To Bardot or not to Bardot.. That is the question

Last week i was talking about Embroidered peasant style boho blouses; a spring essential.
This week I'm turning to the other style that is in abundance this time of year:
The Bardot Top.
That off the shoulder trend is still present after making a come back last year.
Now this is a style i struggle with slightly, not because it isn't pretty, because ladies let me tell you, this style can be very, very flattering, showing off a little of the collar bone can be tres demure, but for me its the practical factor. As in practical, they are not.
For me these tops just scream 'Annoying & Uncomfortable', like you're going to spend the majority of the day adjusting yourself, which is just soooo not how i like to dress.
When i put a top on i don't want the sleeves to be ping up around my shoulders so i have to keep yanking it down, or feel like i cant reach up because, yet again my silly sleeves will ping up.
And yet there is a Bardot scratch that needs itching.

So today my lovelies, i went hunting for some Bardot tops, pretty but wearable ones, I have done the shoulder test to see if they are irritating and ping out of place in hope that this may help or assist if you too are looking to trial the trend.

Gingham Goodness

{ Gingham Bardot}

The first two are actually from F&F and i will say i  was really surprised with the quality, the on trend designs and the small price tag. There were quite a few things that would not have looked out of place in Zara or Mango.

These two above and below were examples of exactly that. 

Firstly, bang on trend with the bold gingham, bardot style and fluted sleeve, this little number is a pure delight. The shoulders/sleeves once arranged seemed pretty secure, i picked this up in the 8 and it was a good fit everywhere. 

This is a definite favourite and could be remixed through spring summer with culottes, white jeans and even some cute denim shorts.

Verdict: Love!

 Untucked and tucked it worked tremendously well

Embroidered and Frilled 

Next up i was astounded by this beautiful little top; bardot, embroidered and pom poms.. a complete delight. 

The elasticated shoulder was tight and made me feel secure, when i did the arm rise test it didn't ping off which made me love it all the more. The cheesecloth-esque fabric made this top perfect for summer. Sadly i can't find it online at all, but the next time you're passing Tesco be sure to pop in and try it on (and most likely buy;) I think it was a mere £16.00 too so won't break the bank.

Verdict: Love!

Nautical Stripes

{Stripe Deep Bardot}

Next up we have a t-shirt material, stretchy number. from Warehouse. The navy and white nautical style is, of course, spring perfection and i have to say this was very, very comfy. Again this would work well with culottes, skinny jeans, white jeans, shorts or a denim skirt. Versatile and comfy, this one definitely gets a thumbs up. Only downside, i took ages arranging the fold down bardot part, my ocd and getting the stripes just right was annoying the heck out of me, but once done it stayed put and looked great. Lovely little top.

Vedict: Like

Shirty in Pink

{ Pink Bardot}

Another from Warehouse now and a big fat fail. This was a size 10 and was bloomin' huge! the shoulders were actually saggy and was like there was no elastic in them to hold it up. The fabric is very starched crisp shirt style, but also creased really easily and showed too. There are bows on the sleeves and because of the crisp fabric they just didn't fall right.

All in all it was a really bad fit and style. Lovely colour, but one i definitely wouldn't buy.

Verdit: DISLIKE

Emerald and frilled

{Green Ruffle Bardot}

This was unexpectedly pretty on. I love bright green and in real life the green is actually quite vivid, it does look more green than teal in person.

This is the a size 8 from Dorothy Perkins and I really like the fit of this one too, the perfect amount of elastic made this comfy on the shoulders, it didn't dig in, but it didn't ping off easily either.

I can imagine this at garden parties throughout the summer. 

Paired with black  cropped trousers for a retro feel this could look very smart. Equally this works casual with jeans too.

Another great little bardot number.

Verdit: LIKE

The tucked and untucked trial, which is all important in my books.

Broderie Anglaise

{ Broderie Bardot Blouse}

Lastly, some classic Spring Fabric, Broderie Anglaise; so so pretty. Sadly the top did not do much for me at all. There was a lot of extra fabric around the middle adding a lot of unnecessary bulk. The fabric was lovely, but the little tie to the front looked scraggly and a bit pathetic and impossible to get a half decent bow. This one also felt like it wanted to travel up my shoulder and ping off, but i would say this could be worn nicely pulled down or just on the cusp of the shoulder, so it could work. The sleeves are full length and actually are lovely in size (not too big), but sadly the extra billowy middle put me off.

Verdict: DISLIKE

So there we have it, Bardot top shopping has proven interesting as i honestly thought i didn't really like them prior to this try on session. I think the key is to try on a few different types of off-the-shoulder styles to see what feels right and sits nicely on you. 

Now the question is, which one should i go for?

Which is your favourite? And have you invested in a Bardot style yet yourself?

5 Spring Styles That you can wear now and later

We all know that as as soon as those turn of year sales are over the shops instantaneously become inundated with the latest Spring offerings. But if I'm being completely honest if it's not got some sort of thermal lining or cosy fleece knit then i can't even contemplate wearing it at this point. Coldness makes for a very grumpy me. The sheer site of some skimpy pastel pieces makes me want to physically shudder at the thought of donning such little fabric (Shudder at the thought of a. baring that much flesh to the cold, and b. baring that much flesh in general.. Summer ready my body is most definitely not.)
But there is also the fact that I'm so done with Winter that i want to be able to wear fun things again. I'm looking forward to not freezing my appendages off every time i step outside and I really want to wear some new pretty things god damn it!

With that in mind I started looking in to Spring Trends, but with the added bonus of wear now whilst still freezing.. (Hello Storm Ewan rocking your frigid temps and wetter than wet weather across the Uk this week) and also later when the mild weather finally decides to show.
I want transitional styles that work hard for me (this should really be my blog ethos shouldn't it, i say it so often!), and new styles that will be fun to wear.
Winter styles I am done with you. I am all about the new Spring Styles.

So what will work i hear you say?
Well Lets take a look at some trends that will be top of the fashion blocks in 2017

BRIGHT STRIPES

Colourful Stripes by Esprit
Perfect for the Spring trend

Left: Seasalt Cornwall

Right: Warehouse

Starting with a classic but with a twist.
Nautical stripe is one of the trends that you know will return year after year, and of course the classic breton is well loved all year round, but this spring Stripes have have a new lease of life. Not only are there stripey flared sleeves galore (see below) but they are also coming with a big injection of colour. Colourful stripes are where its at, and make for an instant wardrobe update.
These are the perfect way to ease yourself in to Spring Style as they are easy to introduce in to your daily style. Wear now layered with a big coat, cardigan or biker jacket, and then later with a denim skirt or cropped wide leg trousers. Basically, you know you can never go wrong with a good stripey top.

EXAGGERATED SLEEVES

Topshop Fluted and pink

Left:M&S

Right: Esprit Trumpet Sleeve

This season is ALL about the sleeve detail, whether that be flared, fluted, frilled or with bows, its go big or go home on the sleeve front.
These are perfect for transitional dressing, firstly because exaggerated sleeves are usually long in form, meaning those arms that have been in hibernation all winter, are still well and truly covered up (I don't know about you, but my bingo wings are breathing a sigh of relief). Secondly they work well with jeans of all varieties, and again then with skirts come spring. The hot pink dress above is also bang on trend this season both in colour and style. Wear now with black tights, boots and a biker, then come the sun ditch the jacket and tights and wear with wedges and statement earrings. It also is that wonderful pink I was talking about on Friday. Instant 'pep' in a dress!

GINGHAM

Laura Ashley brings it perfectly with this Gingham Trench

Left: Innocence Gingham Trousers

Right:Topshop

A great versatile trend is Gingham, i do love a bit of gingham. Those tiny little black and white squares work tremendously well with so many colours and even some pattern mixing.
The Laura Ashley jacket above is the perfect way to wear the trend now, just add underneath a bright pink jumper and some blue jeans and black boots.
The gingham skirt for me is pretty special too. I personally think gingham will be around right through summer so invest in a piece that will see you right through to autumn.

EMBROIDERED 

 Shirt: Esprit

Left: M&S

Right: Warehouse

Embroidered anything and everything. Floral appliques on jeans are still huge this season and add a bit of interest to the norm, they also look great dressed up with heels or equally great with sneakers. Style tip: Personally I would stick to just wearing just one embroidered item at a time to avoid looking like an old school country and western singer.
The above white and embroidered Esprit shirt would work so well with jeans but i'm also thinking layered underneath dungarees for total style kudos.

THE LONG FLORAL DRESS

 Esprit Floral Maxi Dress

 Left: HeartBreak Hotel Dress

Right: Sidney Floral

I know right.. Floral's for spring is not groundbreaking, but they are so affordable, remixable and wearable. Plus nothing screams SPRING more than some lovely floral's.
By keeping the length midi to maxi you can still wear these pretties with tights and boots and then throw then abandon them when its legs out weather.
I also love the idea or layering a black fine knit turtle neck underneath and a biker jacket over the top for extra warmth. Perfect now and perfect later.

What trends will you be trying this Spring? Is there anything you would recommend i look at?