Life & Style Blog - Portmans
07 May 2012, by Rachael Ciccarelli
There’s only a week until you have to prove how much you love your mum the best way possible: with material goods! (Psst… Mother’s Day is Sunday May 13). That’s right, nothing says: “thanks for everything, especially that whole nurturing and breathing life into me thing” than piles of gifts with shiny bows. At least that’s what my mum told me last week when she also told us in no uncertain terms that we wouldn’t get away without a Mother’s Day gift just because she’s flying out to Japan the day before (ahem) I LOVE YOU, MUM DON’T READ THAT SENTENCE UP THERE OH DEAR IT’S TOO LATE.
Anyway, here are a few other ways to convert your love and stay safe from retribution this Mother’s day:
1. A chic Fossil wrap around watch so your mum will be able to chastise you for your lack of punctuality in style ($149, Fossil).
2. A gorgeous white tux shirt for the classic mum from Witchery, where 100% of the gross proceeds supports Ovarian Cancer research… which is an awesome double gift, really ($129.95, Witchery).
3. Fabulous sunglasses by Vogue that’ll suit pretty much any face shape and’ll make your mum feel a bit Audrey Hepburn ($129.95, Sunglass Hut)
4. A sweet berry coloured Chevron weave scarf to brighten her winter wardrobe ($29.95, Portmans)
5. Viktor and Rolf’s Flowerbomb, which is as explosive and flower laden as its name suggests. Much longer lasting than fresh flowers, too. ($99, Myer).
6. A wee 2GB iPod shuffle, perfect for mums who exercise – or mum’s with a… shall we say, well edited, collection of Demis Roussos-centric tunes. ($52, Dick Smith).
What do you think? Comment here
Category: Featured
Tags: Fossil, Myer, Portmans, Special Occasion, Witchery
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19 August 2011, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Like the decades before it, successful styling in your 40s comes down to knowing your body and what looks best on it. From experience, 40s tends to be the decade when women turn to me, holding anything without sleeves in a bright colour and say "I'm too old for this" without even trying it on. I know looking like mutton dressed as lamb is a very real and frightening concept, but remember: buy well cut garments in quality fabrics. If it doesn't look cheap, nor will you.
Work
Image source: Look from Cue, Portmans, Witchery.
For work, quality is the key. You're wearing this stuff the most, so don't be afraid to splash out. Buy well cut, well made trousers and skirts in better fabric so they'll wash well and you'll get the mileage while looking the part. Grab a trenchcoat - everybody needs one, and lightweight or woolen, you will wear it to death. And as always, don't be afraid to make it fun - it's work, not beige-prison. Add printed scarves, shoes or statement jewellery to pack a punch.
Women of Perth, you are not too old for this. If you've worked hard for your body or are one of those genetically blessed jerks, you should definitely make the most of it. If you're not a genetically blessed jerk and prefer to spend your evenings in the company of starchy carbohydrates and wine, your wardrobe should still be fun. It should still be on trend, colourful and have sparkling accessories in it. Do you think THESE WOMEN are too old for fun?
Play
Image source:Access Hollywood
Yes, I know Eva Longoria is in her 30s. Shhhhhhh. She looks the worst here anyway – what exactly is going on with her hair and makeup? Yikes. Her eyebrows look like they've been lying out in the sun with lemon juice squeezed on them.
Regardless of whether you have the totally unachievable lifestyle of a Hollywood starlet or not, you should not be afraid of bright colour, pattern, any/everything fitted. Sometimes it's actually more flattering to wear a fitted garment even if it doesn't feel that way- if you wear an entire outfit that floats away from your body, you'll get lost in it and look bigger. You'd be surprised the difference a nipped in waist, exposed forearms or calves will make.
What do you think? Comment here
Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Portmans, Witchery
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10 August 2011, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Having dealt with the fears, insecurities and general profanities of many friends and clients in their 30s lately, my main piece of advice would be that you are 30, not one million. You're not as old as you think you are. Your upper arms are probably better than mine. No, you're probably not going to go out dancing to terrible music until idiotic hours twice-weekly anymore, or eat fast food every other day, or drink so much cheap champagne that when you wake up the next morning you can only remember just how much by counting the bottles on the sink, but is that really such a loss? You're dressing for your body shape, not your age, remember?
Women in their 30s will have a more stable income, better class of lifestyle and know what suits them - all factors that can lead you to purge the now washed-out cheap fixes you've accumulated during your 20s, and revitalize with classic investment pieces mixed with fast fashion updates to keep it fun.
Work
Image source: Susie Marino Jacket, $199.95 from Portmans, Paula Wedge, $139.95 from Witchery, JAYSO Jayson Brunsdon Black Label Seam Contour Skirt in Stretch Wool Suiting, $179, from Myer,
For work, quality is the key. You're wearing this stuff the most, so don't be afraid to splash out. Buy well cut, well made trousers and skirts in better fabric so they'll wash well and you'll get the mileage while looking the part. Grab a trenchcoat - everybody needs one, and lightweight or woolen, you will wear it to death. And as always, don't be afraid to make it fun - it's work, not beige-prison. Add printed scarves, shoes or statement jewellery to pack a punch.
Play
Image source:
Mollini Goldeneye pump in orange, $139.95, from Myer, Bold stripe dress, $99.95, from Portmans, Metal button ring, $19.95 from Witchery
You can still be youthful and fun, you're not the remains of Miss Havisham. If you're wearing black for most of the week, make your weekend outfits pop with colour, pattern or embellishment. For a fancy night out, go sparkling vintage style with super high heels, chunky earrings and a tux jacket you can wear to work as well.
What do you think? Comment here
Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Myer, Portmans, Witchery
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13 July 2011, by Rachael Ciccarelli
In response to the overwhelming "I'm age X and need help" comments that accompanied our super-exciting-fun Win Forrest Chase (and me) for a day comp, we've decided to focus the next few blogs on looks for various ages.
I'd like to begin by stating that it's my firm belief that fashion is not about age. What you wear should be a reflection of your ever-evolving sense of style, what works for your body shape and colouring at any given time, your lifestyle, and above all whatever trinket gives you confidence and takes your fancy at this moment.
Hard and fast rules on any front aren't for me, and if I can be totally earnest - I do believe everything I write. I'd never put my name to anything I didn't agree with, and I view these blogs as a sort of soft guiding hand rather than a militant "DO THIS AND BE NICKI MINAJ OR ELSE" instruction.
Everyone should have great, supportive undergarments and wear sunscreen daily. That's my only inflexible advice. Everything else is up to you.
So, it's with that in mind that I debut the first (and debatably, easiest) era - the 20s. Ladies in your late teens and twenties, have fun with it as you're finding your way through the world of fashion. Make numerous mistakes on your way. Your supple young skin, glossy hair and resilient body that you will undoubtedly abuse are the best platform for whichever mistake you want to make - it's like water off a duck's back. Fashion in your twenties is fast evolving and less expensive, take advantage. Reinvent yourself every day.
Work
Image source: Motel Helter blouse, $100, from Myer, LP wide leg marino pant, $89.95 from Portmans, Homeward Bound blazer, $129.95 from Sportsgirl,
Buy well cut separates you can jazz up after hours and blouser down while the sun's out. Every girl needs a blazer - why not make yours a pop colour? For the trousers, again - buy a fashion cut. High waisted or bellbottoms (or both) are everywhere at the moment. And pick a top with a little pattern on in a block colour, for the love of Jeff. Work and play are interchangeable, your wardrobe should reflect that.
Play
Image source:
Quirky Circus Wild Things blouse, $69.95 from Myer, Annie wide leg oxford pant, $99.95 from Sportsgirl, BYS Glitter eye cream, $4.95 from Gloss Accessories
Out on the town, husband hunting again? I'll say it once: semi-sheer. Conservative cuts in semi sheer fabrics, peeps. You're covered and uncovered at the same time making the most of your genetic glory without giving away the milk for free. My favourite thing ever is the cropped bustier underneath so you're basically repping lingerie on the outside… what a tease. Mainly, go super outrageous with your play look. Clashing prints and colours, loud look-at-me pieces… it doesn't have to be ultra tight or revealing all the time, but just fun.
What do you think? Comment here
Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Myer, Portmans, Sportsgirl
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