Dresses
What to wear for New Year’s Eve 2014
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!
Why is the little black dress a classic?
Now that summer has officially departed it’s time to get that favourite fashion staple out of the wardrobe – the little black dress. Prior to the 1920’s, black dresses were only worn during times of mourning, and in those days, I’m sure that no one would of anticipated that black dresses would become such a fashion necessity. The pioneer of the little black dress as a versatile, fashion must can be attributed to none other than Coco Chanel in the 1920’s. Since then, the little black dress has really stood the test of time, proving itself to be fashionably adaptable in the 1930’s with the popularity of the black flapper dress, practical through the time of rationing in the 1940’s where women could accessorise their black dress differently each time it was worn, and right through to the present day where designers have really pushed the design boundaries of the little black dress. As a result, we have the little black dresses you see today which are as diverse as much as they are desired. So why has the little black dress become such a classic? The answer is simple – it’s because it is slimming, you can mix it with any colour of accessories (and indeed can be mixed with any style of jewellery, be it fine jewellery or costume jewellery) and it’s a colour which lends itself readily to any style of dress, so you will always be able to find a black dress which will suit your body shape!
At Walk in Wardrobe we know that the little black dress is a style which will NEVER go out of fashion, and this season we have sourced the most unique, imaginative and up-to-date black cocktail dresses, that if well looked after, could only be described as investment pieces.
This long sleeve little black mini dress on the right is a real head turner with feature gold colour spiky shoulders and whimsical floaty sleeves. The plunging neckline and short length adds a definite modern twist so you can remain sexy yet classy. Due to the embellishments on this dress, accessories can be kept to a minimum, opt for simple dangly gold colour earrings and gold or black shoes. Although I don’t really recommend a necklace with this dress, if you really want to go for a necklace, choose something which is simple and not too busy or dramatic or it could potentially take away the effect of the feature shoulders. This is the perfect little black dress if you want to make an impact on a night out.
Black mini bodycon dress
For a simple yet effective black dress this two piece body con dress (pictured left) with mesh lace overlay and high neck has become a much loved, hot seller at the boutique. This dress has a very simple bodycon slip with a very unique gold threaded mesh overlay with a high neck decorated in black petals. The sparkly sequins scattered on the overlay twinkle slightly in the light without being too garish. This dress looks fabulous with a pair of black shoes and gold accessories. However, with this particular dress make sure that you’re not going to OTT with the accessories and keep them elegant.
One thing’s for sure, the little black dress is a craze that will never go away, and with so many different styles, it would truly be impossible not to be able to find the perfect black dress for you.
What accessories to wear with a blue dress
Blue has always been a particularly influential colour in the fashion world and it has often frequented the red carpet on celebrities such as Kate Middleton and Kylie Minogue. So why has blue been a colour which has stood the test of time amongst fashionistas? The answer is simple – blue is powerful, regal, commanding and uber-stunning! Blue is also a fabulous colour due to it’s versatility; being a colour where there are unquestionably hundreds of different shades, it would be truly impossible to be unable to find a hue of blue which suits you!
One question which has often cropped up is what accessories go with a blue dress? One thing I would like to say is to make sure that you are not over-doing blue, a blue dress with tonnes of blue jewellery can render you looking rather smurf-like – a BIG fashion faux pas! Instead, opt for a complimentary colour, as blue looks great with a variety of colours, you can be fairly flexible when it comes to accessories.
Midnight blue full sequin dress
This gorgeously stunning full sequinned dress in midnight (or navy!) blue with black lace trim is gorgeous if you want to wear a dark colour to your event but you want something a little softer than black. Features of the dress include adjustable straps at the back to ensure perfect fit with full support and a thigh high split for that sexy-but-classy look. Being sparkly, this dress is pretty versatile when it comes to accessories. You could compliment the dress and offset the black lace trim with some matching black accessories. If you are going to go for black accessories make sure you stay away from anything too chunky, instead opt for black strappy sandals and delicate black crystal earrings and a bangle to keep in line with the elegance of the dress. Another option with this dress is to wear silver sparkles to really bring out the shine of the sequins. If you are going for silvery sparkles, make sure that you opt for delicate silver shoes accordingly.
High neck backless dress in royal blue
This undeniably beautiful royal blue high neck backless dress (pictured right) is the perfect dress for a black tie event or prom. With it’s silver sparkly rhinestone neckline and back, there really is only one option for this dress when it comes to accessories – silver. Couple this dress with glitzy silver shoes, a silver diamanté bangle and some diamanté twinkles in your ear lobes. With this dress it’s probably best to stay away from a necklace as it can make the neckline look too cluttered. If you do want to wear a necklace, choose one with a thin chain and a very long drop and wear it in reverse so the drop cascades down your exposed back for a real top celebrity, red carpet look!
Stretchy blue long sleeved pencil dress
This dress is a really lovely desk to dinner dress, and due to the fact that it is plain (but beautifully cut!) you can really have a lot of fun with the accessories and really go over the top. Quite simply, there are countless ways to accessorize this dress, if you are going out for the evening in this dress and want to look particularly glamorous, team it up with silver or gold sparkles and a pair of dramatic earrings. However, if you are wearing this dress in the day time, I think this dress looks particularly funky with neon coloured accessories, in particular a bright pink. If you do decide to go 80’s neon with the accessories, choose chunky jewellery to make a real statement.
Do you have a question I haven’t answered? Tweet to me @walkinwardrobe with your question and hashtag #askwalkinwardrobe
The latest summer fashion trend for 2013 – Monochrome
Black and white monochrome bodycon dress with frills by Forever Unique
Unfortunately there is little we can change about the horrible weather in the UK by moaning about it, but we can cheer ourselves up by looking fabulous! I can feel a bit silly wondering about in this murky grey in a summer floral dress, but I can look just as summery and stylish in one of the hottest summer fashion trends – colour blocking monochrome. Indeed, the spring and summer catwalks 2013 have been dominated by a bold glare of black and white monochrome prints incorporating stripes, zebra print, polka dots and big blocks of black and white. This is a timeless trend with roots harking back to the 1960’s mod era; the trend has now undergone a modern twist and has been endorsed by celebrities such as Beyonce Knowles, Rhianna, Kim Kardashian and Kate Middleton but to name a few.
There are so many reasons why I love monochrome, mainly because there is something very clean and simple about a black and white ensemble, giving the impression of modern, powerful self-assuredness, whilst still remaining elegant, sophisticated and not too overbearing. Monochrome is also such an easy trend to wear, so it is no problem finding it in shops in all seasons, and it will never go out of fashion (and believe me, fashion waits for no-one, so it’s brilliant to be able to have a good solid staple style in the wardrobe!). It’s also great for plus size ladies, as the black minimizes the areas you want to hide, and the white enhances the areas you wish to show off. Another big tick in the monochrome style box is that it transcends seasons, so it is a great transitional trend which will take us seamlessly from summer into autumn and beyond.
Stunning black tie monochrome summer silk floaty maxi dress
So how do I wear monochrome?
Monochrome can be a single coloured black or white dress and you can contrast the black or white with the opposing colour for your accessories. Alternatively, you get the best of both worlds and combine both colours together in one dress with a gorgeous print or with dazzling, bold blocks of colour.
How do I accessorize monochrome?
The key is that if you are going for a monochrome look, stick to monochrome only. Adding an extra colour with your accessories can lessen the whole effect. Instead, stick with black or white accessories and shoes. If you are going for a one colour, completely black or white dress, go for the opposing colour for your accessories to break it up a bit. If you go for the same colour for the accessories you can be in danger of your outfit looking too black or too white. Likewise, go for an opposing colour bag so it doesn’t blend in too much with the outfit, and it will give a nice little colour break to your ensemble. Another look I love if you are going for a plain black or white dress is to add zebra print, stripes or polka dot accessories into the mix. Again, try to make sure that these accessories are predominantly in the opposing colour.
If your dress has both black and white, match the accessory colour to the colour which is least reflected in the dress. Another piece of advice when it comes to accessories is not to mix the colours of the accessories too much (e.g. a white necklace and black earrings), particularly if you have a dress with both colours as it can be a bit too much for the eye and can look a bit messy.
Monochrome black and white disc fascinator – perfect for Ladies Day at the Races!
If you are going to the races, don’t forget to complete your monochrome look with a daring and sophisticated hat or fascinator for a real Audrey Hepburn kind of look.
How should I wear my makeup with a monochrome outfit?
I believe that as black and white gives a very clean, bold effect, bold makeup looks fabulous with it. Dash a nice, thick black line with some liquid eyeliner on the upper eyelid with a flick at the corners of the eyes and use an eye pencil for the inner rim of your lower eyelid. Being a fan of false eyelashes, I recommend a pair of these also for a dramatic look. I also love red or pink lipstick to finish off a monochrome outfit, remember, the look is bold, so don’t be shy when it comes to the lip colour!
A hundred shades of pink – perfect colours for summer dresses!
Pink is a hot fashion trend for the summer, and don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you have to look like a Barbie doll! Pink is one of those colours which is extremely varied, including shades of baby pink, dusky pink and hot pink. With all the different shades and hues, it would be impossible not to find a shade that works for you! Pink dresses are: fresh, summery, pretty, soft and feminine and are perfect for a wide variety of events such as parties, prom, black tie events, bridesmaids and mother of the bride.
Stunning light pink low back dress, perfect for black tie events or the red carpet!
1920’s Great Gatsby style cerise pink beaded dress
Long pink dresses have been in real demand for prom this year. This is particularly understandable because of their girly, fresh, summery shades. However, don’t feel that pink dresses are only appropriate for young ladies going to prom. Pastel pinks can give a whimsical and feminine look for a black tie event and a hot pink can give a daringly stylish look.
Light pink long dress pictured right: this pale pink dress is a timeless classic with a gorgeous, bead embellished low back. A subtle front slit gives you that touch of sexiness whilst still remaining classy and elegant!
Fuchsia pink dress pictured to the left: This fully beaded cerise pink dress has a true touch of the 1920’s Great Gatsby style about it and gives a look of bold femininity, a guaranteed head turner!
Floaty dusky pink and leopard print one shoulder dress
Dusty pink chiffon and leopard print dress pictured far left: this dress is gorgeously whimsical, modern and floaty, a perfect blend of feminine colours with a bit or ‘roar’ from the animal print! This dress has gorgeous, sparkly beading on the waist and on the shoulder.
We also have a few show stopping (and very cheap!) big pink ball gowns with stunning embellishments. This style is particularly suitable for proms. If you would rather have a more subtle prom dress but nevertheless want all the ‘wow’ of a classic ballgown, you could go for one of our pink fishtail gowns, which will give you that much sought after hourglass figure.
Burlesque style dusty pink feather mini dress with jeweled bodice
I really love short pink dresses as they are flirty and feminine, with the added bonus of giving you the opportunity to show off a pair of fabulous shoes!
This gorgeous little feather dress pictured right also has a touch of the 1920’s style and would be fantastic for a burlesque style night, but it would also make a gorgeous party dress. This stunning mini dress has a heavily beaded bodice, an ultra fun mini feather skirt and also has that much sought after corset back for a great fit.
Pink and black pencil dress with matching jacket, perfect for mother of the bride or for ladies day!
This gorgeous light pink pencil dress pictured left is perfect for ladies day or mother of the bride. This dress and jacket set is a gorgeous soft baby pink with gorgeous black embellishments for a very modern look. This dress would look perfect with black accessories!
This season is all about the feminine, and what better colour to do it in than pink?