Sweet about Sugartown x

It isn’t every day you come across an inconsequential hole in the wall and decide it’s one of your New Favourite Shopping Destinations (NFSD).

But that’s exactly what happened last Friday evening.

Driving past Camberwell station in Melbourne’s leafy east, a small shop caught Girlin3184’s eye – probably because of the ‘sale’ rack outside.

In a heart beat the car was parked and she scooted through the door, and in to the bowels of a fabulous vintage haven.

The sales assistant struck a perfect balance between laid back and sales focused as Girlin3184 combed through old world dresses, shirts, skirts and jewellery.

The sweetest thing about Sugar Town is the price.

Girlin3184 scored a fitted 80’s leather skirt for just $45, and a vintage inspired string of glass pearls and beads for $12.

She could have cleaned out the entire shop – but elected to spread the love with you, dear Followers.

Sugar Town
21 Cookson St Camberwell
03 9813 0440

Image supplied courtesy of www.sugartown.com (under development)

White hot nostalgia

If there’s one trend that’s whiter than hot, it’s vintage. There’s so much more to pulling off a glamourous vintage look than raiding your nana’s wardrobe. High on the nostalgia and chic-o-meter, the right vintage outfit creates a timeless look, one that can be worn again….and again…even amidst the flurry of disposable trends. Did we mention Top Shop is bringing the 80s back for SS09? And we’d just donated our knee-length t-shirts to Vinnies!

For the time poor, and I’m guessing its most of you, rummaging through op-shops across the city just isn’t gonna happen. So, Girlin3184 has compiled a list of the best vintage stores in Melbourne (Sydney’s on its way). Be prepared to pay more than op-shop prices – hey, someone has done the hard work for you.

Retrostar Vintage Clothing - Fashion - 37 SWANSTON STREET MELBOURNE
Recycle - Fashion - 461 LITTLE COLLINS STREET MELBOURNE
American Rag - Fashion - 3 SOUTHGATE AVENUE SOUTHBANK
Anonymous Posh - Fashion - 0 ROYAL ARCADE MELBOURNE
Out Of The Closet - Fashion - 238 FLINDERS STREET MELBOURNE
The Chapel St Bazaar 217 Chapel St PRAHRAN
Deja Vous Boutique 7 Evans Place HAWTHORN EAST
Empire Vintage 63 Cardigan Place ALBERT PARK www.empirevintage.com.au
Hunter Gatherer 274 Brunswick Street FITZROY www.huntergatherer.com.au
Shag 377 Brunswick Street North FITZROY

If you’ve got time, head to Savers, 330 Sydney Rd Brunswick. We recently found a royal blue chiffon shift dress, complete with translucent, full length sleeves and a pussy bow. It cost $6, but took an hour to find.

Copy the celebrity look

Kate Beckinsdale and Sienna Miller are looking equally stylish in Vintage YSL and Vintage Balenciaga respectively.

Images supplied courtesy of www.glamourmagazine.co.uk

Vogue August 1956 cover supplied courtesy of www.allposters.com

Budget, baby

If you’re like 99.9% of women, you’re on a budget. (Or you should be). And there’s nothing more frustrating than picking up your favourite glossy and realizing sadly, your allowance does not extend to a $300 pair of gladiator wedges. Seriously, unless you live in a mint (or at home with mummy and daddy), who can afford the latest $3,000 ‘it’ bag? Girl in 3184 certainly can’t, and she has a respectable corporate job.

The more fashion magazines you pick up, the more you realise you can’t have. Their contents are intoxicatingly beautiful, it’s addictive. After devouring the latest Bazaar, Vogue & Marie Claire, shopping trips become dangerous. Distressed leather boots – you’ll have them in camel, tan, grey and black thanks. Bettina Liano jeans – got to have them. Ballet flats in silver, gold, bronze and noir? I’ll take all four. High waisted jeans, skinny jeans, floral dresses, dresses with ruffles, silk shirts, plaid shirts. Dark denim, pale denim. Vintage handbag, new handbag. My goodness, you’ll be in debt for the rest of your life. And that’s only this season.

So, what’s a girl to do? Never fear, Girl in 3184 has the solution. It’s important to be savvy and realise that the majority of trends are ‘disposable’. That means you’ll be wearing them for 6 months and the cycle starts again.

Here is the million dollar question. How does a girl look fantastic on a budget? Be shrewd in your purchases. ‘Invest’ in classical pieces that transcend the current season. For your fashion must-haves – i.e. that plaid shirt, those gladiator wedges, get smart and don’t buy designer. Knock offs are completely acceptable.

Ultimately, you’ve got to decide what’s important to you. I’m sure Carrie Bradshaw didn’t regret her 40 pairs of Manolo Blahniks. But if you want to take that trip, buy that house, pay off your HECS, you need to get smart and exercise some self control. Even if it’s just a little.

SPEND

The little black dress
Coco Chanel knew a thing or two about style. Black may sound boring, but it’s timeless. Slap on some fake tan, bright lipstick and bold accessories, and bingo, you can change your look as often as David Beckham buys underwear.

Leather Boots
Whether you prefer tan, camel or black, it’s your choice. Just make sure you have a matching handbag. It’s easy to get carried away and buy synthetic boots in every colour. Don’t. You’re compromising on quality and soon every hard earned pair will look trashier than a celebrity in rehab.

Denim
You’ve got two choices. You can either invest in designer - i.e. 18th Amendment or Sass & Bide OR; you can scout chain stores for a good replica. Dotti has great skinny jeans this season. At $59.95, you can’t go wrong. Dark denim is best for versatility.

Handbag
As much as we all love handbags, you only need one. Two at the most. The most important part is to ensure your handbag matches your shoes. For this reason, it’s best to go for block colour. Black shoes, black bag. Tan boots, tan bag. Check out Witchery, Kookai & Cue.
www.witchery.com.au/
http://www.kookai.com.au/
http://www.cue.com.au/

SAVE

Floral
Floral is very now, and it’s oh so pretty. Check out http://www.freez.com.au/ for the latest collections from labels such as Sunny Girl and Mink Pink.

Landes. if you live in Melbourne, visit Landes @ 211 Bridge Rd Richmond or Shop 6 Pran Central Chapel St South Yarra (near Commercial Rd). It’s full of the latest disposable trends at reasonable prices.


Ball Gown
If you're anything like Girl in 3184, you only wear a dress once. Twice at most. This can get ridiculously expensive, however it's a good thing that Gosh Celebrity Fashion was invented. Do you fancy wearing Kiera Knightly's incredible emerald gown as seen in Atonement? $389 will secure you an identical replica. If 1930's vintage is not your style, check out Eva Longoria's Golden Globes inspired gown or Mischa Barton's tuxedo inspiration at www.goshcelebrityfashion.com.au
Recoup your 'loss' on ebay or a swap fashion meet ( www.swapmystyle.com.au ) for extra mileage.


Vintage inspired accessories
You can’t beat Sportsgirl and Diva. Most items are priced between $10-$30.

Clutch
Check out Forever New. www.forevernew.com.au From a tiny $19.95, it’s all too easy.

Ballet Flats
Before you diss Target and Kmart, check out their footwear collection, you will be pleasantly surprised. Steer clear of their boots – they look cheap.

Stockings & Tights
Stirrup, black, grey and burnt red tights are the big thing this season. Luckily you don’t have to spend a lot. Check out Supre’s collection http://www.supre.com.au/ , or head in to your nearest Myer or Target. 50 dernier opaques are the best. If you want to ‘invest’ head to American Apparel http://www.americanapparel.com/ or visit the flagship store on Melbourne’s Chapel St.

Plaid
This will be out as quickly as it came in. Do NOT spend your hard earned money. Trawl through the no name stores on Melbourne’s Chapel St, located directly south of Commercial Rd. Surprisingly enough, KMART's Girl Express label has some cheap and cheerful options.
But better still, don't buy it at all.

Vintage
Reasonably priced vintage can be sourced at the Chapel St Bazaar (Melbourne) or on Ebay. Just be prepared to spend time sifting.

Borrowing
The concept has been around for a couple of years, however recent publicity on SATC will lift it’s profile. If you really must have that ‘it’ bag, belt or shoe, check out http://www.lovemeandleaveme.com.au/ For a fixed weekly monthly price you can ‘borrow’ the latest Chloe, Prada or Fendi tote – and give it back when you’re done.