Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You...

You may or may not have noticed that I've been a bit quieter than usual lately - this is partly due to my furthering my thespian aspirations by going back to school (acting school, this time), and partly due to my partaking in various prosecco, tea and shopping-related festivities in honour of my 28th birthday. The first part means that I have committed myself to spending at least 2 days a week wearing black clothes in which I am happy to roll around on dirty floors if required (boo - it's not all corsets and crinolines, sadly). The second part, though, means I have lots of lovely new things to wear on the other 5 days, like this ridiculously cute pussycat skirt from my BFF, the latest bundle of joy to join my kitty clothing cache - yay! Here's to many more years of not acting or dressing like a grown-up.

Skirt: H&M, Shirt: Primark, Blazer c/o F&F, Shoes: Boohoo

Anyone else still a crazy cat lady?

Follow Me:

 

How to Wear Dungarees

I can hardly believe that, a mere two months ago, my body was still untouched by overall. Having endured will-I-won't-I-ever-find-a-pair-to-suit-me trials since the beginning of the year, I finally discovered this curve-loving Boohoo pair in June (when I introduced outfit #1 in this post). The Summer of Dungarees proceeded a bit like this...

Crop It Like It's Hot

(An oldie but a goodie - someone please write a new hit with an appropriately placed -op?)

For me, dungaree dressing has so far boiled down to (a) crop tops and (b) shirts, in all their infinite and glorious variety. Of course you can substitute full-scale tees and vest tops (and I'm sure some knitwear will be forthcoming from my own wardrobe within the next few months), but a cheeky little flash of waist just makes it that bit more fun, no?

Sweet Spots

Dungarees: Boohoo (Still Available in Black), Top: New Look (Teens), Shoes: Primark (Past Season)

The shopping-friendly version of the white heel/china print head scarf combo featured in this post, courtesy of some faithful flats!

Freshly Squeezed

Dungarees: As Above, Shoes: Boohoo, Top: Primark

Yep, definitely getting major cost-per-wear value from this £2 neon crop top! Makes a stunning contrast against white (or black, or prints for that matter). This could be quite a casual look accompanied by trainers, but I decided to give it a bit more "lift" and impact by continuing the white-out with heels.

Peek-a-boo!

Dungarees: As Above, Top and Shoes: Both Primark

I defy you not to fall in love with this kitten. That is all.

Geek Chic

Dungarees: As Above, Top: Topshop, Shoes: Primark

Yup, it's that tee again... I decided to edge it up a bit and play geek off against rebel with my wondrous new shoe-boots.

All White Now

Dungarees: As Above, Top: New Look, Trainers: Primark

Aaand the obligatory sports luxe meets '90s take... By the by, this asymmetric 'do is a great fix for (several) day old hair... or for adding a bit of edge and subtracting a bit of Disney Princess to/from certain looks! It can pass as a vintage Hollywood siren side sweep, or as a faux-undercut, and is sooo easy to pull off. All you need to do is sweep all your hair over to one side, so you're left with a low side parting - slick the remainder back at the nape of the neck with grips and fluff up/backcomb the free side to add volume at the crown.  

Getting Shirty

Buckaroo

Dungarees: As Above, Shirt: Primark, Shoes: Boohoo

Initially, I was planning a casual play on the decorator-dungaree association, assuming the denim shirt would add a laid back feel, but the puffed sleeves and white lace detailing seemed to lend it an angelic cowgirl vibe instead! Perfect with my trusty white courts... But if you are after a more casual look, I'd try unembellished dark denim, rolled up at the sleeves.

Super Seventies

Dungarees: As Above, Shirt: Primark (Past Season), Shoes: Dorothy Perkins, Sunglasses: Primark + DIY

Dungarees made their first major leap from workwear to wardrobe must-have in the '70s. OK, so the fashionistas of the day were mostly rocking out in flared denim versions, but this is my slightly glossier take, inspired by the boho-luxe elements of the era.

If you're still feeling doubtful about dungarees, have a look at my How to Wear the Pinafore posts here and here for a few more tips and ideas - most apply equally well to either.

Follow Me:

 

How to Wear a Pinafore, Part 3: Do the Polka

So we've done the DIY shift-as-pinny and sweet-as-candy pastel pink - where will pinafore mania take us next? Well, if you're quick, to the Primark sale, where you can snap up this monochrome polka dot beauty (I think it was £7 at the last count). Just as perfectly formed as its "higher-end" counterparts, with a choice of strap-fastening lengths and everything, I'm pretty sure you couldn't do better on the high street.

As I mentioned in my last pinny-centric post, I've personally done black to death over the years, so this print's injection of fun was irresistible... its timeless feel and monochrome tones give it a vintage vibe which makes it easy to dress up with co-ordinating separates, whilst its simplicity and undeniable cuteness make dressing it down with contrasting textures like denim, pops of bright block colour and tongue-in-cheek accessories (feline flatforms, anyone?) equally simple. Maybe not quite as easy to wear as black, but infinitely more fun! Still unsure? Check out my dummies' guide to styling a pinafore at the end of this post.

Cookies 'n' Cream

Pinafore: Primark (Current), Shirt, Tights, Jacket and Bag: All Primark (Past Season), Shoes: Dorothy Perkins

Classique

Pinafore: As Above, Top: Forever 21, Shoes: Primark, Sunglasses: Accessorize + DIY (See This Post)

Denim 'n' Mustard

Pinafore: As Above, Necklace and Shoes: Both Primark, Shirt: Tammy, Bag: Oasis

Neon Kitty

Pinafore: As Above, Top: Primark, Shoes: eBay (originally featured here)

Have you succumbed to the pull of the printed pinafore?

Follow Me: