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.

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 

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.

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.

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

Colour Capture - Black and White

Black and White is classic, easy to wear and perfect for between season dressing. Here are a few of our suggestions for putting it together.

Outfit Balenciaga www.balenciaga.com
Wallet Sarah Conners Carmella Wallet www.sarahconners.com.au
Shoes habbot Trampoline ballet flat www.habbotstudios.com
Ring Lena Christensen  Globus Ring www.linachristensen.com
Belt Sarah Conners Python Belt www.sarahconners.com.au

Spotlight - Sarah Conners Christmas Gift ideas

Well Christmas is nearly here and we have been busy packing up and shipping off Christmas gifts and we wanted to share with you some of our most popular Christmas items. These pieces are sure to make anyone in your life thrilled on Christmas morning. 

Sarah Purse

Carmella Makeup Pouch

Tender Ines Wallet




Sally Keyring




Canvas Tote




Colour Capture - Bright Accents

This Summer Bright Accents are bring outfits to life. We love the combination of white with clashes of Summer brights. Pink, Yellow and Green are some of our favourites.

Outfit Chloe www.chloe.com/#/en 

Purse Sarah Conners Sarah Purse www.sarahconners.com.au

Bangles Flutter by Jill Golden http://www.flutternyc.com/

Shoes Carmen Steffens Caitlin Yellow http://www.carmensteffens.com.br/

Sunglasses Selima Optique Adri O www.selimaoptique.com 

Keyring Sarah Conners Sally Keyring www.sarahconners.com.au 

Colour Capture - Black and White

Outfit Doo. Ri White Pants and Top http://www.doori-nyc.com/  
Shoes Jimmy Choo Widdin suede ballerina flats http://www.jimmychoo.com/  
Handbag Sarah Conners Carmella Shopper http://www.sarahconners.com.au/  
Bangle Dinosaur Designs Organic Rock Bangle http://www.dinosaurdesigns.com.au/
Wallet Sarah Conners Ines Wallet http://www.sarahconners.com.au/  
Belt Alexander McQueen Calf hair waist belt http://www.net-a-porter.com/  

The List - The Perfect White Shirt

The White Shirt is on our wishlist this month. With such unpredicable between seasons weather it the perfect solution for all our wardrobe dilemas. From a simple tuxedo style to a glamorous evening dress these shirts are on our list.    

Scanlan and Theodore
Shirt Dress
www.scanlantheodore.com.au

Kiki De Montparnasse
Tuxedo Shirt
www.kikidm.com

Therese Rawsthorne
Twist Smock
http://thereserawsthorne.com/

Yeojin Bae
Gauze Cotton Shirt
www.yeojinbae.com

Alessandra Rich
Shirt Dress
www.alessandrarich.com/

Spotlight - The Canvas Tote

Perfect for Spring! The Sarah Conners Canvas Tote is an easy-chic carry all. Featuring raw canvas with contrasting leather trimmings, this tote is light and still roomy enough for all your weekend market shopping.

The Canvas Tote is available in our online store

Sarah Conners @ Lily and the Weasel

We are thrilled that Sarah Conners is stocked in Lily and the Weasel, this great store in Richmond is a champion of Australian designers. Here you will find a gorgeous selection of handpicked jewellery, homewares, fashion and accessories. 

Lily and the Weasel stock the Sarah Conners Carmella Makeup Bags and Wallets

Saturday Shopping - The Department

The beautiful gold leaf sign on the front window of The Department on High Street Windsor was what actually made me stop here and the inside is was no disapointment. Full of gorgeous vintage dressings this is a great place to stock up on gifts for girlfriends. With Chapel Street right around the corner it's the perfect location for some shopping and brunch on a Saturday morning.

I grabbed Simon Coll chocolate for a friends birthday and I think she was very happy!

Theh Department 252 High Street Windsor

Spotlight - Carmella Shopper

Our favourite Sarah Conners bag this month is the Carmella Shopper, the little known cousins of our extremely popular Carmella Tote. The Shopper has been a favourite of mine for work for a long time, I use it for carrying my laptop and any papers I am taking to a meeting without them getting crushed. Cool and professional, this bag sells for $425.00.

Carmella Shopper

The Carmella Shopper is available in our online store

The List - Spring

There is kind of, almost, nearly a touch of Spring in the air here and it has got us thinking about or Spring wishlist

Malene Birger
Portanel Bustier Dress
http://www.malenebirger.com/

Dinosaur Designs
Feather Fan Choker
http://www.dinosaurdesigns.com.au/

Serpent & The Swan
Horse Head Ring
http://www.serpentandtheswan.com/

Angus & Celeste
Flying Wall Birds
http://www.angusandceleste.com.au/

Tom Gunn
Archer Platform Heels
http://www.the-dreamery.com/

Pop Up Mania

Our latest venture is up and running! Our first ever (pop up) shop and major clearance is happening and while I had forgotten what hard work retail is it has been great to meet our customers. Here's a preview of some of the styles we are selling and a shot of me working out how to use the eftpos machine.

We're open until Sunday the 24th and sharing the space with the lovely Habbot Studios, those shoes are such a bargain they are walking out the door....

Pop Up

1 Earl Street Windsor Melbourne

If you can't make it to the store, all our sale pieces are available online www.sarahconners.com.au/shop