What’s that saying again? Spring has? Yes, we don’t need to go there, but we do need to get stuck into spring fashion. While designers are swiftly bucking strict seasonal codes, there’s no escaping the simple equation of weather-dressing: when it’s cold, you wear something warm; when it’s warm, you wear something to cool you down. Simple. So, with the change of season, it’s time to get excited and arm our wardrobe with bikinis and slides and all things sun-friendly (perhaps not that excited, but you get my drift).

Arguably my most favorite of seasons (warm, but not too warm; sunny, but not too sticky), spring is here and quite frankly, I couldn’t be more excited. But much like the opening platitude (or half-platitude), we’re steering clear of cliché and saying no! to florals (just to mix things up and not piss Miranda Priestly off).

So without further ado, an edit of my favorite spring pieces to land on the digital racks. Plus, they’re all Aussie (and Kiwi) – because now, more than ever, is the time to support our local labels.

Holly Ryan’s lovelock necklace
Like a kid in a candy store (or jewel-obsessed grown-up in a jewelry store), visiting Holly Ryan’s impossibly chic new boutique / studio in Sydney’s inner-West was somewhat of a tease: what do you mean I can’t have it ALL?! Fine, I’ll pick one, and it’s this gilt Lovelock Necklace because nostalgia always wins. (But also the Sorrento Necklace and an anklet, please).

9CT GOLD LOVELOCK NECKLACE, holly ryan, $1,620. shop now

Maison Balzac’s Monsieur Snail
My love for Maison Balzac is well-documented so it comes as no surprise that I now wish to fill every Balzac-less corner of my home with the new collection (which is difficult, considering most corners take up prized Maison Balzac real estate). I would, however, move the carafes and candles to the side to make way for Monsieur Snail and friends, who, according to the brand’s founder Elise Pioch, “is having the time of his life!” Of course he is. Look at him, have you ever seen a snail so dapper and debonair?

MONSIEUR ESCARGOT THE SNAIL, maison balzac, $249. shop now

friends with frank’s cleo dress
I want to befriend lots of Frank’s friends, but Cleo is at the top of my list. In a breathable ribbed cotton with perfectly fluted sleeves, she skims your curves beautifully because she’s a good friend like that. While all colorways are great, I’ll be taking her in this mottled powder blue because how damn glorious? (Plus we / I like to stand out in a crowd).

cleo dress in space dyed blue cotton, friends with frank, $319. shop now

Bec & Bridge’s Safari Sun Jacket + Pant
Bec & Bridge’s brand director told me this set was “very up your alley” and she was bang on the money. Safari, but make it sexy – sounds about right to me. The perfect spring suit indeed.

SAFARI SUN JACKET, $300, and pant, $240, bec & bridge. shop now

Aje’s Arcadian Knot Dress
While not the most “brand-spanking” of Aje’s new spring wares (you can find their latest ‘Impermanence’ collection here however), I have been eyeing this ombré-painted, puffy-sleeved delight since first spotting it at my local Aje boutique. And I haven’t stopped thinking about her since.

Arcadian Knot Dress, Aje, $695. shop now

blanca’s laurel dress
Could this be the perfect white prairie dress? I think so. Its Peter Pan collar, delicate lace and floaty trapeze shape are just lovely. And I shall offset its nightie nuances with a chunky, overbearing sandal ’cause, fashion.

laurel dress, blanca, $269. shop now

sheridan x jac+jack’s braid quilt cover set
Covid spurred some kind of early-nesting syndrome, whereby I was suddenly enamored by all things home-y and cozy and comforting (Bottega who?). But this fresh collaboration with two of Australia’s finest in their respective industries – home and fashion – merged my two loves and the world just made sense again. Washed dusty rose and delectable stripes make this bedding set an absolute triumph – so good, it’s already sold out online – but is dropping in-store October 5. Very keen to jump under the covers with Jac & Jack, I hear they’re great in bed.

Braid Quilt Cover Set queen in dusk, sheridan x jac+jack, $350. coming soon

avenue the label’s fornillo sunhat
While I did have visions of myself frolicking in the fields of Provence in Avenue the Label’s L’antico Sunhat, picking peaches and being merry, I do think their adorable new Fornillo Sunhat is a more suitable replacement for my North Bondi escapades (although L’Antico’s wide-brim would be helpful in belaboring the crowds away).

Fornillo Sunhat, avenue the label, $120. shop now

Christopher Esber’s Printed silk-twill halterneck maxi dress
Stick a fork in my eye and bury me in everything Esber, but actually bury me in this. Bold, abstract and gloriously look-at-me, he’s done it again. Plus, I’ve decided I’m having a dalliance with fashion’s most polarizing but oh-so trendy color this spring / summer – so there.

Printed silk-twill halterneck maxi dress, CHRISTOPHER ESBER, $1,074. shop now

Esse Studios’ WIDE LEG UTILITY PANT
One of my favorite new(ish) designers (and the VAMFF 2020 National Designer Award Winner thank you very much), what I would give to fill my wardrobe with Esse’s slow, streamlined, spectacular pieces. Given the Rib Tube Top and Leather Belt is now sold out, I am making sheepish eyes at their outfit compatriot; these wide-leg, do-it-all Utility Pants – the pant of spring.

wide leg UTILITY pant, esse studios, $400. shop now

By Johnny’s square knit crop cami
Finding the perfect basics are hard (too small, too tall, too tight), but thankfully By Johnny’s Square Knit Crop Cami is a cut above the rest (quite literally). Its perfectly scooped square neckline makes this cami a hard-working top (aka it goes with everything). Note to self: avoid saucy things in a (somewhat futile) bid to keep this spick and span.

square knit crop cami white, by johnny, $80. shop now

Paris Georgia’s Workmans Jumpsuit
A boiler suit is fashion’s current must-have, but every time I attempt one I end up more Bob the Builder than Bella Hadid. But then again not all boilers were made like Paris Georgia’s Workmans Jumpsuit in Post-It yellow, which is literal fashion sunshine. Will risk the tradesman/woman overtones for this (but will steer clear of a sausage roll and Coke at 9am just to be safe).

Workmans Jumpsuit in Post-It yellow, paris georgia, $685. shop now

Realisation Par
While I have a million fussy, bitsy, brilliant outfits, when I’m hot, bothered and bleary-eyed (likely from natural wine and little sleep), I want nothing to do with them. Gah! Begone convoluted outfit! Bring me an easy sundress and call it a day.
*Bring me this Realisation Par Sundress and call it a day.

THE LITTLE JEANNIE in Snow Leopard, realisation par, approx $260AUD. shop now

par femme’s ribbed one-shoulder singlet
A classic noughties silhouette to get, well, naughty in, this ribbed cotton singlet has the most perfectly placed one-shoulder strap, plus is Made-in-Australia for an added kick of positive patriotism. Intent on living out my best girl group fantasy in this.

one-shoulder tank in white, par femme, $80. shop now

Dion lee’s CHAIN NECKLACE DRESS
I have been waiting what seems like a lifetime for quite possibly my favorite Dion Lee collection to drop in-store, and voila, here it is! While I would very much enjoy one of everything, I cannot go past this draped halter neck dress dissected with heavy chain links because quite frankly, it’s off. The Chain. Now to work on those obliques…

dion lee, CHAIN NECKLACE DRESS, $1,490. shop now

Carly Paiker’s pinata stick pearl necklace
Like a pinata but without the violence, calories and “accidental” injury / damage. And one that lasts and looks far lovelier.

pinata stick pearl necklace, carly paiker, $149. shop now

rebecca vallance’s BRINKLEY LONG SLEEVE MIDI DRESS
The ideal substitute to spring florals is spring checks, so consider Rebecca Vallance’s punchy Brinkley Long Sleeve Dress the perfect spring dress. Plus, it’s puff-and-cuff adds a little theater for a drama queen like myself.

BRINKLEY LONG SLEEVE MIDI DRESS, Rebecca Vallance, $699. shop now

Tile Image: Avenue the Label