Posts in Personal Style
Gaining perspective

Around this time last year I lost my prescription sunglasses…This was a tragedy! I rely on them heavily. I wear prescription sunglasses ALL the time, whenever I am outside, all year round. Along with my keys, they are the first thing I reach for as I leave the house. They protect me from Summer sun, Winter glare and Melbourne wind. Oh yeah, and they enable me to see better.

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Fast fashion - is it for you?

Out walking recently, I came across one of those things I’ve always loved – a large market full of home baked goodies and secondhand and vintage fashion in a pretty, sunny garden. Sadly, I have to say I only found 4-5 things even worth considering. The rest of it was junk. Pure junk. The designs were bad, the fabrics had pilled or faded and the seams looked dodgy. In a word: cheap. Cheap, disposable, fast fashion.

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Getting your proportions right

Changing the proportions is one of the biggest differences you can make to an outfit. There are certain proportions that look interesting or exciting and others that look boring or even chaotic. The principle of proportion is based on the Golden Mean (or golden ratio) and applies to art and design, nature and mathematics as well as other stuff. Find out how to apply this to what you wear here.

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Iris - Part 2

I thoroughly enjoy Iris Apfel’s refusal to fade away, as sadly so many women past a certain age do. Those who read my last blog post: Iris, part 1 will know this. It was reinforced when I recently saw ‘Iris‘ – the documentary by the late Albert Maysles. She succeeds in making a confident and colourful statement because she is not concerned with being ‘pretty’ or obsessed with trying to appear young, which often results in looking sad and dissatisfied with life.

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Iris - Part 1

I finally took myself to the cinema to see ‘Iris‘ – the documentary by the late Albert Maysles about colourful, creative and quick-witted Iris Apfel.At 94, Iris Apfel has simply incredible energy levels and insight. If you’re not familiar with her, check her out online – her eclectic sartorial style is definitely worth being aware of, whether you love it or hate it.

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Why Helen Mirren is a great role model

I’ve admired Helen Mirren from a distance for some considerable time now. I like the way she handles herself and the way she appears to engage with others. She oozes authenticity which, as many people know, is one of my favourite things. An article published in The Guardian enabled me to list numerous reasons Helen Mirren is a great role model for many contemporary women. Find out more here.

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Shoe swoon

I have it on good authority that many women swoon* as they look at a pair of stilettos. But I’ve never understood this as all I see is pain, rounded shoulders, hunched over backs, clunky, clompy, clumsy walking styles to keep from toppling and a reminder of having broken my leg in three places and not walking for five months. But the Powerhouse Museum's exhibition Recollect: Shoes did make me swoon.

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Mix and match colours on the road

The photo is actually a shot of all the clothes I quickly threw together for a 10-day road trip up the east coast of Australia. Despite having plenty of space in the car for my stuff, I still wanted to ensure every item could be worn together so I didn’t have to think about what became dirty and what was still clean – anything I picked up to wear any day co-ordinated. Find out how to use the colour wheel and other colour facts to help you pack a capsule wardrobe that coordinates.

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