Fashion: Sass appeal

Photos / Greg Bowker

Bad taste is good taste when it comes to dressing ladylike separates with a kick.

Hag In A Black Leather Jacket is the aptly titled debut short film by cult American film director and comedian John Waters, whose female protagonists often have a strong sense of style inspired by 50s delinquents and brassy bad girls in all their kitsch glory.

That blend of sass and camp is probably best summed up in Female Trouble, when lead character Dawn Davenport snarls to her friends, before Christmas Day, a now iconic line: "My parents are going to be sorry if I don't get my cha-cha heels."

Several key pieces this season lend themselves to that dichotomy of naughty but nice - from fitted housecoats, peek-a-boo pencil skirts, brazen heels and chintzy costume jewellery, the perfect addition to party and race-wear looks this season.

The myriad 50s and 60s-inspired sunglasses available now are another way to add a tough girl edge to an otherwise prim and proper outfit. Channel the brassy Rizzo and her Pink Lady friends in Grease with a pair of cat-eye frames such as the beautiful amber Oliver Goldsmith pair from Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear (#4).

Making the prim look slightly askew is something designer Miuccia Prada specialises in, lending her own subversive take on good girls gone bad with her diffusion line Miu Miu. Cropped ruffle blouses, pencil skirts and leather housecoats were styled appropriately with cha cha heels and chola brows for a kooky spin on an otherwise demure collection for spring 2015.

The idea here is to simply have fun. In a season where there's ample opportunity to kick up your heels and party, this is one look that works.

1 Coop dress, $379. Liz Mitchell cashmere cardigan, $325. Mi Piaci platform heels, $260.
2 Ingrid Starnes coat, $497. Comic print pencil skirt, $120, and bandeau scarf, $15, from Rita Sue. Coop bra, $129. Kathryn Wilson heels, $289. Jack Roy tote bag, $80. BCBGMAXAZRIA earrings, $79, from Glamour Boutique.
3 Helen Cherry top, $339. Rollas leather jacket, $469.90. Vaughan Geeson pants, $270. Witchery heels, $199.90.
4 Juliette Hogan shirt, $349. Liz Mitchell silk brocade skirt, $1495 and boatneck cashmere sweater, $325. Oliver Goldsmith sunglasses, $525, from Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear. BCBGMAXAZRIA earrings, $79, from Glamour Boutique. Witchery flats, $89.90.
5 Stylestalker crop top, $140. Witchery miniskirt with pencil skirt mesh overlay, $109.90. Trelise Cooper coat, $699. Mi Piaci platform heels, $260. Mooi purse, $160. Karen Walker clip-on earrings, $60.

Photos / Greg Bowker

Stockists

• Coop
• Glamour Boutique
• Helen Cherry
• Ingrid Starnes (09) 555 9452
• Jack Roy
• Juliette Hogan
• Karen Walker
• Liz Mitchell (09) 360 5047,
• Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear City
• Mi Piaci
• Mooi
• Rita Sue
• Rollas
• Style Stalker
• Trelise Cooper
• Vaughan Geeson
• Wild Pair
• Witchery (09) 523 1335