Today’s outfit is a little bit work a tiny bit fantasy… all because it is something I put together for a shoot and then proceeded to have a bit of a diva moment in. The divine Bernie Dexter sent me these incredible ‘Rosie’ dungarees as, I’ll admit, somewhat of a challenge. I haven’t in my adult life worn anything like these. In fact, the last pair I owned were green candy striped with a Smurf appliqué and worn while climbing trees! Mr. SKM has always asked me about these too. Being rather partial to a more down-home kind of girl, he’s been trying to convince me to wear a pair of these for ages, but all I could think about were the bad 1990′s versions worn by teen stars in school hallways! Eeeep!

So when it came to styling these up, I found I was presented with so many choices that it is likely you’ll see them appear in multiple guises over the coming months. But firstly I had to do something entirely classic, a little Betty Grable-esque and (aside from the fabulous shoes) an outfit that is the cutest little gardening ensemble you could imagine! Happy pre-Valentines Day Mr. SKM!

Outfit Details

Denim Dungarees (or as they are often known in Australia – Overalls) – The “Rosie” by Bernie Dexter. Super stretchy and very comfortable light weight blue denim. Two simple side pockets, rear zip and button detail. Yes, they are super fitted and true to size, so if you like things a bit roomier, go up a size or two.

Floral shirt – Princess Highway S/S 2012

Blue shoes – Urban Originals many seasons ago

White bangle – Diva, many seasons ago

Yellow rose – hair flower made by me

Blue Hydrangea – real!

Beauty Note

Nail colour -”My Little Secret” by Missa

Lip Colour – Beseme Red

*All original images by Helen McLean for Super Kawaii Mama.com – Images may be reproduced with appropriate permissions. Feel free to add to Pinterest, Tumblr etc…* 

We knew fashion would come to it’s senses one of these days, and now that the love for vintage inspirations has really taken root we can rejoice in all the new eye candy coming our way.

Prada’s Spring 2012 Collection

Remember those amazing flame shoes from last weeks post on the best flats to wear? They are part of this incredible new collection from Prada this season.  I’ve always wanted a beautiful Prada bag and now, it looks like I can’t hold off any longer. If I miss out on one of these beauties that could have been tailor made for me I’ll kick myself!

Check out some more of the beautiful images from this collection over at the gorgeous Debutante Clothing’s blog.

Marie Claire February  2012 Issue

This gorgeous shoot for Marie Claire is called The Last Days of Summer and captures that softening sunlight of the end of a season. I adore the  looks which as somewhat of a mash up between 1930′s sportswear and 1940′s hair and makeup.

Vogue Girl Korea Winter 2011

You know when shoots give you tingles? This is that! I LOVE these shots so much. The hair, the outfits, the lux fabrics and textures, the fire works display of colour. Hell yeah Vogue Girl!

Vogue UK Feburary 2012

This image by Demarchelier has such a wonderful tone to it. The coral jacket with the coral lip all against the iconic mid century blue piped upholstery. The model’s updated curled faux-hawk is the icing on the cake making this entirely edgy retro chic.

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This is only a sample of the numerous stunning and thoroughly vintage inspired shoots out there at the moment to capture your imagination. It’s enough to make you take a match to those t-shirts and jeans hiding in the wardrobe isn’t it?! If, by the way, you’d like to learn how to put your own looks together as amazingly as these; make sure to hold some dates in your diaries for the next series of vintage styling workshops I have coming up right across the country! I’ll announce all the nitty gritty details as soon as I can, so keep an eye on this page.

I’ve been waiting for the perfect day to wear this 1940′s styled, vintage inspired dress by Trashy Diva. The Sadie dress really gets it right. A light cotton blend with a strong green background and delightful floral print, all with a waterfall of tiered ruffles across one hip. Sadly, Melbourne’s weather has not been playing ball this last month, alternating between cold and hailing then hot as hell the next; neither of which you’d want to be outside in. So yesterday, when the weather man predicted a delightful day, I made plans to meet a friend for breakfast on the streets of Melbourne and knew it was time to take Sadie on an outing.

Given the strong 1940′s style of the dress, I wanted to style the look with a more modern for the day, and so I anchored the light floaty fabric with a chunky hot pink suede wedge heel. With unstructured hair and a silver sequinned bag, it was perfect for a stroll in the morning sunlight, while the breeze carried the heady scent of chocolate brioche our way.

Outfit Details

Vintage Style Sadie Dress – by Trashy Diva and available in Australia from Miskonduct Klothing

Pink wedge shoes – Tony Bianco

Silver sequinned bag – unknown label and origin (picked it up at Camberwell market)

Beaded ring – handmade market find

Floral clay and ribbon earrings – Crystal Dollies hand made accessories

Diamonte crystal bangle – Chomel

Lip colour – “Frosty Berry” by Savvy @Priceline

Nail colour – “That’s my little secret” no.215 by Misa

* All original images by Helen McLean for Super Kawaii Mama.com – Images may be reproduced with appropriate permissions. Feel free to add to Pinterest etc.. with linking credits.* 

I haven’t been brave enough to count how many shoes now live in my wardrobe.  I know that there are quite a number that should really never been worn outside of a photo studio for fear of permanent injury… yet I do.  After weeks and weeks on my feet and suffering from the most hideous swollen legs and crippling foot pain, I called an end to stupidity. Could I find cute and comfortable shoes?

Given that I think my podiatrist and osteopath have me down as their future retirement plan, I know I can’t give up my fancy heels; besides which it is too damaging to my psyche. But finding heels of a manageable height with good width, comfortable foot bed and retro looks as well as something I can dance in? The hunt was on.

The problem with so many of the cheap and cheerful shoes out at the moment is that they are just cheap really. There is nothing cheerful about how much pain you are in after an hour or two. When you consider that many of my events mean standing for a 10-12 hour day, then spending another 5 hours on the dance floor, you can imagine how medieval most shoes feel at the end of that!  While I haven’t yet put these through the ultimate test of one of those events, I have worn them for a 5 hour straight session of standing up on ‘stage’ presenting. And they didn’t kill me!

Shoes – Wittner - “Mood” in black or red suede. (Damn you internet shopping, I found another three gorgeous ones on the site while just looking for this link!)

Price – $159.95

Available – Instore and online

Features – Ankle strap (a must have for dancing), sturdy square design heel, cushioned foot bed, black suede with self bow.

Comfort Factor – Very good! I bought these with the express purpose of not being crippled after a 10 hour stun of standing at events. So far, they aren’t as good as flats of course, but right up there with the more comfortable end of heel wearing.

If there is something you’ve been dying to find to fix your vintage wardrobe, but just haven’t found; add your request and let’s see if we can find you your own Vintage Style Find o’ the Month.

~Daily Outfit Inspirations~

~What’s Behind The Red Door?~

Today’s outfit inspiration comes from a few places. That I had had a long weekend of work and my Monday was starting early, meant I wanted my outfit to be a simple, casually elegant solution. I have also just had my hair cut to it’s shortest in a very long time, and wanted something simple that didn’t spoil the clean fresh lines of the new hair feeling. But simple elegance without a little punch is just not my style; and so it is with a daring slash of red on an erstwhile grey scale ensemble, that I went about my day.

Outfit Details

Grey scale plaid wide leg 1940′s styled pant – Retrospec’d

Cream blouse 1970′s vintage – op shop find

Pussy bow – borrowed from it’s own matching blouse, another recycled find

Black suede peep toe shoes – Target many seasons ago

Amazing red bag – “Sexy but Cute” label from Paragon dept. store

Silver glitter foil 1950′s cats eye sunglasses – by ‘ Savage’ from Miskonduct Klothing

Lips – “Rhubarb” Savvy lipstick from Priceline

* All images by Helen McLean for Super Kawaii Mama.com – Images may be reproduced with appropriate permissions.*