Life & Style Blog - Portmans
14 June 2013, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Overcoats
Image sources: Belt up trench, $299.95, from Witchery; Cooper St Bethany coat, $169.95, from Myer; Collarless coat, $169.95, from Sportsgirl.
Seeing as Perth has fallen into it’s Arctic tundra phase where it’s pitch black at 6am and you can see your own breath while you’re lying in bed, I’d say it’s time to rug up, wouldn’t you? Seeing as polite society won’t allow us to roll around with our doonas wrapped at our shoulders Superman style, I guess a coat will have to be the next best thing. Not that I have anything against coats, quite the opposite; a coat lends polish and finish to your outfit, and as a West Australian and therefore, perennial winter dressing novice, that big coat is going to cover whatever mismatch of layering you’ve had to throw on in order not to die of frostbite on your morning commute and make you look positively put together.
So, hurray for coats! Between overcoats, anoraks and drape front jackets all fighting for top billing as “coat trend: 2013” there’s a world of choice out there – just make sure you have enough space underneath to layer up and keep cosy.
Anoraks
Image sources: Fur trim anorak, $199.95, from Witchery; Tameika fur parka, $169.95, from Sportsgirl; Faux Fur trim anorak, $169.95, from Portmans.
Drape front jackets
Image sources: Cooper St Sheepy Coat, $159.95, from Myer; Drape leather jacket, $599.95, from Witchery; Collarless coat, $169.95, from Witchery.
What do you think? Comment here
Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Myer, Portmans, Witchery
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14 March 2013, by Rachael Ciccarelli
If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times: dressing well for work will make you feel better about life, yourself, your co-workers and after your inevitable daily interactions with idiots, the future of humankind. You’re in your work clothes more than any others, so it should follow that a: you buy something of a decent quality that will wash well, and b: whatever you wear, you should look good in it. I’m not sure who spread the rumour that your workwear should also double as an unmarried primary school librarian costume circa 1936, but it isn’t and you shouldn’t. Got a colour that makes you look fabulous? Found a particular cut of pants that makes your legs look a mile long? WEAR THEM, PLEASE. There is no reason to shy away from colour, print or anything else that might make you look happy to be alive: because the key to successful work attire is all in the tailoring. You can say “I’m professional” with a neat row of buttons and a jacket that’s cut like a knife, and then you can maybe ALSO say “I’m ever so happy to be here, please give me a raise” with a bit of print or an excellent accessory or two. At the very least, you’ll be happy with whatever stares back at you when you leave the house at 7am.
To work it:
Image sources: Jacquard peplum skirt, $225, from Cue, Pop colour crop blazer in black, $99.95, from Portmans, Button through shirt, $79.95, from Witchery.
Using black, white and grey as a base, a bit of contrasting print and peplum: the trend that refuses to die, this is a rad outfit with plenty of separates you can mix and match with your existing clothes.
Image sources: Ocelot tee, $129.95, from Witchery, Hi There by Karen Walker bow pants, $96.75, from Myer, Elessa boots, $149.95, from Ninewest.
Animal print at work? Oh heck yes. The cut of this boxy tee and the zip to the back definitely means business: while the bows to the nude trousers soften the masculine shape of the tee. Cap it all off with ankle boots – I favour a heavier, tougher boot, but you could just as easily wear it with something more streamlined (or a nude pump).
Image sources: Oriental Crane print jacket, $339, from Cue, Wish division pant, $110, from Myer, Button through shirt, $79.95, from Witchery.
This nifty look incorporates colour AND print! I know, it’s crazy town. But the leather panels on those straight-legged pants are the perfect complement to the satiny jacket – just a touch of gloss without going OTT shiny. And the watermelon shirt/ trouser combo can certainly hold it’s own if it’s too hot for the jacket: all of them great, tailored pieces with a twist.
What do you think? Comment here
Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Portmans, Trends
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29 November 2012, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Guys, I don’t want to alarm you: but it’s December this weekend. Yes, that’s right. This Saturday. WHAT SHUT UP STOP IT HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? I have no idea how this happened, please - sit down and stop yelling. Now, you can distract yourselves with blame – be it the silently agreed upon universal concept of time, or all those winter sleep-ins you had this year; but no matter how hard you whine, your event-packed calendar means it’s going to be Christmas in about ten seconds and no judgement, but you haven’t bought one present yet because every time you think about it you just end up buying another trinket for yourself.
But it’s OK, because you have me, and I am wonderful.
Aside from that rock-solid moral support and unquestionable charisma I’ll impart to you in my magnificence, I’m also going to give you a bunch of ideas for all the annoying presents you’re going to have to buy over the next few weeks. First up, because your office Christmas party is almost certainly this weekend or next, a bunch of ideas for KRIS KRINGLES.
Ceramic mug with tea strainer, $12.95, Portmans; Alarm clock, $19.95, Sportsgirl; Small neon cos bag, $16.95, Witchery.
Umbra Perch bottle stopper bird, $19.95, Myer; iTunes $20 gift card, Dick Smith; Tablet/iPad cover, $34.95, Novo.
I don’t know who is responsible for the idea that you should buy a gift on a limited budget for someone you don’t really know simply because you are forced to share the same carpeted space with them during daylight hours, but here we are: humanity has forced the Kris Kringle upon us and short of going on holidays before Christmas, there’s no getting out of it.
Unless you’re best buds with your Secret Santa, it’s best to focus on one base aspect of their personality (don’t know anything about them? Ask their desk mate) and pick a reasonably generic, safe gift that says “I know you… sort of.” Things like iTunes vouchers, ceramic mugs or bottle stoppers work for almost anyone; do the Witchery neon bag for your fashionable lady (and put a little nailpolish or something inside), the alarm clock as a cute gag gift for the person who’s always late, and the iPad cover for anyone who is new to the world of iPads (or is irresponsibly without cover). See? It’s all OK. Now that you’re done, you can sit back, have a glass of champagne, and try not to say anything inappropriate to your boss at the Christmas party because they always remember.
What do you think? Comment here
Category: Featured
Tags: Myer, Portmans, Sportsgirl, Trends, Witchery
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01 November 2012, by
Image sourced via theequinest.com.
A slightly finger-wagging tale by Rachael Ciccarelli.
Once upon a time, every stylist/ fashion buyer in Perth came to me; eyes black with rage, tearing their hair out and beating their chests, crying: “It’s Melbourne Cup day, and I’ve been invited to a thing, but I just hate racewear. It’s the WORST.” Nodding with eyes cast down and a sigh of resignation, I’d reply: “Big time. Racewear as it stands makes me want to kill everything in the world, even innocent, wide-eyed puppies. But it wasn’t always this way. Before orange spray tans and tiny bottles of champagne served with straws, before “fascinator” became a faster way to say “bit of netting with an ugly fake flower and some feathers”, and before double-sided tape became a point of structural integrity for most frocks, racewear was the epitome of daytime elegance. The rules were strict, and the ladies were clothed. And there was nary a cheap feather in sight.”
“Really?” they’d gasp, dizzy with glee at the thought.
“Yes. And while resurrecting looks from the 1940s might be a touch uncomfortable, there are slightly more modern inspirations to consider. And dresses to wear. And accessories to don, the combination of which will hopefully leave you looking less like you crawled directly from a tanning bed after a big night out.”
“Show me!” they cried, and so I waved my wand, et voila –
Images sourced from: The Skinny Stiletto.
Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) at the polo match in Pretty Woman. Yes – it’s polo, and yes, she plays a prostitute – but she STILL looks more race appropriate than most women I see stumbling around after Cup day. Note the fantastic preppy details – the belt, the gloves, the wide brimmed hat: an excellent one to inspire.
Image sources: Dress from Myer, Hat from Myer, Shoes from Ninewest.
This is a lighter take with more springy, feminine accent colour, sure – but the classic nipped in waist, clean print and brimmed hat are all there.
Image sources: Dress from Portmans, Hat from Sportsgirl, Shoes from Ninewest.
Taking the 50s silhouette once again, this is a sharper, monochrome take on the Vivian-is-totally-my-date-and-not-for-hire-oh-no-George-Costanza’s-going-to-find-out-and-say-something look.
Image sources: Dress from Cue, Earings from Sportsgirl, Shoes from Novo.
Here we’ve got a great, block coloured coral base for those who aren’t so into print –and the accent colour is introduced via accessories. Not too bad, eh? Note the lack of hat: while unusual, is totally acceptable… and much better than kowtowing to ugly headwear for the sake of it.
What do you think? Comment here
Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Myer, Portmans, Sportsgirl, Trends
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