Sponsored by Big W
It was one of those dresses I looked at suspiciously on the rack: horizontal stripes, stretchy material, sleeveless. I’ll just try it, I thought.
As soon as the dressed slipped over my head to the rest of my body, I immediately knew I loved it. I’m talking about this dress by Aussie designer Peter Morrissey for Big W.
Dressing for My Life
In a usual day, I can go from a business meeting, to house cleaning, to the shops, (sometimes I even sneak to the beach), to the school pick-up so I look for clothes that are easy to wear and adapt. Below is my priority list:
- Minimal ironing/easy care
- Classic cuts/style
- I enjoying wearing it
- Good quality/reasonable price
- Versatility
See, right at the top there is easy care because I know clothes will sit in my cupboard if they need special care. I like to wear everything I have — not worrying too much about keeping things special — because I figure clothes are there to wear and enjoy. This dress ticks all of the boxes.
Peter Morrissey Interview
To celebrate Spring and the new range of affordable and stylish clothes from Peter Morrissey for Big W, I’m interviewing the designer. I adore how Peter makes it less about the clothes and more about the people who wear them. He’s inspirational like that. Plus there’s another $200 giveaway on offer.
Kelly: Peter, love the new range! If I had to sum it up in a line, I would say this: the range displays an amazing combination of wearability and elegance. Where do you find inspiration for each new season?
My inspiration is always Fashioning the Life of men and women and offering them needs, wants and desires in the collection.
As I say, “If you wear the look you live the life”. I have stuck to a classic palette in this collection, so it’s easy to mix and match the pieces and create several looks for your wardrobe.
I have the floral sleevless top.
Kelly: Do you have a favourite piece?
I am not lying when I say every piece is a favourite for a different reason based on why I designed it for the occasion in a woman’s life – from dressing for dinner to dressing to pick your children up from school.
Kelly: Does easy-care factor into your designs? I ask because I look at many of the pieces and go: Peter knows I hate ironing!
Time is our greatest luxury and fashion should enhance our lives not torture it!! So yes I like to say I am VERY USER FRIENDLY!!
Wearing: Peter Morrissey Sunglasses. I love the sleeve line of the dress as it comes just a little over the shoulders which is both flattering and comfortable.
Kelly: As mum to four small persons, time for myself in the mornings is premium. Can you give me three tips on how to co-ordinate clothes so dressing for the day can be done quickly and confidently?
It’s how you feel that is most important because when you feel good in an outfit, you wear the outfit; it doesn’t wear you.
- Keep it simple: pants, top or shirt, jacket
- Pencil skirt, twinset or sweater
- A great dress that looks good with flats or heels
Kelly: How can fashion and personal style bring enchantment to the everyday?
Dress like you’re embracing life, not hiding from it.
If you wear the look, you live the life – so dress to express you, not worrying about dressing to impress.
Kelly: Can you recommend a go-to outfit for those “I don’t know what to wear” days?
Black pants, white shirt, good bag and sunglasses as it always looks sharp, chic, whispers elegance and has a proudness about its look.
Kelly: Five essential wardrobe items?
- A Little Black Dress
- Black Jacket
- White Shirt
- Jeans
- Great Pair of Sunglasses
Kelly: If there is one thing you want women to feel when they wear your clothes, what would it be?
That people tell them that they look beautiful before they ask them where there clothing is from or who designed it.
The new season Peter Morrissey collection is available now in store and online at Big W.
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It’s become my favourite go-to dress. I just may be wearing it too much!
1. All glammed up
2. More casual with Mox flats and a beige belt
3. On a still-cool day with my Bared boots & cream Emerson cardi
4. To the beach with a straw hat, Peter Morrissey sunglasses and aqua Emerson cardi
Celebrate Spring!
Just a little video celebrating the first of many beach visits this Spring.
Giveaway
To celebrate Spring, I’m giving away another $200 Big W voucher you can spend on anything in-store. To enter, use the rafflecopter form below. There are 2 chances to enter (you can do just one, or both): 1. I would love to hear about your top 2 priorities when you look for clothes (leave a comment below); Tweet the giveaway.
Giveaway now ended and winner has been notified.
266 Comments
Karen L
September 6, 2013 at 7:10 pmQuality and fit are definently my top two! 🙂
lynnette
September 6, 2013 at 7:11 pmNeeds to be affordable and able to adapt with other items easily so it can be easy to just throw something together quickly as my mind is on so much other stuff being a mother
Nicola
September 6, 2013 at 7:25 pmMy top 2 priorities when looking at clothes are affordability and how it looks on me.
Rachel T
September 6, 2013 at 7:28 pmComfort is my number 1. If I peel it off at the end of the day and it’s a relief? I never wear it again.
The 2nd thing I look for is how well it will fit into my existing wardrobe, there’s no point buying something that won’t go with anything else I own 🙂
Carolyn
September 6, 2013 at 7:49 pmNon-ironing and fitting my body shape
Chelsea @ Moments A Day
September 6, 2013 at 7:55 pmI always make sure any clothes I choose don’t have to be ironed and that they will not get ripped by tiny hands pulling on my clothes 😉
And can I just say that video totally made me teary. What gorgeous music and such a lovely memory. xx
Vyktoria
September 6, 2013 at 7:57 pmQuality and fit! I can’t believe people don’t try clothes on before they buy them!!!
Jessie Hay
September 6, 2013 at 8:05 pmFirstly, I’m a mum of 12 so really very busy and don’t have a lot of time but of course I still want to look good 😉
No.1- my clothes have to be easy to care for- my wardrobe is an iron-free zone lol.
No.2- it has to look good on! I am well aware that what looks good on the hanger doesn’t always look good when I put it on, and if I know that it looks good I feel good 🙂
Jen Rees
September 6, 2013 at 8:10 pmI would love some new additions to my wardrobe!
Jen Rees
September 6, 2013 at 8:11 pmAnd my top two priorities are easy to wash and still keep looking good, no time for hand washing here and it needs to be super comfy!
Rachel
September 6, 2013 at 8:18 pmGreat interview and giveaway! I look for 1) Clothing that makes me feel good (both mentally and physically) when I wear it and 2) Items that are affordable but quality.
Cheryl
September 6, 2013 at 8:44 pmDefinitely fit but also that love factor – when you put something on and go “I love it” I know I will wear it lots if I love it.
Megan
September 6, 2013 at 9:13 pmFit and price are the first two things I look for. But if I really love it the price factor kind of goes out the window 🙂
Anna
September 6, 2013 at 9:46 pmComfortable but looks stylish. I need clothes I can wear whilst playing with my kids, you need to be able to bend over or crawl around without baring too much!
Krishna Ward
September 6, 2013 at 10:30 pmNo ironing, and something that makes me feel great. I bought one of the dresses last weekend – just gorgeous!
Melissa Jones
September 6, 2013 at 11:45 pmQuality and whether they’re comfortable or not. As a busy mum, I have to do loads of housework. The clothes with poor quality won’t last long which means wasting money. And if I don’t feel comfortable while wearing the clothes, I can’t finish my housework efficiently.
Julie Barnard
September 7, 2013 at 12:54 amI look for affordability & style.
Claire B
September 7, 2013 at 1:40 am1. Versatility – can I wear this item with other clothes to create more than 2 outfits?
2. Price – does this item deserve spending my hard earned cash on/deserve paying the ticket price for quality/purpose & style.
I would love to make other things my priority like brand name, most modern style etc but my practical financial position of having to be frugal is first and foremost at this point in my life.
Amy
September 7, 2013 at 5:34 pmQuality and trend are very important to me!
Sara
September 8, 2013 at 8:21 amMy #1 priority when buying clothes is the fabric. As someone with uber sensitive skin I can’t handle anything remotely scratchy or non-breathable. I’m always willing to pay more for good quality cottons or soft merino. #2 is my personal style and colours. Trends come and go but I’m always comfortable dressed for me and no one else!
Cristi M
September 8, 2013 at 1:27 pmI am really obsessed with making sure the fit is right and I also focus on comfort 🙂
Jen
September 8, 2013 at 7:23 pmPrice and a fabulous, flattering fit are important to me!
Sonia El-Sheikh
September 9, 2013 at 8:08 amI look for comfort and style 🙂
Shannon
September 9, 2013 at 1:03 pmDurability and comfort – it’s my season of life!
Carolyn Bishop
September 9, 2013 at 5:27 pmThe first thing I look for when buying clothes is that it must flatter my shape. Then I look for quality.
Stacey Shailer
September 9, 2013 at 9:16 pmVersatility – can it be worn with several different items from my existing wardrobe, to get more ‘looks/outfits’ – and therefore more bang for my buck?
Comfort – does it fit well, sit right and not cut off the blood supply to any body parts? If it does, ditch it.
Clare Gilmour
September 9, 2013 at 10:00 pmAffordability….. If I buy it will I feel guilty? Heaven knows I normally only buy things for the kids & hubby!
Fit….. Does it hide a multitude of sins? You know, the curves that I am blessed with need to be hidden because, well, they are curvy & I have hips, a butt & boobs – heaven forbid should I look too, how can I put it…. womanly! 😉
Sarah T
September 9, 2013 at 11:02 pmI would have to say ‘the look’ and now since being a mum comfort as well. I think its hard to find that combination of looking good but also being comfortable. Now as a Mum, being comfortable is really important, especially when you need to run around after a little one, sit on the floor and clean, cook and shop for groceries. I still want to look fashionable but do it in comfort.
Sarah
September 10, 2013 at 7:43 amSize and quality
I am very tiny so I find it hard to find clothes that fit.
I want something that is great quilts but isn’t going to cost an arm and leg. I’m sick of buy tops or pants and whiting a couple of weeks a button comes off or the hem falls down
Trish
September 10, 2013 at 9:22 amThe degree of cleavage (or not as it stands now) and dressing comfortably and affordably.
I love that dress on you Kelly.
Holly
September 10, 2013 at 11:20 amPriority 1 is easy to launder! I do not have time to stand and iron everything, so wash, dry and wear!
Priority 2 is comfortable nicely fitting pretty clothes!
Jules
September 10, 2013 at 11:45 amDefinitely fit and quality. Have found out from experience of buying clothes in Australia that a cheaper price may mean they get holes in after a few washes.
Lisa
September 11, 2013 at 12:23 pmCost and how it looks/feels
Nataly Carbonell
September 12, 2013 at 5:08 amQuality and make sure it is something I’d actually wear 🙂
kaz obrien
September 12, 2013 at 9:09 amquality and style
Corrine
September 12, 2013 at 11:39 amI look for comfort and cost as a SAHM it’s very important.
Bianca Moore
September 12, 2013 at 11:39 amAffordable and fits my body shape properly.
kylie sweeney
September 12, 2013 at 11:40 amI look for comfortable but not daggy clothing, that i can run around and do all my mummy jobs in comfortably but not look like sadie the cleaning lady at school pick up time.
Jaimi Layt
September 12, 2013 at 11:41 amVersatility and how confident i feel wearing it 🙂 I think its important as a mum to have pieces in your wardrobe that are VERSATILE, like a nice blazer that you can use in different work outfits or for a night out or a dress that you can dress up or down for a family outing or photo day 🙂 I also look for pieces that make me feel CONFIDENT! If you feel good in it, you’ll look good in it.
Kylie Ortolan
September 12, 2013 at 11:42 amComfort and practicality
Lyndall F
September 12, 2013 at 11:44 amQuality and fit on the item on me 🙂
Stephanie C
September 12, 2013 at 11:44 amPrice and will it sit right for my body shape.
Janine Evans
September 12, 2013 at 11:46 amMight have to take a new look around Big W! The pieces look great.
Janine Evans
September 12, 2013 at 11:48 amI love the idea of minimal ironing. Mix and Match is another thing I look out for.
Vanessa
September 12, 2013 at 11:47 am1st thing it must be simple!- simple to wear, wash and keep in the closet! (no ironing)
2nd thing it must be comfy to wear (having 3 young boys to run around after it must be comfy)
Katrina
September 12, 2013 at 11:49 amLove Peter Morrissey’s Big W range! By far the best quality, range and affordable styles of all the department stores 🙂
Charliene
September 12, 2013 at 11:51 amI look for things that are comfortable and affordable. No point buying if you aren’t comfy, and the more affordable it is, the higher the chance of buying more!
Ellen
September 12, 2013 at 11:51 amI look for comfort and versatility
Linsey Bird
September 12, 2013 at 11:53 amI need clothes that withstand the adventures my 5 yr old son takes me on, while still being feminine.
Cass
September 12, 2013 at 11:56 amStyle and Comfort! Looking and feeling good on the outside gives an extra pep on days when inside is not feeling so hot!
Tracey
September 12, 2013 at 11:57 amColour is usually what first attracts me, comfort is also essential. A great mix of the 2 is usually a winner 🙂