8 DO'S & DON'TS OF DATE NIGHT DRESSING.

Here's how you get it right.

I should probably begin with a disclaimer: I've had the same boyfriend for several years, so "what to wear on a first date" isn't something I've given much thought to lately. 

This post was actually inspired by an email I got from a reader, who asked what I would wear on a first date if I wanted to look "nice" without looking like I've tried at all. 

Here's one I prepared earlier... plus some general do's and don'ts for date night dressing.

DON'T:

Wear bodycon. It leaves nothing to the imagination, and no room for dessert. 

Wear all white. Too many things can go wrong. Just don't do it to yourself.

Wear ridiculous heels. The higher the heel, the harder you look like you're trying.

Wear red lipstick. It's intimidating, and high maintenance. 

DO:

Wear the pants. You know how people instantly look 50% more intelligent when they put glasses on? Well I think it's the same for women in pants. It shows you mean business. 

Apply the 50/50 rule. If you're going for bare shoulders, cover-up on the bottom, and vice versa.

Wear your hair up. It says "I woke up like this".

Show-off your décolletage. It looks good across the table.

Seed Heritage top, Zara pants, Saint Laurent clutch and Gucci watch.

Photographer: Tim Ashton

SHOP THE LOOK HERE:

YOU ALSO NEED TO READ:

11 tips for a better work wardrobe

Why it's all about the lip stain

PLAYING FASHION.

Dressing-up in my favourite wardrobe staples.

Jamie Ashkar coat and Jac & Jack shorts and sweater.

Georgia Alice coat over Life with Bird coat, American Apparel knit and Rebecca Vallance leather pants.

Mango blazer, J Brand camisole and Nobody denim jeans.

Bassike coat and top, Rag & Bone jeans and Nike trainers.

Bassike coat, Comme des Garcons shirt and Bassike coat.

Zara coat, Country Road top and pants and The Mode Collective shoes.

Photographer: Tim Ashton.

It's days like this that I really love my job. 

A little while ago I set out on the road with Tim Ashton, his assistant Alex and my assistant Sam to basically hang out for the day in a car park shooting beautiful clothes to create an editorial for Playing Fashion. 

When you have a good team, great chats and the perfect soundtrack, things just seem to come together.

See the full editorial and read the interview here – in which we talk blogging, personal style, beauty and why I sometimes just wish I could hit the "off" switch on life and Instagram.

Recently:

Workwear worth waking up for

4 things I can't get enough of right now

MONDAY MOOD: RELAX.

My favourite style is as easy as it looks.

Images sourced via Pinterest and Tumblr. 

SHOP THE LOOK HERE:

RECENTLY:

4 (good) reasons to embrace the crop

The perfect pinstripe suit

4 REASONS TO EMBRACE THE CROP.

You know you want to. So what's stopping you? 
Probably the fact that you associate 'crop' with bare abs (or lack thereof), which can be daunting. Like one of those trends you'd rather bypass and pretend isn't happening. 

Kind of like my coping mechanisms for the new season's boho redux.

But "going for the crop" can mean many things in fashion, and it needn't necessarily involve some St Tropez and a new daily sit-ups routine. 

Here's four reasons (and ways) to embrace the crop:



1. IT'S FLATTERING.

When paired with high-waisted pants, a crop creates the illusion of longer legs and can make you look taller. 



2. EVERYONE CAN WEAR IT. 

Before you go throwing things at your screen, hear me out. 

'Crop' is a very broad term. You could go for a teeny tiny bra-like crop, a longer crop, a boxy-shaped crop... it really comes down to two things – whether you're willing to bare it all or just a little, and what you feel most confident in.



3. YOU CAN WEAR IT (ALMOST) ALL YEAR ROUND.

Spring? Yes. Summer? Of course.

And for my friends currently embracing fall – consider layering a blazer over the top. I love a tiny bit of skin sneaking out of a relaxed suit. 



4. YOU CAN WEAR IT DIFFERENT WAYS.

If the word 'crop' (or the number of times I've said it in this post) is starting to make you nauseous, you could always layer a collared shirt underneath to embrace the trend without baring anything at all. It's like having your cake and eating it too (literally). 

Also refer to point #3.

Wearing Seed Heritage top, ASOS pants, Céline bag, Gucci watch and Seed Heritage shoes.

Photographed by Tim Ashton.

SHOP MY OUTFIT HERE:

RECENTLY:

Found: the perfect pinstripe suit

4 things I can't get enough of right now

MONDAY MOOD: BOY MEETS GIRL.

Tomboy dressing = the best thing ever.

I've never been a textbook "girly-girl". Something about soft pink cheeks and floaty floral dresses feels a little too predictable to me. 

Instead, I always consider one of my favourite mantra's to live by when making my wardrobe choices, too – everything in moderation.

This week on Chronicles of Her it's all about mixing the masculine, oversized and relaxed with the soft, subtle and feminine. Toughen-up a midi dress with a boyfriend blazer thrown over the top, or pair your favourite sundress with some statement brogues. The beauty is in striking the perfect the balance. 

Oh, and now you can also shop my edit of 'boy meets girl' below.

Images sourced via Studded Hearts, Down This Road and Pinterest.

SHOP MY EDIT OF BOY MEETS GIRL HERE:

Recently:

Every girl needs this watch

Workwear worth waking up for

WHAT TO WEAR TO THE RACES.

No boring dress or fascinator required.

Every year when the racing seasons come around, my friends and I are in the same predicament – what can I wear that a) doesn't make me look and feel completely ridiculous b) doesn't require wearing something fluffy or feathered on my head and c) still looks polished and sophisticated?

Unless you're gunning for Fashions on the Field, I'm of the belief that the rules were made to be broken. Besides, you rarely get ahead by playing it safe. 

Here are my tips for getting it right:



1. THINK OUTSIDE THE SQUARE. 

When choosing an outfit, I try to do things differently and look to the runway for inspiration (relaxed suits and pinstripes, anyone?). Don't limit yourself to dresses. Consider a suit or a skirt and top combination. I go for things I know I'll wear beyond the day.



2. DON'T OVER-THINK YOUR ACCESSORIES.

Don't lash out a new clutch and new shoes with matching nail polish so you're tonal head-to-toe. Incorporate your normal bags and shoes into your outfit. It's more understated, and less work for you.



3. HEADWEAR. 

I don't do fascinators. Full stop. End of story. But this doesn't mean I'm ever without options. Consider hats, or a headband if you're into that kind of thing.

I wore a straw boater hat (which you can see on my Instagram) to the races on the weekend. It was a multi-purpose investment because I now have one just in time for the Australian summer!

Wearing Sportscraft blazer and trousers, Camilla and Marc tank, Karen Walker sunglasses and Saint Laurent clutch (similar). 

4. STICK TO THE SEASONS.

The only rule I stick to is lighter colours with straw hats for spring, or darker tones with felt hats for autumn. 

This is mainly for practical purposes. I once wore leather to spring carnival and it wasn't exactly pleasant. 

What are your race wear do's and don'ts? x


RECENTLY:

4 things I can't get enough of right now

This is probably the chicest watch you've ever seen