The Hunt for the Perfect Red Dress

For years I have had a vision in my mind, the setting is sunny, the breeze warm, I am wearing big shades and the most amazing red dress. Whimsical yes, because the stark contrast of real life is that I'm usually toting around a bag full of crap and trying not to loose 3 children and a dog that runs circles round me (literally). 

But in my head, chic, classy and head turning (the dress that is).

There's something so enchanting about a red dress. The vast array of shades of red means there is a red dress for all; blonde, brunette or red head, it's worth finding one that works for you as it really will be worth its weight in (red)gold.

So here was my first stop trying on the one that caught my eye. It skimmed, it was light, it was lovely. I didn't buy it however, i wanted to see what else was out there on the red dress front. So I went fourth and started to see what else was on the market, obviously we have day dresses, gorgeous Party Dresses and so fourth, but I am shopping with a very open mind.

Belted Dress

This is the one I tried on, there is something a little vintage esque about it, maybe it's because I have just had a massive Mad Men marathon (Umm where have I been, that show is freakin' amazing!), and now I have a huge Joan Harris (Christina Hendricks) girl crush and this dress totally reminds me of the one she wears.

Cross Back Dress

Beautiful summer dress, midi cut, flared skirt, and cross straps.. I die.

Drop shoulder D-ring belted Dress

This is the red dress that caught my eye originally, but wasn't in store. As much as I love the cross strap back dresses, I just feel cost per wear (which we all know I live to get my monies worth) I could potentially wear this one a lot more. I'm thinking easy tan sandals come summer, then in winter with a turtle neck underneath, black tights and black knee high boots, finished off with a biker jacket possibly.. But options and potential are definitely greater with this one.

Shopbop offerings next

On the left we have a brand Black Halo (cool name isn't it?!) and it's the Klara Dress, they actually have quite a few nice red dresses too. 

Then on the right Jill Jill Stuart Cocktail Dress with a gorgeous sweetheart neckline. That's a knock out dress. If I had a wedding to attend, that may well have been the dress I would choose. So so pretty

A little bit of Asos next

Love both of these cuts.
We have a Kimono Style Dress from Closet on the left, which is certainly a cut that isn't disappearing any time soon, plus a style that can be uber flattering for creating that hourglass shape beautifully.
On the right Paisie offer the tie waist detail that is popping up everywhere still. I really, really like this option, its a little bit different, plus the waist detailing can be amazing at hiding a food baby ;)

A beauty from Great Plains

Love this for a summer dress. Perfect with flat sandals or ballet pumps for day, then wedges or even some black fierce heels and a black clutch to add in an edgy option.

Finishing with Whistles

Cross Back Dress

This looks a bit clingy for my personal taste, sucking it in all day long is just something I'm too lazy to do. Usually Whistles fabric is very flattering, so depending on the fit, it could have potential. Cross back again which must be very in this summer. Still a lovely shade and style with the fit and flare.

So there are my top picks for red dresses right now, I have to say I am smitten with the Warehouse and both Asos dresses. This spring it is definitely something I shall conquer!

Do you own the perfect red dress? If not would you consider one?

Styling The Bomber Jacket

The 90's has never been an era I have wanted to re-visit, I can sometimes be persuaded by a little 60's retro or perhaps a smidge of 70's boho, but the 90's? I remember it all too clearly to want to regurgitate anything that originated from this decade. Well, that was my original thought, and I'm pretty much sticking to it, accept for this. 

The bomber jacket. 

I was sceptical at first as I can still vividly recall the Naff co bomber jacket I begged my mum, eventually giving in and buying it for me off the market.

I thought I was the bees knees in it, I lived in it till the lining tore and my mum refused to let me go out in it any longer for fear of me looking (even more of) a gypsy. They were so trashy, I shudder at the mere thought of it. Those and Adidas 3 stripe trackie bottoms, chokers and Kickers boots are all things I gladly left behind.

But I kept seeing these rather nice updated versions of the Bomber Jacket everywhere. About 2 months ago my 13 year old stepdaughter was gazing longingly at a khaki Topshop bomber, and she asked if I would wear it. I told her she must shoot me if i ever stood within 5 feet of it as it was  a crime I must never commit.

Well someone hand her the gun as it would seem I just committed my own worst crime.

Maybe its living a little dangerously but I really like it.

Granted I have not gone for the full on shell type, padded Bomber jacket (although am seriously contemplating), but a rather chic (ok, chic to me) update on the Bomber. Not a shell suit in site.

Weirdly, its this satin feel with the black elasticated ribbing that makes this totally more accessible to me, and as I've mentioned previously, being a pair shape I think it actually weighs out my proportions quite nicely.

Plus safe colour = khaki. I love khaki.

I opted for some skinny jeans (after swearing them off last week, I know- I know, apparently I'm not quite ready to quit them) and some killer red heels to avoid the overtly 90's look, choosing to bring the look up to date and making it more wearable for me today, y'know in 2016 (by the way what will we refer to this era as? Its an odd number to shorten to a cute reference, is there one and I just don't know it? Do tell and put me out of my misery.)

Wearing:
Red Shoes
Jeans
Boxy top (Similar)
Bag (similar)
Bomber Jacket (similar)

So ladies, The Bomber Jacket. Thoughts? Do you like? Do you hate? And would you wear?

Adidas Gazelles and Cropped Kick-flare Jeans (& #Passion4Fashion Linkup)

I introduced my first pair of Cropped Kickflare jeans on Monday in a smart look, today is my second more casual look with another pair... What can I say, I really do like them. Today showcasing their versatility in a more casual outfit.

So desperate I was for a more spring-esque outfit you know, blazers, and stripes, that I donned a thermal vest and went for it anyway. It was dry at least, but 5 degrees meant it was still bloody freezing.  The scarf helped combat the chill factor and also injected a nice hit of sunshine yellow, which got me even more in the mood for Spring. 

The weather forecast looks abysmal for the next 10 days so faking spring is where I'm at.

Have you noticed a common thread amongst style/fashion bloggers. We love clothes and talking about the weather..haha! I guess we're always praying to the weather Gods so we can wear all the pretty clothes we want.

So have I convinced you in regards to the Cropped Kickflare yet? Would you see yourself giving them a go?

Adidas Gazelle sneakers
Cropped Kick flare Jeans
Next Blazer
Yosa Bag
Similar scarf
Uniqlo Stripe top

An InLinkz Link-up

Spring Wardrobe Update

Well, it's literally just started sleeting outside as I type this. Spring where the heck are you? I got woken up by a crazy storm last night and then attacked my golf-ball sized hail stones on the school run.
Spring has not sprung here I can tell you that.
But I for one am done with winter, come the end of February I am ready to shed the thermals and start looking towards lighter layers, weather permitting or not, sometimes you just gotta do what you want. Granted no bare legs just yet, but adapting some Spring pieces and adding them in now sounds like a plan to wet the spring-wear appetite.
So transitional pieces it is then.
I'm kind of in love with all the pieces I've chosen below for the simple fact of wear-ability.
If I were to finally take the plunge and commit to a capsule wardrobe (and I am so so tempted, but i keep nancying out like a big scaredy cat) this would be a large portion of the capsule.
Style is most definitely simplifying for me, but I am actually the happiest I've been in years.
Simple to me means great pieces, just less of them.

(side note: Hells bells, I thought my house was just going to blow away.. A huge gust and those blasted golf ball size hail stones attacking my window.. evil, evil weather!!)

With Shopbop's Super Spring Sale now seems as good a time as any to treat myself to some much yearned after spring wear.

Clothing:

The throw-on Khaki Jacket ,
Beautifully cut Ankle Grazer Jeans(Loving the brand Frame),
The Wear everywhere Dress,
The perfect Kahki chino's,
The obligatory stripe top,
Dress up or down black skirt,
and the handy slogan swetashirt

Shoes:

Bright red pumps for fun kicks,

Sandals in-case it gets warm enough

And a block heel for smart-casual

Bags:

Keeping it simple with a much lusted after, rather trendy Backpack

and a classic leopard print clutch for a smarter look.

I love , love ,love all these pieces. The reason they're all from Shopbop (apart from that I love that store, I swear their deliveries from America arrive faster than some of my British orders, it never fails to happily surprise me when the UPS man knocks my door a mere 2 days after ordering, its like magic!), is because their sale works on the more you spend the more you save. Plus with a good pound to dollar rate, it can be save save ;)

Spring Sale details here

Is there anything you like up there for Spring? And have you started your Spring shopping yet?