5 More Ways to Wear Velvet

Spring is (apparently) on its way, but I'm all for making the most of the last days of winter first... Velvet is great for adding a bit of glamour and/or colour into your cold-weather wardrobe, and any bargains you can pick up in the sales now will be an investment for years of snuggly happiness to come.

If you've read my first How to Wear Velvet post, or checked out recent posts like this one, you'll know I'm already an addict, but as Santa was kind enough to drop several new velvety beauties into my collection this year, I thought I'd show you how I've been styling them...

A Drop of Claret

Dress: Missguided; Jumper: Marks & Spencer (Past Season); Tights: Topshop; Shoes: Boohoo*; Hair Band: Boohoo

*Part of my #PartyPose People's Choice Winner's Haul

You can see this cut-out lovely in full in my Christmas Outfits post, but for a slightly more casual/edgy look (and in an attempt to prove to myself that I didn't need the matching skirt, which was out of stock in my size), I layered it under my trusty slouchy knit and teamed with tough girl accessories.

She Wore Blue Velvet

Dress: Missguided; Tights, Shoes and Jewellery: All Primark

I'll admit, being able to give this title to an outfit was a major motivator to own this piece, but I also fell hook, line and sinker for its rich-but-subtle elegance. The waist line comes up quite high on me, giving it more of a babydoll look, which I decided to embrace by going for a '60s feel (having recently learned that colour-blocking as we know it today originated in this era with colour-matched tights and shoes, fact fans).

She Wore More Blue Velvet

Leggings: Boohoo; Jumper: River Island (Past Season); Boots and Necklace: Primark; Headband: Dolly Bow Bow

A lovely surprise pressie from my BFF, I was really impressed by the quality and construction of these high-waisted velvet leggings (in fact I'm somewhat crushed that all the black ones have now gone, as I was planning to invest *sad face*). A sort of snugglier version of disco pants, they're super versatile, and great for adding colour and fun to a cosy winter look. Berry shades tone in effortlessly with midnight blue, whilst mustard "pops".

Top of the Crops

You might already have seen this top with my new disco pants in yesterday's post, and my sheer maxi in this post, but I've barely been out of it since it popped through the postbox, so here are two more looks for good measure (and I must admit I have at least one more lined up - this one is travelling into spring with me!). Its relative demureness (thanks to the neckline) means it goes with virtually anything...

Triple Velvet

Top: Missguided; Skirt and Belt: Primark; Boots*: Boohoo; Headband: River Island

Hmm, that title sounds like an ad for toilet tissue... never mind. Teaming my new number one staple with an old favourite - the velvet rara skirt (featured in my original How To Wear Velvet post). The velvet headband elevates it from "13-year-old-at-school-disco" territory.

Texture Clash

Top: As Above; Skirt: Topshop (Past Season); Belt: Boohoo; Boots: Peacocks (Past Season); Hat: Primark

The softness of velvet contrasts beautifully against the uncompromising lines and planes of (faux) leather - the "ladylike" peplum/pencil skirt silhouette juxtaposed against the androgyny of the bowler hat adds a further dimension to the look.

What to Add to Your Virtual Shopping Bag

Missguided still have many gorgeous velvet dresses in stock, some now priced even more bargainously than they were originally.

Motel have a fabulous selection of velvet goodies, including some lust-have high-waisted skinnies in black and midnight blue, and a beautiful bralet.

I never got round to picking up a velvet peplum top, which I'm rather devastated about... grab this Boohoo beauty while you can!

And don't forget eBay! Velvet skater skirt for under £5 anyone? I'm in love with this roll neck midi dress that Roxii from Studded Kisses has discovered too!

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Lashes of London Wish List

Lashes of London have some seriously cute pieces in at the moment, so when I heard that they were giving away £200 to spend on their wares in their blogger competition, I had to try my luck!

For my fantasy wish list, I've chosen 3 perfect-for-spring daywear pieces, 3 sensational evening dresses and 2 (literally) dazzling jackets to show you. There were so many temptations that I just couldn't keep the total cost under £200, but I did find some unbelievable sale bargains, so make sure you check them out before they vanish!

Vintage-Inspired Daytime Loveliness

Palms Belted Playsuit, £49 £14.70 
Quite possibly the cutest playsuit I've ever seen - the bow and cut-out features are so Marilyn-esque, and the level of attention to detail is incredible for the sale price!

Frenchy Polka Dot Shorts, £38 £11.40
More '50s style amazingness - the high waist and floaty A-line shape make these so flattering and easy to wear, as well as ridiculously cute. They'll look equally fab with a relaxed black jumper and opaques now, and a crop top and wedges come summer.

Abyss Leopard Print Dip Hem Dress, £55
This dress might just tempt me over to the dark (or bright) side... coloured leopard print, something I never thought I'd wear, made so-chic-it-hurts with '40s inspired styling. The dipped hem ensures a glamorous, rather than staid, silhouette.

Evening Glamour

Rococo Caviar Beaded Dress, £90

Baroque updated for spring with an on-trend lantern cut. Luxuriously opulent, but with an elegant touch of restraint.

Metallica Skater Dress, £65

Metallic gorgeousness with all dials set to stun. The classic shape keeps it chic.

Harlow Sequin Racer Front Dress, £65 £19.50

You'd be hard pressed to find a more showstopping LBD than this one, especially for under £20! The graphic neckline detail ensures the sequin-bodycon combo appears far from pedestrian.

Covering Up In Style

Hologram Sequin Bomber Jacket, £85

Sports luxe meets disco. Perfect for injecting some fun into a casual ensemble, or adding edge to evening wear.

Harper Sequin Biker Jacket, £130 £39

Everyone needs a statement biker in their lives, and this one will funk up your summer dresses and khakis and add a surfeit of glamour to disco pants and evening dresses - it would look stunning over the Rococo dress above.

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Daisy Street Disco Pants

I'm about to make a bold statement (then run away before the blogging gods smite me where I type) - I don't want a pair of American Apparel disco pants. That's right - the holy grail of the fashion blogosphere - don't care anymore. That's how much I love my Daisy Street dupes.

Disco Pants: Daisy Street (available here), Velvet Crop Top: Missguided, Boots: Primark

As comfy, versatile and loveable as my Boohoo Ameries are, I've always hankered after a "proper" button-fly pair too, so these went straight onto my Christmas list (being the best value pair I could find on the web) and were promptly snapped up by my grandmother, who spent much of the late '70s/early '80s in a similar pair!

I'll admit I've never actually tried a pair of AA "originals", but to me, these seem near-indistinguishable for less than a third of the price, and in fact, from the exhaustive web-based "research" I've undertaken, I think I even prefer them. Call it a reaction against growing up in the early noughties (when the Britney effect had us all displaying not only our bejewelled navels, but often most of our underwear, to the world at large, in the lowest rise garments known to woman), but I like high-waisted to mean high-waisted, and the AA versions tend to bare just a bit too much belly button for my liking.

These are super high-waisted, super thick-and-shiny and super comfortable (in the right size - they do have the "peel-on-and-suck-in" qualities of "real" disco pants, but I am happy to report that, 6 weeks after Christmas, I can now breathe and even move in them without feeling physically sick).

My Disco Wish List

L-R: Tina Disco Pants in Olive Green, £22.99; Tina Disco Pants in Graphite, £22.99; Blondie Disco Pants in Emerald Green, £22.99; Blondie Disco Pants in Burgundy, £22.99; Blondie Disco Shorts in Gold, £14.99 - All Daisy Street

I feel this could be the start of a dangerous addiction... not only am I already planning my SS13 monochrome ensembles around my black pair, but I have started to seriously lust after the incredible rainbow of other options on offer... How perfect would the olive green pair be as a glam substitute for khaki combats? Or the graphite for an easy throw-on-and-go take on spring metallics? They'd be perfect for a stand-out sports luxe look which I could take from dance audition to shopping spree to, er, disco! I might even be tempted to try them in apparent-colour-of-the-season emerald green... or burgundy to see me through the winter-spring transition... Disco shorts are definitely on the wish list too... argh!

Have you ever bought anything from Daisy Street? What disco goodies are on your wish list?

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It's All Black and White

etailPR are hosting a competition to win £75 to spend at marc b. and £175 to spend at ASOS - once I'd had a peek at marc b.'s amazing selection of new season bags and acquainted myself with the latest additions to the ASOS treasure trove, I couldn't wait to enter!

I decided to concoct an outfit around the Molly Black Ostrich Handbag - a classic ladylike style with evocations of mid-twentieth century Hollywood, and the perfect go-anywhere accessory to this spring's monochrome mania.

Inspired by the vintage feel of the bag, I wanted to create a glamorous "starlet" silhouette with an elegant high-waisted below-the-knee pencil skirt, ladylike shoes and fascinator, but gave it a contemporary twist with playful touches like the bear ears and two-tone ankle socks. The tucked-in baseball jacket plays up the '50s Americana vibe and adds a hint of sports luxe. For a more casual feel, I'd leave the top untucked and swap the heels for black patent wedge high-tops, and the fascinator for a blinged-up baseball cap. See? Wear anywhere.

Molly Black Ostrich Handbag, £49 - marc b.

Premium Leather Snake Effect Skirt, £90; Baseball Jacket, £40; Bear Fascinator, £12; Pixel Pointed High Heels, £40; Monochrome Ankle Socks, £4 - All ASOS

How do you feel about monochrome? I've always loved it, so I'm taking every opportunity to rock the look at the moment!

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My First Cat Print Dress and the Wonders of (the) Amazon

With pointy ears ticked off the list, I was still desperate to get my paws on some cat print clothing... So I'm indebted to both Daxon, who were as good as their word in sending me my £50 Amazon voucher for joining their VIP Blogging Network, and Victoria from Victoria's Vintage, who recently enlightened me to the feline delights that can now be found amongst the bookshelves in the Amazon warehouse...

This AX Paris dress is on sale here and here (strangely at 2 different prices!), with a few 8s, 10s and 12s still waiting to be snapped up. The elasticated waistline does require a belt, and I'd recommend going up a size if you're busty, as the waistline is quite high, but overall, I'm in love with the sweetly flirty style and elegant nude and black colourway - perfect for my first foray into cat print!

Dress: AX Paris (available here and here), Shoes: Marks & Spencer (£15, available here), Belt: Primark (Past Season)

I'm sure it will see me right through Spring/Summer, but for now, I'm styling it with a chunky black jumper and ankle boots to see off the late winter chills!

Dress: As Above, Jumper: Primark (Current), Boots: Primark (Past Season)

I also snapped up a nail art brush and tool kit (first attempts to use it haven't met with great success, but this is probably more the fault of the workwoman than the tools - kinda wishing I'd gone for this one now, and blown the extra £3!) and two gorgeous vintage fashion coffee table books - 100 Years of Fashion and Marilyn in Fashion - I'm a bit of a history geek and love reading about the evolution of fashion, and how it ties in with societal change, but even if you're not, the pictures are lush! Full reviews coming soon...

I'm sure Amazon are trying to make the need for shopping anywhere else obsolete... Which I'm in no way complaining about, as long as I can tick kitty slippers off my list next.

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