Cue is one of Australia’s homegrown design houses, and it’s been producing clothing for the Australian market for decades now. Starting out as a single store in the Strand Arcade in Sydney, it’s spread now to have several stores in every capital city in Australia and New Zealand. Cue has won a number of awards for its designs, including categories in the Prix de Marie Claire and Grazia Fashion Awards. It incorporates Australian designs with European fabrics to create stylish and versatile garments for every occasion.
Polyester
Every year, Cue produce durable and good looking polyester clothes, many of which make great work wear. Inexpensive and easy to care for, these are a good choice for busy people wanting some basic pieces to build a wardrobe around. Pick a colour that suits you and is easy to match – a lot of people use black or navy, but there’s nothing wrong with going for something brighter – and buy some polyester basics to build your wardrobe around. A couple of pairs of trousers, a skirt and a jacket are a good start for a work wardrobe; add lounge pants and a casual skirt to take you into the weekend as well.
Viscose
Slinky and drapey, viscose is a synthetic substitute for silk that holds colour well and tends to be longer lasting than silk. Two or three viscose tops or blouses are a good addition to your wardrobe; buy ones that go well with the basics that you bought. Add a viscose top or blouse to create a dressy outfit with a pair of business slacks that won’t look out of place at after work drinks or out to dinner at a fancy restaurant. Wear a viscose blouse with trousers and jacket for a pop of creativity and class in the workplace.
Cotton
Cotton clothes are a mainstay of most people’s summer wardrobes, because the fibre breathes well and releases body heat, keeping the wearer cooler than many other fabric choices. Cue make a wide selection of cotton clothing every year, including dresses, shirts, tops, and chinos. If you’re putting together a wardrobe, a few cotton basics are a good choice, especially in the summer months. Look for cotton camis, short and long sleeved tees, capri pants, and chinos or jeans for casual cool weather wear.
Nylon
One of the best features of nylon clothing is its tendency to avoid creasing. Unlike some fabrics that wrinkle as soon as you look at them sideways, nylon tends to hold its shape and keep looking good all day long. It’s also durable, so that nylon clothing will last longer, and lightweight, so it won’t weigh you down if you go for a layered look. Cue tends to use nylon a lot in its skirts, as these are one of the most wrinkle and crease-prone clothing items, and a skirt with a high nylon content can stay smooth and crease free for hours.
Satin
Satin fabric works really well for semi-formal and cocktail dresses, and Cue takes advantage of this with a range of satin dresses with clean, simple lines that showcase the fabrics perfectly. You’ll find a great selection of satin clothing from Cue; keep an eye out for some gorgeously embroidered options, too. While you mostly find dresses in this category, Cue has also produced some satin tops and trousers at times, and these make striking additions to the dressy end of a wardrobe. Cue’s choice of European fabrics really shows here, with the sheen of high quality fabric shining through.
Cue knitwear
A couple of knitted vests, cardigans or jumpers are essential for chillier days and nights. Cue makes some lovely knitwear in viscose, acrylic, or wool, depending on the season. You’ll find a lot of Cue knitwear styles here, just waiting for you to cuddle into them. Viscose is a good choice in spring and autumn; being a hybrid fibre, it doesn’t hold onto heat quite as much as other materials. In winter, though, aim for acrylic and wool, as they hold in heat to keep you snug and warm.
Cue sizing
Cue sizes tend slightly larger than other designers, but generally speaking, if you’re buying online then your best bet is to take measurements and use those to figure out your size with a particular brand. To take your measurements, grab a tape measure and a friend, then get your friend to measure your bust, waist, and hip circumferences while you stand upright with arms slightly out from your sides. Using two people tends to work best because otherwise you’ll tend to hunch or twist while getting the measurements, and this affects your end results, skewing them upwards or downwards and resulting in an uncertain fit.
Cue accessories
Once you’ve picked out your clothes, all that’s left to do is figure out the accessories. But don’t be dismayed at the task ahead of you; Cue makes some gorgeous scarves, belts, jewellery and handbags that complement its clothing beautifully. A brightly coloured printed silk or viscose scarf adds colour and personality to a simple outfit, and one of the wonderful things about scarves is that they’re incredibly versatile. Knot around your throat for a traditional look; roll and use as a headband to keep your hair off your face; slip through the belt loops on your trousers for an unconventional and cheery belt; or wear bandana style to protect your hair and scalp from the sun or wind.
Don’t forget to pick up sunglasses too – in the harsh Australian sun, we need to shade and protect our eyes to keep our eyesight from degrading. You’ll find quite a few pieces of Cue jewellery here too, from recent years and from decades past, so your options are substantial. Whether you’re a fan of delicate and intricate pieces or prefer big, bold and bright jewellery, you’re pretty sure to find a pair of earrings, a necklace, or a bracelet that will compliment you.