Fair Trade Ethical Dresses For Guilt Free Shopping

Do you ever feel slightly guilty about buying yourself a new dress? By buying ethical dresses which have been made with respect for the workers and the environment you needn’t feel too bad. There are plenty of ways that women’s dresses can be ethical including the materials that they are made from which could include organic cotton, grown without the use of environmentally damaging pesticides to Fairtrade cotton which ensures that farmers can make a reasonable living from the cotton they grow, to recycled materials which have minimal impact on the environment and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and other sustainable materials like bamboo and hemp which are highly sustainable.

The way that clothing is made also an important part of how ethical a piece of clothing is. There are various standards and certifications that ensure that clothing has been manufactured in a factory that treats it workers with respect, pays a fair wage, does not use child labour and does not expose workers to environments that are dangerous or damaging to their health.

In the past ethical and eco friendly clothing has been considered as expensive, lacking in choice or just a little bit hippyish. Thankfully this has now changed and there is plenty of choice of affordable and stylish organic and fairtrade cotton dresses as well as more innovative ethical dresses made from recycled materials.

With new ethical clothing websites like Fashion Conscience appearing all of the time and offering a range of ethical fashion by innovative up and fashion forward designers, it is not only easy to find on trend ethical clothing but also find out about exactly where  it has been made and be sure that those involved in the manufacture have been treated fairly and humanely. Fashion Conscience has symbols which indicate why each of the products is ethical and also further information on how each brand manufactures its clothes.

This  Fair trade black lace dress by Ruby Rocks is just about as far as you could get from ethical fashions old and boring image. It is a flattering and on trend style which could work well as a day dress or party dress. Clothes by the label Ruby Rocks are made in a small ethical factory in Bali where workers are provided with recreation areas, health care and health care for family members as well.

This Fair trade paisley print sundress by Gringo will definitely challenge any preconceptions that you may have about ethical clothing being expensive. Costing less than most dresses you could buy on the high street, it combines great prints with simple styles which are perfect for summer holidays and covering up on the beach. Clothes by Gringo work with fairtrade groups across India, South America and Africa ensuring that they are paid a fair wage.

This Black Tulla Two sustainable dress skirt by Go Green M by M is incredibly versatile and fashionable. It can be worn on its own as an on trend bodycon dress or layered with other pieces for the seasons layering trend. It is made from a sustainable material called modal which is also biodegradable and chemical free.

Women’s Evening And Party Dresses – Save or Splurge?

What ever style of dress you want to wear, there is almost always a great designer option and a more affordable option to choose from. Which you choose will probably depend on your budget and how much wear you will get from the dress. If it is a great style that you are likely to wear for many years to come it may well be worth investing in a beautiful designer piece. If you are looking for something for a one off occasion you can save yourself money by opting for the more cost effective option.

Here are some great save or splurge options for some of the seasons key evening or party dresses. Will you choose to spend or save or splurge?

The Bodycon Dress

Asymmetric Tri Colour dress by Herve Leger

When it comes to the designer body-con dress, Herve Leger designer Max Azria virtually invented it. The designer version of this dress is well worth the investment if you don’t have a really streamlined body shape. The a listers and  fashion editors all covet the Herve Leger ‘bandage’ dress and stars like Kate Winslett are living proof that this look also works on curvy girls.

Lipsy One Shoulder Ruched Dress

This Lipsy one shoulder ruched dress as a slightly more forgiving shorter length as the Herve Leger bandage dress. It is perhaps not quite as dramatic but it is significantly less expensive with the same assymetric shape and still a great party dress that is bound to earn you compliments.

The Disco Tunic Mini

Halston Heritage Disco Tunic Mini

Halston Heritage is the label to be seen in at the moment with Sarah Jessica Parker as creative Director it has huge style credentials. The Halston range features shapes from the archives redesigned for todays modern lady. The collection definitely has a feeling of disco about it and is perfect for dancing the night away.

Fearne Cotton Floral Print Tunic at Very

This great seventies inspired dress from the Fearne Cotton collection at Very has a similar shape to the Halston Heritage dress and a great floral pattern giving it versatility to be worn as a day dress or party dress. Team with a great pair of tights and some heels for an evening on the town with friends.

The Maxi Dress With Sparkle

Asymmetric Embellished Shoulder Maxi Dress by Project D by Dannii and Tabitha

This glamorous one shouldered dress is one of the must have party dresses of the season. Designer by Australian singer Dannii Minogue who clearly knows a few things about dressing for the red carpet and and her designer friend Tabitha Somerset Webb. This dress has an elegant shape and just the right amount of sparkle to look amazingly stylish at any party or evening event in the season ahead.

Maxi Dress With Diamate Detail By Goddiva

For a fraction of the price this diamante detail maxi dress by Goddiva is a fraction of the price of the Project D version. It has a similar shape that clings around the body and elegantly flares out at the hem.

Vintage Style Dresses, Fashion & Music That’ll Be Vintage At Goodwood

This weekend will see the first ever Vintage at Goodwood festival which is the brainchild of Designer Wayne Hemmingway and Geraldine Hemmingway. It is described as a civilised festival for grown ups with  music, fashion, food and lots more cool stuff spanning five decades. Festival attendees can camp on site or opt for the much more luxurious choice of ‘Glamping’, a sort of glamorous form of camping with all the home comforts. Those lucky enough to go along to this festival are bound to be dressed up in some of the most stylish vintage clothing around. The popularity of the event only goes to highlight the huge popularity that vintage clothing and in particular vintage women’s clothing and vintage dresses which have seen a swell of popularity in recent years. So what is it that makes Vintages dresses so popular and how can we all get a bit of the vintage action?

Vintages dresses and styles of vintage clothes that are around today are those that have stood the test of time. The beauty of Vintages dresses is that they are just the sort of clothes that women love to wear. They are usually well made with great attention to detail, often very feminine and flattering shapes and sometimes with intricate details or embellishments.

Vintage fashion is not for everyone though, some people just don’t like the idea of wearing someone else’s old clothes. Others just don’t have time to search high and low for that perfect pristine vintage dress, trawling carboot sales, flea markets and charity shops. For some, they just struggle to find the right vintage clothing to fit.  For all of these people, there is an answer and they can also partake in the trend for vintage style clothing by buying new clothes that are designed with some vintage inspiration.

Recently the shops have been jam packed with clothes inspired by original vintage pieces from the washed out ditsy floral prints to the cream lace trims and delicate embroidery. Here are some of our favourite vintage style dresses that are perfect to wear whether you are going to Vintage at Goodwood or not.

Clothes from the nineties are now actually classed as vintage. If you loved the style in the ninties, you will love this 90′s minimal print dress by Oasis complete with neutral colour scheme and retro print.

Shift dresses were invented in the sixties and went onto become incredibly popular as did the mini dress which is one of the key styles of women clothes for this decade. This sixties bow shiftagain by Oasis is  a really eyecatching vintage style dress.

For those who want real vintage, Motel Vintage has some great vintage pieces reworked for the modern lady. Not only are they incredibly stylish but they are also recycled so great for the environment.

This Seashell Orla  dress by Motel Vintage has a great shape to it with a plunge neckline at the front and the back.

This Floral Grin Jean Vintage Dress features a beautiful and luxurious looking print teamed with a modern looking bodycon skirt and an unusual cage back.

Explore more glorious Vintage inspired Women’s Clothing At Motel

Cool White Summer Dresses

What could be more summery than a cool white summer dress. The colour white works amazingly well to show off a golden summer tan whilst  on holiday and when you get back. White also reflects the sun helping you keep cool, calm and collected on even the hottest of days. This year white summer dresses are huge trend and  they can be adapted for all sorts of situations from casual daytime to smarter work outfits and stunning party outfits. Wear your white dress on its own for  a simple minimalist look or combine with brightly coloured accessories for a boho festival chic style. Just be carefully which underwear you wear with your white summer dresses, bright or dark colours may show underneath, for invisible undies with a white dress always choose either white or flesh coloured.

The White Maxi Dress

A crisp white maxi dress is the perfect addition to your summer holiday wardrobe. This white maxi dress by Dorothy Perkins is incredibly easy and comfortable to wear, you can even throw it on over your bikini.  Add  chunky beads and strappy sandals or an elegant pair of flip flops for an outfit that is perfect for strolls along the beach or a night out.

The Pleated White Dress

This Prunella pleated white dress by Coast is  a really sophisticated version of the little white dress. It would work well for parties and summer occasions and would look good  with a structured or tailored jacket.  

The White Lace Dress

This lace double layer dress by Oli the perfect way to work the summers romantic trend. It has a feeling of innocence about it but is also really sexy and great for parties. You could also wear with pumps or over jeans as a tunic for a cute daytime look.

The White Shift Dress

White shift dresses are perfect for special occasions in the summer. We love this white corsage shift dress by Planet which would look stunning when teamed with a brightly coloured wrap or shrug. How about also adding contrasting colour shoes and a clutch. .The classic style is reminiscent of Jackie O and the detachable corsage gives it a sense of occasion

The White Party Dress

Who says that white dresses need to be be plain? This stunning bead and mesh halter neck dress by Goddiva is from plain with its beautiful embellishment around the neckline and flattering empire line shape.

The White Body Con Dress

For those that are really daring, this studded bodycon dress by Little Mistress turns any assumptions that white has to look pure and innocent on their head. The figure hugging shape and stud details make it a great alternative to the traditional rock chic dark colour scheme.

White summer dresses are bright and incredibly eye catching but need to kept spotlessly clean for maximum effect. Avoid sitting anywear that might mark your dress and avoid  brightly coloured food or drink when wearing a  white dress. If the unthinkable happens when wearing your white dress or it starts to lose its clean white glow, you can find specialist products to wash it and make it look as good as new again.

Get A Simple Urban Chic Look This Autumn?

want the urban chic look this Autumn?

As autumn starts to creep up on us what’s the trick to keeping cosy and comfortable while looking glamorous this autumn? Big Knits are going to be the in-thing this autumn. There’s a huge range of glamorous knits for the coming autumn hitting the shops such as Cropped jumpers which are a great way to stay warm but be a litle sexy at the same time. They are loose and casual giving that urban chic look but can really be transformed with the right accessories.

This  Spot Stripe Jumper from Miss Selfridge ticks all the boxes and looks fab and what’s better is that its simple style and neutral colour means its ideal for the new A/W season and it’s easy to compliment with a pair of jeans for example or accessories. The Spot Stripe Jumper is a simple design with has a scoop neck and two quirky spotted pockets on the front which adds something different and a nice little feature.

The Spot Stripe Jumper is not a bat wing style but a trapeze style which means it flares out at the bottom and as such is a loose cut allowing it to hang off your body instead of clinging around the waste, an ideal slouchy jumper. The sleeves of the jumper it’s self are loose but shapely allowing it to be worn over other garments.

Made from natural material the Miss Selfridge Spot Stripe Jumper is made from 100% cotton meaning it is soft next to the skin and warm too so can be worn without an under layer or perhaps just with a vest top to give a layered effect.

This jumper is the perfect Autumn look and works well with jeans and a vest top or for a harsher weather match up with a long sleaved white or grey t-shirt. To top the look off accessories with simple jewellery to underline that sophisticated Urban chic look you’re after.

Dresses With Lace To Take You Into The Next Season

Lace is  a massive trend for the summer and if you haven’t invested in any dresses with lace yet, it is still well worth doing as the trend is set to go on until the winter at least. The autumn winter catwalks saw lace used in so many ways from smaller amounts used as trim for lingerie inspired pieces to maxi length dresses made entirely of lace which featured on the catwalks of Valentino, Erdem, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Antonio Berardi and Roberto Cavalli. Whilst black lace was the most popular colour as would be expected there was a surprising selection of other colours including grey at Erdem, navy at Burberry Prorsum, cream at Roberto Cavalli and Lilac at Miu Miu. With just a few notable exceptions the intricate detail of the lace was balanced by fairly simple styles of dress. Much of the lace was unlined and left see through in some cases with underwear clearly showing and others without. The dresses with lace that were shown on the catwalks were suitable for both day and evening from the luxurious floor sweeping gowns to shorter knee length dresses.

The popularity of dresses with lace for this season is perhaps due to the variety of looks that can be achieved from dark romance to pretty and girly, vintage and sophisticated. One of the most desirable styles of lace dresses for the season will no doubt be similar to Dolce & Gabbana’s simple knee length a line dress with long sleeves worn over a fifties style body suit and socks with heels. If you are looking for a pretty alternative to a full lace dress, look for dresses with lace panels or smaller amounts of lace trim.

The Motel Jean Dress Lace is the perfect lace day dress with a simple and flattering sleeveless lace top and jersey skirt.

This Karen Millen Lace Dress is a simple but very eye catching design which makes the most of the contrasting colours of white French lace with a scalloped edge over laid on a black fabric.

The lace panel in the centre of  this Debenhams Debut Black Lace Shift Dress is not only a great way to feature lace but is also very slimming as it creates the illusion of a slimmer torso.

We love the bright colour of this Marks and Spencers Slash Neck Short Sleeve Dress. It has some unsual lace detail down the front, a really on trend way to wear lace.

For a really feminine dress with lace, we love this Marks and Spencers Paisley Print Lace Dress. It features an unusual multi coloured lace and works really well for the day time.

This Jesire Mosaic Lace  Sleeveless Dress at John Lewis is probably one of  the simplest but most wearable lace dresses available. It is a basic high necked shift dress with an interesting and unusual lace design.

This seasons lace dresses need very few accessories as they are already offer plenty of detail to look at. Why not try teaming your black or nude coloured lace dress with just a slick of bright red lipstick for a seductive look.

Discount Wedding Dresses and Gowns For Under £130

Your wedding day is one if not the most important days of your life and is definitely a time when you will want to be looking your absolute best. Most brides will not only want  a traditional white wedding dress and all of the accessories but also a ceremony and reception that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Weddings can be expensive occasions and any money saved can be used to go on an amazing honey moon to start off your married life together or put towards a new home so it  makes sense to look carefully for a wedding dress that guarentees you maximum style at the minimum price.

High street shops and online retailers are a great place to start looking for discount wedding dresses and gowns. Marks and Spencers, Debenhams and John Lewis all stock a range of wedding dresses and accessories at great prices and if you shop at the right time you may even find them reduced in the sale.

Finding  a beautiful wedding dress is not neccaserily about how much you spend. You should look for a style of dress that suits your body shape and colouring and that you really love. If you can not find a dress that fits perfectly, it well worth considering buying the nearest size and getting it altered by  a professional dress maker. This will give you a similar fit to that of a custom  made dress but without the huge expense. The fit is one of the most important factors in having  a dress that looks amazing on your wedding day. A back or straps that gape can be altered to fit perfectly as can the length. Sometimes the simplest styles of dress can be the most stylish, giving an elegant look and allowing you natural beauty to shine through. If you carefully choose just the right style for you from the wide range of discount wedding dresses and gowns, no one need ever know how much you have spent.

This Grecian Style Wedding Dress from the Autographs Occasions range at Marks and Spencers is feminine, elegant and flattering. It has a feel of Greek Godess about it with its draping and it also has a v neck.

This Ivory Embellished Bridal dress by Debut at Debenhams is incredibly flattering as the embellishment empire line creates a focal point drawing the eye to what it the narrowest part of many peoples torso. It works especially well for those who have little waist definition.

If you have your heart set on a wedding dress with a full skirt this Ivory Bead Embellished Ball Gown by Debut at Debenhams is a classic and very flattering design. The boned bodice helps to ensure the perfect smooth silhouette and feminine shape.

This Ivory Floral Embellished Ball Gown by Debut at Debenhams is a simple but romantic style that looks beautiful on those with a smaller bust. The simple flowing skirt on this dress also looks great on petites as it does not have too much volume.