I don’t find this surprising. Or alarming. But I seem to be alone.

During a recent discussion on morning television, I debated the issue with four other women most of whom were offended by the results. They thought it was borderline sexist. I’m not sure that it is.

Just so we’re clear: the study didn’t suggest you dress like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, BYO pole and sleep with your boss. Scientists showed 300 people pictures of women dressed in navy blue skirt suits and pant suits. The clothing was identical in every way except for the bottoms. Within three seconds, the majority perceived that the women wearing skirts were more confident, successful and powerful than their trouser clad sisters. The results concluded that the option women have to wear such attire creates a competitive advantage within the workplace.

The Work Skirt.

CLICK TO BUY: Asos Belted Pencil Skirt, $31.54; Ben Sherman Spliced Pencil Skirt from The Iconic, $99.95; Alexander McQueen Crepe Pencil Skirt from Net-a-Porter, $456.25, Now $273.75.

Hooray! Not Boo. This is good news.

‘People are judged on their overall head-to-toe appearance and the fundamental role that a dress plays in creating a positive first impression cannot be underestimated,’ Professor Pine told UK’s Daily Mail: “Women still have to maintain an identity that balances professionalism with attractiveness. The skirt suit may achieve that balance without appearing provocative.”

My first job – as assistant to the Editor-in-Chief of a fashion magazine – came with a dress code. I was allowed to wear pants (never jeans) but only on days that my boss was not receiving clients. If we had external visitors then I had to wear a dress or a skirt. My boss was a woman – very intelligent and powerful. Her wardrobe requirements had nothing to do with sexism. At the time, I was hugely resentful but she taught me an important lesson about impressions and the art of smoke and mirrors. You aren’t necessarily what you wear but what others imagine you to be while wearing it.

The real message in this study is that perhaps we’ve actually evolved. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? It’s no longer 1955 when women had no choice other than to wear a skirt to work in order to make a man coffee. Now we run companies, make our own cups of tea and have the choice to wear whatever we wish in the workplace. The women who blazed this trail had to fight hard and wear a lot of ugly trousers for us to be able to enjoy these progressions.

I have many girlfriends who work in male dominated industries – finance, law, banking – and it seems they’ve always known about the power of the business skirt and have long used it to their advantage. “It has nothing to do with the being viewed as a sexual object – far from it,” says Penny, 38, a lawyer. “It’s about putting a highlighter pen through your feminity. Many clients want to work with women as a preference because of our empathy, multi-tasking and ethics. A skirt suit is just an outward reminder that they’ve backed the right horse.”

Hot Buys.

CLICK TO BUY: Boohoo Delia Lace Trim Midi Skirt, $30; Boutique Graphic Check Pencil Skirt from Topshop, £60; Preen Ella Floral Collage Print Pencil Skirt from My-Wardrobe, $573.45, NOW $286.25.

As a gender we continue to endure so many workplace speed humps – ageism, harassment, motherhood, glass ceilings, inequality of pay – skirts and concealer are two of the only weapons unique to women.

Let’s not turn these findings into a loss for the feminist cause. Remember it’s a study about first impressions and miraculously some of those stereotypical perceptions are starting to shift. At last, women who wear skirts aren’t perceived as ditsy, sexually provocative or assistants. We no longer need to wear pants to be viewed as successful – we have a choice. Can’t we celebrate the fact we no longer have to turn down the volume on our femininity to compete?

Suddenly we have an advantage that men can’t cash in on (and don’t think for a second that they wouldn’t if they could). It’s the day that blokes start getting promoted for wearing skirts that we should be worried about.

The Inspiration Wall: Pencil Skirts.

Last week I discovered her cookbook, Marion: Recipes and Stories from a Hungry Cook. You can’t miss the neon pink cover.

Inside the pages are full of stunning street photos from her travels and childhood in Thailand, Darwin and Papua New Guinea; the recipes are an unconventional mix of Thai, Aussie and in-between flavours.

As well as her cookbook, Marion has been keeping busy with her new TV show ‘Marion’s Thailand’ and her own range of Asian meal kits… which we are giving away.

Don’t miss out on a copy of this gorgeous cookbook and meal kits to feed your family.

The Prize.

The Prize: 6 x Marion’s Kitchen & Cookbook Prize Packs (valued at $92 each).

Each prize includes:
- 1x Marion: Recipes And Stories From A Hungry Cook cookbook
- 1x Marion’s Kitchen Singapore Noodles
- 1x Marion’s Kitchen Pad Thai
- 1x Marion’s Kitchen Thai Red Curry
- 1x Marion’s Kitchen Thai Green Curry
- 1x Marion’s Kitchen Thai Basil and Chilli Stir-Fry
- 1x Marion’s Kitchen San Choy Bow

How To Enter.

For your chance to win a Marion’s Kitchen Prize Pack simply:

- Click here to “Like” LifeStyled on Facebook.

- Fill in the form below and tell us in 25 words or less, What is your signature dish to cook?

The best six answers will win!

See Terms and Conditions.

Complete The Entry Form.

*required fields

Head-to-toe noir. It’s the uniform of choice for fashion alumni and they hold the key to making all black everything (double snaps for this one) look cool instead of a like a onsie.

The trick is in mixing up your fabrics, textures and shapes.

Jumble silk, leather, cotton, satin, wool to help break up the block colour effect and add movement to the sihlouette.

Show some skin too. I’ve cuffed my pants and unbuttoned the blouse. This softens the finish and takes the corporate vibe down a notch.

I’ve mixed silk, satin, wool and patent leather in this black cocktail.

Now, who knows what song I’m talking about?

WEARING: Tuxedo jacket from Alexander McQueen, blouse from Equipment (CLICK TO BUY), black pants from Saba, shoes from Saint Laurent, rose gold watch from Juicy Couture (CLICK TO BUY).

Shop My Look.

CLICK TO BUY: Blk Dnm Tux Jacket from Matches Fashion, $310; J.W. Anderson Wool-blend Tuxedo Pants from The Outnet, £475. NOW £166.25; ASOS Shirt With Soft Bib And Pocket Detail, $50.06; Michael Kors Pyramid Stud Runway Watch from Shopbop, $327.38; Saba Liza Curt Shoe, $199.

Street Style Snaps.

Pictures from all over the place but some that I can source: Elle, Le 21eme, Stockholme Street Style. 

Their contribution will help the NBCF achieve their goal of zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030. I lost my grandmother to breast cancer and with two daughters, two sisters and four nieces (so far) I’m hopeful that it’s a goal the foundation will realise.

Sarah Murdoch has been an ambassador for NBCF for almost twenty years, here we talk about kids, balance and life after 40.

The Interview.

CLICK TO WATCH

To read the article head over to Life & Style 

]]> http://www.lifestyled.com.au/beauty/theres-something-about-sarah/feed/ 2 http://www.lifestyled.com.au/fashion/how-to-wear-red/ http://www.lifestyled.com.au/fashion/how-to-wear-red/#comments Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:51:05 +0000 tempuser http://www.lifestyled.com.au/?p=34215 READ MORE...]]> You won’t see me wearing red very often. I feel it’s the colour of my dark and titian haired sisters. But on the odd occasion that I have worn it (like here), I’ve been overwhelmed by other’s compliments. It seems it’s a colour many people wish they could wear but don’t know how.

From ruby to tomato and coral to cranberry, red is a versatile but tricky colour to pull off. Not all reds are created equal – here’s how to choose the right shade for you.

Rules For Your Skin Type.

Pale skin: Red looks beautiful against porcelain skin but choose true fire engine shades with cool, blue-based tones.

Celebrity examples: Taylor Swift, Emmy Rossum.

Medium skin: For women whose skin is neither light or dark with beige or vanilla undertones the best red options are coral or pinky shades that mirror the softness in your skin tone.

Celebrity examples: Kate Moss, Alessandra Ambrosio.

Olive/black skin: Red looks unbelievably sexy against darker skins but make sure you choose orange-based colours like scarlet or tomato that counteract the natural blue tones in your skin.

Celebrity examples: Beyonce, Freido Pinto.

Avoid it if… Women with even a touch of pink in their complexion should avoid red altogether. Instead go for equally impactful shades on the opposite side of the colour wheel. Think emerald green, navy and teal.

The same goes for fake tan devotees – a red dress will bring out the orange in your bronzer and make you look sunburnt not golden.

How To: Red Lipstick.

Every woman should wear a red lipstick at least once in her lifetime (actually, make that once a week). Your skin tone is also important when picking your perfect shade. Check out my video with make-up guru Napoleon Perdis for all the insider tips.

CLICK FOR VIDEO

Start With Your Accessories.

If you’re not ready to wear a red dress, then take baby steps. A red handbag, pair of earrings, or even sunglasses will help build your courage.

CLICK TO BUY: Jimmy Choo Quiet Patent-Leather Pumps from Net-a-Porter, $490; Urban Outfitters Rockaway Cat Eye Sunglasses, US$14; Givenchy Nightingale Medium Bag in Red from Forward Forward, $2260; Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Moss in 01, $9.62.

More Red Hot Buys.

We’re excited about their new pop-up store that just opened in the MLC Centre here in Sydney. It has all the fabulous organisation must-haves and chic notebooks that their Double Bay store has, but with a chic city vibe.

Stop by in your lunch break. Be prepared to shop up a storm.

Win The New Stationery Range.

The team at Papier d’Amour have been busy. In addition to their pop-up store they’ve just launched their own Book Cloth range.

Think magazine holders, photo boxes, pencil holders and everything you need to get your life organised in style, available in seven stunning colours.

We know you’re going to love this range so we asked Papier d’Amour for some of our favourite pieces to give away. There’s only three sets up for grabs so don’t dilly dally.

Enter immediately.

The Prize.

The Prize: 3 x Papier d’Amour Exclusive Book Cloth Range Sets (in your choice of colour*) (valued at $140 each).

Each set includes:
- 1x Fremantle Pencil Cup
- 1x Hawthorn Photo Box
- 1x Darwin Magazine Holder
- 1x Northgate Lever Arch

* The lucky winners will be able to choose the colour of their Book Cloth set from the seven colours available. Colours available are cornflower blue, duck egg blue, pink, red, chocolate, grey and black.

More On The Pop-Up Store.

Papier d’Amour’s Pop-Up Store is open from Wednesday 5th June to Saturday 13th July with demonstration workshops every Thursday night. Find out more here

Unique to their pop-up store there will be artwork and decorations by Emma Cleine from Lumiere Art + Co, paper art by Samantha Gazal plus you can make an appointment to custom create your wedding stationery. To book an appointment, call 02 9362 5200.

Check out the pop-up store at the MLC Centre, Level 7, 19 Martin Place, Sydney

How To Enter.

For your chance to win a Papier d’Amour Exclusive Book Cloth Range Set simply:

- Click here to “Like” LifeStyled on Facebook.

- Fill in the form below and tell us in 25 words or less, Why your work space is in need of an organisation overhaul?

The best three answers will win!

See Terms and Conditions.

Complete The Entry Form.

*required fields

This Car Coat is a cropped version of the classic A-line silhouette, flat front, mid-thigh length coat.

I like them in black and navy best, worn with the collar popped when bracing the cold outside. Go for brass buttons.

When picking the right style for you make sure it has a little bit of swing around the waist and the size is big enough for you to layer underneath.

WEARING: Car coat from Max Mara; leather peplum from Zara, asymmetric skirt from Givenchy; Saint Laurent shoes; Berlei Dig Free Legwear (CLICK TO BUY)

Shop My Look.

CLICK TO BUY: Talulah Light Shone Top from The Iconic, $250; Bardot Origami Skirt, $69.95; Asos A-Line Button Coat, $100.29; Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Marc Hinge Bangle from Shopbop, $105.32.

These muffins are awesome for lunch boxes and you can subsitute the sultanas with apricots, dates, almonds, coconut – whatever dried variance you prefer.

I cook mine on Sunday mornings – nothing better than just out of the oven – and find they last most of the week.

These freeze well too.

PJxx

Ingredients.

300g (2 cups) plain flour
1 tbs baking powder
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
150g (3/4 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
2 medium Granny Smith apples, cored, peeled, chopped finely
125g (3/4 cup) sultanas
125g butter melted, cooled
2 eggs, lightly whisked
185mls (3/4 cup) greek yoghurt (this can be milk if you prefer)

Method.

Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 12-pan muffin tin with muffin size patty pans.

Sift the plain flour, baking powder, nutmeg and cinnamon together into a large bowl. The baking powder acts as a raising agent and will help give the muffins a light texture. Stir in the brown sugar, apples and sultanas until well combined.

Whisk together the butter, eggs and yoghurt (or milk) until well combined. Blending the wet ingredients before adding them to the flour mixture makes it easier to evenly combine the two.

Add the yoghurt mixture to the flour mixture and stir with a large metal spoon until just combined. It is important that the ingredients are only just combined. If the mixture is over-mixed, the cooked muffins will have a tough texture.

Spoon the mixture evenly into the muffin pans.

Bake the muffins in a preheated oven for 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through. To test if they are cooked, insert a skewer into the centre of one – if it comes out clean, it is ready If not, cook for a little longer before testing again.

When cooked, remove from oven and stand for 2-3 minutes before turning onto a wire rack. Letting them stand makes them easier to remove from the pans. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container for up to one day.

]]> http://www.lifestyled.com.au/food/granny-smith-muffins/feed/ 5 http://www.lifestyled.com.au/fashion/what-i-wore-sequin-coat/ http://www.lifestyled.com.au/fashion/what-i-wore-sequin-coat/#comments Tue, 04 Jun 2013 02:45:55 +0000 Paula http://www.lifestyled.com.au/?p=34700 READ MORE...]]> Evening wear in winter offers up a host of different options to summer, doesn’t it?

Floaty dresses and heels are abandoned for coats, pants and layers. It’s the time of the year I find myself delving into the back of my closet (and boxes) looking for treasures that will turn some of my black, inky favourites into a newer look.

Maybe it was seeing The Great Gatsby with all that fabulous sequin but something reminded me of this fantastic, glittery kimono from Fleur Wood that I bought about six years ago.

I’ve thrown this over mini-dresses, tuxedo shorts, denim shorts, jeans – kinda works over everything. Kimonos are such a versatile piece so invest in a quality piece because they should be a treasure item – the kind of thing you can wear again and again and then hand down.

WEARING: Fleur Wood sequin kimono; black satin cigarette pants from Scanlan & Theodore; black camisole from Zara; pumps from Saint Laurent.

Shop My Look.

CLICK TO BUY: Theysken’s Theory Manie Fluster Jacket from Shopbop, $2,039.04; Pierre Balmain Sequin Blazer from FarFetch, US$777.70; Lucette Exotic Sequin Kimono Cape from The Iconic, $329. Now $164.50; Anna Sui Draped Lace Kimono Top from Net-a-Porter, $378; One Teaspoon Devil Inside Sequin Jacket from Revolve Clothing, $389.43.

The iconic black and tortoiseshell frames she favoured have been copied over and over again. Every woman needs a pair in her wardrobe – the key is finding the right style for your face shape. Here’s how to make like a Kennedy.

Heart Shaped Face.

Opt for frames that are wider at the bottom to add width to the lower half of your face. Super-large styles work well on a Heart but you should avoid square shapes that sit too high.

CLICK TO BUY: Jeepers Peppers Vintage Clear Black Oversized Sunglasses from ASOS, $30.09; ROC Eyewear Abbey from The Iconic, $80; Michael Kors Butterfly Shape Sunglasses from Asos, $167.15.

Square Shaped Face.

This Square suits the classic Jackie O style – round and oval – that counteract the angular lines of your face shape. Steer clear of frames with hard, boxy lines. Gradient lenses (dark to light) look great too because they help soften the face.

CLICK TO BUY: Topshop Flat Temple Sunglasses in Coffee, £14; Tony Bianco Greenwich from The Iconic, $62.97; Marc by Marc Jacobs Oversized Round Sunglasses from Shopbop, $105.77.

Queen Of The Shades.

Round Shaped Face.

Minimise fuller cheeks with frames that elongate your face. The Round can wear sharper, more angular styles with a square, almost oblong top. This face shape also looks fantastic in cat-eye or upswept lenses. Think a little more Audrey than Jackie.

CLICK TO BUY: Pieces Gernille Sunglasses from Asos, $30.09; House of Harlow Robyn Sunglasses from The Iconic, $160.30; AM Eyewear Timbs from The Iconic, $269.95.

Oval Shaped Face.

The symmetrical proportions of an Oval mean you can pretty much wear whatever style you like but choose a style where the arm of the sunglasses connects with the top of the frame. This will help keep your whole look balanced.

CLICK TO BUY: Topshop Snake Arm Flat Tops Sunglasses, £16; Elizabeth And James Orchard Sunglasses from Shopbop, $167.41; Sass & Bide Salta from The Iconic, $229.

I Own Many Pairs Of Sunglasses.