Capsule Must Have: The Shirt Dress

So with thoughts fully in Autumn Capsule zone  I wanted to do things differently this time, instead of the (not so) Grand Unveiling, this time I'm going to focus each week on one particular thing that's in my capsule.

This week it's a style very close to my heart:

SHIRT DRESSES

Oh how I love shirt dresses. Is there anyone that doesn't? They suit so many shapes and sizes, can be dressed up or down and come in a vast array of colours and patterns. 

What's not to love?

My obsession with shirt dresses is simple. 

I like being comfy. I don't like overly tight constricting clothing, it just doesn't sit right with my day to day lifestyle (i.e. sat at my laptop on my lonesome typing away to you dear reader ;). Plus not to sound like a broken record, but any item that is in my #Capsulewardrobe has to work really hard for me. And as i mentioned above, with lots of shirt dresses you can dress them up or down.

Here are some of the shirt dresses from previous capsules.. D'you know what's good? I still love each of these shirt dresses, and two of them are actually in my latest Autumn capsule.

Shall we take a look at some great shirt dresses on the market right now, perfect for an autumn purchase.

First up  Shirt Dresses from House of Fraser

Some absolute beauties here, I was literally spoiled for choice and spent a little too much time picking dresses out. These 5 above and below are my absolute favourites.
All of the above are  your slightly more dressy options, pair with heels or heeled boots and you've got an evening look. Also smart enough for office wear. Pair with some flat loafers and a trench and you have instant weekend wears.. I am absolutely smitten with the white and black polka dot.. isn't it pretty!

Below we have your more day-to day casual dresses. Comfy, classic, never goes out of fashion. The levi's black denim is such a great staple. Its made me think that would be perfect in my capsule.. a piece that could be worn again and again (I'm picturing it with tan boots now and white sneakers come spring!)

Shopbop next bringing us some casual offerings!

 Left: Madewell

Centre: Rails 

Right: Sundry

Picture a cosy weekend in, with a snuggly cardigan on and a lovely checked/plaid dress, al a above.. There's something so endearing about a checked casual dress that symbolises the perfect weekend outfit. My favourite (and one of my favourite brands) is the Madewell dress in buffalo check, red and black: pair with more black, grey or tan.. that is cosy casual done right!

Marks & Spencer are on their A game this season. I have found so many great items in general, and they offer a few shirt dress options too

Left
Centre
Right 

I've picked out smarter options here and all are belted. Perfect for nipping in the waist or creating more accentuated silhouette. The centre is just screaming DVF wrap dress and would like great as office wear or evening wear, the geometric print keeping it modern. I am in love with the boho vibes of the left dress, with tan boots and a fringed bag its a great autumn piece. 

And for the minimalists, the right is perfect. Clean classic and easy to wear.

So you've heard me wax lyrical about Shirt dresses a lot over the years, but tell me, do you love them like i do? And do you own any that you love to wear?

The Flexi Autumn Capsule & How I Make It Work For Me

I love autumnal dressing: layers, knitwear and boots, lovely coats and hopefully not too much rain (ha, who am I kidding.. But I live in hope) And with my love of capsule wardrobes I am a little bit excited to be putting together my Autumn Capsule.

Some of these pieces have actually transferred on from summer, and I have no doubt will continue in to winter too.. These are Key items i've spoken about(here) like denim and cardigans for example.

I love that there are items transcend seasons and just work well regardless. Those pieces are a trusty testament to the #30Wears pledge i blogged about in late summer, which I am of course conscientious about moving forward.

Each time i've gone to put something in to my capsule I have asked myself..

• Can it be remixed multiple ways?
• Will it work hard towards #30Wears ?
• Will i still like it after a few wears?
• Will it wear/wash well?
• What does your day to day lifestyle require? If it isn't ball-gowns and tiaras then remember that with your capsule (there's no point me including lots of fancy pants stuff as i pretty much sit at a desk on my own all day)

These are the basic but key questions I ask myself with each fresh season.

Now rather than the capsule being a hard and fast rule, I am working towards a flexi capsule.

I've said this before, but if something isn't working for you, don't get hung up on it: sell it, donate it, replace it and move on. This is not an endurance test or designed to make your life miserable, but to ease everyday dressing and to stop obsessive compulsive shopping (for me anyway).

I mentioned on Instagram that I hadn't bought anything new for my Autumn capsule as yet, I've tried to utilise as much of what I have as possible, there are a few holes though, that I am now looking to plug, so there are a few pieces on my shopping list.

But there's no point rushing out and shopping for them and spending £$£ now when I'm looking at the long game here. In my experience knee-jerk purchases never usually work out well.

Plus, and this is reality here folks, I simply can't afford to go out and drop hundreds of pounds on new items just to complete my capsule wardrobe.

My life isn't set up that way, I have the kids needs, house needs and then way down the list are my needs and I'm totally ok with that. 

For the few things I do need, I will shop a piece or so a month along the way (and when I sell pieces to fund new items on my Instagram Sale account.. have you checked it out yet? I'm selling all sorts of great stuff, like Topshop, Hush, Rebecca Minkoff, Radley, Levi's etc..)

At present I am sat at about 37 Items and that gives me room for manoeuvre of a few things.

This capsule isn't inclusive of accessories, outerwear or footwear. Its just better for me that way.

Both my outerwear and footwear will be reduced down over the next few weeks as I sell on items to new homes, or give to charity. But I'm giving myself  free-reign over those things and just concentrating my main capsule on the main innards so to speak. 

The actual clothing items for outfits.

So at the moment my capsule is looking like this:

AUTUMN CAPSULE

7 dresses (1 smart, 6 causal day dresses)

3 Skirts

6 Jeans 

1 Faux Leather Trousers

6 Casual Tops

6 Shirts/ Blouses

5 Sweaters

3 Cardigans

I want to add in:

A pair of grey jeans

A checked shirt

A blush sweater

A black longline cardigan

And that's it.. from now until December!

Instead of doing a big showcase of what's in my capsule (as you've seen most of it before as they are pre-existing items) I will do some spotlight posts over the months on the items that are in the capsule! Shaking it up a bit, and more fun for me to share that way.
And if it things flex in or out I shall of course keep you posted!

In all honesty I have found for me to be completely satisfied 45 items seems to be my 'Happy number'. So looking at the list above it seems small. But I shall run with it and be flexible!

So with a slow fashion stance and a happy heart I am ready to start!

Anyone tempted to try a (Flexi) Autumn capsule wardrobe?

The Joy of Handwritten Notes with Honeytree Post Stationery (& Giveaway!)

When the post man delivers each morning, do you run to the letter box excited to receive a beautiful, thoughtful handwritten note? No, me neither. I usually pick up those bills when i'm walking past and then chuck them on the pile to be faced when i can next be bothered.

But, it doesn't always have to be like that.

Is there anything nicer than a handwritten letter on beautiful stationery?

I know it would make my post more appealing, that's for sure.

If you’re a fan of beautiful stationery, unique design and the idea of a monthly treat through the letterbox, then HoneyTreePost.com is right up your street.

This new stationery subscription service from HoneyTree delivers a curated selection of beautifully crafted stationery to your desk or door every month, with an array of different items within. Flexible memberships start at just £10.50 a month, with £1 from each subscription going directly to the Post Pals extra smiles Campaign. 
Order today to receive your FREE new member welcome Post Box (worth £12)

These make wonderful gifts for those you don't know what to buy, say a mother or sister who is difficult to buy for, make a subscription for them and its a gift that will continue through the year, and is also beautiful and useful.

This monthly parcel of unique stationery that can be sent, framed or shared to #CreateABuzz

I've actually used all my first months subscription of Thank you cards and I'm very much looking forward to next months delights to drop through my door.

To win yourself this months Honeytree Post set enter with the rafflecopter below!
Giveaway will run for 1 week, open internationally. All entries will be verified.
Winner will be contacted via me and forwarded to Honeytree Post who will send out the prize directly.
Open worldwide.

Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Semsem: A Luxury brand with a Conscience

Recently I have found myself looking at more ethical fashion stops. Companies that source with strong ethics and give back accordingly. 

On my cyber travels I figuratively met Semsem en route.

Semsem was founded by Abeer Al Otaiba, a wife to a diplomat, a mother to their daughter and a degree in civil engineering.

The brand is inspired by the strong unbreakable bond between Mother & daughter. 

Love.

Semsem honours this ever present, special relationship with a beautiful collection for Mothers & Daughter.

Which is pretty spectacular in its own right. 

A brand born from love. 

Abeer works magic by utilising her civil engineering head to the cutting room floor, brining an attention to exquisite detail, quality and functionality. 

This means the outcome is smart, savvy and stunning.

So the reason I stumbled across Semsem and instantly fell in love with the brand, was the ethical sense of fashion. In this day and age, its so important that brands gives back, instead of penny pinching its profits.

Semsem works with women, giving time and support to charities that educate mothers on how to teach daughters the ways of giving back. This is real women supporting real women. 

Fantastic right?

Now, the brand is luxurious, made with the finest fabrics, so if you're looking for an investment piece that gives back, well Semsem could be just the perfect match. With stunning kaftans to tailored pieces there are some really special items. Perfect for that special occasion. I love the idea of the soft flowing fabrics for a beach wedding, perfect guest attire. The look book really does shoe off the incredible diversity between embroidery dresses to wide leg sharp trousers.

Have you ever heard of Semsem? 
And if money were no object what would you buy? Mine would be the above cream dress for the perfect Caribbean evening outfit.