A smorgasbord of classic womenswear, some cut-price homewares and a bunch of preloved bargains are all in the mix this week. If you're anything like us, you were doing more celebrating than shopping last weekend (go Doggies!) Here's your chance to catch up.
Sales round-up
If Katharine Hepburn were alive, we reckon she'd be a Lee Mathews kinda girl. Something about the sophisticated but relaxed cuts and refined understatement of the label speaks to the late, great actor's easy elegance. You can get the look for a steal this weekend at the Lee Mathews warehouse sale, with items from as little as $20, and nothing over $100. Sale includes past season stock and samples across summer and winter lines, knitwear, homewares and accessories.
5-13 Easey Street, Collingwood. Thursday and Friday 9am - 6pm, Saturday 9am - 5pm.
Lee Mathews' "Piet" sanded silk pants are among the sale stock.
At some sales, the only bargains to be found are PVC miniskirts in flamingo pink and shoes that, frankly, our grandmothers wouldn't be caught dead in. Not so at Megan Park, where the designer's penchant for demure, feminine classics means that there's not a chartreuse sateen blazer in sight. Think floaty floral dresses, one-off samples, resort wear, accessories and home lines, all at up to 70 per cent off.
10/110 Moor Street, Fitzroy. Thursday 8am - 6pm, Friday 9am - 7pm, Saturday 9.30am - 4pm
Pick up a cut-price floral jumpsuit at the Megan Park sale.
Similarly, Finnish label Marimekko is renowned for creating classic women's pieces with a twist - think flattering items in comfortable cuts, all with that unmistakable Scandi-chic. Their sale takes up to 50 per cent off selected fashion, bags, accessories and home items and includes the Freja shirt, Aksia trousers and Rhonda jacket, pictured, from the spring/summer 2016 collection.
Available at the Emporium, Eastland and Chapel Street stores and online until Sunday October 16.
In some circles, Milk & Sugar are dirty words, but clean eaters, fear not, this sale promises not to wreak havoc on your waistline (we can't guarantee the health of your bank account, however). The homewares retailer is clearing out stock with an end-of-season sale, discounting bedding, cushions, lighting, tableware, ceramics, clocks and other bits and bobs at up to 80 per cent off. Now's the time to start stocking up on Christmas presents.
Prahran Town Hall, 180 Greville Street, Prahran. Thursday - Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm.
Calorie-free Milk & Sugar.
Round She Goes Preloved Market is back in Coburg this weekend, and there's no better place to pick up a vintage frock, bag, brooch, or pair of boots. Over 60 unique stalls are at the market, which is completely undercover (a big plus considering that spring weather appears to have gone AWOL) and there's even a $20 vintage Kimono stall, where you can channel your inner geisha for a lobster.
Coburg Town Hall, 90 Bell Street, Coburg. Sunday 10am -3pm, $2 entry fee.
A haul fit for a vintage style queen at Round She Goes Preloved market.
Last, but most certainly not least, the Wear For Success spring fashion sale kicks off this Friday. Wear For Success is a registered charity providing professional clothing and training to people who are trying to find employment. There's a mix of new and pre-loved wares up for grabs - everything from racewear to casual wear to menswear, accessories and more. Spread the word.
149 Dorcas Street, Port Melbourne. Friday 11am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 2pm.
A range of the stock available at the Wear for Success sale.
Just opened
It's a few months old but we only just heard about Elvie & Leo, a new fashion-in-a-box service with some major tech muscle behind it.
Sisters Liz Gillies and Nikki Metzner, the granddaughters of Sir Leo Curtis, who was lord mayor of Melbourne when The Beatles visited in 1964, launched their e-commerce business after more than two decades' experience in fashion, art, film and philanthropy.
Says Gillies: "We thought we had a new concept that was based on building an e-commerce platform that allowed us to have a different conversation with consumers."
Through a complex data process to build each customer's "fashion DNA", Elvie & Leo sends customers a capsule collection each month made up of their own staples plus pieces sourced from labels to match the customer's likes and budget. Customers can try on the pieces at home and simply return what they don't want, with no extra costs involved.
"Fashion is intrinsic [to the business] but what we are bringing is new … we are trying to find a solution. We have a clear woman in mind ... who wants to be fashion forward but is busy and wants to look good but doesn't have a huge amount of time," Gillies says.
Each customer is prescribed looks that fit in three categories: everyday, work and chic, for going out.
Gillies says Elvie & Leo was launched after the sisters researched similar models overseas. Stitch Fix's revenue was $US250 million in 2015, while Trunk Club has just launched a women's service after its success with menswear.
"If you look at what's happening around the world, people are wanting that sort of curation and personalised service," Gillies says.
Most pieces are priced between $50 and $249, although they are happy to source more luxurious pieces as requested.
Emma Balfour is fronting the first Elvie and Leo campaign.
#inthecart: metallic slips
Wear yours a la Kim K (sans bra) if you dare, or pop on a little black lace number underneath. In these (still cooler) months you can wear your slip with a fresh white tee and stockings, but once it heats up we'll be all about sandals and sexy heels.