This is the first in a four-part series where we’ll be breaking down four spring style archetypes and the buys of the season to go with them.
It’s often helpful to assign language to how we want to get dressed, and we had way too much fun categorising the chaos of our saved folder into four distinct moods.
First up: the Opulent Romantic. Lover of the fringe, tassels, silk brocade and feathers that have exploded all over our feeds and our carts over the last 18 months. Where you might once have kept things tailored and minimal, now you’re suddenly tying a scarf around your waist with all the nonchalance of a woman with nowhere to be. An otherwise neutral colour palette is adorned with lace trims, beaded necklaces and pankou buttons.
You wear Big Sur Eucalyptus and leave a trail of devastated men in your wake. You browse Maison Essentiele, Ayllon, Maggie Marilyn and Gem Totem in your downtime, and you sent new season Posse to the group chat. That Connor Ives jacket is your fantasy buy, and the Khaite SS27 runway had you sweating. You save fits from Alison Bornstein, Jade Fox and Selena Mual, and make a mental note to buy your holoday gifts from Gohar World.
This archetype is rooted in a few trends all peaking: the return of opulence post-quiet luxury flatness, the ‘Mandarin’ jacket mania sparked by that Rohe jacket (Zara Wong wrote a well-researched piece touching on the broader context around this here) and the ongoing influence of the 1970s on contemporary styling (I maintain it was the chicest decade because of the climate of fearlessness and anti-conformism!).
Against a backdrop of AI and general doomerism in the media, the Opulent Romantic seeks out an element of the human-made. There is a fluidity to her spring wardrobe. Fabrics drape effortlessly, fringe and tassels sway gently and extravagant fabrics read as relaxed when paired with cotton poplin, denim, bare skin and relaxed hair. It’s undone and somehow effortless in all its embellishment.
Below, find four spring dressing scenarios for the Opulent Romantic, along with our favourite picks from the season to suit.
Cosmopolitans at Côte Basque
What do you think Carrie would’ve worn on a date with Mr Big had she not been a fictional character from a beloved ‘90s/early ‘00s HBO TV show but instead a creative consultant living in Melbourne in the year 2026 with a coveted reservation at Côte Basque?? Perhaps the most pressing question of our time! Our hypothesis, below.
DEIJI STUDIOS / Fine Collar Top — $169
ALEMAIS / Jesse Denim Applique Shirt — $390
SCANLAN THEODORE / Feather Choker — $300
VERMEER STUDIO / Tabatha Necklace — $219
DEIJI STUDIOS / Bow Dress — $189
OROTON / Bailey Shoulder Bag — $699
HENNE / Selina Skirt — $209
CHRISTOPER ESBER / Scala Velvet Wedge — $995
Thrifting at Camberwell Market
The Opulent Romantic dreams of stumbling, on any given mild weekend morning, upon a very specific type of vintage, lace-trimmed blouse. Said blouse is made from gauzy, fine cotton — so lightweight that a sneeze could threaten its structural integrity. When she can’t find it (and she never can) she smacks ‘pay’ on deijistudios.com, finds the nearest glass of chilled red, and calls it a day.
MAGGIE MARILYN / Keep Your Edges Soft Short-Sleeve Blouse — $345
ALBUS LUMEN / Earrings I — $300
DISSH / Elisa White Cotton Sheer Top — $149.99
VENROY / Panelled Denim Jacket — $240
MAISON ESSENTIELE / Lace Fringe Scarf — $200
NELSON MADE / Java Ballet Flat Zebra — $299
MAISON ESSENTIELE / Large Leather Tote — $695
Pre-Dinner Drinks at The Whale
She’s survived the four-and-a-half hour drive from Sydney to The Whale with two snacked-up kids in the back of the Volvo EX90 and she is ready for a martini before the sun goes down. The ordinary state of play is out the window for the Opulent Romantic these spring holidays. She embraces the free-fall energy of the 70s.
P. JOHNSON / Avedon Sunglasses — $645
ROMANCE WAS BORN / Stripe Velvet Tunic — $700
RELIQUIA / Ellison Necklace — $189
MODALITA VACANZA / Amara Top — $269
SIR / Lilia Ruffle Long Sleeve Mini Dress — $390
SCANLAN THEODORE / Feather Cascade 9.5 — $1200
RYLAN / Ella Brown Suede Heel — $499
Tickets to Olivia Dean
The Opulent Romantic’s dream flow state: seeing Olivia Dean enunciate ‘you’re the hug that had to end’ live, while her silk fringe scarf top brushes against her midriff. Dressing strictly for the female gaze…a more perfect spring styling occasion does not exist.
SHONA JOY / Lambent Lace Long Sleeve Bodysuit — $280
GEM TOTEM / Agate Tassel Totem Necklace — $350
DISSH / Miranda White Lace Trim Mini Dress — $169.99
HARRIS TAPPER / Drew Trouser — $569
VIKTORIA & WOODS / Crown wrap scarf — $295
VERMEER STUDIO / Thelma Ring — $499
VIKTORIA & WOODS / Soho Heel — $495
AYLLON / Aurora Pouch — $530
Next up, our second spring archetype: the sculptural minimalist. In the meantime, below are some of our most recent posts that our readers have loved.
Annie & Sophie
xoxo
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Fun read! I love creativity and world building in shopping newsletters ❤️🔥