Aug 27, 2014 12:21
by Natasha Saroca

Okay, we’re going to go out on a limb and say that there’s a 99.5 per cent chance that you’ve spied the work of busy Sydney-based freelance stylist Sarah Bonett before. After all, she’s styled shoots for some of Australia’s fave mags (including Cosmopolitan, where she used to work as Fashion Editor, Sunday Life and Harper’s Bazaar), campaigns for popular fashion brands (like Tony Bianco, Lee Denim and Collette by Collette Hayman) and has also worked with numerous celebs (Delta Goodrem and Lara Bingle, we’re looking at you!), so it’s highly likely that you’ve seen her killer styling skills in print, online or when you’ve hit the shops at some point over the past few years!

We recently caught up with Sarah, the fourth stylist to feature in our spring/summer shopping list series, to get the scoop on what must-buy items are on her shopping list for next season, her thoughts on emerging trends and essential styling advice you need to know for the warmer months ahead.

What are the top 10 must-have items on your spring/summer shopping list?

1. Muscle tanks in grey, white and black to go with everything; they’re perfect with denim shorts or over the togs. I have broad shoulders, and I find this cut makes my arms look longer and leaner.
Her pick: Gorman Basic Muscle Tank in Grey Marle, $49.

2. The only place I’m a fan of colour is at the beach. The graphic stripes and floral combination [featured on this beach towel] is a favourite for me.
Her pick: Kenzo Transat Beach Towel from David Jones, $199.

3. I can’t be bothered with big bags any more (they just make me store more junk), but the envelope clutch trend doesn’t work for me, because I need to be hands-free. Since I’ve downsized from a large satchel, a small shoulder bag is all I need.
Her pick: Proenza Schouler PS Courier Small Suede and Leather Bag, $1803.96.

4. I love the fresh, unique smell of this fragrance, which is even better on sun-kissed skin. I’m a seasonal fragrance wearer, and I wear this one all summer.
Her pick: Bal D’Afrique by Byredo Parfums 100ml from Mecca Cosmetica, $229.

5. I do a lot of yoga and pilates, and like to have good range of movement, so comfy, supportive stretch gear is essential.
Her pick: Pilot Athletic Aviatrix Leopard Mesh Crop and Tights in Black from Stylerunner, $100 (top) and $120 (tights).

6. Rationale hydrating products and sunscreen for skin therapy over the summer months. The older I get, the more attention my skin needs, so I find that now I’m spending more on skincare than ever before.
Her pick: Rationale Nutrify SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen, $85.

7. I love the classic colour and pattern, and the support of this bikini. A good cossie has to have bust support.
Her pick: Prism Swimwear Cracked Black Balconette Bikini Top and Punta Bottoms from Avenue 32, $195 (top) and $120 (bottoms).

8. I love these Alexander Wang sandals because the hard leather sole makes them easy to kick around in, and the fresh white tone makes your feet look more tanned in the summer months! I’ve been buying his flats for a while now and have found them to be really durable.
Her pick: Alexander Wang Elena Matte Leather Slingback Sandals from NET-A-PORTER, $516.48.

9. I’m always adding anything by Kelly Wearstler to my collection. Her beautiful coffee table books keep me inspired all the time.
Her pick: Modern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style by Kelly Wearstler from Amazon, USD$29.93.

10. I love cotton basics over summer that I can throw on and off. I don’t like when my clothes stick to me during the hotter months, so the wider cut in this dress allows for more movement.
Her pick: Bassike Stripe Longer Line Tank Dress, $192.

What new-season trends do you love?

African/Tribal: For me, this look never dies. The prints and the colour palette that comes with the theme is a style I employ for my home and my wardrobe.

Flats: My lifestyle is too hectic for heels nowadays, so I always love that flats have a way to make a statement each season.

Khaki: Loose lightweight trenches and military shapes in crisp khaki cotton!

Botanicals: The whimsical/naturalist kind, not the wild bright florals that are trending right now.

And loathe?

Graphic digital prints in hyper colours. I’m tired of the loud ‘look at me’ connotations that come with this trend.

In the interiors arena, I’m so bored of the minimalist Scandi look of polished concrete and blonde timbers – time to inject some personality into the home, people!

What are three spring/summer wardrobe essentials that every woman should own?

1. A good pair of denim shorts to flatter your shape. Whether they’re a longer Bermuda style for more coverage or cheekier for toned legs, a well-fitting pair is great to have.

2. Dressier flats. Women in Australia have a terrible habit of wearing only Havaianas all summer. Break it up with some good-quality strappy leather sandals that pass as evening BBQ footwear, and save the rubber thongs for the beach.

3. A wide brim hat. I love the straw fedora style but even a floppy is good – anything to keep the harsh sun off the face. Ensure you buy one that fits the head circumference snugly, as these can easily fly off when the wind gets under them.

Are there any pieces from your winter wardrobe that you’ll continue wearing once the weather warms up? What are they?

My Nike trainers, as they’re a godsend for anything, from running around for work to evening walks with my dog. I have several pairs and will wear them all summer.

And also my lightweight leopard-print spray jacket, which I got super cheap from Factorie. It’s not lined, so it’s really light and great to throw over anything if there’s a bit of a chill.

What are your favourite go-to labels or shopping destinations that you visit each spring and summer?

I’m not very loyal to any particular store or brand; I tend to buy whatever fits my needs at the time, depending on where I am. In saying that, I don’t get too much time to shop, so I tend to buy a lot online.

What’s your idea of the perfect warm weather outfit?

A camisole in a quality fabric like silk or cotton blend that falls beautifully, denim shorts, interesting leather flats that aren’t too covered and make your feet sweat, and a wide brim hat.

What celeb/s will you be looking to for style inspo next season?

I don’t follow celebrity fashion for my own wardrobe inspiration or the ‘street-style’ movement that unfortunately still hasn’t died. But if I had to pick, I like Olivia Palermo’s personal style, in which I see elements of my own taste.

What’s a common fashion faux pas that people women make during the warmer months?

Ill-fitting bras and cossies that turn normal back fat into something resembling a ham rack – so, so bad. I also find that some girls don’t check whether the armholes of their tanks are cut so low that they reveal side-boob, or that their denim shorts are cut so high that we can see their ass cheeks. Or maybe they are aware of this…?

I also think that it’s easy to forgo quality during the warmer months and resort to daggy old basics with no style, because our clothes tend to get roughed up and thrown around a bit more in the heat. But attention to detail over summer is still so nice.

So, now we’ve talked fashion, what should we do with our hair and makeup?

Moisturise, always apply sunscreen, treat the skin to some salt water, fake tan instead of real tan, and avoid harsh hair products, except a good hair sunscreen in the mornings. Or use Moroccan oil to restore it at the end of the day.

And leave your hair to dry naturally – it will thank you for it.

Finally, do you have any secret styling tips you’d like to share?

Always keep a couple of loose safety pins in the coin section of your purse. With the amount of times these have come in handy (mainly for friends), this has been so valuable.

Like what you see? Follow Sarah: sarahbonett.com | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

All images styled and supplied by Sarah Bonett.