Au neutural

Wearing: Thrifted blouse and scarf, Target shorts and Dr Martens boots.

It's no secret that I love mixing prints, but normally I'm more comfortable wearing a lot more colour. Unless of course it's the middle of semester, I forgo washing my hair, I have an assignment due and some kind of presentation to give. In which case clothing isn't part of the equation and I become the most basic human being and more or less exist rather than actually live. So it felt a little strange and somewhat challenging coming up with a cool outfit in a neutral colour palette. I've been dying to buy some silk scarves since I saw the 'How to tie a neck scarf' video by Man Repeller on Youtube (for you intellectuals out there, you can also read the blog post here) Now I obviously lack the cool sunglasses needed to complete this look, as well as any sign of pigment as evidenced by my moon face and long pale legs, but it's still just as effective. Also I feel like I was unconsciously channeling Chloë Sevigny Fall 2012 campaign for Miu Miu. Minus the amazing boots, David Bowie make up and cropped hairdo.

What have I done, what have I become

Wearing: Target skirt (worn as dress), Asos Mimi pointed flat shoes, Karen Walker sunglasses and thrifted bandanna.

I submitted my thesis last Friday but haven't been able to capture my outfit within recent days. As you can see I'm back at my boyfriend's beach house, standing in front of the long grass on the vacant block. In the weeks leading up to my final submission I really took to wearing a bandanna with a plain black shirt and black jeans. There wasn't really any time for the frivolity and escapism of fashion, but I did accessorize a little more than usual and applied red lipstick on a number of occasions. I guess what I was looking for was a way in which I could feel powerful. Wearing a flimsy dress (or rather, skirt as a dress) doesn't necessarily make me feel powerful, but it is, in its own strange way, a luxury. I did really want to wear a pair of clunky shoes (either my Nicholas Kirkwood x Rodarte booties, or J.W. Anderson mother of pearl shoes) but they kind of exaggerated my legs and made the dress look even shorter! It's actually a skirt, but since I don't have much in the way of a bust it's something I can get away with, however, some sort of elastic would make it fit a little better.

You liked me cause I was blue

Wearing: Thrifted cheongsam and shirt, Asos Mimi pointed flats.

These little gem thingies are the greatest thing I've ever put on my face, and feel free to quote me on that. I guess what I liked most was devising a way to wear these beauties without the marginalization of a group of people. Plus my eyeliner just looked badass today. I've had this outfit on my mind for a while now and it felt so good to wear it. This dress is a little tight on me, so I do have a bit of a belly here but I don't care. It's nothing a good, billowing shirt worn open can't fix. While the photo editing is not quite there yet, I don't have time to spend hours and hours photocopying bits of scrap booking pieces for the perfect science/ vintage cross over. I'm saving that for when I finish- as well as television and video game binges. I'd love it if you guys could recommend me some witty shows with complex women to watch!! At the moment all of my energy is going into my thesis, and it's so surreal that it will be finished soon.

Shine bright like a diamond

Wearing: Turban Hats4Ladies (etsy), earrings and bracelet from Marina FINI, vintage blazer, Miss Shop dress and thrifted heels.

I wore this outfit a few weeks ago now when I went thrift shopping (and surprisingly found nothing I liked), but then went to a friend's house for dinner. Dinner was delicious and then we played a game of pictionary whilst trying to explain what it is we as student geologists do. Hanging out with friends is always nice AND I got to play with his pet cat Misery. Everyone agrees it's possibly the greatest name for a cat. Anyway crazy cat lady shenanigans aside, it's always nice to be able to dress up every now and then and this is probably the most heavily 80s inspired outfit I've worn since I first got into fashion at about age fourteen or fifteen. There's also a definite flair or sassieness, probably due to the influence of the ladies and gentlemen featured on Advanced Style.

The Craft

Wearing: Romance Was Born dress, thrifted cardigan and J.W. Anderson shoes.

Today's outfit is equal parts craft techniques and more ethereal ~witchy vibes~. This dress is such a special piece and I always feel so potent and powerful when I wear it. Originally I was inspired by all things haberdashery but extended that metaphor to mother of pearl buttons and yarn for something warm. These are the last photos I took at Philip Island but hopefully I'll be back soon! It was so hard deciding what clothes to being and even though we were only visiting for three days I wanted to make the most of it. I can now see why packing for Fashion Week is such a big deal, and why weeks of deliberation are spent making these decisions. Packing these shoes probably took the most room, but each piece took up a considerable amount of space. In my defense, a winter wardrobe will need to have a little more weight and texture to it. I have every intention of channelling my inner witch next season, which means lots of long flowing dresses with some Stevie Nicks vibes. It's so hard not to feel influenced by the 70s inspiration that swept the runway last season, but as always I've interpreted using my own colour palette and aesthetic.

Swamp Witch

Wearing: Romance Was Born dress (worn as skirt), thrifted bloused, thrifted cardigan, Dr Martens boots and DIY fringe cape.

As I come closer towards the end of my candidature, as well as writing applications for my PhD and completing my thesis I've become more drawn towards problem solving through words as well as experimentation. I know what tasks I have to do but can easily feel overwhelmed and paralysed at the thought of not being able to write well. Dreaming of new outfits has been my escape from academia and through creating a different set of problems has allowed me to work different parts of my brain. The DIY cape was originally a decoration I used for my twenty-first birthday last year but couldn't bear the thought of throwing it away. I was also really inspired by Patience Hodgson's outfit from Splendour in the Grass this year, designed by the lovely Rachel Burke from I make it, You wear it. I wore it with a 70s aesthetic blouse I picked up from a thrift store last year, inspired by the discussions surrounding Slimane as the creative director for Saint Laurent. This outfit has undertones of a rockstar, reimagined with interesting colours and textures. 

Does this black match?

BEHOLD THE EMBODIMENT OF QUINN MORGENDORFFER THE ORACLE OF ALL WISDOM!!!

Wearing: Thrifted jeans and fuzzy cardigan, Deadly Ponies bag, Dr Martens boots, gifted bangle, Katzi stud ring, Alex Monroe daisy ring.

For the last several weeks I have been sorting through coal as large as boulders and finer than grains of sand. Consequently my clothes are often covered in a fine dirt at the end of the day and I consider myself lucky on days when it doesn't smudge my face. Wearing all black was the easiest way to combat but this still remain an air of mystery and elegance. However, this does not reflect my personal style and on these days I do not feel my most confident. Experimenting with texture allowed me to feel creative, but it's wearing my rings and bracelets that gave me my greatest satisfaction. Although it's slightly too big for my rather child-like wrists I loved the weight and gravitas of this ornate bangle and stacking my rings upon one another. Rather tentatively they matched the hardware of my handbag which really ties this outfit together.