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Head For Threads - by Megan Byrne

 

Tartan trend?

December 22nd 2008 06:09
tartan


I have a healthy respect for The Telegraph's fashion editor Hilary Alexander, but proclaiming that tartan is traditional, even trendy, and that it is perfect for Christmas is one of the most horrifying remarks I have ever heard.

Ignoring the obvious fact that Alexander is from the northern hemisphere and thus her comments are not necessarily applicable Down Under - where wearing tartan in the occasionally baking heat of Christmas would be something akin to torture - what is she thinking? Surely tartan is not appropriate at anytime, unless you are taking part in some sort of highland activity, or you happen to actually be Scottish?


I can concede that perhaps, in my Christmas-intoxicated state I am being narrow-minded, and only imagining tartans in green and red which, when they are described as trendy, cause me feel somewhat ill (although, this may have something to do with being forced to wear green and red tartan as a child, both as part of a dressy winter outfit, and as part of my primary school uniform). But I am painfully aware that tartans come in many styles and colours, and I'm not particularly enamoured with any of them (although, this may have something to do with being forced to wear a grey and navy tartan kilt as part of my secondary school uniform).

Alexander is fully aware that there are distinct problems with the plaid print - in her column she writes: "Tartan, however, does need to be treated with a certain amount of care." She advises a balanced mixture of plaid and plain, with the plain picking up the tones of the plaid. Surely it is safer to avoid any potentially traumatic experiences (and the likelihood of probable humiliation) and just avoid tartan altogether?


Doesn't anyone else think the man above (in a recent Vivian Westwood design) looks absurd?
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Bagging a bargain

December 16th 2008 00:25

Why pay full price for your clothes and accessories, and end up wearing the same things as everybody else, when there are cheap, barely-used – and sometimes unused – items available, many of them one-off obscure or retro pieces, some of them collectors items?

An opp-shopping trip this morning with my sister turned over a few gems, one of them being a retro pearlescent clutch bag with a gold chain, for the grand price of $6.

And I bought this little red handbag for just $7..

red bag



It always amazes me what people are willing to get rid of, particularly in Melbourne’s inner suburbs. In a Brunswick op-shop two years ago I managed to buy a leather Fiorelli handbag and a black crocodile skin-like JAG bag for $15 total – see the JAG one below. Not a mark or scratch on it, just a couple of loose threads which were easily snipped off.

bag



Right now I can’t remember why I ever bother to go retail shopping at all....

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The Hat-inator

November 26th 2008 02:07
Stephen Jones


I'm sorry to harp on about headpieces, but this one is just ridiculous.

British Milliner Stephen Jones, who has created hats for the likes of Princess Diana, Madonna, Beyonce, and even our Kylie, did the unthinkable and crossed a hat and a fascinator, resulting in a monstrous progeny that looks like he pulled the back fence out of his garden with the flowers still attached.

Yes, this creation debuted last year at John Galliano's spring/summer collection, but I feel the need to address it, albeit belatedly, to stop further repetitions of this ghastly style.

This is not a hat. And I would vigorously debate that it is not even a work of fashion-art. There is no elegant form, no clean lines to admire. As for function - is this really going to protect you from the UV's?

If anyone thinks that by wearing this hat you will be making a savvy fashion statement - after all, it was paraded with the designs of the man currently behind the Dior label - you are clearly mistaken, most likely delusional. You will be laughed out of the room. If you can get in the door in the first place.

May this be the first and only appearance of the hat-inator.


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Credit Crunch Couture

November 16th 2008 07:49


Fashionistas around the world are in turmoil. Having maxed out their credit cards for this summer’s must-haves (or winter’s must-haves, if you’re from up north), they head off to work looking fabulous only to discover that although they possess the highly desirable skill of wearing a bright-yellow balloon skirt with considerable panache, their assistance is no longer required, thanks to another blinding trend – job cuts.

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Hats? YES!

November 2nd 2008 23:08
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Invisible Bikini

October 28th 2008 23:22
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Bikini boost

October 28th 2008 05:28
bikini babe


There is nothing new about the itty bitty bikini.

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Gucci Gucci Gumboots

October 22nd 2008 03:17
Gucci Prato


I don't believe it: Gucci does gumboots. I was having a look at their online shoe catalogue, wondering why - after years of trying to feminise our feet as much as possible with pedicures and nail polish - women are so preoccupied with strapping their feet into platformed gladiator-esque monstrosities this season. Feminine feet wrapped and tied with a thick, black leather, studded bow.

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Fascinator? NO!

October 17th 2008 04:44

The Victorian Spring Racing Carnival kicked off last weekend with Caulfield Guineas Day, and I have to say, I'm already alarmed at the number of women who still insist on wearing fascinators.

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Sportsgirl website

October 15th 2008 04:34
Just had a look at the updated Sportsgirl site and it is fantastic.

You can look at all the clothing, footwear, accessories and beauty products currently on the shelves, see what other items would go with them and order it all online; find out more about the latest designers contributing to the Sportsgirl range; learn about and get involved in the work of The Butterfly Foundation; and read reviews of the brand's "Album of the Month".

[ Click here to read more ]
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Gareth Pugh's period mish mash

October 1st 2008 05:11
I don't know how I missed this one.

I'd never heard of British designer Gareth Pugh (pronounced "Pew") until today, but I don't think I'll forget his Spring 09 collection in a hurry.

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It's Dior darling, it's Dior

September 30th 2008 02:52
Galliano for Dior 2


Short and sheer was the theme of Christian Dior's spring collection at Paris Fashion Week earlier today.

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Falling for Prada

September 24th 2008 00:28
Poor models. Sometimes I really think designers have it in for them.

First, they're zipped into creations so tight that taking a decent step is impossible. But then they're strapped into skyscraper stilettos, and expected to just glide down a runway with effortless poise.

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Stella McCartney does acrobatics

September 17th 2008 03:25
I'm fairly sure that when most journalists and photographers arrive at a fashion show they expect to see the models stalk haughtily down the catwalk, not bouncing through the air or backflipping on a beam.

But Stella McCartney had a little surprise for the crowd at the launch of her spring collection for Adidas - her models were olympic medallists and well-known athletes.

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