Book Style: COCAINE BLUES by Kerry Greenwood

If you haven’t yet discovered the joy that is The Honourable Miss Phryne Fisher, you need to remedy that, asap. Thanks to Netflix I watched the first season of the television show before I realized that all the fabulousness was based on Kerry Greenwood’s book series. Her first Phryne Fisher mystery, Cocaine Blues, debuted in 1989 and she’s been writing about Miss Fisher’s adventures ever since. I couldn’t be more enamored with everything about these novels. Mystery? Check. Fabulous 1920s fashion? Check. Kickass Lady detective who appreciates Holmes as much as I do? Check. Feminist main character who never apologizes for her lifestyle and sexuality? Check Check!

For this Book Style I wanted to keep a vaguely ’20s vibe without going costumey with it all. And, in retrospect, the color palette of Cocaine Blues was a little bit tricky for someone who habitually shies away from primary colors.

Let’s start with the clothing: I chose silky, palazzo-style pants for their ’20s-ish silhouette and Phryne’s penchant for wide-legged trousers, a long-line lacy bra top, and a”Ballet Beautiful Belle” wrap top for Phryne’s lover, a Russian dancer. The “Women’s Detective Query” mules make the perfect, sparkly shoe to take this relaxed look into evening. The “Brighton Taxi” clutch wallet is a nod to Phryne’s cabbie buddies, Bert and Cec, and the Melbourne tote bag is, obviously, a reference to the setting of (most of) the series.