30 April 2016

Wedding Guest Dresses SS16

Spring Summer, the most popular time of the year for weddings, occasionwear gets delivered into stores leaving you spoilt for choice, but at the same time hoping no one else will wear the same outfit. Luckily for me the weddings I've attended, or will be attending this year I'll be wearing traditional wear, which will be a saree, so it's very unlikely someone will be wearing the same outfit. The general rule for an Asian religious ceremony is to wear bright colours, avoiding red (traditionally worn by the bride), white and black.

If you're attending a wedding and trying to find an outfit why not try this year's romantic trend by wearing something lace, floral or feminine. A brand that pulls off this trend well is Self-Portrait, they do the most stunning dresses with prices similar to some high street prices.

I don't know what it is but pastel colours seem to fit in well for summer weddings. This Self-Portrait Azaelea dress comes in a few pastel colours, my favourite being the blush pink below. What I love about this dress is that it can be dressed down too, style with white trainers or black boots, the biker style ones would look great. A denim jacket on top will still keep it looking feminine but if you want to toughen up the look wear a bomber or leather jacket. It's always nice to buy something that can be worn more than once and even better if it can be transformed into a day look too.


Self-Portrait £240

Keeping in the theme of lace, these dresses from Whistles are similar to Self-Portrait dresses, they look black in the below photos but are in fact navy. They will be a life saver for any occasion with it's simple but elegant designs, one for the evening functions I would say.

Left:Daisy Lace Dress £195  Right: Amelia Lace Dress £220

If you're looking for colour try this modern style orange dress with cut out back details, and the best feature, pockets!! The dress is available in ASOS but more sizes are available on the Whistles site (priced at £295). It's a little expensive but you can wear during the day too with trainers or sandals.

 

With this weather lately some may prefer to have their legs covered. This maxi from Mango has a boho feel and would be lovely for a country or church wedding, again can easily be worn with sandals or trainers during the day teamed with a casual jacket.

Mango £69.99

This high neck belted dress from Topshop is ideal if you're looking for something understated.


I love the length and the simplicity of this Oasis dress, wear day or evening. Style as per image with blocked heels and printed clutch (check the previous post for the Mango monochrome clutch that would go perfectly with this dress). Sometimes less is more and you don't have to spend loads.

Oasis £39

Some more high street choices:

1. Zara £35.99
2. Warehouse £45
3. Zara £39.99
4. New Look £22.99
5. Vero Moda £40

Thanks for reading and I hope you like some of my choices.






25 April 2016

Monochrome

There's no denying you can't go wrong with monochrome, I for one need both black and white in my wardrobe, they're essential. The word monochrome in fashion usually means a combination of these two colours but can also mean all grey too.

Monochrome is timeless and will forever be on trend. If you're stuck on what to wear for an occasion whether it be an interview, date night or brunch with the girls, the easiest combo would be black bottoms and a white T-shirt/shirt option, simple and classic. The best thing about this look is that it will work on any budget, monochrome is the easiest look to create.

Some inspiration below on black and white looks, all images taken from Pinterest.

Casual look:


Evening look:


Smart look:


Adding colour to a monochrome outfit is easy, just add colourful accessories. Monochrome doesn't have to be lifeless and lacking excitement, it can be stylish and eye-catching too, like the above outfits.

What's on the high street?:

I love the ASOS White collection, a lot of nice things with many monochrome pieces including the below dresses. (Left: Stripe knitted midi dress £75 Right: Stripe organza trapeze dress £75)


If you want something simple this shirt is perfect for work or casual wear, this clean line shirt with frills on the sleeves make it stand out from the rest.

French Connection £37

How about monochrome accessories, I have the below shoes from Wallis, wear with an all black outfit or jeans. Or try a bag, Mango makes lovely bags like this tassel clutch, wear with any outfit.


Re-created my favourite monochrome look below, add an oversize jumper instead of a blazer for a more casual look. You can re-create the same look with a long sleeve lace top too.

1. Blazer £32 (On sale)
2. Dress £35.99
3. Belt £2.99
4. Jumper £19.99
5. Shoes £24.99

Thank you for reading and happy shopping!




18 April 2016

Blazer

The blazer is the perfect outerwear for those mild days where you don't fancy wearing a jacket or when you want to smarten up a casual outfit. I did a post last year on the essential black blazer but this year I wanted to show some more inspiration on the blazer in general, whatever the colour. I still have my black Topshop tuxedo style blazer (similar ones here and here) that I should wear more often but don't. The dogtooth patterned blazer below is also another one I have kept but again need to wear more often.

Miss Selfridge Boilersuit (old) similar here and here, Miss Selfridge Blazer (old) similar here, Faith Shoes (old) similar here


If you feel the blazer is too smart and only for work, try wearing with jeans and trainers or you could wear it over a hoodie. I love the way Miroslava Duma styles the blazer look, effortless, stylish and beautifully put together. She dresses her pinstripe blazer with a simple white t-shirt and jeans, the left image she teams it up with trainers and the right she pairs with heels. The blazer makes all the difference in this simple outfit.


More of my favourite Miroslava Duma's blazer looks. (All images from Pinterest)


If you want to play it safe always go for black or navy, coloured blazers look equally good too.


What's on the high street:

This linen blazer from Zara is a great summer jacket that's not too heavy, throw over a summer dress or skirt.


Pinstripes are big this season as mentioned in the previous post on 'striped trouser', this blazer from Topshop is perfect for a casual outfit, just turn the sleeves up or push back.


This one is a bit pricey and not at all high street, very Chanel and can see it lasting a long time, a classic shape and style by Isabel Marant priced at £260. I love the frayed edges and double breasted front, smart but at the same time very admirable and edgy.


Lastly, if you want colour or something different try either one of these from ASOS, will go nicely with denim or leather trousers. The below pyjama blazer looks like it will drape nicely on, not fitted and a perfect summer jacket.

ASOS £105

ASOS £55

Not only was it the colour that drew me to this blazer it was the belt detail too, absolutely love this style which brings me to my favourite blazer inspiration below. The below look with the lace is just perfect, why not try belting your blazer?


Happy Shopping! 

13 April 2016

Pleats

If you've been reading my blog for a while now you would know firstly I'm not very girly and secondary I love casual wear. Saying that I do try to mix things up and own the odd feminine items of clothing, a baby pink pleated midi skirt to name one. Despite not wearing the skirt much I'm glad I kept it as I hope to wear it more this year.

Wearing husbands old Burton jumper, prefer men's jumpers sometimes, H&M skirt (old) but similar one here and here, Topshop slip on trainers (old) but similar here in black

I think pleats add a touch of femininity but also it's a little preppy too which I like. I'm not much of a heel person but genuinely think the best shoe to team with pleated skirts would be flats, trainers specifically. What to wear on top? The oversized jumper would be my choice for this type of on and off weather but when the temperatures rise wear with a t-shirt for that effortless look. Try going for the midi length when buying skirts, also with an elastic waist so you can pull it up or down to your preferred length.

What's on the high street? Topshop has a great selection of pleated skirts at the moment, the below is my favourite as I love the khaki colour. The yellow version is gorgeous too but most of the sizes have sold out online, worth checking the stores for stock.

Topshop £49
ASOS £35

Try something like the below culottes which have subtle pleats on the front if you don't fancy a skirt.

ASOS £38

Or try a top, below left is from Zara and the right is from ASOS.

 

I love this pleated dress, perfect for wedding season or even as daywear paired with trainers. (Will do a post soon on wedding guest outfits).

ASOS £55

Street style images all from Pinterest.





8 April 2016

Silver Shoes

Metallics are very much on trend this season, have seen some great pieces on the high street from skirts to tops. But if you're like me and feel it's too much to be wearing a metallic top or bottom, accessories are your best option.

Silver shoes are not something I would have considered buying as an everyday shoe, instead more for an occasion in the form of sandals. But this year I have been convinced into silver shoes, although, I'm leaning towards trainers and brogues more than anything else.

I'm yet to buy a pair, but these images from Pinterest have me thinking it will make the most simple outfit stand out for sure. I'm surprised at how versatile they are, no more dilemmas of what shoes to wear with an outfit, every outfit can now be resolved with a pair of silver shoes! Yay!!!


What's on the high street? These limited edition leather brogues are a bit pricey for high street but look beautifully made. Personally, for that price I would head to Grenson's, their shoes are amazing quality and have many colour ways including silver.

Clarks £295 

These summer sliders are my kind of shoe when it warms up, will look great paired with shorts, dresses or cropped trousers.

Office £22


1. Office Leather Espadrilles £25
2. Office Mid-block boots £75
3. Miss KG Sneakers £45
4. Office Leather Espadrilles £40
5. Clarks Glove Puppet shoes £45
6. Topshop Ballet flats £46
7. &otherstories Pointy silver flats £65
8. Reebox Trainers £61.99
9. Topshop Tassel Loafer £42

Now if you have a spare £1,020, these Aquazzura sandals embellished with dozens of white crystals are a cut above the rest. It will probably sit pretty on my shelf as I wouldn't be able to walk in them.


Happy Shopping as always!   

4 April 2016

Sale Buys

Just a quick post to tell you about some great sale buys I've seen. Although I love a good sale it can be a bit too much to handle in stores, hate looking through rails for my size and the mess sometimes puts me off. Instead, I like to shop sale in the comfort of my home in my loungewear. I was in the middle of doing a post on silver shoes (coming soon) but then got distracted on the H&M site as you do, and ended up buying a few things...Opps! Not sure what they will look like on but worth a try at these prices.

Not really into the lace stuff but do own a few things more subtle, I think I have been convinced more after seeing the lovely V from amothersedit wearing it, her Instagram has loads of lace inspiration.

Firstly bought this top, it's very out of my comfort zone but the sleeves and the black lace is gorgeous, just hope it looks ok on and I have somewhere to wear it. Today H&M are doing a further 10% off sale goods with the code 6043 so even better prices.

H&M WAS £19.99 NOW £13

I also bought the below white blouse with frills on the collar and sleeves and a lace trim at the front. Very current right now and an item that will be very versatile in your wardrobe.

H&M WAS £24.99 NOW £14

What else is worth getting?
Mango is great for sales, this red coat has 50% off, although it seems like the weather is slowly changing, this will be a great investment for Winter. (This navy one looks just as good too).

Mango WAS £139.99 NOW £69.99

Another favourite place to shop sale is Zara, saw this jumper a while back, sold out online but you may find some luck in the stores.

Zara WAS £29.99 NOW £14.99

Sorry, another winter item but you can never have too many grey jumpers and this one from &otherstoires looks incredibly comfy!

&otherstories WAS £65 NOW £33

Hope you like some of my sale choices, loads of good pieces if you keep your eyes open, happy shopping!