In my wardrobe...

As I am unable to wear any heels at the moment (curse you, late pregnancy backpain!), I am forced to admire all my lovely shoes from afar.  That doesn't stop me from cooing over them however - they are still my babies and I love them as much as I did the first time I purchased them.

So as a brief glimpse into my wardrobe that I hope to be able to share with you all over the next few months, here are some of my favourite pairs that are currently in 'hibernation' - I hope for only a few more weeks!

 The first pair of Marants that I ever purchased - the black Soono boot.  These darlings are suprisingly practical - with or without the chain, they slouch perfectly and just look good with anything.  I still lust over these in the taupe colour, but that would be a little indulgent...wouldn't it?

 The Marant Woody heel - spotted outside the shoes on Anna Selezneva, when I saw them I knew I had to have them.  I'm looking forward to be putting these on again with 3/4 pants and skirts, dresses, cuffed jeans...Needless to say, they kinda work with everthing.  And for their height, they are really comfortable.  I love shoes with straps :)

 Isabel Marant Poppy heel in black - classic black pump, bow detail on front, even my other half thinks they are gorgeous.  He tends to buy me shoes when he goes overseas to Italy several times a year, and always leans towards classic, low heels - but even he admits that when it comes to these, they outdo all the other Valentino, Ferre and Ferregamos he has brought home.

Lastly, I decided to throw this pic in of Iselin Stiero wearing the black/ecru knitted sweater from a few years ago - yes, I know it's not shoes, but I can't wait to wear this little jumper this winter.

Bring on the cooler weather!

Details

Hands up everyone who has ever looked in their wardrobe and walked out bemoaning,"I have nothing to wear!!"? This has been a common occurence for me lately as I am coming to the end of my pregnancy and what I have in my wardrobe can be broken down into two categories:

- Those items that I simply cannot even fit into anymore (which includes all my beautiful pencil skirts, miniskirts, shorts, jeans, many many dresses etc)

and

-Those items that have managed to make it through the last 9 months due their "elastic" capabilities, but which I am now incredibly OVER.

Obviously the latter is what I am still having to work with...

The only way that I have managed to hold on to some semblance of sanity and not just break down into a fashion funk has been to up the accessory stakes.  Traditionally I have never worn much in the way of jewellery etc - even though I know that the details are what can make an outfit. I guess that my clothes were always detailed enough that I didn't feel the need to spruce them up with a few bangles or a scarf. It has not been that I didn't own accessories, but would often just forget to throw them on before walking out the door.

This has had to change. When your wardrobe is shrunk down to maybe 10 different pieces, you start having to get all kinds of creative with the bits and pieces lurking on that shelf in the wardrobe. 

Some of my favourite ways of mixing up what I have been wearing to create a different look has been through the use of my twillys. Little scarves that are tied around the neck, wrist, hair, on a bag, they have added a pop of colour where I have sorely needed it.

(Kelly en perles twilly, Brides de Gala twilly)

I purchased these a few years ago and they really have been little life savers.  The blue and white one is probably my favourite (the Brides de Gala pattern), only for the fact that I'm still currently loving the "nautical" look, so with a little white tank and some jeans, it just smartens up the whole outfit.

Also, please forgive my poor photography skills - I just use a P&S, I'm sure I'll improve with time!

World Travellers

One of the greatest downsides to living in a small city is the lack of stockists of my favourite designers - so thankfully internet shopping has filled that gap very nicely.  Over the last few years the majority of my purchases have been made online which has really opened up an entire world (or is that Pandora's box?) of fashion possibilities.

Of course, being a small city, I often need to keep in mind exactly WHERE I am going to be wearing these pieces. After all, you can only get dressed up so much to go get a coffee with friends, and the number of "great" restaurants is also limited.  It is a little sad that I will often just throw on a pair of jeans because I don't want to be too "dressed up".  So finding clothes that combine wearability and fashion-lust is often that little bit trickier.

Thankfully, there are a few designers who seem to keep this in mind when designing their collections and for me, the penultimate designer is Isabel Marant. I have been obsessed with her collections since late 2009, and slowly built up a small collection that I love just as much as when I first purchased them - something I cannot say for a lot of other items I have purchased over the years. Her most recent collection which will be hitting the stores anytime now (Spring Summer 2012) is based around the idea of clothes a girl would throw in her suitcase to go travelling around the world.  I am waiting anxiously for these to drop, and I have already pre-ordered a few pieces which I can not wait to start wearing (once I have my baby and can get back into pre-maternity clothes!).  It might sound reckless purchasing clothes when I can't even get my old jeans on, but I have faith that given 3 months they will all fit again - it's good inspiration ;)

 Rea Heels in natural

(both images from diani boutique)

Pepito Embroidered Jean in Rose Pale

So here's a brief snapshot of the items I have currently being put together for me, flying from Europe to North America, then down under to lil old Australia - they will truly be world- travellers!

The truth...

The true way to gain much, is never to desire to gain too much - Francis Beamont