Away From Blue | Aussie Mum Style, Away From The Blue Jeans Rut

Friday 5 May 2017

Maxi Dresses and Denim Jackets For Church

With the autumn weather starting to arrive in Queensland, you will be seeing lots of different levels of layered outfits if you follow me on instagram as the weather is quite varied. One thing it thankfully always is though is cooler in the morning and evenings. That means for two early morning starts to attend church I needed an extra layer over my maxi dresses, and this denim jacket was perfect.

I bought this denim jacket either before or during my uni days - can't remember exactly. I'm sure it's clocked up more than 30 wears but I didn't regularly take outfit pictures before I started the blog. I love a maxi dress and denim jacket outfit when it's cooler.

What I wore:

wearing a maxi dress in autumn with denim jacket, colourful easter outfit | Away From Blue

silver bracelet stack, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather | AwayFromTheBlue

Jacket: Bubblegum denim jacket

Necklace: Nibbly Bits Abacus teething necklace in pop
Dress: MEV Havana maxi dress C/O Zibibo
Belt: Ralph Lauren silk scarf worn as belt
Shoes: Balenciaga studded sandals in sorbet RGGH
Bracelets: the usual plus silver charm bracelet
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC in aquamarine with python embossed leather (on sale!)

Why I wore it:

This was my Easter Sunday church outfit! I usually go to (and volunteer at) Church Online. But for special occasions it's nice to go to an actual physical church building. Currently swimming lessons are stopping us from going regularly but I'll want to take the boys more often when they get bigger.

This is easily one of my favourite maxi dresses - it was a perfect pregnancy dress too, and is a dedicated nursing piece. With the denim jacket it was perfect for a morning at church, watching the boys eat chocolate eggs with lunch and then going out for dinner with the family.

Picked the scarf to wear as a belt as pastels are perfect for Easter, and I'd started to feel I was always wearing this maxi dress with a gold belt so wanted to change it up a little. I think the pink, lilac and aqua of the bag all worked really nicely together in this outfit.

Last worn: denim jacket, Ralph Lauren scarf, MEV nursing maxi dress, Balenciaga sandals, Rebecca Minkoff aqua mini MAC bag.

Other ways to wear: denim jacket for double denim, Ralph Lauren scarf and little black dress, MEV nursing maxi dress at 39 weeks pregnant, Balenciaga sandals and denim shorts, Rebecca Minkoff aqua mini MAC bag and floral kimono.

More Pink Maxi Dresses Under $50:

What I wore:

denim jacket, Kmart Tropicana sleeveless tiered maxi dress | Away From Blue

Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold | AwayFromTheBlue

Sunnies: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers
Jacket: Bubblegum denim jacket

Necklace: Nibbly Bits Wilma teething necklace in pale daffodil
Dress: Kmart Tropicana sleeveless tiered maxi dress
Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Georgina studded gladiator sandals in blush (on sale, 44% off!)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold

Why I wore it:

This was another church outfit! Wore this to go to a new church that a family friend had started up. It was their first time in a new building and it's kind of close to where we live so we wanted to go and support them on their first day.

Although this maxi dress is a bold and colourful choice on it's own, I decided to branch out a little and pair the mustard yellow micro Regan bag with it. A very colourful outfit for me, but one I really loved!

Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarers, denim jacket (above), tropical print maxi dress, gladiator sandals, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag.

Other ways to wear: denim jacket and skirt, tropical print maxi dress for the beach, gladiator sandals and denim shorts, mustard yellow bag and grey tees.

Denim Jackets Under $50:

How You Can Wear It:

You don't have to reserve your maxi dresses for spring and summer! Wear them in autumn or any cooler day with a denim jacket for warmth and an easy, simple outfit. Perfect for the days when you're in a rush trying to get yourself and two toddlers organised and out the door.

Linking up with Fab Favourites, Mix It Monday, Shoe & Tell, On Mondays We Link Up, Modest Monday.

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Wednesday 3 May 2017

Button Up Shirts And Denim Shorts with Rebecca Minkoff Bags

First, Shopbop currently have a 40% off sale on! Only for 3 days, so be quick! You can shop it here.

Last time I wore a button up shirt and denim shorts outfit formula it was much too hot. Not an ideal choice for summer! Now some autumn weather has arrived and it was a little cooler, it was the perfect choice of outfit.

What I wore:

mint pinstripe button up shirt casual denim shorts OneTeaspoon outfit | Away From Blue

Rebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey | Away From The Blue

Necklace: Ruby Olive Softies Ava elephant pendant teething necklace

Shirt: Target mint stripe shirt
Shorts: OneTeaspoon Hawks shorts in Fox black (C/O, on sale!)
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey
Nails: OPI Russian Navy

Why I wore it:

It's been a while since I'd worn this shirt so got it out. I'd planned to wear it in the postpartum days for easy breastfeeding but the weather and my larger than usual chest at the time didn't allow it! Even though I've worn it with a baby bump in the past... it fits perfectly again now. Nice and simple outfit for a morning spent with my mum and taking the boys to rhyme time at the library.

The bag is one I haven't worn for a while either! It's easily the favourite Rebecca Minkoff bag in my collection. I do have a lot of the cute mini MAC bags but this one works for every situation - you can wear it cross body, it can fit a ton in and I've worn it to work as well as just for days like this where I'm running around with the boys.

Previously when I gushed about this bag I was sharing some of the places you could get it second hand online as it was discontinued. I'm really pleased it's being made again and I know if I wasn't doing #6MonthsWithoutShopping I'd probably have bought it in another colour too! (I like this blush pink one)

Last worn: pinstripe shirt, OneTeaspoon denim shorts, Havaianas, Rebecca Minkoff MAM bag.

Other ways to wear: pinstripe shirt in the office, OneTeaspoon denim shorts in Spring, grey Rebecca Minkoff MAM bag adn colourful cardis.

More Denim Shorts Under $50:

What I wore:

Jeanswest Tory textured shirt, Trinity Bermuda denim shorts mustard yellow accessories | AwayFromBlue

Sunnies: Ray-Ban new Wayfarers

Necklace: Nibbly Bits Wilma teething necklace in pale daffodil
Shirt: Jeanswest Tory textured shirt (on sale!)
Shorts: Jeanswest Trinity Bermuda denim shorts (on sale!)
Shoes: Balenciaga studded sandals in sorbet RGGH
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold
Nails: OPI Russian Navy

Why I wore it:

Very similar to the last time I wore this shirt, just with different accessories. I really like the yellow against the navy. I've been loving this mustard Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag as it goes so nicely with blue, and I have a lot of blue in my wardrobe. Wore this to go to my local ABA mother's group.

First time I wore this shirt I wasn't a fan of how it sat tucked in, so I wore it untucked again. I need to try it tucked in again with something other than shorts. I'm thinking it will be great with a pencil skirt when I return to work soon.

Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, navy textured button up shirt, bermuda denim shorts, Balenciaga sandals, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag.

Other ways to wear: navy textured button up shirt and printed shorts, bermuda denim shorts and kimono, Balenciaga sandals and a maxi dress, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag and spring layers.

More Button Up Shirts Under $50:

How You Can Wear It:

Button up (or button down!) shirts don't have to be reserved for corporate life. They pair nicely with denim, and are great with denim shorts for mild spring or autumn days. If you're breastfeeding they are a practical and economical option as you probably already have one in your wardrobe.

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Monday 1 May 2017

#30Wears: Jeanswest Super Skinny Jeans

As I mentioned last month, I'm discovering that identifying items in my wardrobe I've actually worn 30 times is tricky! Despite being in the middle of #6monthsWithoutShopping, I do have a lot of clothes and I'm finding 30 wears of anything other than maxi skirts or accessories isn't as easy as I'd thought at the start of the year. This month I'm sharing another classic piece, my skinny jeans.

These were the first jeans I pulled out to wear when autumn and jeans weather finally arrived this past week. They are a firm favourite in my wardrobe, so much so that I purchased the maternity version of them to wear over my pregnancies too! Since blue jeans are a fairly common wardrobe item for most people, everyone is sure to have at least one pair of jeans they've hit 30 wears on. I'm going to make this post another 30 unique ways to wear to give you some inspiration for how to rewear your favourite jeans.

#30Wears: Jeanswest Blue Super Skinny Jeans

These Jeanswest 'super skinny' jeans were purchased almost 4 and a half years ago. I have a pretty large collection of denim, but still these have racked up 50 wears. Given how much I used to love blue jeans that's a bit of a lower number than I expected, but I have really been trying the past few years to stay away from the blue denim rut, especially during my maternity leave periods where I've been lucky to be a stay at home mum for a while.

Skinny Jeans and a Blazer

Jeans and a blazer isn't just a great option for casual Friday! It's a nice way to dress up a casual jeans outfit a little. You can stick with a classic knit blazer for comfort, or even try a tweed blazer for a little extra warmth. While I have worn this outfit combination in winter (in the last pic), I tend to wear jeans and blazers most in spring and summer.

Skinny Jeans and Knits

When it starts to cool down for autumn or heat up slightly for spring, adding a knit with skinny jeans is an easy outfit. Either a cute knitted jumper like in the first two pictures, or a light cardigan in the next 4. A scarf is a good extra layer if it's chilly. This combination is so comfortable I've worn it for an interstate flight (second picture) and a long road tip (last picture).

Jeans and Maxi Cardigan (Duster)

I wanted to call this out separately from the shorter cardigans above. This cosy maxi cardi was a sale purchase last autumn and although it's too warm to have worn it yet this year I'm looking forward to wearing it again with my blue jeans when the weather cools more. A duster just works perfectly with skinny jeans as you can see in the outfits below.

Skinny Jeans for Casual Friday

It's often too hot and humid for jeans in summer here in Brisbane but I definitely make up for that with how often I wear my jeans in winter! 4 of the 5 outfits below were actually winter casual Friday outfits for the office. Only the second outfit with the boots wasn't worn in the office.A classic pair of skinny jeans and a cosy jacket like a leather jacket or trench coat and you're set for Casual Friday.

Skinny Jeans and Kimonos

Denim and a kimono will always been a frequently worn combination in my wardrobe! Even when I swap my jeans for shorts in summer I still like to wear a pretty printed kimono with some kind of denim.

Skinny Jeans and Tanks

Such a simple outfit formula for a warm spring or autumn day, just pick a tank to wear with your jeans. Each of these tanks have a twist from a regular tank and jeans combo to stop it being too boring. The tank in the first outfit is actually a lace overlay one so you can kind of see the purple tank underneath poking through. The plain black tank in the middle outfit has a peplum hem, and there's a fun print on the Sass and Bide tank in the last outfit. A tank and skinny jeans outfit doesn't have to be boring.

Skinny Jeans and Tees

This was definitely my most-worn outfit formula, and was my go-to outfit for a few years. A jeans and tee outfit is just to quick to put together each day. Like the tanks above, a jeans and tee outfit doesn't have to be boring when you wear a printed or brightly coloured tee. Don't forget you can a pretty necklace too for more interest!