By Annette Sanfilippo
Shock tactics have been the key to designer runways for years: clothing that just doesn’t make sense for the everyday, including outfits that are impractical and quite frankly unwearable and undesirable. The gap between what we wear and what we are asked to aspire to has been a bit too broad. Gaining a bit of attention has come at a bit of a cost to many makers and as a result they have been forced to play it down. But maybe they’ve gone a bit too far the other way?
Shopping hasn’t been the most exciting experience the last few years with retail playing it safe and some of those over-saturated trends filtering through haven’t suited everyone’s taste or style. We have been stuck in that mode for far too long. Consumers are getting a little bored with the same styles being mimicked by suppliers and as a result we are turning our attention back to our own wardrobe collections. Fashion goes full circle and it could be a good time to bridge that broad gap and have a bit of fun. It’s a crazy world out there and the fashion arena is also reflecting that sentiment. There are so many trends and directions that it seems anything goes; a bit of eras forgone such as 70s retro, 80s colour, 90s weirdness and turn of the century maximalism. A welcome reactionary renaissance that we have all been waiting for.
October is the month to take advantage of the sunshine and organise outfits for all the events that come along with great weather and this time of the year. Finding what you need in the shops can be good for some but if you have hung onto your purchases from over the years you may be able to restyle and accessorise pieces to create just what you’ve been looking for. It’s going to be an adventure delving into those boxes and bags and surprising yourself with some fun finds for fantastic repurposing.
Weddings, Spring Racing Carnival and lots of parties and events are all in the air and a little styling magic can prove wonders. Hopefully you have stored everything well and a steam up or iron is all you need to freshen up the look. If you like what you see in the mirror, then go with it; don’t doubt yourself.
If you are heading to the track, don’t be shy; hats and headpieces are back. For too long, instead of balancing our racewear with good millinery, we have been hiding minimally under headbands. 2026 says, bye-bye boring bands! Top yourself off with something spectacular and start a conversation.
Don’t settle for boring staples lined up in department stores
Clothing can change your mood, your confidence and your life. Don’t settle for boring staples lined up in department stores. Clone dressing has had its day. Be ‘you’ and dress to inspire others.
Move over sneakers; you don’t need to go with everything anymore. Break conformity, be unique, and mix it up. Dressing comes with no judgement. Wear what you want with what you want and how you want. Glitter during the day, prints with stripes, florals with lace, pull out that blinged up handbag and pop on some jewels. You have a licence to thrill. We need to shake it up a bit and enjoy dressing again. No more hiding behind stock-standard basics.
No more bagging up your clothes. Turn that spare room into a wardrobe wonderland and enjoy taking dressing to another level. If you have a few unwanted pieces, try turning them into some cash or donate to some of our worthy charities like ‘Dress for Success’ Australia or ‘Clothes 4 U’ on the Mornington Peninsula; a great way to pay it forward.
It is also ‘Frocktober’, which is a great time to make a statement, spark conversation, and raise some awareness for ovarian cancer.
Go forth and rekindle your style again.
Fashionably yours,
Annette