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:

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:

Our Top Five Picks – The Black Lace Dress

The black lace dress has been on trend for a season or two since it appeared at the Prada catwalk shows. Ever since then it has been reappearing in various guises which make a great alternative to the traditional little black dress for a Christmas party or one of the most stunning choices of short prom dresses in the UK . The black lace dress is incredibly versatile though and can also work really well as a day dress. The beauty of it lies in its ability to flatter but also its intricate detail, texture and seductive look which make it  our favourite of  all the black dresses for women.

Lace has also been a popular fabric throughout history and it adds a great retro or vintage look to many modern styles of dress inspired by the fifties, sixties and seventies. For winter 2010, there are a variety of styles of black lace dress from the long sleeved mini dress to a more formal party dress with a flared and full skirt. Here are our top five picks.

This vintage inspired Fair trade lace dress is perfect for Christmas parties with its fifties style ballerina skirt and off the shoulder top. For a really on trend look throw on a leather jacket to keep you warm when travelling to and from the party. The dress is by Nomad a company which make Fair trade certified clothing which benefits communities in their own countries.

Another great Fairtrade choice is this Ruby rocks lace dress. It has a flattering empire line and cross over bust style with ruffles and subtle sequin embellishment. It would look great with a pair of wedge heels for any party this Christmas.

This one shoulder lace dress by Oasis is incredibly elegant. When it comes to accessorising it, our advice is too keep it simple. Perhaps a pair of chandelier earrings to compliment your elaborate hair do or a very simple pendant necklace that will not interfere with the neckline. A great pair of heels and a clutch bag are also a must for a great evening outfit.

If you want to channel seventies disco glamour that has become so popular since the recent Halston revival, this lace one shoulder dress by Warehouse  is just what you need. Super stylish but with a loose fitting swing skirt and bell sleeve, which allows for an extra mince pie or two if you wish.

If you are looking for a longer style of lace dress which work well for a formal evening event, we would recommend this http://tidd.ly/8c051bd3. It has a beautiful chiffon overlay and tie at the back. It also has intricate lace detail around the neckline.

The great detail in a piece of lace means that very little in the way of accessories are needed to complete your party outfit when wearing a lace dress. Just a pair of sheer tights and one or to simple pieces or jewellery and you will be good to go.

Our Top 10 Fashion Websites To Find Cheap Dresses Online

Everyone loves a bargain, don’t they? But sometimes with so many options available it can be difficult to find the best fashion websites to shop in terms of both style and price. With Christmas not far away, you will probably be looking for some cheap dresses online to allow you to have some cash left over for those all important Christmas presents.

So here is our pick of the top 10 fashion websites to find cheap dresses online.

1. Boohoo

If you are looking for high fashion at an amazing price then Boohoo is the place to look. They have all of the latest styles of ladies day dresses and party dresses to wow in looks that could have come straight from the catwalk. They also have a great selection of faux fur jackets which are the perfect cover ups for a cold winters evening.

Felicity Animal Print Dress – Only £15 at Boohoo

2. Dorothy Perkins

Top when it comes to stylish and wearable dresses which guarantee quality with a great price tag. We love Dotty P’s for their striking and colourful shift dresses. Their dresses are great for teaming with a pair of opaque tights for a cosy daytime or work outfit.

Closet Grey Red Check Dress Just £30 at Dorothy Perkins

3. New Look

For the best selection of party dresses at the best prices, try New Look. They have all of the most popular styles of the season including some lovely glossy satin dresses in a range of colours and styles.

Hitched Bow Dress Only £22.99 at New Look

4. Motel Rocks

If you love cute retro styles and body con dresses, Motel is definitely the place to look. There are plenty of choices for £30 or under and some amazing colour combinations.

Motel Celia Dress – Peacock Red just £30 at Motel Rocks

5. Rare Fashion

It is hard to believe that you can get such attention to detail at such great prices. At Rare Fashion there is a good selection of opulent and luxurious party dresses with details including, frills and embellishment with sequins and beads.

Chiffon One Sleeved Textured Dress an amazing £35 at Rare Fashion

6. Miss Selfridge

Another favourite for affordable and cheap dresses online in the latest on trend styles is Miss Selfridge. This winter there is a glamorous selection of draped and ruffled dresses.

Ruffle Dress just £36 at Miss Selfridge

7. Wallis

For flattering and sophisticated styles and cuts Wallis is a great choice. Their dresses tend to be knee length of below so are great for those looking for an elegant party dress. They are currently offering 10% off your next order if you sign up to their newsletter.

Black Side Drape Dress only £40 at Wallis

8. MIsguided

A great choice of fun and fashionable dresses which take the best of the catwalk and adapt for a unique look. Their dresses include some great printed and draped pieces.

Becks Floral Lace and Stud Detail Dress In Black

9. Oasis

Whilst the prices at Oasis are slightly more expensive than some of our other picks, they always have some amazing stuff in their sale. At the moment you can choose from a range of gorgeous ladies day dresses and party dresses in a range of colours and prints.

60′s Bow Shift £40 at Oasis

10. Warehouse

Again Warehouse has some great sale picks including a number of variations on the little black dress which would be great for any Christmas party.

Ottoman Stud Detail Dress £35 at Warehouse

Our Top 5 Ways to Keep Warm This Winter With Faux Fur

Faux fur is right on trend this winter and quite rightly so. Not only is it stylish, luxurious and elegant, you can really keep yourself warm this winter with totally on trend faux fur items, what’s not to love? You can take your pick from a wide range of very affordable coats which work equally well for daytime or evening. Or why not add some stylish accessories to add a bit of interest and texture (plus extra warmth) to a minimalist camel coat.

There are plenty of places to take inspiration from Faux fur this winter with the Chanel catwalk shows featuring everything from clothes to accessories with an ice age theme.  At Balmain there was a structured teddy bear coat worn with a party dress and at Gucci fur trimmed coats. Even Peter Pilotto known for their amazing printed and draped dresses managed to fit in some faux fur patches for  a hint of luxury. At Marc Jacobs, an elegant lady like dress was combined with above the elbow gloves and a faux fur shrug.

This winter faux fur or fake fur is available in all sorts of choices from natural colours to animal prints and textured styles. Look out for glamorous, rock chic, seventies, folk, retro fifties and eclectic styles.

The Coats and Jackets

Larna Boohoo Pink Faux Fur Jacket

 With an interesting multi colour pattern, this jacket almost looks as though it has a crimped texture. It will add glamour to anything from an everyday outfit to the hottest party dress.  

The Fur Trim Aviator Jacket – Boohoo

It is amazing how much warmer a little faux fur trim around the neck of a jacket can make you. We love this luxurious version of the seasons must have aviator and the perfect way to wear faux fur in an understated way.

Lace Fur Collar Coat – Oasis

A combination of two key trends for the season, this very glamorous coat is the perfect warm cover up for a winters evening.

Dalmation Faux Fur Coat – Miss Selfridge

So much lovelier than Cruella De Villes, this faux Dalmation coat is definitely a statement piece. Wear over your black or neutral outfit or a great everyday coat.

Faux Fur Capelet – Warehouse

If you are short and feel swamped in the  long faux fur coats,  opt for a short version like this capelet. Great for throwing on over everything from jeans and t shirt to an evening dress.

Trisha Faux Fur Gilet – Boohoo

Perfect for layering a little extra warmth over a casual Boho outfit. This gilet is one of the best value faux fur piece that we have seen.

The Accessories

Brown Faux Fur Scarf- Miss Selfridge

Elegant with a retro feel this faux fur scarf adds luxury to even the most minimal of coats.

Black patent and Faux Fur Shoe – Miss Selfridge

If you are looking for some statement footwear and a great way to feature faux fur in your outfit without going down the more predictable faux fur coat route, then these shoes are for you.

Valerie Faux Fur Trapper Hat – Boohoo

For those who aren’t willing on compromise on warmth and comfort, a trapper hat is the perfect on trend answer. There is absolutely no chance that you will get cold ears this winter in one of these.

Clara Faux Fur Gilet

Finally for a bit of a change, why not try a  kitch faux fur top? This would look great with both leather trousers or jeans.

Have A Conscious This Christmas With Stylish Ethical Dresses

Christmas is all about giving as much as anything else right? Well This Christmas you can have a conscious and look incredibly stylish with some amazing ethical dresses which are perfect to party in. This Christmas you can give the disadvantaged a fair price for their goods they produce which are the raw materials that are used to make ethical women’s fashion brand items from Fashion Conscience.

Gone are the days when ethical fashion meant boring, frumpy and hippy like. Today ethical fashion is glamorous, elegant and chic, what ever you want it to be. Ethical fashion is the perfect guilt free shopping, by buying your new dress you are helping in a small way to making the world a better place. This winter you can take your pick of ethical dresses which are better for the environment, the people involved in their manufacture and your conscious at Fashion Conscience.

Fashion Conscience is an online ethical retailer which stocks ethical dresses and clothes by a variety of ethical designers including People Tree, Reluxe and Ruby Rocks. It is packed full of fashion forward clothes that are also incredibly stylish and wearable and ethical in at least one of the following ways:

Organic cotton - grown without the use of pesticides (or any chemicals), organic cotton is much less damaging to the environment than conventional cotton and also better for the farmers who get trapped in a cycle of applying more and more expensive chemicals to the cotton to ensure a good crop as the pests become more resistant.

Fairtrade cotton- Fairtrade guarantees a better deal for third world producers. It helps farmers to improve the quality of their life and take control of their futures.

Recycled materials – buying women’s dresses made from recycled materials is one of the most sustainable ways to shop. Not only do you get a choice of the innovative designs that are a result of recycling but you also help to reduce waste and cut down on your carbon footprint.

Ethical manufacture- In the past there have been many documented cases of clothing factories with poor working conditions. Ethical fashion labels ensure that workers manufacturing their clothes are treated ethically and paid a fair wage.

 Here is our pick of  party dresses from Fashion Conscious for this winter.

Black Lace Fairtrade Dress By Ruby Rocks

Lace is really on trend this winter and this party dress is a really flattering way to wear it, with its wrap style top and empire line. Ruby Rocks clothes are made in an ethical factory in Bali which provides a fair wage and excellent conditions and benefits for its employees.

Fair and True Organic Cotton Maxi Dress

The beauty of this organic cotton maxi dress is in its simplicity and clean lines. If you are looking for an elegant party dress which gives a nod to the current trend for Studio 54 disco fashion, then this is the perfect choice. The dress is made from 100% organic cotton by young up and coming London Eco label Fair and True. They use  a range of sustainable  materials including organic cotton, tencel, soy and bamboo.

Nancy Splash Dress by People Tree

This bright red dress has a festive feel about it and would look great when worn with black tights for a Christmas party. It features an abstract design, draped neck and capped sleeves. A great women’s dress, ethically made in India from organic and Fairtrade cotton by ethical pioneers People Tree.

Reluxe Lace Dress 

For Snow Queens or Ice Maidens this pure white lace dress with a contrasting pocket is a different but very stylish way to wear the seasons must have lace. Wear with a pair of black opaque tights and clog boots for a quirky party outfit. This dress is made from upcycled lace which, as with all Relux clothing reduces waste and the environmental impact of manufacture.

Animal Magic – Stylish Animal Print Dresses

Animal prints have for  a long time had some slightly undesirable associations, including Bett Lynch of Coronation Street and Pat Butcher of Eastenders. Whilst animals prints can look a little harsh, tacky or over the top, they can also look really stylish. With animal print dresses, it is all about how you wear them. Picking out just the right animal print dress will ensure that you look stylish, sophisticated and on trend.

Zebra Print

The zebra print dress is one of the most on trend animal print dresses at the moment. The bold combination of black and white looks amazing when combined with accessories or shoes in bright primary colours. This beautiful and very wearable Zebra Cowl Dress by Project D by Dannii and Tabitha has an incredibly flattering cut that suits most body shapes. A really sophisticated way to wear animal prints.

Muted animal prints

Lorna Animal print dress

By wearing a muted version of the animal print, it takes on a whole new look which is subtle and sophisticated. The softer colours look very different in comparison to the traditional bold animal prints. This is the perfect choice of animal print for a day dress and can even work for wearing to the office or into work. The neutral colours in this Lorna Animal print dress are a fresh alternative to the traditional yellow and black leopard print.

Dressed down animal print dresses

By adding a pair of hiking boots and a biker jacket to your animal dresses, you can make it more Rock and Roll than Pat Butcher avoid over accessorising instead think grunge instead of over glammed. The seasons wedge shoes are also a great choice for wearing with your animal prints, try looking for beige, sand and black. We love these zipper wedge ankle boots by Acne.

Mixing it up

Leena Animal and Lace Print Dress

Ruby Animal and Rose Print Dress

Keep your animal print dress looking fresh and up to date by combining the animal print with something else perhaps a pretty floral or lace design. This Ruby Animal and Rose Print dress by Boohoo combines roses over a leopard skin background for the perfect combinations of pretty and racy.

Small Areas of Animal  Print

Motel Daphnie Dress

Some times less is definitely more and this can be true when it comes to animal print. Look for dresses with small areas of animal print for  a subtle but stylish look. This Daphne dress by Motel Rocks has a great combination of black and leopard print which is sexy but not too much.

If all over animal prints are too much for you, you can still add a bit of animal magic with a LBD accessorised with some great animal print accessories.

This animal Jaquard scarf is a great accessory for the autumn or winter and for a subtle touch of animal print.

A pair of animal print pumps is the perfect footwear for a stylish daytime outfit. We love these animal print flower ballerina pumps.

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.

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.