Let's Go Outside... (And Take Our Tops Off)

So, for the last 2 years, reluctant to venture out onto the mean streets of suburbia with tripod in hand, I've made it my life's mission to perfect the indoor outfit shot, a slave to the sun's whims and operating-theatre-bright light bulbs. Until, this month, Mummy Muses casually mentions that there's an all but deserted garage complex tucked away mere metres from our back door, complete with not only (obviously) garage doors, but brick walls and foliage into the bargain - has fashion blogger utopia been on my doorstep all along?!

Although I could probably walk it, I decided to bring my car along for her first topless photoshoot following her brief (but expensive) sojourn at the de-roofers. At least half the point of owning a convertible (and putting up with its periodic refusals to disrobe and winter-long indoor monsoons) is, surely, to avail yourself of the opportunity to channel Marilyn/Audrey/Grace/Jackie in a vintage style headscarf/cat eye sunnies combo whilst enjoying the sounds of The Beatles c.1963! Or is that just me...? Of course, this £4 china print Primark beauty also significantly reduces the occupational hazard of topless driving that is The Bridget Jones Bird's Nest... I really could have done with finding one a year or two ago!! (Oh, and if you fancy testing its paces as a top/skirt/shawl/tablecloth - OK, maybe not the last one - don't forget to check out my post on 5 Ways to Wear a Printed Scarf.)

Outdoor photography has proven to be a damn sight trickier than I expected, accustomed as I have become to the (relatively) predictable behaviour of the light from my bedroom window/wall fittings - got some experimentation and boning up on camera settings to do for sure, but I love the quality of these shots and think I'll definitely be venturing out again very soon (though perhaps not sans top).

Dress c/o F&F, Shoes: Boohoo, Headscarf: Primark, Sunglasses: Accessorize (Past Season)

My Inspiration...

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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.

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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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