Dusty Petals: June 2012

Monday, 25 June 2012

Just a flash of midriff

Hi everyone! I know I've mentioned in the past how much I adore winter fashion but lately I have been craving a heat wave. What's making me crave Summer? Could it be Melbourne's recent freezing cold temperatures? Or maybe it's the inspiration I get after viewing the 2012 Spring/Summer collections from the northern hemisphere. As such I thought I'd brave the cold and share with you one of the key trends to come off the 2012 Spring runway's, the exposed midriff. Miu Miu, Dolce & Gabbana, Nina Ricci and Prada are just some of the designers that have been showcasing the midriff in a very sexy yet subtle way. I have shared some of these looks at the bottom of this post.

When taking on this trend the idea is to expose a tasteful flash of midriff whilst keeping the belly button under wraps. I think the midriff trend is best matched under a blazer/jacket.

I have styled two 'midriff' looks below. The looks incorporate a romper suit that I reconstructed into two pieces; a top and shorts. I know these looks are not the perfect inspiration during winter but for those of you who are travelling overseas and for my lucky international followers, maybe you can have a bit of fun with this new trend.
MIDRIFF LOOK 1

MIDRIFF LOOK 2

Black soft crepe long blazer $69.00

Motel Hillary Crop Bodice in Tie Dye Flower Print $35.00

Malene Birger Hanniah pencil skirt $155.00

Lulu Guinness Shocking Pink Perspex Lips Clutch $390.00

I BASIC SANDAL $49.90

Milly Black Pearl Trim Cardigan $340.00

Fairground Bananas Crop Top $71.42

Models Own Nail Varnish $7.80

Enveloped in Style Tablet Clutch $52.99

VERSUS VINTAGE Classic skirt $130.00

Black and White Heel Courts $39.00

Images courtesy of Style.com

Sunday, 17 June 2012

It all started with the shoe...

Being a shoeaholic I often begin styling my outfits with a pair of shoes. It helps inspire what colours to combine as well as the general shape/line of my look. That is exactly what I did with my look below. I fell in love with these brown court shoes with mustard suede covering the toe. I thought they would be the perfect addition to my winter wardrobe. I'm a sucker for brown shoes and I loved the fact that they had a splash of mustard. This enabled me to introduce a new colour into my wardrobe as I previously hadn't owned anything in mustard. Online I have seen mustard saturating many designer winter collections so I was excited to play around with this rich colour.

I went shopping and found this chic mustard long sleeve dress with a silhouette that I would not usually wear. For some reason I was drawn to it. I chose to tie in my brown shoes with a vintage belt and bag. I love the combination of brown and mustard. I accessorised with a mustard and gold chain necklace and studded mustard cuff.

I think mustard is the perfect colour to help brighten up your winter wardrobe. I have styled some 'mustard' inspired winter looks below for you to reference.

LIFEwithBIRD Modern Thief Trench $220.00

Barnaby Pleated Dress By Eva Franco $260.00

Chocolate brown floral panelled clutch bag $36.00

JustFab Shayla $60.00

Fitted Big Hasps Brown Cape $92.00

Emma Cook Metallic striped fine-knit sweater $210.00

Mustard Coloured Twill Skinny Jeans $34.00

Karen Walker Eyewear Super Duper Strength $250.00

MICHAEL Michael Kors Tan Fallyn Platform $155.00

A.P.C - Tweed Officer S Cape $375.00

Armani Jeans Jumper $125.00

SURFACE TO AIR ‘Savana’ high-waisted cotton shorts $110.00

Chevron Trouser Sock $32.00

Opening Ceremony Suede boots $310.00

Have a wonderful week!

Sunday, 10 June 2012

The Union Jack Is Back

Today we celebrate the Queen's Birthday and over the past week we have commemorated the Queen's Jubilee. What better way to acknowledge this special time than to embrace the Union Jack's impact on fashion today. The Union Jack has become more than a symbol of representing the union of different countries but has become a symbol saturating accessories, tee shirts, jeans, leggings etc. Wearing this symbol adds so much edge to an outfit. I am not sure if it is the strong colour combinations or what the symbol represents.

Today I have styled a fun look paying tribute to the Queen and her Commonwealth. I will take any opportunity to dress up in a theme. You might recognise the scarf and bag from my Dusty Petals Shop look 1 that sold out. I hope all of those people who purchased the items are wearing them proudly today.

At the bottom of this post I've styled some looks using the 'Union Jack' for you to draw inspiration from. I have also included some of the Queen's most memorable fashion moments.

Piko Penelope Cropped Jacket $54.00

RUPERT SANDERSON 'Oriana' pump $685.00

With Only a Wink Dress in Navy $140.00

Queens Jubilee Union Jack Half Mask Fascinator $208.63

Navy Union Jack clutch bag $78.00

Linen Button-Front Sleeveless Blazer $82.00

Gold Crown Earrings $15.56

AX Paris Union Jack Print Sleeveless Top $20.00

ZARA JACQUARD LOOM TROUSERS $59.90

'The Beatles' bag $246.00

High heel felt court with a stitched Union Jack pattern $87.00

UNION JACK CROWN TIGHTS BY JONATHAN ASTON $23.40

RED VALENTINO Beaded Bow Frill Hem Dress $665.00

Hand Painted Vintage Clutch $50.00

Type Z Lolla Mary Jane Pump $61.00

1-Timex T2N797 Unisex Union Jack Strap Watch $78.00

2-Dr. Martens Union Jack 8 Eye boot, $131.00

3-Wildfox British Babe London Baby Doll Dress $132.00

4-Glitter Union Jack High Heel Wedges $150.00

5-Religion Clothing Union Jack Skinny Jeans $98.00

6-Navy patent Union Jack purse $31.00

7-Hunter Unisex Original Brit Cuff Welly Sock $44.00

8-River Island Pack Of Three Pearl Crown And Union Jack Heart Earrings $11.60

9-Radley Jubilee Small Zip Coin Purse $33.00

10-HARRODS Celebration Jubilee Small Bag $31.00

11-Religion Union jack jersey dress $86.00

12-London Union Jack Fringe Tank $25.00

The Queen's Fashionable Moments

Queen images courtesy of Google Images

Have a great week!

Monday, 4 June 2012

Introducing Floral Pants Into My Wardrobe

I've celebrated the floral on floral trend before on Dusty Petals but today I wanted to share the hot new trend piece, 'floral pants.' I bought these pants a few weeks ago and tried styling them with several pieces from my current wardrobe and nothing seemed to tickle my fancy. I tried wearing my floral shirt tucked in and found that too much. I also attempted to tie in all the colours of the floral print by teaming a pink top under a multicoloured knitted sweater and it still wasn't working. I was determined to make these pants work with my current wardrobe and eventually came up with this simple yet strong look; my casual white tee-shirt, white blazer and beaded black necklace.
If you plan on purchasing some fun floral pants, my advice to you would be to choose one solid colour from the floral print and use it as the main colour for the top half of your look. I think different shades and even textures of that colour can also work. A nice way to incorporate the other colours from the print is through your accessories. I have styled some examples of this for you to reference at the bottom of this post.