Trans-seasonal dressing starts with lightweight separates in autumnal tones like this Alessandra cotton voile Leilani top and Freesia skirt – two pieces from one of my fave Australian labels that you can wear together or separately, dressed-up or down. It doesn’t get more versatile than that.
Alessandra began in 2002 as a cashmere brand but founder and creative director Sandra Brand has grown and evolved the label to also include pieces in other high quality natural fibres.
The model
Alessandra cotton voile Leilani top and Freesia skirt
and me
Alessandra cotton voile Leilani top (I’m in XL) and Freesia skirt (I’m in XL) | FRANKiE4 Footwear PAiGE heels
I’m obsessed with “sets” at the moment. The idea of wearing matchy-matchy separates together just feels so safe and comforting – well in my mind! The appeal so lies in the fact that together they create a dressed up outfit but separately you can have a bit of fun.
I’d wear this top with jeans (denim, black or white); and I’d wear the skirt with a tee and a denim jacket and sneakers or with a light knit and boots. Thinking these kinds of combinations through before buying new separates is something I strongly encourage and it’s something I practise myself.
The ruffle and pin-tuck detailing on the top (back and front) adds interest. I’ve rolled the sleeves to balance out proportions in this outfit but you could wear down and add a blazer on top.
The same detailing is in the skirt but it has the addition of panels and tiers. I love how the skirt falls from a drop waist.
If you love the style of these pieces, they also come in white, black, navy, lipstick (bright pink), shell (pale pink), fern (olive green).
About the Model and Me concept
If you’re new to Styling You, my Model and Me posts are in their 11th year. I know, I can’t believe it either.
I started them because so many of my then personal styling clients (I stopped seeing clients in 2012) could not imagine themselves in the clothes they saw on models in campaign images in store, in magazines or online. This is pre-Instagram. Just. And definitely pre-brands showcasing their garments on more than just the traditional model size.
I wanted to offer a different visual perspective from what was visible to the fashion consumer. It’s not a better visual perspective. It’s just a DIFFERENT one. I took that six steps further in 2019 when I started my own label, choosing to invest in photographing all our garments on each size that we sell.
The Model and Me posts have continued – they are designed to help you understand your size in a garment but also to support and champion fellow independent fashion labels I love.
*My measurements: I usually wear size 12/14 depending on the shape of the garment. I’m 166cm tall. My bra size is 16C (104cm); waist 91cm; hip 109cm.
For more Model and Me, click HERE to see the archive.
Unless otherwise stated, the product has been gifted to me for editorial consideration. If it’s made it to one of these posts, it means I love it and would totally buy myself. Sometimes the links may be affiliate commission links, meaning if you buy after clicking through from my page, I may receive a small commission but you don’t pay anymore.