Category Archives: Fashion

The Maxi Skirt – A Wardrobe Essential

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The Maxi Skirt - A Wardrobe Essential

While out and about the a couple of weeks ago, I found myself in Macy’s (obviously the shopping radar was switched on).

I was hoping to find a couple of items to add to my summer wardrobe. I either fancied a pair of knee-length shorts, cropped trousers or a maxi skirt.

I remembered buying a couple of maxi skirts a few years ago and literally lived in them. In fact my first date with my husband I wore a maxi skirt, he still remembers what it looked like too. Maybe my fashion obsession is rubbing off on him?

Ralph Lauren have some peasant/boho chic maxi skirts on their rails at the moment. I was drawn to this particular one.

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A bold paisley design, this tiered maxi skirt has so much colour. Pair with a shirt, a tee or a gypsy styled off the shoulder blouse ( I couldn’t find one of these anywhere).

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Both Tee Shirts also by Ralph Lauren. Plaited leather belt designed by my daughter Jemma 10 years ago while working in accessories at Ted Baker.

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Et Voila a strapless dress. Now that’s versatile and value for money. Add a belt and a little jewelry, another outfit.

Check out Macy’s sale at present.

RL maxi in paisley $59 sale

Ralph Lauren pastel tiered maxi skirt on sale $59

RL printed tiered maxi sale $59

Pretty in paisley pink $59 sale price. Also available in blue – not in the sale.

1513446_fpxFrench Connection Colour Block Maxi Skirt. Was $148 now $115

INC Chevron-Striped Maxi $69.50

INC Chevron-Striped Maxi Skirt now $69.50

I think there could be a distinct possibility that another maxi skirt may find its way into my wardrobe. How about you?

The Maxi Skirt - A Wardrobe Essential



Pattern Overload?

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Pattern Overload?

On our way home from the surprise visit to Helen we stopped at the North Georgia Outlet Mall, just to browse of course. Although with our impending trip to Vegas coming up I had wanted to look for a couple of items. I had rather fancied a pair of cropped/Capri style pants either in a bright colour or a bold pattern for a change.

Ok so I slightly manipulated hubby into a shopping trip. Quite surprisingly he didn’t put up much of a fuss – mm worrying. This outlet is huge, a little overwhelming at first, but I was sure I would master the layout.

Where to start?

Sax of Fifth Avenue – a tad disappointing, very cluttered, I couldn’t see beyond rails and rails of disorganised clothes rails. I had a quick look around but quite honestly I had lost interest already. Undeterred we ventured forward.

Like ducks in a row, Ann Taylor, J Crew, Ellie Tahari, Gap, Banana Republic, Papaya, all quickly visited. Nothing really stood out. Next stop Jones of New York. I must have tried on most of the store, I had the sales representatives and my husband assisting me finding items, ideas etc. My husbands shopping philosophy is 2 hours only allowed, but this time he was quite the personal shopper (I knew if I persisted he would come over to the dark side.)

He actually found me a couple of bargains. Absolutely not me normally, but to be honest I thought they were quirky and so different.

Female Mick Jagger here I come.

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They were a bargain at $10.

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I decided that a plain tee-shirt was the way to go.

Next more pants. Wow! Grab your sunglasses everyone. I don’t want to blind you all.

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Just got to figure out what to pair with them and what shoes or sandals to wear with them. There are plenty of colour options to choose from.

There were some great deals to be had that day, so I have more to show you from Jones of New York and CAbi factory.

I wonder if I should buy a new handbag and a pair of sandals? I guess the shopping drought is now over now.

Have you ventured into the bold pattern world for spring/summer?

Pattern Overload?

More to come.



What’s In Your Closet For Spring & Summer? Are You Recycling For This Season?

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What’s In Your Closet For Spring & Summer? Are You Recycling For This Season?

The spring/summer season is almost upon us, inspired by the fashion catwalk from recent fashion weeks ( SS 13 & AW 13), street style fashionistas and bubbly television adverts for spring summer, from nail polish colours to clothing lines. Shopping around the malls whether your favourite stores are Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Dillards,Topshop, All Saints, JCPenney, Khols, Macys, or Target, H & M, Chico’s,TJ Maxx/Marshalls, the list is endless and so is the choice. We are being bombarded with brands, styles, colour, patterns, collaborations, fashion magazines, the must have for this season, capsule collections. How far will your dollar/pound stretch?

I made a decision at the beginning of this year, to be more careful about my purchases in terms of fashion clothing, accessories and beauty buys.

Prompted by the fact we have a wedding invite for next month and a trip to Las Vegas (Arbonne GTC), I decided to look through my wardrobe, to see what exactly was hidden in there, this venture turned into another mini throw away/give away/go to the dry cleaners/declutter day.

The idea in my head was to really look at what I wear, how often, for what occcasion?What suits me? What is My Style? more importantly what pieces do I have in my wardrobe that I can wear again or recycle for this season?. Can I link seperates together that I wouldn’t have paired in the past?.

I had a least 4 lovely dresses hardly worn, a couple of pashmina shawls & the necessary accessories including shoes. What is missing? A new shoulder bag I think. That’s the wedding sorted and a couple of evenings in Vegas.

I put my thinking cap on so to speak and started planning a few outfits that I could wear in the day time.

Here are 2 daytime outfits I put together without spending a dime.

Wardrobe Recycling Outfit One:

All have been in my wardrobe a while apart from the shoes

All have been in my wardrobe a while apart from the shoes

Linen Jacket (old) BHS - UK. Animal print T shirt l (from last year) Dorothy Perkins online. Skirt (old) Francesca’s. Brown Leather belt and necklace – (old) Phase Eight UK. Leather Cross Body Bag  (old) – ASOS sale. Shoes (leather) new C Wonder sale $37.

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That’s a great daytime outfit, even if I do say so myself.

 Wardrobe Recycling Outfit Two:

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Cotton Dress last year from Banana Republic. Shoes as before C Wonder sale $37. Kukui beads from Oahu Hawaii, Handbag Michael Kors. Maybe one purchase I would like to make should be a smart lightweight blazer in Navy blue which would be perfect to dress casual smart with jeans, cut offs, skirts and of course this dress.

By identifying what you have in your closet that is still worth another seasons wear, you will not only save money, but then you could afford to shop for essential  accessories such as: bangles (single and chunky or layered), a brooch, necklaces, or scarves. Whatever your taste in colour and designs look for pastel shades and floral patterns, so perfect for the spring/summer season. Go on try new lip colour, or maybe a treat that verstaile handbag, or maybe a neon belt, even eye catching nail varnish. I have bought 2 Essie shades today, mint candy apple green and spagetti strap (gorgeous pastel pink.)

Once you have sorted through clothes that can be worn for this season it will help you to identify what is missing. For example; I have a great navy & white cotton striped cardigan, how can I plan an outfit around it? What have I in my closet already that I can pair together?- a plain tee shirt perhaps or a pair of linen trousers, these are staple pieces that will go with almost anything – including the navy blazer I mentioned already. Make a list of items that may will enhance your exisiting wardrobe items. Recycle and save. Buy key or capsule pieces that will serve you well.

Mix or match colour, styles, patterns. Go simple, go elegant, go eclectic. Create your own style or image.

My shopping list now consists of.

1 blazer, 2 T shirts (1 on order from Cécile - see previous post), I pair of linen/lightwieight trousers,1 shoulder bag.

So much less that it would have been normally.

Now I love to shop so this is a complete turn around for me. But as hubby and I have plans for our home and a vacation, its time to budget and recycle some wardrobe items.

More to come from Stylebyladyg and Recycling wardrobe items.

What’s In Your Closet For Spring & Summer? Are You Recycling For This Season?



Strictly Fashion 2012: The highlights

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Strictlyfashion2012: the highlights
Strictly Come Dancing is always as much of a joy to watch for the fashion as it is for the spins and lifts and occasional acrobatics. Last year’s series was no exception, and while the menfolk continued to camp things up – especially judge Bruno Tonioli with his coloured tuxedos – the women brought the real glamour. Tess Daly is always a vision in her array of ball gowns and cocktail dresses, but ballerina Darcey Bussell, the new addition to the judging panel, certainly gave her a run for her money.
In October, Halloween week was a real treat for fashion lovers, as it showcased the timeless appeal of the little black dress. For the results show, Tess wore a figure-hugging bandage dress; knee-length, it featured a plunging neckline embellished with crystals.
Her co-presenter for results night, the ever-bubbly Claudia Winkleman, opted for a romantic, vintage-inspired look, wearing an extraordinary semi-sheer black dress with lace sleeves and a floaty, partly open skirt under which she wore black leggings. This was a dress very much in the style of Florence Welch, and Claudia teamed it with tousled rock chick hair, black eyeliner and patent, pointed court shoes. Darcey Bussell wore cobwebby black lace, although most of her dress was unfortunately obscured from view by the judges’ table.
On the dance floor, Fern Britton looked magical in a deep purple velvet dress with sparkly embellishments and a vampire-like cape at the back: perfect for spinning across the floor in the American Smooth with partner Artem Chigvintsev. This was the perfect contrast to the floaty white lace creation she wore in Hollywood week when she took on the role of Mary Poppins, and the perfect counterpoint to Victoria Pendleton’s spooky white wedding dress which she wore for her tango with Brendan Cole.
Leaderboard-topper Flavia Cacace wowed the audience and judges alike with her almost flawless tango with celebrity partner Louis Smith, but all fashionista eyes were also on her stunning gown. Her black and grey lace dress was studded with jewels and featured neon yellow trimmings to the skirt so that every flick of the leg revealed a flash of startling brightness. This perfect tango look was complemented with high-impact black liquid eyeliner, the friend of little black dresses everywhere…

 

Strictlyfashion2012: the highlights

 



More From London Fashion Week: Temperley of London

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More From London Fashion Week: Temperley of London.

Renowned around the globe for her exclusive evening gowns, cocktail dresses and of course her bridal gowns. Alice Temperley has dressed the best from royalty, to the red carpet, celebrities include among others: The Duchess of Cambridge, J Lo, Anna Friel, Beyoncé, Rhianna, Emma Watson and Jessica Biel. The list is endless.

Her attention to detail is second to none, dressing women as they should be dressed. As her website states “Alice Temperley’s timeless, feminine designs combine meticulous detail and embellishments with an English eccentricity and personality
drawing on everything British; Temperley is the modern-day ‘Cool Britannia’.”

I was literally ‘chomping at the bit’ to see her LFW Fall 2013 RTW Collection. I can safely say I could swoon with delight.

Where do I start?.

YVL_0300_320x480A touch of the highlands.YVL_0320_450x675YVL_0455_450x675Sculptured figure hugging day dress. I adore this two toned textured coat.YVL_0544_450x675YVL_0634_450x675More subtle checksYVL_0657_450x675This collection has more than the wow factor. Just spied the seamed stockings.YVL_0744_450x675YVL_0933_450x675YVL_0950_450x675YVL_0989_450x675Elegance, pure and simple.YVL_1009_450x675A new take on a ‘Tux’ evening gown

To view the whole collection click on TemperleyLondon

It’s so hard to put into words how to describe Alice Temperley’s collection at LFW fall 2013. To even attempt to do so, would never do it justice. So here in a few words.

Perfection, sheer perfection. From smart, sassy day, cultured outerwear, to billowing evening gowns, enchanting, elegant and beautiful.

More From London Fashion Week: Temperley of London.

 

Acknowledge: Style.com, Temperley of London

 

 

 

 

More From London Fashion Week: Temperley of London



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