So, our first day full day in Bali was underway!
I had organised a Driver from recommendations on the BTF. I had initially booked him for 2 days, as that was all he could do, because he was so booked out. I sent him an email the night before we left, checking he was ok, and confirming that we were still travelling to Bali, He sent me a txt msg the night we arrived to say that he was now free all week as he had had many cancellations due to the bombing.
Sad for him, but good for me, as I wanted to hit the tailors first day to give them plenty of time. As I said earlier, this trip was initially planned to carry out some serious retail therapy!
I had scoured the internet and downloaded photos from Spring fashion weeks catwalk shows, I then emailed them to work and printed them up in our digital photo lab. I had also cut many (and I mean MANY) pictures from magazines. (hey it's spring racing carnival in Melbourne!) Then I scored a promotion a few weeks before our hols, and found out I now had to go from a uniform to a suit. So anyway, back to the point.... Sorry I can waffle can't I!
Putu our driver arrived promptly at 8.30am, our first stop was to Janoko Tailor in Poppies 2. I felt a little guilty handing over my 'work clothes' pictures. (5 in total). She quickly took my measurements and as I have never done anything like this before, and I do sew a bit myself, I must admit I was a bit sceptical at the very speedy measurements and notes that she took.
My total order consisted of: a black pinstripe knee length skirt, with matching jacket, a beautiful greyish mauve coloured man style pants suit, a basic black microfibre pants suit, white pants suit with longer line jacket, and two pairs of wide leg pants, 1 black and 1 white, with matching tops. The tops are a copy of a Ralph Lauren design, they look like a suit jacket with only 2 buttons, only they have a tie around the waist and have capped sleeves. When I returned only 2 days later to pick them up, the jackets were a little tight in the back and they had made the tops long sleeve instead of short, so effectively they just looked like a weird jacket.
I was a little freaked, but they just put a few pins in here and there, (in the clothes, not me!) and promised to have them ready the next day. We returned the following day, and everything was perfect. Couldn't tell where they had made the alterations. I can't tell you how happy I was with them, and with so little time! We did tell them we were only in Bali for 4 days, a little sneaky I know, but I wanted to allow plenty of time for alterations etc. Total cost of $286 Au (Do you believe that!)
After placing our order at Janoko, we went a few doors down to Ramadah leather, My husband ordered a black leather jacket, the newer style that has 2 white stripes down the sleeve and a European collar. I ordered 2 pairs of knee high boots, one a copy of a Gucci black pair with a small buckle around the ankle, and the other pair, were, wait for it.... Teal snake skin! Sounds bizarre, but this was my one 'out there' splurge.
We were really impressed with his attention to the smaller details, how many internal pockets we wanted in the jacket etc. And I was feeling very confident, when he took several measurements at different points of my calf. (YAY no more baggy ankle too tight at the top boots!!) We picked them up 2 days later, and they all fit fantastic and look great, the quality of the leather jacket is outstanding. The jacket was $100Au and the boots were $75Au each. Pretty good considering I got a pair of black knee high boots last winter from shoe biz for $200 and they don't fit anywhere near as well as my new ones.
Well, yet again another slow instalment, see you tomorrow for the rest of the days shopping details, and will tell you more about the amazing Putu! At this rate you will find out about the entire trip by xmas! LOL
Trace xx