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

Post from: Womensdresses.org.uk

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

As the new AW11 collections hit shelves across the high street and online dress stores, one of the bigger trends that seems to be emerging is that of vintage style, ahhh… but those of you who class yourselves as fashionistas, or even no so dedicated followers of fashion, are probably thinking to yourself that you’ve been wearing vintages dresses for ages?

The Truth About Vintage Dresses And The Fashion Industry

The truth of the matter is the everything comes around in circles, “what goes around comes around” and that’s never more truth than in the fashion industry, where any new season trends will inevitability be drawn upon inspiration from past eras, just like 80% of all songs are made up of the same 5 chords, fashion is and always will be an fusion of past influences with a modern twist, and on the weekend when one of the UK’s biggest vintage fashion fairs is held http://www.vintagefashionfairlondon.co.uk/ (pop over if you’re in the Promose Hill Ara on 11th Sept), it in some ways serves to illustrates the inevitability of things that have been before will indeed come around again… as such vintage dresses, fashion and trends have been mainstream for a little while now, though personally, I don’t mind that… as long as they don’t resurrect the Ra Ra skirt or shell suits.

Despite the industry looking back to the future, it’s never the price that revert back to the 1950′s is it? What we can say though that if you can identify carefully chosen pieces at the right time of the year, namely in sale season and get some great vintage dresses or any other style dress for that matter, that will see you alright for a number of seasons to come, but wear a smug little grin in the knowledge that you’ve got a bargain to boot… that’s got to be a great excuse to buy?

Vintage Dresses At Vintage Prices

I have discovered a number of such items from Rise Fashion who are young UK fashion label from the East End of London, who are well know as a concession in Dorothy Perkins, but have there own online store filled full of bargains.

This Weekend Eptember 10-11^th they have an exclusive 20% off their NEW SEASON AW11 vintage inspired dresses, and other styles too, so there’s no better excuse to start stocking up this weekend by taking advantage of 20% off at Rise Fashion! From now until the 11^th September 2011, you can get 20% off everything online using the code RED20 at the checkout!

How about grabbing one of these fantastic bargains…

Unleash your feminine side in this pretty cream Alexia Dress by Rise Boutique (£40.00 with code £32.00). In a vintage 1950’s style lace it features a bow tie front which really nips in the waist to create a perfect hourglass shape. This lace number looks equally good with bare legs or contrasting black opaque tights and patent heels.

Alexia Dress – Rise Fashion

Delicate prints are hot this season and this Ashleigh Dress (£35.00 with code £28.00) certainly fits the bill. The delicate floaty sleeves and pretty aviary print make it super feminine, while the elasticated waist gives you curves in all the right places. Wear with nude platforms, or brown boots for a toned down daytime look.

Ashleigh Dress – Rise Fashion

Skater dresses are a key style for autumn, and you can be bang on trend with this Iris Dress (£35.00 with code £28.00). This smart yet comfortable dress features a short pleated skirt and three quarter length sleeves, creating a smart yet casual style. This can be worn with tights and heels for a chic evening look, or dressed down with pumps for the daytime. Also available in black, stone and dogtooth.

Iris Skater Dress – Rise Fashion

filed under – Vintage Dresses

Post from: Womensdresses.org.uk

AW11 Vintage Dresses And Other Styles Too At Yesterday’s Prices!

So despite all this there’s been a definitive spring in my step over the past week or so. Why…? well, perhaps it isn’t as chilly when out and about, though I suppose there’s still legs in the winter weather yet; then on my way to and from work it is definitely getting lighter earlier and darker later, have you noticed it too? You can visibly see the days becoming more drawn out day by day…YAY! Last but not least however is we’ve finally got some proper colours in the shops for a change… Long gone are the drab and dreary greys and blacks associated with the cold dark days of winter and usher in the Pinks, fushias and candy colours of the spring.

Don’t get me wrong, Black and Greys are great to get you through the winter, but in the run up to Summer you need a change, and that’s what Spring is all about change… being reborn, rejuvenation no less.

With that in mind I thought I should give you a couple of ideas about what’s hot and what I’m aching to get my hands on… what about this wonderful weekend look? Lunch with girls, shopping with your beau or perhaps a date to the movies on a Saturday night?

Take your pick, what’s you favourite?

Post from: Womensdresses.org.uk

Want To Get Some Spring Colour Into Your Women’s Clothing

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:

Post from: Womensdresses.org.uk

Paul Smith New Season On Location Mini Skirt

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:

Post from: Womensdresses.org.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Post from: Womensdresses.org.uk

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

Fashion Pearls of wisdom

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

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

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

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

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

Mink Fur Trim Hooded Scarf – Miss Selfridge

Mantaray Snowflake Earmuffs at Debenhams

Faux Fur Tippet- Oasis

What will you be wearing to keep warm this winter?

Post from: Womensdresses.org.uk

What Are The Fashion Bloggers Wearing To Keep Warm?

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:

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Going Out Dresses From Marks And Spencer

This winter the leather skirt is one of the most popular and in trend pieces of clothing around. From high waisted skirts to full skirts and even recycled or vintage leather skirts, there is something for everyone. But leather is not always the most forgiving of fabrics, done well it can look chic and stylish, done badly, it may look cheap and nasty. Here are some ideas on how you can make the leather skirt work for you this winter.

Pick your style carefully

One of the most important desicions that you will have to make when choosing a leather skirt is which style or shape to choose. You should choose the style that best flatters your body shape. For tall slim ladies this may be a short or mid length flared style, for pear shaped ladies, an a line and for hour glass a pencil or straight style. Shorter length skirts should only be worn by those who have great legs and avoided altogether in tight fitting styles. It is also worth paying some attention to the quality of the leather. As a general rule, the softer, the better.

Consider colour

The colour of your choice is also really important. For a vampy look or evening outfit choose black, for a more subtle and classic look try a brown, beige or camel coloured  leather skirt. Choose a colour that suits you but also remember that a black skirt can look very stylish but depending on the style and how you wear it can also look trashy. A beige, brown or camel coloured leather skirt is probably easier way to wear this trend. We love the brown leather skirt from Very which is pictured above.

Tights – to wear or not to wear?

Leather skirts generally look best with a pair of classic sheer tights. Fishnets are a no no as they cross the boundary between chic and cheap and patterned tights also tend to look  bit much. With a skirt in a colour other than black, you can sometimes get away with wearing bare legs but this is also best avoided with shorter styles of skirt.

Choosing a top

The leather skirt works particularly well with the minimalist aesthetic so the key when choosing a top is to keep it simple. You could go for a silk blouse or a fitted  cashmere ladies sweater for a luxurious and lady like look. A ladies blouse will look particularly good when worn tucked in with a high waisted skirt or pencil style of skirt.   To give your outfit a more edgy feel try wearing with a plain sleeveless shell top or even a casual sweatshirt for  a more casual and relaxed look. Always avoid tops that are really low cut when wearing a leather skirt. A high necked top will look the best or a v neck if you have a larger bust.

As with any outfit or piece of clothing the key to looking stylish is about balancing the overall look and wearing it with confidence. Combine your leather skirt with pieces that contrast in terms of volume and texture for maximum effect.

Post from: Womensdresses.org.uk

How To Wear A Leather Skirt

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.

Post from: Womensdresses.org.uk

Our Top Five Picks – The Black Lace Dress