We sent stylish snapper Kaede James Takamoto around town, from Elwood and Carlton to Soutbank and Glen Iris, to find Melbourne’s more fashion-forward citizens. Here are some of our favourite looks. Plus find out what trends people are loving (and hating), where they shop and some of their style icons.
Hannah Srinivasan, Chadstone Shopping Centre, Chadstone
Age: 20 Occupation: Retail store manager Tell us about your outfit today. I’m usually a full black type of gal but the weather is nice, the sun’s out and so I thought, orange it is! I really like bright colours and with everyone else wearing them, I think I’m also getting more comfortable. How does your style fit in with your lifestyle? I’m a comfy type of girl. I’m on my feet working for nine hours a day so my style is very functional, but I still want to look cute because I work in retail. What do you gravitate towards when you’re shopping? Recently, I’m loving ribbons and bows and red. I literally just bought a red pair of shoes. I also like girly dadcore. Picture dad runners with a girly skirt or little ribbons in your hair, I think that’s really cute.
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Malika Kirby, Bay Trail, Elwood
Age: 32 Occupation: Scent marketing Tell us about your outfit today. I’ve got pink Converse socks and Quartz Crocs with some Jibbitz charms, and just a simple beach throwover on top of bathers. My friend got me the pink cowboy hat and disco ball Jibbitz and the other one is a pink doughnut because it’s my favourite doughnut. How does your style fit in with your lifestyle? Comfort is the word. I’m not one to wear something that will restrict me in any sort of way. I’m definitely a girl who will pick a dress with pockets!
Nadia Eldridge, Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton
Age: 25 Occupation: Model Tell us about your outfit today. My denim skirt is made by my beautiful friend, Bonnie. Her Instagram is @bonnieewithtwoe.s, and she actually custom makes everything to your size. And I bought the top and Birkenstocks second-hand. What do you gravitate towards when you’re shopping? Beautiful brands that are made in Australia, or things made of silk or Japanese leather. I really like good craftsmanship, and love linen and colour. Brands like Vege Threads and Baserange. What’s a trend you love or hate at the moment? I could say I enjoy dresses over jeans, multiple frills, bows, shells, organic matter and recycling clothes. But my favourite trend is people taking the time to actually honour themselves in their clothing.
Emily Cashman, High Street, Glen Iris
Age: 23 Occupation: Registered nurse Tell us about your outfit today. I just came off night shift. So I chucked something on to go out in public – a crop and green corduroy three-quarter pants. I’m really into greens and browns recently because I’ve been feeling more earthy than usual. I love things that are comfortable but also cute, and fit my vibe with natural tones. Who’s your style icon and why? Peggy Gou, the DJ. I like how she mixes femme and masc shapes. I also like her tattoos – I won’t be happy till my arms are covered!
Lilian Choo, Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Age: 32 Occupation: Digital communication, business development and artist Tell us about your outfit today. I’m wearing a vintage men’s Yves Saint Laurent blazer, some Lorna Jane yoga gear, and Alexander McQueen sandals. The earrings are by a South Australian brand called Okay Kathigitis and the bag is Gorman. How does your style fit in with your lifestyle? It’s very practical. Today I wore this blazer for work and I had yoga after work, so I mixed and matched it together. What do you gravitate towards when you’re shopping? Colour definitely, and prints and texture. I work in womenswear right now so I’m really into shapes and good quality fabrics. I also love oversized proportions and layering.
Jianan Fu, Monash University, Caulfield
Age: 25 Occupation: Student Tell us about your outfit today. The brand is a designer that I’ve forgotten the name of, but the style is kind of like a Japanese samurai. I’ve seen a lot of people wearing this kind of outfit so I’m trying it out. See, the purpose was that I wanted to seek out if there are cosplay societies at Monash University, but I didn’t find any. How does your style fit in with your lifestyle? On a random day it’s just a shirt and shorts but today because it’s orientation week, I’m trying to be a little bit special. What do you gravitate towards when shopping? I kind of like traditional Chinese style and Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto.
Jacqueline Trinh, St Kilda Road, Southbank
Age: 27 Occupation: Artist Tell us about your outfit today. My shirt is from St Agni, pants are old Tara Jarmon that belonged to my mum, boots are from Jeffrey Campbell and my bag is from Innerraum Berlin. It’s handmade and uses recycled motorcycle gear. How does your style fit in with your lifestyle? I’m always on the move so I like my clothes to be practical and comfortable. I enjoy playing with the idea of softness and contrasting with more “masculine” objects and accessories. Who’s your style icon? Ann Demeulemeester is amazing – a combination of edgy rebellion and sophistication.
Nickie Greenough, Swan Street, Richmond
Age: 62 Occupation: Scientist Tell us about your outfit today. The skirt is woollen from Country Road and I think I bought it in the late ’80s. The top is from Byron Bay. My shoes are from a lovely Spanish Italian shoe shop in Canberra, and my bag – my son bought it back from Bristol when he was studying there. What do you gravitate towards when shopping? I don’t shop a lot. Instead I make things last a very long time, and the things that I have that I love, I wear. I love linen and natural fibres, and clothing that isn’t too fitting. I’d like to be cool and comfortable and rather have something flowing.
Honor Whitehead, Corner of Carlisle Street and Chapel Street, St Kilda
Age: 22 Occupation: Student Tell us about your outfit today. I thrifted this shirt in Thailand from a small market. My scarf is also thrifted. My shoes I’ve had for way too long and are from a brand called Buffalo. And the jewellery is Daniella Draper, a little bit of Tiffany and hand-me-downs from my mum and sister. How does your style fit in with your lifestyle? My style changes every day, depending on what I want and what mood I wake up in. I take a little bit from everywhere I’ve travelled, and old photos from the ’90s and bits of Y2K fashion.
This article first appeared in Domain Review, in partnership with Broadsheet.
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