Embrace the unexpected

By Penelope Pelecas | Style Magazine

It’s almost time to shed those winter layers and embrace the sunshine with a plethora of spring summer fashion finds; and what better way to welcome a new season than with a wardrobe shake up. If you’ve been in a style slump lately or in the past have struggled to transition your clothing between seasons, there’s no better time to hit the ‘refresh’ button on your wardrobe. With a few key pieces and some unexpected styling tips, your fashion game can be re-invigorated with ease.

And what better place to stock up on sleek new-season must-haves than  Wintergarden in the heart of Queen Street Mall. With an impressive line-up of Australian and international designer brands that are both affordable and stylish such as Veronika Maine, Cue (their new lilac collection is *chefs kiss*), SHEIKE, COS, Zara, DISSH, Seed Heritage, Nine West, H&M, lululemon, and Dinosaur Designs (there’s also a wonderful variety of men’s fashion brands, such as M.J. Bale, Peter Jackson, Aquila, and R.M. Williams to name a few).

On that note, here’s how to embrace the unexpected this spring summer at Wintergarden.

Go monochrome

You can never go wrong with a head-to-toe monochrome look – it’s chic, sophisticated, and eye-catching. Now, every busy city gal needs a tailored suit in their wardrobe, and Cue have just dropped an incredible lilac range with the most stunning suit. We’d recommend pairing it with lilac heels for a head-to-toe monochrome look, or a pair of silver slingbacks for a more urban, edgy look. And while this may not be for everyone, if you want a look that’s street-style worthy (and you’re feeling extra daring), why not have a little fun and give the ‘wear your blazer backwards’ trend a go!

Two skirts are better than one

The dress-over-pants trend has been everywhere this year, but have you ever considered layering two skirts together? It’s the latest craze sweeping the fashion world and it’s surprisingly easy to pull off. The trick to layering skirts is to pair them in differing lengths and textures. For example, here we’ve paired a COS pleated skirt with a more structured wrap skirt from Zara. The results? Mind-blowing! Who’s ready to give it a try?

Ellie wears COS Stores Layered Pleated Mini Skirt, H&M Black Bralette, Zara Cross Over Midi Skirt, Zara Straight Blazer, Zara High-Heel Faux Ankle Boot, stylist’s own jewellery.

Mix and match

Mixing and matching textures, prints, and colours is an effortless way to spice up your look – not to mention, it’s definitely one of the easiest fashion trends to incorporate into your pre-existing wardrobe. Some combos we love are silk and denim, suede and faux leather, and knitwear and metallic. Need some inspiration? See how we styled this DISSH denim vest with a fringed black midi skirt from Zara and glittery knee-high boots – all available at Wintergarden, of course. Not your vibe? We’re also crushing on Veronika Maine’s Citrine Wave set, which we paired with a cropped, boxy white button-up shirt. You’ll be mixing and matching like a street style pro in no time!

Splash the town metallic

Metallics are having a huge comeback this year, specifically metallic silver. Not only is silver jewellery on the rise, but we’re also seeing it in our clothing and accessories – there’s something so fun and edgy about adding a little metal to your ensemble. Just remember, the trick to pulling off this trend is to not overdo it. When incorporating bolder metallic items like shoes, a bag, or clothing, opt for more minimal jewellery pieces. We’re also seeing this trend in the beauty world, so don’t forget to stop past Mecca Maxima for some added flair to your beauty regime.

Ellie wears COS Structured Waisted Top, Zara Metallic Mini Skirt, Nine West Zest Shoe, Veronika Maine Black Cherry Soft Tote Bag, COS Colour Block Lure Socks, stylist’s own jewellery. Shot at Hyatt Regency.