Melbourne at the moment is in that stage between summer and autumn. The place where it is hot and sticky during the days but can turn cold quite quickly. Those of us native to this fair city have long ago learnt the art of layering, preparing for all the unexpected eventualities thrown at us; which is why today’s outfit is summer dress, big hat and woollen bolero! I’m always amazed at how few people wear hats here as a matter of course. Given how high our UV rating can get, wearing hats is something people only really think about when heading to the beach or a backyard BBQ. It’s as if, come Monday morning, just because you’re at work or heading to the shops, the sun will somehow avoid you because that’s serious business. It’s certainly not for me. Large dark glasses and big hats are essential if outdoors for any time over the space of ten minutes here. Hats, daily sunscreen and water; my inexpensive secret and why I’m often mistaken for someone shall we say, “less experienced”.

This gorgeous cotton pink and purple polka dot dress is another design by my friend Bernie Dexter. It is a faux wrap with light boning at the front to help it hold the shape. I love the subtle folds at the bust line which give it “a nice undulation”, (that’s what the man at the coffee shop said!). The fabulous bolero is by local Melbourne label Miss Hussy, (who’s store is currently on hiatus) and the silver embroidered love birds seemed the perfect Valentines choice. Given that this is a wrap dress which has a certain tendency to be caught in the breeze, making sure that anything that may be on display is just as pretty is a must.  Because I like getting all match, I wore my pink and black roll on suspender girdle from Kiss Me Deadly, with a fantastic pair of Pretty Polly stockings from Sweet Pins. (I love the stretch and feel of these stockings, they are so smooth!) And because the temptation to amp things up a notch is always present with me, I added this gorgeous hot pink Chrysanthemum silk flower to the ribbon at the waist. Then it was perfect; I felt like a little polka dotted vintage doll, which can be a very good thing for the soul on a sunny day.

Outfit Details 

Hat – Unknown label

Pink and silver love bird bolero – Miss Hussy Clothing (Currently unavailable)

Pink and Purple polka dot faux sarong dress – Bernie Dexter

Rose pearl bracelet and earrings – Chomel

Framed handbag – Forever New

Pink and black roll on girdle with suspenders – Kiss Me Deadly (Sweet Pins also carries these here in Australia and have them in red too at the moment!)

Pretty Polly stockings in Sherry – Sweet Pins

Pink shoes with feature cut out -” Komfie” from Paragon department store Bangkok

Makeup note:

Base – Missha BB cream

Lips – “Rhubarb” by Savvy at Priceline

*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…* 

Today’s outfit draws on some very diverse inspirations. When I first got this red top and blue skirt ensemble from Bernie Dexter, it has obvious cues to style it up in either a military or nautical fashion. The high waist skirt, the gold button trim, the navy and blue combinations; all of these have the classic hallmarks of the cute pinup style I know and love. But when something comes with such a strong personality the challenge for me to shake it up and give it my own personal style stamp is just too much to resist.

Taking a cue from Dolce & Gabbana’s campaign featuring Madonna, as well as a good dose of 1960′s Mod style, all combined with my signature twist on cute vintage chic; I came up with this ensemble that ticked all the right boxes for me.

Outfit Details from head to toe

Sunglasses – Portmans

Silk scarf in hair -Vintage Oroton

Necklace – Crystal Dollies

Red “Venice” top – Bernie Dexter

Navy “Maria” high waisted pencil skirt with gold button trim – Bernie Dexter

Black and Gold “La Box Bag” – Estilo Emporio

Black & White cut out mod heel shoes – “Komfi” from Paragon Dept. store in Bangkok

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’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.* 

~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.*   

In the last instalment of Vintage Style Find of the Month, we found a great lady like framed handbag. And being a sucker for a good piece of arm candy, this month’s style find is also of the bag variety.  I spotted this through the doorway to the store when out shopping with a friend and quite nearly tripped over myself to get inside and add it to my collection. You see why.

Bag – Peter Alexander

Price – $99.90

Available – Instore and online

Features – Large woven tote bag size with hot pink cotton lining, cotton crochet bobble trim and pink flamingo for handle.

(I’ve just realised that the last Style find of the month was in July!  So I have some catch up shopping to do.   )

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.