AW12 Lust Haves... This Season's Most Darling Dresses

I'm having to take a brief enforced break from outfit posts at the moment, as my little pink point and shoot point blank refuses to shoot anything resembling a decent photo in this lovely dull October light, and I'm having issues finding a DSLR that agrees with me (as well as with my bank balance)... So, until I can share my birthday haul with you, I thought I'd share a few things which are still on my new season lust list...

1 & 2: Both AX Paris at New Look 

The mixi is going from strength to strength this season, and AX Paris is coming up trumps (these are both £35 or under) - rich-toned florals (and other prints, like peacock) on dark bases are perfect for AW. I'd wear these with heels and a metallic belt for evening, or opaques, boots, cute knits and a leather jacket for day.

3: New Look

All I want for Christmas... is an embellished flapper frock. I adore '20s style and have wanted something like this foreeeever - the lines of this dress make it look like it would hang beautifully, and I'm hopeful that, coupled with the neckline, this means it would work on an hourglass figure without turning into a potato sack!

4 & 5: Both Glamorous

A website I'd never have thought of hitting up until Look showcased some picks from their AW collection on their website. I'll admit I sneered at the sheer skirt trend when it first hit, but I'm completely in love with it now, and these two dresses are juuuuust divine. I've finally managed to snag the Primark bodycon mini dress with sheer maxi back and sides (to be showcased soon), so I think, other than that, I'll probably concentrate on teaming sheer maxis/mixis with bodies and other tops to create my own versions of this look, but if I could stretch my sheer clothing budget a leeetle bit further, these would definitely be on the wish list.

6: Primark

Now this, I will almost definitely be grabbing if and when I see it touch down  - my second shopping rule of thumb (after #1: Only buy it if you love it), is: If you love it and you're in Primark, buy it now (only occasionally relaxed when I consider something ridiculously overpriced, like that £14 cardi which I had the last laugh over when I got it in the sale for £6). I love the juxtaposition of the printed drop hem skirt against the leather top, and it will look fab dressed up or down.

See my past posts for a few more of my AW12 dream dresses in metallics, leather and velvet. More new season picks coming soon...

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This Season's Best Kept Strapless Secret Weapon

Like most other fashion bloggers, I usually focus on the layers of clothing which are publically viewable, but we all know how important good foundations are, right? There are always myriad bandeau/strappy/halter-neck/asymmetric-shouldered pieces begging to be worn, but strapless/multiway bras tend to be ugly, too high cut and/or fall down all the time - ugh. For a seamless plunge version that won't let you down, you still can't beat the Wonderbra Ultimate Strapless Bra (in 32A-38G!), but if you're really craving something pretty, and/or are after maximum va-va voom, my latest find, this New Look Super Push-Up Strapless Bra, is amazing, especially when you consider it's only £12.99!

It has a gorgeous plunging neckline which won't protrude annoyingly from under your clothes, looks just as good with straps as without, comes in cream/nude and black versions, is available up to a DD and... adds 2 cup sizes! I would have bought it anyway, whether it was padded or not (or even whether it was strapless or not), just because it's such a beautiful set in its own right - I don't really have any great desire to be an F cup - but it is kinda fun - praise New Look for equal opportunities and not removing the padding from anything D+! It would be great for smaller girls too.

I snapped up the black version instore and immediately logged on to the New Look website on returning home to order the lighter version - their free instore collection option on orders over £20 is really useful (and gives you an excuse to make up the remaining £1.02 with a bangle...belt...velvet peplum top...maybe some jeans...). There are matching bottoms too, which are equally lush, although for some reason really hard to find online! They're called Brazilian briefs, but are pretty thong-like really - you can get them here for £5.99.

If you're wearing a delicate/thin fabric, the lace might show through, so best stick to the Wonderbra in that case, but with a slightly heavier fabric you should be able to get away with this one - the embellishment isn't too bulky. Go forth and smoulder!

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M&S Mid-Season Sale: My Top Picks

The M&S mid-season sale kicked off at 8pm last night, and there are some brilliant bargains to be had if you hurry. They offer a free instore collection option for online orders (I always feel slightly cheated when I have to pay for delivery), with free returns, so you have nothing to lose! If they're already out of your size online, make your excuses and run to the high street now...

Limited Collection Floral Lace Pencil Skirt, £22
This is the beautiful burgundy AW version of my yellow skirt from the SS12 collection (featured in my How to Wear Neon post). An exposed zip runs right down the back, giving a sexy twist to a classic vintage-inspired look. Originally £35, I nearly snagged this in the Oxford Street store on Sunday, before I knew it was going to be discounted the following day!

T-Bar Wedge Heels, £15
M&S have probably the best selection of mid-height heels on the high street, and their half-size options are a godsend for those of us who hover between sizes. These were a wonder buy even at their original price (£25), let alone one that allows you to walk away with change from a £20 note (even if you throw in a sneaky Mushroom Pappardelle) - I had to have them as soon as I saw them. You might have seen them popping up in various outfit posts already - like this one. The plum colour is perfect for AW, and they're amazing for adding a touch of vintage elegance and height without crippling you. The combination of suede and snakeskin effects is stunning.

Dogtooth Dolly Shoes, £15
Another perfect pair of vintage-chic feet-friendly heels, picking up on this season's huge houndstooth mini-trend. Double your doggy with a printed dress or skirt, or add pep to a simple black or monochrome outfit.

Animal Print Insolia Heels, £20
Edgy evening glamour minus aching arches? I haven't tried any shoes made with Insolia technology as yet, but it's meant to shift the weight off the front of your feet, improving posture and reducing pressure - they look great anyway, so at £20 they've gotta be worth a try.

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How to Wear... The Trophy Jacket

A mini post (by my standards!) to end this month's inaugural series.

Whether it's a lurex-threaded boucle jacket, a sequinned blazer or a statement-shouldered cropped number like mine, I can bet you already own, or have your eye on, a stunning little cover-up to make those autumn evening chills just a little more bearable, and a lot more stylish.

Any of the above will look awesome draped over a simple LBD, but they're also great for adding a feminine twist to an androgynous tailored look, for those of us who want to dip a toe into tomboy territory but feel naked without at least one item of clothing that Barbie would be happy in.

At 4.30am one night (it was meant to be an early night, but after reading the new issues of Look and Company Street Style Edit from cover to cover, I was too wired to sleep, as outfit ideas kept popping into my head), I realised that, despite not issuing from the same shop, or even in the same year, my little cream lace shorts were an almost exact match for my cream lace trophy jacket (all kinds of exciting mental insights such as these keep you awake once you've amassed as many clothes as I have). A buttoned-up shirt (with embellished collar, natch) and heeled brogues added the finishing touches to my lady-boy look.

Jacket: Primark (Past Season)
Shorts: Jane Norman (Past Season)
Shirt: Primark (AW12)
Shoes: Peacocks (Past Season)

Contrasting-toned tailored trousers also paired well for a girly twist on power-dressing (see this post).

So don't restrict that sequinned blazer to Christmas parties - go ahead and slip it on over your sequinned hotpants, with a sharp sheer shirt and some shiny brogues - OK, it might be pushing the boundaries of masculine tailoring to Elton John levels, but it's fun!

This is the last of my daily September How to Wear posts chronicling almost all the outfits I've worn in the past year. If all has gone to plan, I'll be hitting the new Oxford Street Primark and its neighbours on my birthday shopping trip as this post is published, and will return armed with bags of new possibilities to be photographed by my shiny new DSLR. So, although my posting rate will probably calm down slightly now (so I might have some chance of getting something other than blogging done), I hope that this is only the end of the beginning.

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How to Wear... Faux Fur and Winter Warmers

It's time to get your winter heavyweights ready girls - it may still be blazer weather during the day, but your transitional jackets and lightweight macs won't keep out the evening chill for too much longer (especially if you live in the UK). Even if you're not as excitable about faux fur as I am (I bought this season's first piece in August, on the hottest day of the year - never leave anything you love behind), hopefully, by the time you've read this post you'll agree that winter does have some redeeming qualities.

Classic Winter Wool

A heavyweight woollen coat hitting mid-thigh or below is a must for AW - you're bound to be able to find one to suit your style.

Colour pop shades add vibrance to a classic look, and are great for illuminating neutrals or blocking with other tones. Rich berry, scarlet, orange, navy and mustard tones are perfect for this time of year.

Coat: Freemans (Past Season)
Dress and Shoes: Primark (Past Season)
Tights and Hair Band: Accessorize (Past Season)

An empire line cut gives an elegant vintage feel and has a flattering effect on nearly all body types.

A crombie coat is great for less girly types, or toying with a touch of androgyny, and the cocoon cut will cover a multitude of sins. I'm intrigued by this Primark coat as it's so different from the styles I'd usually pick out.

This Primark peplum coat is top of my grab-as-soon-as-it-drops list. The peplum gives a classic heritage-inspired style a feminine twist, whilst the buttons hint at military styling. The shape is fantastic for accentuating or creating hourglass curves.

The only thing that can make a princess coat more irresistible? Fur collar and cuffs. I love the way this beyond-cute Miss Selfridge number combines classic camel with animal print.

A super-feminine, super-cute take on the duffle, this coat from Tu at Sainsbury's will look as perfect with a pencil skirt as it will with jeans.

A full-length coat is an investment you'll never regret (especially if you can find the one in Primark). A godsend for those times when your dream dress just looks somehow frumpy and wrong poking out from under the hem of every other coat you own, and amazingly snug with boots and furry accessories on those arctic winter days - pick a wrap style or one that nips you in at the waist to maintain shape.

Coat and Boots: Primark (Past Season)
Hat: Miss Selfridge (Past Season)

The Duster
For a go-with-anything cover-up with a swinging sixties feel, grab a duster. Flattering on most shapes, this metallic Primark version will look stunning on a night out.

Faux Fur

The Accessories
Not only practical but soooo much fun, a cossack hat or dalmatian print pillbox and mittens give a sophisticated From Russia with Love edge to a wintry look. Generally, it's best to keep furry accessories and coats separate (unless it's reeeeeally cold), or it can all get a bit eskimo/Cruella de Vil. I like to wear mine with classic fitted sweater dresses or vintage-inspired blouse and midi skirt ensembles. Accessorize and Next have some gorgeous cossack hats in their AW12 collections.

Dalmatian Hat and Mittens: River Island (Past Season)
Coat: As Above
Blouse: Primark (Past Season)
Skirt: ASOS (SS12)
Tights: Primark
Shoes: New Look (Past Season)
Cossack Hat: Miss Selfridge (Past Season)
Sweater Dress: Warehouse (Past Season)
Necklace: Primark (Past Season)

The Coats

Faux fur gilets look great layered over chunky knits, maxi dresses or sweater dresses for a boho/rock chick vibe, or over a lightweight mac or parka to extend their seasonal lifespan. This one is from F&F at Tesco.

Fur jackets and coats are perfect partners for both casual and formal looks - adding a seventies glam rock feel to jeans, leather skinnies and boho maxis, and a touch of old Hollywood glamour to evening dresses, pencil skirts and floaty midis. Give bodycon minis a wide berth though - Pretty Woman is not your inspiration here.

New Look, £39.99

A short-haired, cropped, animal print style adds the perfect dose of silver screen stardust to a vintage-inspired daytime or sophisticated night-time look.

F&F at Tesco, £40

A longer-haired, hip-skimming jacket in neutral or colour pop shades looks great with long boots pulled over leather or denim skinnies.

Mr Vintage at New Look, £49.99

A|Wear, £80

Long, chunky faux fur coats beg to be belted for an elegant hourglass silhouette. Don't feel you need to stick to the belt or tie your garment comes with - switch it up for different looks - skinny, wide, embellished...

Warehouse, £90

Tomorrow: How to Wear the Trophy Jacket

See more posts featuring faux fur here

See more posts featuring jackets and coats here

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