A week in work outfits with Melbourne-based model and consignment store buyer, Nadia Eldridge

Wednesday

Hello and welcome to my Wednesday. I’m starting my week with you in the middle and what lovely sunshine we had on this day. I think a lot of people could agree that going to uni can be considered a full-time job especially so as a ‘mature age student’ (haha), and this flower here is juggling a few jobs with studying full-time, my days at Mutual Muse and the ebb and flow of modelling.

Surrounded by the greenery of my La Trobe campus, I too am in a fun green and white textured check dress paired with a red square-toe slip-ons, and a stunningly bright cobalt blue cardigan. In hand, I have a recycled woven basket I picked up last year at a local market when visiting family in Thailand – this colourful bag has become one of the ways to spot me on campus as I run to and from my anthropology classes. The dress and the shoes I found at Mutual Muse. Into my treasure trove they go. The cardigan is a secondhand score from the A Plus Market.

Thursday

On Thursday, I started my work week at Mutual Muse and found myself at the end of the day invited out by the ever-lovely Rachael to meet her and her friends for a pub choir event. Little did I know this was no small wholesome affair, but a really fun night nonetheless. With my singing voice in hand, I headed towards Flagstaff Station which I don’t explore often and became fascinated by the ’80s designs. Here, I was inspired by the escalators and travelled back down to catch this smile with many more future photo projects in mind using this location.

I was gifted this darling top after going through a fabulous batch of clothes brought in by the lovely Lilli to sell at Mutual Muse. Being a buyer has deepened my appreciation for recycled fabrics and careful craftsmanship. It was such a blessing to be given such a beautiful piece, a vintage tablecloth turned gem! I wore it paired with one of my other favourites and a staple of my wardrobe, my custom denim maxi skirt made by the truly talented Bonniee.

Friday

I found myself on Friday needing a recharge day. Finding the balance between study, work and life is not always an easy task so taking the time to give yourself some kindness with a dose of sunshine always helps. This day after finally getting a chance to clean the house, I took myself into Fitzroy to buy new bathers (another task that’s been on the list for a while) but I was successful in securing a pair for the pool where I’m focusing on building up my stamina as I have a deep love for ocean swimming.

With such nice weather, I decided to walk home through Edinburgh Gardens, and as the golden lights came through the trees I spotted a lovely blue fence so I propped up my phone, set the timer, leaned it up against my water bottle and posed. Here I’m wearing a colourful and fun creation by the brand Dear Abigaêl, the bright orange adorned with mother-of-pearl flower buttons and the floral pleats detail make this piece very special.

I had met Abigaêl at a previous Makers Market held at the Royal Exhibition building. So when the top came into the Brunswick store, it felt fated. Paired with a comfortable pair of baggy denim, sunnies and a recent thrift find of my dream brown buckle wedge heels. I finished up my walk with a stop at my local ice cream shop before heading home.

Saturday

To quote my beautiful friend Meaghan who gave me this fantastic line after seeing my outfit, “Keep it comfy, keep it breathable and always keep it cute”. This has become a staple in my wardrobe rotation. I’ve been getting so much joy and confidence in dressing for my inner child. So yes I am a big fan of dresses with pants. Layering is an element I use often, here in a simple oversized romantic style dress and other times safety pinning tiered skirts to add ruffles over wide-leg pants or even more skirts!

The star of this outfit today was a pair of moss-coloured Nike Air Kukini, my first official step into my slow-growing sneaker collection. We had just priced them after a busy week of buying at Mutual Muse and my Cinderella moment was made. So here I am stretching it out after a busy day at Mutual Muse in our fabulous green velvet change rooms at the Northcote location, accompanied by my red orchid accessory also made by the lovely Bonniee.

Sunday

Sunday was magical. There was great energy in-store and we were busy buying and dancing with friends. My fellow flower fairy Chessie and I were matching in our red shoes and thanks to her we captured some very funny and sunny smiles after work.

I love wearing this outfit and do so often. These are all secondhand pieces. The red gingham dress is a favourite with its dramatic puff sleeves and the bow tie collar detail, underneath a vintage denim dress (more layering) which gives this look the feeling of attending a picnic in a field of flowers, an energy I’m always trying to cultivate. In the same pair of red shoes from earlier in the week, I leapt forward to the week ahead of me, feeling refreshed and excited about what magic and adventures I will have.