I’m a big believer in bringing favourite frocks or outfits out to play – many times over.
What’s the point of wearing something once and then letting it sit in the depths of your wardrobe, all sad and neglected because it never gets to party again?
No point, I tell you, Stylers.
Whenever I have a special occasion on the horizon, I look in The Vault, aka the historical part of my wardrobe housing all the fancy schmancy frocks that definitely don’t fall into the everyday category.
So, when it came to planning the wedding outfit for a wedding we were guests of on Saturday, I immediately thought of the Sacha Drake electric blue lace frock I wore here at the start of spring 2012. So, it wasn’t too far back in The Vault but I was a bit sad I hadn’t had an occasion to bring her out to play since September.
For that first outing, I didn’t hold back with the colour pop, bringing in a heavy dose of chartreuse and a touch of fuchsia … just in case people needed reminding of the seasonal change.
This time round, I opted to let the dress do the talking. Accessory wise, it was all about pearls, diamantes, a splash of black and new, strappy (bought on the cheap) neutral Nicholas heels. Sorry, they were the last pair but they proved that keeping a close eye on the sale section of Shopbop was worthwhile. Indeed.
Now, if you live in south-east Queensland you will know that the weekend did not present optimal wedding weather conditions.
But the bride had it sorted and an outdoors, riverside ceremony was quickly moved into the beautiful, intimate space where the reception was being held, Lightspace in the Valley.
Not only did this mean that my shoes – and everyone else’s – were protected but a gloomy, wet Saturday afternoon suddenly felt cosy and uber romantic. It set the scene for an amazing, heartfelt event. The newly wed couple, Tammy and Luke Maguire had us laughing, crying and waving our glow-sticked arms in the air like we just didn’t care well into the night (check out my Instagram feed for a few of the beautiful details).
The wedding outfit
All my accessories, except for the Juicy Couture diamante necklace*, were from The Vault. Earrings by Sophie Kyron; Mikimoto pearl necklace a 21st birthday gift to my mum from her parents, my grandparents (worn on her first wedding day and both my wedding days); Tiffany & Co pearl bracelet, a birthday gift from Mr SY for my 40th; other bracelets from Witchery and Mimco.
It just proved a little difficult getting an outfit photo in good light … because there wasn’t any. This was the best we could come up with. That’s not out of focus to the left, that’s rain, my friends. We stayed the night at Limes Hotel just down the road from the reception and I’m sure on a normal day this courtyard would be a lovely spot.
Beauty note
Now, if you follow along on Facebook or Instagram then this new hair do will not be a surprise. And yes, I’m loving it. It took some work (read a lot of mousse and hairspray) to fight the humidity and keep those messy waves in but it was worth it. I love change and my stylist got it just right … it also it means that my fringe grow out mission it practically complete. More on that in a future blog post.
On my toes, a fresh pedicure with Essie Aruba Blue on my nails. On my fingernails, Essie Ballet Slippers. (Essie nail colours*, rrp $18.95 and available at select pharmacies, independent salons and department stores)
When it came to putting a face on, I worked a smokey eye with a flawless makeup finish using Illamasqua Skinbase foundation and powder and then popped the lips with one of my fave fuchsias, Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain 16 (Fuchsia). A wedding does call for a lippy that lasts well beyond that first champers.
Now, if only I could walk around with an filter across my face at all times …
A word on those shoes …
Yes, they’re high.
Yes, they gave my calves a work out on the dance floor.
And yes, I had my fold-up flats at the ready to slip on the minute we were waiting for our cab to take us back to the hotel.
I’m not completely bonkers, Stylers.
I will suck it up in the name of fashion whenever called upon to do so but only in the knowledge that such an insurance policy is close at hand. I suggest you do the same.
When was the last time you went to a wedding? Did you buy something new or re-work an old favourite?
* The Juicy Couture necklace was gifted to me as part of a PR announcement of the soon-to-be-released Juicy Couture scent, Couture La La (on counter early April); the Essie nail colours were sent to me for editorial consideration, in accordance with my disclosure policy.
