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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Princess of China: 5 Ways to Wear a Printed Scarf

When I picked up this £4 porcelain print scarf in Primark (finally ticking off that trend - yes!), I had visions of it tied '50s starlet-style around my head, accompanied by cat-eye sunnies and my beloved Tigra Convertible as we raced across hill and highway, shaking out a mane of perfectly tousled hair on arrival (rather than the Bridget Jones bird nest which has thus far accompanied every topless foray we've made over 50 mph, followed by several hours of agonised detangling).

However. It being the hottest summer the UK has seen for 7 years, my convertible has decided to exercise its right not to convert. Yes, I have put up with a winter of rain and snow slinking through the cracks which the proprietors of retractable roofs must stoically bear, only to find that, in response to sunshine, the lid remains resolutely shut. Hopefully I shall be able to give my driving diva ensemble a day out before the sun disappears (I refuse to respond to Mummy Muses' insinuations that my car is now of more value to me as a fashion accessory/photoshoot prop than a mode of transportation, although there may be more than a grain of truth in the accusations), but in the meantime, I did have a few other ideas!

The DIY Top

Well, if the perfect printed top hasn't come to you... make your own! No needles required, just a bit of creative folding and a sturdy strapless bra to tuck around... 

Version 2.0...

Scarf (Worn as Top): Primark, Skirt: Boohoo, Shoes: F&F

The DIY Skirt

The next logical step!

Scarf (Worn as Skirt): Primark, Dress (Worn as Top): Primark (Past Season), Shoes: F&F

The Headscarf

Going for a bit of a landgirl vibe...

Scarf: Primark, Dungarees and Shoes: Both Boohoo, Top: New Look (Teens)

The Wrap

A touch more traditional, but that doesn't mean to say you can't still exercise a little creativity... drape over shoulders for a romantic "off-to-the-opera" cape feel, or belt for more structure...

Scarf, Dress and Belt: All Primark, Shoes: F&F

Thrown over one shoulder, it also makes a chic peekaboo cover-up for a look which you might otherwise feel is a tad too revealing...

Scarf: Primark, Top: Love at Topshop (Past Season), Skirt: Boohoo, Shoes: Carvela (Past Season), Hair Band: Accessorize (Past Season), Bag: Primark (Past Season)

The Neckerchief

Go West...

Scarf, Top and Boots: All Primark, Skirt: Topshop

How would you wear yours?

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£6.89 Zara Skort Dupe

Yes, the skort brigade has gained a new recruit! I wasn't too sure about the style initially, but, as per usual, indoctrination has been swift and relatively painless... it is a pretty ingenious idea, after all - updating the micro mini with not only a contemporary graphic flavour, but a design which allows you to ride out a heatwave with no concerns re: potential flashing! I very nearly snapped up the original (when it was, if you can believe it, in stock). At Zara's virtual checkout, though, I have to admit I balked at the delivery charge (a pet hate, unless I can hunt out a discount code to bypass them) and decided to try my luck on eBay... Amidst the originals selling for twice the original £25.99 price tag (seriously?), I spotted a crop of Eastern dupes going for less than £7, with FREE delivery (making Zara's £3.95 shipping charge appear all the more unjust)! Had to be worth a try at that price... 

In terms of appearance, comfort and fit? Pretty close to perfect. And you can't really argue with a 7 day international turnover time. If you do go for a dupe, make sure you check the size chart, ensuring that the hip measurement will accommodate you - Asian sizing is smaller than Western/Zara sizing, so you'll probably need to go up a size or two. Some of the stitching could be better though... the first time I flopped onto the sofa in it, I ended up with an, ahem, crotchless skort - so much for no concerns re: flashing! 

Pre-unintentional-customisation, I'd decided to pair it with my trusty kimono to play on the origami feel... Can't wait to explore its potential further... once a few minor repairs have been carried out, that is!

Skort: eBay, Kimono: F&F, Shoes: Boohoo

Have you been seduced by the skort?

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Straight to the Point(y Shoes)

Would you believe my c.100-pair footwear archive was, until a week ago, sorely lacking at least 2 essential types of shoe? Now, I'll admit that, at a pinch, although my podiatric landscape would be significantly poorer, I could probably survive without many of the last month's other tootsie-related purchases - the heavenly knee-high glads featured in my last post, the two-tone monochrome strappies, the multi-buckle peep-toe ankle boots snatched up mere days ago, even those long-awaited white courts... But I don't know how I reached this point with neither pointy-toed flat nor mini block heel to bear me aloft.

A far more elegant accompaniment to tailoring and structured skirts and dresses than the ballet pump or flat sandal, but far kinder to feet that actually need to function outside the realms of taxis and chaise-longues than higher heels - how had I missed the holy grail of accessorising all my life? Thankfully, by the time our anomalously searing temperatures and unfortunate lack of chaise-longues forced me out of my heels and into realisation of my shoedrobe's gaping omission, M&S was ready and waiting for me with not one, but two servings of monochrome goodness.

Shoes: Marks & Spencer (Available Here), Top and Skirt: Both Primark

Shoes: Marks & Spencer (Available Here), Top: Primark, Shorts: F&F

The sweetly sailor-y striped pumps are fairly new in and cost £25, whilst the '60s-meets-granny-chic slingbacks are £15 in the sale - both a great fit and crazily comfortable for points, but the sizing does differ slightly - I'm a 5.5, and needed a 5 in the flats, and a 6 in the slingbacks. Regardless of numbering, my shoe collection life is officially complete - for today, at least.

Are you staying sharp in the heat?

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