The White Shirt from 9 - 5 to 5 - 9 and all the time in between

Whenever I buy something new, I get a little tingly feeling, which makes me happy, the shoppers high. ( you know what I am speaking about, lol) Plus if the item was on SALE (50% off or more, anything less is not a sale.) You need to tie string around me to keep me grounded because I will float away on joy. I work hard, and I enjoy spending my coins. At the same time,

 when I buy something I make sureeeeeeeeeeeee  I get my moneys worth. Unless a beauty item is giving me an allergic reaction, I am using that sucker down to the last drop, swipe, squeeze. In relation to clothing,

 I never by an outfit, I buy pieces. A skirt here, a shirt there, some trousers, a pair of shoes. I do not buy an item unless I can think of at least 5 places I can wear it or a few items in my closet I can mix and match it with. 

With that in mind I am putting together my new series named the White Shirt Series ( I still need to finish my MAC series but I will get to that.) Some of the photos will be old photos from blog posts before,  some of the pictures will be new and other photos I have had sitting on my computer for eons (waiting for the inspiration to arrive, or maybe the sunshine. 

Shoes - Office, Jeans - Zara, Belt - GAP, Shirt - T. M. Lewin,
Blazer - Zara, Lipstick - MAC Ruby Woo, Bag - Zara

Boots - Diesel, Jeans - Zara, Belt - GAP, Shirt - T. M. Lewin,
Blazer - Zara

Shoes - Zara, Trousers - Next, Shirt - T. M. Lewin,
Blazer - Zara

Have a great Saturday  my lovelies.

xoxo

What to Wear to Work - Black and White

Sorry for the blurry pic my lovelies. 

This is just a quick outfit of the day post showing what I wore today. Staying true to my love of separates I paired a white cotton button down with a black tulip skirt. 

Shirt - T. M. Lewin white poplin shirt

Skirt - Zara Tulip skirt circa 2010 

Shoes - Dune Sanctuary Court shoes

Bag - Zara Braided shopper , 
this is the perfect carry all for when I am away from my desk. 
 xx

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

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

What to Wear to Work - Beige dress ft Black blazer

"The little Gucci dress, the little Gucci dress or the little Gucci dress." - one of the most iconic fashionistas of our time said this in a movie. Not knowing who this lady, is the equivalent of liking that horrendous bird on Carrie's head in the Sex and the City movie.

 The sun is out and the dresses come out. After hiding away under layers of thick tights and trousers hemlines get shorter as the weather heats up. Here we have a little ensemble compliments the fashion houses of Forever21 and Zara.  

This is the dress on it's own,  I  usually wear this dress sand cardigan or blazer. To get over the bra strap showing issue, I cross  the bra straps over in an "x" shape.

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

Dress - Forever21

Blazer - Zara

Shoes - Dune 

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  

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 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

Review: Joules Print Wellies - Navy Stripe

What Joules Say:

     From festivals to farmyards, Joules wellies have making a splash all over the land for years. For women’s traditional wellington boots with a twist, look no further. If you’re after a bright, printed patterned welly, you’re in the right place. Our prints include floral prints, stripes, flying pheasant prints, dog prints and many more. All are classic, practical and made for you to stand out from the crowd in style. Our new Premium Welly Collection includes glossy wellies, zip back wellies and even lace-up wellies, all truly individual and in a handcrafted shape for ultimate comfort and flexibility. They all have a new tread pattern for enhanced grip and a new rubber lining for extra strength and durability. Our new Premium Wellies also come packaged in a beautifully crafted box. Our famous Wellibob ankle boots are also brilliant for keeping feet covered in style. 

What I say:

If you live in England or any of the British Isles you should own a pair of Wellies. In between the rain, hail, sleet and snow I must declare my love for my Joules Wellies. These are my second pair of all weather boots and though I have had Hunter wellie dreams. I am in love with my Joules Wellies. I was trying and trying to hold out from purchasing new wellies but after my last pair of wellies split in the back after 2 years of good service (I literally wore them every day between december 09 - March 10) I decided to take the plunge and just buy these since office had them of offer for £25 reduced from £45. Well my wellies did not come packed in a "beautifully crafted box," but they did come with a plastic draw string bag. At first I was a bit stunned at the bag but then I thought this bag would be quite useful even more so than a box. If there ever is a time where I need to carry my wellies I do not have to worry about getting mud, dirt, snow or water on my clothing. 

All in all my only complaint is that the draw string bag be a little bit stronger. I have not worked my way to committing to a welly bag as yet, therefore I would like a few ore uses out of my drawstring bag before it starts splitting. 

Would I buy full priced? - Yes
Would I repurchase? - Yes 
Would I recommend? - Yes

Stay dry my lovelies 

What to Wear to Work - TM Lewin 1898 Size 4 shirt.

     

      T. M. Lewin 1898 fine shirt retailer recently decided to introduce a smaller sized shirt to their collection of sizes. This new category is a TRIAL!!!  Depending on the popularity of the new smaller size the powers at be will decided whether to keep or cut the category  The new shirt is a size 4 shirt which is a sized smaller than their usual sized 6 shirt. I received one of the smaller shirts, from the powers at be at TM Lewin to provide feedback to them and you guys. 

      Below are some pictures of me wearing the Maxine Red Check Shirt size 4. In this photo I am wearing a modern T shirt Bra from LaSenza (which is NOT padded) underneath the shirt. I am a UK sized 8 (US 4) both top and bottom, Bra size 32B (unpadded), 32C (padded).  you may find La Senza Lingerie here 

The Front worn with unpadded Bra

The Back

 As you can see the shirt fits well across the shoulders and there is room under the arm.

Material sample 

Closer shot of bust

      Let me speak frankly T. M. Lewin 1898 is an old established and successful company.  A company like T. M. Lewin 1898 could easily, just continue to do what they have been doing, during the worst recession of the 21st century.  Why, because it has been WORKING for them so far. However they are branching out tapping new markets, opening new stores internationally. Also T. M Lewin has been diversifying their portfolio by utilising a wider colour palette and introducing casual clothing. Introducing a size 4 shirt is a bold and brave move by TM Lewin 1898. In their own way they are appealing to the womenswear market in an even greater capacity. 

        

     I am very pleased to report that the new sized 4 shirts fit  very well and even leaves a little room suitable for a camisole/vest underneath. Perfect for those who would like to layer up for the winter/colder months The length in the sleeve is quite suitable, which is great. Usually smaller shirts tend to have short sleeves (like the company was scrimping on material) which ride up your arms and  can be a bit unflattering.

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

What to Wear to Work - Knitwear

     As the frostier season bears down upon us, many will turn to layering up as a way to stay warm during the winter months. However do not fear, one can still be stylish, warm and appropriately dressed for the workplace even with layered clothing. A coat or jacket is a great layering piece but layers can also be created by adding various types of knitwear such as jumpers (sweaters) and also cardigans. 

     These pieces can be worn alone, over shirts, blouses and also under jackets and blazers to create a refined look. Just because it is cold, does not mean that we cannot be cute. Knitwear is versatile addition to a winter work wear wardrobe as it comes in various degrees of thickness, patterns and shapes. Knitted dresses, cardigans, jumpers and scarves are all pieces which can be used to create a stylish layered ensemble. 

Pumpkin Cardigan Zara 

Pumpkin Jumper Zara 

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

What to Wear to Work - 50 Shades of Grey

     Yes yes a little play on word there, lol. Grey is not my favourite neutral but it is a versatile one to have in your work wear wardrobe. The versatility of Grey comes from the various shades available in its palette. A Grey suit (a la James bond in Skyfall) is a sophisticated addition to ones formal wear and work wear wardrobe. 

A few pictures of me in my Grey ensemble. 

Shirt - T M Lewin 
Skirt - Primark circa 09
Blazer - New Look (gift)

My brother in his Grey ensemble. (Did I mention that my brother is Head Boy at his School/Sixth Form)

"Fashion fades but style remains eternal" - Yves Saint Laurent