Fashionable Eye for the blind guy... & gal

Oh, those long, lovely, languorous and lazy days of summer! The blue skies, blistering beach heat, buzzing cicadas, bare legs and bronzed shoulders. Those glorious daylight savings hours spent swimming at the beach, dancing to live music at outdoor festivals, chilling out with your closest friends... its absolute bliss. Summer really is my favourite time of year and if you agree that the living is easy, then its safe to assume that fashion should be as well.

There's an unmistakable insouciance that goes hand in hand with summer style, a kind of artful carelessness that has long been the epitome of Australian style. Denim shorts, breezy dresses, Bonds singlets, short skirts, bikinis, boardies, Havaianas thongs and sandals. Colour co-ordinating rules fly out the window, because really, when the sun is shining, who wants to waste time indoors in front of a mirror?

Best of all, the summer essentials don't differ much from summer to summer, and to update your wardrobe this season, you only need to add a few key trends and pieces before you're ready to roll.

Yeong wears a white button up shirt and short denim shorts. Her friend Steph wears a yellow summer dress.

We are, I might add, living in "a time of serious economic downturn" (It's the painful new catchphrase!) where complete wardrobe overhauls are becoming just plain foolish.

This year, fashion does its usually revolution and takes a step back to the past, and here I give you my rundown of the latest and greatest trends. Even if you got slightly credit card happy over Christmas (like yours truly), you should still be able to afford these few key pieces.

The straw trilby, fedora or Panama hat - Yes, these are EVERYWHERE but they suit a surprisingly large number of people. They are not costly (I picked mine up for twenty bucks) and instantly give any outfit an edge. You'll feel like a lovable rogue in one. If you want go another step further try a black bowler hat. It's a little bit Charlie Chaplin, but very cute.

Gladiator sandals - I was sceptical that these would last another season, but during a trip to France and London in June this year I noticed they were still huge. They come in an array or colours - black, tan, chocolate, metallic silver and gold - the choice is yours. They do cut off your legs, so be careful with the ones that sit high up on your legs. These are best worn with shorter skirts and shorts. And for those that can't resist a good heel, gladiator heels toughen up a pretty dress or look oh so sexy when paired with leggings and an oversized t-shirt.

Wayfarers - You can do the Ray-Bans or try a cheaper imitation, but these look set to stay for this summer. While many think of Tom Cruise in Risky Business, I'd like to remind you that it was actually the ever chic and classically cool Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffanys that wore these first. They're fun and cheerful, and are available in a range of colours and patterns. You can even buy larger styles if, like me, you have a ridiculously wide face and don't fit into smaller sunglasses.

Denim shorts - Ah, the trusty denim shorts, surely a summer staple? Wear them as short as you dare. If you like the 1950s nipped in waist look try a high waisted pair. Lee and Wrangler do various styles and washes. If you're on a budget cut off an old pair of jeans and do the frayed look. The best thing about this option is that the jeans will already be shaped to your body. You could possibly even get violent with a pair of scissors and cut some holes in them for extra cool credibility...

And lastly, I know that I'm being incredibly un-PC here, but the best accessory of all this summer is your tan. Natural is always nicer, but even some holiday skin or fake tan can't go astray!

Yeong Sassall.

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Model wears Maxi dress from Melbourne boutique 'Two Percent'. Teamed with accessories from Mimco.

Maxi dresses are the new apres beach wear. Add accessories that look clear jeweled as they catch the light and reflect the colours of the dress! A 'man watch' matched with one off bands, thin bangles and colour is also an alternative. It's the off-the-job, on-the-look-out statement piece that can go from day to evening wearabouts!

From The Yarra To The Bay

Sydney's very own seasoned shopper Mia Roditis heads down south to experience what Melbourne's Boxing Day sales had to offer. And writes from her hospital bed recounting what transpired on her shopping trip, while recovering from retail burnout.

Within a certain maze, are a few hidden treasures, ones that when found are adored, others that are indulged like a guilty pleasure and others that aren't so exciting.

Having recently journeyed from Sydney to Melbourne, I can now say I have shopped and found some secret jewels. Hitting the boxing day sales in Myer was a handful, it got to the point where I wasn't even looking at the clothes, I was just trying to get through the fierce crowds! The Myer store had great bargains especially the huge discounts on Australian designs which were amazing. Chapel Street was a great adventure for those one off finds. There's a section at the end of this shopping heaven, they're small boutiques. They look like closets, once you step inside you'll get lost and swept away by the rare cheap thrills. They are the places that hit tinsel town and go large!

I found a maxi dress on sale for $55. In Sydney, maxi dresses have made a comeback for the second year in a row. This time around designers have played with different patterns, fabrics and colours. However Maxi's are actually rare in Melbourne. It's more of the Sydney Bondi Boho chic look. Cronulla actually has great cheap thrills as well, the Amy Taylor store, hidden in an arcade behind a hair dresser, is a jewel to find. A hidden treasure! Genie pants were also rare in Melbourne surprisingly. I swear on Chloe, that a girl actually chased my sister across the street to ask where she got her pair from! I think Sydney siders are definitely trend setters.

Model (Middle) wears Maxi dress from 'Tree of Life', Model (left) wears Mink Pink Maxi-dress bangle by Samvara.

A kaleidescope of colourful prints looks fabulous with a simple cut maxi dress. Because the print is so busy the triangle bikini shape sets the emphasis on the chest area and mermaid tresses.

The tribal look prints can be carried off, it you go for the right colour scheme. From out shopping, to lunch date, to weekend BBQ and Evening drinks! Stick to a yellow or red, if you're not feeling brave then a white or cream, beige and brown contrast will still look just as good.. I prefer the beige and pastel colours the dress becomes more versatile. From Ancient Rome to Bondi Beach, team any maxi with gladiator flats, leather sandals of any hue imaginable!

In the streets of Melbourne, I fell in love with the shop called Sadie. It's a small boutique, one with luxurious furniture, beautiful change rooms and Manolo Blahniks for you to try on with your soon to be purchase! At first I curiously glimpsed the price tag of a singlet. New arrival? Definitely wrong section. I hit the sale section, picked up a gorgeous satin shift with low pockets in a deep indigo colour - $49? Get out. I picked up a fair few fashion finds in that store let me tell you! I managed to find a cream silk chiffon dress with front layers, light pastel painted on hues in notes of lavender and teal. What could be done? Soft playful looks can be teamed with tough patent leather accessories to give them a boho chic meets city evening whereabouts. As for the Indigo shift, so versatile, Rachel Zoe would fight me for it, matched with peep toed shoes or tan open flats, simple and stylish. Melbourne shopping is great, but I'll admit I'm still a Sydney gal.

For back home, here is my tip, avoid shopping centres like Central and QC. That's when you'll look like the girl that owns every edition of Shop till you drop, but doesn't read between the lines. Opt for the tiny boutiques, the shop assistant may look like one of the door girls from Sydney's club 'The Ivy' on George Street (Fashion forward with immaculate hair, sporting clear Ray bans at night time with her Ginger & Smart playsuit) looking too catwalk-esque. But with confidence they make you look twice don't they?

And finally, for the men on the night club scene, the majority seem to look like B1 and B2. All wearing the skinny leg jeans with the same pinstripe shirt they picked up at the local Westfields. Guys can be so attractive when they have their own style. If you're not confident enough to make a style yours, then work a trend casually. Just do it right. Skinny leg jeans aren't for every guy. Sometimes you can look around and find a nice tailored pant, match it with a clean belt- chain store label or search through a vintage shop, like Shag in Oxford street Paddington, and pair with a T-shirt (sometimes T-shirts look better when they're a solid plain colour). White for summer will reflect off a well earned tan , and you won't get too hot wherever you go! Then you can heighten the look by teaming it with a soft coloured vest that opens at the front to show off the belt you chose, yourself. If not a vest? Opt for a Scanland & Theodore, Scarf, or a Jacket you can wear too and from. As opposed to a tailored pant, combine a suit like jacket with a casual tee, and if you're attached to jeans, keep them on! Do what works for you! As for shoes, love them as you'd love your car. Polish them, park them safely in their box, and use an odour eater! No excuses.

Mia Roditis.

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