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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
Blanche
September 12, 2013 at 11:57 amThank you Kelly & Peter! I am a self-confessed black-clothes-a-holic! I stick with black, black & black because I’m hopeless with style & fashion, but this has given me some fool-proof advice on how to shop, dress and wear clothes! I think I might just even be brave enough to buy something that’s NOT BLACK!!!! And bravo to Peter Morrissey for helping bring great style to the masses!
Pauline Olsen
September 12, 2013 at 11:57 amComfortable and Modest (Without resorting to ‘Daggy’!)
Tracey K
September 12, 2013 at 11:59 amIt has to feel comfortable and must have the easy care factor…ie.no dry cleaning !
Cara Fisher
September 12, 2013 at 12:03 pmVersatility – being able to dress up or dress down an outfit with accessories and also comfort! While still being fashionable!
Laura
September 12, 2013 at 12:05 pmI love the new range and I desperately need to refresh and update my wardrobe. As a working mum with two little people I love versatile clothes that are comfortable but look good too!
CorriePierce
September 12, 2013 at 12:06 pmMy two main pieces would have to be slimming jeans, and a good jacket!
Nic P
September 12, 2013 at 12:07 pmHas to look great (ie. suit my shape), be comfy and not cost the earth.
Miriam
September 12, 2013 at 12:07 pmMy top two things I have in mind when buying clothes… 1. Versatile, can go with a variety of outfits, dress up or dress down and 2. Easy wash and wear options. I Loath ironing 😉
Miriam
September 12, 2013 at 12:08 pmOh. And I don’t tweet but I’ll FB share anyways 😉 thanks heaps!
Jacinda
September 12, 2013 at 12:17 pmTop too things are comfort and easy to maintain.
Tara Lockwood
September 12, 2013 at 12:20 pmQuality & Durability 🙂
Natalie
September 12, 2013 at 12:33 pmI always look for something flattering to my hips and something that is modest enough for a mum to wear!
Emma
September 12, 2013 at 12:33 pmComfortable and cover up the mummy bits
Lisa Serrano
September 12, 2013 at 12:38 pmThe two things I look for are 1: It compliments my pear shaped figure and 2: it’s comfortable and its not something that I got to keep adjusting on me!
Jessica
September 12, 2013 at 12:41 pmI look for comfort and style
Alisha Lothringer
September 12, 2013 at 12:47 pmNo hand washing and no ironing – who has time for that! I am looking for ultra comfort, that Morrissey dress is just the ticket! LOVING!!!!!!
Emma
September 12, 2013 at 12:47 pmI love clothes that fit well and make me feel great!
Tanya McFarlane
September 12, 2013 at 12:48 pmWith a young baby, I need clothes that are comfortable so I can get on the floor and play with him, and easy to wash and wear. I don’t have time for handwashing, so must be able to go in the washing machine and hang on the line to dry.
Becky McIntosh
September 12, 2013 at 12:51 pmThanks for sharing this interview and the great comp.
My priorities are ethically made clothing, and easy care. I totally agree all the hard to wash stuff is at the back of my wardrobe!
Jasanna
September 12, 2013 at 1:44 pmI look for something versatile that will go with many things, and I look for a style/comfort mix!
Tammy roskell
September 12, 2013 at 1:49 pmComfort and value for money
nona
September 12, 2013 at 2:00 pmDefinitely easy to wear and bonus if it is multi seasonal!!
Emma Pitt
September 12, 2013 at 2:47 pmI look for something flattering and practical with minimal ironing required.
Emma P
September 12, 2013 at 2:49 pmComfortable & Stylish.
Gayle
September 12, 2013 at 3:28 pmI’m fairly random, if I look and feel good in it, I’ll probably buy it. Just bought a red and white stripe Peter Morrissey dress at Big W and love it.
SANDY HORSFALL
September 12, 2013 at 6:49 pmPRIORITY NUMBER 1. IS THAT I’M REALLY CONFIDENT THAT I’LL LOVE THE GARMENT JUST AS MUCH WHEN I BRING IT HOME AND DECIDE TO WEAR IT, FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY PRIORITY NUMBER 2. WHICH IS THAT HUBBY WON’T A HISSY FIT IF HE SEES THE PRICE TAG!!
Nicole Henwood
September 12, 2013 at 6:49 pmComfortable without being to revealing.
Amanda Eastment
September 12, 2013 at 7:11 pmQuality fabric and classic cuts.
Rebecca C
September 12, 2013 at 7:24 pmSomething that doesn’t need to be ironed and something that is comfy 🙂
Raegan
September 12, 2013 at 8:13 pmI look for clothes that won’t break the bank and that are versatile!
Julie Barnard
September 12, 2013 at 8:19 pmComfort & affordability.
Mindo Koerber
September 12, 2013 at 11:40 pmhaving something similar with my daughter cloth so we can wear something match one day, price
Alana
September 13, 2013 at 1:09 amI am all about comfort & practicality or it aint happening!
Kristy
September 13, 2013 at 6:26 amI am a very unique shape, I have very wide hips so shopping mainstream is challenging and more often disappointing. But what I do look for is a good fit and price. That is why I love Big W. the Avella line is affordable and I have found many things in that range that I icanwear.
Teneille Jolly
September 13, 2013 at 8:49 amI look for clothes that are going to wash well and are easy to or don’t need ironing as my clothes are always getting dirty with my 2 year old. I also love something a bit different, flirty and flowy. x
Jade O'shea
September 14, 2013 at 9:01 amI’ve come to a stage in my life where I have decided comfort comes before looks. Big w has a great range of clothes which suit both of those categories, stylish yet comfortable!
kelly jones
September 14, 2013 at 11:00 amComfort and fit are what I really look for when buying clothes
Clare
September 14, 2013 at 12:09 pmI also look for the “ooh!” feeling I get when I look in the mirror. If I don’t get that feeling, I usually won’t buy something. I also look for colour! Now that we are in Spring, I think the more colour the better.
Adric Morrison
September 14, 2013 at 3:17 pmIt’s got to stylish but still quality made
Mick G
September 14, 2013 at 5:11 pmQuality of the garment and how well it fits my shape
Di Phochiangrak
September 14, 2013 at 9:35 pmI always look for anything comfortable,versatile and iron free. Big W is my favourite store to shop clothing as they always have nice stuff and affordable. 😉
Kim Saunders
September 14, 2013 at 10:27 pmComfortable and flattering
Nicole
September 15, 2013 at 6:24 amLength – I’m 6′ tall. It needs to have good length
Affordability – single mums don’t shop Myers or DJ big w is our Mecca
Versatility – needs to go from day to night, or, be mixed and matched
Colour – it has to make me feel alive
Size – plus sized lines and styles that are for taller women
Comfort – if it’s corse, heavy, tight etc its not for me
Guarantee – if it falls apart, or fades I need a shop which returns on the sport minimal questions minimal time Luckily Big W is consumer friendly.
TreenB
September 15, 2013 at 12:16 pmWith 5 boys I have learnt the hard way that my clothes need to be practical/comfortable – I may have had my skirt yanked down at the school assembly by my toddler – and camouflaging – to the unfortunate remaining tummy and endless sticky fingers and noses!!
Sarri
September 15, 2013 at 2:29 pmMy colours and style.
Lauren A
September 15, 2013 at 3:49 pm1. It’s got to be comfortable or I’ll never wear it – gone are the days when I’d wear something just because it was in fashion.
2. It has to suit me and my body shape. I frequently fall in love with clothing, and fall straight back out of love when I tried it on. Doesn’t matter how pretty it is, it has to make me look pretty too.
sayanything
September 15, 2013 at 9:09 pmI look for the perfect fit – in how it makes me feel, the confidence it gives me, not just sizing! – and something that is dynamic and can be worn in lots of different ways.
Love the interview, such wise words! And you look great in that stripy dress!!!!
Saraskye
September 16, 2013 at 9:36 amI love to go DOTTI over STRIPES!!
Maria Varrica
September 16, 2013 at 9:45 amStyle and quality are important to me.
Renee Ballantyne
September 16, 2013 at 11:15 amcomfort and style for sure as I am at home with the kids and need to be a little practicle
Katrina Corbett
September 16, 2013 at 12:36 pmThe first thing I look for is something that is not going to cling to my stomach and second is the price.