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.

Little Black Dress ft Black Jacket

Another evening look featuring the Little Black Dress suitable for dinner or drinks with friends.

Dress- Dorothy Perkins

Jacket - H&M

Shoes - Office 

Watch - Fossil

Bracelets- Thomas Sabo/Links of London

Little Black Dress ft Navy Blazer

Blazer buttoned up

excuse the zombie hand, lol 

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Blazer - Zara 

Shoes - Dune 

Read my review of my Navy blazer here 

Read my post on the history of the LBD here  

Little Black Dress ft Black Blazer

Rounding out the Little Black Dress series is another daytime work wear look.

Dress - Dorothy Perkins

Blazer - Zara

Shoes - Dune 

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