Melbourne in February
Ian and I have just got back from an amazing three-week holiday. We spent a week in Melbourne in February, staying with friends whom Ian has known since he was a teenager. After that we had five nights on the Gold Coast before heading to New Zealand for nine. Because it was a three-centre holiday, I was more restrained/sensible than usual with my packing. I kept my NZ clothing in separate *packing cubes in my case because I knew it would more casual and possibly cooler weather-wise there. Packing cubes are a great idea if you are doing a multi-centre holiday to save fully unpacking and repacking at every stop.
Clothing for Melbourne in February
The weather in Melbourne in February is glorious-hot-but not quite as stifling as it is in January- their midsummer.
While we were there, I asked Pat, our friend with whom we stayed, about clothing trends in Melbourne. She said that year-round, a lot of people wear black. What I observed in bars and restaurants was that a lot of (younger) women wore very form-fitting outfits: dresses and tops with cutouts, fitted trousers, long bias cut skirts with slits. The outfits were almost all monochrome, (usually all black, all white, or neutral). No prints, no ruffles and no volume. Heels were high and hair was expertly styled. It is a very stylish city.
I didn’t buy anything new for this leg of the trip because I have so many dresses that I love wearing. I took several loose, lightweight midi and maxis, suitable for a day at the beach, browsing the shops or eating out. If I were looking to fit in, I didn’t, (but that has never bothered me- I’m happy enough in my skin to wear what I ever I want). But I did feel appropriately dressed – cool, comfortable and in the holiday mood. I enjoyed what I wore.
Footwear for Melbourne in February
I took two pairs of leather sliders, one pair of pool sliders and the trainers I travelled in. (See my long-haul travel outfit in this blog post). I ummed and ahhed about taking a pair of heels but decided that the leather sliders are perfect for every eventuality. I also wanted to leave space in my luggage to bring some wine and souvenirs back home.
The white and tan crossover mules are from Sophia Webster. This is their third summer and I have worn them on repeat on five summer holidays since getting them. A much as I adore colour, neutral footwear is always a sensible, hardworking and timeless choice.
The pearl embellished tan leather sliders are by Stuart Weitzman. This is their third summer holiday. I adore pearls and these beautiful shoes are practical, comfortable, versatile and stylish.
My Melbourne Outfits
Beach- Boden Pink Print Dress and Cocoa Mint Sunglasses


Dinner: Self-Portrait Mint Green Dress, Sophia Webster Sandals, Cult Gaia Bag.
Cable Car Ride, Wine Tasting and Lunch- Boden Lemon Print Dress, Stuart Weitzman Sandals, Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses.


Wine Tasting and Sightseeing – Accessorize Botanical Print Dress, Stuart Weitzman Sandals.


Botanical Gardens and NGV- Farm Rio Dress, Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses, Sophia Webster Sandals, Fruit Scarf Scrunchie.


Links To My Melbourne Looks
I will write a blog post about what we ate, drank and visited during our five days in Melbourne in due course.
Because I rewear my clothes and shoes so much, the majority are past season and are therefore out of stock. However, everything below is in stock at the time of writing.
Farm Rio Dress.
Oliver Goldsmith Lancelot Cat Eye Sunglasses, (gifted).
Fruit print scarf scrunchie.
Pearl hoop earrings, (gifted).
Cocoa Mint sunglasses, (gifted).
Pandora Jewellery, (gifted).