I kind of feel like this picture has slutted it’s away around the internet already thanks to how easy it is to connect all my favourite social media platforms, but it would be rude to assume that everyone who visits Sea Of Ghosts actually follows my twitter, instagram and/or likes the SOG Facebook page; and my ethereal new Limedrop headpiece needs as much love as possible. They have many gorgeous and colourful styles to choose from; naturally I had to have black.

A thousand lips a thousand tongues
A thousand throats a thousand lungs
A thousand ways to make it true
I want to do terrible things to you

A selection of recent posts over on my tumblr…

What started out as a fleeting thought has transpired in my return to full time study. For the next two years I’ll be completing an Advanced Diploma in Engineering Technology specialising in Jewellery – that’s right I’m going to be a qualified metal engineer.

I’m bristling with excitement at the the thought of being surrounded by people actively involved in the local fine jewellery scene on a daily basis, and am galvanised by the myriad of ways this move may transform (or solidify) my aesthetic direction.

Although I battled internally for a couple of weeks about whether returning to study was the right move for me, the process of enquiring, interviewing, and enrolling in the course all took place over just 7 days; and I have orientation on Monday. Naturally this seemingly sudden, compressed agenda has my head reeling a little.

Now that the whirlwind of administration has settled I’ve begun thinking (panicking) about my back-to-school style. In the studio I wear whatever sloppy get-up is appropriate for the weather, most of which isn’t suitable for leaving the house in. I have to be as practically dressed as possible but I’d still like to represent my aesthetic identity convincingly.

An old acquaintance who has done the same course recommended I may like to get myself a little wheely luggage bag as I will find myself dragging heavy tools to and from campus. The rest of the items pictured above are some work-bench practical ensemble ideas straight from my wardrobe. Thanks to my culling efforts I’ve now got a pared-back wardrobe that may not allow for a full-time study schedule so it will be interesting to see how my rather small collection of clothes will cope being worn, remixed and repeated.

Once I got started culling items from my wardrobe I found it quite easy to be ruthless. But what about when it comes to letting go of items I love but need to replace?

I picked up my black a-line maxi skirt (pictured above) from Supre a few years ago on impulse after seeing it displayed on a mannequin in the window. It cost $35 and when you consider the golden cost-per-wear ratio many fashion consumers use to justify their purchases I’m pretty sure the skirt might as well have been free. I’ve worn it to death, quite literally – the material is pilling uncontrollably and because I like my maxi skirts floor-grazing, the hem is completely shredded. I know it’s time I replace it; it doesn’t owe me a damn thing.

It’s taken me months but I’ve finally found a suitable replacement. It’s under $100, has virtually the exact same cut, and can be delivered to me in under a week. It sold out and I was gutted, but now it’s been restocked. So why am I still hesitating to add to cart?

Somewhere in my subconscious I keep telling myself the Supre skirt has a little life left. The subtle decay of the garment is a testament to the sabi aesthetic I identify with. But they are excuses. “It’s sabi, not sloppy,” one article on the wabi sabi lifestyle urges.

Is it this kind of nonsensical nostalgic attachment for something with no real value that’s stopping me from completely embracing the minimalist lifestyle I seek? Upon reflection, it has been easy to cull so many things simply because I didn’t love them. But sometimes we need to let the things we love go, too. So why can’t I accept the transience of this object and commit to replacing it?

Have you found yourself inexplicably attached to something it was time to let go of?

Although I’m not particularly a big fan of provoking my readers to “stalk me”, the concept of Currently Obsessed is definitely something I can get behind. The project allows readers to follow their favourite bloggers as they browser-window shop, curating a list of all the things they’re currently obsessed with online.

I know there are a great deal more items I covet online than I find time to blog about, so if you and I share a similar aesthetic, you can join Currently Obsessed and “stalk me” around the internet as I sigh over all the lovely items I find.

With the intermittent storms here in Melbourne I’ve been thinking ahead to Autumn Winter 2012. Despite my obvious aesthetic leanings I actually have complete disdain for winter fashion, predominantly because I’ve always struggled finding jackets and coats I love. Trying to keep in line with my less is more ethos, I’ve narrowed down my winter jacket requirements to three key items I believe will see me through the season.

The first is and always will be the quintessential Rick Owens biker jacket (pictured above). I’ve tried my hand at inspired designs and know in my heart of hearts I won’t be happy until I have the real thing.

Helmut Lang Cropped Leather Jacket

I found a cropped leather jacket in the sales last year at Forever New of all stores; but the sleeves are only 3/4 length and won’t be appropriate for when the true winter hits. So a full-length sleeved cropped jacket (not necessarily in leather) is a must for me this winter. It is the best fitting and most versatile shape to have for the rest of my wardrobe since I have a tendency to cinch the waists on most of my ensembles. Unfortunately most “cropped” styles aren’t cropped enough for my short torso, so this is a difficult item to find.

Gestuz Leather Belted Coat

Lastly I’m after the perfect black classic wool coat with leather sleeves. It is a style that’s been produced by several brands, high-end and low; but none seem to be tailored enough at the back which is a uncompromisable requirement for my body shape. The one pictured is on sale for a steal but is sadly the wrong cut.

While all the winter sales are on overseas it seems like the perfect time to buy, if only I could find my perfect jackets. The hunt continues…

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In my real wardrobe these items are:
American Apparel Fisherman Knit Sweater – ASOS Chrome Cuffs – Rick Owens Wedge Boots – Alexander Wang Satchel – Supre Skirt

Lately all my outfits are revolving around my American Apparel Fisherman Knit Sweaters. They’re classic and comfortable, and I can style them a million different ways. I never feel particularly dressy in them, though. I can’t work out if it’s because they’re too casual or because I wear them so frequently that I’ve lost perspective on where they sit on the style spectrum.

I couldn’t find flat-lay images of the American Apparel sweaters online so I’ve substituted them for these similar knits by Steven Alan. The Wang T-shirt, Repetto Flats, Margiela Cuffs and Topshop Skirt are also flay-lay digital stand-ins for actual wardrobe items I own which I’ve annotated above.

What’s your key wardrobe item of late? Do you feel that after you’ve worn it a lot it’s less special?

Screenshots from my second, slightly more chaotic and colourful Tumblr; Facets of Anarchy.

Occasionally I get e-mails and comments from readers with questions, and often the questions are of a similar nature. I’ve decided it’s time to add a FAQs page so you might easily find the answer you seek; but if it remains unaddressed don’t hesitate to get in touch, I’d still love to hear from you.

One question I recently received elicited a rather complex response from me and I decided it may benefit others to share it. I’ve never considered myself any kind of authority on fashion or style, but the idea that my own experience might resonate with someone on a similar journey is pretty special to me.

What advice do you have for someone trying to refine their style?

Bringing together my style in a cohesive manner has taken a long time, but mostly because I struggled for a long time trying to find an affinity with a particular style. I began emulating styles that looked good to me and tried to work out how they made me feel. I think great style should have an emotional correlation with your personality in order to come off successfully and get that “effortless” look about them that’s so coveted.

If you know what style you’re trying to embody then half your work is already done! It takes courage to purge your closet but it’s a necessary step in creating a new order in your wardrobe. Better to have too few clothes that speak of your style than an abundance of chaos which just lead to confusion and panic attacks in the morning.

I fell towards lots of black because it goes with everything. If you wear lots of colours you have to have confidence in matching or clashing them, and it usually means needing a lot more clothes! I find colours restrictive in that sense. This colourful floral shirt may only go with three other things, but plain black goes with every other plain black thing you own. For someone like me who’s seriously fastidious about colour matching, going all black took an enormous pressure off getting dressed every day. Additionally, I also feel that black imparts an element of darkness in my own style that’s also present in other facets of my life including design influences and musical tastes.

It comes back to that correlation of personality and style which is imperative for personal style to have integrity, authenticity and sincerity. I also hear a lot “dress for the person you want to be” and I think that’s important too. Style is not just about where you are now but where you’re going in the future. It’s why I’ve started to shop quality over quantity; for true love of an item over the lust of a quick retail fix.

A selection of recent posts from my Tumblr…