How Decent Is Too Decent?

A little pleated, striped, sleeveless shirt dress can go a long way in ensuring you are office-appropriate in any season. Here it is, moulded into a 1950s-inspired look with a little help from a key seasonal piece, the jumper.


The patent leather ballerinas with their half-inch heels put just the right spring in your step - the look would definitely feel uncomfortable with anything high or chunky. 


Still, ballet pumps are not the only option. Any pair of low-heeled cute shoes (such as traditional kitten heels or something modern and metallic) will do nicely. Alternatively, if you want to tough it up just a bit, some ankle booties will do the job and keep the cold at bay at the same time.


And yes, as you can see, the quilted sleeveless biker with gold detailing is still one of the biggest staples. I wear it all the time, as it's the perfect autumn jacket, while it provides the best under-coat layer in winter. 


One more thing. Out in the cold, and in this pale sunlight, everything tends to look so bleached out you may need a dash of bold lipstick to spice things up.

pleated shirt dress: Pull & Bear, jumper: Mango,
ballerinas: Clarks, quilted jacket: New Look

A Leather Sleeve Jacket To Wear With Everything

I have a special little something to introduce to you - one of my staples since late summer. Meet the contrast sleeve mini-parka by New Look.

I had been looking for it for months but all I found were designer knock-offs and an earlier high street favourite on eBay. None of those had my name on them.

You can imagine the joy when I discovered it online at New Look. It's simple, cool, with a great cut and detailing, black star and wing studs, and an adjustable waist. Finally, a parka with snug enough sleeves that prevent any look from feeling bulky.

I know you have classic parkas and military jackets but this is next level, I can't seem to take it off. The best choice to complement a rock chick outfit or to toughen up pleats or a floral prom dress.

Even though the piece has been around for a couple of seasons now, it's still not too late to get your hands on something similar - I'm definitely keeping mine.

contrast sleeve parka and patent loafers: New Look, fitted shirt: Pull&Bear,
pleated jersey skirt: C&A, wing necklace: Mango

contrast sleeve parka and patent loafers: New Look, fitted shirt: Pull&Bear,
pleated skirt: Motel, wing necklace: Mango

contrast sleeve parka, limited edition studded ankle boots, double cross necklace: New Look, 

metallic knitted jumper: C&A 

floral stripe prom dress, contrast sleeve parka: New Look, 

kitten heel courts: Dorothy Perkins

floral stripe prom dress, contrast sleeve parka: New Look, 

kitten heel courts: Dorothy Perkins, retro sunglasses: C&A

Celebrate Spring

For the 23th outfit post published on 23rd March, I felt I had no choice but to don a pair of bold floral print jeans and leap fearlessly into spring. Right. That decided, I realised that falling hopelessly for these wild things didn't mean I had the faintest idea of how I was going to make them work.

True, when in doubt, you can always go for that plain white tee or the steel blue racer back basic vest that goes so well with your eyes... or, you could skip the whole problem by covering up with a cropped trench coat, a pastel leather jacket, or a bleached denim biker.

But honestly, where's the fun in that? Where's the now in that? If you're going to buy into current big and bold trends, do it for love. And then, embrace those trends in full, in all their now-ness. There really is no way around it.

When a print you love is just loud, the looks you put together should not pretend otherwise. You can't mute it with anything plain anyway. To make your outfits right for now, you'll need more print. A bit like the way Mexicans (never too shy about their prints either) like to 'neutralise'  the hotness of spices in their meal with extra salt.

And the best part? You only need to dig in your closet for old tops (and shoes) of different styles and colours, preferably with some print on all of them. As a result, even if you take inspiration from others, your final looks will be individual. Here's my edit of what I found lying around - love how the feel changes with each print combo. 

I've dubbed the looks 'graphic', 'sweet', 'festival' and, considering the full bodycon-meets-matchy-meets-overly-clean effect, 'footballer's wife'. Too late now, but I think my lavender Mulberry Blenheim bag should have completed this last fashion victim look. Anyways, now it's your turn to pack a punch.

Graphic. Jeans: River Island (worn throughout), leather chelsea boots: New Look, navy stripe top and
owl necklace: Dorothy Perkins. Sunnies (above): Retro.
Sweet. Top: vintage, belt: Pull & Bear, leather ballerinas from Greece 

Cotton top and parka: H&M, leather boots: Sebastiano 

Knitted top: Women'secret, belt: charity shop, leather pouch: vintage, tweed and suede dogtooth stilettos: Alberto Zago, suede peacoat: C&A, belt on coat: Pull & Bear, suede and leather platform sandals: Zara

Simply does it

The latest addition to my collection of dresses has been screaming non stop for an outing since I got it. Apparently, today was the day.

We spent the afternoon of my dearest's birthday wandering about town in the sunshine, visiting fave record stores, and grabbing a quick bite. We picked up a mountain of cakes (see far below) in the best confectionery, then headed back home with the loot.

What better way to celebrate a special date than with a bit of day glam? I skipped on the make-up and popped on the sunnies instead.

The photos don't do the dress justice, but the base colour is antique beige, with a triple stripe print in terracotta, mocha and navy, and the skirt has double pleats.

The dress is mostly 1940s inspired (a reminder of classic tea dresses and shirt dresses), with a touch of 1950s (when sleeveless was more common, but the skirt is definitely not as full), and I remember my aunties wearing similar midi-length ones in the early 1980s too.

Now, when wearing a statement dress, adding just about any jewellery is risky business, but if you have any good ideas in that department, let me know. A fine owl necklace maybe... next time.

Here's how I styled the dress today:

Belted dress: Pull & Bear, shoes: Faith, bag: Promod, sunglasses: Zara

1. SHOES: 1970S RETRO

I love retro and platform shoes, but haven't been very lucky to find really good ones out there for myself. These 1970s style beauties, however, are sort of perfect, in navy suede and leather, with chunky heels, so you I can tell they will be out and about a lot in the next few months. This time, I was sure I wanted platforms, but any fine wedge shoes or sandals will do the job.

Shoes: Faith

2. BAG: BOHO SHOPPER

Since today I needed stuff to carry around, I chose an embroidered shopper in navy, with choc brown braided leather handles for a bit of 1970s hippy chic, but classic or coloured satchels are the perfect alternative, especially in smaller sizes.

Shopper: Promod

3. COVER-UP: A FITTED CARDI

I put this camel cardi in the shopper for the way home, in another nod to the 1940s/1950s housewife feel of the dress. And why not? We have lived to see the time when it's OK to do double denim, so I say it should be just as fine to work double retro.

Dress and shoes, as before. Cardi: Mexx.

And now for the birthday feast!