Cruella de Vil...Style Inspiration

Yes, I said that....Am I crazy?  I don't know why but suddenly I just thought of her and even though she was the villain in the story 101 Dalmatians, you have to admire her single-minded pursuit of fashion.  I definitely do not approve of her methods though.  I love her old Hollywood and decadent style - the red lips, the cigarette and the fur coats.  Of course, instead of real fur, I would choose the more animal friendly version - FAUX FUR!!

Oh Cruella!

Faux fur has definitely come a long way since the days when it just looked more like a teddy bear had been transformed into a coat.  Now, designers such as Rachel Zoe have created affordable faux fur collections which are quite realistic.  Faux fur is also a great way to explore fun colours and patterns whilst staying cuddly and warm.  Look to the high street for such pieces or go online and see what vintage finds you can get!

My High Street Pick:  Per Una Faux Fur Coat available at www.marksandspencer.com

However, channeling my inner Cruella, this is the coat that I am currently lusting after if the weather was cold enough to justify the purchase..

Coat and Photo from Pom Pom Clothing

A total Cruella coat right?  That is if she changed her ways and went faux fur!

Itsie-Bitsie Teenie Weenie...Pale Pink Polka Dot Suit...RED VALENTINO

How I would love to have said this post was about bikinis!!

Whilst perusing through this month's GLAMOUR magazine, I have fallen in love with the RED Valentino 2012 flocked polka dot skirt suit.  In a pale pink with velvet black dots, it is whimsical and romantic.  I also liked how the stylist paired it with an Olympia Le Tan book clutch.

THAT RED Valentino Suit

I have really loved the book clutch since I saw such cerebral celebrities such as Natalie Portman, Michelle Williams and Clemence Poesy sporting it on the red carpet.

So for us lesser mortals without a designer budget...here are my choices for the "Get the Look for Less..."

1) Marks and Spencer Peplum Polka Dot Dress

I have already written about this dress in a previous post and really love the fact that it is from Marks and Spencer.

2) Book Clutch from P.S. Besitos (Etsy store)

I love this affordable version of the Olympia Le Tan book clutch.  For those who would love a specific title, P.S. Besitos can do commission pieces, I recently saw a Harry Potter book clutch which was super cute.  I selected the Peter Rabbit clutch to match the pale colour of the dress.

Gucci Art Deco Dress...the M&S version...

So the festive season is coming and all the shops are decking out with Christmas decorations and clothes to celebrate in.  This is the time to get some great party dresses.  Since seeing it in magazines, I have been loving Gucci's Art Deco style flapper dress.  With predicted mega-hit The Great Gatsby coming out soon, the roaring 20s is definitely a period to hit.  The Gucci dress is amazing with the gold threading highlighting the panels in the dress and the dramatic fringe is to die for.  Unfortunately a) I don't have the budget to buy said dress and b) that dress requires a flat chest and supermodel proportions to carry off the fringing.

Gucci 2012 Spring Art Deco Dress

If you are looking for a purse friendly alternative to the Gucci dress, why not look to Marks and Spencer?  Less expensive than brands such as Anthropologie and also with a more generous cut for us curvy ladies.  I like that it is not too heavily embroidered and covers all the necessary parts of the body that need to be covered.  Also there is no fringing!  A good thing for ladies who need to get a lot of wear out of the dress.  The M&S version gives you the option of wearing it to work under a jacket or cardigan and then smartening up with some gorgeous heels.  The shading effect on the dress gives the Art Deco paneling feel without being too excessive.  I really like this dress.  Unfortunately, now only available online in a UK size 10...

M&S Version

*Dress is available online at www.marksandspencer.com

Pick Up a P.P.P.P...PEPLUM...

Ok, first of all I apologise for the extremely cheesy title.  I don't know what has gotten into me?  I am already sniggering to myself and thinking I am so witty....NOT!! Secondly, I admit it, I am behind with the fashion times and am not that fashion adventurous.   Thirdly, I admit to being a wee bit wary of the peplum trend.  I know that it is supposed to help give you a waist but still I am a little bit scared of adding extra material in the hip/waist area.  I am already tubby enough....do I need anything extra?  Hmm...

Zara has introduced the peplum belt which would be an easy and versatile way of incorporating the trend however, I am such a lazy person that unless I need to, I don't really like belts.  I could wax lyrical about how I like to remain minimalist in my style bla bla bla...but unfortunately for my fashionista credibility, it really is just a case of sheer sloth-like laziness.

A lot of the high street have peplum skirts, tops and dresses.  Marco Visconti designer Andrea Chan wore a great little peplum suit which was very flattering.  Gok Wan's newest range for Sainsbury is full of dresses with peplums.  It really is a case of what was hot on the runway being filtered down to the high street.  You know it is a trend when high street stores such as Marks and Spencer is full of peplum sporting clothes.  I was actually quite shocked by the variety on offer...

So here are my top M&S choices...

Love the green brocade fabric and looks great with thick black tights.  I would wear this with a nice cozy black cardigan.  Another possibility would be to wear a skinny black turtleneck underneath the dress.

This feels more summery to me but I love the pale colour of this dress and the cute polka dot print.  Definitely an option for spring wedding outfits.  I also would like to try it with black tights for the winter to give it a retro vibe.

Gorgeous rich purple colour which would be great for the Winter months.   I like the fitted pencil skirt style of this dress.  Nothing too outrageous and a nice "safe" alternative to the LBD.

The colour does scream "Look at ME!"  but it is a cute little dress.

Nice little tweed skirt, very reminiscent of Burberry's Winter collection.

Separates give you some variety, you could pair this top with a pencil skirt or like this pic, with a leather skirt (great for Winter!) or even some skinny trousers.  Am a little bit wary of buying this top online as the proportions look a little bit funny.  I would definitely want to try this on before buying...

So after all this talk about being cautious of the peplum, this is the one dress I own which has a peplum...

Gorgeous colourful print which is a tribute to DVF.  It is a vintage dress I bought from Etsy...surprisingly quite easy to wear.  However, when I first tried it on, I was a bit self-conscious and thought I was rocking the 80s tribute a bit too much!  I called it my Dynasty dress (thank goodness I removed the shoulder pads!)

Me trying on said dress and having my "Dynasty" moment...

*belt from Polkadot Boutique, shoes from 5bee

**all M&S dresses are currently available on www.marksandspencer.com.  All pictures are from the M&S website.  The picture of my dress is courtesy of an Etsy seller...

Say yes to PRINT for work wear dresses...M&S style

As I get older...or more mature...I seem to have become more comfortable with the idea of wearing print.  Before, (especially as a child and a moody teenager - sorry mum!), I used to be very wary of print.  Poor mum had a challenge to put me in anything of colour, form fitting and with a print.  Fast forward a few years (won't divulge how many years!!) and I am like a magpie for all things colourful and print.

Going back to my original love of all things M&S...I had a look at the M&S website and am loving the print dresses on offer...M&S is a fantastic place to go for work dresses.  An easy way to add some colour to your office wardrobe without making it unsuitable for a corporate work environment.

Here are some of my favourite print dresses currently on offer at M&S:


Limited Collection Tiger Print Dress

Loving the autumnal colours and the cute animal print.  Would look good dressed down with boots and cosy cardigan or denim jacket.  Would also look nice with smart courts and a jacket.



Abstract Print Dress

Simple sheath dress.  Love the colour on the central panel.  Black side panels help to give the illusion of a slimmer silhouette.  Great way to inject colour into what would be a classic dress.



Leaf Print Dress

Uber comfy jersey material (which does not crease so no more ironing!!) and with a great easy print to wear.  Smarten it up with a black jacket.  Just in case you feel like you need some extra structure in your outfit, this dress has the added "secret support".



Floral Print Slash Neck Dress

Love the sweatshirt style top of this dress.  The floral print gives a slight nod to the baroque/tapestry trend of this fall.  I love the sleek silhouette of this dress.



Secret Support Black and White Dress

Love the crisp white on this dress.  Definitely one which could be worn as a transitional outfit.  Cover up with some thick black tights or wear bare legged in Spring.  Added bonus of the M&S patented Secret Support to help maintain the sleek lines of this dress.



V Neck Zig Zag Dress

The sleeve-less style of this dress means that for Winter days, you would need to add a cardigan or jacket.  However, I love the V-neck of this dress, the print makes it look more revealing than it really it is - making this a great dress for work.  I love the nod to tribal print on this dress.


ALL dresses are available online.

Marks and Spencer: Real Women in Ads?

On one of my previous posts, I applauded M&S for its decision to give up the glossy "celeb" ( Lisa Snowden, Danni Minogue...) TV and online adverts for its women lines (apart from Autograph with Rosie Huntingdon-Whitely).   However, I think that they are far from the claim of using real women for their advertisements as if you look at the website, all the models are skinny and leggy and still impossibly pretty even if there is a definite variety of models (ethnicity).  They have mixed it up lately albeit on a superficial level but with regards to model shapes....they did not really have any "real" woman modelling.  Yes I understand models make the clothes look better but for me a curvy, around 5ft 5inch Chinese lady, I cannot really see how I would relate to a lot of what I see now.  Marks and Spencer for me has always been a bastion of fashionable clothes which  fitted my curvy shape but also looked stylish enough to get compliments without breaking the bank account.

My suggestion would be to get some ladies using the shape wear which they are promoting and see how these outfits can help women wear the clothes.  And I don't mean models but actual flesh and blood women who feel they need a little support from garments here and there to make them feel deservedly gorgeous in the dresses they want to wear.  Marks and Spencer does not and should not necessarily target the teen,  late teens/early 20s leggy fashionistas who want very trend and runway led fashion.  Their core markets as seen by the Autograph and Per Una ranges target the professional woman who do not all have leggy, sylph like figures. Their secret support range should not really be modeled by a model who for sure does not need such "secret support".  Please see below for a couple of examples:

1) Secret Support Colour Block Sateen Dress

Beautiful looking dress but I am not sure if any normal size 12 plus woman might have the same smooth lines especially with a sateen finish material that could be unforgiving on curves?

2)  Drop a Dress Size Bead Embellished Dress with Secret Support

Not sure where the secret support is needed and I am a bit unsure whether this model needs to "drop a dress size".

Please don't get me wrong....I love the idea of these dresses which are intended to give me and other ladies the confidence to wear beautiful dresses or skirts which we might originally be afraid to wear.  However, I am not sure that the current presentation is a real representation of what the garments are trying to be.  I don't feel that the models need any help and so I cannot see how effective such "secret support" would be.  There are so many pieces that I would love to try but am just a bit uninspired by the current presentation on the M&S website. (Ok, I am a bit shy of my lumps and bumps and so intimidated by the models wearing what I would like to wear!  I 'fess up and hold my hands up in the air!!)

Good start M&S but I do feel you need to try harder.  (Plus for having an Asian looking model in the shots.)  Don't get me wrong, I am already compiling a wishlist for a future post.....

Note:  Pictures come from the M&S website.

Getting Real with Marks and Spencer?

There is a constant debate about sizing in women's wear and there is a difference in actual sizing between different stores.  A size 8 in River Island may have different measurements than a size 8 at Marks and Spencer.  Also another hot debate that constantly crops up is when brands use impossibly beautiful slender models to market their clothes.  Previously, Marks and Spencer used such "celebrities" such as Twiggy, Mylene Klass, Danni Minogue and Lisa Snowden to model their clothes.  However, in my honest opinion, it was not necessarily a success.  Marks and Spencer is a stalwart of the high street with a strong traditional client base.  Having celebrities market their clothes is an important choice.  The right celebrity being the "face" of the right product can be a perfect marriage...look at Natalie Portman and Dior?  However the celebrities that M&S chose were not necessarily connecting to their core market.  Too pretty to be approachable yet not glamourous enough to promote a fantasy luxe.  Look at Boden employing the impossibly beautiful supermodel mum Helena Christensen as their face?

Helene Christensen as the typical Boden woman?

 It just doesn't quite work.  Brands such as Marks and Spencer and Boden are selling a lifestyle which people can relate to and realistically aspire to.  Looking like a supermodel is unfortunately not reachable for most of us.  Therefore I do celebrate recent attempts to use "real" women to front campaigns.  Look at Dove? Lumps, bumps and glorious curves!  Yeah!

Dove's Real Beauty Campaign

Going back to my original topic of Marks and Spencer, they have recently cast aside using model celebrities to promote their main lines of clothing and are trying to use "real" women.

"Real" Women wearing Marks and Spencer

Hmmm...not sure how real-sized they are being here as most seem to be model proportions?

More Curves and less leggy proportions please!!

 I applaud their attempts especially having more "real" women to promote their new shape wear range.  I use the term "real" loosely as they are still all impossibly beautiful and statuesque and there is not a sign of any lumps and bumps.  I am not sure if it is due to the wonders of the shape wear or whether Mr. Airbrush has been used.  

Marks and Spencer new Shape Wear Campaign

However, it is nice to see shape wear being worn by models who are not stick thin and have shapely curves.  It gives me a better idea of how the shape wear could work for me.  I do wish there was a Chinese model, but also it would be nice to have someone who was a little bit shorter modelling!  But that is me just being picky.  Overall, I am pleased to see Marks and Spencer using realistically sized models for  their new shape wear.  When you see a beautiful toned, thin model wearing "control" pants, you cannot really see how it is supposed to work for you?  Those models do not necessarily need it and the shape wear look like normal underwear....ok may be not as skimpy and pretty as Victoria's Secret but it does not really show you the "strengths" of shape wear so to speak.  You need a fuller figured model to show it off and to celebrate the product.  So nice job Marks and Spencer! 

Keep up the good work...my only note would be that a Chinese representative would be nice..hey M&S, if you ever need a curvy, short, Chinese model....give me a call.

Check out the new stuff from Marks and Spencer at www.marksandspencer.com.

OOOOO....Marks and Spencer have revamped their Per Una range...

Ok, anyone who knows me, knows that I have had a wee obsession with Marks and Spencer since I was a wee girl (I could post horrid pictures of my youth wearing a M&S shirt which my MUM still wears...but I won't).  However, I have been a tiny bit disappointed by its scatter gun approach in recent collections.  I used to usually find a few nice pieces from the Autograph and Limited Collections but never really anything from the Per Una range.  To be honest, I always thought it was a bit mumsy with its over designed frills and chintzy embellishments.  The skirts were either too long or were at that strange midi length with some sort of gypsy type ruffle at the bottom.  Also there were some garish patterns and the range was extremely over priced for the average M&S customer in my humble opinion.

Imagine my surprise when M&S have announced that Amber Valletta (model and actress currently famous for starring in the US TV drama Revenge) is currently working with M&S on their Per Una range and fronting their campaign.  This follows the recent Autograph campaigns with Rosie Hungtington-Whitely and Ryan Reynolds.  Having a look at some of the key pieces, I was extremely impressed.  They seemed to have gone back to elegant work wear pieces which could be suitable for a range of professional women.  Younger ladies can wear it with some more "fashion forward" items whereas more mature ladies might not feel too intimidated and can avoid the issues of "mutton dressed as lamb" syndrome.

Here are some of my favourites:

Camel Coat (Great basic piece)

Gothic Paisley Dress

(Good work to evening dress with the added pop of

colour and a great graphic/laser cut style print)

Black Lace Jacket

 (Apparently Amber's favourite...)

Grey Wool Coat

(Channeling the cocoon style trend)

Red Textured Dress

(Nice twist on a little black dress with the red texture)

Textured Chain Jacket

(My favourite piece so far as it has the right amount of opulence and versatility)

The pictures so far have really got me excited about Marks and Spencer again.  I am hoping that they live up to the hype.  The question for me would be whether the quality would live up to the pictures?  Sometimes when you see a piece online, you think "Wow!  Yes!" and then you see it in the store and the material and finishings are cheap and horrid.

So I guess, watch this space.  The jury is still out on this...

What to wear to a wedding....part 2

In one of my previous posts, I remarked that I did not really know what would be a suitable outfit for attending a Summer wedding.  After reading the fabulous Jasmine Webster's recent article regarding cobalt being a great Summer colour and also after trawling through some past pictures, I found an old picture of me wearing a cobalt dress from my old love Marks and Spencer.  It was a fitted dress with shawl like draping at the front to give it a little bit of pep.  I still have in my closet and I do believe that this dress will stand up to the fickleness of fashion.  It is a classic enough shape that will make it good for another wedding (may be not with the same circle of friends) or even going to a nice restaurant.  I do wish Marks and Spencer would concentrate on their strengths such as making good dresses for the High Street lover.  I had compliments from other guests about the dress and they did not believe it was from Marks and Spencer.  I do love it when that happens as Marks and Spencer is not really renowned for its "fashion".  Apologies in advance as I had to do some rough cropping as my friend did not want to be pictured on my blog....(I don't know why, should she not feel honoured?  :P)

Dress by Marks and Spencer, Silver Watch by Rolex, Sunglasses by Coach

Birds of a Feather...THAT M&S Dress Part2

Yes I am referring to Marks and Spencer again!  I previously posted a blog about the sell-out humming bird dress and now apparently M&S have done it again!  The owl print dress is currently selling like hotcakes online and they expect the dress to be sold out very soon.  A simple shape, good basic navy colour with a cute bird print.  Good for the summer but also good for the transition into Autumn when you can wear it with some tights, boots and a cardigan.  Get yours before they run out!

Is that really from Marks and Spencer?

I have previously mentioned one of my favourite Marks and Spencer pieces as being a blue silk kimono style jacket with white embroidery.  I somehow think that it deserves its own little post because whenever I wear it, people compliment me on it and also the inevitable question arises "Is that from M&S?"  I can proudly say that yes it is but I now add on that it is vintage which is a little presumptuous of me but it is over 6 years old!  Anyway, this is another example of when Marks and Spencer do something right, they DO IT RIGHT.  I have worn it on evenings out and also even to work (though it was probably a little too dressy for work but my excuse was that I was going for dinner straight from the office).  The quality is amazing and it has totally lasted without any damage (and I am unfortunately very harsh on my clothes and shoes).  Truly this jacket is a real survivor of many nights out in Hong Kong and London.  Though it was pricey at the time (for Marks and Spencer standards), it has definitely been worth every penny spent.  It simply is something that I can put on and instantly feel more elegant and lady like yet still remain me.

Please, please, please M&S bring back more of this type of clothing!!!

Layne Make Up Artistry's Carla Layne, What the frock designer Maria and Me (wearing said M&S jacket)

A Boy Named Sue Launch Party

Photo Courtesy of Sassy HK and Sabrina Sikora Photography

THAT M&S dress...!!

Each year, Marks and Spencer seems to produce one  dress which proves to be the sell out hit of their collections.  Recently, it was the green hummingbird dress famously worn by the British TV personality and ex-laddette Denise Van Outen.

Apparently, the dress sold out in 14 days.

Remember that grey polka dot dress which was famously requested by Samantha Cameron after it had sold out?  Dove grey with white polka dots, a slimline ladylike silhouette reminiscent of times gone past?  Yes, that is the dress I regret not buying when I had a chance.  I bought the later reincarnation of that dress which was in black and white but I think it was just too graphic and lacked that softness which the dove grey colour brought to the dress. Sigh...

Marks and Spencer should concentrate on its strengths and not go for such a scatter gun approach.  They should focus on keeping up with certain trends but NOT ALL trends.  Also they cannot and should not compete with the mass market price appeal of Primark, Forever21 or H&M.  Some of the recent pieces that I have seen on the Marks and Spencer website, frankly are disappointing and a little frightening.  I am not surprised that the figures for womenswear has dropped alarmingly.  Forget about the credit crunch, if women need to shop they will find a way.  However, with such a wide plethora of shops available both on the street and online, women are more savvy.  If Marks and Spencer is to regain some of its lost momentum then it really needs to start from scratch.  Forget the tacky throw away fashion and stick to affordable womenswear which still hits some of the trends yet remains suitable for the professional woman who might want something for work yet still has a little bit of a twist.

Don't worry Marks and Spencer, you are still my first love!!!

www.marksandspencer.com

It is all about the styling...

Marks and Spencer is traditionally known to be where mums go to shop or if you want some good work wardrobe basics.  Recently, it has ventured into trying to be more fashion forward (with mixed results) launching their Limited Collection and Autograph Collection.  However, with the right styling, M&S clothing can be both stylish and fashionable.  I was lucky enough to shadow the incredible fashion maven Sharon McM and the talented make up artist Marian Woo on a photoshoot.  I contributed from my Marks and Spencer collection, one of my personal favourite pieces: a navy blue silk kimono style jacket with white embroidery.  This was also styled with another contribution from my M&S collection: a striped black and white skirt suit.  I love the way Sharon McM has made modern pieces look timeless and like something from a Hitchcock movie.  The lovely model Marta totally nailed the femme fatale look!

Courtesy of Sharon McM