Grace Kelly – Fifties Fashion and Style Icon

There is currently an exhibition running at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London entitled ‘Grace Kelly – a style icon’ which explores and examines Grace Kelly’s undeniable style which has been admired and copied by so many over the years. The exhibition shows women’s dresses from Grace Kelly’s enviable wardrobe alongside photographs of her retro style. There will also be a number of special events at the museum to accompany the exhibition including films screenings, a film and fashion study day, a short course on 1950s haute couture and practical workshops making Grace Kelly-inspired hats and scarfs.

Grace Kelly first became famous as a film star in the fifties, her style changed through out her life as she moved into her role as Princess Grace of Monaco before her tragic and premature death in a car crash in 1982.  As her style and look evolved of the years she did not loose that iconic status that was partly due to her immaculate grooming and sense of style. Her understated but chic look became known as the ‘Grace Kelly look’  was used by many retailers to sell clothes. In Grace’s movie star days, in the fifties, her signature style was Capri pants teamed with a twin set. This retro style of clothing is still really popular today and in particular, this summer retro style Capri pants are back in fashion again.  She was also well known for wearing simple American fashions such as shirt waister dresses and casual shirts and trousers both on and off set.

These Limited Collection cropped stretch trousers by Marks and Spencer’s make a great classic retro style outfit when teamed with a neat round necked jumper in pastel colours.

Grace Kelly wore so many beautiful women’s dresses in real life and her film roles. This simple black Grecian style dress by Debenhams captures something of her elegance and the simplicity of how she dressed.

As Grace Kelly became part of the Monaco Royal family, her clothing became more elaborate with designer Haute Couture gowns and expensive accessories but she always remained true to her simple and elegant signature style. She often wore clothes by Dior which satisfied the need for formality that was important for a member of the royal family but were also modern and fashionable. Her weeding and clothes for the civil and religious ceremonies attracted a huge amount of attention and she looked just as beautiful and glamorous as you would expect a film star princess to look. Last year Vera Wang designed a variation on Grace Kelly’s beautiful wedding dress.

There is even a very popular Hermes handbag named after Grace Kelly, which was designed after she began carrying her  handbag in front of her stomach when she was pregnant. This changed the way that women carried their handbags and retro style handbags carried over the fore arm are still very fashionable. There are so many handbags inspired by the Hermes Kelly bag including this white mock croc grab bag which is part of the Jasper Conran collection at Debenhams.

Blooming Florals and Summer Dresses

With Chelsea Flower show just around the corner and gardening being one of the nations favourite pastimes, it is time to indulge in some beautiful flowers and blooming floral dresses. Chelsea Flower Show, which is on 25-29 May 2010, is the world’s most famous flower show and is a celebration of the highest quality horticulture. Even if you don’t fancy popping along for a gander at the Gladioli, nosey at the nasturtiums or peek at the pansies, you can still brighten up your day with some of the summers best floral dresses and women’s floral clothing inspired by nature’s finest. If really feminine prints or bold bright colours aren’t your thing, don’t worry, this seasons florals include something for just about everyone from abstract florals to dark ditsy prints.

Eye Popping Brights

Perhaps this is just how floral dresses should be, as bright and colourful as Chelsea Flower shoes itself. With the warm sun shining brightly, why not give this seasons eye popping bright florals a try? Strapless and bandeau dresses look great in these prints like this Lila Floral Bustier Dress. For a really cute look try pairing with some lace leggings or footless tights and wedge sandals.

Pretty and Romantic

This the most typical type of floral dress. It is feminine, it is pretty and it is perfect for wearing with a faded denim jacket for one the seasons most sought after looks. Look for faded washed out flowers on cream, pale pink or yellow backgrounds. Choose from a simple tea dress style like this Aleah Floral Print Tea Dress by Boohooor more frilly elaborate style and dress them down with a pair of gladiator sandals.

Nautical Florals

True, you don’t really get flowers at sea, but if you can’t make up your mind whether to wear the seasons nautical or floral trends, why not combine the two? This seasons combination of  women’s floral clothing  with lots of other patterns but particularly stripes has a sort of retro feel to it. This floral stripe bandeau top is a great choice if you don’t want to look to girly girly.

Ditsy Prints

Just about the easiest every day floral dresses to wear are ditsy prints. The small scale of the flowers makes them a little more subtle than some of the other floral dresses. We love this cap sleeved Ditsy Floral Print Dress from Marks and Spencers. It would look great teamed with denim jacket and work boots if you want to be part of the nineties revival and resurgence of grunge. Alternatively, you can go smarter and more chic look with a tailored jacket and heels.  

Not Quite a Floral Dresses

If the the though of bright colours or floral dresses just scares you, why not try one of this season abstract floral prints, it doesn’t even really look like flowers and you can opt for black and white. This black and white floral sleeveless dress is the perfect way to do florals in a sophisticated way. We think that a mustard yellow clutch would finish off the look perfectly.

Another CRAZY Voucher Code From Motel Rocks On New Arivals

Just got word from Motel HQ that they’ve got a fabulous 20% off their New Arrivals, YES 20% discount and New Arrivals never normally go in the same sentence, But Motel just love giving you surprises.

To qualify for your discount simply enter CRAZY at check out for the discount to apply, its that simple!

Massive 20% off Rare Opulence

RARE is one of the most popular women’s clothing brands to hit Topshop in recent years. it offers cutting edge fashion and individuality to the trend-conscious customer and now it’s available here at Women’s Dresses.

To celebrate RARE’s arrival here at Women’s dresses were celebrating with 20% off it Luxe brand which is made up of some delicious Women’s Party Dresses, especially for a special occasion.

To enjoy your 20% discount just enter OPULENCE at the check out and the 20% discount will be applied.

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20% Off Yumi Women’s Dresses

If You’re looking for dresses for Summer and great bargains too, we’ve got a spectacular 20% off Yumi promotion for a limited period only by entering our voucher code.

You can enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering “YUMI” (without quotation marks) at check out and you’ll get a great bargain.

Remember that Yumi have some wonderful dresses for Summer, and if you fancy anything remember to put the voucher code in to get your 20% off.