Style: Look the Book: Puberty Blues
Written by Clare Hillier
August 29, 2012
Be Pretty
1 Comment
Hello! My name is Clare and I’m the newest kid on the JustB block. Since this is like our first date, here’s a little about me: I hail from Melbourne and am the mama of two wild ones. By day I work as a Brand Storyteller with an ace crop of fashion and beauty clients. By night, I tap away at Checks and Spots – aka ‘The Third Child’ and chronicle of things that make me look twice.
Thought this was a speed date? Well, actually it’s more of a slow burn situation! In fact, every fortnight I’ll be back with Look the Book, a series that flips through the pages of some favourite tomes for style inspiration.
Fear not, I won’t be suggesting you dress like your favourite superhero for a trip to the supermarket! Instead, Look the Book takes a fashion and beauty leaf out of beloved books and translates it into a wearable style. I’ll also do all the hard work and scour high and low for pieces that will help you look the part.
So, grab my hand and let’s make a start! This week, we’re going back to 1979 and the halcyon days of Puberty Blues. Before the TV series and film, Puberty Blues was a groundbreaking novel about two teenage girls, Debbie and Sue, growing up in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire. This heartfelt tale of wanting to ‘fit in’, captures the 1970s in all of its hedonistic, sexist, optimistic and of course, stylistic glory.
1. Vintage striped tee : 2. Saltwater sandals : 3. Ksubi Cee Cee roll denim short : 4. Whyred Elena Denim Skirt : 5. Gorman Doris Wedge : 6. Vintage flag tee
To channel a little bit of Debbie and Sue’s 70’s style, start with denim. Take your pick from cheeky shorts, a skirt or the ubiquitous flare jean and team it with a vintage tee. Scour Etsy for t-shirts with retro graphic prints or stripes that have stood the test of time. And for your tootsies, slip on a pair of wedges that have been given a contemporary neon makeover or cult Salt Water sandals.
Of course, if you’re going to hit the beach and drape yourself over the arm of a deadest spunk rat, then you’ll need a triangle bikini. While the surfie chicks of Puberty Blues were all about baby oil and sunburn, the modern girl knows better – so pop on one of Zimmermann’s Brightside Rashies!
1. Zimmerman Brightside Rashie : 2. Tigerlily Frankincense Tara/ Miranda bikini : 3. St Tropez Wash Off Instant Glow Mousse : 4. boohoo Jada Pocket Front Wide Leg Flared Jean : 5. Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm : 6. Original Mineral Surf Bomb Spray (for hair!)
For beach babe bronzed limbs, get your mitts on St Tropez’s Wash Off Instant Glow Mousse. Unlike fake tan, it doesn’t stink and you don’t have to wait for it to develop. And to complete your look, spritz a little Surf Bomb through your hair. This sea salt texture spray gives locks a sexy tousled look without the need to take a dip in the ocean. After all, any moll worth her weight in Chicko Rolls knows she wont be going anywhere near the surf…she’ll be minding the towels!
Oh, and don’t forget some Strawberry Lip Balm so you’re ready to get your pash on!
If you have a fave book you’d like to see appear in Look the Book, just leave a comment below!
Melbourne girl-about-town Clare Hillier blogs at Checks & Spots, an up-to-the-minute lifestyle blog dedicated to fashion, beauty, design and living! Visit Clare’s Checks & Spots Facebook page : Follow Clare on Twitter
Additional image credits : Surfboards with Van and Kissing Potion
