Daily Outfit – Western Wear

Daily Outfit – Western Wear

I am well and truly back in the saddle with this week’s outfit. Two of my favourite Las Vegas purchases have found yet another way to be worn.

Whenever I go to Las Vegas (not that it is every year, it’s a long trip!) I always head to Boot Barn on the outside end of the strip. It is nothing like anything I’ve seen here in Australia and has the ability to make me come over all crazy cowgirl, even though I don’t ride. I adore vintage western wear but it isn’t easy to work the more full on ensembles into an everyday suburbanite lifestyle, so this is my modern take on a look I love.

If you wear cowboy boots you’ll know just how heavy they are, so buying these at the beginning of my last trip was quite a commitment. Not only did it mean I had to wear them every time I had to catch another flight, it also meant I had to take them off at every airport security check! I had to carry a wooden boot remover in my handbag so I could get them off in a hurry in those nasty queues. Trying to wear the boots, the shirt, a hat (so it didn’t get squished) and still look like myself was quite the challenge; until I decided to pair them up with a dress like this. Hence, a new favourite western look was born.

Outfit Details

Rose embroidered western shirt – Scully

Red & white “bubble” dress – Savers find

Fancy embroidered and Swarovski boots – Boot Barn (a splurge at the sale price of $399)

Vintage horse shoe necklace – Etsy

Diamonte and gold horse shoe earrings – Lovissa

Lip Colour – MAC Russian Red

Red velveteen hair flower –  Bexterity

Do you have a secret fashion style you love but just can’t seem to work into your daily looks?

Spill and maybe we can all help each other!

The Trashy Diva Obi Dragon Dress

The Trashy Diva Obi Dragon Dress

I went all out today and decided to get into the feel of the Trashy Diva Obi Dragon dress by playing the 1940’s lounge singer role in the studio with Helen. It was the perfect opportunity to road test evening looks for some upcoming Winter’s night events and see just how they’ll work.  Often times I plan outfits to go dancing in and I usually sacrifice functionality for good looks. This is one perfect dress that doesn’t ask you to make that choice; just take a good jacket if you’re in Melbourne!

You saw the cute polka dot 1950’s style dress from Trashy Diva last week, well this week I wanted to play around with this new release of the Obi dress. You may remember I first found this style back when I was in New Orleans, and the decadent, floaty silk was too much to leave behind.

Not only is the fabric on these dresses simply gorgeous, but the sleeve design makes them perfect for dancing! No problems stretching, twirling or even over heating. The full skirt flows beautifully and the obi belt design forms part of the dress, so you won’t loose it on the dance floor.

 

Outfit Details

Obi Dragon Dress – Trashy Diva (kindly provided as a gift)

Red strap shoes – Tony Bianco

Drop earrings – Vintage

Lip colour – Mac Russian Red with Lime Crime Carousel gloss on top.

Swanky Photography by Helen McLean

If you have any questions about their dresses or other things you see on the website, like finding out about fit or care, feel free to ask away in the comments.  I have loads of their pieces and have worn them for several years, so I can fill you in on all the little details.

 

Daily Outfit – Wicked

Daily Outfit – Wicked

Last night was a Mother’s Day night out treat for my Mum and I. We headed into the city early for some delicious Pho and green tea ice cream before the rest of of evening spectacular began, and it certainly was spectacular!

I wish you could have all been with me at the Regent theatre last night to see the pure perfection that was the Australian production of Wicked. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a show so thoroughly that I was already planning my next visit before the curtain had fallen.

I’d heard all the songs, and had a little idea about the story, but I’d decided not to really research the show before seeing it so I could be properly enthralled. If I could describe this show to you in a nutshell, it is this;

Wicked is like the best of Harry Potter meets Legally Blonde, all wrapped up in the delicious bright Disney style of musicality. The short of show from which Fandoms are made.

I wanted every costume, every sparkle and to sing every song with the intensity of the day when you feel you are truly winning. It is sharp, witty and perfectly executed by each and every actor. In this age of technology, it is so easy to forget the intricacies of live theatre; the pressure on every member, seen and unseen, to get it just right. The occasional glimpse of the conductors head bobbing in the orchestra pit, reminds you that what your seeing is living art, and I can’t wait to bring both of my girls into this thrilling picture!

Although the theme for this “green carpet” event was indeed, green; I opted instead for something warm and autumnal that could handle a wet city street. My fabulous long, sweeping skirt is an old Ralph Lauren favourite that has been in my wardrobe earning it’s keep for almost ten years, and still going strong.

 

Outfit Details

Red and black plaid woollen skirt – Ralph Lauren

Jewellery – Lovisa 1960’s styled collection

Cashmere shrug – Op shop find

Black top – Luca and Marc

Evening bag – Black velveteen 1950’s vintage

Shoes – J Maskrey for Melissa collection

Lips – MAC Russian Red

If you fancy enjoying Wicked in Oz for yourself, I have an exclusive pre sale code for you here, available only until Midnight tonight, so hurry!

Daily Outfit – Polka Dot Vintage Dress Day

Daily Outfit – Polka Dot Vintage Dress Day

It may be Autumn in Melbourne already, but we are lucky to sneak in a few lovely days here and there. Provided you bring a cardi, you can enjoy a bit of a brunch in the sun.

The fabulous ladies at Trashy Diva, who I met while last in New Orleans, kindly sent me this wonderful polka dot version of my favourite Trixie Dress the other day. It’s rare that I go down the polka dot vintage dress road, but for Trixie my wardrobe door is always open. This is without a doubt, my absolute favourite dress block in the range they make. I have it in about seven different prints and fabrics, and that still isn’t enough!

The halter neck and shirred sides make it easily adjustable and very forgiving if you don’t fit a ‘perfect’ size. The folded style bust line is super flattering both on larger and smaller busts. In fact I can comfortably say, that if I were only allowed to have one dress style in my wardrobe, this would be it!

The Trixie Dress in Polka Dot and cropped green cardigan from Trashy Diva.

(this is the inadvertent “oops, my head piece is sliding out” pose)

I’m planning on packing all my Trixie dresses for an upcoming tropical jaunt, as not only do they look the business, but they hardly weigh a thing and fold up tiny. This means lots of extra room for all the shopping I plan on doing. And speaking of shopping, if you fancy adding this gorgeous dress or any other of the multitude of spectacular treats from Trashy Diva to your wardrobe, I have a special discount code for you!

Simply enter the code:  Kawaii10  in the checkout to get 10% off any orders until the end of May.

Pour yourself a cup of tea and have a little look around their store. Let the love affair begin!

Outfit Details

Dress – Big Polka in ‘Trixie’ by Trashy Diva

Cardigan – from Trashy Diva

Bangles – Op Shop find

Fruity head piece – A DIY project of mine

Shoes – Vivienne Westwood for Melissa “Lady Cherry”

Lips – MAC Russian Red

My Middy Hair Cut. The Perfect Cut for Vintage Sets.

My Middy Hair Cut. The Perfect Cut for Vintage Sets.

vintage middy hair cut

Since 1997 I have been trying to get this hair cut. Like many of you I have all kinds of pictures, illustrations and even original cutting diagrams. So the questions is, after such a very long time, why have I never been able to get this cut to happen correctly?

Although I’ve had some fabulous hairdressers over the years, I now understand what the difference is. It is all in the training. The modern hairdressing schools teach a very different style of cutting than was taught in years past. There is a myth out there that hairdressers all know how to do the same thing, and nothing could be farther from the truth. They all have different skills and different specialties.

vintage middy hair cut

For instance, the hair styling that I provide in my Melbourne based Vintage Hair and Makeup company, is far more complex and time consuming than what most hairdressers have ever tackled. It it what I live and breath, as well as requiring a very different skill set than those skilled colourists for instance. But I don’t cut, I don’t colour.

Last week I was recommended to a career hairdresser (Maggie Timms) who has had over 40 years experience and was taught the Vidal Sasson way of precision cutting. She has an excellent understanding of the finished styling I want to achieve, and although this cut isn’t asked for by her day to day client, the core requirement of specialty precision cutting remains.  In no time at all, (and without any diagrams needed), she snipped away and created my 6inch middy hair cut.

It is perfection.


1940s 1950s hair cut vintage middy style

Although my regular colourist is also an excellent cutter, the difference between the close approximation of a 1940s or 1950s style hair cut I usually sport and this new cut, has made an incomparable difference. How can I tell? This cut looks perfect set or unset, it brushes out into so many different styles with the one set, and it has cut my rolling time by more than half.

In a nutshell, if you’re looking for the key to a successful Middy Cut, it isn’t in bringing pictures and diagrams, but in finding a long term hairdresser experienced in precision cutting.

1940s 1950s hair cut vintage middy style

What do you think?

What are the biggest problems you have when trying to explain your hair cut requests?

Daily Outfit – Red hot red, pastels and vintage lace.

Daily Outfit – Red hot red, pastels and vintage lace.

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This is one special daily outfit today. As a part of my role as a Mercedes-Benz Championship blogger for The Race Around the Web, I had the opportunity to spend the day driving around in the hot off the boat, brand new B Class! I think I may have finally found my perfect car with its seriously luxe glam factor. We went a little crazy taking outfit shots for this one because it just felt like the perfect synergy between my own style and how gorgeous this car is.

I fell in love with the sleek curves, glossy red body and plush pale leather seats; but mostly I fell in love with the pure drama of it!

If you want to be in the running to WIN this absolute stunner of a Mercedes-Benz B Class, amongst other amazing prizes, check out the Race Around the Web  and the Super Kawaii Mama Championship track now! And make sure to use that “Share” button at the bottom of the post, cause I’ll bet if your best friend wins it, they’ll take you cruising in style too!

 

Outfit Details

Dress – Original 1950’s vintage lace cocktail dress Similar vintage style lace dress.

Scarf – hand rolled silk vintage scarf

Earrings – Lovisa.

Pastel studded bracelet – Lovisa. I’ve also just bought this pastel two tone studded bracelet to wear with it – so cute!

 Gloves Kid leather driving gloves

Tri-tone pastel shoes – Betts new arrivals. These gorgeous Versus multi pastel heels would be a killer match too.

Blush pink bag – Forever New

Sunglasses – 50’s style catseye sunglasses Luella

*All original images by Helen McLean for Vintage Current – Images may be reproduced with appropriate permissions. Feel free to add to Pinterest, Tumblr etc…* 

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