Perth Fashion Festival

I was sitting with my coffee this morning surfing through some sewing and fashion blogs, as I do occasionally every day ;) when I saw that a fellow Perth blogger was going to be in the Restyle fashion parade....today....starting in an hour and a half!!

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll remember that I (unofficially) took part in the Restyle Challenge, where my outfits had to consist of at least 50% op-shopped items every day for the month of August 2012. Well, today's parade featured the ten Perth bloggers who were officially part of this challenge along with some op shop volunteers who were styled in op shop clothes for the parade.

Op-shopped clothing, bloggers and a free fashion parade, oh my! I could not miss this event. I quickly slung the washing out on the line, grabbed my camera and hot-footed it to the bus stop. Luckily I live quite near Perth city and I found myself hustling into the inflatable-pillow tent, settling into my seat and snuffling through the goody bag with excitement (I know, a goody bag! I was beside myself) with ten minutes to spare.

The show was introduced by a TV presenter from Channel 9, who was wearing a dress bought for $3 from Good Sammy's. So great to see a celebration of op-shopping.

I thoroughly enjoyed the show, especially as there were some bloggers in the parade that I had 'met' online. The clothes were lovely. It was hard to take good photos as I was in the fourth row and just had to hold the camera above my head and click. Here are some of my favourite looks:

Gorgeous, soft leather jacket in yummy orange.

This girl had attitude! 

Fab DIY leather shorts from op-shopped jeans. 

A stunning jumpsuit. 

Amazing dress.

There are some professional pictures of the show here.

After the bloggers came the op shop volunteers. This was a lovely part of the parade as these women, of all ages, were so happy to be there and all looking so gorgeous with their makeovers. The highlight had to be the two visually impaired volunteers who were led down the catwalk with their guide dogs. Even the dogs were dressed up. Again, it was hard to get photos.

So, all in all, a very enjoyable morning.

Afterwards, I popped into His Majesty's Theatre as JJ's entry in the WA Ballet Pinocchio puppet competition was among the finalists and is on display there. After that I browsed through Sass and Bide and Kookai for some DIY inspiration - and found some :) There are some gorgeous things in those shops at the moment. Lots of neon and bright colour blocking that are on my radar for summer. So exciting!

Last day of Restyle - Day 31

Well, I've gone a whole month wearing at least 50% op-shopped or refashioned items every day and I haven't bought anything new!

This last outfit:

• Coffee coloured top - ombre dyed in blue by me.
• Denim jacket - refashioned sleeves by me.
• Jeans and shoes - my own.

I've enjoyed this challenge. It has forced me to look deeper into my wardrobe for op-shopped clothes that I hadn't worn much (or at all). It has also inspired me to rummage through a rather large stash of clothes kept for refashioning, that were really just taking up space before. Now I have some 'new' (refashioned) clothes that I'll actually wear. On top of that, I've used some pieces of op-shopped fabric to make a jacket, top and jeans that I'm very pleased with.

Here's a quick overview of the month:

Thanks for coming on this ride with me. I already have some more things to show you, including an exciting refashion. I will post some more things in the next few days :)

Restyle Day 30

Today's outfit:

• White top - op-shopped last year and refashioned from a straight t-shirt by adding a band of shirring at the hemline.
• White cardi - op shop, $4.
• Jeans - ebay.
• Neon shoes - my own.

That's the second-last day of the Restyle challenge.

Restyle Day 29

Day 29. Only two days left of the Restyle Challenge - and counting!

Today's outfit:

• Grey top - refashioned from two Metalicus tops by me.
• Black cargo skirt - shortened from a long skirt with high side splits by me.
• Necklace - made by me from beads and washers and hand stamped with 'Live life out loud'.
• Leggings and boots - my own.

Restyle Day 28

With all the talk about 'Fifty shades of Grey' lately, I thought I'd create my own version! Today's Restyle outfit consists of almost fifty different shades of grey.

OK, more like seven...if you count the silver...and the black!!

• Black Esprit top - a hand-me-up from my younger sister
• Grey cargo skirt - op-shopped some time ago. It had a broken zip, which I replaced, $3. I couldn't resist those big grommets.
• Grey cardi, grey leggings and black boots - my own.

Restyle Day 27

Mmm, more loquats!

Today I'm wearing two things you've seen before: my Jalie jeans (pattern 2908), made from op-shopped fabric and costing less than $5; and my Jalie jacket (pattern 2795), made from op-shopped fabric and costing around $8. In both cases, the zips cost as much or more than the fabric! I'm wearing a brown Metalicus top underneath.

Oh yes, and I forgot to mention my opinion on 'The Vagina Monologues', which I saw on Saturday evening. Well, what can I say?! I went knowing nothing about it, but really, it was exactly as the name suggests - various monologues about vaginas. Some were touching (in an emotional sense only!), some confronting, some just interesting. I was completely entertained throughout the performance. I don't know how the six female actors managed to get on stage and say what they said. I also don't know that it was entirely my cup of tea, but I'm very pleased I went as it was thought provoking and the performance was very well done. All in all, a very pleasant evening :)

Restyle Day 27

It's the 26th day of Restyle and we're at the dog beach. The breeze is a bit cool, but it's lovely.

• Beige and purple top - op-shopped a few weeks ago and ombre dyed by me yesterday using navy blue dye. I quite like the denimy colour at the hem.
• White jeans - my own, bought over ten years ago and taken in to a straighter shape.

And in other news...guess who lost his front tooth at the beach today?!

Restyle Day 25

Here we are, just a few days off the end of the Restyle Challenge. It's a lovely day so I dug out a refashion from a little while ago. These shorts have actually been one of my most popular posts ever, so I'm pleased the weather is warm enough to wear them again.

• Printed t-shirt - op shop, $4
• Refashioned pants into cropped shorts - op-shopped, $5.
• Shoes, Zara - my own.

I'm off to see the 'Vagina Monologues' tonight - should be interesting, I'll let you know!

Restyle Day 24

Day 24 of the Restyle Challenge. I'm wearing:

• Witchery linen tunic - op-shopped last month, $5.
• Jalie jeans - made by me from op-shopped fabric, $5
• Boots, necklace - my own.

I didn't post an outfit yesterday. Although I was wearing op-shopped clothes, I was feeling uninspired about the outfit so thought I'd give it a miss. I'm sure everyone will cope ;)

On my way back from taking today's photos, I saw these gorgeous rainbow lorikeets eating loquats. These birds are actually pests in Perth, but they are so beautiful, I just love to see them. I also had a couple of loquats for myself too - yum.

Restyle Day 22

It's a cool and very windy day today, the 22nd day of the Restyle challenge. I'm in my berry colours for the end of winter.

• Hi There by Karen Walker dress - op shop last year, $6.
• Purple top and leggings - Spencer Lacy, my own.
• Aubergine scarf - op shop, $3.
• Boots from Airflex.

I brought JJ and Truffle out on the photo session today. JJ is having a day off school while he recovers from being sick. Here they are playing together after being snuggled together on the sofa all day:

Boing!! 

Best friends :)

Restyle Day 21

I was not happy to see rain out of the window again this morning. I want to get some of my summery clothes out before the Restyle Challenge is over.

Today we have:

• Verge asymmetrical hem tunic - Dunsborough op shop a few weeks ago, $5.
• Sass and Bide skinny, black jeans - Op shopped a few months ago, $6.
• Spencer and Lacy cardi - my own.
• Black Airflex boots, my own.
• Necklace - Perth Upmarket.

Roll on Spring!

 

Restyle Day 20

Day 20 of the Restyle Challenge. A glorious day warm enough for short sleeves and sandals. Truffle had been happily truffling in some white sand while I was setting up the camera. If he can stick his nose in something, he always will! Now he has his eye on a beautiful pink and grey galah in a nearby tree. The birdlife in Perth is so beautiful (me)/so great for chasing (Truff).

• Red French Connection blouse - op shop, $5.
• Red Bellabwear cami (worn underneath), my own.
• Beige latte jeans - Jalie pattern 2908, made by me using op shop fabric, $5.
• Red sandals - Bali street market.

I have just finished making these new jeans and I am very pleased with them. I will have more pictures and info in a blog post near you very soon.

Restyle Day 19

Day 18 of the Restyle Challenge sees me wearing:

• David Lawrence striped t-shirt - op-shopped earlier this year, $4.
• Blue jeans, B-Young - my own.
• Neon ballet flats, Myer - my own.