Doing it Like a Lady...

I've been grunging it up with the best of them recently, given the recent influx of plaid and pleather into my Autumn/Winter 'drobe, so perhaps it wasn't too surprising when my never-particularly-well-suppressed urges to dress for an imaginary '50s prom overcame my more season-specific impulses to dress as if for a '90s Nirvana gig. Where was I actually going? Erm, about as far as my sofa, to partake in the delights of The Face followed by Made In Chelsea, but so what?! How I love the decade we live in, in which we can pick and choose from whichever portion of the 20th century fashion archive takes our fancy, staying dead on trend regardless! That fluffy Primark "It" jumper is already proving to be far more versatile than I'd initially have given it credit for, too...

Jumper and Shoes: Both Primark, Tutu: Coast (See more of it here), Body Chain: Miss Selfridge

What era are you channeling this season?

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East Meets West: How to Wear the Kimono 5 More Ways

Hello, my name is Sam and I'm a kimono addict... I've only managed a handful of kimono-free days since my latest fix came into my life (first paired with another of this summer's great loves, stripes, here). Back in September, when I was a mere baby blogger, I showed you 3 of my favourite A/W kimono-pairings (leather skinnies, pencil skirts and maxis), so a summer update seems timely...

Whilst its dark, sensuous glamour will see you stylishly through winter accompanied by Hollywood siren/rock chick/goth-chic co-ordinates, the kimono's combination of feminine sweetness and boho free-spiritedness also effortlessly surfs the sartorial waves of summer holidays, festivals and garden parties (or just ensures you look chic at the supermarket).

These Boots Were Made For Walkin'...

... and probably not tramping through muddy fields, but this could be the perfect festival outfit if you disregard my ickle bit of artistic licence and replace them with wedge wellies. Inspired by Next's idea to use a kimono as the basis of a "Dusky Western" look, with my own favourite wrap-and-tuck kimono-as-top tweak.

Kimono c/o F&F at Tesco (Available Here), Shorts: Topshop, Boots: Peacocks

Oriental Hothouse vs. English Country Garden

Kimono: As Above; Skirt, Belt and Shoes: All Primark; Bag c/o marc b. (Available Here)

Ah, I do love a good flix (floral print mix - at least I didn't say "prix" - oops). Combining traditionally Oriental and European prints and shapes for a vintage-inspired ladylike look with a twist, I've stuck to classic neutral accessories in an attempt to avoid clutter and keep the focus on the floral clash - do you prefer the kimono tucked in or belted over the skirt?

Fairy Print-cess

Kimono: As Above, Dress: Matalan, Boots and Floral Crown: Both Primark

Yup, sometimes I do actually wear it loose! This time adding a hint of edge to an-ultra girly look founded on fun, cutesy shapes and lots of pink!

Boho Meets Hobo

Kimono: As Above; Dress, Necklace and Boots: All Primark, Beanie: New Look

Kinda Shoreditch-hipster-meets-bag-lady, but I love it! The continuity of dark tones between kimono and dress stops the "piling everything on but the kitchen sink" look from becoming an eye-sore, whilst the beanie and neon accents add a bit of urban flair to the timeless gypsy feel.

Bohemian Rhapsody

Kimono: As Above, Skirt: Miss Selfridge (Available Here), Top: New Look, Boots: Peacocks, Body Chain: Topshop

Another "channelling-Glastonbury" look inspired by 2 of my musical/style icons - Rihanna meets Florence Welch. Yep, I can so see myself romping around a field in this - until my skirt gets dirty and I cry. Which may be why I have never actually made it to a festival myself...

Have you invested in a kimono yet? Will you be rocking it at any festivals this year, or staying safely within reach of the remote control/washer-dryer?

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Rocking Baroque Into 2013: 5 More Ways to Wear Metallics

Metallics will be shimmering on into Spring/Summer again this year, so I thought I'd show you how I'm wearing them post-party season...

The Baroque Jeans

The Michaela jeans were the first thing into my basket when my Boohoo shopathon began - it was love at first sight. Although I love disco pants and velvet leggings (close enough to the "trouser" threshold to be flaunted without concern for top length), I've never really been a printed leggings girl, so I was ecstatic to find this now-iconic motif on something a bit more substantial!

As I warned in my original How to Wear Metallics post, shiny, light-coloured surfaces can make the wearer appear larger than actual size, so, unless you're seriously snake-hipped, balancing this effect out with a bit of added volume on your top half is a good idea, whether it's with a peplum or a slouchy tee or sweater. I've been sticking to a black and gold colour palette with these patterned lovelies, to avoid the 5-year-old-in-the-fancy-dress-box look, but chocolate box neutrals and rich berry tones also look great with plain gold varieties.

Lace and Leather

Jeans*: Boohoo (Current), Top: New Look (Current), Shoes and Belt: Primark (Past Seasons)

A black peplum top and killer heels work perfectly with metallic jeans for a high-octane glam look which still lets your legs do the talking (or, er, walking). A waist cinching belt emphasises curves - leather and buckles add a hit of tough girl (I did try a pretty-pretty version but decided it rendered the overall look a bit pedestrian).

Heavy Metal Princess

Jeans* and Boots*: Boohoo (Current), T-Shirt: Forever 21 (Past Season), Body Chain: Topshop

Who says you can't rock head-to-toe metallics in February? For an edgier evening look, Lita-likes and a loose tee are perfect partners... this look really wouldn't be cool if the tones matched exactly, but I think the carefree clash just saves it! I piled on a gold body chain for a final dash of rock star chic.

Blackout

Jeans*: As Above, Jumper and Trainers: Primark (Current)

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

Adding some mid-winter cheer to your standard jean-jumper-trainer combo - sticking to black separates keeps it daylight-appropriate.

The Pleated Skater Skirt

Although my wardrobe seems to have experienced a great gold rush over the last few seasons, I had to have this pewter skirt... But, perhaps due to the aforementioned gilt addiction, it's been a little neglected... You might just have spotted it with my £2 bralet wonder-buy in my How To Wear Sequins post, but I was determined it would see the light of day again before next Christmas!

Slouch and Creep

Skirt: Forever 21, Jumper: Marks & Spencer (Past Season), Creepers: New Look

How to dress anything down 101 - the relaxed sweater. If I've done it once I've done it a thousand times, but it's always a winner! Grey tones in effortlessly with silver shades - I slipped on some contrasting creepers to tone the look down a little more.

Mixed Metals

Skirt and T-Shirt: Forever 21, Shoes and Pony Holder: Primark (Current), Necklace: Peacocks (Past Season)

A little DIY-alloying - I think it works well with these slightly muted metallics - the bronze-gold tee and pewter-silver skirt combination isn't too loud. I added a black and gold statement necklace to dress the look up with a bit of a Baroque vibe, whilst my new £6 Primark wonder-brogues and pony-holder keep it cute and quirky.

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Alternative Partywear: Taking Your Jumpsuits and Playsuits Out to Play

Squeezing in one final outfit post of 2012 which might just help out someone who's still in a quandary over what to wear tonight! A couple of years ago, I vowed never again to venture out on New Year's Eve, at least until I had a chauffeur (and preferably an invite to the Beckham gaff). As hard as I've tried to get into the spirit, being squashed in the midst of large crowds of drunken people, followed by long walks circumnavigating stubbornly closed train stations in stilettos, topped off by 2-hour waits at taxi queue points/night bus stops in sub-zero temperatures in the early hours of the morning has just never added up to "the best night of the year" for me. So I will be enjoying my perfect start to 2013 in the company of my mum, Geri the cat, Alan (Carr) and a bottle of mulled wine.

If you do have somewhere fabulous to go though, or just happen to enjoy the above, and your favourite party dress is starting to suffer from seasonal fatigue, why not try something a bit different? You can't go wrong with disco pants or sequins, but a playsuit or jumpsuit is also more than capable of stopping the show...

A jumpsuit is such a brilliant throw-it-on day-to-night season-to-season piece, and there are so many amazing styles around at the moment - all you need to do is pick a piece of statement jewellery and some fabulous heels and you're done!

You might have already seen this classic black palazzo-style version featured in my original How to Wear Playsuits and Jumpsuits post - you can change its look and vibe completely, depending on what you pair it with, but this time I decided to go ultra glamorous, with a twist courtesy of classic pearls strung in dramatic shapes - a great spin on formal wear if you don't want to go for a traditional cocktail gown.

Jumpsuit: Peacocks (Past Season)

Shoes: Primark (Past Season)

Body Chain: Miss Selfridge

Bracelet: Primark (Current)

For a less formal (and yes, more playful feel, the playsuit is a great antidote to the LBD. I've had this black velvet number for a couple of years now, and find it surprisingly versatile - great dressed up - either solo save for heels and statement choker, or layered over a sheer long-sleeved top - but just as wearable for day layered over a shirt or jumper with opaque tights and boots...

Playsuit, Wedges, Lace Top and Jumper (below): All Primark (Past Season)

Boots (below): Peacocks (Past Season)

Whatever you're doing, have a brilliant time, and make sure you come back and see me next year!

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