Five Ways To Accessorise A Little Black Dress

The little black dress or LDB as it is otherwise known is the most versatile piece of clothing in any ladies wardrobe. It can be worn as a simple classic day dress or with the addition of a few strategic accessories turned into a Going Out Dress for an evening out.  With so many opportunities to wear your little black dress it is well worth investing in a high quality piece. Another great benefit of the classic black dress is that it never goes out of fashion. Choose a classic style which will always look amazing and flatters your figure. Black is also a really slimming colour so your LBD is perhaps the best way to hide that Christmas bulge caused by a little over indulgence.  

The Perfect Little Black Dress

We choose this 50′s grosgrain Little Black dress by Oasis because it is the perfect combination of modern and retro. We also love the grosgrain texture on it. The flared skirt also adds a little glamour which can work for both day time and evening.

For the office

Cardigan by Great Plains At Coggles

A pair of black opaque tights and mid height heels will easily transform this into  a day dress or work outfit. if you have air conditioning in your office you can also add a neat cardigan in a bright colour or a short black tailored jacket. A business like hand bag that is large enough to carry everything that you need for the day will complete the look.

For lunch with friends

Animal Print Snood – Miss Selfridge

You can really brighten up your LBD with some coloured tights and a bright scarf or snood for a fun outfit for lunch out with the girls. Add some on trend wedge shoes or boots and you have a look that is bound to get you compliments from your friends.

For a lazy weekend

Elizabeth Lau Lottie Red and Cream Cardigan At Coggles

You can even wear your LBD for a stylish but relaxed outfit on the weekend. Try wearing it with some cute knee high socks and tennis shoes for  a fun contrast between smart and casual. A patterned knitted cardigan will complete the look and of course keep you warm.

For dinner with the man of your dreams

Elaborate Metal Draped Collar – Wallis

This is not an occasion when you want to do things by halves. Go for full on glamour with a retro style up do for your hair and some very sparkly jewellery. Add the finishing touches with a great pair of heels and a clutch bag.

For a night on the town

 

Black Elbow Length Evening Gloves by Debut at Debenhams

If you want to look your best, use a trick used by stylists to the stars. What do you like best about your body and which part of your body do you want to draw attention to. Choose an amazing statement accessory to high light this area. How about some red heels to draw attention to your legs or a collar necklace to draw attention to your neck. You could add a pair of long gloves for some added glamour.

London Fashion Week – House Of Holland

House of Holland has become a firm favourite amongst Brits for its fun but wearable women’s dresses, clothes and accessories. They are young and fresh with a hint of that quirky British style. Henry Holland  manages to portray his fun personality through his label which has earned itself a reputation for having a bit of a laugh with fashion. Henry Holland is best mates with Agyness Deyne so you know that he will never be short of celebrity mates to turn up to his shows at London Fashion Week. This year there was Agyness (of course) along with Amber Rose, Lily Allen, Nicola Roberts, Pixie Geldolf and even Kerry Katona.

The clothes shown on the catwalk at the House of Holland show were both fun and frivolous but also incredibly wearable. There were shirts and women’s dresses were adorned with tassels and leather stars, there were also leather pleated skirts, evening dresses, body con dresses and pom pom earrings and accessories. The collection also contained mini metallic leather biker jackets. The look most definitely had a touch of the seventies about it with purples, greens and pinks giving it a colourful feel. It was old school glamour, disco and a touch of New York all rolled into one.

Some of the most noticeable pieces of the collection were the pink and lilac pleated dresses, the sparkly star t shirts and patterned shirts, asymmetric body con dresses worn with knee socks and the green leaf print all in one.

Of course for most of us spring summer 2011, seems like a long way away. Henry Holland’s summer collection would not be warm enough for the the cold autumnal weather that we are about to experience. But don’t worry if you are a big fan of the designer, you can get your fix by checking out the H! by Henry Holland collection at Debenhams. The autumn winter collection contains plenty of warm but fun and stylish clothes including a grey sweatshirt with floral applique writing, an iconic camel coat and some slogan t shirts.

The collection combines amazing value for money with fresh. fun, fashion. There are also plenty of floral, checks and tartans all patterns that are starting to become a real part of the Henry Holland signature.

This multi coloured lip print dress by Henry Holland is striking, colourful and quirky. It is also an incredibly soft piece of knitwear making it extra comfortable. For a super casual look try combining it with a pair of work boots. If you want to keep your legs a little warmer just add some woolley socks.

This khaki draped sleeve maxi dress is a great combination of simplicity and on trend style. The glamour of the maxi dress style combined with the more casual khaki colour make it ideal for both the daytime and evening.

Another fun look is this black dice jumper dress. It is stretchy and comfortable and clings in all of the right places. It has a flattering v neck and elasticised cuffs and hems to help it keep its beautiful shape.

This lilac floral dress is pretty but also very sophisticated with its corset style bodice. Try wearing it with a biker jacket for a rock chic look.

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.

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.

Dress For Success – Workwear To Wow The Office

Have you ever woken up in the morning and thought “I haven’t got anything to wear”? I am guessing that you are not alone. So many of us experience that panic and indecision when deciding what to wear to work in the morning, most likely brought about by being half asleep or just in a complete rush, well that’s my excuse anyway! This is where women’s dresses really come in to their own. A ready made outfit, with optional jacket, then all you need to do is add a pair of shoes and perhaps a nice necklace or scarf. You can create your own capsule wardrobe by keeping a few classic styles of dress in your closet and you’ll never be lost looking for something great to wear to work agin.

Achieving the wow factor at work is a delicate balance between expressing yourself and maintaining a professional image. You will find that not only do others behave differently towards you depending on how you dress, you will also behave differently yourself. A certain type of clothing may make you become more organised at work whilst another may make you behave more creatively. Think carefully about what you choose to wear to work and whether it sends the correct message that you want to send about yourself.

A good way of looking stylish and professional is by picking a basic shape of women’s dress that suits your body shape and then accessorising with just one of two unique and individual accessories. It is probably the accessories that people will notice first but the dress will create the right impression too. Never wear anything too low cut or revealing for work, these types of clothes are best saved for the weekend or nights out when they will not distract people from the great work that your are doing.

If classic is not your thing, you can also opt for fashion dresses as long as you pick a style that is appropriate for your working environment. Shift dresses work particularly well for work as they are smart, look great with a jacket and are usually available in different colours and prints according to the latest styles and trends. They are also incredibly versatile and easy to wear.

Whilst it can sometimes feel a little boring getting dressed for work, especially if you have a strict dress code and end up wearing dark coloured suits all of the time, but it is completely possible to have a little fun with what you wear for work even with the strictest of dress codes. You can brighten up any women’s dress by using some great accessories such as a scarf, a statement necklace, a brooch or a great handbag. Try wearing a fashion dress in a slightly different way for a new and fresh look perhaps by layering over a brightly coloured blouse or with a cute cropped cardigan. Unless you absolutely have to, try and move away from black for work, other colours can be much less draining and will also make you feel happier. If you have to wear dark colours navy, brown or grey are great alternatives to black and look great with coloured accessories.

This sleeveless shift dress with belt by Marks and Spencers is a modern classic.

For a bright and bold look for the office, try teaming this aztec shift dress by Dorothy Perkins with a  classic black jacket.

For a casual workplace, this wrap dress by Mantaray at Debenhams is a great way to show that you have made an effort.

How To Find The Perfect Women’s Dresses For Your Body Shape

Women’s dresses can be the answer to just about every style dilemma. There are dresses to suit just about every occasion, body shape and budget. Once you have worked out the best styles shapes of women’s dresses for your body shape not only will you make shopping so much easier  but you will always look amazing where ever you are going. When it comes to looking good, it doesn’t really matter what shape or size you are. The important thing is that you pick the right style of dress to compliment and flatter your figure. Areas that you don’t like can be disguised or balanced out and the areas that you like can be highlighted so that they are the first thing that people notice. Clever choice of choice of your clothes whether they are plus sized dresses or petite dresses will make it look like you have your own personal stylist. So here are some top tips that stylists use to dress the four main body shapes.

Pear Shaped

A pear shape is the name used to describe ladies who tend to gain weight on their hips and thighs. They also tender to have smaller busts and waists. Flattering clothes for the pair shape will be those that skim over hips and thighs with nothing too tight fitting in this area but with a fitted top to highlight the relatively slim waist. They will also have dark colours on the bottom half and will concentrate detail and fuss to the top half. Wide or boat necks are great for balancing the hips as are wider hems and detail along the hem line. Probably the most flattering of all styles for a pear shaped lady is an a line dress. The hem should fall at about knee length (just above or below is fine).

With a black a line skirt and white top, this 2 in one dress by Ben De Lisi at Debenhams is a great work outfit for pear shaped ladies.

Apple Shaped

Apple shaped is the term used to describe ladies that tend to gain weight around their middle. They tend have slender arms and legs. Women’s dresses for the apple shape is all about finding styles that skim over the stomach area. Apple shaped ladies should avoid style that have lots of fuss, detail or belts around the torso but instead look for anything that creates a vertical or diagonal line down the torso, and dresses that show off the arms and legs. Empire lines dresses and draped dresses are both very flattering options for apple shaped ladies. The baby doll dress which is a mini version of the empire line dress will also look amazing.

This Cotton Floral Hitched Dress ticks all the right boxes for the apple shaped lady. It had a fitted top and the loose fitting body skims over the tummy area.

Hour Glass Shaped

Ladies with larger hips and bust and a comparatively small waist are described as hour glassed shape. This is a classic curvy and feminine figure that looks great with a variety of dress styles. The key thing to remember for this shape is that fitted dresses are great but they should always skim rather than cling. Hour glass shapes should always wear underwear that gives plenty of support and wear dresses fitted at the waist to highlight the slimmest part of their body. If a dress is not fitted at the waist, it can usually be cinched in with a pretty belt to give some definition.

This Hope Floral Rose Dress by Boohoo looks great on hour glass figures when the waist is highlighted with a belt in a contrasting colour.

Rectangular Shape

Ladies that have little waist definition and curves can be described as rectangular shape. They are very lucky as there is no area that they need to minimise and there are many styles of Women’s dresses that will look great on them. Dresses that help to create an illusion of curves with details like peplums or flared and puffball skirts will all look great on this body shape. Rectangle shaped ladies should avoid low waisted dresses as these can look boyish and straight up and down sheath dresses which can highlight a lack of curves. Instead they should wear bias cut dresses, full skirted dressed and shift dresses with some shape to them.

This Wispa Dress by Motel  was made for ladies with a rectangular shape. The large polka dots add some interest and the slightly flaring skirt adds some shape.

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How To Find Perfect Petite Women’s Dresses

Petite is the word that is used to describe ladies of 5ft 2 and under. Shopping for petite women’s clothing can be particularly difficult not only because they cannot find the right length, therefore bust contours and darts, waists and hips of standard clothes will often fall in the wrong place as well as the length being too long. Many styles of dress can also be unflattering on petites as they make the look shorter and sometimes wider than they actually are.

Shopping in specialised Petite collections is a great way to ensure that your petite dress is completely in proportion with your body. But if you cannot find what you want don’t despair, it is possible to find petite clothes in normal collections if you look for styles like empire line which will fit most heights and can easily be shortened if necessary.

Here are just a few things to look out for when shopping for the perfect petite dress:

Petite Black Shift Dress by Debenhams

Solid colours

Solid colours are flattering on anyone but for petites they are particularly good as they make the body look longer. Anything that interrupts the line of the eye down the body is likely to have the effect of making the body appear shorter. The little black dress is probably the most perfect dress for petites as not only is it classic but when worn with black tights and shoes it elongates and slims the body.

Petite flower jersey dress by Precis Petite at John Lewis

Small scale prints

Large prints and patterns will swamp a petite frame but you can still wear bold bright patterns by choosing  a dress with a smaller scale of pattern. Ditsy florals, polka dots and abstract prints all look great on petite dresses.

Petite colour block dress by Minuet Petite at Debenhams

Stripes, vertical and horizontal lines

Any sort of vertical or horizontal line will elongate and slim the body. Look for stripes and details which run diagonally down the body of a  petite dress.

Petite linen blend floral dress by Marks and Spencers

Fitted

Over sized or baggy clothes don’t usually suit shorter people as they tend to make them look too wide and out of proportion. By choosing fitted or tailored petite dresses, you ensure that your petite frame looks amazing. Even if you are plus sized and petite, fitted dresses will help to keep your look in proportion.

Delicate details

Dresses with delicate details are perfect for petites. Embroidery, beading and other interesting details are all great ways to add interest without being too overpowering.

Petite sleeveless panel dress by Marks and Spencers

Just the right length

The skirt of a petite dress will look best if it is knee or just above. Dresses with ankle length skirts can be over powering and those that finish mid calf will have the effect of making your legs look shorter.

X-Factor Steal Their Style

Wednesday saw the National Television Awards which brought the posh frocks out on a cold January Night in London.

The Two personalisties that really stood out were the two female judges of the X-Factor!

Yes Cheryl and Danni, not content with batttling it out in the fashion stakes on a Saturday and Sunday Nights, resumed their fashion duel on the TV red carpet event of the year.

Both stars looked equally stunning, and dare I say it, I would even go as far to say that Danni perhaps pipped it on the night (controversial Aye?).

Take a look and judge for yourself?

After recently announcing her pregnancy, Dannii wowed us with a striped strapless fifties style prom dress that suited her perfectly, and the red court shoes just finished it off perfectly. It’ll be a little while before she can get into that again!

Steal Danni’s Style With > > >

• Ben de Lisi black stripe prom dress -£120

• Nine West Red Babealish High Heel shoes £75-£80
• Richard Diamante Daisy Drop Earring – £12

Cheryl on the otherhand went all Hollywood glam on us, perhaps in preperation for her debut on the US version of X-Factor? She graced a floor-length grey maxi dress with a daring, deep V neckline. Lacking her extensions, she wore tousled hair, black heels and a micro clutch completed the look.

Steal Cheryl’s Style With > > >

• Debut grey split front dress – £120
• Star by Julien Macdonald silver clutch bag – £20
• Nine West black Helfire High Heel shoes – £75
  

These looks are all availble at Debenhams where they are currently showcasing their Summer Collections. To See more click on the Button Below: