One Navy Dress for Day and Night

This year i have worked hard to build a wardrobe of pieces that firstly i love and will continue to love, less of the passing fads, more longevity. And secondly pieces that can be easily worn time and time again for many occasions.

I have to say, this is the first year i have actually liked my wardrobe and had a lot less of the 'I have nothing to wear' scenario each morning. Yes i wear the same pieces a lot more, but i'm totally ok with that. I feel good in those pieces which makes me want to wear them again and again. And that means by my maths (which is horrendous by the way) that cost per wear is low and well worth some investment pieces through the year.

Take this navy dress:

The Astrid Dress from Hush

Currently on sale for a whopping £25(!) and well worth every penny let me tell you.

Its a super flattering material that falls beautifully, skimming rather than clinging. It has a raw edge and a flattering V-neck, which i love.

I picked this up the sales and I'm so pleased with it. The quality (as always with Hush) is gorgeous, and the price tag is quite simply, a complete bargain.

Cost per wear on this baby will be in the minus pennies if i keep wearing it as much as i have lately.

Side note: i can not get enough navy this summer. Literally, i have bought SO many great pieces.. all navy, i have no idea why. I have to say its one of lifes great colours, it just goes with so much!

On to the outfits

For a night time look, I'm thinking meal out or drinks (rather than the other type of night time look, you know, sleepy time-night time, which in my case is mistmatched bushed cotton pj bottoms and hubbys tshirts, schexy i am not!) 

I went for a navy and black smart look. I love navy and black together, then added in some gold accents for the finishing touches.

 Details:

Black Heels: Primark

Black Widow Necklace

Astrid Dress: Hush

Jacket: George (Super old)

Perfect Party Clutch in Gold

Then on to the day-time look.

It has to be easy going, so flats for running around are a must. I went for my simple tan sandals but i love the idea of wearing this dress with trainers, daps, sneaker type casual footwear and even some smart ballet flats or the 'they're everywhere right now' lace up flats, i have an orange Boden pair which are just begging to be paired with this dress. 

And then just the basics, a great tan bag and the summer staple: the denim jacket.

I added in a fun necklace too, 'cos y'know, how i could i not? 

Details:

Dress

Sandals: New Look

Denim Jacket: F&F

Tan Bag

Intergalactic Necklace

This dress has fast become a wardrobe staple that i'm super pleased to have purchased. From previously having a wardrobe full of useless items, i know i can always find something to wear now. Hell, i could even quit shopping, but seriously, who would help the economy then, huh? ;)

Have you bought any great remixable pieces this summer?

#TakeToThailand Win A Trip to Thailand!

I have been an avid traveller for as long as i can remember. Working in the travel industry on and off for most of my adult life has meant i've seen some beautiful places, of which i will never forget. You see to me travelling enriches your life experiences, enjoying new sights and cultures only broadens ones outlooks.

Now most of my travelling happens in my imagination unfortunately, (darn those kids, bills and adult responsibilities!) but man oh man what i would give to travel to the beautiful country of Thailand. 

The bustling city, the beautiful Thai countryside and the most stunning beaches even my imagination wouldn't do justice.. It all equates to one heck of a destination to visit.

Well...

The amazing people at Flightcentre UK are giving away a trip of an absolute lifetime.

A luxurious 7 night break for 2 in this beautiful country.

How do you enter?

Well what would you take with you to Thailand?

Take a pic and show Flightcentre UK with the hash-tag #taketothailand with #flightcentreuk

Check it all out here and enter to be in with a chance.

I'm entering too, so beware.. if you win, i want to be your plus one ;) (just kidding... sorta)

holidays by rachel-the-hat featuring a stripe beach towel

So what would I #TakeToThailand?

I would totally be keeping it simple if on a Thai beach, relaxing on a soft sun lounger, kindle in hand, tropical drink in another. Toughest decision would be what's for dinner.

So with that in mind i would pack a simple outfits. 

A swimsuit, a chic but light kimono, fringed bag and some shorts.

All in a simple black and white theme.

No thinking required.

Just sit back, relax and enjoy that Thai sunshine..

Now that sounds like a little slice of heaven!

What would you #taketothailand?

Styling Flared Jeans (& #Passion4Fashion Linkup!)

After last week, i think you can all appreciate my love for skinny jeans, ripped ones in particular. 

But i had an urge to try Flared jeans again. An itch that just had to be scratched. I had dabbled with a pair earlier in the year and just didn't get on with them: too low cut, not flared enough and too short. 

I put it down to a style fail rather than a whole complete fat fail. It was just finding the perfect fit that was proving as epic as the search for the holy -flippin'-grail. 

Rewind about 7 years and i had the most perfect flared jeans. Great length for wear with heels, nice cut and fit and generally a great jean. I wore them all the time, and i'm talking before flares were cool again here. I'm way ahead of the trend (which incidentally makes me completely off trend at the same time. Bother!) So these perfect flares were River Island and only to be ditched when i gained all the weight and i couldn't prise myself in to the poor things a moment longer.

So with hope i turned back to River Island. And man did they deliver!

I picked these Mid Wash slightly distressed(i love me some rippage.. even a word!?) flared jeans and bought without trying on, thinking i could always return them if it turned in to another flared fail. 

But i tried them on, styled them up, and freakin' loved them. Flares Forever i say!! Except on days when its raining cos soggy flares are just no fun.

I paired my new fancy flares with this new season Warehouse Summer Floral Blouse which is the same floral print as my favourite midi dress from earlier this year (they do the blouse in blue, like the dress too, which obvs, i now totally want too!) And i felt all warm and autumnally (seriously, what is up with my vocabulary today) 'cos quite frankly i've bored myself to tears with moaning about our crappy Biritsh Summer.. i mean being British you'd think i'd be used to perpetual rain and wind, even in the height of summer. But no, each year i act like i've never seen rain in summer and offended at how hard done by i am. Well not any more.

I'm just going to full on embrace the new Autumn/ Winter collections to make my ordeal a lot easier!

Shopping anyone? ;)

Warehouse Shirt

River Island Flares

Wedges: Next (last year)

Bag: Fossil c/o McArthur Glen

Tassel Belt

Earrings: Yosa

Have you bought any new Autumn pieces yet?

Shop the Look:

An InLinkz Link-up

Great Plains A/W Drop (Spoiler.. I LOVE IT!)

I just want to throw this out there right at the beginning and say this is in no way shape or form sponsored.
Sometimes it just feels like a brand gets you and your dressing needs and just nails it.
That's how i feel about Great Plains. Each season they drop a collection bomb on me that literally blows me away. If i still worked in a smart office type environment then there would be even more on my wish list. But their day dresses, pretty tops and printed bottoms are also pretty darn amazing for day to day wear to.
I have a few pieces from Great plains (which is French Connections sister company) and the quality never fails me.
And when the weather is as sucky as it has been these past few weeks, i can't help but look longingly at the new A/W pieces.

Here's what i'm loving
The 'Wear Me Everywhere' Trouser
Comfy and stylish equals my favourite type of clothing.
The 7/8 lentgh is my favourote cut of trouser, showing off that little bit of ankle can be so chic.Plus amazing for showcasing an amazing pair of shoes.
Another plus point, can be worn with flats or heels, dressed up or down.
Win.Win.

The Interesting Sweater
This graphic quilted geometric sweater is just beyond mu jumper dreams. Intersting cut, textured and in my favourite seasonal colours: grey and fig..
I need both!
With the trousers above, skinny jeans or a black faux leather skirt, these are so versatile i wonder how i've lived my life without them so far ;)

 The Pretty Front and Back Top
Business at the front and a little bit party at the back, with the sassy transparent pleated backing, this would look so good with some black coated skinny jeans for a mock gothic meets Victorian look that is very much a key element for this a/w. Not one for the Victorian frills and lace usually, this is just the right amount of faff for me. Kudos for being totally on point for the season without looking like its just walked off set of a Victorian period drama.

 The OTK Boot Of The Season
Oh yes this winter i will be conquering the over the knee boot. Tried it last year but couldn't find  the pair.I just kept looking like a Pirates of the Caribbean extra. Swashbuckling is just not my style.
 But i think i may just found the ones in these.
Plus they will be so versatile. Pair with jeans, tights and a dress or tights and skirts. Yes ,yes and yes!
I hazard a guess that OTK boots will be everywhere this a/w.
I'm in, you in?

 The Perfect Autumn Dress
This is what pulled me in. I saw it, and i fell hard and fast.
The sleeves, the sash tie all make for a pretty wonderful dress.
I would live in this!

So what do you think?
Is there anything you've seen for Autumn/Winter (or fall for my transatlantic friends) that you've fallen head over heels for?
Do share! I'd love to have some more pieces to ponder over!