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.
New accessories at Walk in Wardrobe
When our customers speak we listen, and what our customers said was that they wanted more designer quality, unique and affordable accessories – and we have certainly delivered! I am well aware that finding the right accessories to go with your dress can be pretty hard work, but fortunately we have done all the hard work for you, and we have now expanded our jewellery section at the boutique, so you really can get kitted out under one roof regardless of whether you are looking for bridesmaid accessories, bridal and wedding accessories, accessories for prom or accessories for a night out with the girls. These delectable little pieces of glamour also make perfect Christmas presents, and although Christmas is a couple of months away, there’s no harm in being organised! Below are my favourite picks of our new jewellery range, for more, have a little peek at the accessories section on our website.
Statement necklaces
Stunning statement necklace
My jaw definitely dropped when I saw this utterly gorgeous necklace, and it’s probably my own personal favourite of all the statement necklaces. The trick is with statement necklaces is to let the necklace do all the talking, and what I’m really getting at is to keep everything else very simple with your outfit. Keep the rest of your jewellery simple, in particular the earrings (I find that sparkly stud earrings are the perfect accompaniment to this necklace). Don’t ever worry that your outfit may be too simple, the statement necklace will change your outfit from plain to show stopping.
If you are concerned that a statement necklace may be too uncomfortable to wear due to weight, think again. This particular necklace is made out of long silver coloured chains and is dotted with twinkly crystals and is very lightweight, so you can feel comfortable whilst still looking utterly fabulous! This necklace stands out particularly well against a plain black dress, or if you are feeling particularly cheeky on holiday, over your favourite bikini! When storing this necklace, use a padded hanger to minimise tangling.
Vintage style choker necklace
Vintage style jewellery
The Great Gatsby film created a huge demand for vintage style accessories. The key things to remember when choosing your vintage style accessories is to keep them glitzy, bold and opulent. This vintage style black lace choker is the epitome of vintage style with it’s starburst flowers and black jet glass beads. This choker necklace looks great with a dress with a low, round neckline, a square neckline, or my personal favourite style of dress to wear with a choker, the strapless dress. With this choker keep the dress fairly simple and match the choker with a matching cuff bracelet and some simple matching black earrings.
Vintage style cuff bracelet
This vintage style cuff bracelet (left) is simply beautiful with it’s intricate design and soft pink colours. This cuff bracelet is delicate and is an absolute must if you are wearing a dress or top with 3/4 sleeves. This particular bracelet is brilliant if you have tiny wrists due to the fact it opens and closes on a gentle clasp, so it can fit any size!
Vintage style sparkly hair comb
Of course, no vintage style outfit is complete until you have your glitzy hair accessories in. These little bits of sparkle (pictured right) nestle subtly in your hair to give your crowning glory a bit of glamour. These look very sophisticated if you are wearing an updo such as a bun or chignon. The comb simply slots into your updo and secures into place, so you don’t have to worry about losing these little gems. If you are wearing your hair down, you can still use a hair comb, but it may need a few extras to hold it in position, kirby grips are great if you want a little extra security, but make sure you purchase clips which are the same colour as your hair and pop them in deeply so they remain hidden.
These accessories are just a few we have in stock at the moment, for our full range visit our accessories online here.
Don’t forget that we are always here to answer your style queries, and if I haven’t answered your question here, send a tweet to @walkinwardrobe and use the hashtag #askwalkinwardrobe
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
What’s in fashion autumn 2013?
After a short stint away from the boutique I am absolutely delighted to say that I am now back. And just imagine my excitement on my return to see the boutique positively full to the brim with brand new sumptuous gowns with sequins galore! As much as I will always adore full sequinned gowns, what has really held my interest is the batch of new printed party tops and cocktail dresses. This season’s catwalks have been overrun by geometric patterns and prints, and, on viewing the new collections from top designers such as Givenchy and Cavalli I can confirm that patterns and printed outfits are IN this season!
Party Tops
I do concede that it may not be wholly appropriate to go out to a semi-casual evening dinner donned in full on ball gown (as nice as the whole concept may be!), so a glamorous top with a nice skirt or pair of trousers means that you can still stay classy and chic in your more casual attire.
Versace style print top
Unicorn and bling zebra off the shoulder top
I adore this gorgeous long sleeved Versace inspired shirt (pictured left) made of satin and chiffon with tails. This shirt utilises a modern mirror print technique perfectly and uses a vibrant colour spectrum of burnt oranges, ruby reds, shimmering golds, turquoises and my favourite – animal print. The style of this top is so versatile and can be dressed up with a pencil skirt or pair of trousers, or you can dress it down with leggings or your favourite jeans. With it’s fantastic feature lace up back you can guarantee that you will have a perfect fit, even if (like me!) you are different sizes on different parts of your body!
Pictured right is a truly unique, whimsical, mystical printed top with unicorn and gorgeous little bling bling zebras. This carefree, easy to wear modern top has a little bar across the back of the neck to ensure that you get none of that annoying ‘slippage’ from your shoulders. This top looks fabulous when teamed with a pair of skinny jeans or black trousers.
Printed dresses
Versace style mini dress with mesh back
Printed dresses are also really in vogue this season, this particular mini dress to the left has uber-modern, ultra-cool features such as a mesh back and darling little studs around the shoulders. This dress has all the opulence of fashionable prints and colours at the moment plus a bit of biker chic with the leatherette sleeve features, giving it a fresh, unique look and makes it the perfect dress to take you from day to evening.
Sleeved knee length printed dress
This stunning Cavalli style knee length sleeved dress pictured right is a fabulous way of keeping in line with the current print fashion trend and it’s sleeves are great if you are an arm hater! Being more subtle in the colour department with it’s earthy colour tones of golds and greens it reminds me somewhat of a Raphaelite painting, and, just like a Raphaelite painting, it is a true masterpiece. This dress gives you a great figure hugging fit with it’s super stretchy fabric and the low open back gives a touch of sexiness whilst still remaining classy.
Accessories to go with your new printed dress or top
With patterned outfits I usually suggest simple jewellery, however, I am prepared to do a complete U-turn with this fashion trend and recommend that you wear grand, statement pieces. The opulence of this look screams out for some sumptious and regal jewellery. Think chunky necklaces and bangles in golds and burnished coppers along with matching oversized earrings.
We are offering these distinctive, creative dresses and tops at super value prices to buy, or if you are on a budget, don’t forget that you can also hire them for a fraction of the cost!
What wedding dress would suit me?
If you are looking at this blog post you are probably getting married, so the first thing we would like to say to you is ‘Big Congratulations!’. Choosing a wedding dress can be quite a daunting task and it can feel pretty overwhelming, so I’d like to give you a few pointers in how to approach the situation to make it a little easier, so you can concentrate on the most important thing when choosing your wedding dress: having fun!
Do your research
Before you hit the bridal stores have a little look on the internet to see what styles of dresses there are on offer. There is a whole wealth of information on the World Wide Web which you can access for free, so take full advantage of Google image search and bridal discussion boards. Put pen to paper and write a list of how you want your whole day to be. Don’t limit this list to ‘the dress’, instead consider all factors such as the venue, where your photographs will be taken, the season the wedding day falls into and most importantly, your personality. By way of example, you could make a list with words such as: spring season, princess gown, fairy tale wedding, beach wedding, whimsical, grand, simple, vintage, etc. Once you have finished your list you will probably have a much better idea of not only what kind of dress you would like for the day, but also how it will fit in with your whole wedding experience.
Decide on the shape of wedding dress you would like
At the boutique we like to have a good spread of different shapes and styles of wedding dresses so brides can experiment with what style will suit them best. There are so many different styles to consider, so even if you are a bride who is particularly under confident with your figure, there simply MUST be a style which will suit you and will make you feel fabulous on the day. Our friendly team of in-house stylists are always on hand to offer you advice, and as we have seen so many different types of figures in wedding dresses, we know which will suit you.
Ivory ball gown wedding dress
Ball gown wedding dresses
Ball gown wedding dresses are the perfect way to achieve that fairy tale princess look. With their full, flared skirts and the usually fitted bodice suits most types of body shapes (but may be a bit too full on a small slim bride – see the next section if you are one of them!) and looks great on a bride who has a pear shaped figure. This style of dress has the advantage of hiding the bottom half of the figure if you are concerned about your thighs and/or rear and emphasises the waist dramatically.
This stunning wedding dress to the left is in typical ball gown style, made out of ivory taffeta with a fitted bodice and corset back and full netting under the skirts. The gorgeous silver embellishment breaks up the ivory colour perfectly on the front and the embellishment on the back around the corset adds interest for those nice over the shoulder photographs.
A-line wedding dress with feature lace back
A-line wedding dresses
An A-line dress is similar to the ball gown dress but is a little less full in the skirt. It falls naturally from the waist, again to emphasise the tiniest part of your body and falls in an “A” shape. If you are a small and slim bride a ball gown wedding dress may swamp you a little too much and an A-line wedding dress will probably suit you better. These dresses are great if you are petite but you still want to get that full fairy tale effect!
This gorgeous A-line wedding dress to the right is perfect for the bride who wants a more subtle fairy tale wedding. The vintage style lace feature at the back demands to be shown off, so an up-do hairstyle with this dress is a must!
Mermaid style champagne wedding dress with feature bow
Mermaid wedding dresses
These dresses are also known as fishtail wedding dresses and trumpet dresses. The fishtail dress typically has a figure hugging fitted bodice that goes right the way down to the mid-thigh and then flares out to give a kind of mermaid tail shape. These dresses look great on brides who have an hourglass figure and who are well balanced at the bust and the hips and who have a proportionately smaller waist. These dresses tend to fit very closely to the body and will give a true silhouette of your body shape, so if you are under confident with your shape, it’s probably best to stay away from this style.
This elegant mermaid wedding dress has a gorgeous feature bow at the front and darling little buttons down the back. It’s figure flattering rouching will ensure that you feel confident on your big day and will really show off your curves. This mermaid wedding dress is now in our sale for under £300!
Champagne one shoulder empire line wedding dress
Empire line wedding dresses
These wedding dresses a have a high waistline with the skirt starting from under the bust. They tend to be made out of a light, floaty fabric such as chiffon which falls very elegantly to the floor. This style of wedding dress looks great on most body shapes and is probably one of the most forgiving wedding dress shapes. They are fabulous if you are concerned about showing off your mid-section, providing you with a bit of extra coverage, and still giving you the ability to achieve that whimsical, elegant look. Empire line dresses make stunning maternity wedding dresses and they give that little bit of extra space around the waist if baby decides to grow dramatically in the run up to the wedding. These dresses have also been extremely popular at the boutique for a casual wedding or look gorgeous on a beach if you are having a tropical beach wedding. They also have the benefit of being floaty and light so you can keep cool and pack them in your suitcase easily.
This whimsical champagne coloured wedding dress pictured right is absolutely stunning and extremely flattering, even if you have some bits you wish to hide! The gorgeous lace bust has a few sparkles, so you will be able to twinkle and shine well into the night!
Celebrity column wedding dress in ivory
Column or sheath wedding dresses
These dresses are also known as sheath wedding dresses. This style of wedding dress runs virtually straight down from the shoulders to the floor with no flair and are typically narrow and slim. These are easy to wear and are great dresses if you are having a less formal wedding. These dresses look great on most shapes and also look fabulous on small brides because the shape tends to elongate a small bride perfectly.
The beauty of this column wedding dress pictured left lies in it’s simplicity and a really beautiful cut. The figure flattering rouching is perfect if you are concerned about your mid-section, and the feature frill partially obscures the side slit so you can add a touch of sexiness to your wedding dress whilst still remaining a classy bride!
When you are trying on wedding dresses make sure you don’t put the blinkers on and disregard all other styles other than the one you are determined to have, the trick is to try on many different shapes of dresses and to bring your friends and relatives with you and sit down and explain to them what kind of look you are going for at your wedding. When selecting which friends to bring with you remember that it is of absolutely no help if you bring a friend who is going to say that every dress looks wonderful on you! Instead, bring a friend who is going to give you a really honest opinion, and try not to take it too personally if there is a dress they do not like on you. After all, if they are a true friend, they are only trying to help you look fabulous on your big day!
Whichever style of dress you go for, just make sure that you love it and feel comfortable and confident in it. Remember that you will show your wedding photographs to all your family and friends and any potential grandchildren you may have in the future, so make the right choice for yourself so you can feel proud every time you look at the photos of wedding day.
Red prom dresses at Walk in Wardrobe
Stunning red corset prom dress with silver embellishment
I am very rarely wearing any other colour but red, and so I am always thrilled when our prom girls come to the boutique seeking red dresses for their special night. On prom night you will want to make a lasting impression, and red is definitely a colour no one will miss! Red is a great colour if you want to look commanding, confident and absolutely stunning. It is also a very versatile colour in the sense that it compliments a wide range of skin tones. It goes without saying that red looks great with dark hair and dark eyes and can make you look really exotic a la Penelope Cruz. However, we have had some mums at the boutique with their blond daughters who want a red prom dress and they are concerned that their daughters may look ‘tarty’ in red. Well, I would argue that you only have to look at the stunningly sophisticated Jerry Hall in red to realise that this is definitely NOT the case.
Make up to go with a red dress
In all honesty, red is not the easiest of colours to match your make up to. My own particular favourite tricks for a real bombshell look are to choose a lipstick with matches the shade of the dress and to have a nice black flick out with a liquid eye liner on the top eyelids and some black eye liner on the inner rims of the bottom of your eyelids. A light shimmery eye shadow will make the dark eye liner stand out more, thus making your eyes look more defined. Finish up this look with a thickening black mascara for dramatic and defined lashes.
If you don’t like to wear too much make up, you can go for a more natural look by putting a slight rose colour on your cheeks and use a natural, shimmer lipstick in a nude colour and a little soft eye liner at the outer corners of your eyelids. I find that this looks fabulous on fair girls.
Classy one shoulder long red prom dress with cutouts
How to wear your hair with a red prom dress
With a red prom dress you really want to let the red colour do the talking, so go for a simple hairstyle to avoid looking too over the top. Try an up-do with a few trails of hair framing your face or some carefree loose waves if you want to have your hair down. Having your hair trailing down one shoulder is also a great look, especially if you are wearing a dress with a feature back.
Accessories to go with a red dress
If you are going for a red dress keep away from red accessories as this can lead to the accessories blending in with the dress too much and it can be a bit too much. If there is some sparkle on your dress, match the accessory colour to the embellishments as they will make the beading stand out. Gold accessories look great with red if you want a regal look and silver looks fabulous if you want a young, fun yet mature look.
The convertible multi wrap dress at Walk in Wardrobe
If you have several special events coming up and don’t want to be seen in the same dress then a convertible dress may be the dress for you! These increasingly popular dresses have been called many things, including convertible dresses, infinity dresses, multi-wrap dresses and twist dresses. Whatever you decide to call them there is one thing which is guaranteed – they have to be one of the most versatile things to wear since the little black dress. This dress has limitless style possibilities and can be worn as a halter neck, a high neck, a one shoulder dress, a twisted back dress, a cross back dress. I’ll end the list here as I could go on forever, but it just goes to show you, the style of this dress can only stretch as far as the imagination!
We have just received these gorgeous full length multi wrap dresses which are made from a stunning, high quality Italian jersey fabric which is crumple-proof, meaning that they are perfect for packing into a suitcase for your holiday – no ironing required! This fabric is gloriously comfortable and stretchy, and they are fabulous if you have a larger bust in comparison to the rest of your figure – no alterations required!
Shop our multi wrap dress here
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- Convertible dress at WiW
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- Infinity dress available at WiW
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- Multi Way dress at WiW
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- Multi Wrap dress at WiW
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- Twist dress at WiW
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- Convertible dress at WiW
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- Infinity dress available at WiW
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- Multi Way dress at WiW
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- Multi Wrap dress at WiW
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- Twist dress at WiW
Stunning white prom dresses
Each year we are seeing a rise in young ladies opting for white dresses for their prom, and we definitely expect this trend to grow further over the years. Formal white dresses are not reserved exclusively for your wedding day and can be an excellent choice for a prom dress as they give you an elegant and feminine look. White also looks fabulous on a wide variety of skin tones and hair colours and because of it’s neutral hue, it’s easy to accessorize and looks very classy with either silver or gold. Likewise, it’s also very easy for your date to accessorize accordingly!
When choosing your white prom dress it’s important that you choose a stunningly gorgeous dress which you can feel really proud of, here are just a few options when it comes to considering your white prom dress:
Long white prom dresses
Long floaty chiffon ivory colour prom dress
Regal Grecian long prom gown
Long white dresses are always timeless classics, these two dresses are perfect examples of how white dresses can differ so much in their styles to give completely different looks, but nevertheless, they are just as gorgeous as one another!
Left dress: This one shoulder floaty ivory prom dress is the epitome of glamour with a gorgeous full chiffon skirt with a beaded, embellished waist band leading to the beautifully draped skirt to give a dreamy, whimsical prom look.
Right dress: This simple yet stunning one shoulder Grecian dress is a true red carpet dress as worn by top celebrity Liz Hurley in OK! Magazine. This flattering gown is made from a top quality French jersey and makes the taller girl look very statuesque, and it appears to elongate the smaller girl.
White prom princess ballgown
Full sequin fishtail prom dress
Long white prom ball gowns
If you would rather go for a fairy tale Cinderella gown, a white ball gown is the dress for you.
Right dress: in this gorgeous a-line, jewel encrusted ball gown you will really stand out as the prom princess and will have you twirling in tulle at your prom with the full skirts.
Left dress: if the full ball gown is too much for you but you still want the ball gown effect why not opt for a fishtail ball gown to give you a gorgeous shape and plenty of wow! This full sequin silver and white fishtail emphasizes your curves and elongates your height. This dress looks stunning with gorgeous silver crystal jewellery.
Short white prom dresses
White mini prom dress by Forever Unique
Ivory sparkly stiletto shoes – the perfect prom shoes to go with your dress!
Short prom dresses are a bit of a favourite of mine mainly because you get to show off some fabulous shoes and they are great if you intend to be doing a lot of dancing on the night! If, like me you are slightly vertically challenged, a short prom dress can be great if you want to look just a little bit taller. This gorgeous dress by Forever Unique to the left is a perfect little white prom dress with silver sequins, and is an absolute steal at just £39.99. Although this is a dress which is cheap in price, it is flawless in quality! These white sparkly prom shoes complete this dress perfectly and the platform front make them comfortable and easy to wear, which can only mean one thing – more dancing!
I have had a few customers who are concerned about their daughters wearing a white dress to prom as it is traditionally a colour reserved for a bride on her wedding day. However, I would just like to say that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing a prom dress. If a young lady going to prom feels utterly fabulous in a white prom gown, then that is the colour she must go for. After all, if she is wearing a colour to prom that she does not feel comfortable in, she is going to miss out on the most important thing at prom – having fun.
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
What to wear to Goodwood Revival 2013
Retro inspired ladies hat
It’s that time of year again where you need to dig out your biggest hair rollers, seamed stockings and get practicing your most dramatic eyeliner flicks! Yes, one of my favourite events in the social calendar is coming up: the Goodwood Revival Festival. Goodwood Revival is a truly unique annual event which is held at the world renowned Goodwood race circuit in Sussex, UK. This event allows you to take a magical step back in time to the golden era of motor sport from the late 1940’s to the 1960’s and is jam packed with fun, cars and celebrities. However, although I am always fascinated by the racing (in particular saloon car racing!), what I really love about the event is the theatrical fashion parade.
Dressing up for Goodwood Revival allows you to channel your inner Katharine Hepburn for an opportunity to take a fashionable step back in time and to embrace the culture and glamour of the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s. This event is awash with gorgeous swing and pencil dresses, and not to mention some stunning accessories! I feel that the effort put in by the ladies to capture the style of these periods gives the heartbeat to the whole event, giving ticket holders a feeling of true retro glamour. It’s not just the sense of inclusion you have when you dress up for the Revival Festival, there are also fantastic prizes to be won for the Best Dressed Lady, so it’s important to get it right if you want to be in with a chance!
The first thing I would like to say regarding style when you are choosing your outfit is to stay away from the ‘fancy dress’ mindset. Instead, try to capture the spirit and authenticity of the event. Fancy dress could lead you to looking tacky, and at big fashion event such as this, this is a big fashion faux pas. When first exploring what to wear I recommend looking on the internet for golden era actresses who you can get inspiration from. This list by IMDb is a great place to start: http://www.imdb.com/list/P80HvOfFoyc/ Try to find an actress who has a similar colouring to you and is a similar shape.
Golden Era inspired black peplum dress
Pencil dresses for Goodwood Revival
Pencil dresses were all the rage during the 1950’s and are perfect dresses to wear to Goodwood Revival. The pencil dress was a super sexy alternative to the fun and flirty full skirted swing dresses. To me, these dresses are the epitome of golden era glamour, provide you with an iconic Audrey Hepburn style look, and also give you a classy little wiggle when you walk! These dresses look stunning when teamed up with a pair of heels, but remember that you will be walking around a lot at the Festival, so unless you are well versed in wearing sky-scraper heels, stick to a lower, thicker heel.
Accessories to complete your golden era inspired look
Accessories are a must when you complete your outfit. Furry stoles were hugely popular in the golden era and offer you the function of keeping warm when the day turns into evening and also looking like a glamorous 1950’s fashion goddess! Team up a pencil dress and a stole with a gorgeous pair of long gloves and a 1950’s style hat.
It’s rare to find someone who embraces the golden era full time, and if you’re not one of them, don’t worry, stepping out to this event doesn’t have to cost the earth. Our dresses and many of our accessories can be hired rather than purchased both at the boutique and online, so you won’t be stuck with a dress and accessories you are unlikely to wear again. We pride ourselves on sourcing excellent quality outfits and accessories, so you can feel rest assured that you don’t have to resort to ‘fancy dress’ style outfits, and you will be able to wear a stunning high quality dress and accessories at a fraction of the cost!
Visit http://www.goodwood.co.uk/revival/welcome.aspx for more details of the event.
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