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

And Accessorise With A Pig

No matter where I have worked so far, explicitly declared dress-down Fridays have always eluded me. Still, I can't help noticing how everyone breaks out the jeans to mark the beginning of the week-end, permitted or not by the dress code.

I am no exception - however, I don't worship the trinity of the Jean, the Tee and the Holy Sneaker, nor do I consider it as a classic dress-down option. Instead, I'll pick a pair of jeans - of the several dozens I appear to own - and dress it up. Heels, brogues, blouses, blazers, shirts and waistcoats, bows, ties, granny's brooches, anything that's smart, vintage or fun goes.

So this is the Friday outfit. The 1970s blouse is a vintage store find from only a few months back - a shame that the fully pleated front and back, the waist and neck ties, the frill, or the print, for that matter, don't come across in the pictures. I included a couple of snaps so you can get a closer look.

The skinny flare jeans are by River Island - snug enough to make you look slightly (or more than slightly) phhat for a UK size 6, but I love the beautiful retro 'Swedish blue' colour and the size + cut of the back pockets too much to care.

Looking at the mock 1970s style, I admit the outfit could do with a chunky gold necklace or a gold chain belt a la Issa a/w 2011, however, in real life, I felt there was already too much going on at the front of the blouse (for details, refer to my list of the things that don't come across). 

Oh, you might want to swap the oinker for a clutch bag, but that's you I'm afraid.

See you really soon.



1970s blouse: vintage store, skinny flares: River Island, shoes: Asos, trilby: H & M, pig: a gift

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!