What’s Inspiring Lucy – This Week 11th September 2019

Scroll down for this weeks picks

Do you see a picture of an outfit on social media and wonder where they got it? Where did they buy it, how they put it together? In these what’s inspiring Lucy blogs I gather some items currently available on the market that I like and share them with you. I am not paid or sponsored by any of these companies. I’m a consumer and I purchase products I mention.

About Me

I’m a working mum of young adult children. I’m not in the fashion industry but I like having my own style, that reflects me and keeping things interesting for me. We all have our own style in clothing. Sometimes it’s good to be brave by having a look in your wardrobe and trying different items you don’t normally wear together. It’s surprising when you do this how many outfits you have. By mixing and matching clothes you can revitalise your wardrobe.

Be a little brave, put yourself out there. Wear colour, be bold. I remember reading many years ago a statement from someone that said, be the person who people want to follow don’t be the follower. This can be applied in so many aspects of our lives. Create your own individuality.

I have been running an Instagram page for a while @surreyhouse where I post images of clothes, homes & hairstyles and much more that catches my eye. On my Instagram page I have posted images of styles all over the world. In this blog I’m going to concentrate on what’s available for current purchase, stuff I like that’s my style. So often I see a lovely item of clothing or outfit and it’s totally out of my price range or there no description of where it’s from. Everyone’s budget is different. If it’s out of your price range then it can sometimes be nice just to admire like it’s a piece of art. . The fabric choice, colour, and design.

I’m not tall, or big breasted, I’m pear shaped, average to thin build and have a 78cm waist. Being shorter where often loose fitting clothes make me look stumpy and even shorter, having the option to wear waisted clothes can be advantageous to give shape. It’s important to know what your assets are how to accentuate them and work with your body type in regard to proportion to help guide your purchases. Be prepared to have clothing adjusted by a professional seamstress to proportion your outfit to suit you. I use Look Smart Alterations or Alter it and some smaller independent tailors. Not only will this allow you more scope of buying off the rack, ready to wear items but will also make the clothes look so much better on you and at the time of buying you can factor alterations into your total cost for the outfit and whether the purchase is going to be worth it for you. No point buying a $50 dress if the altering is $30 if you don’t love the item and believe you will get at least your $80’s of wear out of it.

We’d all love to have the perfect figure but realistically very few women are gifted in such a way. You can’t help genetics and acceptance is key. Once you stop self loathing and accept your height and shape you can start to learn how to choose what clothing works best for you and when buying only purchasing if you know the item can be adjust to proportionately fit you to suit you and pricing feasible. No matter your height, shape or even If you are carrying an extra few kilograms you just can’t seem to get your head around shifting, you can still dress well if you understand proportion, shape, design and colour. I have many friends of all shapes and sizes and some I really admire their dress sense. They look great because they have a natural eye for design and in particular design for their body shape and height, they’ve worked it out by experimenting. We all know when something doesn’t look quite right. I think you can wear most things if the waist and lengths sit in the right place on your body. The rest is confidence to own it and rock it! Over the next few months keep your eye out for my guest segment where I will interview women of different ages, weight and height, where I explore their trends and how I think they get it right! Through this series I will tell you why I like a certain piece of clothing and why I would buy it.

Take a look at my surreyhouse Instagram page and then let’s get started. Tap on this link Instagram.

My Take on The 70’s inspired fashions and personalising it for me….. get ready though, the 80’s is also back in the stores!

I have mentioned in previous weeks how I am enjoying the resurgence of 70’s styled clothing. The fabric patterns are block or bold, flared pants, jumpsuits, maxi dresses, mini dresses hung over from the 60’s, wrap dresses, oversized glasses, and hair scarves and platform shoes and floppy brimmed hats. It encapsulates hippy, glam rock, disco and bohemian.

Above: I love scarves and the revival of them.

images from Pinterest

Below a modern take on clips

Hippy was the bright colours. Bold patterns, denim, suede, cordouroy and flares with an overall relaxed look.

Disco was sequins, glittery fabrics, high waisted pants and neon colours.

Glam Rock, think David Bowie, Metallica, ruffles, satin blouses, bold colours, tight pants and platform shoes.

Bohemian based on free flowing and flower fabrics. Long flowering tiered skirts and dresses, peasant blouses, and ethnic touches like tunics or wood jewellery, is embroidery or embellishments with beading and fringed handbags and flat shoes.

The Hippy’s 70’s fashion is where I pull my inspiration from. These photos below I have taken off the Zimmermann webpage.

I wouldn’t emulate an exact replica 70’s outfit because I’d look like I was going to a fancy dress party, but I like certain elements and I mix those with modern adaptions.

An element I like is high waisted pants but not a classic flare but a wide flare pant, purely because it fits my height and body shape better. Tops were often fitted with a fitted short sleeve. This would give a 70’s inspired look as would the high waisted pant with a nice shirt. The hoop earrings and Zimmermann Coat that has a relaxed fit, loose sleeves and fringed edging helps pull the outfit together with a nice finish. It’s 70’s influences with a modern twist. Below is an example of how I have put this style together.

My Picks This Week

Country Road Ruffle Striped Kaftan $129AUDBlouson sleeve jumpsuit $149.95 from Seed Heritage Rock band Tee – Rolling Stones $29.99AUD or 2 for $30AUD from Cotton On

Apron Maxi $329AUDavailable from S/W/F Boutique

Mila Coated Jean $119.95 available from Witchery

Last Weeks Picks

Jewellery is inspiring me. I have been seeing shell and pearl inspired jewellery popping up for a while and I like it.

Lisa Wipfli below wears the Infernal Storm Earrings £350, $625.12 AUD by Alighieri

I like these as a cheaper alternative, the Baroque Pearl Shield drops $295AUD by Fairley from The Iconic or For Artists Only Update : 11 . 09. 2019 earring arrived the next day after ordering. They are good quality and I love them.

Or the Julie Earrings by Alix Yang $170AUD also available at The Iconic

And the Baroque Pearl Seashell Hoops $295AUD by Fairly available from For Artists Only

The Iconic have a good selection

Moving onto necklaces this Large Puka Shell Necklace Natural with Gold by Tohum $445AUD ON SALE $222AUD is available from For Artists Only My necklace arrived the day after ordering. It’s of good quality but I would of been interested to see the Arms of Eve one below because it may have been adequate for what I wanted.

A cheaper alternative is the Manzanillo Single Gold Cowie Choker Necklace by Arms Of Eve $69AUD available from The Iconic

Nice necklaces to wear at the same time are the Tierra Gold Dipped Cowie Shell Chocker Necklace $55AUD by Arms Of Eve

and the Coin and Pearl Cluster Necklace $65AUD by Orelia London both available from The Iconic

Pear letters $280AUD by Timeless look amazing hooked onto a long chain and available from For Artists Only

And to complete your pearl combination look that compliments are these rings.

Rose Quartz Cocktail Ring $225AUD or the Baroque Blue Sapphire Ring $299AUD both by Fairly and available from For Artists Only

Below is the Charlotte Top Sunny Melange by Baum Pferdgarten $499AUD available from For Artists Only

Once again I’m drawn to these 70’s inspired fashions. The Arizona Shirt Dress $355AUD by All That Remains available from For Artists Only This arrived the day after ordering and is very has a very 70’s feel to it. I’m also happy with this purchase.

I really like the collar and neckline on this shirt along with the front pockets. Benji Shirt $420AUD by Baum Und Pfertgarten available from For Artists Only

1267 Palladium plated $518 AUD glasses by Cutter and Gross look amazing completing this 70’s inspired look. Available from For Artists only

A soft feminine shirt Anya Ruffle Top $300AUD by Sir The Label

Gabella Skirt $179 AUD ON SALE $125.30 AUD and top $139AUD ON SALE $111.20AUD available at Maurie and Eve.

Update 28.08.2019 I received my Gabella skirt. In the online catalogue picture the pocket stitching around the outside of the front is more accentuated as if the pocket is sewn on the outside. On receiving my skirt it looks more like the pockets are only side pockets. The particular feature that drew me to this skirt was the pocket detail. So I was disappointed because it didn’t appear as the image indicated . I have been offered a refund by the company due to manufacturing fault.

I waiting on the pre order matching top

Lisa Wipfli wears this dress so well from essestudio.com. $480AUD My purchase arrived after some disappointment with the courier company but Charlotte the designer was amazing. Her customer service is admirable. She replied rapidly to my email and sorted the situation wonderfully. The dress fabric is really lovely quality and the fit is good . It’s a bright idea white shirt dress that will be perfect for the warmer weather:

My love to dream this week is

A couple things from the Zimmermann spring 2020 ready to wear runway collection yet to hit the stores

This is how I rocked some days last week

Zimmermann cream high waisted wide leg pant and coat, Louise Marie De Montery Camille Blouse in Ivory available from Splice Boutique, Mavi Jean Jacket, Fairly earring, Tohum Necklace available from For Artists Only and Camilla.com shoes.

Country Road black wooden jumper and culotte pants, Saba woollen jacket and Jo Mercer black patent leather bootsFairly earring and Tohum necklace and All That Remains Dress available from For Artists Only , Witchery white runners Zimmermann high waisted pant, cotton on olive woollen jumper, Camilla and Marc Olive woollen cost, and Tony Bianco boots

You are unique and that’s your power….

For all the small breasted girls out there that big breasted girls revel in telling you how little you have, remember whenever you feel negative about having smaller boobs that your friend so kindly just pointed out to you incase you never knew, models do and other smart intelligent kind and incredible people like yourself do. We don’t look at them with distain we look and think they are beautiful people. Who you are makes you most beautiful. Being smart and kind is the height of beautifulness. But that topped with keeping fit and healthy is the package. No one is you, that’s your power!

You are so much more than a set of boobs! Don’t let others affect your day because of a snigger comment made them feel better about themselves. Often those pointing out your small bra cup have bigger circumferences elsewhere you don’t have and in which you are quite happy not to have, and if they lost that extra circumference to the same as yours it would be interesting to see their bra cup size. Just sayin’.

That comment is more about them than you as many unkind remarks are.

Walk with confidence today. Embrace your uniqueness!

If you like this post, follow me. I will build on this series regularly updating this post weekly with more inspirations and on my purchases and what I think of the product on arrival.

Love Lucy x