Essentials | The Skater Skirt

A few weeks ago a girl I work with asked me if I had a collection of cute skirts to which I answered, after pondering for a while, why yes, I guess I do. Over the past few years I have been unknowingly building a collection of a-line/skater skirts that have become the most staple item in my wardrobe. In the past few months I have been wearing them more and more as I realised how comfortable and handy they are for wearing to work. Mostly, they are conservative enough in the length department and whilst still being very casual are dressy enough to be paired with comfortable t-shirts and not be underdressed. 

OOTD | Spotted in the Courtyard

Black and White Raglan Top - PulpKitchen via Dangerfield / Spotted Skirt - Sophia via Little JC / Green Jacket - Vintage via Endeavour Foundation / Black Riding Boots - Greg Grant / Red Tartan Ribbon from my Christmas Tree 

It's been a while since I did an outfit for you guys so I thought I'd pop one up today. This is one of my favourites from the last few months. It is probably the cutest I've felt in a work appropriate outfit and was so simple and easy to put together. I think I may have caught Jess' monochrome bug because I couldn't stay away from pairing these two. But obviously I couldn't keep it entirely black and white because that just wouldn't be me now would it? 

I picked up this beautiful green jacket a few years ago in an effort to recreate a Daria (1990s MTV cartoon hit) costume and have been wearing it avidly ever since. I love the fabric its made from and the simple, perfectly placed and well sized pockets that it features. Probably one of my most worn and well loved vintage pieces (which is really saying something). 

The skirt was found in a small boutique near my old work. I think it was ashamedly the result of a lunch break shopping trip fuelled by a bit of anger and frustration. I loved the skirt and picked it up in a size that is probably a bit smaller than I would like it but it still fits pretty well. Be warned, shopping angry can result in a lack of attention to detail with sizing. For a while I had difficulty pairing the skirt because I was so bogged down in how off-white the spots were but have since decided to stop caring and wear it however I like.

Again, you've seen many reincarnations of this raglan shirt. Jess and I found them during winter sales and I have been wearing three of them ever since. Thank you Dangerfield for these magnificently comfy finds. These boots you've seen before and will definitely see again. Perfect for a job that requires you to be on your feet all day. 

You will probably start learning now that I adore ribbons and have a pretty massive collection. I think they add a very easy bit of quirk to an otherwise understated outfit; everyone needs a bit of quirk don't they. 

And thats my outfit of the day. It is fairly simple but its a great example of what I get around in day-to-day while I am at work.; waisted skirts, comfy tops and riding boots. 

Hope you're all enjoying your week. If truths must be told, I'm hanging out for the weekend pretty bad.

Erin xx

Op Shop Haul Numero Uno

So, if you recall from my last post, our friend Honor visited me in Melbourne last week. Just like Jess and I, Honor also has an acute (acute? Who am I kidding?) addiction to the pleasures of Op and Thrift shopping (yes, I know they're the same thing but us Australian's do prefer Op to Thrift). And with these two facts combined, a haul of this description was inevitable. 

The first five items were found at a Vinnies and Salvos store at Mornington on the Mornington Peninsula during our road trip last week. Honor purchased the over-sized green stripy blouse and high-waisted Levi denim cut-offs while I purchased the pink floral button-up maxi dress, green velvet high necked top and black leather messenger bag. I think the most we paid for any of the items was $7 (for the Levis) and the least was $3 (for the bag). I find some Op shops or Thrift shops price their items too steeply and but these two stores at Mornington were incredibly affordable and quite fruitful. So if you're around that area and love a good successful rummage, head to Mornington's St Vincent de Pauls and Salvation Army stores. 

These last two items were sourced by Honor at Camberwell's Sunday Markets. I knew if I took her she wouldn't be able to help herself. Why, the only reason I've been able to hold back myself is a basic lack of money. The markets are full of vintage and retro clothes, shoes and knick-knacks (and when I say full, I mean full). Honor managed to pick up a bargainous $5 chambray shirt which she had been searching for for quite some time. The cute blouse on the right was picked up for $10 after we walked past it styled on a manikin. She just couldn't resist its pussy-bow-polka-dot charms. 

And thats it for my Wednesday post folks, if you've heard Melbourne/Victoria is a great place to op shop and source vintage/retro treasures, you're hearing it here again. If you're already a fan, give me a heads up on places I'm missing out on.

Erin xx

PS. Sorry about not posting on Sunday. I was baby sitting all weekend and by the time I got home on Sunday evening my brain was unable to conjure up anything even vaguely exciting to tell you.