They say: Pack that blouse away for Winter! I say: Layer it up and rock it!
Want to keep your fave top in high rotation all year round? Read on for my looks and for my top styling tips...
Summer
Plaid Top: Zara (Sold out, similar here)Fringe Skirt: She In (Sold out, similar here)
Sandals: Lee Cooper (Similar here)
Sunglasses: Tory Burch (Shop here)
Ahh... you can't beat the tropical Aussie weather! Here I am in the beachy climate my regular readers would all associate me with. I have to admit that sometimes I have a culture identity crisis and sometimes don't know where I really fit in anymore or what exactly my national identity is. My accent is a strange mishmash of Northern English and Australian, my home and partner are in Australia, but all my family are in the UK. It often feels like I am walking on a tightrope that runs exactly down the centre of the earth. If only port keys were real!
But before I get out my violin and play a poor-British-immigrant ditty, let's move onto the fashion...
For the beach, I rolled up the sleeves on my plaid tee. This helps to keep the steamy sauna sweat of 85% humidity at bay whilst adding a more casual vibe that is suited to the sand. As this blouse is quite loose fitted and has a slight peplum shape, I tucked it into this high-waist fringe skirt for an instant hour glass shape.
With the turquoise waters and soft sands, what better finishing touches than gladiator sandals and polarized sunnies? After all, glazed eyes and crispy burnt feet are never stylish!
My Summer Style Tips
- If your top is long sleeved, go ahead and roll em' up! You have the rest of the year to cover your arms!
- Baggy beauty? Simply tuck into a high waist skirt or shorts for a flattering look.
- Style your favorite A/W button-up as a beach cover up
- To jazz up a simple, yet faithful, fave tee, layer a crop bralet over the top.
- A statement necklace or body chain are a climate-appropriate way to layer up!
- Reverse a button-up shirt and wear the buttons at the back!
Winter
Plaid Top: Zara (Sold out, similar here)
Turtleneck Jumper: Style Moi (Sold out, similar here)
Knit Dress (as skirt): Cotton On (Shop here)
Coat: Matalan (Old, similar here)
Knee High Boots: Missguided (Shop Here)
Gloves: Vintage
Here I am visiting my chilly old love: Great Britain! These were taken in some of York's oldest streets, the Shambles. Look familiar? These streets were in fact the inspiration for J K Rowling's Diagon Alley.
Fact of the day time! Did you know that the phrase 'what a shambles' actually originated from here. Back in the 14th and 15th century, every city in England had a 'Shambles'. This was an entire street of butchers shops. The streets were filled with animal giblets and all sorts of mess and tada- the term was born! You can thank my Aunt for that one- she's a tour guide in York!
For this zero degree day, I layered up to the max! My first layer consisted of a knit midi dress, which I topped with a chunky knit gray marl sweater. I embellished the sweater with my plaid Zara tee. Then I layered a huuuge coat over the top cos it was bloody freezing!
Knee high boots acted as stylish leg warmers and I stopped my fingers falling off with these cute, camel, vintage gloves.
My Winter Style Tips
- LAYERING! Put long sleeved sweaters under your top for a cool and quirky layered look. Turtle necks look extra awesome!
- If your top is too tight for layering underneath, prep with thermal vests and top with a cute cape and long gloves combo.
- Layer your tee over a knit dress for both warmth and an instant outfit.
- When layering your top over long sleeved knits, go for a color that is in the print of the top.
- Alternatively, if your top is a solid color, make a statement with a stark contrast!
- Wear your favorite button up with a chunky knit over the top and leave the collar peeping out. Alexa Chung would approve!
Over to you: is it currently bare-all-on-the-beach weather or cuddle-up-with-a-hot-chocolate weather where you live?
Rachel
xoxo