Digging through the trench coats

With winter chills falling upon the southern hemisphere I think it's time we look at some trench coats. The trench coat is claimed by two companies firstly Aquascutum, whose trench designs date back to the 1850's, and then by the undisputed king of the trench, Burberry, who first posed a design in 1901 to the British military. Trench, as the word suggests, does refer to the trenches of WW1. The trench became and optional uniform item amongst officers only, lower ranks were not allowed to wear the new coat. The coat was worn during inclement weather as a rain coat or windbreaker and by WW2 the design was picked up by several other nations. Following WW2 the trench was seen in high regard and was worn by sophisticated, mind you fictional, heroes such as Dick Tracy, which brought the trench to the regular people.

A British WW1 officer wearing a trench coat (thanks Wikipedia, my least fave source)

Thankfully for us the trench has come far since the early 1900's. Today you can purchase the trench in a multitude of different fabrics and colours and with a plethora of trim options. Here's a selection of what's on offer for the southern hemisphere during autumn/winter 2010, starting with my pick of the season.

Burberry Cotton Contrast Trench (Net A Porter)

Burberry Check Print Taffeta Trench (Net A Porter)

Burberry Two Tone Technical Taffeta Trench (Net A Porter)

Anna Sui Ruffle Hem  Trench (Net A Porter)

Moschino Cheap and Chic double breasted trench (Net A Porter)

Algonquins cotton frill hem trench coat with napoleon collar (Maruione)

Apresjour Trench Coat with ribbons (Maruione)

Cooper and Stollbrand puff sleeve mac (ASOS)

Double breasted military mac (ASOS)

Hitch Hem Trench (Top shop)

Jill Sander Cotton Blend Trench (Net A Porter)

Kensington Jacket (Anthropologie)

Ponte Trench (Witchery)

Two Paths Trench (Anthropologie)

Vanilla French Double Breasted Trench (Yes Style)

Find anything you liked? Leave a comment and let me know!

Bows here there and everywhere!

Let me start by saying that I fully embrace the flood of bows into the fashion world! I love the style that bows can bring and what they can add to a garment. A bow can be sophisticated, girly or cute or a huge statement. Bows are everywhere at the moment but if you're not brave enough to fully embrace the bow you can start with accessories. Mimco has some gorgeous bow accessories such as these gorgeous hair bows

Don't want to embrace colour this winter? Try colourful accessories like this purple Mimco bow clip!

Hair accessories not your thing? Try these beautiful pieces from Tiffany and Co.

Tiffany mini bow pendant AU$190

matching earrings.

Want more bows?

Alice and Olivia silk blouse (Net-a-porter)

Ana Sui floral print silk dress (Net-a-porter)

Chloe leather bow clutch (Net-a-porter)

Karen Millen sequin bow top (ASOS)

Marc by Marc Jacobs bow watch

Moschino bow embellished pea coat

Rebecca Taylor metallic party dress

Olive des Olive bow short trench coat

Valentino Couture patent bow pumps

Valentino satin diamante bow pumps

Oasis bow flats (ASOS)

ASOS leather bow gloves (similar gloves at Table 8)

Vivienne Westwood Swarovski bow ring

Ever heard of Olive des Olive???

Some people would know Olive Des Olive especially if you have been to Japan or Korea. This cute fashion brand has been around for rather a long time. Noted as a teen fashion brand, they blur the line in Australia at least between teen and young womens' fashion. In 2009 parent company Moku des Moku filled for bankruptcy in the midst of the global financial crisis. The stores remained open. The brand has not been without controversy when executives "modified" the "made in" label to read that the garment was made in Japan when they were actually manufactured in Chine. Clothes made in Japan retail for more than those made in China.

What does this have to do with anything? I love shopping in my city's China Town and there are some great little clothes shops. I first encountered Olive des Olive when I visited Japan rather a while ago so was really surprised to find this cute Olive des Olive dress (in black).

If you love this dress the same fabric has been spotted in a cute top by Quirky Circus (?) available in the Myer Miss Shop. And no, this doesn't mean someone else has stolen the fabric design, companies buy and order fabric from the same places, if you wanted to I'm sure you could buy this fabric some where and make your own garments! Send me a picture if you do! Taiwanese brand Yumi have a dress from this fabric too, you can buy it online here

Some more Olive des Olive

Good news is you can easily purchase this brand on-line from a number of different places.

Here is their website and webstore

Allanah Hill outlet on-line!

Now we can all get outlet prices on Alannah Hill. The Brunswick Street Clear It store is online

http://www.clearitonline.com.au/

Buy your Alannah Hill for half price! No more E-bay!

Emily Temple Cute April Offerings

Some April offerings from ETC

Now people who call themselves die hard ETC fans are very quick to tell the world that no, if you live outside Japan you can't buy ETC apart from on auction sites. This is not true. Several of the following cute pieces can be purchased on-line here.

Strawberry shortcake dress available online now

pink bow T available online now