“Dear Head of the International Olympic Committee.
I’d like to become an Olympian. The issue is that as I’m incredibly uncoordinated, I’m not talented enough to make an actual team. So, I’m writing to suggest that you add a new “sport” to your line-up. I mean, you’ve included BMX bike riding, trampolining and table tennis, so maybe you could add “shopping” to the Rio de Janeiro schedule?
Before you poo-poo the idea, hear me out. For many women, shopping is a competitive sport. It requires fitness, stamina, research, strategy, training and a keen eye (and lends itself to sprint and endurance events). If you’ve been to a Boxing Day sale at David Jones, you’ll know what I mean … it’s enough to make the strongest Olympian quivering in his or her Nike-sponsored shoes. Not me – I live to shop. And adding “shopping” as a new sport would certainly open up the Olympics to lot more women! I look forward to bringing my unique shopping flair to Rio in 2016. Thanks, Alli”
Yes, every word of this is true. Shopping is one of my favourite hobbies, even though I am currently budget-challenged and I’m not the most natural fashionista. To make a career out of shopping … well, a girl can dream.
So when approached by David Jones to check out the launch of their Spring-Summer collection, I was a little overwhelmed. Me? David Jones wants me to bang-on about their fashion parade? Let the games begin!
While I haven’t yet received my invite (I’m sure it got lost in the mail), David Jones will officially launch their Spring-Summer 2012 collection on August 14, with a spectacular parade featuring the usual (and far too beautiful) suspects – Miranda Kerr (below), Samantha Harris, Jason Dundas and Australia’s Next Top Model 2011 winner Montana Cox. (You can check out the behind the scenes footage from the shooting of their Spring-Summer catalogue here - what a location!)
And I’ll have a front row seat, well, kind of. Even if you don’t make the A-list, you can still be in the front row, courtesy of a bit of live-streaming action (thank you technology – CLICK HERE for more info) starting at 7:00pm. It’s a lot like the Olympics – even if you’re not there you can enjoy the thrill of the competition from your lounge-room! Aussie, Aussie, Aussie … Oi, Oi, Oi!
Back to the fashion. While I am sure I will develop very real love for many of the frocks, I’m more about what I can wear, as opposed to what the models can wear. News flash– I don’t have the figure of a model! So, what are the key trends mere mortals can adapt for our own wardrobes?
First and foremost, it’s all about the safari (for men and women). Think Out of Africa, with tribal patterns and warm, sandy colours (love these desert colours below from Saba). I am yet to invest in my ‘lust-have’ Camilla kaftan, but the people from DJ’s told me to snap one up in an exotic print. Okay, if I must! If you’d rather go to the beach than the desert, punchy tropical prints in vibrant colours are on-trend, with girly florals making a comeback. Great news for me as I just love a good pretty, prissy frock.
If you’re feeling bright and bold, the ‘70s are back baby! Think Studio 54– jewel colours and towering wedges (bright colours I’m mad for, but towering wedges and I aren’t friends … I fall over … a lot. But damn I love this Witchery dress and matching wedges – just the right height for me!).
For the blokes, I love the idea that my husband might just channel a bit of ‘50’s … apparently it’s all the rage in menswear. “Sleek geek, beach boy or retro rockabilly”, Simon will find several of his favourite brands, including Ben Sherman, rocking out a bit of ‘50s style (not sure I can get him into this outfit from Hackett London – love it – but I’ll try!).
Not surprisingly, the Olympics has inspired a city sportif trend, featuring knots, crew-neck sweaters, preppy cardigans and blazers, with blue, blue and more blue. Great – I can nip to DJ’s to pick out my uniform for Rio!
If your budget extends to it, designers like Alex Perry, Bianca Jagger, Collette Dinnigan, Zimmerman and Camilla have a lot to offer, as featured in the live-stream fashion parade. But if, like me, you’re a little budget-challenged, don’t be disheartened – head to your local DJs or CLICK HERE and check out their range as I can always find something to suit my needs and budget. (FYI, love this Country Road frock, below, and French Connection’s cherry hibiscus flower suit sounds to-die-for …)
This is why I love David Jones. It has the perfect balance of, “Oh one day I will be able to afford one of those” and, “Wow – that’s just what I’m looking for”. On, except when one of their super fabulous, super competitive sales is on, then almost everything becomes “Alli affordable”. Happy days!
For more information on the David Jones live-stream fashion parade on August 14 and their online store (shopping 24/7 – heaven!) visit http://fashionlaunch.davidjones.com.au/spring-summer/. The countdown is on!
Alli
(Yes friends, this is a TEST TUBE paid post, but as always, it’s completely and utterly in-line with our real, raw and honest world and my very real shopping obsession. We’ll always be transparent about paid posts – thanks to David Jones for thinking us worthy!)
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I am completely in favour of Shopping as an Olympic sport. We could have sprint shopping, marathon shopping, relay shopping and maybe even a bit of online shopping?
Ana, I agree! I mean seriously, it can be as physical as table tennis. Well, my type of shopping is! Imagine a shopping relay – would LOVE IT!!! Let’s get a petition going huh? Alli x
Oh, oh and for a special level of difficulty we could add shopping in the wooden platform shoes! OMG the possibilities are endless… Definitely go the petiton, I only know like a gazillion people who would sign it, lol!
Ana – I fall over just looking at those shoes. It would DEF be a high level of difficulty. I wouldn’t get off teh starting block!!! A AND YOU KNOW WHAT – this could be fun … the petition thing …. I will ponder logistics … A x