Fashion

BONOBOS CLOTHING FOR MEN

Launched as an online clothing label in 2007, Bonobos is steadily growing its online and store presence in the US, and is recognized as being the largest apparel brand to be built on the web in the US.

Focused on delivering great fit, high energy, and superb customer experience, Bonobos is available in selected retailers in the US as well as online via Nordstrom and, of course, its own website.   One of the unique things about Bonobos’ service offering is its Guideshop showrooms.  Located in the US (sorry Australia) you can go to the Guideshop, and have a personalized shopping experience with a guide.  The guide then places your order for you...  sounds like pretty easy shopping doesn’t it!

In consultation with the dapper gentleman in my house, we have selected our picks from the Bonobos range.  We loved the idea of the non-iron pants and the range of colours is sure to appeal to all tastes. Bonobos also have a great selection of shirts (in various cuts) and accessories.  Oh, and they have a sale on at the moment…

French Corders in Red

$78 (on sale) available here.

Morrison Bowtie

$58 available here

Slim Straight Wednesday Stones Non-Iron Pant

$98 available here

Slim Straight Skyrockets Pants in Powder Blue

$48 (on sale) available here

Checkmate Slim Purple and Blue Shirt

$85 available here

 

Spotswood Slim Shirt in Navy and Blue Dot

$118 available here

Low Tides Board Shorts in Turquoise

$28 (on sale) available here

Yorktown Commuter Duffel

$95 available here

Note - All prices in US Dollars.

STEPHEN JONES FOR BARBIE!

I have a bit of a soft spot for Barbie dolls and I love millinery and fashion.  So, I just had to share these festive Barbie dolls that have been created in collaboration with UK milliner, Stephen Jones.

The names of the dolls are Holly Surprise Barbie, Toffee Ice Barbie, Santa Baby Barbie, Snow Globe Barbie and Christmas Tree Barbie (whose headpiece lights up).

The dolls are available from 15 November 2013 at Selfridges' London Toy Shop for £250 each. 

I love Toffee Ice Barbie (the one with the antlers on her head)and Snow Globe Barbie (the one with her head in a globe)!

WHAT TO WEAR (TO WORK) WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING

One of challenges I had when I started to “show” and “grow” was dressing appropriately and comfortably for work.  I have a corporate job, although we are not required to wear suits everyday.  I found it very tricky to find clothes that I felt comfortable in and that I felt suited my personal style.  I am not one to wear tight or fitted clothing and I prefer to wear dresses to work.  Wrap dresses are not really my thing either…

So, I wanted to share some of the successes I had and where I found them!

ASOS was a great place to start!  They have a good range of affordable maternity wear.  Below are some of the things I have purchased and been very happy with.  

ASOS Shift Dress In Animal Print (its not maternity so check the size chart)($64.69), click here.  I bought it in the longer version, which goes to the knee.

 

Mamalicious Colour Block Cap Sleeve Jersey Dress ($73.94), click here.

ASOS Maternity Smock Dress with Embroidery ($72.09), click here.

 

ASOS Maternity Exclusive Midi Dress With Dipped Back (I wear it with the top few buttons undone) ($51.76), click here.

For more dressy occasions (for example, the races) I bought these dresses.

  

ASOS Maternity Singlet Midi Dress in Lace (on sale at the moment for $45.29), click here.

Black ASOS Smock Spot Dress (not maternity, so check the size chart)(on sale at the moment for $48.98), click here.

When buying online make sure you check the size charts.  ASOS have a separate maternity chart, which I found to be pretty accurate.  I made a couple of errors with my first order and as a result I have a couple of particularly large t-shirts!

I also had some luck at Soon Maternity. I bought a gorgeous black dress from there, which I will be wearing to a black tie wedding this weekend.  Soon Maternity also has great basics such as long singlets and jeans.  

The other local Melbourne gem I would highly recommend is Premaman Maternity in South Yarra.  My mum went shopping there when she was pregnant with my younger brother (nearly 30 years ago)and this place was truly amazing even after all these years!  I bought my 'staples' from here: black pants and a black bandage skirt.  They also have some beautiful dresses and blouses so make sure you check it out!  

 

This is me (on the left) wearing navy peplum dress from Premaman Maternity (which I will also wear to work) and Annie Clifforth Millinery.

MAT TESTED - COLOURED LEGGINGS

Over the past few months I have accumulated this trio of colourful leggings.  Each pair is from Sportsgirl and I picked each of them up on sale from between $20 - $30 each.

I love them!  I purchased mine to wear to hot yoga, but have also been wearing them whilst walking the dog. I don’t usually like wearing a heavy legging to hot yoga as I find I get too hot.  But, when I saw my winter legs on display in the yoga mirrors about a month ago, I had to do something – fast!  These are perfect because they are not very thick and I find they breathe quite well in the hot room.  They are made of polyester and elastine (not cotton), which is why I think they are good for yoga.  They also help with tree stand pose – stopping that foot from slipping down my leg!

Anyway, thought I would share as I am pretty sure there are still some of these floating around the stores at the moment.  I bought the purple ones most recently at Moonee Ponds Sportsgirl.

Tip – make sure you try them on as the size seems to vary depending on the colour.

Click here for Sportsgirl leggings and here for the current sale, but if you are near a store, it might be worth rummaging through the sale rack as the stock does vary from one store to another!

All pictures my own.