Winter break '12

It's just over a week until it's officially winter. Here is my approach to winter 2012.

How I will be starting off my winter break:

Hibernating with Bearemy for 2 days, to catch up on my Z's.
Physiotherapy - mouse hand RSI, neck and shoulders.

Reading 'James and the Giant Peach' by Roald Dahl.

Dropping off my CV at Marcs.

What I will be wearing this winter (default winter outfit):
Italian wool duffle coat (Cue, $549) with leather patches and gunmetal toggles and buttons. This classic outerwear taps into childhood nostalgia, and really reminds me of Carey Mulligan in 'An Education' - in other words, quintessentially British.
Black opaque tights. Black leather aviator jacket. Faux fur.

What I am looking forward to this winter:
Staying in and enjoying the comfort of music, knitting and baking. Blowing mist out of my mouth. Visits to the local library. Catching up on Mad Men. Not falling asleep 'til early morning (no, not insomnia. It's called internet connection).

What I am not looking forward to:
Cold feet. Preparing for the next semester of study. Stuffy rooms and commute (cars, buses, trains) from heater. Dry skin. Probably, longer work shifts.

Culling and Curating

I am moving, from a 5 bedroom house to a little 2 bedroom unit. That's a huge leap of a downsize. I'm currently going through the daunting task of culling my wardrobe. (I have already 3 garbage bags full of clothes ready to go to the Salvation Army bin.)


I'm so glad society has moved on. Those with massive wardrobes with every potential shoe and shirt combination, used to belong to the fashionistas, and be the envy of others. Not anymore. With fast fashion today (thanks to ZARA and H&M), anyone can have an overflowing wardrobe, and do it cheaply too. A small wardrobe is the now the hallmark of the modern fashionista. You see, to have a small wardrobe and still look stylish, requires you to actually have a sense of style. It requires you to really understand fashion, i.e. you have to be able to pull out of your butt several looks from one button-up shirt or a pencil skirt. A real fashionable wardrobe is about high-quality foundation pieces and versatile staples that work, often together, effortlessly.


I'm at the (if I may say so, mature, because I'm turning 23 in a few days) stage where I'm ready to indulge in 'the new luxury' of a refined and curated wardrobe. And once I have it organised, it'll make me contemplate and consider every single future purchases. No more compulsive-shopping! No more being broke because I splurged on something I'll only wear once! Yay, to my new mature, curated wardrobe!

"This is the philosophy I’ve chosen to apply to my own wardrobe. I find it fulfilling to define my style through the careful discernment with which I choose each piece. 
I am able to pull from mainstream contemporary and indie designers, vintage resale shops and all of the inspiration that comes from international travel (I make it a point to buy from at least one boutique in each city when I’m traveling) and interaction with others in the art community. It’s not only honing a wardrobe, but working toward a more refined presentation of self." - Style.com

The New Key Pieces

In Elle UK July 2010's editorial on "The New Key Pieces", everything from hot pants, to the dreaded double denim make an appearance. It's a great guide to what you should have in your wardrobe. For now. 

The shoot was photographed by Lee Broomfield, and styled by Ye Young Kim. The model is Laura Blokhina.