tuesday choice and WARDROBE ROOM ATTACKS

Today’s outfit is another blend of eBay goodness and store-bought items. I am thinking I may need to re-calculate my wardrobe’s retail formula (see A + B = eBay for further clarification, mathematically speaking) – as more and more items I am finding were bought in physical stores... surprise surprise! Toay we have a dark grey silk Sass+Bide collarless shirt (eBay - $60), teamed with a viscose Sportsgirl striped tube skirt (in-store $59.95 Sportsgirl), paired with vintage-esque Tony Bianco perforated tan leather wedges (eBay - $45) and the old fave Witchery belt ties it all together once again (this is a hero piece):

The reason I am posting outfits on the net is not so much for self gratification regarding my amazing styling abilities (nor is it for my own photogeniciness (this should be a word) - which is why I  DO NOT feature in the photos) – it is more to remind myself that YES you do have an ENTIRE ROOM bursting with goodies in which to draw outfit inspiration from (room consists of two antique panelled wardrobes (gorgeous I may add) and two transportable clothes racks (one high quality Freedom rack and one $19.95 reject shop rack that is being held together with masking tape as it keeps falling over)).  There is something so calming about spending time in my wardrobe room – takes me back to my retail shop floor days.  Sometimes I find myself ‘racking up’ (any ex-Sportsgirl gal will know exactly what process I am referring to) and finger spacing each category (YES I am anal and it is spilt into categories). Apart from the usual categories such as tops/skirts/pants etc – my items are actually split into four different classes – which are then broken down into the usual categories within each classification.  For example:

WARDROBE 1. Consists of ITEMS I USED TO WEAR TO WORK IN MELBOURNE AND CAN NO LONGER WHICH ARE NOW REDUCED TO WEEKENDS OR GOING OUT FOR DINNERS OR TIMES WHEN I AM IN MELBOURNE – or perhaps more simply NON-BALLARAT APPROPRIATE ITEMS.  This includes most of my silk maxi dresses, printed pants, culottes, kimono and fringed jackets and anything that needs a  high heel or is worn with wet-look Camilla and Marc leggings.  Slowly but surely I am growing bolder in my work outfits choices and pushing the ‘smart business casual’ boundaries so some of these items are getting a little more exposure than before – of which they are very happy about. They told me. I keep these items hidden behind the cupboard doors otherwise I may get sad looking at all the beautiful things that I have that I no longer wear. Sob.

HIGH QUALITY FREEDOM CLOTHING RACK – consists of ITEMS THAT ARE ON TREND/STYLISH AND STILL BALLARAT WORK APPROPRIATE (JUST). This includes anything new I get off eBay whilst I try my hardest to work it in to my work-appropriate wardrobe (no cream embroidered Zimmermann maxi kaftan I don’t think that is you), As well as 50’s midi skirts, printed Anthropologie pencil skirts, peach tailored peg-leg pants, silk blouses and colour block boyfriend blazers.  Still a little edgy – but I can get away with it at work. Just.

FALLING OVER REJECT SHOP RACK – this rack is known as THINGS I HAVE TO OWN TO BE CONSIDERED AS DRESSING SMART BUSINESS CASUAL AT WORK but will never wear outside of working hours. This includes lovely things such as scoop neck stripe cotton tops from Jeans West (bought on one daily excursion to the local shopping hotspot – Wendouree Village), basic tanks, tailored blazers and shirts and fitted black pants. Hot.  It also includes my ‘optional’ work uniform which consists of a branded navy polo t-shirt, and matching branded polar fleece jumper – the less said about these beauties the better. I hate this rack.

WARDROBE 2 – doesn’t really get a look in.  This is filled with MARKET STUFF – which is could also be called THINGS I HAVE BOUGHT OF EBAY THAT DONT FIT/I DONT NEED/WHY THE HELL DID I BUY THEM.  I would have to say that one of the biggest cons with online purchasing is not trying something on can actually mean that when you receive said item – it may not fit.  Sad, but true.  I have learnt that if something is described as 6-8 – no chance.  I am no longer a 25 in Sass and Bide jeans, and Topshop sizing is really small. ASOS branded items are a similar quality to stuff you find in Valleygirl, and if something is described as in ‘good’ condition – chances are its probably not. I hold stalls at various markets throughout the year (at Round She Goes in Moorabbin and Take 2 Markets), and this is where I sell off all my unwanted or ill-fitting items (apart from the absolute crap of course), plus pretty much most of the items I have bought at sample sales (I don’t think ill ever learn that just because its five dollars doesn’t mean I need 10x Witchery puff sleeve tees).  The cupboard gets hauled over a week before each market, so the items do turn over quite quickly.  The cupboard also features a small section known as THINGS I JUST CANT GIVE UP AND WILL SAVE FOR MY KIDS (like my mother never did) – which consist of an array of random bits and bobs, from a sequined Witchery bolero, vintage calf fur cape that is falling apart (but its GORGEOUS), flared jeans, a fringed flapper dress, my entire collection of vintage cowboy boots  and 2x Exclusives for Sportsgirl silk dresses (one of their first designer colabs) that I think (quite naively) will be collector’s items one day.

So this is the state of my wardrobe room. Honestly – it is chockers. That is why I am posting an outfit each day in order to challenge myself to steer away from my ‘safe go-to’ smart business casual items (hello CR blazer and straight-leg pants) – and mix things up. Let some of my other needy items get some long overdue attention, which in theory should prevent me from 'creating' any visible 'gaps' in my wardrobes that need to be filled by another online purchase. And maybe - just maybe - ill save some money. 


As if.

FFIFY xxxx