Summer Layers with Denim Shorts and Printed Tanks

March is officially the start of autumn in Australia. Our summer heatwaves are set to continue into autumn again, so even though I wore these outfits in summer they would be perfect for dealing with our warmer than usual autumn too!

It's nice just to wear a printed tank and shorts, but every now and then you want to add a little something to make an outfit different, and kimonos and sleeveless coats or vests are perfect for layering in the summer heat.

What I wore:

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers

Jacket: Somedays Lovin' Yakuza print kimono
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
Top: Jeanswest 'Josie' striped back strap tank
Shorts: Jeanswest denim cuff shorts
Shoes: Wittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs pearl, howlite and hematite beaded bracelets
Bag: Balenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag

Why I wore it:

I really enjoyed wearing this outfit. It met lots of style challenges on Instagram, but I loved it for how comfortable it was and how quick and easy it was to wear. Stripes and florals are always a good combination, stripes are the easiest thing to print mix with I think. I really like the way that the bright necklace looks against the white tank too. I don't have a plain white tank - it was something on my wardrobe wishlist I couldn't find before I started #6monthsWithoutShopping so this is as close as I'll get.

This kimono has been worn a lot this past summer! More than any of my other kimonos. I find the grey base so easy to pair with anything and everything and it's easy to pull colours out of the print (like the yellow) or the brown here to accessorise with. The colours in the print work well with my handbag collection!

Wore this to take baby boy for his weekly weigh and spend some time with my mum in the afternoon.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, Somedays Lovin' kimono, striped tank, denim shorts, two tone sandals, Balenciaga truffle Day bag.

Other ways to wear: printed kimono and plain tank, striped tank and boucle jacket, denim shorts in a monochrome outfit, two tone sandals and shirt dress, Balenciaga truffle Day bag for a weekend trip.

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Printed Kimonos Under $50:

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What I wore:

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers

Jacket: Jeanswest Peri drape sleeveless jacket (on sale!)
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
Tank: no label floral and lace top
Shorts: Jeanswest Trinity Bermuda denim shorts (on sale!)
Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale!)
Bag: Balenciaga truffle brown RH classic day bag

Why I wore it:

Wore this to take the boys out to playgroup. Unlike the outfit above, while I like all of the pieces in this outfit separately I really didn't like them together. It met multiple style challenges on Instagram, and the floral tank and pink vest are something I'd been wanting to wear together since I first bought the vest. I do like the combination, and it certainly looked okay in the mirror that morning, but looking at the photos I think it seems slightly off.  This tank, while pretty, is a real pain to breastfeed in too as it's fitted and you have to roll it up rather than pull it down, not leaving a lot of coverage. Luckily I didn't have to feed baby boy in public!

If I'd worn a different bag with it, a smaller cross body bag like I did here, I probably would have liked this outfit more. The brown Balenciaga day bag is a bit much with the drape on the jacket I think. Too large. An outfit fail, that I probably could have improved with a different bag.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer (above), pink sleeveless jacket, floral and lace tank, bermuda denim shorts, studded gladiator sandals, Balenciaga truffle Day bag (above).

Other ways to wear: pink sleeveless jacket worn two ways, floral and lace tank with striped skirt, bermuda denim shorts and slouchy tee, studded gladiator sandals and wrap dress, Balenciaga truffle Day bag and pencil skirts.

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Lightweight Sleeveless Jackets Under $50:

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You can still layer in summer - a lightweight kimono or sleeveless jacket (the ones I'm wearing are made from viscose) adds some colour and interest to an outfit without overheating you.


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Wardrobe Inventory | 6 Months Without Shopping Update 2

Another month over, another month of my #6MonthsWithoutShopping challenge completed!

Just like last month, I managed to avoid the sales and stores most of the time. The continuing heatwaves meant playdates at home in the aircon and so there was no shopping temptations from meeting up in Westfield. Unsubscribing from emails from online stores has helped keep temptation at bay as well.

The biggest help in avoiding shopping has been the boys though! Their naps have gone from sometimes lining up to never lining up so it's extremely difficult to waste time online 'just browsing' shopping sites. That has been the major factor to make this month another easy month for avoiding shopping. I feel it's made me a bad blogger too as it's so hard to read other blogs but baby routines change so much, it's only temporary.


Two years ago I did a wardrobe inventory. I wanted to do one last year but never seemed to find the time. I'd like to make it an annual thing. In 2015, I had 101 accessories and 266 items of clothing.

Since then I have had many more declutter sessions, a wardrobe detox with a personal stylist and another pregnancy. I was interested to see how the count would have changed this year. The totals below doesn't include things like pieces I only wear for layering, pyjamas and loungewear.

2017 Closet Totals

Accessories:

30 scarves

29 bags

• 3 tote bags (Mulberry Bayswater, Louis Vuitton Neverfull, Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote)
• 1 travel bag (Louis Vuitton Keepall)
• 4 hobo bags (Balenciaga day bags in Truffle, Magenta and Tempete. Sarah Conners python bag.)
• 7 shoulder bags (Rebecca Minkoff MAM, Marc Jacobs Fran. Balenciaga sorbet city, black part time. Mimco Button Bag, Chloe Paddington, Guess)
• 11 cross body bags (Avalina leather. Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote, saddle bag, micro Regan, striped mini MAC, aqua mini MAC, metallic mini MAC, neon pink mini MAC, quilted Love. Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere, Mulberry metallic Lily)
• 1 vintage Chanel bag
• 2 clutches (Chloe paddington clutch, Balenciaga envelope clutch)

24 pairs of shoes

• 8 pairs flats
• 1 pair of wedges
• 3 pairs of heels
• 2 pairs of Converse
• 3 sandals 
• 2 pairs of thongs (flip flops)
• 5 pairs of boots

Clothes:

97 tops, including

• 15 fitted tanks
• 21 other tanks
• 24 nongrey tees
• 7 grey tees
• 9 long sleeve tops
• 6 shirts
• 5 camis

6 jumpers

8 cardigans

20 jackets, including

• 3 blazers
• 7 kimonos
• 3 leather jackets
• 2 trench coats

16 pairs of jeans

• 1 set of flares
• 2 printed jeans
• 13 skinny jeans

4 pairs of shorts

19 skirts

• 8 maxi skirts
• 1 a line skirt
• 10 pencil skirts

41 dresses, including

• 3 wrap dresses
• 11 maxi dresses
• 17 office dresses

Final totals:

83 accessories
211 items of clothing
294 pieces

My wardrobe had 367 items in 2015 so 294 is a step in the right direction! I do try to share my wardrobe edits on the blog when I've given something its last wear and it is leaving my wardrobe. Sometimes I never give pieces a final wear and I don't like them when I try them on or I remember I didn't like them last time I wore them and so I donate or sell them.

It's wonderful that I've managed to reduce the number of bags and scarves but I'm surprised I've increased the number of shoes I own! I'm disappointed I have so many dresses, after I got rid of a few at the end of the Frocktober challenge. It's good to see I've halved the number of grey tees though.

How Many Outfits?

Since I'm attempting the #30Wears challenge this year I thought it would be interesting to calculate how many outfits I'd have in my wardrobe if I tried to get 30 wears from everything. Keeping it simple as maths isn't my strong point, just looking at tops and dresses and not outfit combinations:

30 wears from 41 dresses is 1,230 outfits. Almost 3 and a half years of outfits. 
30 wears from 97 tops is 2,910 outfits. Almost 8 years of outfits.


And I frequently think I have nothing to wear, wow...😮

If I was to just focus on getting 30 wears out of everything I currently own, I wouldn't need to buy any new clothes for around 11 years. Somehow 6 months without shopping seems like a very short time. You can be sure I'll be looking back at these numbers when I'm tempted to buy something, to help me stick to my no-shopping challenge for the next 4 months.



I really liked looking at how my wardrobe has changed in 2 years and if you enjoyed seeing it too I'll attempt another inventory next year. If you've done a similar count please leave a link to your post in the comments, I'd love to read it.


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Metallic Tanks, Maxi Skirts and Red Rebecca Minkoff Unlined Saddle Bag

Doing #6MonthsWithoutShopping means I've been enjoying wearing more of my wardrobe and rediscovering older pieces. I recently found this black foil metallic tank and since I liked wearing it so much, I wore the same outfit the formula the next day with my silver metallic tank.

What I wore:

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers

Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Charlotte teething necklace
Tank: French Connection feather foil singlet
Skirt: Target grey marle maxi skirt
Shoes: Wittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals
Bracelets: the usual plus two Roie Designs pearl on leather adjustable bracelets
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red (on sale in pink!)

Why I wore it:

I wore this tank when I created my first ever post on the blog, where you can see the metallic shimmer better as I used the flash on the camera. In six years it's only been worn four times. Last time was two years ago! I uncovered it in my wardrobe and was surprised (but glad) that I still had it.

I wore this for a casual day, taking the boys to playgroup. Previously I'd seen this tank as one of those 'special' pieces where you want to 'save' it for a perfect occasion. With no new clothes coming into my wardrobe for 6 months as I do my no shopping challenge, it's given me a good reason to enjoy more of what I own instead of waiting for a perfect time that never seems to come up. I've already worn this tank again recently!


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, black foil tank, grey maxi skirt, studded sandals, Rebecca Minkoff red saddle bag.

Other ways to wear: black foil tank and metallic skirt, grey maxi skirt and denim jacket, studded sandals and shorts, Rebecca Minkoff red saddle bag and floral print.

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Metallic Tanks Under $50:

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What I wore:

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers

Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Ava elephant pendant teething necklace
Tank: Jeanswest Maji metallic tank in soft green and silver (extra 30% off sale price!)
Skirt: Target black and white striped maxi skirt
Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale!)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff unlined saddle bag in cherry red (on sale in pink!)

Why I wore it:

I loved the simplicity of the first outfit with the metallic tank, comfy maxi skirt and bright red cross body bag for a touch of colour. Happily recreated it again the very next day with a different tank and skirt. Went to my local Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) mothers group with the boys.

Baby Boy is getting older now and it's easier to get out and back home between feeds. I'm still sticking to mostly breastfeeding friendly outfits like this though, just in case, and that came in helpful! About halfway through the meeting he wanted a feed and I hadn't brought a bottle with us as I didn't expect him to be hungry. It was good I was wearing something that let me easily breastfeed him. I didn't have anything to use as a breastfeeding cover which I would have preferred, but the great thing about the ABA is the mums are incredibly supportive no matter how you feed your baby. Covered, uncovered, bottle of expressed milk, bottle of formula, SNS, they've seen it all. I'm glad to have connected with them!


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer (above), metallic silver tank, striped maxi skirt, studded sandals, Rebecca Minkoff saddle bag (above).

Other ways to wear: metallic silver tank worn two ways, striped maxi skirt in winter, studded sandals and denim shorts, Rebecca Minkoff saddle bag and shirt dress.


Metallic tanks are just as easy to wear as plain tanks. You can dress them up or you can wear them casually with maxi skirts like I have here.

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