Playing it safe in the fashion stakes - Part 2 - Sussan

This goes with that at Sussan…

I have long been a fan of iconic Australian retailer, Sussan. Unlike her co-ordinated counterparts that cater for a very specific market, she is reminiscent of the variety store of the 1950s with a little bit of this and little bit of that; a mini one-stop-shop for every occasion that transcends size, shape and age.

For the most part Sussan offers a vast range of apparel that is affordable and provides for a variety of needs and tastes from sleep and active wear to smart casual, professional and the latest in fashion frenzy – the canvas trench coat.

For my mind, it is her casual collection that sets her apart. This season is big on everyday and occasional knitwear in a variety of warm colours and styles; loose cotton peasant-style tunics; denim jeans for every shape and size and adaptable accessories with elegant urban appeal.

To be expected, charcoal and grey dominate this season and feature heavily throughout the store, starting with a simple cotton tee for $24.95 and culminating in a dark, sexy long-sleeve knit number for $109.95.

These are great colours for people with winter complexions but usually leave the rest of us in a state of envy and contempt. Do not despair however, because Sussan’s coordinates are lush with balmy oranges, apple greens, reds and hot pinks, which are sure to offset any less than desired pallor those grey garments might otherwise create.

Hot tip # 4…if you are unsure as to what colours suit your complexion hold the fabric up against your skin. Your facial skin tone will give you the best indication of what works and what doesn’t! Make sure the fitting rooms are well lit and against a neutral background as a coloured wall or curtain and bad lighting can distort the results. Most stores discreetly position mirrors throughout the shop front, which are usually under better light.

Coordinates such as scarfs, jewellery, vests or cardigans etc can help to alleviate a wrong colour match and breath life into your skin, but don’t be fooled into thinking it can solve all your colour problems. I recently tried to convince myself I looked good in a charcoal grey knit tunic shot with silver by teaming it with a striped scarf. I ended up looking like a circus clown with pneumonia.

Sussan garments are made from a combination of man-made fabrics - nylon, polyester and viscose, and natural fibres that allow for a wide price variation.

Of the man-made fabrics, viscose is one of the better options – its light and wearable and long lasting, but a pain in the bum to iron. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend viscose for winter. It can cling to all the wrong the places particularly against a strong wind. Nor would I recommend teaming it with tights. Unless you have absolutely fantastic legs or support a hem line that is knee-length or below, tights will transport you back in time where the only thing missing is the scrunchy! More on that later…

Hot tip #5… In the winter months, team a viscose tunic with a pair of jeans rather than tights and/or add a scarf. The warmer fabrics will lend themselves to the season and draw attention to the blouse, not the bumps. Sussan provides a good range of denim jeans in four different styles – carpenter, wide leg, bootleg and skinny for $79.95.


It would be remiss of me - and some would say stupid - not to mention Sussan’s five-star range of sleepwear. I am planning a feature on nightwear at a later date so stay tuned.

Price
Prices start at $24.95 for simple cotton tees; loose cotton peasant tops and empire-cut tunics range from $34.95 to $69.95. The aforementioned charcoal knit tunic shot with silver retails at $59.95.

Button down and cross-over knits range from $49.95-$99.95 and expect to pay $49.95 for a basic business piece and up to $149.95 for winter coat.

Size
Typically Sussan provides size solutions from 8-18 depending on the item.

Hot tip #6…peasant style tunic tops – those that free fall from a wide neckline run hot this season. They are loose and comfortable and have definite feminine appeal. However, you do not want to add to your lumps and bumps by covering them with excess fabric. Sussan’s sizes are very generous so try downsizing, but do be honest with yourself. You may find that an empire-style tunic is a better option particularly if you have boobs and an hour-glass figure. These styles of blouse will emphasis the smallest part of your body – usually under the bust and even you out.

Availability
Stores are located in most shopping centres and retail strips throughout metro and regional Australia. A handy store locator is featured on the Sussan website.

Competitions/Promotions
There is a current in-store promotion on basic button-down and cross over knitwear for $49.95. A selection of last season’s styles can also be found in most stores with heavily discounted items starting at $5.95.

Sussan also offers frequent shoppers a VIP members club to which points can be accumulated and redeemed for discounts and other special offers. The website features an on-line facility to allow members to keep tabs on their points but you’ll have to visit your local store for more information or to join.

Website
To view the current collection, access styling tips or find a local store visit http://www.sussan.com.au.

Did you know…

Sussan is part of the Sussan Retail Group that also includes Suzanne Grae and Sportsgirl.

Fashion slave or stylist: do you know what to wear

Not so very long ago, a lovely young sales assistant tried to convince me that a pair of pea coloured boots would look fabulous pulled over a pair of skinny jeans.

It was a good suggestion in theory because it was, after all the latest in fashion 'must haves' but what she failed to notice were my legs resembled Colonel Sanders next home cooked meal and the sagging leather left me looking like Pippy Longstocking stranded in a pool of green mud.

As I left the store it occurred to me that one) sales assistants no matter how genuine care not about you and only about the sale; two) the younger they are the more importance they place on the look not your look; and three) how many of us have become a slave to fashion simply because we don’t know what to wear?

Understanding your body shape and dressing accordingly is a very liberating experience. It will enable to you shop knowingly and avoid those expensive fashion faux pas that inevitably occur from season to season.

Essentially there are four main body types known as but not limited to – hourglass, pear, triangle and square/rectangular. These are identified below:

Hourglass – people with an hourglass figure are usually curvy with an upper body that is in proportion to their lower body and further identified by a defined waist.

Pear – people with this body shape tend to carry their weight on the lower half of the body, which is larger than the upper half of the body.

Triangle – opposite to the pear, whereby the lower half of the body is noticeably slimmer than the upper half of the body. People with a triangle shape usually have an amazing bum and legs and look sensational in anything cut on the bias, unlike those of us with saddlebags who should know better but simply can’t help ourselves.

Square/Rectangular – also referred to as oval or circular depending upon your preference, but usually characterised by people without a defined waist.

Identifying your overall body shape is a good start to knowing what style of clothing will best suit your figure. But identifying the individual elements of your body shape ie. big boobs, small boobs, long neck, thin arms, big bum and/or saddlebags is even better.

Take my friend Megan, we are both categorically the same body shape, but Megan is smaller and slimmer in stature and can pull off a boob-tube and skinny jeans with the best of them. Myself on the other hand and those like me, are better suited to bootlegs jeans and sleeves lest we are mistaken for a sausage about to explode from both ends.

Identifying your individual body elements will further simplify your shopping expedition and help you show off those assets you probably don’t think you have. It will also help you adapt a look you cannot live without.

For example, selecting a pair of skinny jeans with long legs and bunching the excess fabric around your ankles and lower calves will create width around the lower part of your legs and divert attention away from your hips and thighs if this is where you carry your weight. Alternatively go for a gathered boot over the top of the jean to create the same effect, but be careful. If you have short legs this style can cut you off even further and make your legs look shorter than they really are.

There are many hard copy and electronic resources available to help you identify your body shape and individual body elements. These resources also provide you with examples of the type of clothing and accessories that will show off your best assets and disguise your worst. I have included a selection of resources below to help you on your way.

Additionally spend a bit of time in front of the mirror and get to know yourself. It’s a hard thing to do for even the most buff of us, but worth it in the end.

Resources and Websites

What you wear can change your life
Trinny Woodall, Susannah Constantine (authors); Penguin, 2004
Although this 300+ page book focuses more on skin tone and general information on what to wear, it does include a chapter on identifying your best and worst assets.


What not to wear; the rules
Trinny Woodall, Susannah Constantine (authors): Penguin, 2004
Cute little handbag sized resource in gold that focuses on individual elements from big boobs to no boobs, saddlebags, big bum, little bum, skinny arms, short neck and/or fat ankles. Authors tend to focus more on their own body shapes, which can be confusing for those of us with a combination, but is still a useful resource to take with you on your next shopping expedition.


The Pocket Stylist: behind-the-scenes expertise from a fashion pro on creating your own look
Kendall Farr (author): Gothan Books, 2004
Kendal Farr is a celebrity fashion stylist and former fashion editor who has written for Instyle, People and Harpers Bazaar. Offers fashion and style tips on what to look for when shopping and what to avoid, how to effectively evaluate a wardrobe and how to identify your body shape. Is text heavy and can be more confusing than other books on the market.


Dress your best: The complete guide to finding the style that’s right for your body
Clinton Kelly, Stacy London (authors): Three Rivers Press, 2005
American version of BBCs What Not to Wear that offers simple fashion advice using everyday language like “bigger on top” or “little extra around the middle” to help readers create a look that is perfect for individual body shapes. Includes a men’s section.


BBC What not to wear online
www.bbc.co.uk/lifestyle/tv_and_radio/what_not_to_wear
Interactive feature than enables you to plug in your features and likes/dislikes and identify your shape and what type of clothing best suit your figure and style.

How to Look Good
www.howtolookgood.com
London style guru and fashion journalist Caryn Franklin teams with noted TV fashion producer Jane Gaplin for advice on finding stylish clothing to suit your specific body shape. Also features a range of e-books that offer fashion expertise for standard, fuller, petite and tall figures.



Articles

Your body shape
www.careerclothing.com.au/bodyshape.cfm

Body type and fashion
www.greatestlook.com/bodytype.html

Easy figure fixes
http://fashion.about.com/cs/tipsadvice/a/figurefixes.html

Dress for your body type
http://plussize.about.com/od.stylebasics/p/find_body_type.htm

Body shape fashion secrets
http://cosmo.ninemsn.com.au/article/aspx?id=55900


Magazines

Most fashion magazines feature some form of ‘shape solution’ from season to season. The November 2006 edition of Instyle addresses summer style solutions for four different body shapes including big-busted, curvy, pear and petite.

Contact your favourite fashion magazine for more information relating to articles and back-copies or visit your local library.

Nothing to wear? Shop your own wardrobe

If I had a dollar for every time I said, “I have nothing to wear” I would be a very wealthy woman with a wardrobe that would never lend itself to such a common complaint. Unfortunately this is not the case, but it has been some time since I uttered those offending words because in the months that followed the birth of my beautiful baby (BB), I have learned to shop my own wardrobe.

The July 2006 edition of my fashion magazine of choice – Instyle featured a five-page spread entitled “Shop your own closet” by Kathleen Fifield. The feature revealed three key steps to “reshuffle and revamp” your existing wardrobe regardless of your circumstance.

The steps were simple and included tips on what to keep, what to toss and what to restyle; how to create a “look book” of favourites and fashion inspiration and how to re-organise your wardrobe to resemble your favourite boutique from which you can pick and choose without breaking your bank.

Inpsired by Ms. Fifield easy-to-follow process, I threw myself bodily into my cupboard and set about re-inventing myself and my look with the only resources I had available – 25,000 pieces of clothing including 9000 pairs of shoes and nothing to wear!

It was a valuable lesson in organisation and recognition, but was also considerably more time consuming than first thought; a luxury for anyone - baby or not.

Like anything, you also take what you need and invent the rest. For me, step one: edit your wardrobe was more than sufficient. Just knowing what I had in my cupboard was inspiration enough to create new looks, discard old ones and top-up when needed. It also enabled me to adapt new season looks with what was available and shop less often, but with more satisfaction.

I did not feel the need to create a ”look book” or add those “boutique touches”, which I considered to be a waste of money that could be better spent on a new pair of shoes or blouse. The only exception to this rule would be coat-hangers. Good hangers help keep your clothes in shape and don’t have to be expensive - your local $2 shop should suffice.

As a result of my experience, I have put together my own steps for editing your wardrobe to complement Ms. Fifield and create a fail-safe method for finding something to wear.

1. Pre-organise your wardrobe by sorting your clothes by like
Relocate your entire wardrobe to the middle of your bed and begin to pre-organise your clothes by like i.e. blouses and shirts, skirts, pants and jeans, singlets, tees, dresses, jackets and so on and so forth.

If your occupation dictates a style of attire distinct from your general wardrobe then create a different pile and organise this separately.

For example, my business suits and jackets are housed in a separate wardrobe from my daily wear. Aside from my actual wardrobe being the smallest wardrobe in the world, I only need to wear these items on special occasions. Therefore it makes sense to separate them from the general population – which can still be achieved within the same cupboard. This is also a good strategy for gym wear, swimwear, sleepwear, winter coats and formal attire.

2. Re-organise your ‘like’ piles into ‘like’ colours
By sorting your ‘piles’ into colours and hanging or storing accordingly you will find coordinating outfits to be a much easier process with less time spent staring aimlessly into space while you wonder what to wear and where the hell to find it in all this mess.

3. Storing your clothes
Decide where you are going to house your clothes and store accordingly. If you have limited hanging space, reserve it for dresses, tops and good trousers. Denim can be folded without compromising presentation or resorting to the iron. House your shoes in boxes, which can be stacked on top of one another to save space.

4. Try it all on!
The only way to edit your wardrobe and decide what stays and what goes is to try it all on, and by all, I mean everything including underwear, shoes and accessories. Keep a pen and paper handy and make a note of any necessary items you need to replace in the short term such as undies or bras.

This is a time consuming process and best done over a period of time otherwise you’ll only end up hating yourself, your clothes and your husband and he has nothing to do with it.

Be honest with yourself
When trying on your clothes, be honest with yourself. Learn your body shape and the best colours that suit your skin tone and scrutinize each item based on how it fits and looks in term of shape, style and age.

If it doesn’t fit, throw it out. If it is old, faded or tired or has shoulder pads and big gold buttons, throw it out. If it makes your ankles look fat, throw it out but most importantly if your boobs look like a gigantic German sausage strangling your ribcage, THROW IT OUT!

I underwent this process a couple of years ago when I purchased a copy of What you wear can change your life (Woodall T., and Constantine S., Penguin, 2004). The 300+ page manual offers valuable insight into identifying colours to compliment your complexion, your shape as well as tips on how to cull your wardrobe.

“Sometimes in order to move forward, you have to let go of something you love” (Woodall, T., Undressed., ITV, 2007)

Throwing out your clothes or deciding what you should and shouldn’t keep can be quite an ordeal. “Shop your own closet” suggests creating a giveaway pile and revisiting it sometime later to see if there is anything you can’t part with. I have applied this theory to my own wardrobe and it does work even if you have to do it twice.

InStyle director Judith Cook is also quoted as saying she never throws anything out because “trends return, so quality pieces become wearable again…”

This may be true in theory, but if the item is dated or didn’t really suit you in the first place don’t hang on to it simply because it might make a comeback or is the only designer piece you are ever going to own. You don’t see me parading around in the candy pink, pin-stripe fitted shirt and matching mini-balloon skirt my cousin sent me from London 18 years ago do you?

“Shop your own closet” also suggests inviting a friend to help you edit your wardrobe. If you are not shy about someone else seeing you in all your glory, this is a really good idea. But make sure it is someone you trust will give you an honest answer and not someone who has secretly had their eye on your Calvin Klein collection over the last few years!

5. And finally…let the fun begin
Start playing around with different outfits and accessories and have some fun. Try the “look book” approach if it helps to get the creative juices flowing by laying your outfits complete with accessories on your bed and taking a photo or two. Most fashion magazines will show you how to position your outfits for quality shots and give you some added incentive.

Set yourself a goal to create a number of different looks and identify an opportunity in which to begin. i.e. lunch with the girls, dinner or first day on the job and don’t worry if you make a mistake…simply try again.

Advantages to editing your own wardrobe
The biggest advantage to editing your wardrobe is knowing exactly what is in it, which allows you to:
· Coordinate outfits quickly and painlessly
· Visualise new outfits with individual pieces
· Adapt this season’s hottest looks with what you have already got
· Replicate outfits you see in magazines or on the street, and
· Shop more effectively

If you want to get your hands on a copy of Kathleen Fifield’s article “Shop your Closet” contact Instyle on (02) 9434 2222 or email: instyle@timeinc.com.au. Alternatively, check to see if your local library has a copy of the edition in which it appeared.

Short, sweet and micro mini...

M for Madonna
The ultimate material girl, Madonna has followed in the footsteps of Australia’s newest favourite fashion queen, Stella McCartney and designed a limited range of clothing for Swedish retail shore H&M in consultation with head designer, Margareta van den Bosch.

On the surface, ‘M for Madonna’ appears elegant and feminine with obvious girlie appeal. The collection reflects the divine Ms. M's personal style and fav apparel pieces including geisha dresses, leather frock coats and you guessed it – the mono-colour leotard (eep!)

It is highly unlikely we will see any of the collection available for sale down under unless you want to take your chance with the vultures on eBay who clearly don’t get the concept of accessible designer wear at a budget price and would think nothing of knocking an old woman off her walking frame for the chance to make a cheap buck.

Check out the range at the H&M website. While you are there, sneak a peak at the new H&M loves Kylie swimwear range, inspired by pop princess Kylie Minogue. Its personally not for me but you might like it.

Ahead of the game
If you want to be one step ahead of your fellow fashionistas this season and find out what’s hot on the other side of the world, Borders books has for sale the UK and Amercian versions of top fashion mags Vogue and Instyle.

The periodicals are quite a bit larger than our local choice, which usually means more advertising space not necessarily content so expect to pay nearly double the recommended retail price.

To tight or not to tight…that is the question
If you want something more generous than your average run of the mill opaque or lace-trimmed tight this winter (I’m sorry, I’m having a really hard time keeping a straight face) then check out Cue’s ribbed knit alternative in mustard.

It’s a bit steep at $89.95 but a perfect example of how good visual merchandising experts know how to make a sale…I actually liked it!

Alannah Hill update
In the ‘story that started it all’ and Alannah Hill review, I mentioned you could buy Alannah Hill cut-offs and trims from Clear It, a clearance store in Brunswick (Victoria). Thanks to a group of savvy bargain-hunter friends of my mate, Benita, I have discovered that you can also purchase previous seasons items for a fraction of the recommended retail price.

You can find Clear It at 188 Fitzroy Street, Brunswick.


What not to wear update
Those of you with cable TV may have realised that BBC’s What Not to Wear has two new presenters running the fashion gauntlet with Britain’s worst style offenders.

Former model Lisa Butcher and singer Mica Paris (pronounced Meesha) have replaced style-challenge gurus Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine who were lured away from the iconic reality make-over show after five years by rival network ITV.

Although Lisa and Mica currently lack the unscripted ease in dispersing the no-nonsense advice that made Trinny and Susannah a formidable team - although show three was a remarkable improvement, the show has been rating its socks off in the UK and continues to stick pretty close to the original winning formula.

Playing it safe in the fashion stakes - Part 1

For whatever reasons, there are times in our lives when we have to play it safe in the fashion stakes, whether it is financial, professional or achieving longevity. There is nothing wrong with playing it safe, I have been accused of it many times but what you want to avoid is creating a wardrobe that closely resembles the costume department of the ‘Adams Family.’

Over the next few months, ‘I’ve got B@@bs!’ will feature a fashion review on the top 10 stores that will enable you to stylishly play it safe in the fashion stakes without breaking the bank. Our first review looks at my safe store of choice, Jacquie E…


Jacquie E!

I love Jacqui E! Together with ‘Katies’ – more on that later, she became my safe store of choice following the birth of my baby girl. Although I had known Jacqui E existed, I had rarely crossed her thresh-hold. On the odd occasion I had graced her store, it was to snaffle a bargain during the end of the season sale. Over the last few months however, as I battled to clothe my ever-changing post-baby body, I became more intimate with not only her collection but also the motive behind her manner.

Simply put, Jacqui E offers good quality, affordable smart casual to professional clothing for women of all shapes and sizes. Her team of designers closely follow current trends but offer enough variation in her cuts and colours to cater for a wider market, and provide those of us with tight budgets and big boobs with style solutions at a reasonable price.

She keeps her collections to a colour minimum, rarely offering more than four or five different colours in any given season. Within that colour range however, she offers a number of shade variations on the primary palate. This season’s collection features rich shades of reds, plums, mulberries, chocolate browns and royal and teal blues against a stable background of black, white and grey.

One of the advantages of this supply technique is to enable the shopper to mix and match individual pieces to create multiple outfits. I have also noticed that her colours and styles gently merge from season to season allowing you to extend the life of your earlier purchase.

I am rather partial to her plum coloured, ¾ length puff sleeve shirt. But because I have boobs and saddlebags, look rather ridiculous. On the other hand if you are a cup or two smaller than your average 12DD and carry your weight around your hips, this style of blouse could be good for you as it will even out your shape and give the impression of a well proportioned hourglass figure.

Don’t be afraid to mix up your shades and add colour into your wardrobe, something Jacqui E advocates throughout her collection. The hot tip out of the L’Oreal fashion festival was the big emphasis on blacks and greys, which is fine if you are a winter person by nature. If not, you are just going to look like a big sick dark void in the middle of a rainstorm! Try mixing one of Jacqui’s charcoal or black pinafore dresses or tailored suits with a rich mulberry or teal blue blouse for a more dynamic effect.

The majority of Jacqui E garments are cut from quality cotton, polyester and wool blends, which reflect a price range on the higher end of affordability. Her tops and blouses average $40 - $50 per item, but because of the high turnover throughout the season, you can usually nab a bargain fairly regularly. I had success with a couple of her polyester/elasticine blend tops, which I picked up for $30 each during a mid-season sale nearly a year ago and they are still going strong.

When trying on a garment made from this type of fabric however, always check the back view particularly the line of your bra to ensure you have a reasonably smooth finish. If not, you either need a larger size or a new bra! The down side of shiny-stretch fabric is its ability to mould itself to your flesh and show off bulges you would otherwise want to remain unseen.

• Hot tip...#3: A great way of reducing noticable lumps and bumps is to wear a cotton camisol or singlet underneath a shiny-stretch fabric blouse as the material will cling and help keep the garment in the right place. See other hot tips in "The story behind 'I've got B@@bs!'

Price…
$20 for basic singlets and upwards, skirts usually start at $60-$70 depending on style.

Availability…
Jacqui E is widely available throughout metropolitan and regional Australia and New Zealand. Her apparel is available in sizes 8-16 and 6-18 in selected lines and reasonably typical of what you would expect.

Competitions…
The latest edition of Madison magazine (March) features a glossy pull-out spread featuring the current Jacqui E collection and details on how to win a $1000 Jacqui E wardrobe.

Website…
Jacqui E’s website - http://www.jacquie.com.au/ offers a handy store locator, FAQs, style tips and information about her electronic VIP club, which offer email updates on the latest catalogues, specials and competitions.

Jacqui E is part of the ‘Just Group’, which also includes Just Jeans, Dotti, Jay Jays, Portman’s and Peter Alexander.

A not so 'Stella' approach to human behaviour

The Stella McCartney line was a huge coup for Target and the Australian fashion industry and like any female ‘afashionado’, I was curious. I arrived at my local western suburban store with 15 minutes to spare on the morning of Monday, 12 March. A crowd of 200 had already gathered and within minutes had doubled, if not tripled in size. An eclectic mix of fashion connoisseurs from trendy teenagers to middle-aged mothers all eager to immerge on the other side with a piece of designer pie. The smell of coffee was in abundance and excitement hung in the air.

It was a civilised crowd. Patiently waiting for the doors to open but within seconds became a rabid conglomerate of animal-like transmutation, pouncing upon unsuspecting prey with relentless and savage abandon. Garments, regardless of size or style were scooped up in bundles and stuffed into waiting arms or thrown carelessly over the backs of prams. Mannequins were stripped of their black taffeta coats and vintage-silk camisoles and promotional flyers advertising ‘accessories designed by Target’ were flung aside, useless and forgotten.

Boyfriends and husbands were thrust into empty aisles, hanging onto handbags and staring bewildered into the fray. Mothers clutched their babies fearful for their safety while the weak were tossed aside and left to pick through the less-desired organic tees or wander aimlessly through the unseen ‘piping hot’ range, fruitlessly waiting their turn.

Within 15 minutes the pack had moved further into the store, eager to try on their hard-fought possessions and left the naked dummies and empty racks to the latecomers who wandered around in confusion. Those who were too impatient to stand in the long queue for the fitting room simply found space among the aisles and began to strip, or made for the checkout, happy to take a chance with their impending purchase.

One young woman of considerable height and slight of frame, slipped on a woollen frock coat in ‘midnight black’ and drew a gasp of wonder from all around, while a similar shaped lass shimmied successfully into an ash coloured, jumper-style dress.

All too soon however, excitement and elation turned to disappointment and frustration as the size and shape of the collection began to hit home. One middle aged woman in grey taffeta nearly broke down in tears as she attempted to look less like a rice pudding and more like the sophisticated, design-savvy glamour-puss she aspired to be. A younger woman tried desperately to adjust a pleated tie waist blouse in an effort to find the look that was never going to be right for her or any-one like her, and two things struck me...

1) McCartney knows her market and designs accordingly. Her capsule collection for Target has been accused of being over-large and ill-fitting, but infact reflects the current trend in designer fashion, a trend McCarty helped to create as one of the world's leading fashion designers.

2) The vast majority of female fashionistas do not. Nor do they care whether the muted colours of ash, oat, dusty pinks and blues, blacks or bricks - colours that reflect McCartney's love of antiques and everthing old and aged (Vogue, March 2007), made them look like they had just immerged from two-day diet of Jack Daniels.

They were simply out to snaffle a piece of designer fashion without having to mortgage the house. Or even worse, post them unceremoniously onto eBay in a shameful attempt to capitalise on the phenomenon and deprive the legitimate of their right to buy at a discounted price.

Although I managed to try on one garment - a printed, silk-cotton caftan by default, I was appalled at the blatant disrespect these women had not just for the clothes themselves, but for other shoppers eager to share in that piece of pie. What was once beautiful and elegant was left discarded and crushed, appearing cheap and ugly and demeaning, not just to the store but also to the lady herself. An interesting and unforgettable lesson in human behaviour on ‘how not to act like a hyena 101’ for us all.

Read more about fall-out from the Stella McCartney launch;

Fists fly in Stella frenzy (theage.com.au)
Mayhem at Target as Stella goes on sale (news.com.au)
Stella McCartney Target mayhem (news.com.au)
Stella eBay frenzy (skynews.com.au)

View more of today’s top stories…

See the range…

Check out what is happening this week at Target at http://www.target.com.au/

The story behind 'I've got B@@bs!" plus Alannah Hill review

Alannah Hill, young country girl from Tasmania makes good in the big smoke with a lolly-gobble-bliss bomb blend of Jane Austin meets Moulin Rouge. She is intensely popular with the younger set but does not dissuade the more mature connoisseur from her collection. That is, unless you are a size 12DD or above because “Alannah Hill,” says my fashion savvy, size-eight friend Megan, “does not make clothes for women with boobs!”

That was three years ago and at the time I was a fashion tragic; a try-hard trapped in a discount prison of variety store damnation trying desperately to get out. I had just attended my first Alannah Hill fashion parade and fallen instantly in love. Her unique style was romantic, fun and feminine with a flirtatious aroma of Strawberry Shortcake does Jessica Rabbit. From draping velvet skirts to delicate silk camisoles and fitted cream-coloured jackets with candy apple trim, her garments conjured images of carefree young women dancing through flower-laden fields and into the arms of waiting lovers.

But, as my friend slipped effortlessly into an empire style, sleeveless lilac number and I grunted my way unsuccessfully into a crocheted pea-green dress with a plunging neckline, I realised she was right; Alannah Hill does not make clothes for woman with boobs!

But what does she have against woman with boobs? Was she tormented at school by a buxom bully against whom she now seeks revenge? Or does she harbour some deep seeded resentment toward the genetic pool that denied her double digits? Why would she intentionally exclude those of us with more flesh that your average size-six supermodel from her realm of decadence and desire? I too wanted to dance through the meadows in floating fabric with flowers in my hair.

Recently, I found myself standing among her latest collection, wondering whether her phobia of the well endowed female form transcended marriage, mortgage and childbirth. I was delighted to discover her designs were as fanciful as ever and challenged our usual staid, stable existence. Her 2007 autumn winter collection was rich in berry reds, dusty pinks and bright greens. There was a little more black than previous years, but her signature style was well in tact.

Although many of her designs cater up to a size 14, I found little that would fit my average sized 12 figure. The vast majority of her collection of singlets, blouses and dresses are cut to a short waist, meaning the length of fabric from shoulder seam to middle will only make those of with big boobs resemble grandpa in his Sunday best.

• Hot tip…#1 : A woman with a healthy décolletage should look for a wide or deep ‘V’ neck-line and hem that ends mid-length, or hip level for a blouse to elongate the torso. Similarly, empire style dresses, wrap dresses or fitted low slung, waist line dresses are perfect for evening out those bulges regardless of your size.

I did find some success however, in her collection of knits. The current line features a short-sleeved pink cardigan with black trim that allows for extra length at the waist and retails for under $200. As an added bonus it also features a wide neck-line. I personally can’t wear this shade of pink because it clashes with my freckles, but you might have more luck.

Similarly, check out her ‘Crying in the Chapel’ bell-sleeve coat. It's too die for, but is a little on the pricy side retailing at $649 (ouch!). If looked after properly however, it is a good investment. Better yet, take a gamble and wait for the end-of-season sales. You're likely to get a better price from David Jones (see below) than from Alannah Hill direct so hold off, if you can.

Speaking of investment, do be a little cautious when you are buying Alannah Hill because her finish sometimes lets her down and her seams have been known to unravel. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, do not pull any loose threads and think twice before throwing your nice new cardigan into the front-loader with your nine-month olds’ pair of jeans!

Price...
Ranges from $100 for basic items to $700 for the more extravagant. Dresses average $289 to $400s for cocktail wear and accessories vary.

• Hot tip...#2: If your budget doesn’t allow for a full priced purchase and lets face it, when you are plus one then your budget is never going to allow for a full priced purchase, or you can’t wait for the end of the season sales then check out the Alannah Hill range on eBay. A number of savvy AH buyers have posted helpful and interesting tips for buying Alannah Hill on-line, including size guides and what to look out for when bidding on some of her more delicate fabrics.
  
  Similarly, if eBay is also out of the question and you are desperate for a piece of Alannah, then you can purchase her off-cuts to adorn your own apparel from Clear it, a discount fabric and trim store at 188 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.

Availability...
Alannah Hill has stores in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane. Her collection is also available at David Jones nationally and through select boutiques and department stores internationally. Refer to her rather annoying website below for locations and contact details.

For more information…

Visit Alannah Hill’s rather annoying website at http://www.alannahhill.com.au/

If you like Alannah Hill, then you are going to love...

Review
A Melbourne based design label with similar romantic, flirtatious appeal. Review has stores in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and is available through Myer stores nationally. Unlike Alannah Hill, Review includes pants and trousers in their collection to complement their line of pretty skirts and dresses. However, like Alannah Hill their up-top cuts are on the slim side and don’t cater well for woman with boobs! Don’t they all!!