Monday 8 October 2018

Ruffle Dresses In The Office: Printed And Plain with Purple Balenciaga Work

Like anyone with a large wardrobe, there are many different factors that come into play when picking what to wear. Mood, planned activities, weather... however the only reason I wore these dresses was because I saw them hanging in my wardrobe and realised I hadn't worn them in a while! They are sleeveless, but it was easy to layer them up for cold mornings.

While both of these dresses look different, they are exactly the same style with a ruffled neckline, sheer top layer with opaque lining, and an elasticated waist. Because one is printed and one is plain, they look like two completely different dresses.

What I wore:

camel trench, bleu louis vuitton monogram shawl, balenciaga work bag | away from blue

Balenciaga raisin purple 2009 giant silver G21 hardware work bag | away from the blue

office selfie leopard print ruffle dress grey cardigan | working mum style | away from blue

awayfromblue instagram cobalt Louis Vuitton scarf with animal print dress trench coat cold weather office outfit
Jacket: Barkins beige trench coat 
EarringJeanswest Evy dangly earring
ScarfLouis Vuitton monogram shawl in bleu
DressJeanswest ruffle neckline animal print dress
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs black logo plaque ballet flats
BagBalenciaga raisin purple 2009 giant silver G21 hardware work bag

Why I wore it:

While this dress does have a lot going on - it's a busy animal print, with a lot of ruffles on top - it never feels overpowering. The neutral colours make it really easy to accessorise. I went with some bright colours, picking the blue Louis Vuitton scarf and the purple Balenciaga work bag for another touch of colour.

While it is spring, when I wore this a few weeks ago it was still quite cold in the mornings, so my cosy trench coat and some fleece lined tights were much needed additions for my early morning commute.

As I wonder every time I wear this dress, I'm not sure why I don't wear it more often! It's a beautiful piece and got me a few compliments through the work day.


Last worn: camel trench, dangly earrings, Louis Vuitton shawl, animal print ruffle dress, Marc Jacobs ballet flats, Balenciaga purple work bag.

Other ways to wear: camel trench and burgundy pants, Louis Vuitton shawl and black pencil skirt outfit, animal print ruffle dress and blazer, Marc Jacobs ballet flats and sheath dress, Balenciaga purple work bag.

Perfect for pregnancy: camel trench in first trimesterprinted dress hiding 4 month baby bump.


What's In My Bag: Balenciaga Work Edition





What I wore:

berry pink ruffle detail dress with navy macintosh and bird print scarf, purple Balenciaga work | away from blue

slouchy purple Balenciaga work bag | away from the blue

awayfromtheblue instagram navy macintosh coat ruffle dress with purple balenciaga work bag
JacketJeanswest Monica Mac coat in Indigo
Scarf: navy bird print scarf
DressJeanswest deep pink ruffle neckline dress (updated version)
ShoesWalnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in silver)
BagBalenciaga raisin purple 2009 giant silver G21 hardware work bag

Why I wore it:

This dress is just as bold as the one in the first outfit, although it's due to the colour rather than the print. It's a lovely plain dress, a very berry toned pink so it looks more red here, but it looks more pink in other photos. I wouldn't ordinarily go with a purple bag for a red dress, but felt this reddish pink was pink enough that I could wear the combo. I've worn this dress with another purple bag before too.

The only downside to this outfit was that I realised on the way to work that the 'I think I've forgotten something' feeling I have most mornings I go to work was actually valid. I'd left my cardigan behind at home. Since we moved to 'hot desking' at work, I don't have a permanent desk or a desk drawer to stash a cardigan in and have to take one to work each day. I ended up taking my scarf off and tying it into a kind of kimono as I needed my shoulders covered for a few meetings. I figured a strange cover up was better than no cover up, plus the air con was particularly cold that day. It may also have felt colder because I was coming down with the bug the boys had.

So while I liked this outfit when I put it on in the morning, the lack of a cosy layer to cover up the sleeveless design and feeling a little unwell meant I wasn't too happy with it in the end!


Last worn: navy macintosh, bird print scarf, berry ruffle neckline dress, Walnut Melbourne flats, Balenciaga work bag (above).

Other ways to wearnavy macintosh and colourful pants, bird print scarf and stripes, berry ruffle neckline dress and LV speedy, Walnut Melbourne flats and skinny jeans, Balenciaga work bag.

Perfect for pregnancyWalnut Melbourne flats in second trimester.



Ruffle Dresses Under $50:




How You Can Wear It:

Ruffle dresses are perfect for a business casual workplace. A bright colour or print makes it a fun change from a classic black pencil skirt. Just make sure to bring something to cover up with in meetings or to battle the office air-con, particularly if your dress is sleeveless like these 😂


Linking up with Trend Spin, Turning Heads, Confident Twosday, Style Sessions, Fashion Frenzy, Style On The Daily, Fashion Files, Chic and Stylish.


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Friday 5 October 2018

Skinny Jeans, Bright Tanks and Kimonos With Colourful Rebecca Minkoff Bags

Spring weather means kimono weather for me! I'm wearing really simple outfits below with bright tanks and skinny jeans, you know I love my simple outfit formulas. I also love how the addition of a kimono makes a simple outfit a little more interesting.

What I wore:

Rebecca Minkoff ruana poncho with grey skinny jeans mustard tank and bag dinner outfit | awayfromblue

Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold | awayfromtheblue

awayfromblue instagram | rebecca minkoff ruana poncho kimono frey skinny jeans mustard yellow regan bag
JacketRebecca Minkoff Ruana poncho
NecklaceZuriCollections blue polymer clay necklace
TankJeanswest Maya gather back tank in chartreuse
JeansJeanswest Cecile dove grey skinny jeans
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs silver tuxedo flats
BagRebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold

Why I wore it:

This was a last minute thrown together outfit. We'd had a quiet day, with the overcast and rainy weather, and then got an invitation in the afternoon to go out for dinner that evening. I picked my brightest tank to offset the gloomy evening. It's not the first time I've worn this mustard tank and bag together, it's a combination I love even though the shades of yellow don't match exactly.

With the mustard tank and bag, I kept everything else in the outfit neutral. I really loved this kimono with the grey skinny jeans. Everytime I wear them together (like here) I always like the resulting outfit. No exception this time around, again I loved this. I appreciated that this kimono is really just a giant blanket so it kept me cosy when we stepped out of the restaurant at the end of the night!


Last worn: Rebecca Minkoff poncho, mustard yellow tank, grey skinny jeans, silver ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag.

Other ways to wearRebecca Minkoff poncho worn two ways, mustard yellow tank in the office, grey skinny jeans and navy top, silver ballet flats and pencil skirt, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag with green.

Perfect for pregnancysilver ballet flats in third trimester.


My Rebecca Minkoff Handbag Collection:






What I wore:

turquoise tank, purple skinny jeans and bag with navy floral kimono, playgroup style | away from blue

Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum with faux fur pom pom | away from the blue

awayfromtheblue instagram | playgroup spring skinny jeans converse and floral kimono outfit
Jacket:  Cotton On 'Gemma' cocoon kimono in Laos blossom navy print
Necklace: Uniquely Made with Love Sea Change necklace
TankJeanswest Maya gather back tank in mid turquoise
JeansJeanswest blackberry super skinny jeans
ShoesConverse Chuck Taylor All Star low in black
BagRebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum

Why I wore it:

There must be something about these jeans! Once again I unsuspectingly wore them to playgroup, where ti was another messy play day. I did really well, watching the boys from a distance and keeping fairly clean until right at the very end. The boys were playing with pigs in 'mud' (cornflour, cocoa and water) and apparently the pigs liked to cannon ball in from great heights. I wasn't standing far enough back so got a bit splashed.

I didn't mind myself and the boys were soaked through as due to the cocoa it all smelled quite lovely, haha! We got some strange looks in Woolies grabbing groceries on the way home later though!

Messy morning aside, I really liked this outfit! These purple pants are frequently worn with blue, and I loved the bright tank with the darker purple. With the bright blue tank, navy floral kimono and purple mini MAB tote bag, I really liked all of the colours in this outfit. It felt so spring-like!


Last worn: navy cocoon kimono, blue tank, purple skinny jeans, Converse, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote.

Other ways to wearfloral kimono and stripes, blue tank in the office, purple skinny jeans and ombre knit, Converse for exploring Sydney, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote and maxi skirt.

Perfect for pregnancynavy cocoon kimono at 39 weeks, purple skinny jeans in first trimester, Converse for second trimester travel, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in second trimester.


Bright Tanks Under $50:




How You Can Wear It:

Add some colour to your outfit with a plain but colourful tank! It's so easy to wear with jeans to add an extra touch of colour to your look. If you're unsure how to wear a bright tank, try pairing it with neutral layers like in the first outfit. You can go bold and pair it with other complementary colours like the second outfit if you prefer.


Linking up With Friday Faves, Lizzie In Lace, Sunday Reflections, Shoe & Tell, Modest Monday On Mondays We Link Up, Start The Week Stylish, Fun Fashion, Weekend Wear.


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