia Flat crossbody from Fossil will do the trick.
Scarves: Take at least one. An oversized scarf or pashmina can double as a blanket or pillow while you're in transit, and always spruces up an outfit. Wrap your jewellery in smaller scarves – it'll serve to protect yo bling and mask your unwashed hair.
Sunglasses: A no brainer, of course - but bring your decent quality sunnies, because there's nothing worse than cheap and cheerful glasses falling apart on you midway through a trip. I really love the classic charm of Persol sunnies – like the ones above, $319.95 at Sunglass Hut.
Beauty bag: Wipes, both makeup and body, will always come in handy for those inevitable train trips or stopovers. Dry shampoo is also a winner, as are sachets of shampoo and conditioner - bottles take up so much space. You might need to be best friends with a hairdresser for this one, but they I've seen them sold at chemists. Keep an eagle eye out.
Clothes: Bring a skeleton wardrobe of white, grey, black and nautical stripe tees, cotton leggings, blue jeans and a light blazer – they're the mix and match pieces you'll be able to work in with your inevitable holiday buys. As far as blue jeans are concerned, Levi's are the business, and I love the extreme skinny highrise, $139.95 – keep those croissants tucked in, people.
What do you think? Comment here
Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Fossil
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26 January 2012, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Now, I know we're all looking forward to Australia Day – heaven knows, it's probably the only public holiday where heavy drinking and sun exposure are written into the constitution, but it's also a holiday dented with potential pitfalls around which you must tread carefully. This year, I've seen more stalls filled with cheaply Chinese-made miscellany emblazoned with The Flag than ever before, and it's all too easy to let the Australia Day spirit take you to an ugly place (and I don't mean Perth's annual riverside glassings).
Yes, accidentally looking like an intolerant nationalist bogan is a real issue faced by innocent civilians Australia-wide on January 26. Our Australian flag, ordinarily a pretty snazzy looking fellow, is dragged each year through the mud by over-enthusiasm and beer – leaving both you and the flag worse off. Luckily, I'm here to guide you through minefields that begin as a temporary flag tattoo on your face, and end with you shivering in the shower at 6am attempting to remove permanent marker-ed "oi oi oi" from your arms lest any of your students see it. With green naturally being the safest and red the closest to becoming an honorary member of Toadfish Rebecchi's clan, here's a handy guide for when the Australian Flag goes too far. Remember, no means no. We're all in this together.
Threat level: Australia Day - the Flag
Hanging in your yard from a flag pole
Draped around for decoration
Used as a kicky toothpick topper to spear 70s cocktail food
On beach towels, tablecloths, stubby holders
Colours zinc-ed in stripes onto your face
Entire flag including southern cross zinc-ed onto face
As a sarong
On the base of double pluggers
On a t-shirt
Temporary tattoos (1-3 applications)
Temporary tattoos (4+ applications)
On a t-shirt with accompanying "oi oi oi" style text
Bizarrely printed on a sombrero
On bikinis
Sewn into a strapless dress
Novelty car flags
Novelty car flags (Jan 28 onwards)
Late night drunken lower-back tattoo turning temporary to permanent
On a t-shirt that encourages anyone to "love or leave" the country
Tied to the back of a sweaty, shirtless man screaming the lyrics to Khe Sanh without backing music
What do you think? Comment here
Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Trends
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