I’ve just finished reading a great book by German writer Anuschka Rees, It’s called ‘The Curated Closet’, and I loved it! She takes you through a systematic journey to discover your own style, cull your closet, and shop only for what you need. She also has a pretty cool blog that’s right up my alley.
After you’ve defined your style it makes it easier to choose pieces that fit in with your lifestyle and personality. BUT what is fashion without a little fun and experimenting? So here are two statement pieces in neon orange which I scored a few years apart in different op shops.
First is a beautiful wool coat by Liam (RUBY) all kiwi designed which I found for $30 at Savemart. Almost as soon as she put it on the rack I grabbed it. I had to have it!
Next is a quilted top from the Hospice for $12, made by Kookai (Whose founders started the Katalyst Foundation, which upholds ethical practices, including having their clothing made in Fiji by locals)
I was instantly attracted to them both as they fit my style aesthetic; clean and modern (but not necessarily ‘on trend’) with a little bit of fun. But I’ve lacked the confidence to wear the top. Then I read Anuschka’s quote; “Imagine if your fairy godmother came down and magically gave you all the confidence in the world. Would you wear it?”. That quote gave me the push I needed to pair it with a cobalt blue skirt one day for work…
I can tell you that I did get a few compliments that day. A woman said to me in the bathroom; “Wow, It’s nice to see some colour for a change” However, one work colleague (male) asked “Where’s the fire?!” and then emailed me an image of a council worker with the subject of ‘Fashion Icon’. Statement pieces definitely get attention. But was I going to take that one (tactless) comment on board? Hell no! I deleted the email, and continued to feel cute in my neon top. What everyone else thinks of it is none of my business.
Which brings me to my ongoing desire to play with fashion. I love to experiment, but I don’t like spending the earth on a statement piece, only to have it not work with the rest of my wardrobe, or find I lack the confidence to wear it. But on the other hand, I don’t want to buy into the fast cheap fashion machine. Shopping recycle for charity lets me have my cake and eat it too. I’m donating money to a charity instead of a fat-cat driven textile pushing machine, but if it doesn’t work out I’ll donate it back for someone else to use, rather than throwing it away for landfill.
I love my neon pops of colour, and also cake.
Ohhh – that reminds me of different hot pops of colour going well with blue, like orange and yellow. My friends wear bright and fuchsia pinks with blue so beautifully, but that combo isn’t for me. Now I remember there are other options – to the colour wheel!
BTW some local friends and I are thinking of having a clothes swap, inspired by your blog. I’m used to book swaps, but this seems like it could be aided by a little more organisation. Not sure if there are any good tips and ticks for clothes swaps?
Hi Aunty DD! Yeah go the neon POP! Trinny and Susannah once did a short bit on Neon, they said there will be a specific one that goes with your colouring, they recommended putting it up to your face and seeing if it makes you glow or look ill. Susannah always uses neon pink because it goes with her colouring, Trinny I think preferred neon yellow.
Clothes swaps yes! Great idea. Here are some tips;
1. Use Facebook or twitter to get the word out, tell people to also bring along a friend
2. Specify what types of clothes to bring, i.e. are accessories, bags, shoes included?
3. Give people at least a month to go through their closets and wash anything they’re going to bring
4. Prepare a couple of rooms with full length mirrors for changing
5. You can use a token system where you get ‘tokens’ for each item you bring which you can ‘spend’ on other items. This keeps things fair.
6. Nominate a charity beforehand that you’ll donate the ‘leftovers’ to.
7. Organise swaps at the start of the season. But open it up to summer and winter clothes as these can be interchangeable. i.e. summer tops can be layered in the winter.
8. Have snacks handy, clothes swapping is hard work!