What’s on my fashion wishlist for spring-summer 2011-12?

Nikki Parkinson Fashion 59 Comments

Spring arrives pretty quickly in Queensland.  I’m not showing off.  Just stating fact.

It’s a good thing weather-wise but it can really catch you out in the wardrobe department.  Unless you have a plan.

And given that I love a list and a plan … and new shoes and frocks, I’m currently in fashion planning heaven.

Have only seen this Sacha Drake maxi on the catwalk but when it arrives in store I'll be snapping it up.

Have only seen this Sacha Drake maxi on the catwalk at MBFF but when it arrives in store I’ll be snapping it up.

How should you make a fashion wishlist plan for spring-summer 2011-12?

1.  Edit your wardrobe.  Yep, pull everything out and only put back in the things that make you feel fabulous when you where them.  While you’re there, check out what you actually wore last summer and can see yourself wearing again.

2.  What are the gaps in your wardrobe?  Do you have 63 tops but no pants, shorts or skirts to wear them with?  Write down the obvious gaps.  These are the starting points for your wishlist.

3.  Do you have any special occasions or events coming up (that you know of in advance) before Christmas?  Write these down and what the dress code usually is. Better to have potential outfits on your radar now than to buy at the last minute under pressure.

4.  What key spring-summer 11-12 trends have you seen that you think you’d like to give a try?  I’ve blogged about colour blocking, minimalism and all white. There’s also a strong 1970s focusing on graphic prints and a tough biker look for those who don’t like to give up black for summer.

5.  Once you’re clear on the above, start browsing the internet.  Create a photo file and working list of what you love.

6.  Armed with this virtual wishlist you’re ready to either buy online or in store.  By carrying it with you in your handbag over the next couple of months, you’re more likely to stick to your wardrobe plan and make more considered clothing purchases.  Stuff you’ll actually wear.  And importantly, stuff you can fit into your budget.

Here’s what’s on my virtual fashion wishlist*

spring-summer fashion 11-12 wishlist

Click on image to enlarge

1. Queensland designer Sacha Drake unveiled her second summer collection at the recent Mercedes-Benz Brisbane Fashion Festival.  This maxi dress is in my sights when it arrives in store later this season.  The reason: maxi dresses are the most versatile dress up/dress down garments in my wardrobe and this one has great shape with maximum colour and print impact.  Oh, and I can wear a normal bra with it. Score.

2. I do a bit of speaking and presenting work in my job.  In summer, it’s more difficult to look semi-corporate without looking like you’ve been caught in a winter fashion time warp.  Last year I bought a draped nude blazer from Witchery and it’s had a great run all year.  This season, I’ve got my eye on this one from Little Joe Woman for giving a dress or pants outfit the lift I need for certain work situations.

3. Love, love, love a good solid cocktail ring. I always wear one when speaking as I use my hands A LOT. It gets noticed and that’s what you want in a statement accessory. Love this one from Peter Lang for its bling factor. It will also work a treat to breathe fresh life into my black cocktail dress collection for this year’s party season.

4. I love my collection of heels but there is many an occasion when I’d look just like a total prat (especially on the Sunshine Coast) teetering into a cafe meeting.  These kitten heels from Sambag create an impression of business better than a pair of flats could do and the pointy toe and nude combination still extends your leg – not to the same extent as a heel but there’s definitely extension there.

5. There’s always a Metalicus addition to my wardrobe.  Love the easy-care; easy-wear aspect.  This dress appeals because of its colour and the way it drapes from under the bust.  It’s also a dress I could wear with the white blazer and kitten heels for a meeting or function just as easily as I could wear it with tan flats and a big,floppy sun hat for a casual lunch time barbecue with friends.

6. I’m cheating a bit with addition as I’ve already ordered this baby from my designer friend Salita Matthews.  Love her work and she always stuns with her collection of neck pieces she creates to complement her fashion range.  This necklace is called Time Stands Still.  I love that it includes coral, turquoise and yellow.  Perfect for working back with a simple white tee or dress for the perfect accessory statement to help time stand still, preferably while drinking champers with girlfriends.

7. This Country Road kaftan is pitched as a dress but the last time my legs looked good enough for that length, I didn’t have a bust either.  But, wear it as a top with jeans now and long shorts later and it’s got WIN written all over it.  And I’m a little bit obsessed by orange this spring too.  Just a little lot.

8. Much as I would love to parade around in little denim cut-offs, it ain’t going to happen any time soon (see above for last time it did).  So loving Trenery’s take on shorts for spring.  They’re long but tapered which works for me when balanced out with a floaty top like the kaftan pictured.

9. A pair of tan flats with some sort of feature or detail will get you through every casual occasion this summer.  I’ve had a pair of Natasha black flats for two years (still going strong) and I think these ones would make a good addition to my shoe wardrobe.

10. I’ve been doing a lot of travelling this year.  Short trips.  Some that require just take-on luggage; some a bit more.  Either way, this Nancybird weekender bag is the perfect one for my current needs.  It’s got space for all my bits and pieces plus a tonne of personality.  I do like that in an accessory.  If you hadn’t guess that already.

Do you plan your clothing purchases or do you buy on the go? Anything on your wishlist for spring-summer?

*Message to my husband: should you stumble across this post, the above list is a purely hypothetical and virtual one. No credit cards have been melted in the making of said list … yet. Well, except for the necklace … and the overnight bag.

This week is Spring Clean week on Styling You.  Every day there will be a post aimed at helping you get ready for the new season.  Hope you enjoy.

 

Comments 59

  1. Just catching up on your posts, after gaining 20 kgs in 18 months (now size 16-18) I have nothing in my wardrobe that currently fits, so I am trying to get my wardrobe together on a tight budget is there a basic list of what every woman should have in her wardrobe for spring/ summer? I love Trenery and have a wish list of items, being a short voluptous gal person would you go for the capri’s over the knee length shorts? The Sacha Drake dress is to die for however I am only 159cm or just under 5’3 tall can I wear a maxi?

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author

      Thanks for doing a Sunday catch-up! The easiest and most comfortable things for summer are dresses. One item to think about and cooler to wear. With capris, you just want to make sure that they’re not truncating you and making you seem shorter than what you are. Make sure they finish near the narrowest part of your leg and wear with a nude shoe to lengthen your leg. And the short answer as to wearing a maxi is yes. Just doing choose a design with a lot of volume. Choose a straight through maxi skirt and balance that out with shape on top. Wear with wedges instead of flats. Come back and read Tuesday’s post for a bit more inspiration 😉

      Reply
    1. Post
      Author
        1. Post
          Author

  3. oh dear….I’m not sure it was a good idea to subscribe to your emails! I think I’m going to go broke!
    Only thing is….if I threw out everything that didn’t make me feel good, I think there would be about 1 top, 1 jacket and 2 dresses left, but I suppose that happens with 3 years of either being pregnant or breastfeeding!
    I love the maxi but being a girl with big hips, would that print just draw attention to that area?

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author

      Sorry, Belinda! My aim really is to help you make considered shopping choices. And yes, it sounds like you’ve come through a period of “survival” in every sense of the word, fashion included. I’ve been there three times. When you’re ready, it is a good idea to bring your wardrobe back to those pieces you’ve mentioned and go shopping from there.

      The stripes in that maxi will actually create an illusion that narrows that area (see how they go up and towards the narrowest section of her body – the waist?). Will be able to report back after I buy mine. I’ll do a Model and Me post on it.

      Reply
    1. Post
      Author
    1. Post
      Author
    1. Post
      Author

  7. love your picks for summer! I totally fell in love with the all white suit on the cover of the country road spring catalogue, but hello impractical with a sticky 2 year old!

    Think I might take pleasure in this exercise over the weekend…once I’ve done mine I might even have a go with my older girls, they’ll enjoy it…and it might help the younger one stop looking like she got dressed in the dark lol!

    Tatum xx

    Reply

    1. Tatum I did the wardrobe culling / assessing what she needed with my daughter from a very early age (perhaps 4yrs old, she’s now 24) and it worked brilliantly. We used to do it before winter and summer every year. We’d give some clothes to friends with younger children and donate the rest to Lifeline. We’d then make a list up of what she needed and use that as our base. I found I wasn’t making purchases for things I didn’t need and we weren’t taken by surprise when she had growth spurts. She still follows this regieme!

      Shame I don’t 🙁 but I keep thinking I’ll lose weight and fit into those gorgeous size 8 jeans….NOT!

      Reply
      1. Post
        Author

  8. Loving this blog… U keep me on track. Still on my Nina Proudman mission. Have been busy adding pcs to achieve her look… In need of bottoms & skinny summer scarves. Started my research & Just spotted a nice skirt on SES fashions site like the one in the Nina blog. Also loving the white jackets this season. The thing that sticks with me from my time with u is ” if u don’t live it, leave it” have never regretted a purchase since. Keep up the great work Nikki…

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author

      Thanks Di – you’ve been a very good student! And good on you for sticking on your Nina mission. Keeping that style in mind will definitely help you spot the pieces you need to freshen up your wardrobe for summer.

      Reply
    1. Post
      Author

  10. That maxi!! I die.. Beautiful.. I have an 11 month old and anything from last spring is in a bag ready to 1. Ebay or 2. Vinny it.. Is it wrong to just start over again each season? Pregnancy aside.. Is it “normal” to hate everything in your wardrobe cause you have worn it to death and after baby now all i want to wear is leggings with EVERYTHING.. Husband says they are my life uniform.. Ha! Great post.. I’m going to Spring clean away.. xx

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author

      It is normal if you’ve had a baby or been travelling for 12 months and essentially worn the same clothes for 365 days. Then, yes, you are starting from scratch. Still make a list though – that way it’s something you can chip away at over a few months. Good luck and have fun!

      Reply

  11. Loving it all, especially the pink dress. Looks comfortable AND classy. And I never thought of drawing attention to my hands. Perhaps I should try one of these rings!

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author

  12. I’ll take one of everything! Nikki you should get a groupon buying thing happening with these posts!!
    I have had my eye on that CR kaftan top, beat get back there before they go…

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author

  13. That Sacha Drake dress is on the top of my list too (I was lucky enough to get to try the sample on a little while ago and almost ran out the door with it on then and there!). White blazer, check, nude kitten heels, check – we better not catch up again because I think we will be wearing the same wardrobe by the sounds of it! x

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author
    2. Post
      Author

      1. I tried the 10 sample, the 14 will be perfect on you, there is heaps of stretch and rouching but it is fitted so normal size is best for that one I think (it is seriously my fav from the range,I have already asked them to baggsy one for me haha)

        Reply
        1. Post
          Author
    1. Post
      Author
    1. Post
      Author

      The link clicks through to Trenery’s online store but they have stores throughout Australia (they’re Country Road’s big sister store). Unfortunately for me, only one in QLD is on the Gold Coast!

      Reply

  16. In a nesting fit during my pregnancy I threw out just about everything I owned. Three years on, I still haven’t replaced enough to feel remotely prepared for the oncoming season. Too overwhelming. Your advice about editing your wardrobe and creating a wish list makes me feel like it might actually be possible to get my wardrobe back into shape. Love. Your. Work.

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author

      Thanks Linda, I apply the same steps when I work with a client and it’s amazing when you have a clear idea about what you actually need that it “appears” for you. Takes all the stress out of looking around aimlessly and walking out with something that really isn’t perfect.

      Reply
    1. Post
      Author
    1. Post
      Author

  19. Hi Nikki. I love the Country Road kaftan and I’ve been looking for some nice ones for Spring and Summer, in plus sizes. Do you know of any designers making them in a size 20-22? Also, how do I avoid black and blocking? I love soft pastel colours and bright floral prints for Spring but everything is black or solid colours? Any plus size designers you could recommend?

    Thanks,
    Anne @ Domesblissity

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author
      1. Post
        Author
    1. Post
      Author

    2. I’m almost ashamed to admit it but I recently found *gasp* cobwebs in my scary end (it had old handbags and stuff I don’t use but couldn’t throw out) it doesn’t have a rail and is completely useless but I think I might try to convert it for either holding handbags or hanging scarves.

      Reply
      1. Post
        Author

        1. I did! That’s what made me think it would be a useful thing to do (convert the dead space). I liked the “thing” you had your scarves hanging on. I could fit one of those on each side of this “dead” space and could use one to hang bags or belts on.

          Reply
    1. Post
      Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.