Inside a vintage-loving travel blogger’s wardrobe

What are three essential items in your wardrobe?
A white T-shirt – Jungmaven do great hemp tees. Jesse Kamm high-waisted jeans. And a beautiful All That Remains dress.

Any go-to jewellery?
A custom Lucy Folk yellow sapphire ring my husband had made for my 40th birthday. He also designed my wedding ring – a Moroccan eye with a black sapphire and diamonds. We’d find stones in, say, India or Morocco, then create one-of-a-kind pieces with a jeweller when we got home.

Can you remember a favourite outfit you wore as a child?
There was a beautiful little frock that my mother wore as a child – scarlet velvet with a vintage lace collar. She’s kept them in a cedar chest for my daughter, but DeeDee is a bit more rock’n’roll!

And your worst fashion mistake?
I went hard with the Poppy lipsticks in the ’90s. I was obsessed. Chocolate-brown lipstick with a severe Cleopatra black bob. It was bad.

What was your first fashion moment?
I moved to Sydney from Byron in the early 2000s. It was a great time – partying, going to fabulous restaurants, going out in the Cross. One of my favourite memories is of wearing a lace bustier I bought in Hollywood with high-waisted satin tuxedo pants. It was a Madonna moment.

What are you currently coveting?
A new cowgirl hat.

What shoes do you wear the most?
R.M. Williams or Blundstone boots.

Is there anything you’d never wear?
I don’t do tracksuits, even in lockdown.

Is there a trend you like?
I love the quirkiness and kookiness of some of the fashion coming out, the clashing of patterns and textures. It’s like when I upholster furniture, why would I do it in beige when I can do it in any fabulous colour or print? You can’t take fashion too seriously, have fun with it.

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Do you have a style muse?
Caroline de Maigret – she wears a suit like no one else. I love people who do their own thing with confidence.

What do you wear when you work?
Overalls with lots of pockets.

What’s your favourite casual Sunday look?
A men’s button-up shirt rolled up at the sleeves and my high-waisted jeans.

Find Julia’s collection of travel tees featuring artwork by Jonathan Zabawa at followthevista.com/shop/

This article appears in Sunday Life magazine within the Sun-Herald and the Sunday Age on sale October 10. To read more from Sunday Life, visit The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

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