Products
Long sleeved dresses at Walk in Wardrobe
The long sleeved dress has become a real fashion essential of late, and you only have to glance at the red carpet to see top celebrities such as Anne Hathaway and Angelina Jolie looking like they are at the height of sophistication in long sleeved gowns. Long sleeved dresses are brilliant to have in your wardrobe for a couple of reasons, firstly because they keep the chill off of you in this unpredictable British weather, and secondly these dresses can provide excellent coverage for ladies who are concerned about a bit of an arm wobble when they wave! At the boutique we are frequently visited by ladies who want to look show stoppingly glamorous for their special event, but are finding it hard to find a nice dress with long sleeves. Please feel rest assured that wearing a long sleeved dress does not automatically mean that you will look ‘dowdy’ or ‘old fashioned’ as we have sourced for you some absolutely stunning dresses with long full sleeves, chiffon sleeves, tulle sleeves and lace sleeves.
Long dresses with sleeves
Long sleeved black full length sequin dress
Full length dress with full sleeve
Stunning long black dress with chiffon sleeves
I hope that you will agree with me that this black full sequin dress on the left is testimony to the fact that long sleeved dresses are not dowdy! This gorgeous dress is the absolute epitome of red carpet glamour with it’s mermaid style cut and sexy-but-classy feature open back. This particular type of sleeve is fabulous for ladies who are particularly under confident with their arms as it provides full coverage whilst maintaining that full on, glamorous, red carpet look.
A sheer sleeve can give you a highly sophisticated look whilst still providing you with a fair bit of coverage and gives you a stunning silhouette. If you want a more see through, sheer sleeved dress try our gorgeous, show stopping long black dress with chiffon sleeves (to the right). This easy going, carefree style dress offers you effortless glamour and sophistication and gives you that floaty, whimsical look whilst still making sure that your arms are covered!
Knee length dresses with sleeves
Lace sleeved knee length designer pencil dress
3/4 length sleeve peplum pencil dress
The long sleeve in lace is a huge fashion trend which I can only attribute to Kate Middleton’s Alexandra McQueen wedding dress. The moment she emerged from the limousine we had ladies at the boutique desiring this dreamy, classic style. This gorgeous designer knee-skimming corset pencil dress on the left incorporates the lace sleeve to ensure that you get a perfect blend of whimsical, sexy and just the right amount of sophistication to be able to be worn out to a classic semi-formal black tie event. It’s the perfect dress for a daytime function, but is eye catching and glamorous enough to take you seamlessly through to an evening event.
This fabulous desk to dinner dress pictured on the right is brilliant if you want to hide your upper arms but still want to remain cool in the summery months. Dress this gorgeous peplum dress up with sparkly accessories and you are ready to go straight out for the evening from work.
Mini dresses with sleeves
Chiffon batwing mini dress with sleeves
If you are lucky enough to be the proud owner of a great pair of pins, a sleeved mini dress is a great way to show off your best assets whilst covering up the arms. This gorgeous dress on the right offers you that sexy mini dress look alongside a vague hint of that Wuthering Heights couture with it’s chiffon batwings. This dress looks fabulous when teamed up with a pair of our sparkly high heels and some glitzy drop earrings.
These are just some of the long sleeved dresses we have in stock at the moment, please check our website here for more styles: www.walk-in-wardrobe.co.uk
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!
The backless dress at Walk in Wardrobe
Stunning celebrity backless dress, available at the boutique in Royal Blue.
The most popular look at The Oscars 2013 was definitely the backless dress. Top celebrities such as Renee Zellweger wowed the crowds with a subtle, elegant-yet-sexy flash of skin, bringing the backless to the forefront of style. The backless dress is a perfect prom dress, party dress, black tie event dress, and of course, the perfect red carpet dress. Walk in Wardrobe are thrilled to be able to bring back one of our bestselling backless dresses, giving you the chance to get that red carpet look for yes, you’ve guessed it, a fraction of the cost!
Our customers who have been looking for backless dresses have many questions with regards to underwear, accessories, etc. We would like to share some of our tips with you to ensure that you can bring the sexy back when wearing your glamorous backless dress.
Accessories to go with a backless dress.
With a statement dress like a backless dress, you don’t need to many accessories as the dress will do most of the talking for you! Opt for a sparkly hair tiara or hair band, some simple dangly earrings and a nice glitzy bangle to offset the look. As many backless dresses do not have a plunging neckline, you can also wear a necklace in reverse with a single long dangle and a bit of sparkle so it trails elegantly down your back.
How should I wear my hair with a backless dress?
I am a firm believer that if you are wearing a backless dress you should be showing off your back! If you want to show off your back fully, wear your hair totally up in a tight bun for a high end, elegant look, or in a messy bun with a few bits of hair trailing down at the front for a sassy, flirty and fun look. If you really like having your hair down, wear your hair in a half up, half down style, so you can still have your back on show, but have a trickle of gorgeous locks going down your back. Another favourite of mine if you want to show off your back fully but want to have your whole head of hair down is to have your hair swept over one shoulder and coming down the front of your dress. I particularly love this look if you have your hair cascading down your shoulder in big, glamorous waves.
The million dollar question: What bra can I wear with a backless dress?
You have to be ever so careful when selecting what underwear to wear with your backless dress. Seeing your usual bra band across your exposed back or wearing a bra with a plastic band is a big no-no. But fear not! You still have several options from here:
- If you are small busted you can go completely bra-less with a backless dress. If you are feeling a little exposed, you can carefully apply some adhesive dress tape which is specifically designed to stick to skin and fabric to make you feel a bit more secure. If you are going bra-less, try to avoid the Anne Hathaway ‘nipple issue’ she had at the Academy Awards by applying plasters, or, if you want a less painful option on removal, you can purchase some silicone gel petals to go over the relevant areas!
- If you have a medium sized bust you can opt for an adhesive bra which sticks to your bust.
- If you are a busty lady and/or want or need a bit more support, go for a fabulous multiway bra which has a band which will wrap around your tummy with the band sitting low enough so it doesn’t peep over the back of your dress. Another option is to try Maidenform’s truly revolutionary strapless and backless bra, specifically designed to give you support whilst giving you the ability to wear your backless dress with confidence.
Hot pants are so chic at Walk in Wardrobe!
Black and beige sequin hot pants suit
The ladies of Hove appear to be taking full advantage of this sudden heat wave in and have dug out their hot pants which managed to get stuck at the back of their wardrobes during the prolonged winter. However, hot pants are not only reserved for everyday wear, you can also wear them out for a glam evening event. These jazzy evening hot pants have been dubbed ‘posh pants‘ by fashionistas, and they are fabulous if you want to look modern and sexy on a night out.
What are hot pants?
Hot pants were launched in London by Mary Quant in the 1960’s and grew in popularity during the 1970’s on the disco dance floor. Hot pants can be typically defined as short shorts and are generally shorter than a mini skirt (but unlike the mini skirt, it has the bonus of not riding up too high and staying in place!).
What’s the difference between hot pants and ‘posh pants’?
Hot pants are generally worn throughout a sunny day and are more casual, whereas posh pants are more elegant, stylish and chic. They are usually more jazzy than your everyday hot pants being sequinned and or sparkly!
Hot pant outfit at Walk in Wardrobe
It can be intimidating wearing hot pants, but please feel rest assured that we have sourced a fantastic and unique hot pant suit (pictured left), which will make you feel glamorous, sexy and above all classy. The see through nude coloured top is broken up by gorgeous embellishments of black lace, beads and sequins, and matches perfectly with the high waisted, black sequin shorts.
For a steaming hot look, match this outfit with some sexy, glitzy high heels. If you are particularly concerned about showing off your legs, team up the hot pant suit with a pair of sheer tights to give you a bit more confidence.
As we don’t know how long the summer will last for in the UK, I suggest you take full advantage of the heat, channel your inner Kylie Minogue, and get yourself some ‘posh pants’. In our hot pant outfit, we can guarantee that all eyes will be on you, for all the right reasons!
Reasons to love the skater dress
Lace skater dress
Skater dresses are fast becoming a staple dress for the summer, and celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and fashionistas across the globe are succumbing to the flared skirts and nipped in waists that a skater dress offers. The skater dress is a modern, fun and flirty alternative to the A-line dress. The A-line is narrow at the waist, and gently flares out the bottom, giving you (as the name suggests) an A shape. Skater dresses are similar, but are more defined, with a sharper nipped in waist, is shorter than a traditional A-line dress, and flares out more to give it a shape similar to what an ice skater would wear. Hence the name!
Are skater dresses flattering?
The only way to answer this is with one word – yes! The smallest part of any woman is the waist, but this can be hidden with ill fitting or looser clothing. The skater dress’s simple structure at the bust which goes towards the sharply nipped in waist and comes out to the (usually) full pleated, hip skimming skirt gives the illusion of an hourglass shape.
Shoes and accessories to wear with a skater dress.
One of the things I love about skater dresses is that they are so versatile. They can be dressed up for a smart casual event, or can be dressed down as a day dress. If you are wearing your skater dress for a more formal event, team it up with a pair of heels or a pair of heeled sandals. Make sure you have lots of sparkly accessories to jazz it up.
If you intending to wear your skater dress as a day dress, you can dress it down with a pair of pumps or chunky shoes or sandals. If you want to keep a bit warmer in your day time skater dress, you can even add leggings for a more casual look. For a really cute 1950’s style look, you can team up the dress with some girly, frilly socks (this also adds to the figure-skater feel and will keep your tootsies warm!). This is a fabulous dress which you can carry on wearing into the autumn time, just add a cardigan for warmth.
Skater dresses at WiW
This beige lace and black skirted skater dress (pictured) has been a fantastic addition to the Walk in Wardrobe range. This skater dress is slightly dressier than the ones you would find on the high street due to it’s lace bust and lace sleeves. The skirt of the dress is made out of a gorgeously high quality weighted fabric, meaning that you will be able to walk around confidently even if there is a strong summer breeze!
Perennials and petals – the floral fashion trend at WiW
Summery long floral maxi dress
Walk in Wardrobe is currently resembling a magical, fairy tale garden at the moment with all the blooms and petals which are sporting the dresses. The floral print for dresses has always been a staple for the spring and summer, and once again, we have remained bang on trend and are truly spoiling you for choice with the wide and varied selection of summer florals we have in at the boutique.
Floaty floral summer dresses
Cheap long summer floral dress
We love floral floaty dresses, not only because they are whimsical and uber-feminine, but also because they keep you cool in the warmer weather, making them practical as well as stylish! Whether a long maxi or a short floral dress takes your fancy, we have no doubt that you will be able to find something very special at the boutique for the summer.
Summer floral pencil dresses
If a floaty floral dress is not for you, how about a sexy-but-classy floral pencil dress? These dresses have the benefit of being formal enough for ladies day at the races and work, but are also summery and cheerful.
Floral open back pencil dress
How to accessorize your floral dresses
Accessorizing florals can be a little tricky, but we suggest going for a colour match to the flower print on the dress, or neutral colours such as nude, and make sure that you don’t mix the patterns. We love pretty little pumps or court shoes with floral patterns along with clutch bags for that oh-so-chic-and-elegant look! If you want to dress your floral dress down, you can team up a floaty floral with a denim jacket for a more casual look. Pick some bright colours for your makeup and nails to match your dress. Your hair is your crowning glory, so don’t forget to accessorize it with a little sparkly hairband!
The most affordable prom dresses for under £50 at Walk in Wardrobe!
Extra cute pink prom dress, was £165, now just £50!
Precious Formals pink and gold tutu prom dress, was £225, now just £50!
Prom is only a matter of days away, so we are having a massive clear out! If you have only just decided to go to prom and need a cheap last minute prom dress, you may be able to find a real little bargain gem at Walk in Wardrobe. These fun and flirty designer prom dresses are still utterly gorgeous, and we have included dresses from top labels such as Forever Unique, Dynasty and Precious Formals. So, if you are working on a budget, but don’t want to compromise on looking absolutely gorgeous for your special event, our boutique is definitely the place to be! These stunning little dresses would also be fantastic as a wedding outfit or for cocktail parties, so if you have a few events coming up after prom, you will definitely get your monies worth!
At prices like these, I don’t think we will have these dresses for very long at the boutique, so be quick, and you could find your perfect prom dress for less (and just think about it, that means you have more money to spend on shoes, accessories and getting your hair done for the big night!)
The 2013 prom dress sale has already begun at Walk in Wardrobe!
The prom sale has begun at Walk in Wardrobe, and we have a HUGE selection of bargain prom dresses at the moment. Whether you want long and floaty, short and flirty or a full on glamorous ball gown for your prom dress, we will be able to find a dress for you at a fraction of the cost. Don’t think for a minute that the quality of these dresses match their cheap price tags, we have top prom lables such as Sherri Hill, Alyce Designs and Forever Unique in the sale!
Gorgeous Alyce Designs pink prom dress, was £475, now £199.99!
Alyce turquoise frilly mermaid prom dress, was £285, now £145!
A hot seller and celebrity favourite, the Forever Unique Leopard Tutu dress. Was £160, now £99.99
Sherri Hill and Alyce Designs ball gowns are for the prom girls who really want to make an ‘all eyes on me’ red carpet entrance. They are made out of luxurious fabrics and are covered in sparkle and gorgeous embellishments. These dresses are fun and fashionable, and are guaranteed show stoppers!
If a short prom dress is more ‘you’ than a big ball gown, how about a flirty tutu dress? These dresses are cute and fun and can be worn to a variety of events other than prom, such as weddings and cocktail parties, so if you have a few events coming up, you will definitely get your monies worth!
So if you are working on a budget, but don’t want to compromise on having a fashionable, gorgeous dress, Walk in Wardrobe is definitely the place to be! Remember that the less you spend on a dress, the more you can spend on everything else for your prom (and don’t worry, the fact that your dress was a complete bargain can be our little secret!)
Summer maxi dresses at Walk in Wardrobe
Feminine and utterly gorgeous chiffon maxi dress, perfect for weddings.
I don’t think anything says ‘summer goddess’ like a maxi dress does. My reasoning for this is that they are feminine, chic, comfortable and cool with their flowy, romantic skirts. We have stocked the most gorgeous designer long maxi dresses this year with the most vivid, colourful designs and fun prints in a dazzling array of bold multi colours such as blue, green, orange, coral and pink (to name a few!). With all the different designs we have, it would be truly impossible not to find one to your taste or to have too many in your wardrobe! Below are some of the questions we have been asked when customers have been considering a maxi dress:
Comfortable designer maxi dress for summer cruises – definitely a beach to bar dress!
Where can I wear a maxi dress?
Maxi dresses are renowned for their versatility and are fantastic beach to bar dresses. They can be worn as casual dresses on the beach or around town when shopping. Our customers have also loved wearing their tropical print maxi dresses on summer cruises and have told us that they received so many compliments when wearing their maxis. However, maxi dresses are not only reserved for casual wear. They are also fabulous dresses if you are attending a spring or summer wedding, or if you are going out for the evening.
What shoes shall I wear with a maxi dress?
If you’re wearing your maxi dress in the daytime and want a casual look, I love these dresses with flat gladiator sandals or flip flops for a fun and flirty summer look. If (like me) you are small and need a bit of extra height with a maxi dress, cork or espadrille rope wedges always look great and keep in with your effortless glam-but-casual look!
If you want to wear your maxi dress at an evening event or a formal wedding, go for a nice glamorous heel. Silver or gold shoes are great neutral colours which will go with any dress colour and they wont outshine a vibrant maxi. NB. if you are wearing a stiletto heel, make sure you go for a good heel height so your maxi dress is just off the floor – otherwise your heel could get caught and tear the hem of the dress.
Glamorous, figure flattering blue evening maxi dress
What accessories go with a maxi dress?
Don’t make your maxi dress compete for attention with tonnes of jewellery, especially if there is a print on the dress. For the casual daytime look I love to accessorize my maxi with long boho necklaces, chunky bangles and rings. I also love a good hat, and think that a fedora or big brimmed floppy hat for that Sienna Miller look is fabulous!
If you are wearing your maxi dress in the evening and want to look glamorous, choose delicate jewellery which wont overpower the dress. For example, go for a simple necklace with a sparkly pendant, a delicate sparkly bracelet and a ring.
Shop online for your maxi dress here (I am a big fan of maxi dresses, so be quick because you might have to race me for them!)
The preloved designer clothes sale is back at Walk in Wardrobe!
Walk in Wardrobe are thrilled to be restarting our designer resale section at the boutique! There are so many reasons why we love preloved designer clothes, and here are just a few of the reasons why:
Quality designer clothes, shoes and accessories without the hefty price tag.
These preloved Jimmy Choo designer shoes are a bargain at just £95!
Everyone loves a bargain, and when the words ‘designer’ and ‘cheap’ are put together, it’s like music to my ears! Taking advantage of our resale service as a customer means that you will be able to fill your wardrobe with top designer names such as Jimmy Choo, Dior and Gucci, or high quality boutique dresses and outfits such as Forever Unique and Sherri Hill. We vet all items in our preloved section very carefully, so you as a customer can feel rest assured that the preloved item you purchase will be in excellent condition.
Preloved prom dress, as worn by Lucy Meck from TOWIE
Spreading the love by recycling.
I always find it difficult to throw away my quality clothing or pairs ofshoes I have loved dearly (even though I know I am not going to wear them again). So it does give me a great feeling of satisfaction knowing that my clothes have not been wasted, that they have gone to customers who understand the true value of quality clothing and also knowing that they will be loved by someone else!
Making some money.
Recycling your clothes with us is a fantastic way of making a bit of money! We act on an agency basis, meaning that you will leave your items for sale with us, we sell them on for you and take a commission when the items are sold. We then pay the money directly into your bank account. It’s a fabulously easy process and we do the hard work for you! We have a very high success rate with our agency outfits and accessories as we are a specialist boutique who focus on quality boutique clothing and designer clothing. Thus we naturally attract customers who are interested in purchasing these quality garments. If you do wish to sell your clothes, shoes and accessories through the boutique, please make sure that you have an authenticity card or proof of purchase with your item.
If you have any questions regarding our resale section, leave us a comment below or email us and a member of staff will happily get back to you.
What do we currently have at the boutique?
We will only accept good quality boutique and designer branded clothes and accessories. At present, we have special occasion dresses for day or evening, special occasion dresses with jackets for mother of the bride, groom or race days, hats and hair fascinators, smart tops and jackets, designer shoes and handbags. So if you like Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Dior and Ralph Lauren, but you want to stretch your budget, Walk in Wardrobe is definitely the place to be!