Say No to Shopping by Jane Stabler

I'm going to post articles by my gorgeous writers - this one comes from Jane Stabler.

Ask Bronny tears herself away from the winter sales to figure out if a small shopping addiction is such a bad thing… There are times when I seriously suspect I have a shopping problem. Times when I know I have just about enough in my bank account to buy a happy meal but I don’t get paid for another fortnight, and I still buy shoes. Times like Saturday when I organised to meet a friend in the city for coffee – just a coffee - and on the way I bought a dress, two pairs of tights and new makeup. It seems that even bordering on bankruptcy isn’t enough to squash my desire to shop. At least I’m helping the economy.

I wonder what it is that causes this addiction to shopping, because in other aspects of my life, I am actually capable of exercising a relatively impressive level of self control. For example, as much as I love a vino, I can go for days or weeks without drinking if I tell myself it shall be so, even when the pressure to imbibe is unwavering from my friends. Similarly when I do decide to exercise (and no, it’s not often) I actually stick to it for a determined period of time. (It’s usually a short period, but I still stick.) But when it comes to shopping, it seems as far as willpower goes, I have none. I certainly didn’t need the new dress. The tights I can warrant for work purposes (I wonder if I can claim them on my tax…) but it seems I am unable to walk past something I think is remotely nice without trying it on, and that ultimately leads to trouble. And that brings me to my latest quandary.

My most fabulous boyfriend has recently informed me that we are attending a formal ball interstate in a couple of months. This is beyond fabulous news for a girl who loves to glam up, but of course the minute he uttered the words “black tie” I was stressing about a dress, and my mind was running rampantly through my decidedly inadequate wardrobe.

Now, I have many dresses (not surprising based on the above story) some of which I cringe to admit I have only worn once - even more devastating when I recall the price tags. Of course I will do the obligatory try on of all the possibly suitable dresses in my closet, but I already know they will fail the test miserably. And that’s mostly down to the fact that I have only just this weekend seen the most fabulous, beautiful creation in a glorious window display and I just know that this dress is perfect for this event.

Half of me is screaming to go and try it on because it would be perfect (and everything I own I have of course pre-empted will suck beyond belief) but the sensible part of me is reminding me I am no closer to owning anything other than shoes than I was 10 years ago, and I should really stop buying unnecessary dresses that I hardly ever get to wear and start considering property as an investment possibility.

I’m pretty sure I’ll be trying it on this week.

For more articles like this visit www.askbronny.com.

The pretties of Melbourne flocked to Miss Greens Garden Party at The Willows on St Kilda Road for the last day of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week. One could have mistaken the crowd as Flemington race goers with the range of floral frocks and fascinators on display. Rebecca George (Miss Green herself) arranged a divine event with the concept based around presenting an ‘Eco Friendly’ fashion parade and then auctioning off the designs for lucky bidders.

There was a distinctly vintage feel to the event with hostesses wandering around dressed in gorgeous 50s garb replete with hair and makeup. Models dressed in the designs they were soon to present, allowed us the opportunity of a close up view of what was later to be an auction item. Guests sipped eco friendly organic wines and nibbled canapés whilst admiring the display of cupcakes they would soon dig into provided by ‘Love At First Bite’. I have one word for those cup cakes ‘delicious’. Photographers were kept happy with the colorful display; definitely the most color I had seen that week at any parade!

Designers who had donated their time and effort to create a dress for the auction included Lady Petrova, Made in Donald, Alexi Freeman, Eva Q, Nicolangela, Jenny Bannister, Miss Lyndel Yeo, KBAD, Sara Victoria, Nikolina Concepts, Tiffany Treloar, Messina Designs, Leonard Street, Hair Fascinators, Hopeless and Anna Campbell. Accessories were provided by Airdrie Makin with the gorgeous Joolz range.

Each designer had been invited to create a frock with eco friendly materials which proved to be a winner with some gorgeous creations resulting. Lady Petrova’s purple floaty cocktail frock was perhaps my pick of the day with bidding hot at the auction and the dress finally going for close to $300. Other standouts included Made in Donalds velvet frock with jacket made from recycled carpet (though you’d never have guessed) and Jenny Bannisters use of straws to embellish her simple white dress.
50% of auction proceeds were generously donated to the charity of the Designers choice including Beyond Blue, the Lost Dogs Home, RSPCA and Guide Dogs. As guests left the event they were treated to a fabulous gift bag the best of the week in my opinion, including wonderful products and samples to get your eco friendly heart racing.

All in all, Miss Greens Garden Party was a wonderful finale to a week of fashion and frivolity. We certainly hope to see this event on the next years fashion week calendar.

To view images from the day visit this article at AskBronny.com.

MSFW09

How do you describe with images the beauty of the clothes you witnessed in person? It’s a hard one, but I’ll try. This past week was one of my busiest of the year with Melbourne Spring Fashion Week in full bloom across the city. I attended quite a few of the parades and walked away with idea’s of hot looks for the coming season. I have to admit there was a peach boiler suit that I just can’t get out of my head, not to mention the Betina Liano bustier that I am currently coveting.

Sky high heels were a definite feature of all the parades I attended with only a few daring designers sending their girls down the runway in biker and low heeled ankle boots. You heard it here of course on AskBronny that the biker boot (that early 90s look) was returning and it was confirmed in Designer Showcase Series 4 when designers teamed gorgeous outfits with the buckled variety. We love this look, and anyone can wear it, we suggest teaming your boots with leggings, flippy 20s inspired dresses and a headband for that added fun.

The 20s and 30s were also a clear inspiration with menswear in particular chanelling The Great Gatsby, I couldn’t get past the gorgeous pale grey and cream suits for men. I predict a hot look for this coming Spring Racing Carnival, team it with a checked flat cap and your Great Gatsby look will be complete. Forget about your dark suits boys and opt instead for the cool colors of white, grey and cream. For women it was high waisted Kath Hepburn inspired trousers with a wide cuffed leg – divine. This kind of trouser looks awesome with flats, a fitted shirt and a cardy draped over your shoulders. A perfect work outfit for any stylista.

The Wayne Cooper Dresses at Showcase Number 3 were nothing short of inspirational, in particular the gothic inspired maxi that was a standout, we could see young Kristen of Twilight fame rocking this on any red carpet.

Whilst goth seems to be creeping back into fashion it seems hemlines are also creeping up, the crotch skimming mini is definitely not a look for the faint hearted or those not feeling super confident with their body. I’d suggest giving this look a miss unless you are built like Giselle, it’s a hot look but so inconvenient in terms of how do you sit down, bend over, leave it for the runway is my suggestion.

The girls sparkled as they glided down the runway with most designers featuring a look or two that included sequins or sparkling materials, we particularly loved a blue Wayne Cooper frock which just screamed late night glamour.

There was something about the parades that felt very primary colors to me, with variations and hue’s of red, yellow and blue. For men the colors were very muted with a lot of grey, black, cream and white. The designs seemed to be more about fit rather than color. A few brave designers sent there men down the runway in a unisex creation with French inspired ruff at the front, we’re not sure this look will take off in mainstream fashion although could see a particular confident manista rocking it.

A rock element also seemed to come through which ties in nicely with the goth look of black, we felt elements of Morrissey and the punk movement with black outfits, pencil ties, and cut outs featuring.

Resort wear was also a feature with white plastic looking sunglasses, lycra and that look you would surely only see on the French Riviera, we particularly liked the idea of wearing and all in one singlet with your high waisted trousers, there is something (again) very 30s about this look which we loved.

All in all it really came down to the following hot looks that you could adapt into your wardrobe:

1. wide legged cuffed man trousers
2. biker boots
3. lace
4. resort wear
5. bustiers
6. sequins & sparkles
7. 1930s inspired looks for men and women
8. crotch skimming dresses
9. zippers
10. sky high heels

All those girls who loved their maxi dresses last season – never fear, the maxi is still a hot look with designers sending different versions down the runway. Also, any fashionista on the money will purchase a jump suit which have taken a step up with silk materials, longer sleeves for a more evening look. Gorgeous. As said, I’m in love with this peach boiler suit… now if only I had been wearing that in the paper.

For all the images visit this article at AskBronny.com.

Why Blog?

I started AskBronny.com in 2006, the site is dedicated to answering questions about fashion. I actually answer all the questions myself and am really interested in helping people who are a little bit fashion fearful. Of course, I get plenty of questions from fashionistas and I love answering those questions as well.

Even though I have my own website and have a host of people writing for me I figured a blog could be a good little fun thing to do on the side.

So here I am! Feel free to ask a question - I might even get featured on the AskBronny.com homepage.

Til then - why not visit AskBronny.com and see what it's all about.

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