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From Drab to Fab. 5 Easy Ways To Style a T-Shirt Dress

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T-shirt dresses are great and easy but can get a little boring especially if you get into the habit of just wearing them with sandals. I know that most don’t come with a fabulous lace cape like this one(!) but you don’t need a cape to make things interesting again……

Here are 5 quick ways to show your t-shirt dress some love:                                                      #1.  Bootie-up! Any ankle boots will do, flats or with a bit of heel, it doesn’t matter.
#2.  Add a denim jacket or light parka for cooler days. If it gets too warm, tie loosely around the waist.
#3.  Layer it. Add another dimension to your t-shirt dress with an over-sized shirt or light baggy knit.
#4.  Lady pointy pumps. Go lady-like with flat pointed toe pumps. Tip: This works best with a plain t-shirt dress – no logos. Bag should be small otherwise carry a clutch.
#5.  Smells like teen spirit. Get back in touch with your inner teen with Converse hi-tops. Actually, any hi-top trainers will do!

Remember, the more embellished the t-shirt, the simpler the accessories!                                            Found this helpful? Let me know! Thanks for dropping by…. 

Addie xx

I am wearing:     

      Jersey T-shirt dress (McQ)| Boots (Carvela)| Bag (Sandro)| Sunglasses (Celine)

Casually Luxe-ing Up A Little Black (Vest) Dress

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Whether you like them long or short, fitted or loose, vest dresses are easy and forgiving to wear.  And if you like to wear yours casually like I do, then you probably always pair them with flat sandals or trainers. But, laid-back and comfortable doesn’t mean having to loose out on the “chic factor” and some carefully chosen accessories can really help dial things up a notch. The key, as usual, is to keep things simple.

Here are five easy ways to take your vest dress from casual to casual-luxe….

#1. Fabric. Fine fabrics (silk, satin and their faux relations) give a more polished look than cotton or ribbed versions. #2. Cut. Try on different styles until you find what suits you. I like mine just above the knee and loose but if longer or more fitted works for you, go for it. Just remember that short and too fitted can sometimes come off a little cheap and long and too loose could wind up looking shapeless. #3. Feet. Give the flat sandals and trainers a break and go for a pair of backless loafers or flat/low-heeled mules. #4. Bag(gage). Keep it small to medium – strictly no extra baggage allowed! (If accompanied by a “junk generating mini person” get them to carry a rucksack.) See my last post for where to get some fabulous small totes at the moment.  #5. Accessories. Low-key and understated.

I am wearing:

Vest Dress (Filippa K)| Mules (Primark)| Bag (&Other Stories)| Sunglasses (Céline)

Thanks for visiting!

Addie xx

White Shirt, Black Jeans, Mules + A Teeny Tote

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After years being consigned to “mummy bags” – on account of the small mountain of c.r.a.p. that usually accompanies a small child – carrying a teeny bag feels almost decadent. This small but perfectly formed leather tote from & Other Stories is a gorgeous example of a high street piece punching above its weight.  Fabulously bijou but still big enough to fit more than just your phone and keys (you can’t do without a pack of wet wipes even at age 7 in my experience!) – it also comes with a strap when you need to go hands free. It’s now sold out (unfortunately) but these other high street alternatives are all currently available and are just as fabulous: Calla Bucket Bag (Topshop), Mini Wooden Tote (Zara) or Net Tote Bag (Mango).

Want to add a bit of zing to your weekend casuals? Add a small tote!

Addie x

Ps – Drop me a comment to let me know what you think!

Cropped jeans with embroidery detail (All Saints)

White shirt with pin-hole detailing (Victoria Beckham)

Mules with bow detail (Primark)

I am wearing:

Shirt (Victoria Beckham)| Jeans (All Saints)| Mules (Primark)| Bag (& Other Stories)| Sunglasses (Celine)

Photos: UW Ugbenne

Are you ready for ‘anything goes’ Spring/Summer 2018?

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Colour is IN

I wish the sunnier days of Spring were here already don’t you? And it’s  looking to be a stonker on the fashion front too.  In fact, there are so many trends to choose from for Spring/Summer 2018 that it made this post quite the challenge! Anyway, here it is – my round-up of the Fab, the Mad and the downright Bad…..

#1. Le Trench. (FAB)

Trench coats are everywhere for S/S 2018 in a variety of shapes. Every major label has a version, so expect the High Street to follow suit. To me, trench coats are always in, but now that it’s like, official,  if you need any tips on how to make the most of yours see my Trench Wear-fare: Little tweaks to make the most of your trench coat!

From L-R: Balenciaga, Céline, Bottega Veneta

Valentino

#2. Colour me….(BAD?) 

Whether it’s bright and brash (think Crayola crayons) or softer pastels (think the Queen), colour is “in” this Spring. And nothing makes me want to reach for my trusted grey and black faster. It’s not that I’m averse to colour – I own my fair share of colourful stuff – but I don’t think I’ve quite recovered from the “colour-blocking” madness of S/S 2011.  Anyway, you won’t find me anywhere near the lavenders, pastels and lilacs but I might indulge in a bold colour (or two) and actually the pinks are not looking so bad. Shock horror.

From L-R: Tom Ford, Off-White, Marco di Vincenzo, Missoni

Anyone for ice cream?

#3. 80s Pick n Mix. (FAB)

The 80s are back! Shoulders? Check. High-waisted jeans tucked into boots? Check. Dynasty-esque dresses? Double check. You can literally choose which bits of it you want. What fun. Tip:  I plan to get involved (obvs) but I won’t be bothering with the high-end stuff. I reckon the High Street will have this one covered. Meaning we can indulge to our heart’s content in the “ one season wonder” fun and frolics without breaking the bank. Oh dear. Oh YES.

From L-R: Emanuel Ungaro, Saint Laurent, Halpern

From L-R: Y Project, Off-white, Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafin

#4. Fanny packs, bum bags or roadman bags. (FAB? MAD? Oh who cares!)

Bum bags or fanny packs, whatever  you call them, they are in. I’ll admit that I wasn’t keen on them first time round, but now with a 6 year old in tow, anything hands-free gets my vote! And there are so many fab options. I’m all over this one people.

From L-R: Zimmerman, Noon by Noor, Marc Jacobs, Vivienne Tam, Rachel Comey

Gucci

Louis Vuitton

#5. Plastic not so fantastic (MAD. And BAD)

Shame on us, fashion lovers.  Maybe it’s just me, but with all the talk around reducing the impact of plastic on the environment this over-dose on “wearable plastic” (whatever that means) seems at tad out of touch and mighty crass. Plastic rain macs I might be able to forgive but transparent knee-high plastic boots?! Who is wearing this stuff? Emperor’s New Clothes syndrome on steroids.  We can do better.

From L-R: Balmain, Chanel, Balmain

Fabulous top half. Shame about the rest

#6. Bye bye Phoebe. Hello Hedi (FAB or MAD – time will tell)

So this is not exactly S/S 2018 news but I couldn’t ignore the hottest fashion news of the moment. Phoebe Philo – queen of minimalism and the designer of choice for “women with shit to get done” – is leaving Céline after 10 years to be replaced by Hedi Slimane (ex-YSL). Where Hedi is all about youth culture, Phoebe’s Céline is unquestionably for grown-ups, so it’ll be interesting to see what direction he takes. He’s no stranger to shaking things up (he it was who dropped “Yves” from Yves Saint Laurent – see What’s in a name anyway?) and apparently he’s already proposing a Céline Mens’ line.  Is this a yay or a nay? I’m not really sure but maybe we should start stocking up on those Céline accessories just in case. Psst! Rumour has it Ms Philo is off to Burberry…..

Phoebe Philo

Hedi Slimane

So there you have it. A veritable free-for-all S/S 2018 and I for one can’t wait!

Addie x

 

Photos: Imaxtree; Getty images