If you're knee-deep in coronavirus rabbit hole and would like some light relief, allow us to be of service ... From bedheads to bedlinen, and from short skirts to t-shirts, here's what The Grace Tales team is buying, lusting over or wishing they never purchased ...
If your credit card suffers a hit as a result, let’s put it all down to virus spending. It’s a thing.
Georgie Abay – Founder
The best investment piece in your wardrobe?
Probably all my skirts – I love wearing beautiful skirts and will always pick up a new one when the sales start. I don’t really care about designer bags – I prefer skirts or nice shoes.
The item of clothing on your wish list?
I’m loving all of Sir The Label’s linen pieces.
Piece in your wardrobe on highest rotation?
It sounds boring, but Everlane T-shirts in white and black.
Accessory you adore the most?
Anything by jeweller Anni Lu.
Your most beloved piece of jewellery?
A diamond necklace – the diamond came from my great grandmother’s engagement ring.
Ultimate jewellery piece?
Where do I begin? Probably something from Cartier.
Favourite item in your home?
My new bedhead from Heatherly Designs – it’s covered in the most divine Christopher Farr fabric.
What pieces are on your wish list for your home?
A new sofa… I’m on the hunt! And always great prints that aren’t too expensive.
Favourite paint colour?
I tend to repaint our front door quite often. In my dreams, pink, but my husband would never let me paint a room pink, so we’ve settled on blue.
Greatest indulgence in your home?
A set of Christian Dior antique plates – my mother gave them to us for our wedding.
Go-to source for kitchenware?
I’m pretty practical and pick up basics at places like Country Road. For special pieces, I love Maison Balzac.
Go-to for linens?
Bed Threads – their range of colours are heavenly.
Any home-related purchase regrets?
Um, yes, quite a few. In fact, too many to list here.
Any major wardrobe regrets?
I think we all have lots of wardrobe regrets. I usually regret pieces I buy quickly on sale. I’m trying to shop really mindfully – do I really love it? Does it work with my existing wardrobe?
Favourite pair of shoes?
St Agni sandals and I live in Birkenstocks.
Item you purchased but never wore?
There’s a nice Scanlan Theodore tweed jacket in my closet with the tags on. That reminds me, I need to sell it!
Style icon?
Jane Birkin.
Who do you follow for style inspiration?
I love Haley Boyd’s style.
One thing we’d never find in your wardrobe?
Short skirts – those days are over sadly.
Amy Malpass Hahn – Editor-in-Chief
The best investment piece in your wardrobe?
Gucci slides. I have had them re-soled three times and live in them year-round.
The item of clothing on your wish list?
Anything Scanlan Theodore. In my mind, they can do no wrong.
Piece in your wardrobe on highest rotation?
My Spell & The Gypsy Collective dresses. So much so that my 2-year-old asked me recently when I emerged from the bedroom, “Mummy, you have another one dress?” Clearly getting my cost per wear down.
Accessory you adore the most?
My Cartier Trinity ring that I received for Mother’s Day last year. It’s so special and as my eldest son says, it represents my three boys – who happen to be blonde (yellow gold), redheaded (rose gold) and light brunette (platinum).
Ultimate jewellery piece?
Oh if we’re dreaming, let’s just go for a big fat Harry Winston diamond.
Favourite item in your home?
Our enormous Aquabumps photograph of the ocean pool at Bronte Beach (which is where my son now does Nippers each week).
What pieces are on your wish list for your home?
Where do I start? Fresh linen from Cultiver, rugs from Marr-Kett, a Leila Jeffreys print, and perhaps most of all, a Wolf oven.
Favourite paint colour?
My front door, which my wonderful mum painted a delicious shade of pale pink when I was in hospital having my third baby boy!
Greatest indulgence in your home?
My cookbook collection. It borders on ridiculous, but I love them so much that I simply can’t stop buying.
Go-to source for kitchenware?
Le Creuset – the best. I intend to have my pale blue crockpot for a lifetime.
Go-to for linens?
I’m obsessed with linen. My lovely in-laws gave me a Cultiver tablecloth and napkins for my birthday last year, and they’re so soft and gorgeous that I now want to deck out every surface of my home in them.
Any home-related purchase regrets?
Ugh yes, anything from Kmart. Despite me loving it, I almost instantly regret any $15 cushion or $3 mug purchase. I’m now much more intentional with my purchasing.
Any major wardrobe regrets?
How far back are we going? A gold sequinned boob tube was a particular low, but hey, I was 12.
Favourite pair of shoes?
My Veja sneakers.
Item you purchased but never wore?
I had a beautiful heavy leather jacket made in Bali and clearly forgot that a) I run about 20 degrees hotter than any normal person, b) I live in Australia. It will stay in my wardrobe until I move to a climate that isn’t 400 degrees Celsius for 11 months of the year.
Style icon?
Gwyneth Paltrow, a hundred times over.
Who do you follow for style inspiration?
My team at The Grace Tales. It’s a dangerous place to work.
One thing we’d never find in your wardrobe?
Midriffs. YUCK.
Claire Brayford – UK Editor
The best investment piece in your wardrobe?
Rokh voluminous trench coat.
The item of clothing on your wish list?
Tiffany diamond T bracelet.
Piece in your wardrobe on highest rotation?
Citizens of Humanity jeans.
Accessory you adore the most?
My Heimat Atlantica basket bag.
Your most beloved piece of jewellery?
A diamond ring shaped like a flower.
Ultimate jewellery piece?
I would love a luxurious watch – hmmm, Rolex would be the dream.
Favourite item in your home?
An Art Deco tea set from the 20s.
What pieces are on your wish list for your home?
Soane fabric, wallpaper, furniture, entire shop.
Favourite paint colour?
I’m in love with gloss colour on walls and am obsessed with Howe’s wallpaper.
Greatest indulgence in your home?
I love plates and ceramics especially Zsuzsanna Nyul’s pretty designs.
Go-to source for kitchenware?
Fiona Finds – especially the placemats.
Go-to for linens?
Gilly Nicholson bespoke bed linen.
Any home-related purchase regrets?
Everything from Ikea and everything cheap. I buy lots on eBay now and get everything upholstered.
Any major wardrobe regrets?
Selling a Chanel coat bought from a sample sale when I was 20-something. It still haunts me!
Favourite pair of shoes?
Church’s studded Chelsea boots.
Item you purchased but never wore?
Topshop satin slip dress – underwear as outerwear goes nowhere.
Style icon?
Audrey Hepburn.
Who do you follow for style inspiration?
Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert – the modern-day Audrey.
One thing we’d never find in your wardrobe?
A denim jacket.
Gemma Dawkins – Managing Editor
The best investment piece in your wardrobe?
My leather jacket
The item of clothing on your wish list?
An I Love Mr Mittens cardigan or a Womom t-shirt
Piece in your wardrobe on highest rotation?
I’m 20 weeks pregnant so at the moment it’s tiered maxi-dresses. I have about 5 that are essentially the same dress with slight variations – not very exciting, but very necessary.
Accessory you adore the most?
My Status Anxiety handbag. It’s ageing well.
Your most beloved piece of jewellery?
I have an Esq jewellery necklace I never take off. It’s the letter I which is my daughter’s initial.
Ultimate jewellery piece?
I love a statement earring but have barely worn any in 2 years – grabby toddler hands scare me!
Favourite item in your home?
Our king bed. Best idea ever.
What pieces are on your wish list for your home?
So many! The cactus silk lumbar cushions from Marr-kett, a Tigmi Trading rug, and a Byron Bay Hanging Chairs daybed. Can you tell I like the homewares vibe in Byron Bay?
Favourite paint colour?
White. I’ve had a fire engine red bedroom and also a violent teal one, so I’m really into neutrals these days.
Greatest indulgence in your home?
Again – the king bed!
Go-to source for kitchenware?
Mud crockery is on my wishlist.
Go-to for linens?
Adairs. They’re affordable and I love everything they do. We have their stonewashed washed cotton sheets and a linen quilt cover and they’re delicious.
Any home-related purchase regrets?
We bought our couch second hand and it was a terrible idea. It’s the first thing on our list to replace.
Any major wardrobe regrets?
When I was breastfeeding I kept buying cool button-up shirts, thinking I would do that effortless oversized, half-undone look. But I have the shoulders of an Olympic swimmer and shirt collars just do not do me any favours.
Favourite pair of shoes?
Birkenstocks.
Item you purchased but never wore?
I have quite a few party dresses I was saving for a special occasion, but then I got pregnant and now I’d be lucky to get one thigh through the waist.
Style icon?
Jemima Kirke
Who do you follow for style inspiration?
I like following people who are carving out their own style. I take inspiration from lots of places – at the moment I’m obsessed with Parris Goebel’s choreography and Lisa Cooper’s flowers.
One thing we’d never find in your wardrobe?
A tight-fitting t-shirt. I can’t stand anything touching my armpits.
Marisa Remond – Editorial Director
The best investment piece in your wardrobe?
I re-wear all of my Isabel Marant pieces season after season.
The item of clothing on your wish list?
Chanel flats and Loewe sneakers.
Piece in your wardrobe on highest rotation?
A black Everlane cotton midi dress which is so easy to wear.
Accessory you adore the most?
My Hermes watch, it’s almost 10 years old but I keep changing the band and it gets better with age.
Your most beloved piece of jewellery?
Currently my Sarah and Sebastian diamond huggies.
Ultimate jewellery piece?
Anything by Jessica McCormack.
Favourite item in your home?
Honestly, we are waiting until the kids are less feral to buy stuff we love, but probably the Moller Bench in our bedroom.
What pieces are on your wish list for your home?
More than I could ever list! A Martine Emdur painting first up.
Favourite paint colour?
I love green, from sage to emerald.
Greatest indulgence in your home?
Our last renovation?
Go-to source for kitchenware?
Anthropologie online is awesome, and Zara Home was such a score but sadly doesn’t exist anymore.
Go-to for linens?
Cultiver or The Bay Tree.
Any home-related purchase regrets?
So many – following trends rather than my heart. Anything gold or bronze.
Any major wardrobe regrets?
So many! Usually any panic-buy chain store pieces which end up rarely worn.
Favourite pair of shoes?
At the moment it’s the simplicity of Ancient Greek Sandals, or a good pair of sneakers in winter.
Item you purchased but never wore?
See above! Multiple purchases from Zara, Mango or H&M!
Style icon?
Gwyneth is up there, Ulla Johnson, Garance Dore… and a lot of stylish mums I meet.
Who do you follow for style inspiration?
The above, plus Kate Young who is the ultimate celebrity stylist.
One thing we’d never find in your wardrobe?
A suit! Or tailored pants. I’m way too short and not important enough.
