#30Wears: Balenciaga Red Velo Cross Body Bag

During my 6 months without shopping, I'm aiming to get 30 wears out of as many pieces in my wardrobe as possible. Every month I'll be sharing 30 ways to wear something, from my huge archive of over 5 years of daily outfit photos.

This month it is the Balenciaga coquelicot (poppy red) Velo bag.

30 Wears: Balenciaga Coquelicot Velo Bag

Sharing an accessory this time: the Balenciaga coquelicot Velo bag. I bought this in 2011 and it has been worn over 50 times. (More if you include the year I wore it pre-blog). It ages so well too, very little wear and tear after years of use. Just like the black maxi skirt I featured for last month's 30 wears, it was hard narrowing this post down to just 30 outfits. The velo fits so much inside it's a great bag for many different occasions.

10 Ways to Wear a Balenciaga Velo Bag with a Skirt

The Balenciaga Velo bag looks great with any kind of skirt. Pencil skirts for work, skater skirts or maxi skirts for casual Friday or the weekend. I like wearing it with black skirts as it really pops.

10 Ways to Wear a Red Balenciaga Velo Bag with Denim

While some people worry about denim transfer with Balenciaga bags, I water and stain proof all my bags before I use them and I've never had a problem with my jeans rubbing off onto the leather. I've worn the Balenciaga velo bag with skinny jeans and shorts, the poppy red colour is perfect with all kinds of denim. It doesn't just have to be your standard blue jeans, printed jeans and even red jeans work quite well.

10 More Ways to Wear a Balenciaga Velo Bag

The Balenciaga Velo works just as well with a casual outfit as it does an office outfit. Printed dresses or black skinny pants, it really is a versatile bag. While some people might worry the bag is too slouchy and casual for office wear, it holds so much it makes perfect sense to take to work. The bright red colour is a nice pick-me-up when you sit it on your desk too!

I love handbags, they are my favourite accessory and I have quite a lot. While Balenciaga is one of the more expensive bag brands I have I do think they are worth the money and worth saving up for. That's why I have so many! I've included a few preloved Balenciaga bags below that are a little more wallet friendly, as well as some other brands.

Similar red leather cross body bags:

If you're unsure if you should buy the Balenciaga velo or another Balenciaga style, this video answers that question for you and compares a few of the common Balenciaga moto line bags.





Want more outfit ideas with the red Balenciaga Velo bag? All 50+ wears of the Balenciaga Velo in my archives.

If you enjoyed this 30 wears post I'm always happy to hear your suggestions for what clothing item or accessory to feature next!


Linking up with Weekend Wear, Flashback Fashion, Friday Faves, The Ultimate Rabbit Hole, Let It Shine, Shoe & Tell, Hello Monday, Modest Monday, Mix It Monday, Start the Week Stylish, Monday Mode, On Trend.

Follow Away From the Blue on:
Bloglovin : Twitter : Instagram : Youtube : Facebook : Google Plus : LikeToKnow.It 

Navy Embroidered Tunic and Balenciaga Day Bags

Just before Christmas, my mum got me this beautiful Caroline Morgan navy embroidered tunic. She has such good taste. While it's impossible to breastfeed in, it's so beautiful I had to wear it right away. I wore it similarly both times although it was for different occasions.

What I wore:

Sunnies:  Ray-Ban new Wayfarers
Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Charlotte teething necklace
Top: Caroline Morgan navy embroidered tunic (gifted)
Shorts: Jeanswest Trinity Bermuda denim shorts (currently on sale!)
Shoes: Wittner 'Jasmarie' studded sandals
Bag: Balenciaga Day bag in 2005 magenta (20% off with code 'WINTER')
Nails: OPI Koala Bear-y

Why I wore it:

This was perfect for the first wear. I really like the embroidery, and the navy colour makes my magenta Balenciaga bag really pop. I love wearing this bag with blue.

The tunic came with a cute little braided belt which I used to pull it up a bit and make it a little shorter. I was wearing my long shorts underneath but wanted them to be clearly seen as I felt it would look a little odd if people thought I as grocery shopping in just a super short dress! Petite problems, ha! Really liked the look of the tunic belted too. Wasn't completely convinced this was the best necklace to wear with it, but doesn't look too bad in the photos.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, denim bermuda shorts, studded sandals, Balenciaga magenta Day bag. First time I've worn the tunic.

Other ways to wear: bermuda shorts and slouchy tee, studded sandals and kimono, Balenciaga magenta Day bag and winter layers.

---

Embroidered tunics under $50:

More Balenciaga Day bags:

---

What I wore:

Hat: Big W bow detail sunhat
Top: Caroline Morgan navy embroidered tunic
Shorts: Jeanswest printed denim shorts
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bag: Balenciaga giant hardware Day bag in 2009 tempete
Nails: OPI Breakfast at Tiffany collection 'I got the mean reds' and 'Sunrise...bedtime'

Why I wore it:

Wore the tunic with denim shorts again for the second time. We decided a few days prior to head down the coast for a pool party. This was a perfect bikini cover up, and I used the belt again to pull the tunic up just a little to show off the shorts underneath. I think I liked the blouson effect in the first photo more, but this didn't stay on long before we were in the pool. Meant I didn't really add any accessories to this, just a nice simple pool party outfit.

Again another Balenciaga day bag! It really is my favourite Balenciaga style, and as I wasn't taking a bag poolside I didn't have to worry about it getting wet.


Last worn: sun hat, embroidered tunic (above), printed denim shorts, Havaianas, Balenciaga tempete day bag.

Other ways to wear: sun hat and maxi dress, printed shorts and printed kimono, Balenciaga tempete day bag and skinny jeans.


Linking up with Fashion Files, Fun Fashion.

Follow Away From the Blue on:
Bloglovin : Twitter : Instagram : Youtube : Facebook : Google Plus : LikeToKnow.It 

Empire Waist Maxi Dresses and Cross Body Bags | 6 Months Without Shopping Month 1

First month of the 6 months without shopping challenge completed already and I found it pretty easy for once! Didn't buy anything, despite tagging along for a trip to the outlets. Hoping I continue to do so well for the next 5 months.

I spent a lot of January catching up with friends and family and since they knew I was trying not to spend, we avoided the shops. The summer weather makes shops a less attractive option as well. The boys are keeping me busy too so I have less computer time which means less online shopping time.

Even though I'm not shopping there have been a few changes to my wardrobe since I last shared an update post in December. I got a cosy knit dress from my grandma and two scarves as belated Christmas gifts. I'm looking forward to wearing and enjoying them when autumn arrives. I also returned a couple of pieces from my December purchases as I didn't love them when I tried them on at home.



For what I've been wearing, some simple outfits with empire waist maxi dresses. I have always liked that style for maxi dresses, it accommodates pregnant belly nicely and it's wonderful post-baby when you have leftover mum-tum!

What I wore:

Earrings: A Little Bit of North blue mandala earrings (giveaway prize, close up photo)

Dress: Gypsy 05 orange ombre maxi dress
Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale!)
Bracelets: the usual plus vintage charm bracelet
Bag: Mulberry Lily in maroon metallic suede leopard (get it in pink! Extra 20% off with code 'WINTER')
Nails: OPI Breakfast at Tiffany collection 'I got the mean reds' and 'Sunrise...bedtime'

Why I wore it:

Wore this pretty maxi dress to attend a late Christmas celebration with family who were overseas in December. I really wanted to wear this pretty metallic and suede bag as it matched my red and silver manicure (OPI Breakfast at Tiffany collection), and I knew I wanted to wear the dress. Wasn't sure if the orange and red would work together until I remembered something Sheila said - if the colours occur together in nature you know they will look good together in an outfit. Red and orange remind me of sunsets. So pleased I wore both pieces I think they look lovely together and I really liked this outfit!

Despite it not being one of my most popular outfits on Instagram this is one of my favourite outfits, wouldn't change a thing. It's such a simple outfit too. Every time I wear this dress I think of my lovely friend who gave it to me, I always feel good when I wear it.

The earrings are a beautiful prize I won on Instagram - handmade by A Little Bit of North. Highly recommend checking them out, they are based in Canberra. I did add a teething necklace to this but was in a rush so it was still in the baby bag when I took pics that morning.


Last worn: ombre maxi dress, Mulberry red suede Lily bag, Rebecca Minkoff studded sandals.

Other ways to wear: ombre maxi dress and kimono, Mulberry red suede Lily bag and graphic tee, Rebecca Minkoff studded sandals and chambray.

---

More orange and pink empire waist maxi dresses under $50:

---

What I wore:

Dress: MEV Havana maxi dress C/O Zibibo

Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale!)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold (on sale!)

Why I wore it:

This is an old photo - from November! I'm not sure why this outfit hasn't been shared before now. I was trying to organise my photos to post and realised I hadn't used this one yet. While I take photos every day (as you can see on Instagram), I try to group them together into things that make sense for a post, like breastfeeding dresses or studded sandals and denim shorts.

It's what I wore to a playgroup Christmas picnic before the summer break. I've worn this dress with yellow before and really liked the combination so it was good to recreate it again with this mustard yellow bag. Nice and simple outfit, perfect for a picnic on a hot day and playing with the boys.


Last worn: Mothers En Vogue maxi dress, studded gladiator sandals (above), Rebecca Minkoff Micro Regan bag.

Other ways to wear: Mothers En Vogue maxi dress at 39 weeks pregnant, studded gladiator sandals and denim shorts, Rebecca Minkoff Micro Regan bag and printed kimono.


Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers, Mix It Monday, Monday Mode, On Trend, Turning Heads, Style Sessions, Confident Twosday, Wardrobe Wednesday, Midweek Inspo, Oh Hey Girl, WIW Wednesday, What I Wore.

Follow Away From the Blue on:
Bloglovin : Twitter : Instagram : Youtube : Facebook : Google Plus : LikeToKnow.It