Myer vs Cotton On!

Our video is up! Head on over to ISYS100: Fashion on a Budget: Myer vs Cotton On., or watch the video below. We search for an outfit in Myer and look for a budget alternative with the exact same look. Follow us on our night out!

Graniph

My last post was about my love for T-shirts. (I’m not the only one who has a T-shirt obsession; there’s a print journal about it.) I wrote about blank T-shirts, which are good for making your own band T-shirts and screenprinting on them. But what if you’re like me and have zero ounce of creativity but still want to have T-shirts that look cool? Enter Graniph.

Graniph is a Japanese T-shirt website whose aim is to have cutting-edge designs on the “timeless medium” of the T-shirt by making them in limited numbers. They also sell other items of clothing apart from T-shirts like parkas and dresses, but when one mentions Graniph, T-shirts are the first thing that comes to mind.

You can buy T-shirts from their online store for ¥2 500 each (about AUD25) and if you spend ¥10 000 or more they’ll send it for free to your address, anywhere in the world! Otherwise shipping is ¥1 000. They also have a physical store in Westfield Sydney, but the T-shirts are much more expensive there; one T-shirt is AUD45 and two T-shirts cost AUD80. It may seem expensive, but the T-shirts are well-made and the likelihood of running into someone wearing the same T-shirt as you is very low as they’re limited-edition.

You can find Graniph’s only Australian physical store at:

Shop 1001D, Level 1 (Urban Level)
Westfield Sydney
188 Pitt St
Sydney
New South Wales 2000
Australia

Happy T-shirt hunting!

Wendy

Back to basics

Finding basic pieces in your wardrobe is essential for every girl. Having simple pieces are important as they can be transitioned into many different outfits. Basic pieces can be used in different styles for different times of the day and settings. Here are some that I find are crucial in my closet!

The little black dress:

The little black dress is simple and casual on its own, when paired with simple accessories. The dress can be transformed into so many different styles by adding jackets, cardigans, vests, belts and jewellery. Accessories are key in creating different looks.

Work: a tweed jacket with a waist belt, heels and structured bag add sophistication to the dress

Everyday: a waist belt, oversized knitted cardigan, a slouchy bag and comfy shoes screams casual and relaxed to be running around in all day

Night out: statement jewellery, a clutch and heels, and you’re ready for a date or fancy dinner with the girls!

Sheer, collared button-up tops:

Chiffon blouses have been incredibly popular the past couple of years and are here to stay. These sheer, collared, button-up tops are simple and chic and can be paired with many other items of clothing. I love these button-up tops as they can easily be dressed up or down. Worn simple with a pair of shorts/jeans and some flats is very casual and cute. Paired with a high waisted skirt or textured pants, a statement necklace and heels, and it can easily be transitioned into a dramatic outfit. Some people choose to wear a singlet underneath, or a bandeau, or just a bra. Any of these are acceptable; however it’s important to choose the environment you’re in, in choosing what to wear underneath. For example, going to church or a family event with only a bra underneath wouldn’t be very appropriate. To a music festival or summer outing would be fine. Pairing just the bra and top with a high-waisted skirt, shorts or pants would balance out the amount of skin you’re showing.

Fitted blue jeans:

Having fitted jeans is a must have for all seasons. Paired with a simple top and comfy shoes is great for every day. Jeans can be worn dressier with a button-up top, blazer and some heels. Jeans can definitely be transitioned into more sophisticated looks and don’t have to be worn casually.

Black flats / black pumps:

Flats are cute and comfy and can be dressed up or down. Worn with a casual daytime outfit, flats don’t look out of place. Worn with a cute night-time outfit, flats add a chic, effortless feel to the look. The same goes for a pair of classic black pumps. If you’re more of a heels girl, black pumps are essential. They can be worn day or night and go with most outfits. 

Having basic pieces are important in building your wardrobe in creating different outfits. There are many other staple items everyone should have, but these are a few I found really help make a good foundation for my closet. What are some pieces of clothing you consider to be a must-have?

Christine 

Kids Fashion

One thing I love more than fashion – kids. They’re so cute and adorable sometimes all I want to do is pinch their cheeks!

So we’re going to talk about kid’s fashion today. People think that adults determine what a child wears. Which is true! But one thing we all have to admit, kids pull it off real good sometimes even better than adults. And when matched with their small body frame, they never fail to put a smile on your face.

Weather its winter wear, formal wear or even just casual, they never fail to look adorable.

One thing a parent should never forget when dressing up their kid though, is that they’re still young and bubbly. So be sure to dress them in cheerful colors and in clothes that would enable them to run, jump and play without any restrictions.

Hope you find them as cute as I do !

Sheryl

Ladies and our Bags

While most guys can just hop out of their house with just wallets and phones in their jeans pockets, ladies have to "pack" their handbag before thet can get going. There are simply too many things to bring: sunglasses, lip balm comb, tissue, wallets..... the list can go on forever! So out bags really important to us. I would say bags are one of the most important fashion accessories for a woman. We need them everywhere. We can go out without rings or bracelets, but I'd feel pretty uneasy if I leave home without my bag(s).

Bags come in a lot of designs. Different bags have different functions, so we need to pick our bags carefully for their occasions.

purse handbag

For parties, you would definitely want a small bag. Just big enough to hold everything essential, but not too much so you can still dance around with your drink. You would definitely want it to be flashy and vibrant to suit the party mood.

Studded bag

If it's another normal day, maybe work, you'll need your "usual" bag. It's usually your favourite choice and you tend to just grab it without even realizing. It should be bigger than party big and a bit fancy too. It's like a treat to yourself out of the boring day.

Baggy Tote

There is also this one bag that you always take out for "dirty job": visiting the wet market, going to the sandy beach, having a picnic on the grassy field. It is the bag that you don't mind getting spots on it and it is most likely having a less fashionable design but somehow, very comfy.

Shoulder/Tote Bag

If you are a student like me, your normal daily activity would be going to college. To hold all the notes and laptop and stationary, a huge tote is definitely my top choice. It also needs to have a more regular structure so things won't go all over the place when I race to lectures. :p

So choice of bag comes with pretty sophisticated principles. Hope this can give you idea on what to pick next when you walk out of the door!

Janice

Recycle and Reuse!

Have you ever wondered what to do with clothes that don’t fit anymore or you just don’t like? Here are some tips and tricks to help recycle those clothes that can save you money and reduce waste!


Jeans into shorts:

This is a simple and easy idea for those jeans that you don’t like anymore. Just cut off the length that you want to create your own denim shorts! Make them as short or as long as you like and you aren’t wasting those jeans. There will naturally be some fraying at the bottom after being washed and will add texture to your new shorts, like in this first photo. But if you want more fraying you can pull at the bottom of the shorts with a pair of tweezers to pull out some strings all the way around the leg. The more you pull at the fabric with tweezers the more fraying there will be. This process will give the effect of the second photo. These DIY shorts look really cool and are customized to your liking J

Shirts into crop tops / muscle tees:

Super easy trick to revamp those t-shirts you don’t like anymore or don’t fit! For crop tops just cut off the bottom half of the shirt! Simple! Make sure you try on the shirt first and draw a line where you think it’s appropriate to cut, in case you cut too high and end up revealing too much.

For muscle tees just cut off the arms and into the sides of the shirt. Done! You can even cut into the collar of the top. These are great for summer, or the gym, or whatever you like.

Spare fabric:

The leftover fabric can be cut into squares and used for cleaning. Give some to your dad, because I know my dad is always looking for some to use when working with tools and cars and all that stuff.

Also, you can cut stretchy fabric into even strips and use them to make rag curls! This is where you roll up your hair with the strip and tie it up while your hair is damp. Cut up 10 to 15 strips of about 2 cm x 15 cm. You can make the strips longer if you have longer hair; and you can make the strips wider for larger curls. These measurements don't have to be perfect and the amount of strips you'll need all depend on the thickness of your hair. Roll up a piece of your hair in the middle of the fabric and once you've reached the top, just tie the ends together to secure it. Do this with the rest of your hair. When you take them out after a few hours you’ll have cute heat-free curls! This saves on electricity and doesn’t damage your hair.

There are so many DIY ways to reuse and recycle old clothes out there. Here are just a few that I've found super easy and helpful and take very little time to do. They are fun to do so why not give them a try and send us a photo of your version on twitter!

Christine

Autumn wardrobe change

Out with the old and in with the new..as the leaves change colour it's about time you update your wardrobe too. Every time I walk around at university my eyes gaze at the amount of people who seem to have not updated their wardrobe. I mean, it’s freezing cold and they’re still wearing their summer clothing. That’s why strings of cotton recommend you to jazz up your autumn wardrobe. So our gift to you this brrrrrr of a season is to warm you up with some of Autumn’s key pieces to wear right now and all through the coming season! Firstly, texturise your wardrobe, because nothing says autumn like knits and nubby, cozy fabrics. However this is not the time to bulk up as if you're developing a thick coat and preparing to sleep through winter. As a substitute, keep sweaters lightweight; stick to thinly spun wools, cashmere and cotton. The soft knit you threw on to shield yourself against the movie theatre’s blasting air conditioner can do double duty in cooler months. 

 

 As for the blazer, well Look for prints or bold colours for up to date takes, however, if you are a classic kind of girl, stick with the neutrals and play up your best features with seasonal accessories. This stunning printed blazer in neutral print is a fantastic way to add a bit of interest to a classic, a solid colour shirt underneath and the right accessories will set you in good stead. The Boots- Ankle or knee-length are both acceptable in work attire, however, it is important to make sure your hemline and boot length is in proportion (flattering to your shape). And finally, accessories, such as gloves, scarves, jewellery and hats can add an edge to a simple outfit! 

 

 Have you changed your fantastic wardrobe to match this autumn season?

Nadia

The T-Shirt

In last week’s post, I mentioned that I love my jeans. There’s one other thing you’ll find plenty of in my wardrobe apart from jeans and that, my fashionable friends, is the humble T-shirt.

I have more T-shirts than I do dresses, no joke. I have plain T-shirts and T-shirts with prints and T-shirts in the same cut because they fit so damn well on me. Do you know how hard it is finding the perfect T-shirt? I don’t want to be too low-cut because I have nothing to show. Nor do I want it to be too tight-fitting as my body isn’t entirely perfect. Which is why I have this T-shirt in five different colours (yes, I think I may have problems):

The AS Colour Womens Wafer Tee is THE best T-shirt for me. The model in the above photo is wearing my most recent colour that I purchased - Grey Marle. I already have this T-shirt in Black, White, Navy and Royal Blue. It’s not low cut, it’s of a nice length (if a little bit long for my not-as-long jackets), it’s not made of lycra (have you seen a lycra T-shirt after wearing it for a few years? Eugh) and unlike American Apparel (whose T-shirts are featured in the first photo), not too expensive for a plain T-shirt! Did I also mention that it comes in many colours?

I highly recommend checking out the AS Colour website for other cuts of T-shirts and clothing. If you’re not comfortable with shopping online, they also have a retail outlet in Paddington. You can find them at:

266 Oxford Street
Paddington
Sydney
New South Wales 2021
Australia

Are you as much of a T-shirt addict as me? Let us know in the comments below!

Wendy

Tips on saving

Strings of Cotton is brought to you by a group of university students and the biggest problem I have while trying to keep up with fashion trends is the cost. I mean, what university student has that much money? Haha well, I've compiled a list of things I usually to keep my spending to a low. Hopefully this list helps you save some money too!

1. Always check for student or corporate discounts.
   
   

   
   
   
   
2. Fill out surveys, sign up for company's mailing list (physical and email), like on facebook, follow on instagram and twitter to get all the promos you can.
3. Just because something is a good deal doesn't mean you should buy it. Only buy what you would wear (or what you are sure that you can resell for more).
4. Buy things that work with your existing wardrobe.
5. Only buy things that you will wear. If something is the wrong color, size, texture, shape, or if you already have a better alternative that you will always wear instead of it, or if it doesn't match your style or doesn't fit in your wardrobe, dont buy it!
6. Shop the clearance racks. items who's season just ended often hit the clearance racks. if possible, buy things like coats at the end of winter, and shorts at the end of summer.
   
   

   

   Just an example of a clearance sale.

   
   
7. Know what you want. think out the looks you want to complete and have a list of items you need.

With just a few of these tips you'll be able to save some money when it comes to adding more to your wardrobe.

Hope it helps!

Wei

Polka dot fun

You and I would both agree that polka dots are among a girls best friends. Polka dots are a fun, fresh and flirty way to accompany and I love this pattern on everything. Cute polka dot handbags and even in your decor it gives a young at heart touch to everyday life. I wore a polka dress the other day and the amount of compliments I received was overwhelming. They are certainly one of the most eye-catching and striking prints whether we are talking about a clothing item or an accessory. However, it is very significant to know when and particularly how to wear them. However, they still remain a classic element in the fashion history. For summer you have so many options and versions of polka dots from discreet to more overgenerous ones. The major rule says never to match many pieces with dots unless you want to turn your outfit into a great fiasco. A dress, a skirt, a shirt or a blazer can be enough. If you are totally convinced that you are ready to wear polka dots, start by choosing only one accessory such as a scarf, a belt, a handbag and even shoes.

As for the office style, well Black and white is probably one of the winning combination that never fails. For an office, summer look, a pleated dress can flatter you as it can hide the flaws around your waist and hips. Moreover, it will give you a measure of femininity and elegance that a woman should never lose.

 

As for the colors, white dress with black dots is the best and safest choice. You can also match a black pleated skirt with white dots, a blouse with short sleeves and a bolero or a blazer. You can play a little bit and choose colored accessories especially. Wear ballerina flats or high-heeled shoes.

Even though they seem pretty difficult to match, pants with dots can be simply worn for any event if they are correctly accessorized. Choose a pair with colorful dots and keep the rest of the outfit simple by picking accessories in neutral colors. You can also wear polka dots shorts for a casual summer look. As for the shoes, go for peep-toe shoes or flat sandals.

You can even dare and mix polka dots and other prints such as stripes and still look astounding. If typically, mixing floral prints and stripes, or dots and floral has been considered as a total fashion disaster particularly if you weren't able to pull the look together, nowadays this is fairly easy to achieve.

Are you a female who has polka dots as their best friend too! Hit us with a comment and let us know how you prefer to wear them too!

Nadia, xx