I’ve been a fan of exuberant, colourful dressing for as long as I can remember. As a Queensland gal and dedicated sun worshipper, nothing lifts my spirits faster than a splash of emerald or cobalt or zingy orange. A zillion years ago when I was studying acting at VCA in Melbourne, I caught the tram one morning clad in striped burgundy and navy flares and a bright green velvet jacket. After staring forlornly at the ground for a few moments (it was freezing and I hadn’t had a coffee yet), I glanced up and noticed the other passengers ogling me as if I’d just committed a rebellious act. Against the sea of black coats and umbrellas and backpacks, I stood out like some sort of circus act. It felt damn good.

And yet that’s not what I’m prescribing here, friends! As my style has evolved over the years, I’ve come to realise that my passion for colour works best when it’s channelled into a few key elements of an outfit rather than busted out head-to-toe (although sometimes this can be delicious fun.) My favourite way to inject an outfit with a bit of zip is through accessories—shoes and bags especially—though even a fab earring can elevate a look. On the clothing side, a single statement piece like this H&M bomber jacket (I’ve tucked it in like a top) brightens an ensemble and pairs beautifully with a more muted tone like the navy blue of this Carla Zampatti skirt. I’m pretty sure K thought I was delusional when I showed him this get-up—a version of that circus act I mentioned before. And sure, it’s pretty adventurous, even for me. But I can honestly say it’s one of the most uplifting outfits I’ve ever worn. Its joyful irreverence really did permeate my soul. Antonia 1, husband 0.

Here, 3 easy ways to inject colour into your wardrobe without your partner thinking you’re a crazy person:

1. Shoes

Something I’ve only recently realised when it comes to colourful dressing is that pieces with a number of hues, like these awesome Tod’s trainers, actually pair back more easily with an outfit than a single-hued item would. Sounds crazy, right? Investing in a shoe that combines leopard print with tan, black, white and red seems downright reckless. And yet these trainers, which I recently splurged on to replace my beloved Tod’s brogues (read about their tragic demise here), are actually the hardest working shoe in my wardrobe. The fact is, their array of colours allows them to function almost as a neutral. Yet they’re anything but! I’ve struck up conversations with total strangers after they’ve commented on their striking quirkiness. A shoe that not only lifts a look but also brings people together? Winner.

2. Bags

As with shoes, a colourful statement bag is one investment that will continue to reap style dividends in the years to come. This multi-hued example that I picked up at the leather markets in Florence manages to look elegant rather than kooky thanks to its classic shape and quality finish. It is frankly astonishing the number of outfits this bag looks excellent with. I harbour deep regret that I didn’t buy the green/purple/grey version as well. Is it a tad extravagant to mount a trip to Italy for precisely that purpose? I’m undecided…

3. A statement item of clothing

As you can probably tell, I’m a fan of mixing bold colour with striking prints. While a single block-hued piece is great and I have countless examples in my wardrobe that I love (my metallic fuchsia Burberry trench springs vividly to mind), there’s nothing quite like the distinctive exuberance of a colourful print. Mixing multiple patterns can be a tricky business (not to mention a loud though sometimes fabulous style statement), which is why I generally stick to a single statement piece like this nifty bomber jacket (the fact it was 20 bucks on sale makes me love it even more.) I’ve paired it with this ballgown-esque skirt for the sheer hell of it, but it would also look fantastic with jeans or a simple pant.

Well that’s it from me, folks. I drank far too much Gamay Noir last night (an excellent wine – you really should try it) and it’s time to rest my aching head. Until next week!

Antonia xo

PHOTOGRAPHY – Sharleen Christie

BOMBER JACKET – H&M

SKIRT – Carla Zampatti

TRAINERS – Tod’s

BAG – Florence leather markets

SUNGLASSES – Preen by Thornton Bregazzi