Trip to Melbourne - fashion observations - YouLookFab Forum

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Trip to Melbourne - fashion observations

Sal

Veteran

I recently spent four days in Melbourne, with my 14 year old son, to go to the Australian Open. We saw some wonderful tennis, from some of the best and most famous players in the world (Federer, Williams, Kerber, Nadal, Murray, Djokovich) and had a lovely time seeing friends and being tourists. We were also there during the recent tragic event - horrific on every level. I wrote a little about this off topic.

I spent one full day at the tennis, and two evenings. We also had exploring, catching up with friends, and shopping on the agenda

Weather in Melbourne is notoriously variable and we experienced 17-39 degrees C. I did not pack lightly, and had several unworn items. I was relatively happy with all my outfits but realised that I have comfortable shoes and stylish sandals, but not stylish sandals suited to all day wear in the heat in a city setting. I guess I rarely spend all day on my feet in a city - it is at sports events, or the beach. When I go into a city setting here, my shoes only need to cope with 2-3 hours walking maximum. I will look at the end of season sales for a pair.

Observations about fashion:

Anything goes - at the tennis there was a full range of looks from very casual to sharp and dapper.
Men have really lifted their game in fashion - grooming, hairstyles, casual shirts and shorts.
Gear is ubiquitous - and at the moment tops are designed for people who do not need a proper bra as they are sheer, with cut outs, with inserts etc..
Fashions are glitzier in Melbourne than in NZ - sunglasses are more embellished, as are shoes, there is more jewelry, more white jeans, and more skin showing.
While I loved browsing the windows of Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Miss Louise (featuring Valentino shoes etc) it is not quite my style. I enjoyed looking.
Maximalism is back especially at a designer level.

I did very little shopping. I replaced some heavily scratched sunglasses with another pair (quite similar in shape), added an UnderArmour sports tee and some black Uniqlo leggings. I tried on items in Lorna Jane, Myer and several other smaller retailers, but was not in a purchasing mode. There were several dresses that I liked but they were similar in feel/design/use to dresses I already own. I am in a cutting back mindset right now so my purchases were very targeted and practical.

It was great to spend a lot of time with my son, and to see old friends. Melbourne is a diverse and wonderful city. I wished I had longer to see old work colleagues and maybe a YLF catch up, and I would have loved to see one of the shows that are on.

Another time!

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Thank you for the interesting observations. I wonder how Melbourne looks compared to other places in terms of glitz. I have never been to Australia or NZ but the Australians I know are not flashy. Sounds like you had a fantastic time with your son!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Shevia - traditionally Melbourne is more into black clothing, interesting or corporate looks than Sydney or Brisbane which are more colourful and beachy.

It was great to spend time with my son, one on one!!

Brooklyn

Veteran

Hi Sally. I think of Melbourne style as minimal and lots of black. Interesting to hear that things are changing. Terrible about the Bourke St incident, especially the children. I imagine the streets would have been more crowded than usual because of the tennis. I am glad you and your son were not affected.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Brooklyn, we were close to the incident, and it is just awful for the people involved.

It is always hard with style generalisations - it could be also where I was (Chapel St, South Yarra, Paris end of Collins and laneways around there, Central City, and the tennis).

Bijou

Veteran

It is great to hear that you had a good holiday and were safe. Melbourne is not the city to travel to if you want to travel lightly, summer weather is so variable. I also love window shopping the designer stores along Collins St.

Helen11

Veteran

I love visiting Melbourne. How did you swing shopping trips with a teenager? (I need to know for future reference )
I agree it's impossible to pack lightly for Melbourne summer. Better to have some things unworn than to freeze!

Anonymous

Interesting post. I do not pack light ever. A dear friend once told me we are going car camping, bring everything you want to make the trip as comfortable as you can. That single sentence resounds in my head every single time I began to pack for any trip (even if it is carry on luggage). I force so much into a single suitcase.

Shoes are the biggest challenge of all. They are large and have to serve so many purposes. I have yet to find one pair that does it all and comfort is essential to me. I did find these shoes that I can walk all day in. They are Vionic and really comfortable. They have not been tested on a trip like yours though.

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Vionic Vionic Bella Women Open Toe Patent Leather Thong Sandal

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gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for sharing. It makes me wonder, what are fashions generally like in NZ?

Anonymous

I loved reading this! It makes me want to visit Melbourne, it sounds wonderful and open to many styles and looks. I'm glad to hear you had such a great time, and got to spend time with your son.

rachylou

Veteran

Very interesting!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm at the airport and this was a fun read while I wait to board.

Sally, super that you had a fab tennis time with DS, that you kept your shopping focused, and that you felt good in what you packed. YES. City walking shoes are a whole other story - welcome to my world. Happy feet are soooooooo important.

Enjoyed your report. Melbourne weather sounds like Cape Town - very variable. But CT is beachy so perhaps more like Sydney. Love it though. And I suspect people look very casual and relaxed despite the pop of flash. There is no getting away from athleisure. It IS ubiquitous.

And all important cuppa before I fly.

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Sal

Veteran

Bijou - yes the weather is so erratic in Melbourne. We arrived to close to 40 degrees and the next morning was under 20!! I loved window shopping too in Collins Street.

Helen - I had two days without my son when he went to the tennis, and I joined him for the night sessions, and one day at the end when we were together!! He is almost 15 and tennis mad so he was fine to go by himself. I did look at a few shops with him but only ones he was interested in - sports retailers etc..

Thanks Sterling - I am a moderate packer, and do pack from the shoes up as well. I took five pairs - trainers for walking/running, merrel sandals, flat leather sandals, sandal boots and wedge sandals. I probably should have not taken the sandal boots, and I actually didn't run because I walked so much so I could have avoided the trainers too.

GF - NZ anything goes really. I live in a smaller city so people overall are more casual than in the large ones. Gear is common here too but perhaps less so than in the US or Australia. I have always thought of Melbourne style being similar to NZ style - black, layers, a bit of funk, and less colourful, beachy and revealing than some other parts of Australia.

Xtabay - Melbourne is a wonderful city. It is not spectacular like Sydney or Vancouver (the beaches are fine but it not real show stoppers), but it is funky, with some great public spaces and architecture, wonderful eating options across all styles and budgets, great public transport, and amazing events and sports venues. It gets voted as one of the most liveable cities.

Thanks Rachy.

Angie - I thought of you with respect to shoes!! Melbourne is a wonderful city. Mid summer, school holidays, and spending time at the tennis may have influenced by opinion of how casual people were of course. I think Greg and yourself would love the shopping, eating options and city vibe!!

Jane

Veteran

Hi Sally, I would so enjoy a trip like that with my son, also 14. It sounds lovely! I really enjoyed your fashion observations.

We went to Melbourne about 6 years ago and had a super time. I was amazed at how casual dressing is. I found that it was easier to accept the women being casual, but struggled slightly with the shorts / vest / flip flops that men wore. It was just too casual to my eye! I must be very english!

Sal

Veteran

Jane - I think Antipodeans are more casual in our dress, and have less "rules" around what is appropriate in different settings. This can lead to wonderful style - but also sometimes it can go horribly wrong.

I have seen an improvement in mens' grooming and dress recently- lots of colour, lots of combed hairstyles, trimmed beards, cool leather shoes, sharp jackets etc. Even Jon, who is very casual, has lifted his game by tucking his shirts, wearing bolder colours, wearing his clothes slightly more tailored and fitting (which suits him) and choosing better quality fabrics.

It was fun travelling with a 14 year old - old enough to leave in the hotel room for an hour when I popped out, old enough to go to a decent restaurant for dinner, and to appreciate the architecture and design of the city. We could be quite selfish too when there were just the two of us, and do what WE wanted (I lived in Melbourne for 2 years and loved rediscovering my old haunts).

Runcarla

Veteran

Interesting comment about the men upping their game! I've noticed that too, especially grooming. Though I work in the financial district of a Big City, where a certain formality is required, I note even the 'creatives' who make our small hometown home, and the dudes at the gym, are making an effort to project a style with their grooming, and choice of clothing.

My sons are certainly interested in fashion. Sometimes I think they have a better fix on their style persona then I do!

Kiwi gal, does DS14 have an interest in how he presents?

Sal

Veteran

Run Carla - my sons are not great, although the 14 year old is getting better now and at least does his hair. But he is practical rather than stylish. The 12 year old has seven pairs of black shorts and wears one every day LOL!!

Helen11

Veteran

Aha, so that's the secret : )
I'm glad you could revisit favourite places, too.

harmonica

Veteran

Thanks, Sally! I really enjoyed to read your fashion report.

JAileen

Veteran

That must have been fun attending such a high level tournament. I've never been to anything like that. Thanks for the fashion insight too. I hope to go to Australia someday, also New Zealand.

As for comfy sandals, I like Naots. I have three pairs of the Kayla:

http://www.zappos.com/p/naot-f.....olor/95658

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Anonymous

Your 12 year old definitely has his signature look down.

I love how you say "the tennis". We just say "tennis" here (in case you weren't already aware of that). Great that you were able to see all the amazing talent. That must have been exciting. Watching the US Open in person is on my bucket list.

It was interesting to hear about the athleisure trends in Melbourne. Here,there are people wearing open tanks with sports bras under them (that strappy look) but not really in public yet. Just exercising.

The men are upping their game here too. Beards are huge and groomed and then there's that heavy side-part with shaved-everywhere-else look that has taken my town by storm. I think it looks good. Nice that your DH is tucking and wearing more fitted looks.