Fashion Friday: Wanderlust

Sydney University is a place I go to on occasion and quietly make fun of, because it wasn’t the university I went to (however, the one I went to, UTS, always gets made fun of). I probably hold a quiet grudge against it because I had wanted to go there and didn’t make it into the course I wanted… but I digress, for it is a nice place…

Sitting in a stone arch

Last year I wanted to include my grey coat in one of my Fashion Friday posts but the weather got too warm before I got a chance, so here it finally is! It was given to me by one of my aunts, who had bought it online but found that it didn’t fit her. She’s very thin, so I don’t know why something that didn’t fit her would actually fit me. It was originally from China so the sizing was a bit off. Even though the sizing doesn’t follow a standard, I have to admit that this is a beautiful coat.

Sitting on a wooden bench
Sitting on a wooden bench

The coat has a felt-like feel and is light grey – a nice change from the few black coats I have. I have had it for at least a few years but it is holding up well.

All warm
All warm
Standing in my grey coat
Standing in my grey coat

The coat is actually really heavy because it is so thick, but it doesn’t restrict movement which is amazing. I love the way the coat nips in at the waist. That is definitely flattering for my small frame. The collar can be worn up to cover the neck like a loose turtleneck, or folded down. When folded down, it exposes more of the chest compared to most coats.

There is a hole in one of the pockets which I need to sew up. I have stepped on the belt accidentally a couple of times but it hasn’t been ruined. I don’t think there is anything I dislike about this coat at all.

The boots took me a while to get used to walking in. When I bought them, I didn’t think much of the size, but my legs must have been fatter because at the time, I had a hard time getting my foot into the boot from the top (the zipper only goes from the bottom of the boot to two-thirds up the boot). Now they are quite big and I have to wear thicker socks. The legs even slide down my leg a bit. I probably don’t love these boots as much as I did before, since I am still on the lookout for a pair of simple ankle boots to replace the ones I have worn in so many Fashion Fridays (including The road not taken).

Over-the-knee boots
Over-the-knee boots
Full body shot against a stone wall
Full body shot against a stone wall

I wore these pieces simply because I hadn’t included them in a post before, so I chose the rest of the outfit to match. Since I wear dark colours a lot, I chose this light coloured one. The white collar and bottom sections are made of chiffon, and are actually just sewn on to the long-sleeve v-neck. I had been after collared blouses for quite some time, and when I bought this, I had specifically gone looking for plain collared blouses. This one wasn’t really a collared blouse, but I loved the look of it. Since it was available in the Basque Petite range, I was more compelled to get it.

I got the tube skirt for just $9.95 at SES. SES usually has cheap clothing but if you have a closer look, some items of clothing are better quality than others. I actually wanted coloured tube skirts but after spending some time in the store, I decided to stick with just black and white because they were more versatile. I had some black ones already, but a new one couldn’t hurt.

Close up of semi precious stone pendant and scarf details
Close up of semi precious stone pendant and scarf details
Standing in front of a run-down, winter-affected hedge
Standing in front of a run-down, winter-affected hedge

I believe my mum got the white scarf from Suzanne Grae, a store that seems to be targeted towards older women. I’m not interested in anything from that store but it seems they have nice accessories.

The necklace is small, but it is also one of my favourite parts of the outfit. I have been wanting a semi-precious crystal on a long chain necklace for a while, but most tend to be overpriced, and I was often quite picky about the look of the chain or the stone. I spotted this one on sale at Lovisa for just $7, and initially resisted… but I ended up buying it. When you have wanted something for a while and then spot something that fits the description, you have to get it.

Blue stone earrings and small CZ studs
Blue stone earrings and small CZ studs

I got the earrings from a temporary kiosk/stall that my mum was raving on about during her shopping adventures while she took annual leave. We spent ages in the mall looking for it because it had moved to a different level, and my mum was sooooooooo excited to show me the jewellery they had, which was imported from Korea and real cubic zirconia, stainless steel and silver plated. In other words, good quality stuff. I chose blue because I preferred it over the other stone colours.

Close up of some bracelets on my right arm
Close up of some bracelets on my right arm
Close up of rings
Close up of rings

It’s the pastel colours that add to the otherwise plain white and grey of this outfit. The mint bracelet is from my Wantable box that I recently received. I thought I might as well add it to the mix. I chose a selection of other bracelets to layer together. I think it was only recently that I realised I don’t really like stacking bangles or bracelets all that much anymore, and prefer to wear just one or two pieces. I think, though, that the layering gave this clean look a bit more of an effortless feel, and thus made me think of freedom, wanderlust and adventure.

Any questions about the outfit or any of the clothes, let me know. As usual, outfit details are below. I am working on adding outfit details to all my previous Fashion Friday posts as well as doing it from now on.

It’s summer in other parts of the world but I would still love to hear about your winter outfits!

Outfit details

Photography by Nick.

Walking with my bag and my coat draped over one shoulder
Walking with my bag and my coat draped over one shoulder
Hair tied in a messy-style bun
Hair tied in a messy-style bun

Comments on this post

Sydney University looks like a neat campus! I love the first photo of you sitting on the ledge :D

Your coat is lovely. I love the colour and the style! The shirt, too, is very lovely and fitting with the combination of this outfit.

I also have to say that I’d never consider putting bracelets on top of a long-sleeve shirt! But now that I see you doing it, it looks GOOD and it makes sense! I love the combination of your bracelets. And that Wantable bracelet actually looks good with that shirt!

Top notch accessorising as always, and your outfit makes you look like a chic college student :D

Thanks Tara! :) I don’t like having bracelets hidden under long sleeves, I like to show them off. It works particularly well if the sleeves are tight.

UGH I so love your wardrobe!! Not really my style per se, but you look fabulous. I thought you were wearing jeans and then nope, they were boots instead :O That coat is gorgeous! I would love a forest green coloured coat. I saw one in Review? once but it was SO expensive :(

That first pic? It seriously reminded me of a scene from Harry Potter :D

I am looking for a dark teal/blue coat of the same material as this grey one, but coats are indeed expensive. I would love a nice deep red one, too. Ah, wishlist items…

Many people have said that Sydney University is a lot like Hogwarts. :D

That coat is beautiful, I love that style of coat. Lots of my friends had one quite similar to that last winter, I wanted to get it too but I like being an individual so got a purple one instead :P It’s summer here but I was organised this year and got myself a coat for next winter in the spring sales, this is it here: http://bit.ly/1VbMw0N
Not as nice as yours, I don’t think! It’s much nicer in person than in the photos on the website though, I ordered it online and was really pleasantly surprised at how good it looked when it arrived :)

Sydney University reminds me of Glasgow University. I go to the University of Strathclyde, which is known mostly for engineering, so probably Glasgow’s equivalent of UTS haha. We have Caledonian to make fun of though :P

I don’t wear bracelets, hate having anything other than my watch and perhaps a hair tie on my wrists, but those ones are really nice, especially the one furthest from your hand on your right arm :)

Mmm nice coat, Rachel! I would love one like that but in a more deep red rather than a pink/purple shade like the one you got.

There is a bit of rivalry between the universities in my state, and some get picked on more than others. I think everyone just makes fun of the uni that isn’t theirs. :P

I love that bracelet a lot! I got it from Helene Jewelry but I got it as a surprise in their subscription box and have never seen it on the website. I love the leaf shapes and the colour, they go well together. :)

I like how vintage the buildings look like at Sydney University! I like how you always have people who are willing (or so it seems) to take pictures of you for your post XD. It’d be a miracle to get my boyfriend to be patient for a handful of poses. It’s awesome that you are always able to find outfits that matches together really well. Your boots look especially nice! They always look great paired with shorts or skirts. I remembered the bracelet from the Wantable post!

I only have Nick and Seb photographing for me and they alternate my FF posts (I guess you picked out that Nick did this one, haha!), but I’m so glad that they are willing to help me out. You’re right, I am very lucky. My ex wasn’t too keen on it, but hey – I hope you can get your boy into it. :) It’s good bonding time and most girls get their boyfriends to photograph them because they are most comfortable in front of them.

Nick likes photography but he hadn’t done too much of it before he helped me out with my fashion posts. I also encouraged Seb to try concert photography about a year ago, and he really enjoys it now. He is also trying his hand at more fashion shoots and special events like conventions and engagements. I’m sure if you ever need it, you will be able to encourage your friends successfully. :D

So elegant! I love the scarf it looks so comfy, and the jacket is such a beautiful color and texture. I have several jackets like that but the only one I really like is my bright red one. I’d love another pretty color for a different look so that I don’t just stick to one. I’m glad it’s heavy but not restricting – that’s always a problem! I like the boots too, the only reason I would NOT wear them is because I’m out 12+ hours a day and it gets uncomfortable, haha, so I stick to ankle boots.

That campus looks like Hogwarts.

I love ankle boots! I don’t think these over-the-knee ones gave me much of a problem, though. They are pretty comfortable for me. Also, I want your red coat… I would love a red coat.

A lot of people have said that Sydney University looks like Hogwarts. :)

I totally loved this outfit, Georgie! I have a special liking for purple :P
I have never worth any sorts of boots. I stick to sandals or high heels or sneakers. But I loved those knee high boots of yours! What a awesome bracelet collection you have!

There isn’t much purple in the outfit! Unless the coat looks a little purple to you…? It’s actually grey. :)