Fashion commentator Glynis Traill-Nash kickstarts the New Year with wardrobe advice, the latest style news and some celebrity chic…
New Year, New Wardrobe…
And so, Happy New Year! I’m guessing some of you have taken the opportunity of the new year to start sifting through the depths of your wardrobe and clearing a little space for some new-season purchases (not long to go now). But the big question remains: what to keep and what to throw?
Definitely keep anything tailored—especially man-style trousers—and minimalist pieces. Draping is still good, but nothing too bulky—side-draped trousers and skirts will stick around for another season. Ditto lace, and prints, especially a great digital print dress. (And remember, high summer pieces can often be warmed up with opaque tights and a long-sleeved bodysuit underneath.) A strong military jacket will still look good with jeans (just). Ditch anything overly cutesy and frou frou with too many ruffles or in saccharine shades—it’s all about sexy and grown up now.
Style News…
Fashion for Flood relief
The fashion pack is offering assistance for flood relief in a number of ways. Stylist Donny Gallella has pulled together the “SYD (heart) QLD” fundraiser for Tuesday 25 January at Trademark in Sydney’s King’s Cross; your $100 ticket lays it all on and even puts you in the running for $75,000 worth of prizes. There will be fabulous fashion prizes raffled, which have been donated from the likes of Aurelio Costarella, Alex Perry, Samantha Wills and Nicola Finetti, with pampering prizes from Brad Ngata, Lancome and Jurlique. See donnygalella.com.au/blog for more details and tickets. Meanwhile, jewellery label Polli is offering 20 per cent from every online sale until the end of January to the QLD Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal (see polli.com.au).
Knot—so chic!
For anyone wanting a little Parisian chic in their wardrobe by way of a beautiful silk scarf, here’s a unique option. Sydney photographer Adrian Mesko has just created a range of silk scarves (both satin and chiffon) called Temps des Rêves with and printed with his favourite photographs. Some examples include a jewellers window from Bond St in London, a roofscape over Havana and close ups of vintage furs at London’s Portobello Markets. Christmas may be over, but that’s no reason to not give yourself a gorgeous gift. Available from Becker Minty Woman (beckerminty.com) $295.
Nailing it
We know how to tell a man by his shoes and a woman by her handbag, now there’s a book to tell us what our nail polish reveals. Enamel Diction is a sassy exploration (with just enough depth in there, too) of the character traits behind those who wear ballerina pink, vivid purple or chocolate and every other hue on the manicure rack. Written by Tamara Griffiths, it also has sleek graphics that go beyond the girly. Give it a test run before you next head in for a mani/pedi. See enameldiction.com; $29.95.
Celebrity style 
Natalie Portman, Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala, Jan. 8
Natalie is doing the rounds for the upcoming Black Swan (only two more sleeps until it opens here!), and while this look isn’t exactly ballerina chic (save the swept-back hair), it certainly shows a ladylike restraint with a modern edge. The embellished collar and cuffs mean no need for jewellery, save for tiny earrings and —oh, is that her engagement ring we see? And the dress is a good cut to show off the very start of her baby bump.
Cameron Diaz, The Green Hornet premiere, Los Angeles, Jan. 10
No-one does breezy chic like Cameron, and this simple asymmetrical dress does great things to show off that toned bod. I usually prefer no necklace with asymmetrical necklines, but at least this is fairly unobtrusive. The gold hoop earrings would have sufficed here. And the nude heels—every girls best friend—just make those pins look even longer. Best trick ever.
Images courtesy Style.com (Jason Wu) and Zimbio.com (Natalie Portman)
