Something Old

By Annette Sanfilippo Photos supplied

I’m loving the longer warmer days; getting out more, catching up with friends and planning the next few weeks ahead with anticipation. The diary is filling up with parties, events and outings that will require some serious fashion attention. It’s a hard time of year as our weather teases us from one day on the beach to packing the umbrella the next. Our wardrobes look like a complex menu offering light weight t-shirts, woollen knits and every texture of fabric in readiness for our temperate Melbourne weather.

Most of us at some stage will get the urge to pull everything out of the closet and try to get it all looking fresh and ready for our hot summer days not too far away. I did say try, and in my case organising guru Marie Kondo’s mantra of “if it doesn’t bring you joy say goodbye” doesn’t quite work and I end up repeating myself with ‘It brings me joy, it brings me joy’ and it all goes back in. I’m not opposed to parting with pieces but I shop with love and get very attached to my clothes.

In saying that, I did recently delve into my collection, took a deep breathe and created a rack full of beauties to sell at a wonderful indoor market for others to love. These days, market shopping is becoming the new norm if you want to find something to align with your unique sense of style. So many fashion houses today tend to pander to the mainstream trends leaving you with underwhelming designs that you don’t want to settle on. Foraging through racks of preloved treasures not only excites the senses and saves the planet but also saves you a dollar or two in the process. It’s a great pastime and as the old saying goes, ‘out with the old and in with the new’. It makes way for new energy…and a fabulous new wardrobe.

It’s quite a profound idiom, literally meaning to move forward or to give up old ideas and theories to evolve to new changes and ideas. I’m not opposed to change but I am noticing a very strong shift away from certain traditions in many of our common practices when it comes to dressing. This seems to be a choice and not so much a necessity and as a result it’s shifting our culture around it. I have been asking myself why is this happening and do we stand to lose from it? Upholding traditions doesn’t mean we can’t move forward. They evolve adapt and change a little within our culture but we need to hold on to a few for the sake of future generations and to ensure they learn about their origins and heritage.

I’m talking mainly about wedding etiquette and glamour dressing, whether it’s for a formal event, racing season or the corporate function. There are so many things to get excited about when you dress for these occasions and we need to uphold our standards and lift our game. We don’t want to get too sloppy in our attire as it’s a bit too easy these days to pop on a tracksuit, some crocs and head out the door.

Going to the track for the Melbourne Cup has always been a day to plan for and one of the most anticipated moments is usually popping on your hat which transforms your mood in readiness for a grand day of fun. We are seeing less and less attention to the polished outfits we have become accustomed to adoring and, sadly, hats are getting left out of picture altogether. Is it laziness? Dressing takes effort and we all know the you get out of it what you put in.

The bride-to-be is so streamlined now that I have watched veils disappear, hair accessories and jewellery minimalised, and grandma’s heirlooms left in the jewellery box. Garters are a little forgotten and what ever happened to the sweet keepsake wedding charms with warm messages of love that dangled proudly off a bride’s arm? Are we not bothering to pass these traditions on to the next generation? Let’s hope not, as we all love the excitement of seeing the beautiful transformation of our loved ones when in bridal attire. Paying attention to detail is the key to a well finished bride and there is no excuse with all the choice we have today not to look and feel fabulous. I appreciate the desire to look unique but if we keep taking items off, we may end up looking as if we are just in a satin nightgown.

We have a flourishing wedding industry on the peninsula but a bridal boutique is not something you see on every street. This is a specialised arena and after searching for someone in the know I came across LookBook Bride in Mt Martha. Not short for choice, this is a bride’s haven that will send your oxytocin levels to new heights. Deanne will host you in her luxury surrounds while you discuss, peruse and design your bespoke dress. Hand beaded details, luxurious fabrics and imported laces are there to tempt you and bring your dream dress to life. With over forty stunning gowns in the collection, you can also hire your couture for the day with an option to subtly tweak the design to suit your desire. Now that’s a service you don’t see very often. As someone heading down the aisle myself in the near future, I’m excited to explore my options. As I have said before, “a bride is a masterpiece of wearable art, finessed beautifully by her creative team”

Whether you are into sustainable style or you thrive on the next new thing hot off the runway, the one message to hold onto is to stay true to you. Wear clothes with confidence, add your touch of flair and let’s try not to dilute our identity and all look the same. Enjoy the sunny days exploring street shopping, markets and everything else our wonderful peninsula has to offer.

Oh, and don’t forget your hat!

Fashionably yours, Annette