I woke up yesterday morning with a smile on my face. The smile was brought on by the realisation that I did not have to leave my home office except for the school run drive-through (a bit like Macdonald’s but without the money exchange, Happy Meal or up-selling).
I could save washing my hair for another day. I could throw on any old thing over my pjs and work it back with my three-year-old Havaianas and a makeup-free face hidden by big sunnies. Sweet.
Wrong.
The day I got smug about embracing my inner dag was the day I got this phone call:
Hi Nikki, it’s Lauren Ritchie from WIN Television News. We’re doing a story about fashion trends for Melbourne Cup and wondered if we could interview you? Today? At Myer. And could you please style up a model in four top-to-toe looks?
It was at 30 second mark in this conversation when I heard someone who sounded very much like myself tell Lauren:
Sure thing. What time suits you? Early afternoon would REALLY work for me.
You see, by now it was about 10am. I had wholeheartedly embraced my inner dag for three hours. I needed some time to de-dag and actually look like a stylist. And a stylist who was about to have an unforgiving camera thrust in her general direction.
I was not at all worried at this point about putting together the four outfits. No, I had much more pressing issues to deal with. You know, like my hair. That hadn’t been washed since Saturday. Oh, and the minor fact that I was still in my PYJAMAS.
I’m going to take you through just what I did next. In case you ever get caught out and need to de-dag and look sharp in a short time frame. Having said that, it’s been my personal experience that the chances of getting caught out looking daggy in public are completely proportionate to the level of dagdom with which you’ve chosen to embrace. Just saying.
(This post is also inspired by blogger Sugar Coat It and her Sliding Doors-like story about seeing me looking done up and being interviewed and then running the other way because she didn’t want to be seen looking anything less than fabulous … what she doesn’t know is that I would have thought it fabulous just to say hi to her.)
1. Hang up phone. Jump in shower to allow for maximum au naturelle hair drying time. My hair is long and thick and it takes a gazillion years to dry with a blowdryer. Hairdressers see blowdrying my hair as a way to make up for missing a pump class. It provides that much of an arm workout. I do not like pump classes.
2. Do quick reccie of wardrobe. Exellent. This Verily striped dress is back hanging up after a quick wash post-Melbourne. Quietly congratulate self on wardrobe filled with clothes that don’t require ironing. Smugly think I can re-create the look I wore to the ProBlogger Training Day. And then not so smugly realise that my white Country Road blazer is at the drycleaners recovering from said event and subsequent dumpling dinner in Chinatown. Quietly tell self, “I told you so” re purchase of anything white.
3. Put on striped dress, Uberkate beads and Country Road wedges anyway. Contemplate dash to drycleaners for jacket. Remember that have a coral-coloured blazer to pick up from Sussan. Score. Outfit sorted. Am even doing colour blocking so feel like proper stylist.
4. Head back to computer to tweet a lot meet very important deadlines on very important projects.
5. Half an hour before need to leave home, return to bathroom, dry off hair for five minutes (all arms can take). ghd top layers only. Well, you don’t see the underneath ones do you?
6. Employ seven-minute makeup routine (with the addition of Garnier BB cream instead of primer and Benefit’s Watt’s Up! for the glow am not feeling).
7. Jump in car, nab sneaky park at Sunshine Plaza. Run to Sussan.
8. Ignore “she’s clearly crazy” looks from lovely sales assistant who I ask to cut off tag (hold the bag please, I’m being environmentally friendly). Throw on jacket, roll up sleeves to more flattering three-quarter length and run to Myer.
9. Breathe.
10. Organise four different racewear looks in approximately four minutes flat.
Here’s what I came up with for the television report (if you live on the Sunshine Coast, it will be on WIN News Sunshine Coast tonight):
And here’s something I fell in love with that will work with MY Melbourne Cup outfit:
Finding that bag was worth getting getting out of my PJs for, don’t you think?
Have you ever been caught out looking your most daggy when you least want to be seen? Do you have any tips for de-dagifying in a hurry?
PS. The news segment has now gone to air … please excuse my dodgy filming of the TV 😉
Comments 42
Oh Nikki you are good! Geesh four outfits in such a short space of time and you look fantastic. I’ve taken a lot in since reading your blog, and for the first time ever I’m now wearing a maxi skirt! Being a shorty I didn’t think I could get away with it, but now I WANT MORE!! Thank you for your advice on your blog, it’s made a difference. xx
Author
Oh, that’s wonderful to hear! I’ve actually got a maxi dress post planned for tomorrow inspired by a client I worked with last week who always thought she was too short to wear a maxi too!
Oh very timely too, I think I’m a convert. Especially good if you’ve forgotten to shave your legs! Look forward to reading the post Nikki. Thanks again.
I always run into at least 4 people I know when I leave the house in my worst outfits. The worse the outfit the more people I see, generally they all look fabulous.
Author
That is SO true – the worse you look the more people you’ll see!!
I am most impressed with your super quick de-dagging, Nikki!
I always de-dag when going to the local shops where I’m likely to see at least a dozen people I went to school with.
Author
You are SO wise, Ms Glowless. SO wise. x
Hey, so I wasn’t too far off the mark with my yellow clutch in my Melbourne Cup style challenge! Can’t believe how easily you go from dag to fab – not fair :p
Author
You were on the money (practising my trackside lingo for Tuesday)!
I would LOVE to be able to de-dag in a hurry, but I don’t have that type of wardrobe to choose from. About the best I can get is a dress where the boob area is held together with a safety pin, a jacket and some boots.
Then people insist on asking me why I’m so dressed up!
Author
Hahaha, it’s really impossible to win, isn’t it?
OH YEAH! I was on the other side of the country, staying at a caravan park in PERTH. It was about 40 degrees so looking stylish on holidays really wasn’t high on my agenda. Of course, that was the day bumped into a former school friend / work colleague – soooo embarrassed – would have loved to IMPRESSED but I looked like a totally sweaty, hot, daggy grot! ha ha ha …
Author
Oh, of course you did! And I bet you wanted to say, I don’t usually look like this!!
Uh-Oh I wish you hadn’t told me where you got that gorgeous clutch, or the reasonable price – guess I am doing a little shopping tomorrow 😉
Love your work, all the models look amazing in their outfits, especially the blue dress.
I have to admit I am feeling a little exhausted after reading that, well done on pulling it together so fabulously!
Author
Sorry about that! I was looking briefly in Melbourne on Friday night for a yellow clutch but what I saw was either out of my budget or too small. Very happy with this one.
And yes, it was exhausting!
Hi Nikki
What a shame you didnt find this cute little ruffle bag that we have. Its soooo perfect,really femine with removable strap and its saffron yellow.
Fits my mini staightner too 🙂
Author
Oh sounds divine!
You’re talking to the Queen of Dags here Nikki. Lucky I’m not expecting any phone calls from TV stations to organise Melb Cup outfits. Although, I will be de-dagifying next Tuesday when I model for my daughter’s school Melb Cup Luncheon Fashion Parade. Oh my goodness! I’m getting a ‘do’ first thing in the morning but I’ll be working on nails and hairy legs this weekend! LOL (Lucky no TV cameras will be present.)
Anne xx
Author
Anne, if you’re getting a “do” that’s half the battle. Sounds like a fun way to spend Melbourne Cup too. Can’t wait to hear about it.
Oh my goodness the outfits you chose are just DIVINE. All four of them – you know your stuff, so very well.
And you found your yellow bag! Hope you bought it. XO
Author
Thanks Eden – I work best under a time pressure. Was fun to do. And yes, I bought the bag 😉 Will be colour blocking with orange for Cup Day!
I loved the dress when I saw you at Probloggers and even again now, I love it!! I’m so gotta get me one for summer, it will be so good for all the events we have coming up!!
Author
I really need to get another in another fabric – the cut is so simple but it’s flattering and easy to wear and wash!
Hilarious – a great read! Next time however, I would like an instructional post about how the hell to snare a sneaky part at the Plaza.
PARK, I meant sneaky PARK! D’oh – still in my pyjamas in my brain today…
It has happened more than I care to admit! Recently a friend popped around unexpectedly at 9.30am and I answered the door in my lovely starry flannelette pj’s! I hurriedly explained I needed to clean the house so was saving showering and dressing til after (pretended I was being environmentally conscious but really I just adore being a dag in my PJ’s for as long as possible!)
PS – you looked fab, great job!
Author
Thanks Donna … and yes, drop-ins are lovely but really a text first please!
Ha! That was me for so many years. “Yes, um, I’m a beauty editor. But please don’t look at my grown-out roots. Or my dry skin. Ignore my nails. Oh, and my makeup usually looks better than this…”.
Author
Oh, I hear you … that’s why I LOVE my “at home” days.
Maxis are always my go-to in a hurry! Love the maxi look above by the way.
Author
Thanks Alex – and yes the maxi also helped to avoid being seen with unshaven legs!
Love maxis and trousers for this very reason 😉
I have been known to do a daggy school drop off, quick run by the shops on the way home to grab milk and bread, only I don’t drive and ALWAYS bump into people when i’m doing the quick dag run (not to be confused with a dRag run). I’ve learnt it’s worth the effort to put in a little effort and not see anyone.
I need to know WHERE is that second dress from? *swoon*
Author
Oh, when you don’t drive it would be so easy to get caught out! Big sunnies required!! And all the clothes are from Myer. I think from memory that dress was Cooper St or Collection.
OMG that is so funny! I had a “no, I’m not a homeless peson, I’m a stylist moment” when I ran out of the house to got the post office in my gym clothes (I had’t been to the gym that day….) and ran into one of THE most stylish people I know! TOTAL EMBARASSMENT. I went RIGHT how and wrote a blog about ‘how to leave the house in less than 5 minutes looking fab’ – totally serves me right!!
PS. wish we got WIN down here so I could have watched! You looked fab xx
Author
Oh, Caitlin – you SO get it! At least you “looked” like you’d been to the gym and not just embracing the inner dag!
The outfits are stunning, you looked beautiful (as always) and as you say it’s about having the right clothes so you don’t spend hours staring at everything you own tossed on the bed trying to figure out what to wear 🙂
Author
Thank-you! The right clothes do make it easy – and right being that they are easy-care; easy-wear clothes so they’re not sitting in an ironing basket!
GOd I feel so stressed for you!
Author
It is not the first time this has happened. You would think I would learn but my inner dag, it just loves to come out to play at the most inappropriate moments.