By Annette Sanfilippo
Reaching 100 of anything is a great achievement!
Milestones are those moments and special dates in life that we wait for, create, or achieve. As much as they can help you see where you are, where you’ve been and where you are going; they always direct us straight to the wardrobe where we shake our heads, asking ourselves, “what will I wear”?
Its important to mark these occasions so how we dress for them says a lot about their importance and what we want to reflect to the world around us. Special occasion dressing can send us all into a flurry of self- inflicted stress. It’s like we have a deadline to put all our fashion aspirations, favourite looks, personality, and desires into a pot, stir it up, throw in a few Hollywood glamour icons and turn out our dream outfit that expresses our ultimate ego.
“Special occasion dressing can send us all into a flurry of self- inflicted stress”.
So where do you start? Some seasons are easier than others to dress for, but if we have an event in the last month of winter we all know its not quite the right time to fold up the woollies and pop away the coats but it’s a great time to capitalise on end of season sales!
Most of us don’t have the luxury of having every season stored in our wardrobe and if you’re anything like me you probably have the perfect outfit buried in a box in the garage somewhere out of sight, out of mind. It’s usually so much effort to go hunting through everything and I can always think of 100 reasons to set off for that new something special. But where?
With the internet at our beck-and-call an online find could solve the question quickly. But seriously… that’s no fun; you can’t touch and you can’t feel. There are no fitting room frolics and you don’t get to take it home straight away. The fashion hunt has to be the favourite pastime, hasn’t it? We all have an idea of what we hope to find and how amazing is it that we all seem to possess our own innate ability to find that masterpiece amongst the heavily-packed rack of clothing, just by a glimpse of a hemline or a tiny peep of a sleeve poking out. We are all attracted to different elements and styles that we rarely find in department stores and that’s why boutique shopping is the chic thing to do.
It doesn’t stop at the dress or suit though; looking the part for your milestone event is one thing but accessorising it is just as important for that perfect look. So don’t forget that discerning bag, those fabulous shoes, and that conversation-starting bling!
Significant occasions can also require something signature to mark the moment. Whether you are welcoming a birth, an engagement, the big 5-0 or even retirement, gifting is part of the package. Diamond rings, pearls, watches, cuff links or something antique or heirloom; it’s always a challenge to narrow it down. Our peninsula is bursting with possibilities and we are so lucky to be a hub for artisans, jewellers, fashion houses, antique and vintage stores offering bespoke services and products as close as our own neighbourhood.
The one thing I have learned from experience is not to leave the shopping to the last minute. Our local boutiques like to remain a little exclusive so don’t think they are going to stock too much of the same thing. If you find it, grab it! August is chilly and you might need to find a cosy wrap or something with a sleeve before all is packed away for Spring.
As service is the key component to a great business these days, you can be sure that you will be welcomed with a great smile and a bit of a chat. If you don’t desire or can’t rug up in your winter boots and beanie to forage for a find, be assured that you can pop on the kettle, make a cuppa, and find our local fashion family online only to have your prime pick sent straight to your door. The one consolation is if its not quite right you don’t have far to go to take it back!
No matter how you shop, have fun finding your own special peninsula fashion haven and as I jet away to sunny Spain and Rome, work related of course, I will leave the winter sales to all of you. Thats if there is anything left! I am the consummate professional, remember… I’ve already done the rounds!
Fashionably yours,
Annette
AVEDIS JEWELLERY
Displaying timeless elegance, these emerald cut aquamarine and diamond halo drops are sure to be a cherished gift for any milestone celebration.
Shop S105 Karingal Hub Shopping Centre, 330 Cranbourne Rd, Frankston, 9789 2388
avedisjewellery.com
BAYSIDE SHOES
This versatile Serenade Beverly Hills Collection Cosmopolitan wristlet clutch bag is perfect for a special event. Designed in Australia, it features a rose gold finish with gold tone hardware, vegan material, zip closure, and removable wrist strap.
103 Railway Pde, Seaford, 9785 1887
baysideshoewarehouse.com.au
MAIN STREET EYECARE
Elevate your look with a touch of dazzle! LA Eyework’s ROOSTER frames feature a captivating wingspan adorned with splashes of gold leaf in crystalline hues.
Shop7/68 Barkly St, Mornington, 5975 3235