The Lady and the Vamp: Two Ways to Wear the Frilled Blouse

If you've been here before, you'll know there are a few things which, try as I might, I just can't resist:

1. A trend.
2. A challenge.
3. The impulse to wring at least two hundred looks out of every buy.

L - Shirt: H&M, Skirt: Dorothy Perkins, Bag: Marks & Spencer, Shoes: New Look | R - Shirt: H&M, Skirt: Marks & Spencer, Shoes: New Look

Ergo, three more things I couldn't resist:

1. This blouse (frilled yoke plus piecrust collar minus stuffy sleeves and schoolma'am vibes equals the perfect summer style equation).
2. The challenge to style a look around it in honour of H&M's collaboration with Man Repeller's Leandra Medine and Bloglovin' (for the chance to win one of the most exciting prize packages known to man, woman or child).
3. The impulse to repeat the above. Because out or in? Paired with pleats 'n' pastels or pleather 'n' a faux hawk? Backless loafers or boxfresh kicks? Who can pick? And because my love of fashion is all about the endless possibilities it presents - it's never so much "what goes with this?" as "who do I want to be today?". This shirt's frilly feminine wiles chime perfectly with the calf-skimming midis I've long held a special place in my heart on my hanging rail for. But even with skirt length sorted, the big question: to embrace or subvert those ladylike charms? still remains. And, frankly, that's not a choice I'm prepared to make. Ever. Having a secret identical twin and/or a little human cloning know-how (shhh) helps. Or at least some rudimentary Photoshop skills.

L - Shirt: H&M, Skirt: Dorothy Perkins, Bag: Marks & Spencer | R - Shirt: H&M, Skirt: Marks & Spencer

Follow Me:

 

Max(i) Factor

Where did winter come from? Single digit temperatures made an unwelcome return to our shores this week, banishing December's gleefully unseasonably bare ankles and pom-pom topped flats in favour of 100 denier hosiery and heavy duty booties... but, in this tassel-trimmed maxi, H&M have come up with the ultimate weather-beating - not beaten - wear-all-year staple (just don't forget the 100 deniers)...

Dress: H&M, Coat: Very, Boots: Stradivarius

Join Me On:

 

Daring to Wear: The Cropped Flare...

I figured the cropped flare was one of those trends that, like phallically-symbolic inflatable accessories and sofa-print trouser suits, only worked on a runway - until fashion FOMO hit, as is its wont - and I discovered this high-waisted pair... which I now love more than full-length flares and skinny crops combined. Thankfully, I was already all over the perfect midi-boots... and I'd snagged an invitation to "design" my own bespoke belt at Elliot Rhodes' Covent Garden emporium the very day they popped through my letterbox - "burgundy, mock-croc and straight out of the '70s thankyouplease".

Jeans: H&M, Blouse: Dorothy Perkins, Boots: Truffle Collection at shoebou, Belt c/o Elliot Rhodes

Join Me On:

 

3 Ways to Wear... Flared Dungarees

If you're going to do dungarees with flair this season, then you really have to do them with flare. Stradivarius (one of Zara's "little sister brands") has pulled out all the stops with this pair, combining slinky '70s styling notes with a curve-friendly high-waisted fit. How are you wearing yours..?

Putting on the Glitz

Dungarees: Stradivarius, Top: H&M, Boots: River Island

Red Alert

Dungarees: As Above, Top: Dorothy Perkins, Jacket: Primark (Past Season), Boots: Truffle at shoebou, Bag: Boohoo (Past Season), Bag Charm: New Look

Layer Cake

Dungarees: As Above, Jumper: Zara, Boots: Primark

Join Me On: