Scintilating Burlesque Ladies Fashion For those Who Like A Bit Of Oh La La!

Burlesque is all about glamour and seduction and maybe a little titillation, but certainly the polished lady like look making it the ideal look for Ladies fashion especially for those who love to dress up and experiment with their look.

The Burlesque fashion trend has been in the mainstream for sometime with the likes of Dita Von Teese bringing it into public consumption over the past number of years, that has manifested itself mostly through the explosion last year of Burlesque inspired fashion of using underwear as outerwear with the use of basques, fishnet tights and lace.

With the Burlesque movie opening in the UK, it’s hardly surprising to see a further escalation in the popularity of burlesque inspired fashion as the film which stars Cher and Christina Aguliera is expected to be a huge hit and influence mainstream Ladies fashion clothing.

The Burlesque film is all about a small town girl who starts working in an LA Burlesque club run by a former burlesque dancer Cher. From a fashion point of view watching the movie would be a great place to start looking for inspiration for your Burlesque inspired fashion clothing.

Adapt your own style

Though Burlesque tradition is very much about seduction, you may be put off by the image that may portray, which could be considered a little risque, but inspiration is drawing ideas from something, not copying, so wearing nipple tassles for example is not mandatory, (unless of course you want to). So adaptation and elaboration of you own personal style can be achieving through choosing a vintage dress you like and then accessorise it with ribbons, tassles, rhinestones etc. If that’s too exotic, you can tone it down by doing the same with your favourite Little Black Dress.

Importantly you need to have fun doing it, so by choosing one of the items from the Miss Selfridge Range of Burlesque inspired fashion collection and matching with a pair of jeans is just as valid, and in some ways more imaginative than keeping to the exact look one might consider.

Party dresses or skirts

You don’t necessarily need to keep to Skirts or party dresses to pull off the Burlesque look, but if you are going for a party night for example, its probably best to. The ideal style of dress are shift dresses, pencil dresses, flapper dresses, corset dress all of which can be found in most women’s fashion stores so you’ve got lots of choice, another dress style which is just perfect for the look is of course the sequin dress which just shouts burlesque especially in black. A pencil skirt with a glamorous blouse or corset top is again a great combination if you prefer to have the most flexible look, which are again widely available in high street stores.

Make the most of your Accessories

An important part of the Burlesque look are High heels, try if possible to get a vintage look to your high heels and pair them with seamed stockings or tights to get that authentic burlesque style without going too overboard. You can then round the whole look off by your choice of accessories including faux fur wraps, fascinators, glitzy statement jewellery and clutch bags. If you are wearing a sequin dress perhaps look for black accessories with feather, ribbons and bows to compliment the look.

Miss Selfridge has a number of great items that have drawn it inspiration from Burlesque as they themselves celebrate the release of the film. Miss Selfridge has taken a funky attitude toward the whole Burlesque style and given it a fun twist which can be illustrated with the following items

This great BURLESQUE Sketchy Silhouette T-Shirt is a long figure hugging t shirt come tunic and great by itself or with leggings or jeans, with some vintage heels.

In this BURLESQUE Navy Bandeau mini dress you’ve got a super sexy dress which accessorised correctly will help you pull of the look effortlessly, use a fascinator, and faux fur wrap or jacket and that’s the perfect look.

This fun BURLESQUE Navy Stripe Halter is just great for everyday wearing just to prove you can incorporate this look into almost any situation not just for going out dresses, works equally well with Jean or a pencil skirt.

Finally we present the BURLESQUE Cream Corset T-Shirt which is another fun approach to the Burlesque look with a corset print on a t shirt, so even with a pair of jeans you can still pull off the look.

To see all of the Miss slefridge Burlesque range click the button below:

Fair Isle Knits Are They Super Trendy Or Just Another Christmas Jumper?

In the extremely cold winter weather we’ve been having so far people naturally gravitate to the comforting cosiness of boots, coats, hats and scarves as well as woolly Jumpers of course. But this winter there is one woolly trend that has been talked about more than most, that of fair Isle knits.

Fair Isle is a common enough term, but for the lay person do you actually know what Fair Isle means or where it is, and as long as it keeps you warm, do you care? As the fashionista with her finger on the pulse I’m sure you do.

The term Fair Isle is derived for the Island from which the techniques originated, a tiny Island located in the cluster of Sheltand islands North of Scotland. Traditionally the Fair Isle technique is used to create patterns with multiple colours, these patterns have a limited palette of five or so colours and use only two colours per row and limit the length of a run of any particular colour.

Sadly however, there is only one manufacturer of Fair Isle knits left on the Island from which the technique originates that of Fair Isle Crafts Limited who produce beautiful made to order hand crafted garments. That’s not to say that any manufacturer who does not have itself based in the Shetlands does not produce quality items.

The technique is quite distinctive in its look, and done well it can be regarded as it is currently as very stylish on trend fashion, a poor variant of the style is just like another unwanted Christmas Jumper that some distant auntie keeps buying year after year.

But Fair Isle is not just limited to Jumpers either as its a knitted pattern, it can incorporate just about any women’s fashion clothing including Fair Isle Knitted Dresses, hats, gloves, scarves…

And with it been so close to Christmas we thought we’d revel in Christmas memories past when the parcel was opened with trepidation only to find some hideous monstrosity of a jumper which upon opening you had to put on your biggest smile and show appreciation, well this year fear not; smile and be happy as you put yourself in Control and choose some of the wonderful Fairisle inspired knits list below

This is a beautiful example, the mcq by alexander mcqueen Womens Red Fairisle Jumper Knit is not only stylish its well crafted too and perfect for a cold winters day, ideal with a pair of jeans.

Knit dresses are a big trend this A/W, but with added appeal in the guise of thisChunky Fair Isle Knit Dress, match with opaque Black tights and biker boots to complete the on trend look.

Pairing with jeans and a long sleeve top will be the perfect look for this Navy Mateo Chunky Fair Isle Cardigan, no need for a coat as this cardigan will keep you warm as toast

And if you just want a Fair Isle Jumper to throw on anytime what about this Hazelle Fair Isle Roll Neck Jumper Dress In Red, looks great, comfy roll neck and long enough to stretch down past your hips.

A to keep the chill of your ears, the super trendy and cute Fat Face Fair Isle Trapper Hat, White is a great look or as an ideal pressie for someone special.

Finally, get all wrapped up warm and snug with this glorious fairisle knitted scarf.

What Are The Fashion Bloggers Wearing To Keep Warm?

Brrr…Winter has definitely arrived leaving some of us feeling a little unprepared on the wardrobe front and on the look out for some warm ladies clothes online. There are some amazing winter accessories around and some very stylish knitwear including ladies sweaters with embellishments, Fair Isle patterns and chunky knits. If you are having trouble deciding which stylish but warm fashion tops to wear and how to keep yourself toasty but trendy, we have been checking out what some of our favourite fashion bloggers have been wearing to keep warm.

First up is Pearl of Fashion Pearls of Wisdom. She has an amazing collection of designer clothes and shoes including some fabulous winter coats. In a recent post entitled Why does winter mess with fashion? she looked cosy and chic in a Chanel coat, vintage faux fur hat and Clarks boots. She comments on the difficulties of looking stylish in the winter especially in the snow. We think she does a pretty good job!

Looking Fab in Your Forties has a very stylish combination in of John Lewis Puffa Coat and Pucci Wellies accessorised by a Missoni baker boy hat and cashmere LV leopard print scarf. We also love her post snow stories featuring the ‘snow heroes’ on the local radio of people helping those in need with their  4 X 4. She has also put together a great outfit of snow style staples which include a Marc Jacobs Puffa, cashmere scarf, leather gloves and designer wellies.

Selina of Flying Saucer described in her post cute mittens and ultimate nails how she has recently returned from Sweden where it snows for three months at a time so knows more than most fashion bloggers about how to keep warm and stylish. She did however manage in the freezing cold without any gloves but has now spotted  a pair of cute bear mittens that turn into fingerless gloves and she really likes, perfect for showing off her nail art and keeping her hands warm at the same time.

Florrie of Intrinsically Florrie writes about her new handbag in her post I found it under a Mulberry Tree. Although not a winter accessory as such we think her new blue Mulberry bag is a great way to add some colour to an outdoor outfit for the winter. Not that she needs brightening up with her amazing pink coat which will really make her stand out amongst the sea of black winter coats.

Whilst ladies sweaters and fashion tops are likely to form the basis for most of our winter outfits, there are plenty of great knitwear, winter coats, footwear and accessories which add some interest to your look and help you to keep warm and dry. Here are our favourite picks:

Mink Fur Trim Hooded Scarf – Miss Selfridge

Mantaray Snowflake Earmuffs at Debenhams

Faux Fur Tippet- Oasis

What will you be wearing to keep warm this winter?

Going Out Dresses From Marks And Spencer

It’s Funny that it doesn’t seem that long ago we were at the tail end of summer and Christmas seemed so far away, and then all of a sudden, Bang! – it’s December, and no matter how much we prepare ourselves for it, Christmas always seems to creep up so suddenly doesn’t it?

With adverts on the telly, and the decorations going up all over the land as everyone decks their halls, the festive season is all of a sudden in full swing. Now that December is racing through its days at a dizzying pace, the all important question you ask yourself is what on earth am I going to wear as a Christmas party dress, I should have been thinking about this weeks ago?

What’s made it worse this year is all the snow that has fallen recently, it may make everything look ever so Christmasy, but it may also have disrupted your shopping plans? It’s Lucky then that we can come to your aid through making some super cool, on-trend suggestions for perfect Christmas party dresses online, in the comfort of your own home, without having to battle through the crowds.

And as with so many times of emergency, we can also always turn to a great British institution for help, Yes ladies Marks and Spencer will come to your rescue, and because of them and the wealth of choice they have we can definitely confirm that, yes Cinderella you shall go the the ball.

Take a look at some of our selection of Christmas party dresses and see for yourself, any below that you fancy?

This classic Slash Neck Lace Sequin Knitted Tunic is just the perfect Christmas party dress to catch all the glances, and at the same time look on trend especially with a pair of sky scraper heeals and opaque black tights and a sequins clutch, just perfect!

A sophisticated and understated Autograph Cap Sleeve Floral Sequin Dress is set off by the contrast of fabric and sequins, for those who prefer to remain understated but classy at the same time.

A big trend ths party season is the lace dress, and this marks and Spencer Autograph Floral Lace Panel Velvet Dress is a real peach of a party dress. An exclusive and glamourous dress will set off any occasion and will empower your personal brand of classy sophistication.

For those of you who are totally bang up to speed with their fashion this Limited Collection Floral Lace Velvet Dress with Silk is a must, with the likes of Emma Watson wearing a stunning Velvet dress recently, the luxurious velvet look is massive and you can guarantee to be notably stylish in wearing this deep red and lace combination which is two trends in one.

Finally we have just a great all round fun party dress Portfolio Round Neck Sequin Dress, this winter decadence and opulence which can only be exibited at Christmas time so if you want to party full on, this dress will be your greatest companion during the festive party season.

If you want to see more Marks and Spencer party dresses, just click to red button below to go directly to their party dresses page on their site: