07.12.2011- Festive Dress Guide- Part One: The Showstopper

Christmas always throws up a whole host of dilemmas, doesn't it? How long to cook the turkey for, which presents to buy and how to move off of the sofa after eating your entire body weight in chocolate. One of the more crucial conundrums to arise at this time of year, however, is a perennial favourite- what on earth do I wear? The sartorial dilemma of what to put on for lazing around the house is one which presents no problems at all- pyjamas and a Christmas jumper of your choice become a 'go-to' option (and all the better for an elasticated waistband!) However, there are several instances where a slanket isn't really considered de rigueur- office parties, pre-Christmas drinks with friends and even Christmas Day itself- each occasion presents a minefield of seemingly endless wardrobe options. If you're stuck for an outfit this festive season (and I know I am!), never fear. Over the next few weeks I'll be posting my Festive Dress Guide, showcasing a selection of top frocks and attempting to prove that getting dressed up at this time of the year doesn't always have to mean competing for attention with the Christmas tree. First up, The Showstopper:

The Showstopper- an instant head turner. A tricky look to pull off- keeping things simple with minimal accessories is key. This dress from Topshop is probably the most fashion-forward of the pieces I've selected, but teamed with a pair of heels I think it would look amazing- I love the muted silver colour. You really can't get more sophisticated than this classic monochrome number from Rokit- a vintage design that would surely never date. I've also admired this dress from Whistles for ages, and although it's quite trend-led with the embellished collar, I think it's a piece you could pull out of your wardrobe again and again and never tire of. This beautiful offering from Oasis is ultra-feminine and perfectly subtle- the embellished bodice adds just the right sprinkling of sparkle to an otherwise really simple dress. Finally, this piece from Next is probably the most overtly festive of this little selection, but I couldn't resist the star details and 20s inspired shape- the classy combination of black and silver also saves it from being too over-the-top.

Are you struggling with a festive frock dilemma? And would you wear any of the dresses I've picked out?

(Image credit: Topshop, Rokit, Whistles, Oasis and Next.)

27.11.2011- Sunday Style Spotlight #9: Kirsten Dunst

Kirsten Dunst has long been a fashion inspiration of mine. I've loved watching her films (Marie Antoinette is one of my all-time favourites), and, after randomly bumping into her in the shoe department of Selfridges a few years ago, I've been an avid follower of her style. Whilst I'm yet to catch her performance in Melancholia, it was great to see Kirsten on the red carpet again during the promotion of the film over the summer, wearing stunning dresses by Chanel, Chloé and Rodarte. If I had to summarise her look in one word, I'd probably choose romantic- pretty details, classic shapes and a touch of whimsy all come together to create a much-coveted signature style:

My interpretation of Kirsten's style is all about taking classic pieces and adding to them- this shirt from Miss Selfridge is a perfect wardrobe staple with an added element of sparkle thanks to the embellished collar. The same goes for the Oasis skirt- the lace overlay captures the sense of romance which makes Kirsten's look so recognisable. The embellished touches on this Topshop dress evoke a couture feel at a fraction of the price, and I think these shoes from Zara could be mistaken for a Miu Miu pair. Finally, these earrings from Whistles are both simple and cute, capturing the essence of Kirsten's approach to fashion.

What do you think of Kirsten Dunst's style?

(Image credit: Look, Miss Selfridge, Whistles, Oasis, Topshop, and Zara.)

07.11.2011- Monday Must-haves

This week's Must-haves post is uncharacteristically co-ordinated, but, as we head deeper into winter, I'm finding myself being drawn to darker colours and pieces I know I'll be able to rely upon as the weather worsens:

As soon as I saw this dress, it rocketed straight to the top of my shopping list. I adore this style of clothing- relaxed, comfortable and classically stylish. I've picked up a few pieces from Vaudeville and Burlesque at Urban Outfitters before and have been really impressed with the quality and fit, and the versatility of this smock dress means that it works out as quite affordable (and much less of a guilty splurge!) if we look at it on a cost-per-wear basis. This horse print top from H&M is charming- I adore the photo print, and it's perfect for teaming with a pair of jeans and a chunky cardigan for the winter. I've also been drawn to hats quite a lot over the last few weeks, which has resulted in some mixed fortunes. Embarrassingly enough, I seem to possess an abnormally large head, which means as a rule I normally have to buy hats from the menswear section. Bad times. However, this hat from Miss Selfridge could be the one to break the curse- I just love how simple it is and it would be perfect for the colder weather. This ring from Whistles is so cute, and instantly reminded me of Christmas- I'm thinking of buying it just to remind me that I must start my present buying sooner rather than later! These River Island boots are also ideal for negotiating puddles/snow/soggy leaves, and look to be the perfect halfway house between the ultra-trendy Chelsea style and a more traditional design. Finally, this gorgeous black blouse from Monki is the perfect take on florals for the chillier months, and is another really versatile find.

What do you think of my picks for this week? And have you picked up any winter essentials yet?

(Image credit: Urban Outfitters, H&M, Miss Selfridge, Whistles, River Island and Monki.)

25.09.2011- Sunday Style Spotlight #5: Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung's style is quintessentially English. Part school girl, part granny (her words, not mine!), Alexa's look has become extremely sought after and much replicated since she made her breakthrough hosting Popworld back in 2006. I remember tuning in to an episode and being amazed to see her wearing a smock from Primark identical to one I had hanging in my wardrobe (needless to say I was a very cool sixteen year old!) Alas said smock has now bitten the dust, but Alexa's appeal has not abated and she's now one of the most sought after faces in fashion, regularly appearing in Vogue, ELLE and Harper's Bazaar to name but a few. It's thanks to Miss Chung that Mulberry gave us the Alexa, and this week her second collaboration with Madewell proved so popular that it crashed their website. In fact, Alexa's come a long way since that bargain Primark smock:

Alexa's signature style has spawned a myriad of copy-cats (how else do you explain the sudden popularity of loafers?), but the thing I love about her look is its simplicity. She knows what suits her and she sticks to it, which is why she's regularly seen in mini-dresses, chunky knits and 60s inspired shapes. The 'school girl meets granny' vibe is the perfect thing to keep in mind whilst trying to emulate a slice of Chung style, so be sure to incorporate opaque tights, school uniform shades (charcoal greys, plum reds and navy blues) and of course the now globally famous satchel. Even if you can't stretch to the eye watering expense of a Mulberry original, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives about. My standout item from this 'Style Steal' is this gorgeous navy military coat from New Look- it looks so much more expensive than the £49.99 price tag, and the swing shape, cute collar and bright gold buttons all scream Alexa. Happy shopping!

Are you a fan of Alexa Chung's style?

(Image credit: Look, style.com, Google Images, New Look, Jane Shilton, Topshop, River Island, Mulberry and ASOS.)

29.08.2011- (Bank Holiday) Monday Must-haves

Hello lovelies! Hope you've all had a lovely, relaxing Bank Holiday Monday. My productive morning slid into a very lazy afternoon, as I fell asleep watching The Incredibles (how rock and roll of me!)...but if you can't indulge in a mid-afternoon nap at the Bank Holiday than when can you? Luckily, I'm now wide awake and here with my must-haves for this week:

This week's 'Must-haves' is a bit of a dress fest, but as autumn fast approaches I'm going to be stocking up on versatile styles which I can team with tights, boots and woolly jumpers to keep the cold at bay! This swing dress from ASOS is at the top of my 'winter dresses' list, I love the shape and the lace detailing, plus the turn-down collar is oh-so trendy. I saw this leopard print drop-waisted dress in Zara at the weekend, and instantly fell in love with the colours...perfectly autumnal. As a rule I'm not a big fan of leopard print (I always think there's a fine line between looking stylish and channelling the first lady of leopard, HRH Bet Lynch) but I love that this print isn't too gaudy. I also picked this failsafe floral number from New Look, as I think it would look perfect with a chunky knit and is a definite keeper for the summer months too. I was really drawn to the muted colours of this top from Oasis, and love the cut too. I fell in love with this ring from Whistles after spying it on Vicky's blog a while ago, and am including it here as a reminder to myself to buy it soon...simply too cute. Finally, I got a little bit too excited when Topshop dropped their new season make-up online last week, as I'm a massive fan of their lipsticks (they have amazing staying power). This baby pink shade is perfect, and I've been after a similar colour for ages (can you tell I'm trying to justify adding to my rapidly expanding collection?!)

What bits and pieces have you got your eye on at the moment? And what do you think of my picks for this week?

(Image credit: ASOS, Oasis, Topshop, Zara, New Look and Whistles.)

10.08.2010- Label Love: Whistles

Roksanda Ilincic for Whistles, SS10.

As a staple of the British high street, Whistles has been on my radar for a good few years now. I've always loved their approach to fashion, but since Jane Shepherdson took over as the chief executive in early 2008, Whistles has been transformed into a cutting edge brand which delivers sophisticated, high quality and wearable fashion forward pieces season after season. More recently, they collaborated with Roksanda Ilincic to create the Whistles collection, consisting of elegant cocktail dresses with couture details and cementing themselves as true nurturers of new design talent, having previously worked with designers such as John Galliano, Dries van Noten and Jean Paul Gaultier.

For the coming season, the folks at Whistles have struck gold again by creating a collection which pays homage to the catwalk collections, but which is also timeless in terms of quality, sophistication and style. Featuring the wardrobe staple of the winter, the shearling jacket, elegant dresses and the beautifully cut trousers which Whistles have become famous for, the collection looks set to further cement the brand as a high street gem.

Here's a look at some of my favourite pieces from their Autumn/Winter Lookbook:

Celeste Tailored Coat, £225. Silk Trousers, £110.

Shearling Trim Twill Flying Jacket, £225. Selena Skating Dress, £195. Andrea Bag, £120.

Virginia Sheepskin Coat, £595.

Nives Toga Dress, £250.

Christie Sheepskin Jacket, £395. Knot Front Trousers, £125.

Sheepksin Parka, £595.

I know the pieces are a tad on the pricey side, but they are all wardrobe classics in their own right, and the quality of the materials used shines through in these shots. Also, the Whistles end of seasons sales are generally very good, with reductions of up to 50%; currently everything in their online sale is £65 and under:

Lala Marble Print Dress, was £85, now £50.

Bumble Girl Tee, was £25, now £15.

Oversize Classic Sunglasses, were £80, now £25.

As well as these sale bargains, I've got my eye on this gorgeous dress, which I'm determined to save my pennies for!

Paula Pebble Dress, £125.

What do you think of Whistles? Are you a fan of their latest collection? Will you be saving up for anything special or snapping up a sale bargain?

(Image credit: whistles.co.uk.)