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Books

When the Going Was Good: An Editor’s Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines
FiFi | May 3, 2025
Can’t wait to read this ! ’From the pages of Vanity Fair to the red carpets of Hollywood, editor...
Adventures in the Louvre, How to fall in love with the world’s greatest museum. #book
FiFi | April 17, 2025
Oh la la ! A book about Paris, art and the Louvre: what more do you want ?! I...
The Best Books to Read This April : 21 standout new releases #townandcountry
FiFi | April 12, 2025
The Best Books to Read This April: Town and Country always has the best picks of books. Here are...
A Reading List for the 2025 Oscar Best Picture Nominees #townandcountry
FiFi | February 14, 2025
Want to read the book before you see the movie? Yes, please Check out the books that inspired Conclave,...
Bellissima : An Australian–Italian Affair By Collette Dinnigan #hotbook
FiFi | December 16, 2024
This book is on my Christmas wishlist ! Looks divine with so many fabulous houses people and places. ‘When...
Best Coffee Table Books to add to your Christmas wishlist #giftguide
FiFi | December 6, 2024
Looking for a fabulous gift to give someone for Christmas ? For me it’s all about books. This is...
What I Ate in One Year (And related thoughts) by Stanley Tucci #hotbook
FiFi | November 9, 2024
In sad times we need some cheering up and …what better way than with food ! Loved this podcast...
The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir #Hotbook
FiFi | October 26, 2024
I am reading this book at the moment and it’s fabulous. Well written, funny and fascinating ! “Griffin Dunne’s...
So many books, so little time ! The 60 Must-Read Books of 2024 #townandcountry
FiFi | September 7, 2024
So many books, so little time ! This is a fabulous list : The 60 Must-Read Books of 2024...
STYLE: Photographs for Vogue by Norman Parkinson #Hotbook
FiFi | August 10, 2024
Add this to the list of coffee table books ! from Vogue “Remember, Parks, there is nothing more un-chic...

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FiFi | October 19, 2024
The Endlessly Alluring Saoirse Ronan Saoirse #BritishVogue .

Saoirse Ronan is on the cover of British Vogue “ A riveting silver screen presence since her early...

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What’s to love about a trench ? It will joosh up

What’s to love about a trench ?
It will joosh up everything you own! You will always look sophisticated. And chic.
Summer, Autumn, winter, Spring.
So versatile ! A trench will go out to dinner over a simple black dress and heels. Toss that same exact trench over jeans, a tee with Birkenstocks & you’re casual weekend ready. It will keep you dry in rainy weather.
And it might even keep you warm in winter.
Who da thunk! Talk about mileage and cost per wear.

Which one to buy ?
Classics like a trench have a use by date. They NEVER last forever. They can look dated.  That short ( knee length ) tight single breasted trench you own?  Aurevoir. Goodbye. Adios & store it.
(It’s so out it’s about to come back in again!)
Right now you want an extra long trench , double breasted and oversized. This new modern shape will last you for 5 years or more. (BTW I’ve been talking about this new shape of trench for about 10 years now).
Veer away from a black trench. Too dark, Not versatile. Boring. It’s outerwear that counts: it’s the first thing people see. It’s the piece that’s going to make a statement. 
So If you have to buy just one trench?
invest in beige, brown, khaki, white. Watch as it instantly lightens up your life. It will joosh up all your basic black but also loves white and neutrals.( a black trench is not wrong just not the first one to buy)

* Walk past, close your eyes & cross yourself 🫣if you see any trenchcoats in purple or red or horrid green or lime )(Looks cheap. Hurts my eyes!)

* Always buy a size or two bigger if it’s too neat.

* A trench should be mid shin because it needs to be the same length as your midi skirt : A short trench over a longer skirt arrggggg ! Please no ! A long trench over a short skirt? Yes !

*Also if you feel overwhelmed by too much fabric then choose a trenchcoat with a sharp shoulder seam not raglan sleeve ( not good if you have narrow or sloping shoulders !).

Swipe for all the ways I’ve been wearing a trenchcoat : a link in stories to my picks of the best trenchcoats luxe to less - #shopwithfifi #fifireport #trenchcoats

Loving a barn jacket this season. You might call

Loving a barn jacket this season. You might call it a safari jacket or a field jacket.
Or even a utility jacket. I call it cool! 
What’s to love ? It’s not a blazer, a crop trench or a parka. (though it almost is!) But it works just as well. It is casual yet never boring. You can wear it summer into winter because it’s not really a heavy winter jacket. But because it has a casual nonchalant laid back vibe it suits the Australian lifestyle.

What to look for ?  Go for a barn jacket in a brown, beige khaki or neutral. (Surprise!) (black is too heavy and dark).  It should have pockets, it might have a cord collar , leather trim or a funnel neck.
It should really be pretty roomy , almost square and boxy. It should be long , over the bum and have an oversized look. In a heavy practical cotton, maybe waxed or at least rainproof. It should look functional!
( now’s there’s an idea : haha)

Styling tricks:
* Layer a lighter colour knit under the jacket( don’t default to black under there).
* Tuck your knit or tee into high waist pants to create shape and give the illusion (!) of a waist under there!
* Slouchy long pants will dress up the barn jacket. Ditto a pencil skirt . Swipez vous to see how I’ve been wearing it . If you’re feeling bold go for a sheer skirt a la Prada !
* Sneakers in brown dress down the classic pants.( white sneakers? Not wrong but time to store them!)
* Love the idea of a barn jacket with heels, boots, white mules and kitten heels. Yes ! That’s how I will wear it . It’s the contrast of high/low that makes it interesting/unexpected = cool.
* Hint: make sure it’s oversized and BIG , that is what makes it look fashiony. You do not want to look like the Queen in Balmoral (!) so It needs drama & to make a statement.

Now you can steal her style @mirjaklein
Head to @ltk.australia #shopwithfifi where you can shop the look my pick of the best barn jackets & slouchy pants & sneakers straight from the app.
Hit the link in bio or check my stories for links !
#barnjacket #fifireport #stealherstyle #simplechic

The one thing missing in my wardrobe? A grey blaze

The one thing missing in my wardrobe?
A grey blazer !
So I was thrilled when I spied this one from @cosstores_au on sale in January .
Finally it’s chilly enough to wear it !

The thing I love about a grey blazer is that it’s not black ( or camel) but just as chic .
And in all seriousness that is the point !

Remember that a black blazer can actually be quite limiting - it only looks good with jeans (and leather pants). A black blazer with your favorite black pants ? It’s a snoozefest !! (Where would I wear a black trouser suit ?! With my current lifestyle : not many places).
But a grey blazer is so much more versatile & it works with both jeans AND also with black pants.

What to look for in a blazer so it looks modern?
A sharper shoulder , a longer length, double breasted ( though this one doesn’t have buttons ) and a bigger lapel . This blazer @cosstores_au also has a cool fabric belt which adds a little edge and helps to cinch in the waist.

I’ve styled the grey blazer with my fav slouchy grey barrel leg jeans @zara & white mules but it also works with silver block heels and black sandals. ( change the shoes, change the look right ?!).

For a lewk that is a little more polished I’ve thrown the grey blazer @cosstores_au and white tank with my fav @lululemonausnz black slouchy pants, white mules and a black bucket bag.

Head to my #shopwithfifi @ltkaustralia page where I’ll add links to grey blazers & grey jeans plus a link to the @lululemonausnz pants & white shoes #ltkaustralia #shopwithfifi #fifireport #greyblazer

FiFi philosophy! Don’t compromise looking modern

FiFi philosophy!
Don’t compromise looking modern by trying to look slim. You’ll end up looking neither.

Meaning ?

Time and again I hear women say about slouchy clothes “I can’t wear that, it makes me look bigger”. So? Who cares if you look bigger ?

Looking slim is not the end game!

And when you think about it the word “ flattering” is really just another word for slim right ?

Personally I’d rather look modern & chic than worry about whether something will make me look slimmer.

Because what happens is when you will try to style something to make it flattering /slimming quite often ( not always !) it will not be modern. And you won’t look smaller either. You end up in no man’s land looking neither slim nor modern.

My advice : own it & just wear the damn fashion !

When you start trying new shapes & silhouettes your eye changes and suddenly you get used to new proportions.
It’s about updating the classics and embracing the fashion & the new ways of styling.
Whatever age or shape you are.

The thing is : ALL those ridiculous rules about dressing for your shape are all based on the idea of looking slimmer !

And the problem : those so called “figure fixer” rules CHANGE. Because fashion changes. ( that’s why we love it) And women hold on to those old fashioned rules.
But they’re not set in stone.
No wonder you’re struggling to get dressed!

In my opinion looking slimmer is not the aim.
Looking modern & chic is what I’m interested in.

Right now it’s about :
Baggy + baggy = Yes
Baggy + neat = cool
Neat + neat = wrong

Of course getting dressed is about feeling great so please wear what you feel good in !
For me I FEEL great in Farshun & feel modern in new silhouettes whether they’re slimming or not .

So please stop compromising looking modern by trying to look slim : you’ll end up looking neither.

Let me know if that resonates with you !
#shopwithfifi #ownitgirl #wearthefashion #fifireport #shopwithfifi

I’m having a love affair with barrel leg pants.

I’m having a love affair with barrel leg pants.
There’s something about the new shape that I love: modern, cool, comfortable, baggy but overly so. Looks effortless ( I hope !) and relaxed.
I’ve been living in my barrel jeans (every colour : White, brown, grey & blue ). And I have also nabbed a pair of black barrel pants @lululemonausnz that I wear on repeat .

So was thrilled when I found these camel barrel pants @lululemonausnz ( you know how I love beige pants)( they’re all different I swear!).

What’s to love?
They have a flat front so you have one too ✔️
In a stretchy twill fabric, yes please !✔️
Trans seasonal: they work summer to winter ✔️
Relaxed roomy cut (through glutes and thighs!)✔️
A good camel beige colour ✔️
The length is longer ( I’ve turned them up inside )✔️
In a wrinkle-free ( like me 😂) Twill texture ✔️

Styling tips - Swipez vous !
Pull on a sleeveless knit ( love the shoulder pads from @thefrankieshop ) or try it with a crop knit that sits right at the top of the pants .
For a more summery look pull on a simple white tee (This is the best white tee from @lululemonausnz ).
Add a designer belt & bag to elevate the look ( always in the same tones but not necessarily matching exactly ).
As always white shoes( flats or heels ) lighten up the outfit and add edge.

I’m wearing a size 30 in the lululemon twill barrel leg pants in colour : sheer oak.

I’ll post links in stories! As always head to @ltkaustralia #shopwithfifi #fifireport #lululemon

It’s a barn jacket ! A mix between a peacoat ,

It’s a barn jacket !
A mix between a peacoat , utility jacket, parka and a Barbour. And it’s the coolest piece in your new season wardrobe…

It’s not a blazer but just as versatile, it’s not a parka but just as casual. It feels new, looks low key & is totally practical too.

I’m a sucker for anything utility, anything with pockets. Anything that you can just toss on. And instantly look farshun !

So you can’t afford @prada or @therow ?
Please don’t cry : grab this fabulous men’s jacket @uniqloau . It is called a ‘utility blouson’ and you need to get the colour “brown” ( surprise!) and I’ve got it in a size large.

Yes, it’s menswear but best to go big or go home .
Why ?
Because you need an exaggerated shape so it looks fashiony. So you don’t look like the Queen at Balmoral. Or you’re handing out prizes for best cakes at the local show. (Nothing wrong with either but my aim here is to help you look fabulously chic and cool).

How to style it ? Swipez vous 👉👉👉
Over a white tee in autumn with wide leg jeans ✔️
Over a knit with leather pants in winter ✔️
Dress it up with a pencil skirt & heels ✔️it’s the contrast and juxtaposition of casual & dressy that makes it cool.
I’ve also styled it with black barrel leg pants (thank you @lululemonausnz) and white kitten heels ✔️

Styling tips:
Undo and then turn back the cuffs to show off the cord lining. Love the drama of a big cuff !
Push up the sleeves .
It has a khaki check lining so it’s a jacket that will work with all the colours of your wardrobe.
Get a big size so it looks cools and slouchy.
You could even belt it in over a pencil skirt.
Prada showed it with a sheer skirt and black pointy heels . Just sayin: it’s about wearing it in unexpected ways .

I’ll post the link in stories!
If you can’t see yourself wearing a barn jacket then head to FiFi.com.au where you can shop my picks of the best shorter jackets #shopwithfifi #uniqloau #barnjacket #fifireport

What to wear right now? Denim. Denim. And more d

What to wear right now? Denim. Denim. And more denim. It‘s so right this season. (Actually when is it not?) Trans-seasonal. Casual. Cool. Ageless. Just the thing to throw on in this cold/warm/chilly autumn weather.

When you don’t want to look dressed up but still feel cool? Denim does the trick ! When you want to look low key and effortless? Denim head to toe !  When you want to add a little edge?
Denim mixed back with classics !  When you can’t be bothered styling yourself? Grab denim. White loafers. Camel blazer. Duh.

This season denim comes in all shapes : jeans, shirts, dresses, all sorts of jackets. Even in shoes, hats and bags.

Any colour denim is great ( brown ! Grey !) but I’m talking about blue denim right here, which pieces to buy and how to wear it.

styling tricks:

* Remember the key to jooshing up your wardrobe is to update the classics, that means new shape jeans & denim jackets
* Double denim is almost de rigueur this season. You double your looks !
* toss denim with black leather & slouchy knits.
* Blue denim LOVES and adores camel and tan, white and chocolate brown. Divine.
* I am not a fan of spending a lot of money on denim : why would you when all the major high street brands like @Zara,@hm , @mango and @uniqloau get it so right at great prices.
( these brands spend a fortune getting the fit right!)
* And I would rather spend my hard earned cash on a fabulous designer bag or on expensive jacket.
It’s high low dressing at its best.

For my picks of the best denim luxe to less hop,skip and jump right over to fifi.com.au or head to #shopwithfifi @ltk.australia where you can shop straight from the app ! Link in bio fifireport

A FiFi philosophy: It doesn’t have to be raining

A FiFi philosophy:
It doesn’t have to be raining to wear a trench.
( though it’s always good when it does !)
Think of a trench like a blazer or any outerwear : it’s a fashion piece. It will instantly update your wardrobe , elevate whatever you decide to throw on. Joosh up your lewk in two seconds flat.

I think that’s why I’m obsessed with trenchcoats.
A trenchcoat officionado if you will. An expert in the field.
And this one from @lululemonausnz is going straight to the number one trench in my wardrobe !
Why ?
It works with everything, summer to winter ( & back again)
With a pencil skirt & heels : yes !
With black slouchy pants & mules : yes !
With an animal print bag : yes !
With barrel leg jeans & ballet flats: yes !
With leggings & sneakers : yes !

What’s to love ?
The colour : the chicest camel ( not too yellow, not too orange, not too dirty )✔️
It’s double breasted so it looks great done up but sits exactly right when undone ✔️
The front pockets , gives it a utility vibe ✔️
It’s water resistant ✔️
The length : super long modern cut so it works with a midi skirt or pants ✔️
The cut is roomy & oversized ✔️
It’s a soft crinkle fabric which means it doesn’t wrinkle or need ironing ( thank you !) as that’s the look ✔️
A wide fabric belt - it’s easy to tie ( or hang loose) as there’s no messy belt buckle ✔️

Styling tips:
* In autumn toss the trench over a simple white tee ( this is a favorite @lululemonausnz ) Then in winter wear it over a cream knit /sweatshirt with slouchy leather pants & loafers.
* Go for a trench in a neutral /beige/camel because it’s lightens up all the basics you already own ( those simple foundation pieces in black & white).
* Roll /push up the sleeves for a more laid back vibe .
* white shoes (as always) add edge .
* A tan /brown designer bag adds a third colour to the mix , tones in but doesn’t match exactly, elevates the lewk.

I’ll post all the links in stories and over on #shopwithfifi @lululemonausnz #partner #ululemon #ad @ltk.australia #ltkaustralia #trenchcoatstyle

A blazer & jeans. Classics right ? That you can we

A blazer & jeans.
Classics right ? That you can wear forever?
Wrong !
These pieces are quite often the first thing to date. They have a use by date. Suddenly they look dated. You feel daggy.
Something is not right …
Solution ?
You need to be update these pieces into modern shapes. Right now you want baggy jeans & an oversized blazer.

But here’s the thing : when you think you might default to a new BLACK blazer think again : it’s a WHITE blazer that you actually need!

A white blazer works miracles: it’s fresh & chic & modern and just as versatile as black. An instant wardrobe updater: anything you wear suddenly gets an injection of chic.

You want longer cut , serious shoulders, a roomy silhouette but not too oversized. A fabric that’s trans-seasonal

This is the fabulous white St Agni blazer I nabbed last year from @thedom_au . I’ve pulled it out again now that it’s (almost!) jacket weather and autumn is in the air.

Styling tips :
* Layer a white blazer over a white shell top.
It’s about wearing the same colours on top ( white + white) and whatever the jeans you like. Depending how you feel.
* I love wearing a blazer on my shoulders : beats a cardigan any day and soooo much chicer !
* update your jeans to a baggy carrot leg @zara
* keep it simple: no need for a belt .
* Add white net flats to lighten the look & a chic tan bag to add a third colour: done.
* Easy, effortless dressing .

#shopwithfifi #simplechic #autumndressing #fifireport

When you don’t know what to wear ? Sometimes yo

When you don’t know what to wear ?
Sometimes you just have to default to all your usual suspects.
Slouchy cream pants & a crop trench.

These pieces are on high rotation ( if you didn’t notice !)
Add to the list my favorite neutral tee from @uniqloau and white flats @netaporter & it’s pretty much my repeat wear formula !

Sometimes I’ll swap out the pants for jeans and heels/mules instead of flats but it’s the same simple idea: update classics into new modern shapes & stick to versatile low key colours !
It makes getting dressed so easy right ??!
I call it no brainer dressing …

Styling tips :
* Keep the same tones on the top : so the neutral tee tones in with the camel jacket ( or you might go a grey knit + grey jacket or brown tee + brown coat etc )( although a white tee under jacket is always right)( don’t default to black under there it looks dated; just sayin !).
* Tuck in your tee to show off the high waist pants.
* A designer suede belt elevates the casual tee and low key slouchy pants.
* White (cream!) flats continue the colour theme of the fit ( black shoes here ? Nope !).
* I’ll grab a brown /tan bag to finish the look.
* Done!

You can find my pick of the best crop trench coats at every price #shopwithfifi @ltk.australia #fifireport and as always the link in my bio to shop my weekly favs at The FiFi Report

This coming season is absolutely FiFi approved. Me

This coming season is absolutely FiFi approved.
Meaning?
Sometimes there are seasons and fashion trends I am not keen on: it can be a struggle to find anything I really love and want to buy & share with you (Those winters of hot pink, bright colours, pesky prints and frumpy florals, that Gucci crazy maximalist lewk …eeek !)

This year we are rejoicing that there are so many chic, grown up and totally desirable modern pieces to buy.
Updated classics that you will love wearing. Yes !
All in “expensive” colours : neutrals , choc & denim. Yes !
Minimal style & understated chic. Yes !

It makes life so much easier when you have a choice of sophisticated & fabulous clothes …at any price.

These are the pieces on my wishlist ! Just simply fabulous clothes & shoes you need now to instantly update your wardrobe: why you want them, how to wear them.

Hit the link in bio to go to The FiFi Report ( www.FiFi.com) or head over to @ltk.australia for more #chichappens

Grey barrel jeans & a new leather jacket! I wouldn

Grey barrel jeans & a new leather jacket!
I wouldn’t call it a peacoat , I wouldn’t call it a blazer.
It’s more like a crop trench but in black…pleather.
I nabbed it from @mango a month ago.
Been desperate to wear it !
Now there is a chill in the air at night I decided to throw it on with my grey jeans @zara (& with brown barrel jeans @hm )👉

What’s to love ?
This jacket is as soft as leather but is not as heavy.
Ok so it might not keep you warm in winter but do I care ?
Of course not : I live in Sydney! 😜
The good news is that it’s actually roomy enough to toss over a knit when the cold weather comes. This is good.
It’s so damn comfortable as it’s almost stretchy.

Why do I love a double breasted jacket?
Because you can wear it undone and it will sit right across & sneakily cover “the situation”. That HAS to be good !

Styling tips:
Tuck in your tee ✔️
A belt is optional ✔️
Go go for barrel jeans that are a size bigger ✔️
White shoes lighten the look ✔️
Think three colours : black, grey & white
I’ve grabbed my black bucket bag @mansurgavriel to keep the colour theme tight ✔️
A brown bag would not be wrong either ✔️

Note : I’ll also wear the jacket with chic black pants , with a black flirty skirt, with choc brown/tan slouchy pants. And with white slouchy jeans. Even Bermudas & knee high boots.

I got a size large & the sleeves are roomy , which means it doesn’t feel tight & uncomfortable.

Oh and just to make you happy there is 30% off @mango just use code :extra30 .
(I’ll do a round up on what you should grab tomorrow!)

I’ll post link in stories and as always you can find lots of barrel jeans and all sorts of fabulous fifi finds over on @ltk.australia #shopwithfifi #mangojacket #fifireport #simplechic

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Fashion editor, stylist and uber shopper FiFi (other wise known as Fiona Milne) is The FiFi Report.

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Latest News

When the Going Was Good: An Editor’s Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines
Need now: Fabulous slouchy sweaters !
Adventures in the Louvre, How to fall in love with the world’s greatest museum. #book
How to wear a barn jacket ? With slouchy pants + sneakers #stealherstyle
This is the best trench of the season ! Wear it over all your fav pieces , summer to winter #lululemon
The Best Books to Read This April : 21 standout new releases #townandcountry

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