With the recent morning chill in the air I have been thinking about cosy pieces that I will be turning to come Winter. A Gilet can be a great piece to layer over a t-shirt/top, or a denim jacket, and it adds the style factor. You can throw it over a lot of outfits to cover up areas that you're not happy with, or to just add a difference in length to your look. I would advise that if you are on the shorter side opt for the short Gilets, while taller people can go for both short and long styles.

This winter it is a wardrobe essential, and in the shops right now we have a choice of knitted or tailored Gilets as well as the faux fur options. (I have my eye on the French Connection Faux Fur Gilet.) The longer-line knitted ones I would style with trousers, whereas the shorter ones can be worn with skirts or dresses; see my looks below. I have also created a Pinterest board of different outfits styled with them, which I hope gives you some inspiration.

​Top row; Country Road Merino Longline Ribbed Vest $279.00, Storm Merino Waterfall Vest $169.00, Witchery Felted Gilet $199.90.
Bottom row; Storm Sleeveless Drape Jacket $329.00, Decjuba Abigail Sleeveless Vest AU$129.95, ​Kookai Clique Vest AU$360.00.

Top row; French Connection Danny Fur Vest $199.90, Farmers Whistles Faux Fur Vest $99.99, Decjuba Lara Faux Fur Vest AU$139.95.
Bottom row; French Connection Faux Fur Suedet Vest $199.90, Hartleys Verge Aspen Vest $270.00, Forever New Kennedy Tipped Faux Fur Gilet AU$89.99.

For a smart/evening look try styling a long Gilet with tailored trousers, an off the shoulder top and heels. Add interesting accessories to liven it up!
​Decjuba Abigail Sleeveless Vest AU$129.95, Country Road Tailored Flare $171.75 (on sale), Witchery Bell Sleeve Off Shoulder $89.90. Country Road Animal Print Tote $111.75 (on sale), Merchant Macy Ankle boot $249.90, Witchery Oval Pendant $89.90​.

For a daytime luxe look why not try a Faux Fur Gilet styled with jeans and trainers?! 
Decjuba Lara Faux Fur Vest AU$139.95, Witchery Woven Insert Top $79.90, French Connection Rebound Denim $99.90, Storm New Balance 996 Shoe $169.00, French Connection Mini Eyelet Detail Tote $119.90, Forever New Roxanne Sleek 3 Set AU$16.99.
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This week I was invited to attend a Navy Dinner Party, hosted by the Chief of the Navy at his formal residence in Devonport. It was a dinner attended by all the current Commander's in the Navy, of which my husband is one. It was a lovely night, with some old friends and the chance to meet some new friends.

When my husband told me about the dinner I immediately asked what the dress-code was, as there always is one with Navy functions, it was Smart/Casual. This dress-code sounds so ambiguous, and it always used to make me wonder exactly what was appropriate. So when I started the blog I researched dressing for the right occasion, (you can find more about this on my Other Tricks page), and I found the correct definitions for all occasions.

• Smart/Casual - this means no jeans, no jandals, and not taking it too casual. It could be a fashionable top, a jacket (if you need one), pants or a skirt. Dresses, short or maxi would also be acceptable although steer away from anything too strappy or cut away, i.e. not your summer dress.
• Cocktail - a short gown, although nothing shorter than above the knee, is ideal, although longer is also acceptable.
• Formal/Black Tie - an evening gown or a long flowing dress are the pre-requisite.

Based on these categories I searched the shops for gorgeous outfits to give you some inspiration. Also refer to my Shoes and Accessories pages for how to add to your outfits, and if your interested in what I wore to my Navy Function, check out Look of the Week.

Smart / Casual
I have picked dresses and a jumpsuit, as well as pants and a skirt to give you some ideas on how casual it can get.
Country Road Ruched Sleeve Dress $229.00, Flo & Frankie_Staple & Cloth Red Comet Dress $285.00, SABA Penelope Olive Dress AU$199.00, MAX Drape Long Sleeve Jumpsuit $149.99.

Formal / Black Tie
It can be hard to find full length gowns here, a couple of the High Street Stores do stock them, Forever New and EZIBUY stock some. Otherwise you do need to go to specialty stores, designers, or look on-line.
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Top row; Ruby Loco Gown $750.00 & Ruby Aleatory Gown $800.00, The Iconic Starbright Maxi Dress AU$108.99.
Bottom row; ShopBop Badgley Mischka Collection Racer Neck Cutout Gown $416.50, ASOS Curve Maxi Dress with Embellished Overlay $235.01, ​Shieke Harlow Maxi Dress AU$149.95.

Caramel, tan, beige, whatever natural hue you prefer these colours are a great choice for Autumn. Being blond I love this colour as it works well for me, but I also find it is great to have as it can go with a lot of Autumn tones. You can team caramel with white, grey, navy, khaki, purple and of course black. For more styling ideas check out my Pinterest page.

Here is my favourite pick of caramel hued items from the shops, and at the bottom two outfits styled using the nude hues. For caramel accessories and shoes check out my Accessories / Shoes pages.

Top row; Country Road Button T-shirt $64.90, Decjuba Francesca Chunky roll Neck AU$129.95, Forever New Maddy Faux Suede Shift Dress AU$119.99.
Bottom row; Storm Front Row Sweater $169.00, Witchery Gypsy Shirt $169.90, Country Road Carpenter Pant $139.00.

Top row; Country Road Carpenter Mini $109.00, Seed Heritage Off Shoulder Dress $159.90, Storm Leather Biker Jacket $850.00.
Bottom row; Kookai Blackout Tank AU$70.00, Karen Millen Cable Knit Midi Dress AU$375.00, ​Witchery Tassel Wrap $109.90.

Top row; Seed Heritage Scooped Knit Top $109.90, Country Road Wrap Suede Skirt $549.00, Storm Under Wraps Coat $349.00.
​Bottom row; Witchery Soft Biker Cargo $159.90 and Cocoon Cardigan $109.90.

For a casual daytime style try; Seed Heritage Scooped Knit Top $109.90, Esprit Stretch Jeans Boyfriend Style AU$99.95​, Witchery Tassel Wrap $109.90, Decjuba Jasmine Toe Cap Sneaker $89.95, MAX Charm Fringe Necklace $39.99, Decjuba Valerie Tote AU$59.95.

For an evening look try styling an off-the-shoulder dress with neutral shoes and adding an edge with marble and animal print accessories. Decjuba Marble Feature Earring AU$24.95, Seed Heritage Off Shoulder Dress $159.90, Decjuba Emily Marble Cuff AU$24.95, MAX Ponie Pouch $39.99​, Wittner Unity Block Heel Boot AU$299.95.

Active-wear has come a long way from the standard gym clothing. It is now designed to also be worn out of the gym; for a coffee with the girls, or for busy mums on the school run. Its not just boring black stretchy lycra, now you have colour and prints and not just a standard hoodie but a funky sweat-top, or a loose fitting vest with detail.

There is also a lot more choice out there, not just from the big labels, Nike or Reebok, (or from sports shops; Stirling Sports, Rebel Sports or Lulu Lemon), now you can find sports gear in the high street shops, such as; Country Road, Witchery and Cotton On.

If your prepared to look around and order on-line then the market is even bigger. Plumeria, is a New Zealand based site that offers free shipping on orders over $150.00. Also check out these International websites that all deliver to NZ for more inspiration;

Boohoo Fit - free delivery on orders over $40.00. (Prices in US$)
The Iconic - free delivery on order over $50.00. (Prices in AU$)
PE-Nation - charge $30.00 delivery to New Zealand. (Prices in AU$)
Lorna Jane - free shipping on orders over AU$150.00. (Prices in AU$)
Mode Sportif - if you sign up then shipping is AU$25.00. (Prices in AU$)
Stylerunner - AU$30.00 International Shippping. (Prices in AU$)

If your after the latest Sneaker looks then go to my Shoes post. If you want some ideas on styling outfits with sneakers then check out my Pinterest page.

Leggings
​Top row left to right; Boohoo Fit Alex Printed Panel Sports Legging $25.00, Stirling Sports Stellasport Printed Sport Tight $90.00, Country Road Sprint Kinetic 7_8th Legging $139.00.
Bottom row left to right; Lulu Lemon Wunder Underpant Kara Blossom $135.00, PE Nation 43&0 7_8th Legging AU$109.00, Cotton On On the Run Legging $24.95.

Tops
​Top row left to right; Country Road Exhale Arabesque T-shirt $79.90, PE Nation Bottom of the 9th Tank  AU$79.00, Stirling Sport Stellasport Image Tank $60.00.
Bottom row left to right; The Iconic Laine Muscle Tank AU$34.95, Witchery Balance Nikita Print Tank $54.90, ​Stylerunner Camilla and Marc Muscle Tank Khaki AU$89.00.

Hoodies / Sweatshirts
​Top row left to right; Lulu Lemon In The Loop Poncho $145.00, Stirling Sport Adidas GS Edge Hoodie $90.00, Decjuba Frankie Sunprint Sweat AU$79.95.
Bottom row left to right; Witchery Balance Miyako Jacket $149.90, Stirling Sport Printed Stellasport Hoodie $120.00, ​Lulu Lemon Underwraps Pullover $145.00.

For a more relaxed style of trouser this Autumn, (without having to resort to your track pants), why not consider a Harem or Utility Pant? Perfect for those days when the temperature begins to drop and you want something to cover your legs, or for throwing on for the school run!

The Harem Pant.
Or low crotch pant has been around for a while but is definitely more mainstream this Autumn. It's a great pant for comfy weekend styling, as they tend to be made from brushed cotton or a soft material. Be careful in how you pull it altogether, you can end up looking shapeless with all the material, so try to team with a shorter or tucked in top or throw over a cropped denim jacket to add layers.
Glassons 3_4 Harem Pant $39.99, Seed Heritage Jersey Harem Pant $69.90, Ketz-Ke Stop Press Pant $169.00,  ​Kowtow Low Crotch Stripe Pant $145.00, Decjuba Joan Jersey Harem Pant AU$59.95, Country Road Wrap Indigo Sweat Pant $99.90.

The Utility or Cargo Pant.
This is another big look this Autumn. This style of trouser is not as loose as the Harem Pant and is generally a stiffer fabric, cotton or lyocell, and it has more structure and detail with zips, cuffs and pockets. These look equally good styled with heeled boots or trainers.
Moochi Drop Pant $279.99, Forever New Zoe Utility Twill Pant AU$59.99, ASOS Vila Skinny Cargo Trouser $89.06, Country Road Utility Drill Pant $159.00, ​Witchery Soft Biker Cargo $159.00.

For a casual Harem Pant look team trousers with a layered tank top to give you definition, a necklace and cuff to dress it up, and a standout trainer.
​​Decjuba Talia Layer Tank AU$59.95, Country Road Wrap Indigo Sweat Pant $99.90, Decjuba Alice Tassel Bar Necklace AU$29.95, Witchery End Tip Marble cuff $64.90, French Connection Leather Sneakers AU$129.95.

For a dressed up Cargo Pant look team with a floral print top, tucked in at the front, and black suede ankle boots. Add funky pearl and metal earrings for an edge. For more Ankle Boots check out my Shoes
post this week.
​Forever New Zoe Utility Twill Pant AU$59.99, Ketz-Ke Easy Tee $115.00, Witchery Pearl Metal Double Earrings $34.90, Merchant 1948 Bryson Ankle Boot $279.90.