A Sucker For Oxblood

And there you go: this is look number three of the four burgundy files, featuring a little tunic from Topshop.

I have something quite similar in dark pine green, less lacy and more everyday, with a slight bubble hem. I found earlier that this dress style worked for me - it clings lightly to your shape but is forgiving around your bottom half (right, quarter), it is very feminine but in a soft and girlie way.

Some may question my choice of footwear but when you have to go outside in winter and be ready to walk a lot (who knows where you end up at what time of the night), I just want to wear low chunky heels and something in a knee height.

I have ordered my Topshop studded boots in burgundy, which will look impeccably elegant next to these battered black lace-up boots. Until then, even the pickier of you should rest assured I am not deluding myself into thinking I look half smart in these pics - I just had to show you the dress.

Which is, by the way, not even a dress, but a tunic in the main range of Topshop. It also came in black and in a petite version, but I definitely wanted the choice to wear it as a dress.

The transparent lace back may be a bit tricky if you want to give it a swirl in the office or want to wear a bra without actually showing it off. That is why I dropped a simple cotton cami in the very same colour in the shopping bag when placing the order with Topshop, et voilá.

The dress or tunic looks best as part of a total burgundy look, so get a pair of soft opaque tights and, unlike me, wait for that pair of oxblood boots to be delivered before getting your photos taken! And if you haven't done so already, do hit the sales - it is that time of the year.

Lace tunic dress and studded boots: Topshop, quilted clutch: Primark, lace-up boots: vintage, tights: Intimissimi

Give Lace A Chance

I never thought  I would ever wear anything you could remotely classify as a bodycon dress, let alone a lace bodycon dress. I looked on all-over lace dresses as in-your-face and try-hard, for girls who want to be ladylike and sexy, thinking they are being subtle about it.

Still, a certain Erdem dress in navy lace with a nude underlay caught my eye sometime in the last warm season. Somehow, it seemed simpler and just a bit edgier than any other lace dress, almost a natural choice, to wear instead of a shift dress or a LBD. It got me wondering... So, when I saw this petite exclusive dress on asos.com, I thought it was time to give lace a chance and see what happens.

I kept it simple, as usual. First, to enhance the spring/summer feel of freshness, I chose chunky-heeled but still delicate nude leather platforms - they don't distract from the general colourway, and do a bit of leg-lengthening as a plus. To accessorise, a suede clutch bag seemed just appropriate (instead of black, you could go for nude or pearl grey or some other colour, as long as it's a classic style and about this size). The only piece of jewellery I'm wearing is a fine gold bracelet, but a really delicate gold necklace with a tiny locket or  something along that line should look right too.

Next, since I really liked the dress on (it's not too tight or clingy as I thought it might be), I knew I wanted to give it a go at work, hence the second outfit. Here, I added black opaque tights to avoid having to explain I'm in fact not naked underneath the dress; a pair of this winter's staple ankle boots, and a navy velvet blazer for a boxier look and the extra warmth.

Dress: ASOS, nude platforms: Mango, boots: ASOS, suede clutch: Mum's stuff
from the early 1980s, velvet blazer: Zara

Eighties Jeans, Seventies Style

I have had these straight leg jeans by Gap for a while. They are well cut, at least for a pair probably made in the 1980s, with the right sized back pockets placed at the right height.

What has so far stopped me from wearing them - besides the fact that they make me feel chunky from the waist down, which I'm not - are the high waist, the retro light mid-blue colour ('potty blue' as I call it), and the overly clean finish - just the reasons why I had to give them a go yesterday.

I still get a rash from the thought of wearing jeans the 1980s way, so I just gave the outfits a clean 1970s base style, and let the colour(s) do the job of making them look fresh enough for this season.

A safer choice would be a pair of flared jeans, whether bright or greyish blue retro hued mid-wash or indigo, it's up to you. The greater the flare, the stronger the 1970s theme. I decided it would be unfair not to stick with this pair as I didn't want to play it safe or to aim for a total 1970s look, not to mention the fact that these very jeans inspired the outfits.


LOOK ONE

jeans: Gap, shirt: Pacific Girl, belt: charity shop, wooden bracelet, bead and bone bracelet:
Mum's old stuff and a gift, fine velvet tie: found around the house, sunglasses: no idea, bag:
old family throwaway from the 1970s, leather and suede sandals: Zara

When searching for the right shoes, I suggest you choose heels, not wedges - again, the wider the flare, the chunkier the heels should be to get the balance right. Platforms are ideal for sandals, heeled loafers or boots, whichever you prefer. Here, you can be as seventies as you dare to be.

All items as before, velvet blazer: Gimbels

LOOK TWO

Wooden necklaces and bracelets were once big, so the hoarder in the family might have some of those hidden in a drawer. The same is the case of small 'disco bags', thrift shops and vintage style sections of stores are still teaming with those. Oversized clutches and similar style shoulder bags have already been back en vogue since last season.

Jeans, shirt, sunglasses and wooden bracelet as before. Wooden necklace: Mum's old stuff,
leather punchout belt: charity shop, oversized vintage clutch: Pelleterie Bucci,
jacket: Primark, heeled loafers: Zara (TRF)

The daywear jacket is a plain and timeless one, while the deep purple velvet piece is old kidswear I guess, in and out of style for the past century. If you happen to own one of those, remember Tom Ford's velvet suits and tuxes designed for Gucci around 1996 (pictured below), and hold on to yours.

Oooh, I love mirror dirrrt!