This is the result of late night “window” shopping for some dresses. I have a few weddings to attend this year with rather varied locations: from a tropical island to well-manicured gardens, a candle-lit indoor affair and one that is still a mystery to me. So until I find out where the fourth one will be, here are the ones I’ve picked out for myself thus far. Of course having said that, I can’t afford a new dress every wedding at the rate my friends are getting married (!) but it’s nice to see what’s available :) Or maybe I just needed an excuse to buy that gorgeous MSGM geometric print dress!
Beach: Paired with a black-trimmed rafia clutch, statement necklace and sensible footwear..
Outdoor: Just add patent strappy sandals and a similarly shiny box clutch in solid colours and a flower somewhere
Indoor: Hair up, with classic black leather pumps and lots of bling!
What do you think of these dresses?
Sass & Bide, MSGM, Karen Millen; images via ASOS.
Over the years trends have come and gone but a LBD is one of those things that have remained a wardrobe essential – every girl needs a tried-and-tested, fail-proof little black dress in their closet. In fact, I think that we need at least two – one for dressier occasions (which I generally define by sharper/more structured cuts and more luxe fabrics and details) and one for casual everyday (which would be lower-maintenance fabrics like jersey or cotton and more relaxed shapes). On some occasions you might stumble across a hybrid of the two that can easily take you from day to night – with a quick swap of shoes and accessories and pulling your hair into a messy, sexy updo.
Apart from being easily dressed up or down, these dresses also have the all-important hemline detail that means you can get away with throwing a cute knit on top during the day and then taking that off to reveal the details underneath.
What’s your go-to LBD? I really love anything by Helmut Lang. His dresses are modern and edgy and dramatic without being too out there!
Ruffles: Miu Miu ruffled jersey dress (alternative)
Lace: Karen Millen Polka dot dress (alternative)
Sequin: Rare cape dress with sequin shoulders (alternative)
Leather: Preen Simone leather dress (alternative)
Asymmetrical: Helmut Lang Black asymmetric dress with leather cap sleeves (alternative)
I picked up this ASOS Skater dress some months ago for a party but got bored of it quickly. I think it’s the pinafore bit at the front that reminds me of my old school uniform.. or maybe something about the stiff white cotton.. I can’t really put my finger on it..
On the weekend, I introduced it to some Dylon fabric dye in French Lavender and this is the result:
Once you start dyeing it’s hard to stop. I also found a bunch of old shirts and pants that could do with some refreshing! The RIT dye website has a few ideas and techniques. Would love to try the Japanese wrap-dyed shibori on a skirt. Will pick up some more colours over the weekend!
I’m not generally a huge dress person, but I can’t resist the romantic charm of a floaty maxi dress.. I just love the way the skirts swish as I walk..
Here are a few new ones from ASOS that I’m in love with..
ASOS WHITE Crepe Two Way Maxi Dress, £85
ASOS PREMIUM Parachute Panelled Maxi Dress, £85
ASOS Pleated Sleeveless Maxi Dress, £65
ASOS Batwing Maxi Dress, £50
Something Else Overprint Maxi Dress, £150
ASOS is having a free worldwide shipping promo on at the moment. Very tempting.. but which dress? Decisions!
Where previously custom made-to-order dresses online have been limited to a handful of stores on eBay that will copy any designer dress style to your liking (if you can find them) and recently, Etsy, there hasn’t really been an easy way to order bespoke dresses online. How do you communicate exactly what it is you want made, especially in a lengthy email halfway around the world to a non-English speaking seamstress? And I’m speaking, sadly, from experience.. in my case, after two weeks of frustration I gave up and canceled the order.
Then today I came across this new genre of the online store - one that calls itself a ‘bespoke fashion eBrand’ - Style Shake.
Basically, it’s a site that lets you design your own dresses, skirts and tops by selecting from a number of fabrics and colours, then playing mix and match with preset garment components to your heart’s content. They can then either be made to a standard size chart, or to your own measurements, and after paying, made and delivered within approximately 10 days.
The interface is simple and easy to use and within minutes, the royal blue 50s style swing skirt of my dreams, the one that I have been scouring eBay for many weeks for, is brought to life! And I want one in every colour!
The user-submitted gallery is great if you lack inspiration, and there is also a customer gallery - and it looks like this is the best solution for custom-made bridesmaid dresses on the internet!
I think it’s a great concept, and one that hopefully catches on!
Images via Style Shake
