Style Journal | Basic Warmth

Here's a quick little OOTD for you all! Things have been hectic lately but I managed to snap this quick look of the day over my lunch break with a friend. Compiling together a bunch of my winter staples, I have my grey mock neck, thick black coat and H&M boots. I was very keen on wearing a skirt but it was a challenge because winter for me means covering myself as much as possible. I ended up going for black stockings with a dark blue skirt. This skirt I have had for awhile but I've been noticing this particular style on-trend lately with the 70s comeback: A-line silhouette with the buttons down the front.

Top: Urban Outfitters | Skirt: Ohayo! | Coat: Target | Boots: H&M

Copy Me: Top | Skirt | Coat | Boots

Have fun!
Nyssa

Throwback Trends | Overalls

I am aware that some people dislike the fact that overalls are back in fashion, whether it is because they look childish or because they give off too much of a farmer vibe. Personally I love them, and they’re probably one of my favourite clothing items at the moment because they can be styled many different ways. In today’s look I opted for a more ‘city chic’ look because well… I was in the city, and I thought pairing the overalls with a t-shirt and hoodie wasn’t very suitable for going to the theatre (I watched West Side Story!).

My overalls are from a little clothing stall in Thailand, and I paired them with my grey cropped mock neck top, black chunky heeled boots and a warm black coat. I love this coat because it cinches in a bit at the waist to maintain shape, and the red lining on the inside gives my outfit a hidden pop of colour. I decided on quite a dull colour palette because neutrals just tend to look more mature, demolishing the childish image of overalls, and also to draw the attention to the denim.

Overalls: Market Stall (Similar Style) | Mock Neck: Urban Outfitters | Boots: H&M | Coat: Target (Similar Style) 

Have fun, and stay tuned for a Lookbook featuring overalls in the near future!

Nyssa

My Essentials | Winter Edition

Welcome to the Winter Edition of “My Essentials”. Here I’ve compiled a list of items I gravitate towards in winter. They are by no means fundamental wardrobe pieces but they definitely make it a whole lot easier to decide what to wear in the morning. Without further ado, here are my Winter Essentials.

PS. Didn't realise until I started putting this post together, but there seems to be a earthy colour scheme among these items!

1. Mock Neck

Okay, so I don’t own a legit turtleneck, but these two mock necks I recently purchased have been lifesavers. I can forget my scarf all I want and I’m still relatively warm! Not to mention that for me personally, turtlenecks can feel a bit suffocating indoors because you can't take it off. I like that although both these are thin material they keep me relatively warm, and don't require too many layers to fend off the cold.

Sleeveless: Valley Girl | Similar Style Here
Cropped:  Urban Outfitters

The Alternative: The turtleneck is obviously a warmer option to the mock neck. And if all you have are regular tops if you have a thin scarf in the same colour as your shirt it would loosely give off the same appearance from afar

2. Leather Jacket

I love, love, love my leather moto style jacket. I’ve been on the hunt for a good leather jacket, because the previous ones I owned were gifts, and ended up being too big. I’m glad I found a brown one. It has a softer look than black leather but the silhouette is still edgy

My Jacket: American Rag (Sold Out) | Similar Style Here

The Alternative: There isn’t really an alternative to the classic leather jacket but I really don’t think it’s a wardrobe necessity – I lived without one until this year! I guess a blazer can also create a polished look like the leather jacket does. If you want a leather jacket for its edgy look however you can always experiment with accessories, or attach pins to an oversized denim jacket.

3. Collared Shirt

I’ve said it before, but you can do so many things with a collared button up shirt. It’s the perfect layering piece and accessory. For the winter, if I want to wear it as is, I simply wear a shirt underneath and because I always choose shirts with a slightly looser fit, it’s just extra hidden warmth without the bulk of another visible layer. The other great thing is the collar. Layered underneath a jumper/sweater with the collar and sleeves peeking through spices up a solid coloured outer layer.

My Shirt: Forever 21 | Similar Style Here 

The Alternative: I’m 99% sure that everyone owns at least one collared shirt. Whether it’s a button down, or a blouse with a peter pan collar. If you don’t own one, this is definitely a basic and you should invest! In the mean time this is your chance to experiment with layering – try a puffy vest over a long sleeve, or layer a higher neckline under a jumper/sweater for a pop of colour!

4. Combat Boots

My live savers on a rainy day! All my other shoes end up soaked but when I wear my combat boots my socks stay dry all day. I purchased these boots a few years ago at London Rebel (Highpoint). In addition to that, they keep my ankles warm on those icy cold days.

My Boots: Naughty Monkey | Similar Style Here

The Alternative: If it’s the rain you want to prevent getting in your shoes, any kind of shoe with thicker material will suffice. There’s also this spray you can apply to any shoes that supposedly makes them waterproof. If it’s extra warmth you’re looking for, wear any shoes that go up to the ankle, like high top sneakers. There is also no shame in doubling up on socks. No one has to know. Sshhh

5. High Waisted Pants

I have a few pairs of high waisted pants but my favourite is my burgundy or maroon (not sure lol) high-rise pants. High waisted pants just give me that extra warmth around the stomach if I wear a top over it. With cropped tops, or tucked in shirts, it gives me extra height, which is especially appreciated when I wear boots, which can sometimes cut off my height.

My Pants: Cocolatté | Similar Style Here

The Alternative: High waisted silhouettes are on trend and have been for awhile, but there’s always the possibility of it going out of style, so if high waisted pants isn’t your thing don’t worry about it – although I love them I don’t think it makes all that much of a difference to the variety of a wardrobe. I just personally love them because I’m short and need to extend my height by any means!

I hope my tips have been helpful to you! Expect a Spring Edition of My Essentials!

Have fun,

Nyssa

Style Journal | Layers on Layers

It’s winter in Australia, and in Melbourne, where the weather is absolutely bi polar, my best bet is to layer almost always. Because it wasn’t a particularly cold day, but still rainy and sad, I opted for my hooded vest as the most outer layer. Next level down I wore my pull over with “Holy Chic!” written on it, which is currently one of my favourites. For that extra layer of warmth I wore my chambray button up underneath. I love layering this button up specifically because of the embroidered detail on the collar! The rest of my outfit is a cold weather standard: warm black pants and a pair of combat boots.

Vest: Dorothy Perkins | Pull Over: H&M | Chambray: Forever 21 | Combat Boots: Naughty Monkey

Bag: I always try to find something similar if I can't find it or it's sold out online but unfortunately I didn't have much luck this time. For those who are curious it's called the Cooperative Alexis Push-Lock Crossbody Bag and I bought it at Urban Outfitters.

Find similar styles for: Vest | Chambray | Boots

Have fun!

Nyssa

Style Journal | Minnie Mouse and Flowers

For today’s instalment of the style journal, I went pretty casual with a oversized, printed Minnie Mouse t-shirt, denim jacket and floral jeans in black and white. I’ve probably said it before, but my favourite thing about the jacket is that it appears to be in two layers but the inside layer is only as much as what you see. I am well aware that there is lot going on in my outfit, from the huge Minnie face to the floral print to the bright coloured converse, but I just couldn’t end it there. To accessorise, I have my two-toned Urban Outfitters shoulder bag.

Bag: I always try to find something similar if I can't find it or it's sold out online but unfortunately I didn't have much luck this time. For those who are curious it's called the Cooperative Alexis Push-Lock Crossbody Bag and I bought it at Urban Outfitters.

Jacket: Gift (Similar Style) | T-Shirt: TESCO (Similar Styles) | Floral Jeans TESCO (Similar)| Shoes: Converse

Have fun!

Nyssa