Adventures in Trackpants and Sensible Clothing

Shopping bans are the flavour of the season. For some reason, the clever folk out there thought it would be amusing to torture us with new season goodies while at the same time telling us that restraint is the word du jour. I wondered if I could do it for a week, but quickly gave up on the idea, mainly because my partner just looked a bit wistful when I told him, like I'd mentioned a golden age sans-shoe cupboard I had once let him glimpse into but that would never come to fruition. The idea is, you buy nothing except food and pay bills, and find a newfound calm and possible inner glow in the reversal of your spending habits.

Bollocks to that. Sorry, not going to set myself up for abject failure. The rush from shopping might be shortlived but the glow you get from wearing your gorgeous new boots takes at least half a season to fade. Anyway, the point is, I sort of did succeed this week, without even trying. Sort of. See, we had nice family shopping trip on Saturday morning, in order to purchase (wait for it) sensible *shudder* clothes to take on our upcoming trip to New Zealand. Now, if you're not a sporty lesbian-ish type with a penchant for unflattering pants, the choice in travel wear is fairly limited. (Note: nothing wrong with lesbians, I just mean the minimally feminine). So, while I did not purchase anything sparkly all week (success!) I did end up purchasing quite alot. But it's rare that the Mr of the house is willing to go clothes shopping and even rarer that he spends more time in the changeroom/browsing the racks than I do, so I had to seize the opportunity and just make occcassional detours to Sportsgirl to refresh and hope that they had lots of nice warm and chic knitted beanies so I could avoid a flat polar fleece headwear option (they do, and I did. Phew.). Sensible travelwear surely counts as a must-have, right?

A few merino tshirts for me, a very expensive jacket for Mr and a cute set of matching gloves and scarf for Charlotte later, I was too afraid to check the bank balance. Then it dawned on me that we had just bought techy New Zealand-made items that are all the rage and apparently worth the price tag...to take right back to NZ. I'll spew if they have some sort of Southern Alps merino factory tour where you can buy half price items. The fabrics are all very nice and stuff, it's just they insist on making mostly butt ugly colours in yukky cuts. For non-sporty types like me, it doesn't work. How hard could it be to create something mildy flattering/fashionable out of these magical materials? (I'm sure the magical capes in Lord of the Rings were just some sort of Gortex. Sooo going to ask Frodo when I see him over there. Yeah.). Basic tees, yeah you can get away with. But pants? Talk about big arse factor (and not becuase I just have a big arse, seriously it was the pants). Coupled with a baggy fit and some sensibly chunky walking shoes, I know in my heart of hearts I would be warm, snug and dry, but the vainer outer layer could not cope with the feeling of looking and feeling le frump. So I put it to you, Kathmandu: for one, stop making your shit in China; and another, make something nice out of them! Men can get away with the sporty/outdoorsy/cargo sorta look. Some women can; most can't. Can it really be that hard?

Wait, it gets better. I also braved the techno dancefloor that is Supre again (sans child, she cried when I pointed it out so her and Daddy went ahead to order babycinos and wait), wrangled my way through the overstuffed rails to the Sporte section (seriously it's called that) to buy trackpants *hands rush to mouth in shock*. Stretchy ones with an overlapped waistband, as I felt this was the better option over simply showing up to my new stretch class in leggings and a crop top (eew). Though, some girls showed up to work at Supre in this outfit, so possibly nobody would notice. Or care, obviously. What's the hotline for the Fashion Police?

WIN A Year's worth of Denim from GRAB!

We just started this promo today and it's going NUTS! The lovely lasses at GRAB are giving you lucky sods (I can't enter *sob*) the chance to win a new pair of jeans every month for a whole year. Yep, 12 pairs of brand spanking new skinnies, distressed, bootcut, wideleg, black, washed, blue...the latest looks for a grand price of $0! Well, strictly speaking it'll cost you whatever you pay for a pair of GRAB jeans from Frock You (they start at $99), and each time you buy a pair you get two entries into the draw. You're not even competing against other GRAB stockists, this is purely for Frockers only.

All the deets are on the GRAB page and also in the newsletter we whipped up this morning. You don't even need to fill in any forms or answer a dodgy "25 words or less" question. Just buy a pair, and we do the rest! Comp runs til 31st May...and if your fav pair have sold out, we will be restocking so don't fret. You can always Contact Us if you're desperate for something!

I truly adore the Rushcutter Double Black - Laura (currently battling glandular fever, which is why there are so many flat lay shots on the site at the mo! poor dear) wore them in a shoot and refused to take them off! They are sooo comfy, sit higher on the waist so there's no bum crack/muffin top and work back so easily with everything, winter or summer. I'm not usually a fan of black but this winter's soft goth lacey/military/structured jackets make them a perfect basis for just about any look.

We've also just recieved the Darwin Faded skinny, which make a great alternative if you've spent the last few seasons, like yours truly, living in dark washes. They look great for working more casual 'rock chic' looks with printed tees, oversize knits and for spring/summer with whites and neutrals.

And the classic bootcut Kilda jean is one of GRAB's ongoing bestsellers - universally flattering, and Kate Moss's current cut of choice (alright she's not been snapped in GRAB but some heeled boots and a loose knit over bootcuts is a look you can get away with from the playground to shopping strip), they make you look balanced, slimmer and chic. With spare change from a green note. Awesome.


While you're at it, pick up some of GRAB's fabulous basic tees (I LIVE in these! Well, ok, I live in a house, but I wear these tees an awful lot) and gorgeous knits...buy 2 or more GRAB items and we just might send you a free GRAB sling bag. The Quilted Fleece bomber is so snuggly and has a really cool, edgy designer look to it; or try the Chiffon Trim Bustier for evening for a totally chic and seriously sexy look (with the Ruschutters and some dangly earrings...woah mama!).

Just to recap: buy a pair of GRAB jeans, wear them and look hot, do absolutely nothing else and you may very soon find yourself with a new pair in the post, each and every month!

Ooh La La: Looks from Fashion Week

It would be so glamourous to be a globe-trotting fashionista who can stomp along the most stylish streets in the world, dressed to kill while desperately trying to look like you don't give a damn and at the same time incredibly conscious of what everyone is wearing. Sigh. However, the reality of a Fashion Week is far removed from that, so viewing it in the safety and comfort of your pjs is kinda more fun in it's own way. The week in Paris has finished and here are some lovely looks that emerged (not overly groundbreaking, but it's time to play it reasonably safe...):

Lanvin - lovin' a bit of nude at the mo (the colour, as public nudity gets one arrested), and this little strapless number just makes me think of how much better Nicole Kidman's oscars dress could've been. No need for full on feathers, just a bit of grungy raw edges on a feminine shape.

Just look at the dress, not the model (eek! shield the children!). Gloves look awesome, though I'm not sure how many of us can ger away with them on a daily basis. A bit of shulder detail, a modern update on classic LBD shape. Thumbs up. Don't you love my technical interpretations?!

Isabel Marant did lots of fur coats, which do look glam but, you know, it's a DEAD animal. As are leather jackets and shoes I guess, but they're not fluffy. Anyway, this look involves no fur, is chic, modern, effortless and involves a blazer, possibly my all time favourite jacket now that school is at a safe distance of 8 years ago:

Jean Paul Gaultier does dramatic oh so well. Peekaboo cutouts, unashamedly I-Am-Rich black dresses and a splash of colour makes a successful show, indeed:

John Galliano brought colour and "orientalist decadence" to the runway for Christian Dior *love*:

Designers might have taken the safe route, but at the same time nothing there makes you think "hot for 15 mins"...investment dressing will be very easy next season methinks!

Pics from fashionweekdaily.com.

Good Job, Vogue, but where are my boots?

I finished it. And the High Street supplemeent wasn't overly original, but tehre were a few key pieces I am happily lusting after, AND can afford! So: Mission Accomplished, Vogue. (Well, ok they didn't do it for me personally, but if your Regular Kat can relate, then so can other Regular Joes out there). Now, if only I could find those heeled laceup boots...they don't seem to be anywhere! *hides in corner crying*

Also keeping an eye on Paris Fashion Week fall '09...ooh la la! Watch this space...

High-End or High-Street? Or Who-Cares?

I have paused in my deliciously slow perusal of the new Frankie magazine becuase I could not go past the irresistible orange (and stripey) front cover of this month's Vogue. Oh, and the words 'Vogue Shops the High Street'. I'm yet to read it fully (relaxing of an evening with a cuppa and a magazine is my little treat) but I'm hoping it's slightly more credible then their 'Christmas gifts under $100' feature in the December issue. It was very pretty and all, but I probably wouldn't buy people $90 candles or soap or card holders. There are better ways to spend a green note.

It's mildly scary when even high-end mags need to take this stance. The new issue of Shoptilyoudrop (out Monday with lots of lovely Frock You pieces in it) has a "Buy Budget Look Luxe" coverline, which is a-ok becuase Shop unashameadly encourages mixing high-end with high-street. But Vogue? American Vogue have done it too, a sobering reflection of economic times...and yet glossy mags still carry bags worth (or at least, priced at) more than a couple month's rent. It almost feels like (alright, subconsciouly we all know it but won't admit) they're 'tapping into the trend' of budget shopping simply to make us mere mortals feel a connection to their glossy pages. "Yeah, see my wicked poly blend top from Dotti? Was in Vogue. I know, I'm THAT cool". It works, I fell for it. Sigh. Clever clogs. Speaking of clogs, the cover also poses the tricky question, "Are Shoes the new It Bags?" It's good to see some things never change...



If you just went "pft" at that little question about shoes, then here's a site you'll love: Worldwide Womenswear Digest . It's funny. Trust me. Download the magazine and laugh, scoff and ultimately feel better about yourself 'cos you are above caring if your shoes are sooo right now or not. Even if you do, a little bit. Titters galore!

Much Ado About Garbage Bags

These are strange economic times we live in. We are meant to be watching our dollars, buying investments rather than throw-aways, going all organic and green, simplifying and downsizing; and yet, there occassionally comes a moment that is really quite small, yet somehow so significant. Ok, that's a slight exaggeration, much like when fashion magazines claim baggy-crotch pants are hot, but sometimes little things stick with you as an indication of the times. Not surprisingly, my little epiphany came under the fluro lights of Coles (FYI, NEVER go there on a Thursday arvo when pensioners and bogans get 'paid'. It is a nightmare congestion of slacks, ugg boots, random children and painfully slow checkout lines).

Wandering down the cleaning aisle, I paused to ponder the best value garbage bags, as one must do in times like these, when I noticed a brand selling silver bags, so they can match your stainless steel kitchen. WTF?! The label had a picture of a lady looking as though all her dreams had come at once, and a quote 'I love my new designer kitchen, and now my garbage bags can perfectly match my stainless steel decor". WHO gives an arse about the colour of garbage bags??? I'm all for accessorising but if the biggest worry you have in your life is complementary waste disposal, then I wash my hands of you (but only if the soap colour matches the bathroom tiles).

Much like Posh Spice's $175k bag, it seems slightly vulgar. And a tad pathetic, much like our neighbour down the road who never fails to run out and get her garbage bins in the minute the trucks have rolled past. It's possibly sad that I know that she does, but they usually come by when I'm leaving the house. Actually I bet she adores colour-matched bin bags. I quite delight in leaving our bins out all day (oh the horror!) figuring it's a) a man's job to get them in, and put them out, hooray for sexism; and b) not a job worth mucking up my manicure for. Not that I have one, but just in case I did. The servants can do it, dahling!

Similarly, in this month's Madison there's a lovely lifestyle spread on a gorgeous family home in Sydney, but after earlier features on crime and disaster, it seems a bit odd to note on one picture "Mrs. X reclines on her leather pouf, her dress complementing the antique vase on the sideboard" (not quite those words, but it was "dress matches furniture"). I know I dare not enter my living room unless my shoes match the carpet, and heaven forbid entering the kitchen in anything but perfectly toned silver! Though I could always use those garbage bags and make a stainless steel-esque frock in case of such an unmitigated fashion disaster.....

The Froscars

I only watched one segment of last night's Oscars ceremony, (erm, I forgot it was on) but for the 5 mins I watched, all I could think was "SJP's boobs arrived without her". I mean, no wonder Daniel Craig kept stuffing up his autocue.

But, despite Slumdog Millionaire's grand sweep and the usual indignation that the people who actually make movies (ie the writers, producers, art directors, costumer designers) get played off the stage halfway through their speeches ; the Oscars is really about the Frocks. The Froscars, if you like.

If you Google "oscars dresses 2009" one of the first links is about how Miley Cyrus looked like a princess. She didn't. She looks like Ariel with mouldy scales.

Kate Winslet, on the other hand, looks stunning in this gooorgeous silvery grey number. I'm a bit of a fan of some one-shouldered action. On frocks, that is, not some weird x-rated fetish.

The cut of Anne Hathaway's Armani dress is lurvely, but the copious crystals means that spotlight beside her look like it was planted there to be her accessory. Still, I wouldn't say no if someone offered it to me to wear.

It's a cult!!! Teen stars going all mermaid-y on us!!! Now I love a bit of tulle, but I was in a wedding (as a flowergirl) in 1991 and the bridesmaid's dresses looked like this. Retro cool only goes so far. The fact that V-Hudge or whatever stupid name she's been lumped with was barely a foetus in 1991 isn't an excuse. There are PHOTOS from back then and they DON'T LIE, girl.


Strapless, sparkly Valentino is always going to be a winner, and if Jennifer Aniston hadn't let a rogue braid from primary school stealthily attach itself to her hair before she left the house, this would be a stellar outfit.

Oh no, my two-year old attacked Heidi Klum's frock with her safety scissors! And I thought baldness was the only excuse for a massive combover part. That woman in the background clutching a sensible cardi did a better job, love.

I can't believe this woman's name is Meryl. She is fabulous.


"I don't do memo's, dahling" - Sofia Loren missed the note about ageing gracefully. You can tell the man next to her is thinking, "eeew, old lady cooties". Or maybe the mustard colour smells the way it looks. Pity.


Reese at least looks as confused as her dress does.

Possibly modelled on a meringue, but hell, if you can't go all out when you're nominated (and successful) on Oscars night, when can you? And you know, you could wear it again to get married in. Investment dressing, indeed. Top marks for the chic acessories, too.


Nicole turned one of Sunday Rose's art'n'craft creations into a frock. Ok ok, I know she's too young to be gluing just yet, but sheesh. Clag and endandgered bird feathers do not a nice frock maketh. At least she looks suitably pissed off about it.

See, I love Tilda Swinton. She looks like she doesn't give two hoots about a) being there, b) being there and looking like everyone else or c) bras. She migh raise eyebrows with her outfits but can you imagine her in say, this:

actually, yes. But it'd look cool.

And finally, it's always great to see Aussies making it big in Hollywood. But when it comes to fish-tail frocks, Melissa George, bigger is not always best. In fact, never. It would be increditbly difficult to go to the loo in, but on the upside if you got toilet paper stuck to your hem no one would ever know. Smart girl.

Pics from: JustJared, Yahoo Movies

Twitter rhymes with Fritter

The Web is a mind boggling place. You (or maybe it's just me) can spend hours going from one link to the next, discovering a plethora of new sites and directories and shops and god knows what else. I'd heard of Twitter before but not really bothered with it, dissing it as something I'd stick to for a few days and then forget about. Which, tbh, is probably still true. It's yet another (albeit very cute) site where you can update your status for all your 'followers' to see - the cynic in me smirks: what a world we live in, constantly needing to be reassured that people care about what we had for brekky, that we are worthy of being 'followed' in our never ending quest for social acceptance and reverance. Pft. - from a business point of view however, it is a nifty tool. You can follow the Frock's updates, mainly about new stock becuase I don't think you want to hear about "Sharyn is spending half an hour comparing flights to the Whitsundays" or "Laura is STILL trying on the new Motel stock" etc etc; here: http://www.twitter.com/frockyou . If you must have the latest before anyone else, then this is the way to do it! (See nifty update box thingy there----->)

I'm following, among others, Richard Branson, and The Cut, and am sorely tempted to add Britney Spears. It's sorta like Facebook except you can be 'friends' with, or at least by gossip mag standards a 'source', for celebs! And, naturally, you can link your Twitter updates with your Facebook updates (I did this with the Frock You facebook page, though I haven't checke dif I did it right). That way, EVERYBODY, EVERYWHERE can know about your itchy foot or the fact you are on the loo! Hurrah!

Currently there's alot of updates from NY Fashion Week, which is great and actually mostly interesting, but if there's particular blogs or sites or stores you are a fan of (not FB fans, genuine fans) it's a great way to keep updated and quench our zealous Gen-Y flavoured thirst for new information. I'm not sure it has caught on enough yet to make random people you went to primary school with suddenly interested in your doings (thankfully, let's keep that as a thinly tolerated Facebook quirk), but it's definitely made me fritter away many minutes following link after link...and giving me that smug cyber-reassurance one can only get when Shopbop is your first follower. Kudos.

Autumn/Winter '09 Catlaogue online now!

Finally, after a mountain of requests, thousands of emails and phone calls, one very busy weekend, too much time fiddling with photoshop, and yours truly nearly strangling several staff members (justified due to catalogue-related incidents, fyi, not random psychopathic attacks), the catalogue is finally online!

You can download it from our News page (which is always empty because I always forget to update it. Needless to say the next job going at the Frock will be for an "online marketing manager" which means you get to play on Facebook and Twitter all day). But I digress. Everything in the catalogue is click-to-buy, and in a weird twist because of the delay, alot of the items have now arrived instore which means you don't need to wait! You can go on the waiting list (just email us) for other must-haves throughout the catalogue which aren't instore yet.

There will also be limited print runs, but quite frankly I'm so pleased that it's finally available for public viewing that it will be a few days before I can be bothered fussing with it!

Enjoy our first Frockalogue, we hope you love it and hope it gives you some winter wardrobe inspiration!

Autumn/Winter: prepare to fall in luuurve!

Not with the weather obviously, nor was that some sort of psychic prediction about your personal life. Simply, A/W '09 is so romantic and lovely and gosh darn pretty that you'll want the gorgeous summer weather to bugger right off so you can wear it! A new box of Motel arrived today (the Lily dress is already online and selling even though we haven't got all the photos yet; it was used in a Drop Dead Gorgeous ad a few weeks ago and the hold list is running hot!) - I suggest you get in quick tomorrow night and Friday when it should be all up because last season the whole lot sold out in a week, without any form of advertising; it was like all these Motel-devotees suddenly sauntered out from the hills, snatched what they could and retreated quick smart from whence they came...you have been warned!

A new label sure to please grown-ups, Mimosa has also just arrived (look out for it online in a day or two) and it's very Audrey-esque, classic, gorgeous, sophisticated, and one of our pricier labels, but in this season where the R-word prevails, my tip is to invest, invest, invest. (And when I say pricey, everything we're getting is under $200 anyway which is comparatively cheap, especially for winter coats!). Accessories start at $39.95, coats will be about $180, dresses about $150 and basics about $50. You've probably seen it in magazines recently, and Frock You is one of the few stockists online (and they gave us free scarves to prove it!) so you are a very lucky bunch of ladies...

Our current fave pieces are from French Kitty - cardis with bows never fail to please! There's a stack more waiting to be photographed an uploaded so keep checking back. We've also got a nice big carton of purse-friendly Living Doll, whose ranges just keep getting better and better - maybe I shouldn't say this, but they often show their ranges from samples and between you and me, you are getting $400 dress styles picked up at Barneys, re-modelled and sold for $80. It's awesome.

And speaking of awesome, (ooh, segue) be sure to check out Style Collective, a new initiative by a lovely lass called Amanda. It's basically an online directory-cum-magazine-cum-sales alert-cum-latest and greatest, helpfully divided into Urban Style, Junior Style, Bridal and Urban Living. It's updated every day and is beautifully laid out. Add it to your favourites now!