Behind the scenes on The Circle

One $5 tee. Three different outfits. Yes, it is possible.

Nikki Parkinson Fashion 41 Comments

Sponsored by Nuffnang

I ask a lot from my wardrobe.

I ask that it magically offers up something stylish, yet practical and … dare I say it … comfortable. EVERYDAY.

I don’t ask much, do I?

The thing is, if I didn’t ground my wardrobe in good wardrobe basics, then no amount of asking, or shouting for that matter, would offer up any outfit magic.

One of the winter must-have basics that my wardrobe could not do without is the 3/4 or long-sleeve cotton rib tee.

These are the masterminds behind my love of layering. They are the pieces that extend my trans-seasonal tops, tunics and dresses into a variety of winter options. At a minimum, I need two black and two white tees. For more fun, I add a few seasonal colours in there as well.

Sound too easy, doesn’t it? What’s also super easy is that this year I’ve already been able to stock up on these tees for just $5 each, thanks to Emerson at Big W.

I’ve talked about these tee before and I’ll be back on The Circle tomorrow talking about them again*.

So I thought I’d de-construct the outfits featured on The Circle here for you to understand how the one tee really can be transformed into three very different outfits for three very different occasions.

… But before I do, here are a few photos from behind the scenes of the shoot.

Behind the scenes on The Circle

Behind the scenes on The Circle

The advertorial was filmed at Sydney’s Channel Ten studios. It was a bit of a crazy morning as the channel’s new Breakfast Show had decided to start a few days early on account of Kevin and Julia’s rumblings (that seems so long ago, now doesn’t it?). So there I was sitting in the hair and makeup room getting all prettied up when in strolls Andrew Rochford. Yep, the hot very good looking doctor dude from The Project and the new show. I, of course, remained all cool and calm, busily studied my script and resisted my natural blogging instinct to pull out my iPhone and ask for a quick photo together.

Damn it!

But enough about me and my missed photo opps … back to those $5 tee outfits.

Big W Emerson - The Circle

1.  Mum on the move:  This is me most days. I don’t want anything too fussy but I do want to look stylish. By layering two of the $5 tees (a 3/4 sleeve over a long sleeve) together you immediately give this outfit a lift, add to it a necklace, scarf and some leopard print loafers and you’ve got an outfit that packs a style punch. Oh, and BTW, the jeans are $9. Yes, they are.

2.  Off to work: I’m completely in love with this style of skirt. Its a-line shape is universally flattering. Here we’ve made it the feature piece but added to it the $5 tee, a necklace, a red bag and some black heels. If you’ve got a bigger bust line, then I’d suggest opting for the v-neck tee.

3.  Out with the girls: I love a girls’ night out as much as the next girl. With this outfit we’ve taken the pop colour trend of the season and worked the cobalt blue heels back with tones of black and grey. Yes, that’s the $5 tee in action again. This time it’s worn under a belted cardi and paired with a cute clutch.

These three outfits feature just four of the different colours, in which the 100% cotton Emerson $5 rib tee is available. The colours will vary in store throughout the season but each has been designed to work back with the other based around the Emerson Big W winter palette of colours.

Big W has women’s fashion covered: Emerson is available in sizes 8-16; and the Avella range caters for sizes 18-26. To find your nearest Big W store, phone 1300 244 999 or head to www.bigw.com.au

*If you missed me on The Circle two weeks ago, I’m on tomorrow morning (March 16). And if you’d like to ask me a specific style question about how to create a look to suit you from the Emerson range, then I’d love you to pop over to the Big W Facebook page after the show finishes tomorrow morning from 11.30-12.30 AEDST.

Comments 41

  1. i bought 2 of the long sleeved t-shirts because of this post.  I am a size 10 with normal length torso but I found they are too short and I was constantly pulling it down.  Drove me nuts.  Anyone else found this?

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  4. Hi Nikki, I love my Emerson rib singlets, but haven’t ventured into longer sleeves yet! Thanks for the tip about layering a 3/4 sleeve over a long – like you, my whites don’t last long, so this is such a great way to safeguard that white tee!

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  6. well I love all BigW basics and have been wearing them since I first came to Australia…it’s a no-brainer to pick them up in there, they wash really well and the best thing is that for layering you can pick up a few for a low budget but still good cut, fabric etc

    …I was recently in another shop where I bought a dress 😉 and the basics in there were 6 x the price of Emerson and quality was comparable…

    nice post & love seeing you in your natural habitat hahaha xoxo

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  9. Emerson should be worshipping the ground you walk on, lady!!

    The 3 outfits are gorgeous and totally what I would wear.

    I love to layer, so will definitely be checking out these tops. At $5 a pop, you really can’t go wrong.

    Any word on a date when the Emerson coloured jeans will be replenished?? I’m wanting my cobalt blue pair!!

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  12. Of those outfits, I would probably only wear the first one. I like to have my knees covered (at most times but most definitely at work) as I think they are not my best feature. The last one looks great but I think the cardie and belt would probably accentuate my tummy, and not in a good way.

    I have yet to buy an Emerson Tee. I am super picky about tee clingyness vs length so I’m hoping they will tick all the boxes for me.

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      I’m picky about that too … the length is good and I find the thickness of the cotton is spot on – it’s not suck in material though … just a rib cotton. I will layer two when it cools down or wear under something.

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  13. I love look number 3 – not that I have many “girls nights out” these days – but I have a baby belly…..any suggestions for covering that up – instead of the belted cardigan? And are the pants Big W as well?

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  14. I do love an affordable tshirt. Especially with a 3/4 sleeve. If the price is right you can recycled them regularly – a too often washed tshirt looks nasty. But at just $5, today’s outfit can become tomorrows polishing cloth. More money to spend on shoes! Xoxo

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  15. Great outfits you have put together Nikki. Was in Big W yesterday having a poke around. I bought a great navy waterfall cardigan – would look great as a layering piece, trying to follow you advice about the vertical lines…
    As an aside, I also popped into SES, where I have not previously shopped, and they have some great cropped jackets with long lines at the front (ie cropped at the back and long lapel at the front). So many colours, so hard to choose!

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      I do love a waterfall cardi as you know, Tracey! And yes, those cropped jackets sound like they’re perfect for the same illusion dressing … re colours, why don’t go for a brighter colour to wear back with neutrals?

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  16. i love the Emerson range. I have 11 pieces… Including 4 of the $5 tees, which are going to be perfect when i go to NZ at the end of the month. Have also picked up some great pieces on sale, a black maxi dress, and white shirt… For half the original price. I do love it when i find a bargin!

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      So perfect for your NZ trip … my daughter is going on a school ski trip in June and we’ve been stocking up on the tees for her there. And you, my friend, are a bargain hunter queen!!

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  17. We have a Big W relatively close by but gosh I wish they would put the Emerson range online! Everytime I read your blog I want to buy something but taking both kids (2 years and 6 months) out on my own to buy clothes is not exactly fun! LOL.

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      Melinda, I hear you! I’ve also passed on the feedback. Personally, I’d love all my stores to be online – and I don’t have any little kids to worry about! It’s more the ability to be able to just click and buy then and there and not waste time.

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      1. That’s fantastic, I do shop at the Big W but haven’t been for a while. Looks like I’ll be getting my value for money autumn outfits sooner than I thought! Thanks Nikki 🙂

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  19. You make a wonderful TV presenter Nikki, well done!
    I can’t wait to see this range when I get near a Big W. There’s one planned for this lil ole town but there’s been some huge hold ups. Everyone I speak with can’t wait= we want it so badly!

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