Well, well, well – what have we here? Could it be the must-have maxi dress of the season? I certainly think so, in fact it slipped straight into my online shopping basket last night, whoops! I wasn’t on the look out for anything in particular, just browsing the virtual rails at Warehouse.co.uk, but sometimes that is when these things find you. I am a big fan of the mullet style hemline, and I really like the sporty look of this dress – with it’s racer back and contrast piping and pockets. Made from floaty viscose fabric this frock is ideal for laid back summer style, and you can’t beat a pop of bright pink in my book, and I think this is going to be my best buy of the summer.
Dresses · Fashion · Frocks · High Street · Maxidresses · Pink · Shopping · Spring Summer 2012 · The Frock File · Warehouse
White summer dresses have become a firm favourite of mine – simple, cool, crisp and cotton, they conjure up balmy evenings on holiday or warm weekend walks along the seafront at home. This summer I have another white hot frock on my radar, this Embroidered Hipster Dress is from Zara, in fact they have quite a few pretty white summer dresses to choose from, but this one stole my heart with its 1920s style drop waist and delicate scalloped edges, and I love the cool sheer fabric too. Easy to dress up as well as down, it is quite simply perfect.
1920s Style Dresses · Dresses · Fashion · Frocks · High Street · Lace · Shopping · Spring Summer 2012 · The Frock File · Wedding · Zara
I have a crush on this frock. The soft pink of the silk skirt, the muted gold sequins, and the subtle sexiness of the low back all add up to a rather gorgeous little number. It caught my eye while I was killing time, idly wandering around town. I thought I’d pop into Jigsaw to see what was new and there it was all pretty and perfect – sparkling at me from the rail, the Sequin Silk Cocktail Dress. This would look lovely with ladylike high heels to wear to a chic summer wedding – I even think it could be worn by the bride, for something slightly different and contemporary. Love, Love, Love!
Cocktail dresses · Dresses · Fashion · Frocks · High Street · Jigsaw · Pink · Sequins · Shopping · Spring Summer 2012 · The Frock File
I discovered Baby Ceylon a couple of years ago while searching for a dress to wear to a friends wedding, and up until now have kept them as my little secret. Selfish I know, but now I feel it is the time to share. All their frocks are made from floaty crepe, which hangs beautifully and flatters all figures, and one of the reasons I fell for them is that they are perfect for tall girls, as their long frocks are really long, and even the shorter ones are a flattering length too. I have invested in a couple of Baby Ceylon dresses over the years – thanks to their incredible sample sales – and they have been worth every penny, and make me feel a million dollars.
Each season I check out their website, and each season I find a dress I love. Right now it is this gorgeous Montana dress – with it’s cute peplum (which are having a bit of a moment right now) and low cut, button front bodice. This is one foxy number.
Autumn 2011 · Baby Ceylon · Christmas Dresses · Dresses · Fashion · Peplum Dresses · The Frock File · Winter 2011
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few months – you can’t fail to be aware of the huge trend for both lace and leather dresses this season. Seen on the catwalks of Louis Vuitton, Emilio Pucci and Salvatore Ferragamo to name just a few.
Now, as beautiful as these shows are, the translation of this trend onto the high street and into the everyday wardrobes of us mere mortals is a tricky thing indeed, and the risk of looking cheap and nasty is very high. The key is to look out for good quality fabrics and well fitting garments. Lace shouldn’t be shiny or short – otherwise you’ll end up looking cheap instead of chic. When it comes to leather the same applies and for both leather and lace colours other than black are a good alternatve too.
There are many stores stocking little lace and leather dresses and some are very, very bad. However, after much browsing I have found a few beauties. This Plastic Island Gatsby Lace Dress in Black is really lovely, semi sheer with a short underskirt, a great length and with long sleeves, and the 1920’s Flapper style is soon to become huge with a new film adaptaion of The Great Gatsby in the pipeline – you can tap next seasons trends at the same time. Beautiful.
And my favourite leather find is from high-street stalwart Oasis (also available from asos). The Leather Skater Dress is again a great length with a fitted bodice and full skirt. The leather looks butter soft in these pictures, and Oasis’ leather goods are usually of a high standard, I am yet to see it in store, but I rekon for £130 it’s a pretty good buy.
For more ideas and inspiration on the leather and lace trends, see the catwalk shows from Louis Vuitton, Emilio Pucci and Salvatore Ferragamo here.
Louis Vuitton A/W 2011
Emilio Pucci A/W 2011 catwalk show
Salvatore Ferragamo A/W 2011 catwalk show
1020's · Autumn Winter 2011 · Dresses · Emilio Pucci · Fashion · Flapper Style Dresses · Frocks · Great Gatsby · High Street · Lace · Leather · Leather Frocks · Louis Vuitton · Salvatore Ferragamo · Shopping · The Frock File
Although I hate to admit it – summer is on it’s way out, and that familiar nip in the air of autumn mornings is here. I think it is fair to say that the changing of the season can cause all sorts of wardrobe crisis – it certainly has for me these past couple of weeks. No longer warm enough for floaty summer dresses – yet not quite chilly enough for tights and boots either. What is required in these times of change are some good pieces to see you through from late summer and into winter, and I think I have found just the thing in the Ashbourne denim dress from NW3 at Hobbs. I love a blue denim dress, and the details on this one, make me love it just that little bit more. I love the pale blue colour, the button-up front and pleated hem, and I especially like the button detail on the back of the sleeve. I’d wear this with bare legs and brown brogues on warmer days, and with tights, boots and a chunky cardi when it gets cooler. If it were mine that is!
Denim Dress · Dresses · Fashion · Frocks · High Street · Hobbs · NW3 · The Frock File
