Cafe crawling

Quite a few months ago someone I know told my friend that she didn't know what to do when hanging around with us because all we do is go to cafes and markets and all we talk about are cafes and markets. I'd never even realised this before but actually my ideal weekend would be going to some form of market with my friends, buying some fab clothes then going to a trendy cafe and basking in how alternative and indie we are. If not with my friends, my mum's new years resolution was to try a new cafe or restaurant every month so often my response on Monday morning when someone asks about my weekend is "Oh my god I went to the nicest cafe on Saturday..."

And then I got a job in a cafe so really, I'm spending like 70% of my weekend in a cafe or foodery of some description. Spending money that I earn't in pretty much the same place? Sounds crazy but it's shamefully true. Now don't get me wrong, it's not like I spend literally all my time at cafes but I can now safely say that I know all the 'trade secrets' of cafes and how important cafe etiquette can be. I don't even just mean cafe etiquette in the manners aspect but in the what one should wear aspect as well.  

Generally the people who hang around cafes are there to be seen. It may not seem like it, but it's true. Cafes are the nightclubs for the under 18's who rate themselves as cultured. Including me. In order to make a lasting impression at a cafe, because who knows who you might bump into, one needs to dress the part.

I plan my outfits around which suburb the cafe is in, most people don't do this but if I was going to a trendy grungy cafe in Surry Hills I'd be dressing far differently than if I was going to Starbucks. It's a fact of my life. One time my friend who lives a 10 minute bike ride away and I went to the other side of Sydney for breakfast because she'd heard of a really nice cafe over there. 

Family Friendly cafes are a no go zone. Dog friendly cafes are a no go zone. Cafes with play equipment are a no go zone.  Cafes where you're likely to see someone who was on Australia's Next Top Model are where you want to be. I think this is why you have to dress the part because at the end of the day, you need to look like you belong to the elite crowd. It's like Sydney's equivalent to the Upper East Side, except you're from Brooklyn. 

Now once you're all dolled up in the season's latest trends, ready to be snapped up by Sydney Street Style you can finally venture the 45 minutes it takes you to get your morning coffee. Then once you're there, you have to order something off the menu that will photograph well on Instagram. It's a constant struggle, the days of going to a cafe simply for a coffee are long gone. But not after you've scoured the internet for markets in the area or warehouse sales or looked out for signs of a garage sale. It'll look desperate when the Barista asks you what you're doing today if you don't answer with "oh just going shopping you know, then I'll probably go to this gig or art opening I don't know, whatever happens."

Even if you just go to cafes to pick up a bacon and egg roll to nurse your hangover on a Sunday morning, just keep a lookout for those of us who are living the cafe lifestyle. Normally they're 17 year old girls using their iphones to update their instagrams. I'm allowed to say this because I'm one of them, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Liv xo

PS Proper fashion post coming soon!!! (this time it's about winter 2013) x