A Classic In Green Leather

"Classic" is not a word I throw around lightly. Especially when talking about clothes. To me the word conjures images of Audrey Hepburn in a little black dress, Jackie O in a Chanel suit, and I only have to mention Marilyn Monroe to know that you are already picturing her in the same iconic dress that I'm thinking about. These women made these pieces the timeless classics that they are today- but you don't need a celebrity of yesteryear wearing an outfit to prove it can stand the test of time. 

The humble trench coat may have been given a bad rap over the years (thanks to a stereotypical image of a flasher and dodgy guys on street corners peddling fake rolex's) but it's simple cut and strong lines have kept it current through many decades. All of them in fact since it's inception in the 1850's. Thanks to Burberry, we have a coat that with a good fit will be flattering on anyone.

My version of this classic has a definite army feel. I don't know if it's the leather (soft and buttery) or the shade of green (dark and forresty)  but I can't help but feel like some sort of glamorous war time spy when I'm wearing it.

While it is a very flattering cut, there certainly isn't a lot of room for weight variation. A few cheeseburgers could be all it takes to pull at the buttons and destroy the clean lines completely. There has been at least one Winter that I didn't think I was doing it justice so it stayed on the rack!

To roll with my idea of "war time glamour" I have played around with my scarf options for these pics. I am more likely to wear one around my neck in real life- but it sorta suits the head scarf version too. Doncha think? I also imagine it working with an unconvincing french accent. You know the one.

"I shall say zis only waaance...."

I honestly don't know why, but a fake moustache just felt like the right thing to do here. I can't explain where that particular gut feeling came from but I stand by it enough to include the photo in this post!

A Little Bit Classy

There is a very noticeable lack of places to get this kind of dress up for these days. In lieu of waiting for such an occasion- I have decided to throw it on and blog about it anyway.



I have always thought that there is something particularly classic and elegant about an evening gown in black and white. It takes me back to a time where an evening out with a big band and champagne saucers would not have been out of place. It is obviously not the first time that I have wondered if I was born in the wrong era...

This dress came from Princess Nicole's Recycled Wardrobe on Dominion Rd about 7 years ago. Although it was a second hand shop- this dress was brand new and still had the original tag on it. It cost me a ridiculous $60.00- and my only regret is that I haven't had more occasions glamorous enough to wear it to.



The design itself is really simple. Long and strapless in black satin with a contrasting corset ribbon on the back. The floral design on the front is very effective. White embroidered roses with a hint of sequined detailing. It is a case where less really is more.



The pattern is only featured 6 times on the front of the dress- and isn't on the back at all. It is all the more striking for it. (additionally surprising as I have historically always been a more is more kindofa girl)


I have worn it with silver maryjanes for the purpose of this picture.



My mission now is to actively look for a suitable excuse to wear this gown out in the foreseeable future!

That's how I roll

On Saturday night Pirate City Rollers had their second game in the league's season- and I had a new pair of derby knickers to debut. My full derby name is "Spar Kill" but I get called "Sparky" a lot. I actually wanted something a little bit wittier written across my arse- but sadly there wasn't enough room (This will undoubtedly be the only time in my life when I am rueing not having more junk in the trunk I'm sure!) My team uniform (Mascara Massacre) is a purple lycra flip skirt that I usually wear with a white ruffled mini petticoat. The shirt is a kelly green singlet with our logo and my name and number on the back. There isn't a great deal of variance with my uniform wearing - although this week I opted for fluro green lace top stockings and a purple suspender belt to tie it all together.


I was lucky enough to have time to go home and get changed before the after party- so decided to wear this fantastic dress for the first time. A simple design of black satin strapless but with the added twist of a hot pink ruffled asymmetric feature on the front. (This was an aboslute steal at $9.00 from New Lynn Savemart) I teamed this with a plain black cardi and then added a hot pink sparkly brooch. (sadly I managed to lose this somewhere between the bars I visited over the course of the evening) Overall I think the maiden voyage of this dress went well and I did feel very glamorous.


On the other side of my hangover - I did have a derby meeting this evening that necessitated I leave the house. I went for comfort and warmth with a plaid flannel dress, black tights, red legwarmers and black high top Chuck Taylors. I matched this with a red knitted beret, "Faster Pussy Cat" black cardi with red and white panther detailing and my favourite horn rimmed glasses. P.O.F- Geek Chic.


I often wear glasses when I'm not feeling too flash from the night before or just have not had enough sleep. Although I don't actually need glasses- they do a fantastic job of masking the bags under my eyes. Some days you just need to look a little smarter. Psychologically it does wonders. I am accumulating a collection of such glasses just fro these occasions. I went through a phase where I really wished my eye sight was bad enough to warrant a reason to have a great pair of "I look so smart in these" glasses. I was a very happy girl the day I realised that I didn't have to wait- and could feasibly wear them for aesthetic if not required to actually see. It is nice to have the choice.