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M&Sandthensome

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Let's continue the love affair with all things M&S...

Greta Garbo - the Beauty and the Enigma...

"When Garbo walked out of the studio, glamour went with her..."

(Gilbert Adrian, Chief Costume Designer of MGM Studios)

With the face that made many men fall in love with her and women wish to be her...Greta Garbo was the epitome of beauty, style and glamour.  One of the iconic stars of the Hollywood age, she captured hearts and yet never let anyone capture her own.  Garbo is forever associated with a line from Grand Hotel, one which the American Film Institute in 2005 voted the 30th most memorable movie quote of all time,^[93] "I want to be alone, I just want to be alone", a theme echoed in several other roles. For example, in Love (1927) a title card reads, "I like to be alone"; in The Single Standard (1929) her character says, "I am walking alone because I want to be alone"; in the same film, she sails to the South Seas with her lover on a boat called the All Alone; in Susan Lenox (Her Fall and Rise) (1931) she says to a suitor, "This time I rise... and fall... alone"; in Inspiration (1931) she tells a fickle lover, "I just want to be alone for a little while"; in Mata Hari (1931) she says to her new amour, "I never look ahead. By next spring I shall probably be... quite alone"; and in Ninotchka (1939) the motif is lampooned when emissaries from Russia ask her, "Do you want to be alone, comrade"? "No", she says. By the early 1930s, the phrase had become indelibly linked to Garbo's public and private personae.

An auction was held on 14-15 December 2012 at Julien Auctions (Los Angeles) of  some personal items from the Greta Garbo estate.  It has raised a rumoured total of $1.6 million.  With my love for vintage, I would love to have made some bids at this auction.  Imagine owning a bit of history.  Vintage is great because you know there was a story behind each piece, someone loved, cried or laughed wearing the piece and with your purchase, you continue that story.  Unfortunately, my bank balance said "No..."  (Imagine Little Britain's "The Computer says Nooooo..." voice)  So with my imaginary plentiful bank balance, here is my wishlist from the auction:

Louis Vuitton Steam Trunk

I love, love, love vintage trunks, they make me imagine epic voyages on steam trains and steam boats.  I start to want to become an Agatha Christie's character!  Louis Vuitton's luggage is the epitome of class and elegance.  Can you imagine the luggage envy that this would raise as you casually mention "Yes, it belonged to Greta Garbo..."

A Definite Case of Luggage Envy:  Trunk by Louis Vuitton

(Image from Julien's Auctions)

Pearl and Cross Necklace

Gorgeous piece that you could imagine stacking with some other equally gorgeous vintage pieces.  I love the fact that it has Greta Garbo  inscribed on the clasp.  Hollywood stars definitely were very into their own personal brand!  Produced for Greta Garbo Inc., this is one star who would not have endorsed a tacky, cheap perfume which ends up in the bargain bins!  

18ct gold and pearl necklace and matching earrings

(Photo from Julien's Auctions)

Various Pieces by Valentina

In the auction, there are several pieces of clothing and hats by Valentina.  Valentina Nicholaevna Sanina Schlee (1 May 1899 – 14 September 1989), known professionally simply as Valentina, became a prominent member of café society during the Roaring Twenties, where Valentina "stood out for her clothes and her style. When other women were wearing short skirts, she appeared in floor-length styles; when others wore low-neck dresses, she wore covered-up styles."

Valentina opened a small couture dress house, Valentina's Gowns on Madison Avenue in 1928. Her first stage commission was costumes for Judith Anderson in 1933's Come of Age. The costumes were better received than the play, and established her reputation as a designer for the stage.   Valentina dressed such actresses of the era as Lynn Fontanne, Katharine Cornell, Greta Garbo,Gloria Swanson, Gertrude Lawrence, and Katharine Hepburn. Her Broadway successes included the costumes for the stage version of The Philadelphia Story. She also dressed prominent New York society women including members of the Whitney and Vanderbilt families.  In 1950 Valentina also introduced a perfume, "My Own".

Valentina's made-to-measure, flowing styles combined the intricate bias cut of Madeleine Vionnet and the grace of gowns by Alix Gres. "Simplicity survives the changes of fashion," she said in the late 1940s. "Women of chic are wearing now dresses they bought from me in 1936. Fit the century, forget the year."

Valentina was a skilled self-promoter. She modeled her own designs and rarely let her dramatic, elegant air of self-possession falter. Valentina was always impeccably turned out, earning her a mention on the International Best Dressed List.

Not only are the pieces in exquisite condition and exude timeless elegance which could be worn any year, there is extra spice added to the provenance of these pieces as Valentina eventually had a feud with Garbo due to Garbo's long friendship with Valentina's husband, the financier George Shlee.  In fact, an elaborate schedule was set up so that Valentina would not encounter Garbo in the building where they both resided.

Trio of Straw Hats by Valentina

(Photo from Julien's Auctions)

Newspaper clipping of Garbo wearing a straw hat similar to the one which was in the auction

(Photo from Julien's Auctions)

THE VALENTINA COAT

Every woman should have a great light coloured coat and this one is particularly beautiful.  Designed by the couturier Valentina for Garbo, the simple classic lines emphasizes the quality of the garment.  Not one for the trend setter, this coat is one which a woman could wear year in and year out.  To mix things up a bit, a dark coloured leather belt could be used to further highlight a cinched in waist.  Considering that this was made circa 1957, this has definitely withstood the test of time!

"Beige" Coat by Valentina

(Photo from Julien's Auctions)

The beauty of buying at auction is that you are buying a bit of history.  However, buying vintage is always a bit of a gamble.  Fabric can become frayed and discoloured over time, sizes can differ throughout the different decades and there is a certain smell that comes with vintage clothing.  Buyers beware...

Julien's Auctions Catalog for the Greta Garbo Sale

(Photo from Julien's Auctions)

For the full auction catalog please click here.

Clutch Me...

My friends and the boy know that I love to carry everything but the kitchen sink in my bags, hence the fact that I usually carry tote bags as my every day bag (even when I go out in the evenings).  Many a night has been spent with an achy shoulder or me dancing around my handbag in the middle of a dance floor.  My mother always used to look at me despairingly and in disbelief at the sheer weight of what I carry in a bag.  I really do not know why my bags are usually that heavy...I don't carry THAT much do I?

Imagine my surprise to find that I am now loving the clutch bag.  A staple of many a socialite and celebrity, the clutch comes in a plethora of forms.  Here are some of my current favourites:

The MISCHA Clutch/Travel Bag

I already own a turquoise version of this super adorable stylish clutch.  Produced by the cool HK brand MISCHA (which recently celebrated their 4th anniversary), these clutches are durable (I have no more palpitations when a drink is spilled over my bag) and super stylish.  The squishy shape makes it extremely comfortable to carry and the roominess of the bag makes it large enough to carry all my "essentials"...ahem ahem...

I am loving the gold and silver versions of this bag, I think it must be because of the festive season.

Silver with Beige Trim MISCHA Clutch

(Photo from Shop des Createurs)

Silver with Grey Trim MISCHA Clutch

(Photo from Shop des Createurs)

Antique Gold MISCHA Clutch

(Photo from Shop des Createurs)

MISCHA Silk Envelope Clutch

Another gorgeous clutch by MISCHA but this time in obi fabric.  Gorgeous colours and patterns which definitely fill me with a feeling of nostalgia for my JET days.  Unfortunately for me, it probably would be a little too small for me and also I would be a bit scared of ruining the bag.  However, a girl can still dream?

I chose the red and gold version of this beautiful clutch because it really is a mix of such vibrant colours that looking at the picture just brings a smile to my face.  Also the graphic nature of the print keeps the design simple and yet oh so effective.  It is also a tiny bit festive too!

MISCHA Red & Gold Silk Envelope Clutch

(Photo from Shop des Createurs)

The Glush Grassy Clutch

I have already written a post about this super cute clutch.  However, with these grey and slightly cold days approaching, the bright green fake grass on this clutch makes me remember hazy Summer days and picnics (I choose not to remember the mosquitoes and the humidity).

Glush Grassy Clutch

(Photo from Glush Website)

Glush Oops! Clutch

The newest collection from the brand which introduced us to the Grassy clutch.  This cheeky clutch was created with the idea of those awkward times when you encounter wet paint.  The clutch comes in a variety of colour combinations but I am absolutely loving the black tweed and gold combination.

Black Tweed and Gold Oops! Clutch

(Photo from Glush Website)

*Glush bags can be ordered online or from Hong Kong store Heaven Please.

Mnologie Perspex Clutch

This gorgeous little clear perspex box clutch has been made by Etsy seller Mnologie.  I love the fact that a personalised message can be inscribed on the clutch and that the metal parts of the clutch come from recycled coins (#ecochic).  This clutch has been seen in the hands of the super blogger Nicole Warne from Gary Pepper Vintage.  I also like the fact that there is a little canvas bag inside the clutch so no one can see what you have in your bag.  (My blushes are spared especially as I am such a messy little madam!)

Perspex Clutch from Mnologie

(Photo from Mnologie)

Soo....Santa aka the boy....will I be getting all these clutches in my stocking this Christmas?  I unfortunately know the answer which would be a resounding NO!  Sigh...back to dreaming I guess.

Jack of All Trades...The Jacket (tweed and leather!)

Statement jackets are a big thing this Autumn and covers a broad spectrum of other trends.  It is also an easy way of injecting something new into your core wardrobe of staple garments...your LBD, your black tops and trousers.  For the colour loving lady, you can have colourful printed jackets, for those who love more opulent looks, you can look to embellished jackets or those made in rich brocade or velvet.  For the sporty, more "street" look, you can opt for the varsity jacket.  Style maven Jasmine Webster has done a great post on this trend.  For a more muted take on the look, a tweed jacket or biker leather.

The statement jacket is a versatile trend which can be done pretty much year round.  I have been wearing cotton printed jackets over my basic black office wear to inject colour into my day wear.  One of my favourite vintage buys was a floral/polka dot print jacket which I wore over a black jumpsuit or a black top and trousers:

Floral?  Polka Dots?  Stripes?  Print clash - check!

(Photo from Etsy seller AnyRoseBud)

Black Jumpsuit (photo from WearitWellVintage)

Another Summer wardrobe staple was my vintage DVF jacket which I paired with my vintage Bally shoes (I loved the wedge heels on these!)

DVF Jacket (photo from etsy seller)

Bally wedge heels (photo from etsy seller)

WINTER PICKS:

For cooler weather, (though the current HK weather feels more like Summer!), I would definitely look at tweed jackets or leather jackets.  For my wishlist, I would definitely love a 3.1 Phillip Lim jacket from the HK pop-up store.  I love the studded detail on the sleeves and paired with the bright yellow, it would definitely brighten up any gloomy grey day!  I also would love one of the great leather jackets from super cool A Boy Named Sue online store.  I love the ecochic message of the store.

My Dream Jacket: 3.1 Phillip Lim

(Photo from Visala Wong's blog)

The Sway's "Roma" Leather Jacket with Faux Fur Collar

(Photo from A Boy Named Sue)

The Sway's "Byron" Leather Jacket

(Photo from A Boy Named Sue)

However if you are on a limited budget, you can look to the High Street or go and look at what vintage finds you can get.  Here are some of my top picks from Marks and Spencer (sorry, I need to feed my M&S addiction!)

M&S Leather with Suede Panel Jacket

I love the leather and suede mix on this jacket.  Streamlined fit which means that you do not get the bulky feel with some leather jackets.  I definitely have this on my list of jackets to buy as anything that does NOT make me look like an America Football player is a plus!

M&S Textured Jacket

This great jacket is versatile enough to take you through from day to night.  It can be dressed down or dressed up for the occasion (you can wear it with jeans for the weekend or a black shift dress for work).  I like that it is not a straight tweed pattern but the textured print still gives you the same vibe as a tweed.  A versatile addition to any wardrobe.

M&S Tweed Biker Jacket

Oh My God!!  I love, love, love this jacket.  Hitting both the biker and tweed trends in one piece.  Smart enough for the office but yet the biker style of the jacket means it can be worn without feeling like you are too "corporate".  The darker tweed panels help to give a slimmer effect for the waist.  Once again, it is a fitted jacket which is a shape that I love because it helps to keep me from looking too bulky.  I want, want, want!

The Cardigan Jacket???

Hmmm...not sure how else to describe this garment.  For those who do not really like to wear jackets but like to try to incorporate the jacket trend in a more diluted form should look at some of the great "cardigan jackets" that are on offer.  I love this look because I am always wary of the shoulder pads in jackets which can make me look like a linebacker.

M&S Leather Panel Cardigan

This great cardigan really hits the current leather trend.  This is a great addition to your wardrobe especially as it gives a great fitted silhouette.  I love the fact that it does not have shoulder pads!!

M&S Knit Jacket

This comes in several colours so you can choose whichever tickles your fancy.  I chose the classic black and white for this post as it is probably the easiest choice to incorporate into your wardrobe.  However, my penchant for bright colours would probably mean that I would probably buy the pink mix version too.  (yes, my name is Jackaline and I like bright colours!)

*All M&S pieces are currently available online.

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

Rita Ora on Glamour cover...OUTFIT ENVY

Just a quick post about how much I love Rita Ora's look on the Glamour Magazine cover.  Rita is known for her bright red lips and her vintage glam and hip hop style mix.  So it was an altogether unrecognizable and softer version of Rita that graced this month's Glamour UK cover.  The Christian Dior dress continued Rita's vintage vibe but it was more Doris Day wholesome than Rita Heyworth glam.  I am also loving the pink lips!!

Christian Dior Dress

I feel like this dress should automatically be accompanied by birds singing and lots of skipping done by the said dress wearer....cue maniacal cackling on my part...

HK Fashion Bloggers... I salute you...

I have been perusing through the most recent issue of COMPANY UK magazine which is devoted to the blogging trend.  To celebrate the "Superblogger Issue", 2 of the current British "superbloggers" Bip Ling and Susie Bubble grace the front cover - apparently a first for UK mainstream fashion magazines.

Whoop!  Whoop!  The SUPERBLOGGER ISSUE COVER...!!!

Imagine my surprise and delight when I flicked through the pages and saw 2 #HKFashionBloggers in the top 20 Fashion List article.  Sam Wong  and Christing Chang were voted by Company readers on the Company Magazine website as two of their favourite international fashion bloggers.

Both are uber cool fashionistas with an achingly enviable wardrobe.  Both blogs have amazing pictures and great outfit posts...I wish I had the skill, the gorgeous looks and their cool factor!  Also both ladies are running great online businesses and represent their respective brands well.  Christing runs her Christing C boutique which also sells online.  Sam Wong has started up "green fashion" online store A Boy Named Sue with fellow HK blogger Tania Reinart.  Going green can be chic!

I think this really shows how far the HK fashion blogging scene has come.  However, I still really like the fact that it is a really supportive environment.  I think this has a lot to do with #HKFashionBloggers founder Jasmine Webster.  Jasmine created a great online group which meets up regularly at the monthly Style Summit.  A really friendly lady who is always willing to chat to wannabe bloggers like ME!  She is stylish yet friendly...a really amazing mentor to all newbie bloggers.

Anyway, back to work...HK Fashion Bloggers....I SALUTE YOU!!  (I feel like I am in either a)The Gladiator movie or b)that I should be part of a political group and giving a power salute.

On the 11th Day of Christmas...Redress gave to me...

• A bright pink woolen skirt
• A bright pink with black polka dot cotton cardigan
• A neon green sleeveless top
• A blue with neon green polka dot sleeveless top

So recently, I participated in my first ever photo shoot!  Organised by the HKFashionBlogger founder and uber stylish DRESSME blogger Jasmine Webster, 12 bloggers teamed up with charities Redress and Friends of the Earth HK to front a campaign to highlight the benefits of recycling textiles/clothes and the high level of textile waste in HK.  It is true that a lot of people in HK tend to like to buy new clothes and are not necessarily big fans of second hand clothing.  For those who know me, you know I like a good vintage bargain!  It is definitely a great and affordable way of getting some designer items into your wardrobe!  As a child, I remember wearing hand-me-downs from family friends whereas here, children are primarily dressed in trendy designer clothing....where else but in HK is baby designer gear so prevalent?

The shoot started off with the participants rummaging through 10 massive sacks of clothing that had been provided by Redress and Friends of the Earth.  Remember the clothes bins that can be found in parks and certain streets of HK...yep...that is where the clothes for the shoot came from!  the rules for the shoot was that everything apart from the shoes we wear had to come from the donations.  We could not wear any jewellery that we brought ourselves.  Not having the option to accessorize is a problem as I do believe that accessories DO finish off an outfit.  Another problem for me was that it was hard to find garments which would fit me...especially my bottom half.  I admit it, I am not of model proportions...to be kind to myself, I would describe myself as "curvy".  As most of the garments were "HK-sized", there was a distinct lack of trousers, skirts or dresses that would fit.  I managed to find a bright pink woolen skirt which I could squeeze over my generous hips so I really was restricted to basing my look around the skirt.  In the end, I bit the bullet and just went all out with the colour and patterns.  I recently have discovered that I love prints but even I was a little bit shocked at my final choices of clashing polka dots and bright neon colours.  Thank goodness I brought my bright yellow 5bee shoes as a potential pair for the shoot.  Carla Layne, make up artist extraordinaire kindly volunteered her time and skills to do our make up for us and Sabrina Sikora was our photographer.  With such garish colour combinations, I really could not be subtle so channeled Patsy and Edwina from the comedy Absolutely Fabulous..."it is LACROIX darling...LACROIX!!"

Watching the uber professional and gorgeous Elle Lee and Jasmine Webster made me a little bit nervous.  I had thought after watching so much America's Next Top Model that I would be ok in front of the camera.  However, (unfortunately for me!) once Sabrina started snapping...my mind went completely blank.  It did take me a few shots before I warmed up and then a SUPERMODEL was born...actually may be not.  I think I did every cheesy pose you could think of.  Thank goodness I was in the safe hands of Sabrina.  I have to admit that I did enjoy my moment in front of the camera though I definitely do not think I will be fronting any campaigns in the near future (though M&S if you ever need a curvy Chinese girl to wear your clothes, I might reconsider that...)

My favourite looks were Bryant Lee rocking some skinny jeggings, Clare's elegant ballet like take of a tunic dress, Jasmin rocking a parka and mini shorts (with fierce thigh high boots!!) and Vanessa's use of a coat to make a skirt.  (Vanessa is a true DIY guru!)

So....

TADA.....

Here is the finished product...

A Close Up of ME.....

Check out all the looks on Redress' facebook page.

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.