How to Wear a Thigh-Split Maxi (Off the Red Carpet)

The scorching weather of the last few weeks has prompted a few much-needed buy-or-die-of-heatstroke purchases, of which this jersey front split maxi from Boohoo is one. Although maxi skirts and dresses have formed an integral part of my wardrobe, for both summer and winter, daytime and evening wear over the past few years, I've largely steered clear of slit-to-heaven versions - I mean, fine for the Oscars, but not so much for Croydon high street, right? Well, actually, wrong (and yes, I have road-tested this hypothesis, during weekday daylight hours too).

The jersey fabric gives it a relaxed, sporty feel which reminded me of that Rihanna for River Island number (but at a far more purse-friendly price - I can hardly believe it's only £12), whilst the high waist and gorgeous drapery detailing lend it a night-out-friendly sense of ladylike glam...

Sports Star

I could have put together a hundred crop top + high top combos (thanks for the inspiration Ri), but for the sake of conciseness, I have, for now, restricted myself to two. Neon, neutrals, prints - the great thing about grey is that it works with, yep, pretty much everything... and of course, if you're not tummy confident, you can just as easily tuck in a loose tee (a la Golden Girl, below). A white tee (cropped or not) plus cheeky neon bra a la the Glo Girl ensemble featured in my How to Wear a Denim Mini post would also work well...

Skirt: Boohoo (Available Here), Top: Primark, Trainers: Skechers

Skirt: As Above, Top and Trainers: Both Primark, Beanie: New Look + DIY

Rock Star

This ensemble came together by happy accident. I picked the leatherette bralet up in Primark's underwear section a couple of weeks ago (whilst wearing outfit 1, above), for £4! I often struggle to find bralets to fit, since manufacturers still insist on sizing cupped versions by dress size rather than bra size - where is the logic?! With only S, M or L to choose from, this was a bit of a gamble, but M turned out to be a perfect fit (despite the fact that it is also marked 14-16, when 10s often gape around my ribcage!!), and its adjustable straps are a godsend! 

So, no more stress about whether I'll fit into the cupped version hitting stores later on in AW13 - I am ready and waiting for those gorgeous pleather midis to drop - especially since, on the same trip, I bagged these to-die-for shoe boots. Meanwhile, both happened to look pretty damn ace with the skirt I was already wearing!

Skirt: As Above, Top and Shoes: Both Primark

Golden Girl

Coupling luxe metallic finishes with a relaxed silhouette for a bit of laid back evening-out glamour...

Skirt: As Above, Top: Forever 21 (Past Season), Necklace and Shoes: Primark (Past Season)

Globetrotter

Aztec princess meets Roman goddess - the skirt provides the perfect showcase for my gorgeous new Chanel-dupe knee high glads (introduced in this post), as well as the ideal complement to my hectically detailed cold-shoulder crop (introduced in this post).

Skirt: As Above, Shoes: eBay, Top: Primark, Hair Band: Boohoo

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Rihanna's Bullet Bra... and Other Cyber Monday Delights

It's now officially Cyber Monday, the day when, traditionally, the western world eschews work, responsbilities and the hassles of actual shops in favour of a great big virtual trolley dash.

I've been meaning to do another lingerie post for a while now, and more specifically a post on vintage style lingerie. As What Katie Did (suppliers of the reproduction bullet bras worn by Michelle Williams in My Week With Marilyn, as well as Rihanna on her most recent tour) are offering free delivery until midnight tonight, I thought I'd take the opportunity to combine a little discussion of their wonders with the latest crop of Cyber Monday offers (- scroll down for more from other sites).

What Katie Did have websites and boutiques based in both the UK and the US, and ship worldwide. They produce a huge range of reproduction and vintage-inspired lingerie, hosiery, corsets and swimwear in a myriad of styles (and also stock pin-up style make-up and outerwear), but the star of their collection is undoubtedly the 1950s bullet bra, stitched to an original pattern.

I love the 1950s silhouette (if you hadn't already noticed), so when I found out that I could actually buy (essentially) Marilyn's underwear, it went straight to the top of last year's Christmas list! I got the Harlow (pictured), in peach satin, to maximise wearability, and think it looks fab under a fitted sweater or roll neck for a vintage vibe, but the bullet comes in tons of other colourways, including Rihanna's "Josephine" leopard print version. They're actually very comfortable, and I'd completely recommend them to anyone who wants to immerse themselves in fifties fever (don't worry - you won't stay that shape when you take them off)! The standard version is non-wired and unpadded, but a padded version is also available.

You can also find more subtly-shaped forties-style bras, as well as slightly more 21st century styles, so have a look-see even if you're not hankering after cones! Each order is now being shipped with a free blank Christmas card (and they are super-cute) as well as free gift wrapping if requested, so hassle-free Christmas shopping is assured (or why not make your pre-Christmas self-gift just that little bit more special?!). They're not paying me by the way, honest!

 

More sites to check out if you're gift-shopping (or self-gifting, shh...) today:

Ann Summers: 10% off everything plus free worldwide delivery (no code required, and this one's valid until midnight on Tuesday)

French Connection: Free express delivery until 2pm with code EXPRESS12 (excludes home and gift cards)

In Love With Fashion: 35% off with code CYBERSHOP35 (- this site is well worth a look if you haven't heard of it before)

Jane Norman: £10 off selected lines

Puma: 20% off everything (including sale) with code CYBER20

And the incredible Body Shop, Clarins, Feel Unique, Forever 21, Glamorous, Monsoon, Motel Rocks and Republic offers mentioned in my previous couple of posts are also still valid, so scroll down to grab your codes now!

Undoubtedly, more deals will be released throughout the day, so I'll be tweeting any additional offers I hear about, and/or notifying you if I decide to update this post (follow me to make sure you don't miss out). You are now ready to go forth and shop up a storm. Ready, set... go!

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