Our Top Five Picks – The Black Lace Dress
November 20, 2010 by Ceri ·
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
November 13, 2010 by Ceri ·
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.
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
Five Ways To Accessorise A Little Black Dress
November 1, 2010 by Ceri ·
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.
Animal Magic – Stylish Animal Print Dresses
September 5, 2010 by Ceri ·
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
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
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.
Grace Kelly – Fifties Fashion and Style Icon
May 28, 2010 by Ceri ·
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.
Free Delivery From Oasis Women’s Clothing
January 2, 2010 by Womens fashion Team ·
If you’re still looking for Women’s Clothing bargains in the January sales, you can always do it from home.
It’s now even easier as Oasis have not only extended their up to 50% discount on sale items, they are giving away Free Delivery also.
This offer is only availble through this site, and NOT through the main Oasis site. To qualify You need to enter welcome2010 at check out.
Oasis are ideal for designer women’s clothing at reasonable prices, if you would like to explore more click below:
