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.

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...

This could be the start of a beautiful new relationship...(MISCHA BAG)

Since reading about Michelle Lai as a Sassy "That Girl", I have had a bit of an online crush on her line of bags titled MISCHA.  I love how she is inspired by her experiences and travels.  I particularly like her love affair with japanese obi fabrics.  (I spent three wonderful years in Karatsu, Japan).  Anyway, it had been a bit of a one sided, unrequited love affair from a distance as I stupidly never had the opportunity to see the real thing.  That is until I went to Le Shop des Créateurs's launch event for their pop up store at the Hive, in Wanchai.   A celebration of local designers, I finally managed to get my grubby hands on some real life MISCHA bags.  The boy and I admired a mini doctor's bag style which had been placed on an armchair.  The boy made a valid point that it was rather heavy for a display model.  To my horror and mortification, I later found out it was part of the new Autumn collection which was not on sale yet and in fact was the bag of one of the lovely ladies of the brand.  After over coming my horror, I made pleading puppy dog faces at the boy who generously offered to buy me one of the travel pouches/clutches.  I eagerly rushed back and secretly began giggling over the colours available.  Resisting the urge for bright pink ( I have a bright pink purse and phone cover already....the clutch might have been a wee bit of overkill), I chose a lovely turquoise bag with the lovely obi style graphic print.

The next day, the boy and I went for dinner at Ming Court in Langham Place Hotel, so I took the opportunity to take my new bag out.  I wore a vintage yellow maxi dress and proudly carried my lovely MISCHA bag.

Yellow Vintage Maxi Dress and MISCHA clutch

I would like to post more pictures but the boy would kill me as he is featured quite prominently in them.  Shockingly, he would rather remain anonymous.

I am looking forward to the launch of the new Autumn MISCHA collection and will be waiting to buy one.  (I am already trying to guess what colours will be available and which one I would choose...)  Apparently they will be out in the next month or so.

I can see that this love affair is going to continue...

Dotty for polka dots...

Have been looking at my recent purchases and have realised another two trends in my wardrobe...

First of all, I seem to be loving the romper/jumpsuit.  Though a bit annoying when one needs to go to the ladies to "powder one's nose", it is a great alternative to wearing a dress.  There is something quite glam about putting on a great jumpsuit.  A classic black is a great basic canvas where a person can accessorize to their heart's content.  The romper which I would classify as the shorts version can make a great casual outfit. Also there is such a great sound to the word "romper", it just implies to me of great freedom and great joy!

The romper/playsuit can come in a great variety of forms and patterns as I have discovered recently.  Etsy once again is my go to place to search for pieces.  I am such a fan of vintage as it really means you can find articles of clothing which are almost unique and is a great way of buying designer without necessarily paying the designer prices.  Where else can you find a DVF blouse for around 300HKD?  Or a piece of Valentino for less than 500HKD?

Anyway back to the second obsession that I seem to have picked up....I seem to have gone absolutely dotty over polka dots.  A classic pattern which always seems to be a pick me up when I am in a bit of a grump.  There is something totally girly and cheerful about those little dots.  The red and white combination is obviously classic Minnie Mouse.

Anyway, to prove my current tendencies towards the dot...

Evidence for the prosecution #1

My comfy cotton floral dotty romper.  Seems to have been a staple of mine over the summer.  I have recently posted pictures of me wearing it in my epic fail at outfit posts.  Have been wearing it with sandals but have also dressed this romper up with my 5bee yellow shoes and yellow straw bag.

Evidence for the prosecution #2

I am waiting for the autumn/winter months to wear this dress but it is a classic navy and white dot combination.  I love the high neckline and the mix of dot colours with the edging being the opposite colour combination than the actual body of the dress.  Once again an Etsy purchase.

Evidence for the Prosecution #3

This actually is one of my favourites right now...going back to my youth with the slightly culottes style bottoms (am so untrendy I know but I would like to call it retro)...these shorts are kind of my ode to my "youth".  Extremely versatile as you can see by the picture.  Great for work when you don't know what you want to wear during the week and don't want to be always wearing the exact same outfit.  It is definitely 3 outfits for the price of one!

Evidence for the Prosecution #4

My Miami Vice kind of jacket.  It is quite 80s in style and when I describe the jacket, people look at me as if I am crazy: jacket with flowers and stripes and polka dots....hmmmm....but great when wearing all black underneath.

Evidence for the Prosecution #5

My Minnie Mouse moment....a red and white polka dot romper.  I like the handkerchief detail which gives it a bit of a dandy look.  I think I need to take the shoulder pads out as it is a bit too "Dynasty" otherwise.

Evidence for the Prosecution #6

Another navy dress with white polka dots.  The style is very lady like and reminiscent of the brown and white dress that was worn by Julia Roberts at the polo match in Pretty Woman.  I could see it being a potential attending-a-polo-match outfit if I ever attend another Cartier polo event.

Evidence for the Prosecution #7

The reverse colour combination of the previous dress.  This is something similar to the shorts set I mentioned earlier on in its flexibility.  Another 3 outfits for the price of one I think as the top can go with plain trousers or a plain skirt and the skirt can go with a plain top.  The third choice being wearing both at the same time for a dress look.  The sloth side of me is rejoicing as it means less need to think about what to wear (yes, there is a reason for my unfulfilled dream of being a fashionista!)  Once again, shoulder pads will be taken out as they seriously give me the Dynasty feel  - either that or the American football player look.

Evidence for the Prosecution #8

Am really looking forward to receiving this in the post.  Palazzo pants style jumpsuit in navy with white dots.  It looks really comfortable yet could be dressed up quite easily with a great pair of shoes and a nice clutch.

The prosecution rests...

The defence enters a plea of not guilty by reason of being dotty over polka dots...And I am in great company...check out Yayoi Kusama and the collaboration with Louis Vuitton!

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

The (Vintage) Dress that got away...

I am currently regretting being unable to buy this black DVF dress that was recently on the etsy store Wearitwellvintage.  Beautiful black with a straight neckline, a flared skirt and up to the wrist sleeves.  Its simplicity is simply beautiful.  Unfortunately, it was out of my price range and now will be going to another home.  Sigh....it is now going to go into my imaginary collection of the dresses that got away...

DVF Dress from Wearitwellvintage

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!

What to wear for a wedding?

As I get older, more and more of my friends and family seem to be getting married and though you are happy for the future bride and groom, the dilemma arises about what to wear?  Of course it depends on the location and theme of the wedding but you do want to look good (without upstaging the bride) as you never know who you will bump into (your ex, your high school nemesis or even someone you want to impress).  You also do not want to wear the same dress as another guest (which puts high street choices as dangerous unless they are previous seasons) and yet look appropriate and not stick out.  This last point about not sticking out happened to me recently.  I went to a wedding in France and as it was to be a church wedding, I thought (with inspiration from Catherine and William's wedding) that I could wear a headpiece/fascinator.  It was an outfit that I had worn before to another wedding with great success and as I would not be meeting anyone from that previous wedding at this wedding, I thought why not?  Bad choice, I rocked up to the church and realised that the ladies were a) not wearing any hats or headpieces whatsoever, b) casual shirt dresses or even mini dresses which a TOWIE star would be proud to wear seemed to be popular choices.  So yes, I rocked up in my navy heels and slim fitting navy dress with my headpiece jauntily fixed onto my head.  Did this make me stick out?  I would like to think in the right way but the jury is still out on that one considering the looks I received from the other ladies attending the wedding.

Hobbs headpiece and navy dress, vintage Ferragamo over-sized clutch

I have a few more weddings to attend in the near future - one of them in the winter and another I am hoping will be Spring or Autumn (Summer can get too hot).  For both, I am hoping to wear some of the vintage pieces that I have found and am waiting for the opportunity to wear.

Winter Wedding

Hopefully, the setting will be a crisp November winter's day and with the historic backdrop of an estate in Kent, I am hoping to be inspired by the old Hollywood starlet styles as well as one of my fashion inspirations Nicole Warne.  I hope to wear a maxi, long-sleeved, black, woolen dress with a high neckline and pair it with a blonde faux fur coat.  I am afraid to wear real fur in the UK just in case I have a Carrie (Stephen King's Carrie not Carrie Bradshaw) moment and get doused in pig's blood or red paint.  Not sure how the combination will look but in my mind's eye, it seems like a potential combination.  Accessories yet to be decided but I might bite the bullet and sport some ruby red lips.

I just noticed that the dress looks navy in the picture but it is really black!  Hmm, bride to be please hurry up and send the official invite and fingers crossed that the weather will be cold enough for this outfit!

Spring/Autumn Wedding


Another friend has announced his engagement and I am hoping that it will be a Spring/Autumn wedding ( I love the fact that I want to decide the time of his wedding not the happy couple whose wedding it will be!)  Another of my vintage finds is another maxi dress which has an amazing Pucci inspired print which I am hoping to pair with a brown/tan belt and my brown Miu Miu heels.  No jewellery except for may be a pair of Dior inspired earrings....

The question for both scenarios is what bag to take?  I am assuming a clutch would be the best option but as I like to carry a lot of stuff, the clutch will have to be large enough for everything.  I love the concept of a minaudiere but it is impossible for me to limit myself to a few things.  An option would be the quilted Chanel clutch...

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