It’s all blue hues for Sapphire

Inspired by Katherine Hepburn, my friend Sapphire (aka Pure Gin) tends towards a masculine style, and would love to wear three-piece suits often if she could. (“I only own one! Wish I had more though,” she tells me.) She’s in the market for a vintage-style suit for starters.

On weekends she is more of a jeans and t-shirt girl, but likes to dress up for occasions, inspired by different fashion eras. Heels are usually worn only for going out on the town. Sapphire has tried to go for feminine, flirty things particularly this past summer, but she just does not feel quite herself in them, which is something I can totally relate to, having several fluttery summer dresses languishing in my wardrobe.

It’s Australia Day on the day I interview Sapphire, and quite warm though not hot. My own original outfit has suffered a disaster (the zip split open on my dress) and we both kick back on the balcony with wine from New Zealand and anti-pasta from the Vic Market.

You’re all in blue, Sapphire; how appropriate. Tell me about your outfit.

The shirt is vintage. There’s no label, so it could actually be homemade. I bought it from Shappere on Chapel St, which sells refashioned vintage clothing, such as old shirt dresses turned into tube dresses. The shirt actually has a small hole, and was discounted because of it. I really like it because it’s cool and breezy, and the colour is a great contrast with my hair. I’m longing for more blue in my wardrobe!

I know you like vintage clothing; do you ever go op-shopping?

I prefer to shop in second hand boutiques, rather than op-shops. The culling and sorting has already been done. Although I wish I did make an effort go to op-shopping more often – but I have to be in the mood or zone for it. I’d like to shop more on eBay too.

Oh, I love window-shopping on eBay when I’m bored! I often have ten things on my watch list and then don’t bid on even one.

I prefer to shop in second hand boutiques, rather than op-shops. The culling and sorting has already been done.

I don’t often see you in skirts. Where is that one from?

It’s from At Store [an inexpensive boutique in Chapel St], she tells me sheepishly.

I wouldn’t normally shop in there, but sometimes you can find some gems hidden amongst the more trashy stuff. I bought it on sale, and I like it because it’s not an ordinary denim mini-skirt. I like that it’s high-waisted.

I like the pocket details, with the triple flaps. What about your shoes?

They are from Zomp, by the Zomp label. They are a copy of a Miu Miu shoe, and I quite like the square cut.

And lastly, your jewellery?

Both the bracelet and the ring were gifts. The glass bead bracelet came from MOMA, New York. A friend of my mum's sent it for my 15th or 16th birthday. At the time I didn’t really like it, by the time I was in my 20s I loved it.

My dad gave me the enamelled, sterling silver ring. [Not visible in the pictures, it’s 60s-style geometric, with little squares and stripes of colour.] Dad used to stock up on knick-knacks such as jade horses and chain-mail fish; stones; and jewellery from Thailand and Hong Kong if they could be made into gifts. He was travelling through Asia in the 60s and 70s.

Well thanks Sapphire – and if your dad happens to have any sapphires amongst his treasure-trove, you should have some earrings made to match your eyes!