STYLE NOTES - Assess and Dress

For some of us Summer is a daunting season. With rising temperatures comes the need for less clothing which means baring a little more skin that some of us are comfortable with.  If coping with the summer heat is enough to deal with, then noting these style tips might hopefully take the sting out of summer dressing.

STYLE NOTES - Summer Stripes

As another Summer rolls around, a sense of fun and festivities fills the warmer air. Weekends call for more socialising, more entertaining and more reason to dress for the party season. So what do you wear to a weekend soiree where enjoyment is key, and style is more casual? A striped tee is a must in any wardrobe and is a great way to look up to date without having to try too hard.

STYLE NOTES - Introducing the Red Carmella Tote

STYLE NOTES - Winter Warmers

There’s nothing better than feeling warm and cosy in winter but it’s hard to do this without a good coat. And the best news is, you only need one. 

From the Stylist: Festive Style

Whether it’s a work Christmas function, summer cocktails on a city rooftop or a laid back Sunday beer garden session, it’s the season to be jolly. And with temperatures rising, it’s time to start thinking about your festive season wardrobe.

With all the options available, it’s hard to know where to start when choosing the appropriate outfit. Keep in mind the company you’ll be keeping and the purpose for the celebration. If it’s a work function, dress in a way which still presents a professional image, yet is in keeping with a fun, festive occasion.

How to wear it-

If you work in a conservative environment, then be mindful of things like skirt and dress length, cleavage and over exposure.  And if you do decide to show some skin, choose your legs or your bust, not both. Also, you’ll probably be busy with drink in one hand, canapés in the other, so choose a clutch or handbag that you can throw over your wrist or shoulder to keep your hands free to indulge in the festive spirit.

Camilla and Marc Dress, Manning Cartell Boote, Sarah Conners Clutch

Accessorise your festive season outfit with Sarah Conners ‘Tilly’ Silver Clutch (with handy wrist band)

Sarah Conners Silver Tilly Clutch 

Camilla and Marc Howling Dress

Manning Cartel Hatters Castle Boote

Sarah Conners Vintage Glass Bag Ornament

Our "From the stylist" tips come from Melbourne stylist and personal shopper Sally MacKinnon 

Glass, Markets, Paris and Inspiration @ SARAH CONNERS

I am not usually very sentimental but I wanted to tell you a little story about these new bag ornaments.

A new love and a trip to Paris is what led to these beautiful silver and glass bag ornaments. On a cold and rainy Paris morning quite a few years ago (after brioche for breakfast of course) we made our way to Le Marche aux puces. This Paris flea market is nothing short of pure heaven.

In a little stall tucked in the market surrounded by braids, beads and tassels I found the gorgeous handblown glass beads now sitting proudly on these ornaments. I bought 10 of them and they have travelled with me through new loves and two different workrooms waiting for the perfect time and the perfect piece of leather.

These glass beads were bought with love and then made into ornaments with love. Perfect.

 Find the Vintage Glass Bag Ornament in our online store 

From the Stylist: Spring Racing Style; Getting it Bright

Stylist Sally McKinnon

This year’s Spring Racing Carnival has kicked off and fashionista’s will be taking the opportunity to show off this season’s trends trackside.

One trend that is sure to get you noticed is wearing bright or neon colours. Not quite as fluorescent as the 80s, this season’s brights are a great way to inject some fun and colour into your race day outfit. The key is to mix and compliment your colour combinations with accessories, but you don’t have to be too matchy-matchy. Stick to the three colour rule when choosing your race day accessories; match either your shoes and hat, shoes and bag, or bag and hat (i.e. not all three) The third accessory can match or compliment a third colour in your outfit.  

How to wear it-

If the idea of wearing a bright colour head to toe is a little daunting, then choose pops of colour in your accessories. Classic colours like black, navy and white work well with brighter shades like yellow, pink, red and orange. 

David Lawrence Suit, Sarah Conners Python Clutch and Belt

Accessorise your spring racing outfit with Python Belt and Python purse in yellow.

Josh Goot Dress, Lover Pantsuit

Sarah Conners Python Belt 

Sarah Conners Python Belt

Our "From the stylist" tips come from Melbourne stylist and personal shopper Sally McKinnon 

Colour @ SARAH CONNERS

Silk, Canvas, leather and bone. Naturals, both colour and materials are perfect for Spring.

SARAH CONNERS Canvas Tote www.sarahconners.com.au
DOLCE & GABBANA Crystal Clip www.net-a-porter.com
SARAH CONNERS Angie Necklace www.sarahconners.com.au
AQUILANO.RIMONDI Spring 2013 www.aquilanorimondi.it
YVES SAINT LAURENT Horn Effect Sunglasses www.net-a-porter.com

Styled by Sally @ SARAH CONNERS

Sally Mackinnon is one of Melbourne’s leading Personal Stylist and Wardrobe Consultants, renowned for her down to earth, intuitive and personable approach to working with her clients.

We are thrilled to have Sally join the SARAH CONNERS team and every month Sally will be sharing her tips on the how to wear the latest trends, what’s happening in fashion and keeping us in touch with some of the best shopping buys around. We have long been a fan of Sally’s and you can see her work in our very elegantly styled Python Range video.

When she’s not tracking down the latest trends for us to share with you Sally can be found keeping clients happy with Style Consultations, Personal Shopping Experiences, Workshops and Wardrobe Edits. She has her finger on the fashion pulse.

As Sally says “You can look fantastic every single day.”

New @ SARAH CONNERS

Here they are! After lots of suggestions, requests and waiting here are our signature skinny belts in cowhide. We now have the skinny cowhide belts in single length - perfect with jeans and in double for a great look with a shirt or dress. 

Double Belt in Black, wrap it around twice and loop it at the front.

Single length belts in Black and White and Black.

Also new in the store are our Carmella Ballet Shoes in Black and White and the Angie Necklace. 

Racing @ SARAH CONNERS

The Racing Season is a time to shine, putting your best foot (and handbag and hat) forward and creating a true style statement. For us Racing is all about poise and polish and the perfect clutch can finish off you look, so here are a few of our favourites.

The Python Clutch is perfect! Subtle in its styling this clutch is all about luxury material and vivid colour. 

Our Racing Clutch really hold it all and with a detachable shoulder strap this will get you through the day in style.

 Our Tender Clutch is subtle and elegant. Try it in Gold for a real touch of glamour.

If you already have a favourite clutch to get you through the day, add a a touch of colour and wit with the Splash Keyring - perfect as an ornament on any bag.

Get the Blues @ SARAH CONNERS

London Fashion Week was awash with with colour this week and one of the standouts was the amazing range of beautiful blues.  Roksanda Ilincic showed a stunning range of simple shapes with  in a gorgeous palette of creams, yellow, black and a the best electric blue of the week.

One of our favourite Melbourne Bloggers Cecylia brought to life our Python Clutch in Blue at MSFW, pairing the clutch with an elegant black dress. Simply stunning. See more of the look on Cecylia's beautifully titled Dark Opulence post.

Get the look with our Python Handbag in Cadet

New @ SARAH CONNERS

At SARAH CONNERS we are beginning to expand our range of accessories and giving you even more contemporary wardrobe pieces to choose from. For the first time we are bringing you Shoes!

The latest addition to our classic Carmella range are cow hide ballet flats. These new, 100% leather, beauties are now available for pre-order and will be ready for delivery in November. Much in demand, head to our online store to ensure these flats are in your wardrobe next season.

A Glimpse into the World of Sarah Conners

We are loving sharing a glimpse into our world of handbags, tea and colour with everyone, on instagram we are sharing not only some of our favourite things but also what it all looks like behind the scenes. 

Join us on instagram to be part of our world, just search for sarahconnersaccessories.

See you there!

From the Stylist - The Peplum

The peplum has become much more than a catwalk trend and will be making quite a scene this season. Forget about the peplum you remember from the 80’s, today’s look is sleek and modern. A nipped in waist with a structured peplum turns what could easily turn into a very retro look into a very strong sexy silhouette perfect day, night, work or dinner.  

Lanvin Peplum Fall 2012

How to wear it

• Worried about looking retro? Team you peplumed top or jacket with skinny trouser to modernise the style.
• A peplum doesn’t need a lot of competition so keep the look strong and contemporary with block colours and simple accessories.
• Embrace your curves with a tailored fitted bodice. One of the things we love most about the resurgence of the peplum is that this look is curve friendly! 

Accessorise your new peplum look with our Python Clutch and Python Belt in black 

The Work Bag - Quick Tip

You carry it with 5 out of every 7 days, you need to love it and it needs to be practical. Make sure that you’re not letting down a city slick look with a tote that isn’t up to the job.

Instead of carrying one enormous bag with everything you own think about splitting the load and taking with you a manageable handbag and a larger tote. A smaller handbag is great for stepping out for lunch or drinks after work.

For a work bag you need something big enough for a laptop and you’ll need to be able keep papers in there without them getting crushed – all while staying stylish.

At SARAH CONNERS we think that the Carmella Shopper is the perfect workbag, large enough to fit everything in while still be slick and elegant.

You find the Carmella Shopper in our online store

Sarah Conners and Cecylia

We have been featured on the gorgeous blog Cecylia and she is giving everyone the chance to win one of our Python Purses in one her favourite colours - Green.

"Growing up, I never wore anything green because it was my mother’s least favourite colour. As a result, thanks to a mixture of one part rebellion and two part curiosity, I’ve grown to adore the colour." Cecylia 

"…I certainly have a ‘thing’ for exotic skins. Then after styling Sarah’s luxurious python bags for a runway show last Christmas, I’ve been aching for her bags ever since.The perfect little clutch needs the perfect sidekick. A little black dress." Cecylia

All you need to do is sign up for Sarah Conners updates here  and then head over to Cecylia and leave her a comment. Good Luck!

Sarah Conners @ Booty

We are now stocked in the perfectly named Sydney shoe store Booty. With a store that looks to be inspired by downtown London Soho, the stylish interior matches the gorgeous range of shoes, boots and bags that will satisfy all the needs of modern day fashion seekers.

You can find Booty at 111 Macleay Street Potts Point, Sydney

Booty are stocking our Python Range and are particularly fond of the Red and Black handbags and totes

Colour Capture - Green and Gold

Gold has always been perfect for evening, mix with emarlds with texture and detail to bring a bold and fresh look to your next evening event. Mix snakeskins, metalics and florals for an ecclectic and sophisticated look.

Malene Birger Abondace Leopard Silk Dress www.bymalenebirger.com
Alexander McQueen Gold Snakeskin Belt www.brownsfashion.com
Pamela Love Arch Cuff www.pamelalovenyc.com
Nicholas Kirkwood Shoe 12S071S02 www.nicholaskirkwood.com
Butter London Nail Lacquer ein West End Wonderland www.butterlondon.com
Sarah Conners Python Clutch www.sarahconners.com.au

Sarah Conners @ Choosy

Sarah Conners is now featured on online directory Choosy.

Choosy search for inspiring Australian Online Retailers and showcase their best products and reveal the passion behind their business.    They have an amazing range of products on offer from around Australia, you will always find that something special.