Saturday, 10 December 2011

The Cocktail Hour - 20s Vintage Look


The popularity of drinking cocktails started in 1920s America when prohibition resulted in the available alcohol being of such poor quality that the taste had to be drowned with fruit and mixers.
Early evening Cocktail soirees and parties became the craze and the ‘Cocktail Hour’ was born.
The fashionable modern women would wear a sheath dress with a matching hat, shoes and gloves (although the hat was removed once inside and the hostess never wore gloves.)This early evening dress was the first cocktail dress, although the term would not be used until in the late 1940’s when Christian Dior came up with the name.
The 1920’s cocktail dresses were embellished with beads, fringing or lace and you can create a similar look as 20’s Vintage glamour is again the Bees Knees!




They say ‘Blondes have more Fun’ – Brunettes and Redheads there is no need to change your hair colour, just wear this Blonde Fringe Lace Dress from www.phase-eight.co.uk   Plus the fringing is a great way of hiding the tummy and any other lumps and bumps! Price: was £140 sale price now £73.50 Dress up with a dusty pink flapper head band and a pair of nude Mary Janes
Headband from Freedom at Topshop Price £14 www.topshop.co.uk or 0127 784 4476 
Head over Heels Meg in nude patent with black side corsage Also available in black fabric with grey side corsage Price was £49 now £29.50 www.shoestudio.com
Flapper style cocktail dresses were usually sleeveless but for those of you who prefer to keep the tops of your arms covered, this star embellished dress by Next is ideal.The fabric does not cling so also is good for hiding any lumps or bumps making it a star of a dress! www.next.co.uk
For a more sultry go for Silk and Sawdust’s tighter fit midi length Clara dress with black deco style lace over blue polyester satin. Details: Wide lace straps, bust gathering detail, slim fit, side zip and back slit. Price £139 www.silkandsawdust.com Price £27 www.laredoute.co.uk
And don’t forget to accessorize with lots of long beaded necklaces!

Sunday, 4 September 2011

The Autumn/Winter Shift Dress- Get the French Chic Look


The shift dress has a simple straight silhouette which suits the more boyish frame or the apple shaped women who carry most of their weight around their waist. 

French women go for a quality capsule wardrobe and so make sure most items will mix and match. The shift dress  is a great staple piece because of its versatility –it can be worn on its own or over a jumper, blouse and tee shirt which can be in a tonal colour or a more contrasting colour for the more fashionable colour blocking trend.  The camel fitted shift dress from Elegance is a blend of 60% new wool and 40% angora. Price £249.00. Here worn with a black polo neck top in 100% silk jersey £119 and black leather bag £249.
All from www.elegance.co.uk 
M&S mini beret headband

Give a nod to the French look with the black M&S wool mini beret headband. Price £18 www.marksandspencer.com
Laura Ashley cape
Instead of a cumbersome coat, team with a cape. A cape is a good alternative to a coat for the transitional months, plus its simple tailoring complements the simple shift dress.  This Laura Ashley camel cape has a stylish black trim. Fabric: 75% wool 25% polyester Price £105 www.lauraashley.com  
Then add long leather gloves plus your bangles and bracelets and rings on the outside to give some drama. 

Most shift dresses have high necks so may make the larger bust look boxy.  One solution is to wear a mid length necklace (but not so long that it is dangling over your bust) or scarf to create a v shape and break up the area.

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