Fashion: Heirloom-inspired pieces

Photo / Babiche Martens

Take a magpie approach with clashing, heirloom-inspired pieces this season

When Alessandro Michele, the newly appointed creative director for Gucci, showcased his debut collection for the Italian luxury brand at Milan Fashion Week in February, heads turned. Gone was the high-octane sex appeal with which the house had become synonymous, spearheaded by Tom Ford's tenure in the early 90s and continued by Frida Giannini until Michele's hurried appointment.

The brand new memo focuses on soft romanticism and, while some have expressed their desire to see the brand return to its hey-day of flamboyant sex appeal, the new-look Gucci has also created a conversation about how luxury brands need to highlight a more sensitive approach to their collections, with clothes that stand the test of time.

Think soft, silk blouses, floral print dresses with drop waists and relaxed military coats - the kind of clothes that could be found at a Great Dame's estate sale. Hand-me-downs and vintage-inspired fabrics were found elsewhere, from Miu Miu's riotous clashing prints to the windswept English Roses at Top Shop Unique. It's the sort of eccentric glamour inspired by Edie Bouvier Beale and her mother Edith, or perhaps the tatty English eccentricity of Helena Bonham Carter.

Filtering that concept into everyday wear, this season there's plenty to choose from. Brocades mixed with tweed, 70s denim separates combined with mottled knits and heirloom jewellery, providing plenty of inspiration for a much more considered approach to dressing.

So think make-do and mend, cherishing hand-me-downs and buying vintage.

1 Zambesi blouse, $495. Juliette Hogan skirt, $299. Karen Walker trench coat, $600. Mimco heels, $229.
2 Wrangler jacket, $149.90 and matching miniskirt, $109.90. Johnathan Aston leggings, $23, from Smith & Caughey's. Mi Piaci boots, $720.
3 Kate Sylvester lace dress, $575 and lace bra, $165. Johnathan Aston leggings, $23, from Smith & Caughey's. Witchery over-the-knee boots, $449.90.
4 Carlson blouse, $349. Karen Walker knit vest, $190. Dalston printed pencil skirt, $215. Mimco ankle boots, $349. Deadly Ponies bag, $345.
5 Karen Walker zip cardigan, $310. Carlson jacket, $699. Wrangler flared jeans, $159.90 Nine-carat gold freshwater pearl drop earrings, $139, and nine-carat gold sapphire ring, $1199 both from Stewart Dawsons.
6 Twenty-seven Names blouse, $350. 3.1 Phillip Lim skirt, $590, from Adorno. Beth Ellery double-breasted jacket, $475. Karen Walker knee-high boots, $590.

Stockists

• Adorno (09) 378 4333
• Beth Ellery
• Carlson (09) 361 2137
• Dalston (09) 378 0578
• Deadly Ponies
• Juliette Hogan (09) 846 2146
• Karen Walker
• Kate Sylvester
• Mimco
• Mi Piaci
• Smith & Caughey's
• Stewart Dawsons (09) 846 2146
• Twenty-seven Names (09) 360 6127
• Witchery (09) 523 1335
• Wrangler
• Zambesi (09) 303 1701