Shop Your Closet: Wardrobe Basics Cluster

Hey lovelies I'm back with another edition of Shop Your Closet.  

These are just  just a few basic items I have pulled from my closet in an attempt to create a cluster.  (Ria Don't kill me, I tried. lol) 

Even though they are basics, they mix and match really well to create various outfits.

 If you have similar items in your closet, perhaps you could give making a cluster a shot.

From left to right Jeans - Zara, Shirt- GAP, Sweater - H & M, Bag - Dune, Trench - GAP ( I also have this in NAVY, Blazer - Zara - I also have this in Black, Shirt - T. M Lewin, Dress - Dorothy Perkins ( I also have this in Green), Green shoes - Office, Black Patent flats - Miss KG, Monochrome Flats - Miss KG. 

Classic Trench 

 Navy Blazer 

 Blue Denim Jeans

White shirt ( This is from the men's sections at the GAP,
 great for a casual, dressed down look)

White shirt ( I wear this to work, on nights out etc.)

The shift dress 

Cross body Bag

Flats 

Even though these are basics, don not count them out. 

The foundation of any great wardrobe starts with the basics. 

Basics are great for complimenting those jewel toned/ embellished pieces you are pulling out to attend the Christmas parties.

From year to year, season to season the shapes might change. 

But the basic element of the garment is the same.  

A plain black flat is a plain black flat and a crisp white shirt is a crisp white shirt. 

Happy Holidays 

xx

The Look for Less: The Monochrome Dress

Hello my lovelies, wherever you are I hope that you are enjoying some fabulous weather. 

With spring currently approaching / arrived (depending on where in the world you are, reading this blog entry)  the monochrome dress as a wardrobe staple steps up to the plate as our social calenders pick up speed. 

A monochrome dress is a flexible item which can be dressed up or down to suit a variety of occasions, and it is this flexibility which makes it a great piece. 

The title of this post is called "The Look For Less" Here I have two dresses in the same style but with different price points. There is nothing wrong with looking great, while you are saving money. 

OASIS Graduated Stripe Dress £58

Dorothy Perkins Black and White Stripe Dress  £25

both of these are easy wearing dresses, which can be styled up or down to suit a variety of occasions. 

Outfit suggestions for various occasions:

Work - black pump, pearl earrings/small studs, classic blazer black (or red to give it a bit of pop, that way you are keeping it professional yet cute)

Lunch with friends - Statement jewelry, coloured clutch (for colour blocking effect) jewel toned flats

Ladies Day at the races - facinator/ hat (in a complementary or contrasting colour) heels, clutch

Travel - trench coat, leather bag (tan to get a bit of contrast in there, but still keeping the palette neutral), flats

There you are my lovelies, 

the first "Look for for Less" of 2014.

What to wear to work - Blue/ Purple Structured Dress

This dress is an anomaly, to my naked eye it is blue, however it photographs purple. On the Website it was described as purple so *throws hands in the air.*  

   The best thing about this dress is the simplicity. The design features a high neck, small pockets on the sides,   cap sleeves and a V in the back. The versatility of this dress means that it can be easily styled this with a cardigan (white), a blazer or short jacket with rolled back sleeves, a necklace if wearing the dress on its own or a wide belt to accentuate the waist. 

 The fit of the dress is neither tight, nor clingy. so no worries about it splitting or bursting seams if you have to make a mad dash or two across town on your lunch hour. 

                                "Fashion fades by Style remains eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Shoes - Dune

I hope that you have been enjoying the sales, my belles.

xx

What to Wear to Work - Green Structured Dress

 Last week we had to Blue draped dress, this week it is  the Green structured dress. A simple design with small pockets on the sides. This dress can be easily styled this with a cardigan (white/yellow), a blazer or short jacket with rolled back sleeves, a necklace if wearing the dress on its own or a wide belt to accentuate the waist. 

 The fit of the dress is neither tight, nor clingy. so no worries about it splitting or bursting seams if you have to make a mad dash or two across town on your lunch hour. 

look at me now

stand up straight, shoulders back

"Fashion fades by Style remains eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Shoes - Dune

caio ma bellas

xx

The Little Black Dress Look Book

"One is never under-dressed or over dressed in a Little Black Dress."
 - Karl Largerfeld

Little Black Dress ft the Classics 

Little Black Dress ft the Black Blazer 

Little Black Dress ft the Sequinned Jacket

Little Black Dress ft the Navy Blazer 

Little Black Dress ft the White Cardigan 

Little Black Dress ft the Black Jacket

Little Black Dress ft the Blue Cardigan

Little Black Dress ft the Navy Cardigan

Little Black Dress- Dorothy Perkins

Sequinned Jacket - Mango 

Navy Blazer - Zara 

Black Blazer - Zara

Black Jacket - H&M

Macintosh - GAP

White Cardigan - Primark 

Blue Cardigan - Primark

Navy Cardigan - H&M

Bag - Longchamp

Flats - Kurt Geiger

Black pumps - Duner

Heels - Office 

There you are my lovelies my

 "Little Black Dress" look book.

Happy viewing.

xx

What to Wear to Work - The Blue Dress

Ready for my close up

    The colours are coming out with the weather heating up, the sun is still playing hide and seek with us but we forge ahead nonetheless. This blue cap sleeve dress is a lovely number to pull out of your closet for a day on the job/at the office/work meetings or even if you are out of office meeting clients.

    The dress gathers at the waist, and meets a faux panel, then drapes around the hips. I think the draping around the hips is great for curvy girls, since it follows the shape of the female body form, yet leaves room for  movement. Therefore it is a lot less restricting that the traditional style of tighter fitting dresses.

Pockets, perfect for lip balm/lipstick and a snack  

"Fashion fades by Style remains eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Shoes - Dune

Have a great week my lovelies.

xx

What to Wear to Work - The other LBD

The "other" LBD or the Little Blue Dress (we do not discriminate on colour around here) is another stylish piece one can add to the work wear wardrobe. Navy, Azure, Cerulean and my favourite Cobalt are just a few of the hues available from the Blue Palette. A little Blue Dress can be worn  with a cardigan as shown above or further styled with a blazer or lightweight jacket.

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Cardigan - Primark

Shoes - Dune

earrings - Pia

Bracelets - Thomas Sabo/Links of London


"Fashion fades, but style remains eternal." Yves Saint Laurent

Little Black Dress ft Navy cardigan & Black pump

Another LBD and cardigan combo for Spring, remember no back of the closet for the little black dress.  A good combo for work, and windy days or afternoons. Get out and enjoy the  sun. 

"Fashion fades by Style remains eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Cardigan - H&M

Shoes - Dune 
xx

Little Black Dress ft Blue Cardigan

It's here, it's here spring time has arrived. 

Wait hold on, pause for a minute. Just because Spring has sprung that does not mean that your LBD has to be pushed to the recesses of your closet until Fall. Remember CoCo Chanel designed the dress to be timeless, in other words the Little Black Dress eclipses seasons and trends. However since Spring is here, why not do like I did and add a pop of colour to the LBD, with a coloured blazer or cardigan? You might even want to experiment with broaches. 

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Shoe - Dune Sanctuary Pump

Cardigan - Primark 

Bracelets - Thomas Sabo/Links of London

oh where, oh where, oh where is shadow? lol lol 

Little Black Dress ft The White Cardigan

 Rock a peep toe.

Little Black dress featuring the white cardigan, classic monochrome outfit suitable for work,  lunch with friends, church, or travelling. (shoes optional)  

Rock a flat.

Yes the little black dress will give you superpowers and allow you to fly. 

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Shoes - Heels - Office, Flats - Kurt Gieger

Cardigan - Primark 

Stack - Thomas Sabo, Links of London, Ernest Jones 

"Fashion fades but Style is eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

stay stylish my lovelies

xx

Little Black Dress ft the Sequinned Jacket

"Shine bright like a diamond, in the sun"

To make the LBD more updated, other elements can be added along with accessories to create a slightly more modern look. Little Black Dress, Mango Sequinned Jacket, Black pump, and Black clutch appropriate for  an evening look, such as a dinner  date or evening out with friends.

The wind was trying to blow me away 

Still shining

 Dress- Dorothy Perkins

Jacket - Mango 

Shoes - Dune

Bag - Dune

Bracelet - Thomas Sabo

"Fashion fades, but Style remains eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

Stay stylish my lovelies 

xx

Little Black Dress ft The Classics

Fierce!!! ---> yes I just described my own picture as fierce.

This is my little black dress styled  to suit a Spring day with a few other classic wardrobe pieces. Classics include the trench coat, the black pump, the neutral bag, the Jackie O shades. 

pondering

walking

mid step

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Trench - GAP

Shoes - Dune

Bag - Longchamp (I know you guys are tired of seeing this, but I love!!!!!! this bag)

Shades - Emporio Armani

Fashion fades but Style remains eternal. - Yves Saint Laurent

stay stylish my lovelies 

xx

Little Black Dress

 

"One is never over-dressed or underdressed with a Little Black Dress." - Karl Lagerfeld

A little black dress is an evening or cocktail dress cut in a simple pattern and is often quite short. Fashion historians credit the invention of the little black dress to CoCo Chanel. Though formally brought to the market in 1926, CoCo had begun researching and planning the little black dress since 1915. Her intent was for the LBD to be used as a sort of uniform, a dress with simple pattern yet appropriate enough to be work in the evenings and afternoons to various functions. Her inspiration for the little black dress may be subconsciously attributed to her upbringing in a convent orphanage.

The first little black dress was made available in 1926, featured in October issue of VOGUE that same year. American VOGUE nicknamed the the dress by CoCo Chanel "Ford" because like all Ford Model T cars it was only available in black, but accessible to everyone. Accessorized using a single strand of pearls and a low black pump, the "dress" became an instant hit and that "look" remains a classic.

Traditionally a little black dress should be simple in design, yet flattering to the wearers body. It may have cap sleeves or short sleeves. The simpleness of design makes the dress timeless, allowing it to be functional and chic. Devoid of patterns, detailing and trends a little black dress will never be seasonal.

In the modern day like the white shirt is the cornerstone of the work wear wardrobe. A little black dress (LBD) is the foundation upon which any stylish wardrobe is built. Work/date/interview/funeral/P.T.A. meetings the list goes on and on. A LBD will keep you looking stylish and sophisticated each and every time. Worn with a jacket/blazer and a pump the little black dress is a part of the work wear wardrobe. Add a statement necklace/shoe/bag, or something more ornate such ah a sequinned jacket and the dress is ready for the evening. A flat shoe, a colored cardigan w with a LBD makes for a chic but clean look, ideal for the Spring.

The Little Black Shift "dress" part of TM. Lewins new generation of womenswear

Featured

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Shoes - Dune

xx