Deconstructing my Melbourne wardrobe

I love visiting Melbourne: shops, restaurants, galleries and best of all - family.

Melbourne has a few times been voted the world's most liveable city. In 2012, the Economist Intelligence Unit liveability survey gave Melbourne perfect scores for infrastructure, healthcare and education. Sadly, that top rating doesn't always stretch to the weather. It's been said that in Melbourne you can experience all four seasons in one day. Looking at my weather app, I can see that its going to be chilly - mostly 16 degrees - with sun, clouds and rain predicted for the next few days. So what to wear?

My coat

I've been wanting to try out my Alistair Trung coat, so this will be my opportunity. The coat is a navy blue and grey pinstripe pure wool unstructured cape. I like that I can drape it over layers, adding and subtracting as I need to. It's wide enough to wear over trousers - both wide and narrow - with mid-length sleeves to show off cuffs or bangles. The deep pockets warm my fingers. I especially like that I can drape the coat like a cape or leave it open to show off a shirt, a jersey, or even wear it with layered scarves.

My pants

My colour palette is determined by the navy coat so I'll be wearing navy, wide-legged wool pants from Everlane. These lightweight, soft wool trousers are smart enough for business yet comfortable for travel. The ankle length trousers show off boots, or shoes with patterned socks. I like this new wider silhouette; it gives us a break from skinny jeans.

My boots, bag and blouse on top of my wool coat.

My tops

My navy coat and pants are my staples, so I mix and match my tops as I need to. I've pictured a long-sleeved silk blouse from Country Road - I like the lighter colour contrasting with the navy coat and pants. I'll most probably add a woollen scarf to this look. As the navy coat/cape drapes beautifully, it should work well with a chunky, neck knotted woollen scarf or shawl - either toning with the shirt (contrasting with the navy) - or I might introduce another colour: perhaps a red for a statement look.

I'll be in Melbourne for three full days so I'll vary the tops, taking a turtle or polo neck and adding a chunky necklace just peeping out from under the cape. Whatever I decide to take, it will have to look OK just with the trousers - I need to be confident I can take off my coat!

My new Samsonite 1.5 kgs roll on cabin bag

Even though I'm only going away for a weekend, I still apply the Planepack principles: plan, prepare, pack light - and then enjoy! I'm breaking in my new Samsonite Spinner bag. It's plain grey on the outside, but the inside is a vivid orange: just the colour to cheer up any traveller. My wardrobe is minimal so that I can bring back a possible purchase - not that I'm planning to buy much, but you never know in Melbourne: those quaint little shops provide ample temptation.

My boots

I've had my Gabor boots for a couple of seasons, which is why the leather looks worn in and crinkly. I love them! The boots are soft, warm and comfortable; easy to pull on and zip up. I wear them with pants and skirts as they work with short and longer hemlines. This is my second or third pair of Gabor shoes and I highly recommend them for comfort and quality.

My handbag

I bought this bag recently. I was looking for a brown leather tote to replace my current black faux-leather tote and found this one on Facebook. Sadly the bag has no markings and I cannot track down the supplier. But I'm happy with the quality and size - and the colour matches my boots (so mid- last century).

So that's it - the fashion foundations of my weekend in Melbourne. I hope you enjoy this and find it useful when planning your own fashion foundations.

The stockists

• Alistair Trung
• Country Road
• Everlane
• Gabor
• Samsonite