Thank you for your order. While it makes its way to you, I wanted you to have something to read with a cup of tea.
This little book is everything I find myself saying in the shop, over and over. Not rules. Just what I've seen work on real women, in real lives, who would rather feel comfortable than fashionable and would quite like to be both.
I started Bruny Boutique on Bruny Island, Tasmania, in 2004, around one simple belief: comfort should never come second to style. For too long we've been told to choose. Beautiful or comfortable. Elegant or easy. I don't believe that, and I never have.
Every piece in my boutique still has to pass one test before anything else: would I want to wear it all day? If the answer is no, it doesn't belong. That's why you'll find soft fabrics, shapes that flow rather than cling, and pieces inspired by the slow pace of island life. Cool mornings, salt air, days shaped by the water.
Inside, you'll find how to dress for your shape, which colours make your skin glow, what to wear when the invitation says “cocktail”, twelve outfits I love, and how to look after your clothes so they last for years.
Read it in any order. Keep what helps. Ignore the rest.
With love from the island,
Robyn
Founder, Bruny Boutique
P.S. If you ever want a little styling advice, write to me at team@bruny-boutique.com. I read every message myself, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays you'll probably find me somewhere near the water.
Four shapes, one rule: be kind
Know your shape
02
Most of us are a mix, and our shape changes over the years. Treat this as a starting point, not a rule. Stand in front of the mirror in something fitted and look at the outline, not the details: shoulders, waist, hips. Which is widest?
Hourglass
Shoulders and hips about the same width, with a clear waist
Instead tryA dress with a seam or a tie just under the bust
Pear
Hips a little wider than shoulders
What flatters
Interest at the neckline, A-line and flowing skirts, structured shoulders
SkipTight skirts and big prints below the waist
Instead tryA plain skirt with a printed or detailed top
Inverted triangle
Shoulders wider than hips
What flatters
V-necks, simple tops, fuller or tiered skirts
SkipPuff sleeves and wide necklines
Instead tryA V-neck with a skirt that has movement
Robyn’s note
Whatever your shape, two things work on almost everyone. A V-neck lengthens the neck, and a hem that ends at the narrowest part of the leg (just below the knee, or at the ankle) is always flattering.
On arms
If you'd rather keep your upper arms covered, look for flutter sleeves, elbow sleeves or sheer chiffon sleeves. They cover without adding bulk, and they move beautifully.
Warm, cool, or a bit of both
Colours that suit you
03
The right colour near your face does more than any cream in the bathroom cabinet. Here is the simple way to find yours.
Warm or cool?
Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist in daylight. Greenish means warm undertones. Bluish or purple means cool. A mix of both means you can wear a bit of everything. As hair turns silver, many of us drift cooler, so it's worth checking again.
Warm
Best colours
CoralTerracottaOliveMustardWarm teal
Neutrals
CamelCreamChocolate
Metals
GoldBrassCopper
Cool
Best colours
NavyRose pinkBerryEmeraldSoft blue
Neutrals
GreyWhiteCharcoal
Metals
SilverPewterPearls
A bit of both
Best colours
TealSoft pinkJadeTrue red
Neutrals
TaupeStoneNavy
Metals
Either, or mixed
Three ways to combine colours without thinking
1. One colour, three shades. Pale blue, mid blue and navy together always look considered.
2. Neutral plus one. A navy or cream base with one colour you love, in a bag, shoes or a scarf.
3. Opposites, in small doses. Colours opposite each other on the colour wheel (blue and orange, green and pink) look lively when one of them is only an accent.
SkipBlack right next to the face if it makes you look tired
Instead tryNavy, charcoal or chocolate. They are just as slimming and much kinder to the skin.
Robyn’s note
Prints are your friend. A busy print hides creases, a spilt cup of tea and the odd lump and bump, and it means you never look like you're wearing “the same dress again”.
Everyday first, then the occasions
Dress codes made easy
04
What to wear on an ordinary Tuesday, and what to wear when the invitation arrives. Everyday first, then the occasions.
Everyday dress codes
Most days aren't occasions, and that's where you want to feel best. Here is what works for the days you actually have.
The weekend market
What it needsPockets, comfort, a bit of colour
A good choicePrinted overalls over a plain blouse, sneakers
Coffee in town
What it needsRelaxed but put together
A good choiceA jumpsuit with a blazer on top
The garden or the beach
What it needsRoom to move, sun cover
A good choiceAn overshirt worn open over trousers or a maxi
Grandchildren
What it needsClothes you can kneel down in
A good choiceWide-leg overalls or a jumpsuit, flat shoes
Lunch with friends
What it needsComfortable and noticed
A good choiceA flowing maxi with a bright cardigan
Travel
What it needsNo creases, no decisions
A good choiceA jumpsuit and a cardigan that doubles as a blanket
The invitation says: wedding
The Wedding Guest
Look celebratory, never louder than the bride. A flowing midi in a rich, warm colour never fails.
WearA midi or maxi dress in a soft or bright colour, or a print
HemBelow the knee to the ankle. Ankle-length for an evening wedding
SleevesFlutter, elbow or sheer sleeves for a church; bring a wrap for the evening
ShoesA block heel or a wedge: lawns and cobblestones swallow stilettos
Leave at homeWhite, cream and ivory, anything sequinned head to toe, and black for a daytime wedding
The palette
CopperSageDusty blueJewel
Leave at home
WhiteIvoryCream
Mother of the bride (or groom)
Ask the bride for the colour palette, then choose one shade deeper or softer than the bridesmaids. A dress with sleeves and a fabric that photographs well (chiffon, crepe, satin) will look lovely in every photo for the next forty years.
SkipA new pair of shoes on the day
Instead tryWearing them around the house for an evening first
The other invitations
Garden party
What it meansDaytime, outdoors, pretty
A good choiceA floral midi, flat sandals or wedges, a hat if it's a race day
Cocktail
What it meansEarly evening, dressed up but not formal
A good choiceA knee- to midi-length dress in a rich colour or satin, a small bag, a little heel
Evening / black tie
What it meansThe full occasion
A good choiceA floor-length dress or gown, sheer sleeves or a wrap, statement earrings
Smart casual / long lunch
What it meansPolished but relaxed
A good choiceA printed midi, or a blouse with wide-leg trousers
Travel
What it meansComfort first, still put together
A good choiceA co-ord set or jumpsuit that won't crease, sneakers or flat sandals
Robyn’s note
When in doubt, wear the dress you feel wonderful in, and add one more “dressy” thing than you think you need: earrings, a better bag or a heel. It's always nicer to be a touch overdressed.
Ten pieces, endless outfits
The 10-piece capsule
05
A capsule is a small wardrobe where everything goes with everything. Ten good pieces make more outfits than a full wardrobe of things that don't speak to each other. Pick a base of two neutrals (say navy and cream, or camel and white), then add colour through prints and accessories.
01A pair of printed overalls or dungarees. The piece our customers love most after cardigans: easy, cheerful, and they go over almost any top.
02A relaxed jumpsuit in a neutral. One piece, dressed up or down.
03A striped cardigan in a colour that makes you smile. Throw it over everything.
04A striped or tailored blazer that turns a jumpsuit or a maxi dress into an outfit.
05A button-front overshirt to wear open as a light jacket.
06A flowing maxi dress in a print. Your “I have nothing to wear” answer.
07Relaxed cotton-linen trousers.
08Two blouses: one plain, one patterned.
09Two pairs of comfortable shoes: a supportive sneaker and a good sandal.
10One bracelet you wear every day. A piece with a story is worth ten that don't have one.
Robyn’s note
Before you buy anything new, ask yourself: what three things I already own will I wear it with? If you can't name three, leave it on the rail.
Real days, real pieces
Twelve outfits
06
Twelve outfits for real days, built around the pieces Bruny customers buy most. Every outfit has at least one of the top sellers.
Accessories are where an outfit becomes yours. The rule of thumb: pick one star, and let everything else support it.
Bags
Match the bag to your shoes or to one colour in the outfit, never to everything.
Day: a shoulder bag that leaves your hands free. Evening: something small you can hold.
A bag that sits at the hip draws the eye there; a cross-body or shorter strap keeps it higher.
Shoes
Comfort is elegance. A woman who walks easily always looks better than one who totters.
A block heel or wedge gives height without the pain, and won't sink into a lawn.
Shoes close to your skin tone (nude, tan, soft gold) lengthen the leg under any dress.
Jewellery
One statement piece: big earrings or a bold necklace, not both.
Warm skin suits gold and copper; cool skin suits silver and pearls (see chapter 3).
Earrings lift the face, which is exactly where you want people to look.
SkipA bag, shoes and belt that all match exactly
Instead tryTwo that match and one that adds a surprise
Australia and New Zealand
Through the seasons
08
Our seasons run the other way round from the fashion magazines, so here is the wardrobe for Australia and New Zealand.
Summer Dec–Feb
Reach forGauze, cotton and chiffon dresses, wide-leg trousers, wedges
Robyn’s tipLoose and long keeps you cooler than short and tight
Autumn Mar–May
Reach forMidi dresses with a cardigan, printed blouses, a light jacket
Robyn’s tipAdd one warm layer you can take off by lunchtime
Winter Jun–Aug
Reach forLong dresses with a coat, knits, trousers, closed shoes
Robyn’s tipA maxi dress with a long coat is warmer than you'd think
Spring Sep–Nov
Reach forFlorals, soft pastels, the race-day and wedding season
Robyn’s tipKeep a wrap in your bag: spring afternoons turn
Robyn’s note
The secret to dressing for our weather is layers that look intentional. A beautiful cardigan or jacket is never just “in case”, it's part of the outfit.
One small suitcase, three days
Packing for a weekend away
09
One small suitcase, three days, never stuck for something to wear. The trick is one colour family, so everything mixes.
One printed dress (dinner, and lunch with a cardigan)
One co-ord set, worn together or apart
One pair of trousers
Two tops or blouses
One cardigan or light jacket, worn on the plane
Comfortable sneakers (wear them) plus one dressier sandal
One scarf or wrap: blanket on the plane, shawl at dinner
One pair of earrings that go with everything
Packing tips
1. Roll soft fabrics, fold structured ones.
2. Pack prints and crepe: they arrive without creases.
3. Hang your outfit for the evening in the bathroom while you shower; the steam does the ironing.
Robyn’s note
Lay everything out on the bed before you pack, then put a third of it back. You'll still have too much.
Wash cooler, dry slower
Care
10
Good clothes don't need much. Wash a little cooler, dry a little slower, and they'll still look new next summer. Always check the label first: if it says dry clean only, trust it.
Silk and satin
WashingHand wash in cool water with a gentle wash
DryingPress out water in a towel, never wring; dry flat or on a padded hanger, out of the sun
CreasesSteam from the inside, or a cool iron through a cloth
Chiffon and gauze
WashingGentle cycle in a mesh bag, on its own
DryingHang straight from the wash
CreasesMost fall out as it dries
Cotton and linen
WashingMachine wash at 30°, inside out
DryingReshape while damp, hang to dry
CreasesIron while still slightly damp
Crepe and soft knits
WashingCool, gentle cycle or hand wash
DryingDry flat, never hang a wet knit
CreasesRarely creases; a quick steam
Storing
Padded hangers for dresses and blouses, folded shelves for knits.
A breathable cotton bag for special pieces, never plastic.
Out of direct sunlight, which fades colours faster than washing does.
Robyn's last word
The most sustainable dress is the one you love enough to keep. Look after it, and it will look after you.
