New Blog!

Hello, I am just about to (/have, depending on when this is read) lanch my new blog. Please can everyone go and follow it instead for updates :) Allie Duart-Hall. Xxx (<. there is the link)

The cutout LBD

I was looking on ASOS for a dress and it came to my attention there is a fine line between a great design and showing too much skin. The trend of the cutout dress has this issue. I have come to the conclusion that to avoid looking like you've just come off the street (never a good look), anything you cut-out in material must then be added on somewhere else, usually in neckline or length. I have picked out a few examples that I think manage to show your assets but remain classy.

1. Name: ASOS Cut Out Popper Dress
    Price: £40
    This comes in 3 colours, Greenlake, Cream and Black (shown here). It features cut out detail to the sides with press stud fastenings to the centre, a scoop neckline and mini length styling. With regard to my rule above, what it take from the waist it makes up for in neck line. If you have a small waist this is the perfect way of showing it off without wearing bodycon.

2. Name: ASOS Cut Out Shift Dress
    Price: £35
This also comes in 3 colours, Berry, White and Black (shown). It is a mini dress with cut out detailing to the back and sides with shaped panelling and a button fastening to the reverse. Not seen in the picture the front is completely covered with good tailoring and the angle of the cutouts give a sliming effect.

3. Name: ASOS Cape Back Waisted Dress
    Price: £35
This comes in just one colour, black, and I suppose would get listed as a backless dress rather than cutout, but I thought it a good demontration as backless dresses have the backs "cut out". It features a cape detail to the shoulders and back, a deep V-neckline and a fitted panel to the waist. It is more floaty in design and will move well with the cape back moving showing varying amounts of skin. Lovely V-neck is made up for with ruffle sleeves mimicking the cape.

I know all of the above are from ASOS (I should really have shopped around) but the same rules apply to any dress. You can find this style dress in most shops. I also realise all the above are around the same price mark (I usually go for a range) but as they are pretty cheap I hope this isn't a problem. I am happy to source some other from either end of the price spectrum.
 I love this look and for someone as pale as me the LBD look really works in contrast with my skin tone. I hope this was helpful and please comment or ask any requests :)
xxx

Guy meets Girl

I have recently noticed a look that I am in love with and will fit right in this spring/summer. It's a guys' outfit been modified for girls. The traditional chinos and shirt. It came to my attention lookking at the Jack Wills spring season.

  (this guy is wearing Fred Perry...I think)

It is the perfect look for when you want to feel summery and casual but are reminded by the weather that it's still Britain, and a white summer dress is out of the question.

 It is versatile and can be worn with a blazer or Arran knit. I like to pair the look with some boat-shoe moccasins and retro sunglasses too.

These pictures are from Jack Wills. They offer a range of colours and fits for the shirts and chinos. My personal composition is a blue and white pinstipe, classic fit shirt with olive chinos. JW also do this style glasses but you can get the above from ASOS.com for less. Moccasins and boat shoes in different styles can be found in many places. The blazers and knits are also available from JW (by chance) but looking around a variety of places can piece together this look.

Hope you like this and manage to find what your looking for. If anyone would like me to source other alternatives just ask,( I do realize this has unintentionally used alot of Jack Wills.)  :) xxx

Think the sales are over.....

 Most of us think of the sales as being an after-christmas rush, and that now, we are well and truly into the New Year's clothes, but now can be the best time to nab designer goodies for highstreet prices! Obviously, go and check out your favoutite stores sites' to see if they still have a clearance section but I have been blown away by one sale in particular.
 House of Fraser has got up to 70% of many of its goods. The first example you get for women's dresses is a Label Lab maxi dress down from £45 (okay, so it was never that expensive) too.........£2 !  Some of the higher end goods have hundreds of pounds off further reductions. The joy continues in other departments. There are shoes down from £200 to under a tenner! It's the same story around all of the store. You can visit their site here: http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/

Some other more high street shops that still have there sale on include Topshop, Urban Outfitters and Jack Wills.
Some people don't like wearing last season. If you look at the trends, there are usually quite a few that bridge a couple seasons. Try and find items that are projected to be in style for a few seasons yet and nobody need know! and on the plus...few other people will be wearing the same thing as you.

I hope this was helpful and that you find some steals. Please give any suggestions of topics you would like me to cover and recommend me to friends :) I'm still just finding my feet xxx

The Cricket Jumper

A sleepy English mid-summers day. Sitting on the lawn, sipping a cool drink as the warm, British, summer sun beats down. It can only be the traditional cricket match. But as the sportsmen themsleves now tend to opt for more high performance fabrics the old traditional jumpers are no-where to be seen on the field. As they say goodbye as sportswear they are welcomed in to there new position in the clothing foodchain.....womens fashion!

I have picked out three sweaters ranging in price and origin.

1. Designer:  People Tree
    Price: £90-£95

As you can see it comes in blue (the Birkbeck) and in traditional white (the Oxford). People Tree is a wonderful company to support. It is an ethical brand using only fairtrade methods. The jumpers are 100% cotton and handkitted. The company has close connetions with many celebrity supporters including Emma Watson (modelling above).

2. Designer:  Fred Perry
    Price:  £125 (on sale on at asos at £87)

This Laurel Beaded Puff Sleave sweater has branched away from the original model and has a more fitted, feminine, retro look. It is also made with 100% cotton and has been seen sported by Holly Willoughby.

3. Designer: Gunn and Moore
   Price: around £20

These are great value as they come from a sports outfitters not a fashion brand. They are 100% acrylic and come with a huge range of rib colour combinations. They are sized as mens/boys garments but there is a size chart with measuments you can convert.

They are a great garment to have, providing warmth (we still live in Britiain!!!) but still looking good. They fit in with a heritage theme, often seen in the Jack Wills collections. Some, like the Fred Perry have been modified as a female garment but otherwise they make an awesome boyfriend, oversized jumper from Ralph Lauren or designers that only make male ones.

If anyone has a particual garment or trend they are interested in finding I am happy to do some research and come back with a range of options (as here).

xxx

The Beginging

This is my first ever blog post...exciting.  Please help me along as I have never even entered the blogsphere so may need a little help for the first few steps. Any comments or tips in general will be much appreciated! This ,hopefully, is soon to become a place for many various fashion and beauty muses. So here goes........