Happy Sydney Fashion Week! Oh, how we wish we were there, striding alongside Vogue Australia's supremely stylish Fashion Editor Christina Centenera and nestling up FROW-side with Aussie model of the moment, Bambi Northwood-Blythe. Actually, sod that, we just wish we were just in Sydney full stop, absorbing some Vitamin D. (It might be their winter, but they don't know the meaning of 'cold'.)
Sadly we're not. We're here - staring at a computer screen. As are you. But don't worry - one of the wonders of e-living is that you can steal the golden looks from the golden coasters - whilst still eating cupcakes on your sofa. So let us intro five of Australia's most fashionable ladies and the styles that they do so well. They're proof that Aussie fashion has come a long way from Billabong t-shirts and denim shorts...
Even grown-ups can wear vests
Remember when you used to wear a weeny white cotton vest under everything, including your teenny t-shirt? Awwwww..... you were cute and you must have been hot. But take supper-blogger Margaret Zhang's lead (and steal more of her tips here) by layering a little cotton vest under an open shirt and oversized frayed denim jacket (Margaret's is actually a Topshop Unique tweed one.) If it gets really hot then she can whip off her layers and look super cool in just a tank top and printed mini skirt. Which, despite it's simplicity, is about as far from Bondi Beach as Fifth Avenue is - especially with those OTK grey suede Stuart Weitzman Highland boots ramping things up around 40 notches. Sorted.
The camisole dress? The Aussies practically invented it
OK, they didn't. The Romans did (thanks Google.) But they certainly pay homage to it rather well. You won't find an Aussie girl (whether she hails from Melbourne or Sydney) worth her salt without a dozen exposed-back slip dresses residing in her wardrobe. They're all about the healthy body image and a golden tan, which means a simple checked slip dress like blogger Sara Donaldson with a miniature statement bag (hers is a Givenchy Obsedia) is all you need to pull off this sporty-yet-pretty spring look.
Take a pinch of Parisian insouciance - and add a hat
Unlike the French, the Aussies aren't known for their muted dishevelment, but there is a spirit of pared back effortlessness in the way the dress. Hold back on the jewellery and opt for bold colours, or failing that - a big hat. Aussie-born and New York-based stylist and editor (we're obsessed with her lo-fi zine, Shop Ghost) Stevie Dance may have flown her (native) nest, but she's still a wild-haired, denim-loving Aussie at heart. Think matelot and breton tops, vintage denim - chopped offand belted for summer - and flea market vintage. In this scenario, come spring sunshine and the need for a diversifying accesory, just add a straw hat. Voila.
Think slouchy metallics
Australian fashiond designers such as Sass & Bide excel at daytime-appropriate sexy dressing* sans* provocation. One of Australia's hottest fashion designers, Kym Ellery(who now shows at Paris Fashion Week, always the sign of exported success) - as worn here by uber-blogger Jessica Stein - does easy-to-wear metallics like no other. Where a backless white halterneck, white trousers and small stack white sandals (complete with white nail polish) would be twee to the extreme, the chunks of gold trouser transform it into something futuristically hip. Think metallic, think white, think backless, think slouchy.
We told you tonal blocking was cool
Arguably Australia's most successful fashion blogger right now, Nicole Warne is famous for her love of punchy colour and offbeat polish. Never one to look too matchy matchy, she manages to pull off a Balenciaga sweater, Charlotte Olympia shoes and matching red lipstick (her lip colour of regular choice) and still look on the relaxed side of edgy. The key is in the loose bun, black jeans and simple cat-flick eyeliner which make a matching red sweaterand booties look far from overcooked. Take note.
Pictures: Shine By Three, @harperandharley, @stevie_dance, Getty
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.