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Charity Cream Tea Fashion Show at The Hove Kitchen

On Wednesday 2nd April we hosted an unforgettable fashion event to launch our brand new day wear collection at the boutique.  The event was held across the road from the boutique at the Hove Kitchen, and as we like to mix fashion and charity, the proceeds of this event went to Rockinghorse and the Martlets.  Guests were welcomed to the event with the wonderfully smooth sounds of the Frank Sinatra style singer, David Williams and a glass of bubbles.  Guests were then able to enjoy Cream Tea and sandwiches and scones made by the Hove Kitchen.  Alongside the fashion show we held a charity raffle with a fabulous selection of prizes from local businesses such as the Hilton Brighton Metropole, I-bar, La Cave a Fromage, Chocoholly, Willsmer  Wagg, the Naked Eye Gallery, Nadia’s Vintage, Florian and Tranquility.

A few words from the proprietor Katherine Tanswell:  ‘It was a pleasure to organise this glitzy event with celebrity stylist Carol Ives and we would like to say a big thank you to everyone who came to the event and to the generosity our guests showed that night.  We would like also to extend our thanks to the local businesses who donated prizes for the raffle.  As you may be aware, both myself and Carol are embarking on a sponsored walk along the Great Wall of China in aid of Rockinghorse which will be a real physical challenge to us, so it was great to be able to have a light hearted event in amongst all the training we have been doing!’

A huge thank you to our models who gave up their time to do the fashion show, and thank you to Cove Hair in Brighton for doing such a fantastic job on the models hair and thank you also to Tranquility for the glamorous makeup!

Katherine’s Just Giving China Walk page can be found here: www.justgiving.com/Katherine-chinaWall, Carol’s can be found here: www.justgiving.com/ivesstyle

Our next charity event is on Wednesday 7th May at 5.30pm at the boutique, where we will be joining forces with Janine from Sassy Style and Tranquility for a One Stop Style and Shop.  At this event Janine will show you what style of outfits and which colours will suit you and Louise of Tranquility will be on hand to give you make up tips and how to keep your face looking fresh.  Tickets are just £15, please contact the boutique or Janine on 07557818103 to book.  We look forward to seeing you there, but for now, enjoy a few photos of our Cream Tea Event….

*all photos by Hannah of Instant Forever

Day to evening dresses at Walk in Wardrobe

Time waits for no one, and we have noticed that some of our customers always seem like they have to race against the clock in their busy lives, juggling work, special events (such as weddings) and social events.  At Walk in Wardrobe we are seeking to make your lives just a little bit easier in providing dresses for the day time which will carry you on into the evening time – no more having to dash home to change after work for your evening cocktail event!

Our new day wear range contains day dresses, tops, skirts and jackets to ensure that you look tip top and stylish when you are out and about, and they are chic enough to ensure that you are looking your absolute best when you go on to your event in the evening.  The trick with jam packed social days is to be prepared – pack some twinkly earrings into your bag with a glitzy bangle and add them to your ensemble once your day event is done (adding a touch of instant glamour!).  Don’t forget to bring a small makeup bag to refresh your make-up and some extra Kohl for a glam evening look.

Chic slimline zip front beige dress by Dimare.

Chic slimline zip front beige dress by Dimare.

 

 

I couldn’t begin to explain my excitement when this dress (pictured left) arrived at the boutique.  This Italian desk to dinner dress is a particularly streamlining dress with it’s clever panelling and fitted shape.  These simple, elegant colours give you an air of sophistication whilst maintaining a modern look.

A couple of ways to wear this dress:  

In the office – I simply love the idea of wearing this classic dress at the office and I would personally put a little bit of a 1960’s stamp on this dress and wear it with a few simple black accessories such as black heels, a chunky black bangle and some big black stud earrings.  If you wanted to (and had the time to in the mornings), a beehive updo would really complete the whole look – voila!  A classic 1960’s pencil dress ensemble with a modern twist!

In the evening  – Due to the neutral colours in this clever little dress, it is easy to swap over your office jewellery for something more glamorous in the evening.  After work is done simply swap your black accessories for accessories which are gold in colour and whip on some nude heels – this instantly lightens the outfit and gives you a very different look!  If you want to stick with black accessories, just add a sprinkling of glitz into the accessories, such as one of our black sparkly bangles, and you’re ready to go off and enjoy a few cocktails after work.

 

 

Dimare shift dress with pink roses

Dimare shift dress with pink roses

 

 

 

 

This darling little shift dress from Dimare (pictured right) quickly won a place in my heart as one of my favourite dresses we have ever had at the boutique.  With it’s delicate chain and rose embellishment with Swarovski crystal stones at the neckline it’s a real winner if you are going to a wedding and is especially appropriate for a spring wedding with it’s pale pink rose print.  The back of this dress has a gorgeous deep V with a matching chiffon rose back panel and a beautiful little cascade of frills, after all, the back is just as important as the front!

A couple of ways to wear this dress

For a day event – there is quite a lot going on with this dress, so if you are wearing this dress as a wedding guest, stick to minimal accessories.  Don’t worry about wearing a necklace with this embellished neckline as there is a danger that the neckline will look too busy, feel free to opt for a gold coloured, delicate chain bracelet to match the chain on the neck and go for some gold earring studs.  Naturally, add a hat or a fascinator in a neutral tone or in a pale, shell pink to compliment the rose print.  As this dress is so delicate in colour we suggest that you opt for pale beige heels, or if you are going to be walking on grass, some beige wedges (wedges have the dual advantage of being modern and also practical as they are brilliant if you want to avoid that ‘sinking’ feeling!).

For an evening event – in the evening, take the accessories up a slight notch, stick with the nude heels or wedges and add some delicate gold dangly earrings with some sparkly Swarovski crystals to match the stones on the neckline and add a sparkle bracelet.  I would recommend mixing our rose crystal mini bangle with a gold band.

These examples are a mere snippet of the day wear dresses we currently have at the boutique, and we are always adding more!  To shop the full collection visit our website here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The High Split dress

If you want to have a daring peep of thigh with your dress you would certainly be in good company as celebrities such as Paloma Faith, Angelina Jolie and Jenny from the block (aka J-Lo) have all been spotted recently sporting high split dresses. These thigh bearing dresses come in a variety of styles but by far my favourite is the high split long dress – it’s elegant and classy but still has that ‘a little bit sexy’ look with a slight tease of thigh. However, with all dresses which show off a lot of one part of the body, you have to be careful on how you wear this style as you don’t want to end up looking tacky.  Here are some helpful tips to make sure you fall into the latter category:

1. If you are going for a split dress where the split doesn’t go up too high, feel free to go for a lower neckline. However, if you are going for a really high split, go for a higher neckline to ensure that there isn’t too much on show.

2. At least one of your legs are going to be on show in this style of dress, so make sure that you go for some really glamorous shoes.  Flats are becoming more trendy with teenagers, Adults tend to opt for a fabulous pair of open block heels or better still, wedges.  If you go for a fully closed shoe you will run the danger of making your feet look a bit too heavy – the trick is to keep it delicate.

3. Pictures are bound to be taken, so make sure you practise how you intend to pose in front of the mirror before you go out. Avoid just sticking your leg straight out of the split to the side, instead opt for a stance like our models below, where you peep the leg slightly through the split and place your foot delicately on the floor – this is why you need a splendid pair of heels or wedges!

14_Catwalk Midnight Seq F

 

This stunningly gorgeous full sequin, midnight blue fishtail high split dress (pictured right) with black lace trim is an absolute knock out and is guaranteed to get heads turning at your function.  This dress is also in stock in bright red for a very Jessica Rabbit look.  A fishtail dress suits many body shapes and is the perfect dress if you want to show off your curves!  The lovely model pictured is our dear friend Lyndsay who is showing you the perfect way to pose in a high split dress.

12_FU black elise white background

 

 

 

If a fishtail mermaid dress is not for you, how about this floaty black one shoulder Grecian style black dress?  This is a real celebrity dress and has been spotted on the likes of Lucy Mecklenburgh of TOWIE on the red carpet.  This dress offers a classic style with a modern twist with a slightly daring cutout and a thigh high split.  With figure flattering ruching at the stomach area, it is the perfect dress if you are concerned about your midriff.

10_pf peacock merm

 

 

 

For something completely different and unique, we also have a beautiful and elegant satin fishtail dress with train with delicate peacock embroidery and a scattering of sparkly beading.

If you have any questions for our team of stylists why not give us a call or message us on our social media pages.

Prom 2014 trend focus: the high low dress

The high low dress has also been aptly named the asymmetric dress, the mullet dress, and, if you’re really really funky, the hi-lo dress.  Regardless of what you call it or how you spell it, the one thing that is agreed is that these dresses are burning up the red carpet and are set to be a really big hot trend for prom 2014.

So what exactly is a high low dress?

Well, it’s exactly as the name suggests: a combination of a long and short dress.  Although high low dresses have been around for a few years now, each year they have increased in popularity.  At the recent Golden Globe Awards ceremony, celebrities such as Sandra Bullock were spotted wearing glamorous high low hems, so if you do decided to sport a high low hem dress to prom, you will certainly be in good company!

What’s so good about a high low dress?

The first great thing about the high low dress is the drama and impact of having a long back skirt wafting and billowing about behind you, making you look every inch the Hollywood starlet!  With their long and elegant back skirts and shorter front hems these dresses are particularly suited to young ladies attending their prom night as these dresses simply scream ‘I look elegant, classy, grown-up and sophisticated, but I’m young and sassy too!’

If you have read my posts before, you are probably aware that I am slightly challenged in the height department, and so I can feel a little swamped in long dresses sometimes.  The high low dress really has been a fantastic alternative for me, giving me the chance to enjoy the full on glamour of wearing a long evening dress whilst retaining the style I feel most comfortable in – a short dress.  The high low dress also gives me the chance to show off my pins and a fabulous pair of shoes, as well as giving me the opportunity to dance the night away in comfort (heel height permitting!) and style.

Designers have twigged on the increase in demand of high low hems, and have come up with many fabulous ways to incorporate a wide range of fabrics such as taffeta, chiffon and contrasting coloured lining for the back skirts.  These fabrics come in a gorgeous array of colours, animal prints etc and many have been jazzed up with sparkles, sequins, bows and ruffles!  Here’s a little peek of some of the styles we have in stock:

Lemon yellow high low chiffon prom dress

Lemon yellow high low chiffon prom dress

 

 

 

 

I can confirm to you that pastel colours are in again for the prom season, and you can expect to see at prom plenty of champagne, mint green and sorbet coloured dresses.  This gorgeous chiffon floaty high low hem prom dress (pictured left) is simply stunning and, being lemon yellow, fits in perfectly with the summer colour scheme. This dress has darling shimmery rhinestones along the neckline and a low back.  Simple, elegant iridescent jewellery are a perfect match with this dress.

 

Silver sequin high low dress

Silver sequin high low dress

 

 

 

 

 

If you want something really jazzy and sparkly, this head-turning silver sequin high low dress (pictured right) by Dynasty is the one for you!  This dazzling dress has whimsical organza skirts over it’s short, sequinned under dress and boasts a fabulously waist cinching band to give you a stunning shape.  Don’t be tempted to over accessorize this dress, keep everything simple and let this dress do all the talking!

 

Forever Unique animal print high low hem dress

Forever Unique animal print high low hem dress

 

 

 

 

If animal print is your thing then why not try this stunning leopard print high low corset dress by Forever Unique?  This dress is the ultimate in modern style with it’s body con mini dress top half and long flowing chiffons skirts behind.  This dress looks fantastic with neutral accessories such as black, silver and gold.

 

Block colour high low hem dress

Block colour high low hem dress

 

 

 

 

 

 

This beautiful high low hem taffeta dress (pictured right) is glamorous, fun and flirty with it’s contrasting blue colour lining to the underskirt.  The bodice on this dress is fully structured and comes down a little lower than other high low hem dresses, giving it more of a mermaid shape than the others.  This dress looks stunning with black shoes and accents of blue accessories such as our blue mini bangles.

 

 

 

Sale dresses at Walk in Wardrobe 2014

The women’s clothing sale is continuing into 2014 at the most crazy knock down prices!  Dresses in our sale start from just £30, so it might be possible for you to add accessories to your party dress all for under £100!  Here are some of our top picks from our bargain sale:

5_leopard 1 shldr F

 

 

Leopard print one shoulder mini cocktail dress by Forever Unique – buy for just £50

Anyone who has been following my posts will be well aware that I am partial to leopard print, and this gorgeous little dress is an absolute steal at just £50 by renowned, celebrity endorsed label, Forever Unique.

This dress looks fabulous with a killer pair of black heels and black accessories and is the perfect dress for an evening out or ladies day at the races.

 

 

9_Gino hunter green short sale

 

 

Hunter green mini prom dress – buy for just £29.99!

Not many young ladies will be able to say that they found their prom dress for £29.99, but we are pleased to confirm that such an opportunity is perfectly plausible at our boutique!  This stunning little mini dress has darling ruffles at the bottom and figure flattering ruching which will give a great shape.

This dress looks lovely with silver accessories which will really pop against the dark green.  Although many girls and mothers of prom girls wonder whether short dresses are acceptable for prom, I can confirm that short dresses can look just as sophisticated and elegant, and are a perfect way of ensuring that your daughter can dance the night away in comfort and style!

 

 

10_Gino Burg 1 shldr chiff

 

 

One shoulder burgundy bridesmaid dress – buy for just £59.99!

We are well aware that weddings can be quite expensive affairs, but just because you are on a budget doesn’t mean that your wedding wont be a beautiful day to remember.  Any savvy bride will know that a few tweeks here and there can save a few pennies (and we all know that pennies make pounds!).  For example, your bridesmaid can look absolutely stunning and elegant in this one shoulder maroon bridesmaid dress with puddle train.  This dress gives a stunning shape with it’s fitted bodice and is a must for any bridesmaid who is part of a whimsical, fairytale wedding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whatever occasion you are attending, we are confident that you will be able to find your perfect outfit at our boutique, and the current sale prices, you may even be able to buy TWO perfect outfits!

 

What to wear for New Year’s Eve 2014

Blue New Years

 

The boutique has been positively bursting at the seams with customers who are busily organising themselves for their Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties, and we’ve had great fun helping them choose their accessories and dresses for their events.  This blissful little collection is perfect for a New Year’s Eve party and will have you looking classy and sophisticated as you twinkle and dance your way into 2014!

What prom dress is right for me?

I have been really impressed this year at how organised the 2014 prom girls are!  We had our first one at the boutique early last month, and have had several since then.  Although some mums coyly say to me when entering the boutique: ‘we’re looking at prom dresses, but we’re a bit early’, I think it’s extremely sensible, just like a bride, a prom girl KNOWS when she has found her dress and it matters not a jot that she has found it months in advance.  Another reason to start early is that we never release the same dress to the same function, so make sure that your daughter gets first dibs on her dress for prom!

Nowadays there are so many different styles available, and there appears to be much less restriction on what is acceptable than before, so you could wear long or short, long and short, full on ball gown, or subtle and elegant.  However, we are well aware that although the increase in styles means more variety, it can also make the decision even harder and more intimidating, especially if you are a young lady who is not used to wearing formal attire.  The aim of this blog post is to give a little direction to prom girls who are starting out their research into which prom dress to wear on prom night.

The first golden question you should be asking is ‘what style of prom dress will suit me?’.  It is all well and good having your heart set on a particular style, but if it does nothing for you, you won’t feel comfortable on the big night and you will spend the whole evening feeling self-conscious and doing your best to hide in the shadows.  I recommend getting out a piece of paper and writing down what body shape you have, try to be as honest and objective as you can.  Remember that what you see in the mirror isn’t necessarily the same as what everyone else sees, so mum, dad, sisters or any other close family members are usually very helpful and will give honest opinions on your shape.  Try not to take anything they say too personally, after all, they only want you to look your best on prom night!  After you have established what kind of shape you are, pick out your body features you wish to show off and write them down.  Lastly, write down the body features you wish to hide.

In order to help you decide what prom dress style would suit you, I have pulled together the key prom dress styles with a general guide on what body shape would suit, so you can concentrate on the most important thing when choosing your prom dress: having fun!

nude colour prom ball gown - a perfect princess look!

nude colour prom ball gown – a perfect princess look!

 

 

 

Ball gown prom dresses

Ball gown prom dresses are traditional, or ‘classic’ prom dresses, and are the perfect way to achieve that fairy tale princess look.  With their full, flared skirts and their fitted bodices, there are not really many body shapes which don’t suit this style.  If you are a curvy girl, they are a great way of showing off a cinched in waist, or if you don’t have much of a waist, they are great at giving the illusion of a  waist.  If you are pear shaped or are concerned about the bottom half of your figure, this dress emphasises the waist and completely hides your bottom half.  The only body shape which might slightly struggle in this style is if you are very small and petite as you can look swamped by the skirts.  If you fall into this category but you still want that fairytale look, opt for an a-line dress instead as it still gives you a full skirt, and maximises the chance of you wearing the dress but minimises the risk of the dress wearing you!

 

 

 

Sequin fishtail prom dress - perfect for showing off an hourglass figure!

Sequin fishtail prom dress – perfect for showing off an hourglass figure!

 

 

 

Mermaid prom dresses

These dresses are also known as fishtail prom dresses or trumpet prom dresses.  The mermaid prom dress typically has a figure hugging fitted bodice that goes right the way down to the mid-thigh and then flares out to give the illusion of a mermaid’s tail.  These dresses look great on prom girls who have a hourglass shape (i.e. who are well balanced at the bust and hips with a proportionately smaller waist).  If you have more of a boyish figure, this style of dress will probably emphasise the straightness of your figure and will probably not show your body off in the best way.  These dresses tend to fit very closely to the body and will give a true silhouette of your body shape, so if you are a bit shy about your body, it’s probably best to stay away from this style.

 

Pinky nude chiffon empire line prom dress

Pinky nude chiffon empire line prom dress

 

 

 

 

 

Empire line prom dresses

These dresses have a high waistline with the skirt gently falling from under the bust.  They tend to be made out of a light, floaty fabric such as chiffon which falls elegantly to the floor.  This style of prom dress works well on most body shapes and is probably one of the most forgiving styles.  It also makes a great plus size style.  They are fabulous if you are concerned about showing off your mid-section, providing you with a bit of extra coverage, whilst still giving you the ability to achieve that whimsical, elegant look.  At the other end of the spectrum, they also make great dresses for girls who have a less defined waist, or a ‘boyish shape’ as they don’t emphasise the waist and drape graciously to the floor.

 

 

 

High low hem prom dress - perfect for showing off your pins!

High low hem prom dress – perfect for showing off your pins!

 

 

 

 

Mullet prom dress

These dresses are also known as high low hem dresses.  These dresses come in a variety of styles, e.g. fitted down to the thigh, fitted to the waist or empire line.  It’s a fantastic alternative to a full length gown and is absolutely brilliant if you (like me!) are a little vertically challenged as you won’t have to worry about having the hem shortened or tripping over a long dress at prom!  If your legs are the feature that you want to show off, but you still like the idea of having a long prom dress, this could well be the option for you.  Make sure that you team up this style of dress with a fabulous pair of shoes, but if you are going for a pair of peep toes, make sure that your feet are in tip top condition and that you go and get yourself a good pedicure beforehand!

 

 

 

 

 

Once you are aware of what shape you are, the process of prom dress shopping changes from being stressful to being exactly what it should be – fun!  Remember that it’s not every day you get to wear a glamorous dress, so I recommend taking full advantage while you can and seek out a really special dress.  This is definitely one of those times when high street just will not do!

If you require any further help regarding what style is best suited to your shape, feel free to leave us a comment below, facebook us at Walk in Wardrobe Brighton or tweet us @walkinwardrobe

The opening of the Adur Ferry Bridge

This week witnessed the opening of the brand new Adur Ferry Bridge on the South Coast.  This event was filled with royalty, fireworks and of course thousands of people doing the conga over the bridge!  Katherine Tanswell, proprietor of Walk in Wardrobe was thrilled to be able to attend this massive event in Shoreham and to join in with the conga fun wearing a glamorous dress from Walk in Wardrobe before relaxing and watching the fireworks.

 

Tips on looking amazing for your Christmas party 2013

Whilst some people shudder at the mere mention of ‘Christmas’, the Christmas season for me is by far one of my favourite times of the year for so many reasons – the cosy darkness, the smell of spicy mulled wine in the air, the fairy lights and of course, the Christmas parties!  For me, the winter season is the most glamorous time of the year, the sparkles on dresses are emphasised by the twinkling Christmas lights, I can glam up red carpet style with a faux fur wrap and pretend I’m a 1950’s Hollywood starlet and I don’t have to worry about my make-up getting messy under the hot rays of the sun.

We like to be prepared at the boutique and so have been busily collecting together Christmas party dresses and accessories for our customers.  In this post I would like to share a few tips and tricks on how to get yourself noticed under the mistletoe this year!

Long full sequin Christmas party dress, perfect for a black tie or white tie event!

Long full sequin Christmas party dress, perfect for a black tie or white tie event!

What dress shall I wear to a Christmas party?

This depends on so many factors.  Although black tie events are becoming more relaxed in their dress code, it’s not everyday you get to wear a long dress, so at Christmas time, when the opportunity arises, I like to take full advantage of the situation!  This stunning long gown with long sleeves (pictured right) is perfect for a black or white tie Christmas event and perfect if you are a lady who hates her arms.  This dress has been worn by stunning celebrities, so it just goes to show you that arm coverage does not automatically mean ‘dowdy’.  The full sequins give a perfect Christmassy effect, offering a subtle, elegant shimmer when you move, and it has the added bonus of that bit of extra coverage to ensure that you can keep the chill at bay.

Red off the shoulder corset dress

Red off the shoulder corset dress

If you are going to a more relaxed Christmas party e.g. a Christmas meal out with your work colleagues, a short dress is most likely going to be a better option.  This Vivian Westwood inspired, off the shoulder pencil dress (pictured left) is simple yet absolutely gorgeous.  As this dress bears little by way of embellishment, you can really go to town with the accessories and team it up with sparkly bracelets and a bag, and the low neckline means that you are able to wear a big, statement necklace.  As always, with a shorter dress, you have to make sure that your feet look just as good as the rest of you, so make sure that you have some twinkly shoes to complete your look (see below).

Are there any alternative outfit options to dresses?

Of course there are!  If you don’t feel happy wearing a dress, don’t wear one.  If you are wearing something that is ultimately not ‘you’, you wont feel confident and you’ll only remember the Christmas party for feeling uncomfortable.  There are simply hundreds of sparkly Christmas outfits out there, it would be quite an achievement if you were unable to find one to suit you!  One of my favourites at the boutique at the moment is the hot pant suit (see below, right).  This unique and sparkly Cheryl Cole style suit is perfect for Christmas parties and that special Christmas night club event, ensuring that you look sassy yet classy whilst tearing up the dance floor!

Black and beige sequin hot pants suit

Black and beige sequin hot pants suit

If you still feel uncomfortable by the thought of a hot pant suit, one of our glamorous tops with a pair of skinny jeans or a pair of black pvc skinny trousers teamed with a pair of killer heels would be just the ticket for you.  Even if you are not wearing a dress, just remember that you can still be just as glam, just don’t forget to accessorise appropriately to ensure that you still look twinkly and Christmassy!

Glamorous chiffon party top

Glamorous chiffon party top

What are the best colours to wear for winter parties?

Christmas party outfits are usually bold in colour as opposed to pastel colours.  The usual staple colours being red, black, navy, gold and silver.  However, don’t feel restricted to these colours, I find that royal blue and purple serve equally well, just keep in mind that the watchword for winter parties this year is ‘opulence’.  Providing your dress or outfit is rich in colour, you will look stylish and fashionable and bang on seasonal trend.  Regardless of what colour you choose, just make sure that you feel fabulous in it!

What accessories should I wear with my party dress?

Statement jewellery has never been more in than during this season.  Look out for dramatic chokers, dramatic earrings and bangles (a particular favourite of mine is currently the Indian inspired bracelet and ring sets).  A sparkly bag will finish off your ensemble nicely and will ensure that your emergency provisions such as your lipstick and chewing gum (for mistletoe purposes!) are kept safely in style.

Don’t underestimate just how cold the midst of December can be, and make sure that you are not caught out at the end of the evening shivering whilst waiting for your taxi to take you home.  Instead, opt for one of our faux fur wraps to keep you feeling super warm and yet uber-glam!

What shoes should I wear to a Christmas party?

Sparkly black and silver stiletto high heels

Sparkly black and silver stiletto high heels

As I err on the slightly small side, I am partial to a pair of sparkly high heels for Christmas parties.  However, if you feel nervous about wearing skyscraper heels, stick to smaller heels which are equally as glamorous and you wont worry about wobbling around on heels at the party.  Don’t think for a minute that party shoes are solely heels, celebrities such as Alexa Chung have really made flat shoes not only acceptable at parties, but also desirable.  Once again, the watchword is still ‘opulence’, and this opulence MUST spread right the way from the top of your head right down to your feet!  Bearing this in mind, I would just like to say that you should wear a style that you feel comfortable in, and think you can last the whole night in (without forgetting that dancing may be a part of the evening!), just make sure that there is plenty of bling!

Great, the outfit is sorted, but what about everything else?

Preparing the body before you get dressed up for your Christmas party is very important.  You can spend a few hours doing it yourself at home, but I have found that whilst I begin the process with much gusto, after a while I do find that the process can become quite tedious and I begin to cut corners.  Instead, I would opt to go to one of my favourite salons in Brighton and Hove, Tranquility in the City, based at Station Road.  At the salon I always feel like I’m in the hands of the professionals, and always come out glowing from top to toe, it really is the perfect place to get pampered before a big night out!  I personally recommend their manicures, my own favourite being gel nails with a leopard print minx wrap on the ring finger, the perfect finishing touch!  Beauty expert extraordinare and owner of the salon, Louise is always on hand to give you a professional makeover for your big night, her advice for the perfect Christmas make-up this season is: ‘Two big trends for this xmas are glitter and using skin perfectors and primers to achieve a flawless look.  The first step to professional looking make-up is to prepare well.  Start with a really great skin perfecting primer and the rest of your make-up will glide on with ease and last all night!  We stock the award winning Vitage skin perfector at Tranquility, which is a primer and skin perfector in one and at just £25 will save you money on buying two products.  Once you have created your look, add glitter in a more grown up style by using a liquid glitter liner.  This can be used on the upper eyelid to add sparkle to your usual liner or underneath in the corner of the eye to create a flash of colour.’

Once the rest of you is sorted, don’t forget that you will need to make sure that your hair looks perfect.  After seeing their work at our recent fashion show, we highly recommend the very swanky My Salon Looks based at Western Road, Hove for a great Christmas party hair do.  Their team of creative and artistic professionals really take the time to listen to you to make sure that your crowning glory goes perfectly with your outfit and suits your own individual look.

If budget is a factor for your Christmas outfit, don’t forget that you can always hire your Christmas party dress instead of purchasing it, so you can look a million dollars for a fraction of the cost, meaning that you will have a bit more money for a few extra cocktails!

Whatever you decide on for your Christmas party, remember that Christmas isn’t Christmas without twinkles and sparkles, so make sure that you dress to impress so you can shimmer the night away and be merry (it is Christmas after all!).

If you have a question for me that I haven’t answered, why not tweet to us @walkinwardrobe with your question with the hashtag #askwalkinwardrobe

WiW Charity Fashion Show 29th October 2013

After several weeks organising our charity fashion evening and showing our AW13 collections in the boutique, we were thrilled to have such an over whelming turn out on the 29th October, everyone enjoyed the fashion extravaganza.  We aimed to make this fashion evening super glamorous and glitzy, and we are thrilled to report that our event was described by guests as ‘Walk in Wardrobe’s best fashion show to date, the atmosphere was buzzing!’.

Guests were entertained with live singer Aneesa Chaudhry, we enjoyed luxury canapés courtesy of La Cave Fromage, sparkling wine and goody bags with treats from us and My Salon Looks.  Alongside the fashion show was a charity raffle in aid of Chestnut Tree House with a fabulous selection of prizes from local businesses such as hair straighteners from My Salon Looks, a cheese and wine evening at La Cave a Fromage, a training session with MissFit, a massage from Tranquility in the City, luxury pillows from the Red Bed Co, a print from the Naked Eye Gallery and of course, a Victoria Beckham style pencil dress from Walk in Wardrobe.

A few words from the proprietor Katherine Tanswell: ‘We were thrilled with the reception we had from the fashion show, we were packed to full capacity and really pleased with the generosity of our guests and raffle donors who showed massive support to both the boutique and the Chestnut Tree House Charity”.

A huge thank you to our models who gave up their time to do the fashion show. We were lucky to have My Salon Looks create the models hair and SJE Make-up who gave the models glamorous and sparkly look for the show. Thank you to all our guests who attended the fashion evening, we look forward to seeing you at our next event! A comment from one guest was “we need a bigger boutique to get every one in!”

Always leave them wanting more is what we say.

*all photographs by Stuart Butcher