Mary Queen Of Frocks Has Got Her Womens Dresses Online And On TV

Mary Portas’s latest womens fashion venture is certainly a tour de force, her name is held in such high regard nowadays that her first collection is getting significant coverage be it on TV or her womens dresses online at House of Fraser.

Most of us will know her in all probability as the orange haired retail guru Mary Queen of shops in her channel 4 show, stomping down the British high street as the self proclaimed consumer champion challenging store owners, to trust her judgement in an often radical makeover of their retail premises in order to improve the shoppers experience.

Game Keeper Turned Poacher – Mary Takes her Womens dresses online

In her lastest Channel 4 adventure the roles are reversed to a certain degree as the documentary follows Mary in her quest to launch her new fashion venture to the UK highstreet, and speciafically how the Mary Portas fashion brand debuts through a concession in House Of fraser on Oxford steet in London.

As series is going out in October, the collection is obviously timed to be launched along side the series airing to maximise exposure and to coincide with the run up to Christmas and the added benefit of a surge in shopping for womens dresses online.

So as we’re all big fans of Mary we thought to share the love and guide you through some of her key peices which include womens dresses online now availble at House Of Fraser.

Mary Porta 7 key peices

This is Mary’s take on the capsule wardrobe where she adopts seven key peices which form the foundation of the classic womens wardrobe. A great dress, jacket, trouser (one slim, one wide), a white shirt, skirt and knit. They’re not meant to be the basics, but they form the consistuent to cover all bases required for whatever styling challenges you may encounter througout the week to make confident dressing easy. Mary Calls it Pret-a-Portas, dressed and looking fabulous in 10 mins is the mantra here!

1.No Brainer Womens Dress

Mary Calls this the no-brainer as its goes with almost anything and is your get out of jail card, if you think you’ve got nothing to wear, then you can always resort to the no-brianer its bound to be a winner, i see see this as one of the biggest selling womens dresses online by some distance due to its simplicity, price and value!

2. The Pencil Skirt

This delicious pencil skirt is totally of the moment, and made from ponte which is a girls best friend as far as fabrics go. A very forgiving material, it makes sure you have curved bits in all the right placed and keeps the excess bits under control.

3. Wide Legged Trousers

These Wide legged trousers are a classic cut and very much echos the sports luxe accent shown at the recent fashion weeks. They can be worn with heels or boots alike, ideal for dressing up or going shopping on a Saturday, thery’re totally adapatble and the silohette is cut to be flattering which ever shape you happen to be.

4. Slim Legged Trousers

Leggings are so easy to get wrong, but these slim fitting trousers are just right for any shape, high waisted and with zips, they keep everything nice and compact for you without you looking as if you’ve been poured into them.

5. Slouchy Knit

Designed for the modern woman, sophisticated yet casual, a big look on the catwalks, this jumper is cut to wear off the shoulder if desired, and also cut to hide you butt, double bubble!

6. The White Shirt

The white shirt is just so versatile and can be worn for almost any occassion, with leggings, trousers with or without a jacket. So invaluable you should buy two of them.

7. The Tux Jacket

To round off the essentials Mary gives us the tux jacket, a great piece which is so versatile it can be worn with virtually anything. The cut is exquisite and makes you feel wonderful when worn, and is so on trend at the moment with a touch of masculinity creeping into some collections this AW11.

Can Mary Be As Successful With Her Womens Dresses Online And In store As She needs To Be?

All in all Mary Portas can do no wrong and she gets the big thumbs up from us. She has delivered an outstanding collection which considers the average young to middle aged women and her daily fashion needs whether at work or at play. Though the question is whether she can pull off the targets set by House Of fraser to be the biggest grossing fashion concession despite it being her very first collection, good luck Mary!

if anyone has purchased any of the Mary Portas collection we would love to hear from you and get your thoughts… Let us know what you think.

You can see the full collection of Mary Portas’s womens dresses online at house of fraser here

Filed under – Womens dresses online

Paul Smith New Season On Location Mini Skirt

Paul Smith the British Fashion designer and his own named Label has built a reputation as the purveyor of quintessential British style that has become his trademark over the years, this has been embodied by the iconic Paul Smith striped Mini that has become the brands trademark.

Every season Paul Smith releases a printed mini-skirt which goes by the name of “Paul Smith mini on location” in which the mini skirt has a print of different British location within which the Paul Smith striped Mini finds itself. It has become one of those pieces that the fashion world and collectors alike eagerly anticipate each season despite its tougue-in-cheek nature, and for spring/summer 2011 it really is something special.

Previous season’s have included the Rapha Condor road cycling team, Portland Bill lighthouse, as well as Cowley’s finest hanging several hundred feet in the air from a crane!

For spring/summer 2011 season the mini skirt is adorned with the multistripe mini in front of one of Sir Paul’s favourite hotels, Langar Hall in Nottinghamshire the county of his birth. This unique boutique country house hotel and restuarant in the Vale of Belvoir, is just like the Paul Smith signature style, uniquely British, deliciously stylish and quietly eccentric, making it a perfect location for this seasons on location print and the brands multi-striped Mini.

The Paul Smith ‘Mini on Location’ at Langar Hall skirt is available now priced £179

The fully lined mini skirt of made to the quality you would expect from a Paul Smith Garment and made from 100% cotton with a concealed side zip with hook and eye fastening.

To see more Paul Smith collections click on the button below:

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.

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.

Fashionista, Stylista or Lady Luxe – What Is Your Style Tribe?

What style tribe do you belong to? whether your a power dresser, fashionista or a stylista We all conform to a style tribe in one way or another. For some people it is really important to dress in a way that makes them part of something. For others it is more of a coincidence that they love a certain type of clothes and just can’t help wearing them. Have you ever considered what is your style tribe? Whilst just a bit of fun, recognising what sort of look you want to achieve is likely to make your shopping much easier.

House of Fraser have just launched Style Tribe a fashion profiling quiz which helps you to identify what you want from your wardrobe and shopping trips. It then goes on to give some suggestions on  clothes that would suit you. The quiz is quick and easy to complete and after selection from a number of images to answer each of the questions, you get a profile which includes a description of your style tribe and how you like to shop, your style icon, where you are most likely to be seen, bedtime reading and wish list. Overall the quiz makes for a really fun and interactive online shopping experience which allows you to find suitable pieces of clothing without having to trawl through endless pages of clothes that just aren’t you.

Here at Women’s dresses we couldn’t resist giving the Style Tribe quiz a go. I found the results to be surprisingly accurate. Identifying my style tribe as a saavy shopper who is creative, loves to shop in the sales with a fun eclectic style. With my style icon being Fearne Cotton and a Mawi Gold purse pendant being on my wishlist , I think they have pretty much summed me up. When it came to checking out my own personalised lookbook and Savy Shopper guide, I was definitely in my element. My look was made up of  a quirky women’s dress with vintage scarf, cardigan, boyfriend belt, tight and boots, I loved it. My shopping guide was filled with bold and colourful pieces from a wide range of brands including Vera Moda, Lipsy, Hobbs, Jaeger, Oasis, Mango and Therapy. There were plenty of floral dresses and stylish women’s dresses to choose from as well as tops, skirts, shoes and accessories, which is great as I just love dresses.

There are also some great beauty recommendation for  each style tribe which include recommendations by a make up artist and the products that you will need to get the look.

When you have completed the quiz you can also enter the House of Fraser prize draw to win a £500 House of Fraser gift voucher which would allow you buy everything you need to get the look for your style tribe. Here are a few ideas on what you could spend your vouchers on, depending on your style tribe of course.

Linea Brush Stroke Floral Dress

JS Collections One Shoulder Gold Maxi Dress

Therapy Strapless Maxi Dress

Find out what Style tribe You belong to by clicking the button below:

The Rise Of The Day Dress

The Day Dress

The day dress is a term that seems to have become common place in the world of fashion. Perhaps it is to help those of us who get a little bit confused about which women’s dresses to wear and when to wear them? It is really simple though a Cocktail dress is for the evening or parties, a day dress is for the ‘day’ time.

The rise of the day dress is in part perhaps we would like to think, a rebellion by women against the wearing of jeans as  a uniform for casual occasions. Whilst most of us will still own a much loved pair of jeans, there are times when a dress makes you feel just that little bit special and as if you’ve made a bit of an effort.

Dresses are not only feminine and a great way to make  a style statement  with your everyday clothes or work wear. They are also an easy option when it comes to getting dressed in the morning. There is no need to spend ages trying to make up your mind which top goes with which trousers, a dress is a ready made outfit.

Day Dresses makes it easy maintenance and fashionable too

It would be difficult to talk about day dresses and the trend for ladies to look more… well ‘ladylike’ without mentioning the hit TV programme Mad Men. The mid length style dresses which are for perfect high maintenance women who care about what they look like and are prepared to make the time and take the effort to look absolutely stunning every single day.

A day dress should be comfy enough and practical to wear all day but also be beautifully feminine and a great way to add a little glamour to every day life. If you are worried about the practicalities of wearing a dress in the autumn and winter, the day dress can be teamed with opaque tights and boots for a cosy and on-trend look. Soft draping jersey is comfortable and warm making it an ideal choice for a day dress. This winter there are some great options including floral dresses, wrap dresses, jumper dresses and sixties style mini dresses. Combine your day dress with wedge heels or some elegant flat pumps for maximum comfort.

Fair Isle Knits are every where this autumn and winter. This cosy Fairisle dress by Oasis is great for wearing with some woolly cable knit tights, boots and a big scarf for a really cold winters day. You could also add sheer tights and heels for a smarter look.

This feather print skater dress by Rare Fashion is pretty and girly but can easily be dressed down with a pair of boots and an aviator jacket. If the skirt is too short for you, it can also be worn with a pair of leggings.

This Savannah Swirl Neck line Brush Knit Flower Dress is the perfect combination of cosy and eye catching. For a really on trend look try wearing with a pair of over the knee socks.

This Charmaine Bobbi Large Bow Dress is the ideal choice for slightly smarter daytime occasions. It features an ethnic contrasting print with a large bow at the front for the Autumn winter when matched with a thick pair of black tights and cosy boots.

Glittering Glam with Fashion Union

We all know there’s nothing a girl likes more than getting glammed up for a good party with friends. This season, Fashion Union have provided us with some fabulous pieces to have us feeling as glam as the glitterati and with 15% off your first order, plus free UK delivery and free UK returns, we can feel fabulous for less – just use the code,FA10WF1 at the basket!

The Rise Jewel Halter Dress (£55) is a stunning halterneck dress available in Red or Grey. The heavily embellished neckline will leave you sparkling all night long without even needing to accessorise!

Style Tip: Complete the look with Diamante Bow Peep Toes (£35)

Glitter from top to bottom in the Sequin Panel V-Neck Dress (£26). Available in a choice of three colours: black, lavender or charcoal.

The Rise Jewel Neck Tunic (£65) is a perfect combination of colour and glitter so you’re sure not only to sparkle but brighten up any room!

Floral Winter Dresses At Warehouse

Sometimes winter dresses can seem really dark and perhaps just a little bit dull. Dark colours are practical for the colder months but don’t do much to cheer you up and lift your spirits on an icy cold morning. There is an alternative however, that can make you feel brighter and happier. There are plenty of floral winter dresses at Warehouse which are great for adding a bit of subtle and stylish pattern to your winter wardrobe.

The great think about floral dresses is that they can be adapted for both  daytime and evening. A pair of opaque black tights and boots will transform you floral dress into a boho/ folk inspired day dress inspired by the Ralph Lauren Autumn Winter collection which featured floral patterned chiffon dresses and tops. But add some amazing heels, sheer tights and a black jacket and you also have an amazing party dress.

Floral prints really are timeless and the collection at Warehouse feature inspiration from different decades including the fifties with mid length flared skirts, the sixties with mini dresses and the seventies with maxi dresses.

The Floral Long Sleeved Maxi Dress

For the romantics, this  long sleeved floral maxi dressis a great choice to wear for any parties and events this autumn and winter. Made from 100% silk it is both feminine and luxurious, the v neck makes it incredibly flattering. Wear with wedge shoes for a little extra height and if you really want to get that seventies boho vibe throw on a faux fur gilet.

The Floral Fifties Style Dress

This V front V back floral fifties style dress features an eye catching print. It is the perfect lady like style for the autumn and winter and would look great with some classic court shoes a neat cardigan and an over the arm handbag. If you like you could even add a string off pearls.

The Abstract Floral Dress

If you are looking for a slightly more modern take on the winter floral dress, this scatter floral dress is a great abstract alternative to the more traditional floral prints. It is also a more modern sheath style dress which is perfect for dressing up with a few brightly coloured accessories perhaps a bag or some shoes. It would also look great with a leather biker jacket for that rock chic vibe.

The Light Coloured Floral Print Dress

If you thought that light coloured floral prints didn’t really work for the winter then this mixed paisley tunic dresswill prove you wrong. With a slightly off white back ground to the print it will go with different coloured tights from black and grey to red, blue or green for a fun winter look or even long sock or bare legs if you can stand the cold. This dress really works well with the folk/ boho look just add some boots with a chunky heel, an across the body satchel bag and chunky cardigan for a great daytime outfit.

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.

Estethica – Ethical Fashion For Spring Summer 2011

Ethical and Eco fashion now goes well beyond the organic cotton dress or Fair trade cotton t shirt. As London Fashion Week draws closer, there is an ever growing interest in the Estethica section which includes the ethical fashion labels. The interest in ethical fashion has been slowly increasing with each piece of news in the media that highlights unethical manufacturing in the clothes industry. A new generation of designers have emerged showing that ethical fashion in not only stylish and on trend but innovative and exciting. Designers are now getting really creative with styles from shift dresses to party dresses made from range of sustainable material and recycled fabrics and objects.

Estethica was founded by the British Fashion Council over four years ago and is now in its ninth season. It was set up to allow designers committed to eco sustainability to show case their work and has grown to 37 designers this season. All of the cutting edge designers that participate at Estethica must abide by  at least one of the three Estethica principles which include fair-trade and ethical practices, organic and recycled materials. But it is not just about eco credentials, design excellence is also really important.

New this year to Estethcia are 15 labels including Lost Property of London a North London based label that uses new fabrics that have been found, their current project includes making bags from recycled coffee bags and lining them with iconic liberty print fabric. The label also helps communities in impoverished countries. The label She Died of Beauty is  a collaboration between model Erin O Connor and stylist Kate Half Penny which launches its first small but perfectly formed collection of ethical and organic cotton t shirts featuring funny and frivolous statements this Fashion Week.

There will also be some of the old favourites like Christopher Raeburn who made a name for himself last LFW with a collection which included a parachute women’s dress made from a recycled parachute. His designs are innovative, functional and fun. There is also Ada Zandition who is known for her digitally printed ethical womens dresses with sculptural detailing. Her range is high end ready to wear ethically made from sustainable fabrics. Another label Mina makes beautiful vintage inspired women’s dresses embellished with off cuts of lace and silk. Her dresses are both luxurious and feminine.

If you love the idea of ethical fashion, Fairtrade and organic cotton dresses and sustainable clothes, there are also plenty of great labels that don’t show at London Fashion Week but still manage to create some beautiful and affordable pieces of clothing with minimum negative impact on the environment and the lives of the people involved in making them.

Fashion Conscience has a great range of designers which are right on trend. The designers at Estethica and ethical fashion on this ground breaking website prove that it is completely possible to be stylish and sustainable.

Nancy Splatter Fairtrade Organic Dress by People Tree

Komodo Pepi Fairtrade Dress – made from hemp, wool and organic cotton

Komodo Luna Paisley Print Fairtrade Dress

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