Swelegant Style Shopping

Exciting times

2011-06-12T22:26:00.000+01:00

Have you been wondering where I've been? Have you missed me, my swelegant lovelies?

I have exciting news. I'm just about ready to relaunch Swelegant Style Shopping - complete with Friday Frocks, on a brand new, super-pretty, all whistles and bells website. And that's not all...!

There's going to be a Swelegant book, too. Estimated due date of the end of the summer. And if you're not excited by that... well, I guess I'm just going to have to try harder to impress you!

For sale...

2011-03-23T23:31:00.000Z

If you like my taste in clothes, you may be interested in the auctions I currently have on ebay. I'm trying to raise some cash to pay for private fertility tests, because cuts etc mean that I can't have them on the NHS. But enough of my reasons - the point is, that you might find something you fancy at a bargain price.

There's all kinds of stuff - mostly in sizes 18 - 22, but some 16s, a 14, a couple of 10s and even a size 8...!

Inclusive at H&M

2011-03-12T01:24:00.001Z

So my return to blogging coincides with a not half bad new range launched in selected H&M stores and, more importantly, on their website. Inclusive is a selection of feminine, directional fashion pieces - untroubled by high-quality materials but catching what's really current, and priced to be affordable. Which is what H&M do well. The difference here is that the range is available from a size 6, right up to a size 28 (although sizing can be skimpy with H&M). This means the range replaces the awful, drab, and impossible to locate 'Big is Beautiful' brand which has been disgracing H&M for years. Hurrah!

The dress at the top of this post is textural and feminine without being girly. It gives a nod to fifties influences, but it isn't full-on retro: that's key to the whole collection. It costs £39.99. It's not my favourite, though, perhaps because the strapless, straight-across neckline is more flattering to a slightly smaller bosom. What I do really love is this I really love this Leopard-print cardigan £24.99. The detail here sells it: the hints of aqua in the print are picked up in the vibrant turquoise placket, and then the buttons are all different shapes of crystal flower. I shall definitely be getting one, despite vowing not to spend and money.

What to wear with it? Well, if you're less paunchy than me, you might go for this black and blue pencil skirt (£24.99) for a real sexy-secretary, va-va-voom look. Because of the colour combination, worn in isolation I don't think you'd necessarily recognise this as animal print - perfect for more conservative workplaces.

Don't like pencil skirts? This stripy peach skirt is £24.99, and more forgiving of a tummy - though it's well above the knee: I'd definitely want to be wearing tights or leggings with it. Yes horizontal lines add width, but with a full skirt, width is part of the desired effect, and because the stripes are in a different fabric but the same colour, the optical effect is less pronounced.

My last pick are these outrageous shoes (£29.99). I adore these but I won't be getting them sadly, because the real height of the heel is too high. The platform is 4cm and the heel height is 11.5cm. That still leaves a true heel height of 7.5cm, or 3 inches - and I'm just too much of a wuss lately.

So - it's a small collection, but it shows great promise, and I hope that more pieces will be added regularly, as they do with their mainstream lines. Bravo, H&M!

A New Look

2011-03-10T21:59:00.001Z

When you don't do something for ages, it takes a special motivation to get you back in the saddle, and what better motivation than a request from the lovely @EatOrBeEaten, our motorbiking, New Zealand-dwelling, science-teaching, and now Roller Derby-skating regular reader?

I have a question! (and it's not about when the blog will be updated :P )

So, I cut all my hair off and now have a bitchin' pixie cut. I love it but I'm having a hard time dressing for my new look. Some of my more '50's style clothes (hello, stella doll dresses!) look a bit odd. I intend on keeping my hair this short for the foreseeable (I have no patience for long hair it'd seem) so I need to start thinking what clothes will go well with this look. Any ideas or suggestions? Body type is pretty curvy, so the full androgyne look isn't going to work...

A sexy, cropped pixie cut does quite often go hand-in-hand with a gamine, boyish look. Think Jean Seburg in A Bout de Souffle (above). But it's not an exclusive relationship, and slim-but-curvy girls can really rock a crop with some stylish garments. I have three looks for our girl to pick and choose from.

If you're all about the action, jeans and a shirt can be more practical than a dressy look. This still from the film We Are The Mods shows a shirt which would work for bigger boobs. The key thing is to look for a longer placket (the bit where the buttons and buttonholes are), one that comes down lower than the fullest part of the bust, and then wear it undone to create a deep V. The body of the shirt should fit, but not be skintight. Team with black drainpipe jeans and a chunky belt.

My next look revolves around this shape of tailored jacket. Velvet for winter, and perhaps something lighter for summer - the shape is key. Single breasted, and one button or clip, fastening at the waist (perhaps even lower than the one here). Cut for a girl, the jacket should be nipped-in at the waist, otherwise with big boobs it will just make you look chunky. You can wear any neckline underneath, so long as it's a contrasting colour. Wear it with wide-leg trousers for work, and any kind of jeans, even really knackered ones, for a more casual look.

For my last look, think Valley of the Dolls, Barbarella... that whole sixties, A-line minidress look, but worn with like a tunic. The dress above is by Boden (£71.10, sizes 6-22) - and it's a little on the long side - for this body shape and look, I'd take it up to a more retro, mod-ish, upper thigh level. Then we want some slim-fitting, cropped cigarette pants, like the ones Seburg is wearing in the picture at the top of this post. The shape of this dress is what makes it work with bigger boobs. The notch-neck is more sympathetic to the sixties styling than a V neck would be, but there is a V shape, and the wide trim on this particular frock gives an important vertical line for the eyes to follow. The empire line, meanwhile, flatters the hourglass waist, and the A-line flare, with a shorter length, accentuates fuller sexy hips and bum.

Charity Shop Challenge

2010-09-05T21:48:00.001+01:00

As I explained here, while I was on holiday in Edinburgh recently I took part in a challenge from the British Heart Foundation as part f their 'Big Donation' campaign. From the stock in one of their branches, could I style a great, swelegant look?

Could I? It was surprisingly easy. In fact I was so spoiled for choice I styled two big looks for Autumn / Winter. The first is a very big trend this autumn - the New Luxe. Neutral colours and luxury fabrics: it's a return to a tasteful, elegant, grown-up aesthetic. Not very me (I prefer things a little rougher around the edges), but a great look. The key piece is the camel coat. Look for beautiful, soft natural fibres and broad lapels - think dressing gown and kimono shapes.

To be right 'on trend' (sorry) belt with slim brown leather: the fancy knot here is very catwalk. Elsewhere in the outfit, seek draped necklines, pencil skirts or high waisted trousers with wide legs or cigarette slim, in tones from caramel to cream. Knitwear, as here, should be lightweight. The boots had quite a high heel, which you can't see - but ideally I'd want something with a little more detailing and a slightly slimmer profile.

The second outfit is much more me. Velvet coats and blazers are huge this winter - I know Boden and Monsoon both have them in their collections, but this classic vintage jacket also works. With rich colours, getting a match can be hard - so combining different tones in the same opulent palette is a good solution.

The corsage and the pearls in this look, and the gold knotted necklace in the first one are part of the BHF's collection of accessories that they sell in their branches - not donated, but new. The berry tones in the corsage marry the purple of the dress to the wine red jacket. Layering pearls is a slightly irreverent way to wear a more traditional style of jewellery - they look great looped around the wrist, too.

I had a really fun time styling these outfits: it made me realise how easy fashion stylists have it, though - it's easy to dress a slim mannequin (or model). It's size, though that makes charity shops a little tricky - of course, each item is a one-off, it doesn't come in a range of sizes. But that said, it's well worth persevering. Shopping is a speculative activity: you don't always come away with anything... but in a charity shop you can find vintage gems that are the ancestors of today's couture looks. It's sustainable because you're saving clothes from landfill, and not creating a demand for more new garments whose production will use resources and pollute the environment, and it helps a good cause. But more than that, it's cheaper than buying new. Especially when we're talking about new winter coats and jackets in good quality fabrics, a reduced price can make all the difference.

Friday Frocks - A new way of frocking.

2010-09-03T01:28:00.000+01:00

While I've been on summer holiday, I've been scheming up a new way of bringing Friday frocks to you. A victim of its own success, the Friday frocks way of life has become so popular that writing the weekly roundup takes hours, and is getting in the way of my writing the other aspects of the blog - which is a shame. So this is what I'm going to do: on or just before the first Friday of the month I will bring you a roundup of ten of my favourite frocks submitted during the month before. But it will only work if you keep sending the pictures every week. As ever, you can either use the email address (left), post them to the facebook group, the thread on Urban75, or to Twitter with the #fridayfrocks hashtag.

I hope that will make it more manageable - I know some people have felt a bit pressured to keep coming up with new outfits, and no one's wardrobe is endless. I probably won't feature anyone twice in one month, so feel free to re-send me pics of outfits if I haven't used them the first time.

Kicking off this week is an impressive frock made by wayward bob with her own fair hands. The retro, forties tea-dress style is innocently stylish and it's given a amusing, surprising edge when you take a closer look and realise that the pattern is one of beautifully illustrated toadstools. Notice too that the belt and collar are the mushroom shade of the mid tone of the pattern - a less obvious choice than the red or cream, but that adds a subtle interest to the look.

Sexy musician @little_mod_chick is living up to her Twitter name with this sharp, monochrome look. White tights and that high neck top aren't easy to ear, but they work here because firstly, she's very slender, but it would work on someone with a less slim figure because the look is cohesive - we buy into the overall theme and therefore don't pay too much critical scrutiny to the individual parts.

The blooming @mrsfran really made an effort here - this empire line dress flatters but also emphasises her bump, the colouring enhances her hair and she's even braved heels. Wedges are a great option for increased comfort and stability in a high heel.

Making the effort at the Edinburgh fringe festival, @_idioteque jazzes up an easy-wear combination of leggings and slouchy cardigan with some gorgeous turquoise pieces. The little dress is dark enough to cope with all the black around it - but the short length looks feminine and fun. The scarf gives coverage and at the same time an injection of complimentary colour close to her fabulous bright hair.

ScifiSam always gives good photo - here she's showing off another beautiful, bright maxi dress. The floral design against the white is so summery and fresh and those vintage-looking duck-egg-blue mary-janes, and the large white earrings are the perfect finishing touches to the outfit.

Another beautiful maxi dress, this time worn by Queen of Goths. The halter top here gives enough emphasis to her fabulous boobs that the otherwise heavy, dark hem is balanced out. Maxi dresses aren't for everyone - you want to avoid the dalek look at all costs - and drawing attention to a full bust can help, as can a substantial necklace, as here.

This is my favourite effort so far from @hayleyjgreen. It's actually a top and skirt with the wrap tunic over the top - but you'd never know as the reds are well-coordinated. So, the red top and bottom, with the straightness of the skirt gives a kind of elongating column effect, and then the diagonal lines of the crossover are flatteringly slimming.

Bee looks fresh and sexy in this primrose yellow frock from American retailer Modcloth. The sixties-sleek black boots and handbag add a grown up, retro edge to what would also work as a very girly, pretty frock. It's another way to wear light, summer frocks in cooler spring and autumn weather.

My penultimate frock for August is from first timer Iguana. The shape is pure Joan Holloway and it's a silhouette that looks really good on most bodies - thighs hips and bums are all fine whatever the size (don't go too tight), but it doesn't really work with a large tummy. Not that Iguana need worry - she looks fabulous. The neat, inch-wide belt is very this season, and the pattern is stylish and tasteful. The colours here will work right through winter: try it with seamed stockings and the new Autumn/Winter shoe shape (pointed toe with an overheight kitten heel).

Lastly, peerless coordination from @BeBelongy. The stylish cream and black of the cute dress is matched with the knitted beret with pearl brooch to trim, and the perfect pumps (below). Notice too that she's kept her lips pale, which works with this slightly mod-ish, retro look. She even co-ordinated her baby in a cute knit outfit, but I think Mum is more stylish this week.

It's been really hard narrowing it down to ten outfits - I hope no one who was left out is discouraged. The main point of Friday frocks is, I hope, the feeling you get when you dress up. Viva Friday frocks!

Sooner or later you need more wardrobe space - Donate!

2010-08-26T14:21:00.000+01:00

A quicky today - on a borrowed computer from leg two of my holiday.

This Saturday the British Heart Foundation are encouraging people to donate to their charity shops... but while I'm sure they'd be glad of all good quality second hand clothes - imagine how fabulous the collected donations of the Swelegant Style Shopping readership would be.

Have a think: is there something lovely you bought for an occassion but now doesn't fit? That sale bargain that you've realised doesn't suit you? The shoes that were so painful the only time you wore them that you can't bear to look at them? I'm not talking misshapen old jumpers and skirts with broken zips... the British Heart Foundation charity shops are there to raise money: last year they raised over £20 million to help fight heart disease (the UK's biggest killer), and the better quality your donations, the more they can raise.

Go on... your nearest BHF shop can be found here: any day is good, and as you can see from the image at the top of the page this campaign is pushing to the end of September, but this Saturday is the big day. I'll be at the Dalry Road branch in Edinburgh because I've been set a challenge. I've been asked to style a gorgeous outfit out of the stock in the shop. I'll write it all up when I'm home next week and you can see the photos of my efforts. Of course, when you donate, it's the perfect opportunity to pick up some fabulous pieces of your own, not only helping a brilliant cause, and being eco-friendly but also paying a fraction of the 'new' price...

A Bumper Compendium of Friday Frocks: Part Two - Week Eleven

2010-08-12T17:58:00.001+01:00

I'm on my holidays, and despite being assured that there'd be internet access, I've only been able to get online today. Picture the scene - husband and I arrive at our gorgeous cottage for a relaxing, romantic escape, only for me to wail 'But what about the blog?!'

So - week eleven. First we have Nicola looking very sporty but no less glam in this cute blue and white frock. The regular summer visitation of nautical fashion themes isn't to everyone's taste, but navy and white can look fresh and flattering. Look for spots or simple floral prints to bring these colours into your own style.

A beautiful, glam-dressed-down look from 'wayward bob' next. For many of us this would be very dressy indeed, but Bob tends to rock a more tailored, vintage look. It's still Friday frocktastic, though - the button-detailing and the collar give a hint of 1940s tea dress, and the soft red shade of the hoody makes the outfit look sexy, in a well-behaved, taking-the-kids-to-the-park kind of way.

The first Friday frocks couple are @christhewinter and @wintersgroupie. he looks very smart from what I can see - I love that marine blue wash of the jeans - but Ms groupie looks simply stunning. The gladiator sandals work with the maxi dress because there's no leg-line to cut off, and of course the two together combine in creating a classical look. The detailing on the dress is well chosen too. The chunky scale of the buckle ring is flattering, and the pale colour of it helps to lend a certain lightness to the otherwise overwhelming black: important with such fair colouring.

This is 'madzone' and it's her first Friday frock offering - doesn't she look great? We've seen a lot of black and grey combinations over the weeks, and you can expect to see many more. The leggings and the cardigan give comfort, coverage and practicality, allowing the sexy lower neckline to feel 'daytime'. The belt is flattering, emphasising the waist, and the width of it is in proportion to the fullness of the skirt. The chunky pearls are effortless glamour and the eye makeup is a little bit rock-chick sexy.

A similar look this week from Maeve - but the cherry-red gives a completely different feel. I wear a lot of red, but from an unbiased perspective, red is associated with passion - and so it's sexy, but it's also bright. Bright colours draw attention: they look vibrant and suggest energy, so there's an association of fun too. Not all reds suit all people, but it's worth finding the ones that suit you.

Lesley is wearing the most gorgeous vintage dress this week - all tailored darts and seaming, showing off her trim curves. Lovely as it is, she's wise to let the dress be centre of our attention - with bold florals it's best to keep accessories simple, as we see here (cat optional).

Another week and another torso shot from 'strumpet'. It's a beautifully detailed top covered with a cardigan, and a good example of how you can Friday frock even if, as here, you're going to be busy moving house and lugging boxes all day. Notice too, how a closed fitting cardigan can make the waist look tiny.

It's the blooming, beautiful mum-to-be @mrsfran next. The tunic worn with wide-leg trousers is a perennial favourite, but this one's particularly lovely, and flattering to a larger bust with its crossover, kimono-style neckline. The wave-shaped line at the hem and neck edges is feminine and soft, too.

There's a really energetic-geometric pattern on the dress @hayleyjgreen is wearing this week. The longer lines and closer fit of the dress are flattering as is the crossover neckline and long sleeve. The whole effect is smart but also quite fun, especially with those cute green mary-janes.

No frocking by me this week (I was ill in bed), so I'll let @Girl_In_A_Box have the last word. A simply swelegant, summery, stylishly-casual look, dressed up by that showstopping dragonfly necklace and the detailing of the scarf used as a belt. The lemon pastel palette tones without being too matchy, and although you wouldn't see much of it as worn, I love that 'retro illustration' design - is that Nicola on her bike?

A Bumper Compendium of Friday Frocks: Part One - Week Ten

2010-08-06T05:59:00.000+01:00

The wait is over - I've tested your patience long enough and now I've recovered from my illness I can, over the next 24 hours, bring you up to date with a double helping of Friday Frocks.

Let's start with 'ScifiSam' who looks elegant and fresh in this peacock-patterned maxi dress. It's a great choice for her, it flatters her long legs and the top has sufficient construction to enhance and support her boobs. The gladiator sandals add to the whole 'greek goddess' thing, too.

Edie says that she didn't feel very pretty, so this isn't a pretty dress. Well it maybe not 'pretty' but - wow! When you have legs like this you don't need to worry about the vertical line being interrupted by the straps on these dynamite sandals, and the effect is just stunning. Apparently she put on some lace leggings for the school run. I bet she was a sensation: fabulous!

Miss-Shelf had the day off, and therefore had the luxury of sporting two contrasting Friday frock looks. The red kaftan is glorious: dark hair means you can get away with such a bright display. Then the pretty pink summer dress with vintage-style cardigan adds up to a real sense of innocence... although perhaps an underskirt would be advised if one were really worried about modesty!

Rozi says this is her favourite skirt ever, and what the extra length does from my perspective is to emphasise her height. It's all down to those uninterrupted vertical blocks of colour. I love the flower in her hair, too. It pulls in the red top and makes the look feel cohesive, but it's also fun.

The lovely, but shy 'Strumpet' has taken the plunge and sent us a photo of a rather gorgeous monochrome paisley patterned frock. I love the structured empire line here: it defined the boobs and makes them look higher.

@Girl_In_A_Box went for my favourite: the dotty frock. It's really nicely tailored which flatters and emphasises her curves. The little black cardigan makes it look smarter and more grown up - more businesslike: pale colours can look a little 'playtime'.

It seems to have been the week for fabulous pins. Nicola is showing off some very shapely legs in this sexy, tulip-hemmed wrap dress. The way that line curves up the thighs is red hot - but the look is kept daytime and fun by those cute little round-toed shoes.

Maeve has summoned the spirit of the eighties with this black and pale pink colour combination. The hair flower is old-world feminine, and that's why it works with the ladylike pearls.

Then she's married the two with these cute pale pink pumps with a pearlescent finish. Sometimes I wonder how much accessory storage Maeve must have... I'm so jealous!

It takes patience and dedication, but if you're uninspired by current trends, ebay is the place to track down bargainous, vintage pieces. It's also very sustainable, of course, to give existing clothes a new lease of life rather than consuming more and more brand new resources. This kingfisher blue sundress is just the thing for a warm summer day.

It's also the place to look for older vintage pieces, like wayward bob's gorgeous 1940s tea dress (which she's styled here with a hand knitted cardigan for authentic Blitz-era style). Bob wrote something about Friday frocks that I really loved, and with her permission I'm reproducing it here.

"I really think it isn't. it's about taking chances and wearing stuff that makes you happy. I realise lots of people might not feel happy out of a comfort zone of jeans, or get self-conscious about showing bits you'd rather not, but to me it's partly about pushing comfort zones and finding that maybe it's easier than you thought.

Last week I mentioned feeling self-conscious about the whole 40s thing, yet today I went to sainsbos in full forties (minus the hair), something I would never have done if I hadn't been doing the frock thing (if I take the pic I feel I have to wear the frock all day). I would have found it so much harder to get over the hurdle of wearing things that I feel might draw attention outside the house otherwise, maybe I would never have done it.

It's about spending a little time thinking about what makes you feel - for want of a better word - a little more "special" than usual, and ignoring the fact that you haven't got an occasion to go to, just for the sake of it."

Trudi is showing off her brand new pirate-print tea dress from Vivien of Holloway here. I love the way it takes the traditional shape of the garment and juxtaposes it with a modern, fun fabric. She's wearing a blue belt as an accent colour here, which coordinates with her tattoo and the streaks in her hair - she's on the look out for some blue shoes in exactly the right shade, but in the meantime, nude will do.

It's a Friday frocks debut for 'weepiper' - and she treated us to two very glamorous looks (tights in July? Must be a Scottish Swelegant type). Both these dresses flatter her petite frame through their trim tailoring.

She's accessorised them with this gorgeous swallow necklace. The swallow here is part of the same aesthetic as the recent trend in traditional tattoo art - which makes it both feminine and slightly arch.

@BeBelongy looks fabulously cool and breezy here in this strapless maxi dress. The sexiness of the strapless bodice is somewhat softened by the neutral verdigris colour, and the lightweight fabric is given some grounding by the sold, chunky belt.

Mum and daughter here. We've seen 'foamy' before, and here she's showing off her simple black outfit with luxurious metallic sandals and an attractive necklace. I have to say, though, that her mum is in danger of outshining her with this outfit: the white linen trousers are light and summery, and the rest of the outfit is beautifully colour coordinated.

Another beautifully coordinated outfit, this time from 'Queen of Goths'. Grey is really big in the shops this summer, and will only become more prevalent as we move into Autumn/Winter. It coordinates perfectly with black, as we can see here - and those little pumps show that neutral colours can still be playful and cute.

Another look that's very popular in high street stores at the moment is what are called 'tribal' prints. This dress capitalises on that trend, and is in a lightweight summer fabric, but the more autumnal colour palette suits @hayleyjgreen's colouring and makes it easier to wear with dark trousers.

Amanda was concerned that she wasn't making enough effort for Friday frocks, but since I know that she wears trouser the rest of the week, this beautiful skirt is all the effort she needs to, hopefully, feel a bit special. It's a lovely skirt - I adore the colours, and once again the darker background makes it ideal for combining with something dark - in this case a black top.

Finally, Friday frocks week ten was the last day of term at my school. Clare celebrated in this gorgeous, military-style dress from Next (you may remember it from my recommendation a few weeks ago). The buttons accentuate her fabulous curves, without exposing any cleavage. Very swelegant.

My beautiful friend Dunni is leaving us to work in Dubai. She looked stylish on her last day in this simple but glam dress from Marks and Spencer, and picked up the metallic detailing on the shoulder with some subtle shimmering eyeshadow.Gorgeous.

Megan has a large collection of beautiful dresses, and this dotty green frock is one of my favourites. People avoid bright green, but this jade tone flatters most pale skins. And on top of which, you can't knock a dotty frock. That's two so far this week...

What can I say? I love this dress - and although it's really a bit too small at the moment, it still looks quite flattering. Notice the little half-hive too. Well... it was the last day of term!

Apologies for this interruption in service...

2010-07-31T18:12:00.000+01:00

... I'm actually really under the weather at the moment. When I feel better I'll be back with two Fridays worth of frocks, plus one or two other things.

xxxx

Charlotte

Friday Frocks - Nine Time

2010-07-23T01:40:00.000+01:00

Another week - another round of fabulous Friday frocks.

First some apologies... I now have Friday frock pictures coming at me from so many sources that I occasionally lose track. If you want to be really certain of making the roundup, I advise emailing your picture to me at the address to the left of the page. Otherwise, I will do my best. So, Lesley here is wearing the most gorgeous vintage frock - very 1965 - and looks very cool and summery on that very hot Friday from two weeks ago. Adore these pleats, especially in contrast to the fitted bodice.

Then I also overlooked Naomi, who teaches food technology, and so made her Friday frocks effort with this striking, graphic-print apron, set off beautifully by stylish, neutral black. Making an extra effort beyond what you'd normally wear to work is absolutely a Friday frocks thing, and this is so smart and stylish... I wish she worked at my school - the kids would be learning swelegance as well as cookery.

ScifiSam plumped for gorgeously flattering shades of blue and green, which she even picked out in a fabulously fun manicure. Punky nail colours like this work best on short nails - the same shade and combination on long nails would look a little discordant. I can't see much of the frock, here - but I do love the way Sam poses - it always raises a smile.

The last of my omissions was beautiful Bonita in a red dress with white polka dots. I have this dress myself, and don't look anywhere near as stunning. Notice again (as we saw last week) how good a rounded necklace line looks inside a deep V neck. Glamour all the way.

First for this week is the delightful Trudi who eschewed a dress in favour of this utterly fabulous shirt and tie combination. The black and purple work together in a very dramatic way, and I bet she turned heads all day long with this striking look. I do love a bit of creativity - and this really is thinking outside the frock-box.

It's another doozy from 'wayward bob' this week, and rather than regurgitate her excellent description, I'll post it for you here.
She says "i wasn't in a frocky mood this morning, so i resorted to my oldest favouritest dress, in a comfy old slipper kind of way. you can't really see the details, but the polka dots are actually tiny hearts, it has pintucks down the front and it's a laura lees dress so it has all that embroidery she does dotted around. but it's in need of a good iron, and that combined with the flipflops doesn't really do the whole friday frock thing of making some kind of effort so i put on a petticoat. i'm glad i did, it always cheers me up to have swishy skirts."And doesn't it look lovely? I love Bob's dresses - they have such a sweet, vintage feel to them. Almost Enid Blyton Chic?

Next lets see what the boys are doing @mikedixson, whose Twitter name I've been spelling wrong for weeks - sorry - was inspired towards these boots because someone at work apparently made a comment about his personal protective clothing not being up to scratch. Well, maybe... but they're also really cool. The current trend in menswear to tuck jeans into heavy ankle boots makes the legs look stockier and as such is pretty manly. Styled with the hip-slung braces and the plaid shirt the look is cohesive and slightly retro - but of course, you know my feelings about having only one button open...

This sharp dressed fella (the eleven year old son of Twitter's @donnabrookes) is dressed for an occasion - so it isn't quite Friday frocks, but given his age, and the fact that he chose the outfit himself, I'm including him anyway. He's dressed for a formal dinner and dance to celebrate the end of primary school, and I think he looks absolutely dapper, but not too much like a mini adult. The hair is styled and he looks surprisingly at ease in his finery.

This week saw another junior frocker - but this one I think qualifies unreservedly. It's Bonita's daughter, and she has taken an interest in what her mum's been doing over the last few weeks and has quite admirably decided that she wants a part of it. So - for no other reason than the love of Friday, she chose this fabulous outfit to dress up in - and declared she wants to do it every week. I don't know how many frocks a small girl has, but I look forward to seeing other looks she puts together. You may notice that she's wearing one of the butterfly hairclips from Now, Voyager I wrote about the other week.

So if that was Mini-Bonita, what was her mum wearing? Bon says she's not sure about this dress, but I'm sure you'll all agree with me that she looks red hot: sexy but also classy - she's played that up with structured heels and richly-coloured but restrained accessories. Perhaps it's not very summery, but when you're having fun and looking delicious, who on earth cares?

Also rocking a flower in her hair is @BeBelongy. The red is echoed in her necklace, and then in the pattern on her skirt.

and I'm so glad she sent me this closeup of the fabric because it's absolutely brilliant and really makes the outfit special. The colour palette reminds me of prints from the fifties, but the style of the line drawing is freer and more expressively abstract. When you have a pattern like this, obviously it needs to take centre stage - as it does here with a plain, neutral top and the aforementioned red accents to tie in the colours.

Right up to date with Edie's 2 in 1 dress: the slouchy shaping and fabric is very much prevalent in the shops this season. It's very flattering to Edie's long, lean shape, in the same-but-opposite way that structured shapes and tailoring suit those of us with more 'freeform' bodies. I love the open neckline here, inviting that sexy flash of bra strap... an example of how you don't need to show too much of anything to excite the imagination. The flash of firey orange red, too, is fun and enticing. Grey might be 'on trend', but few of us look good in sober neutrals from head to toe.

How fabulous does @hayleyjgreen look? She's had her hair done, but the star here is that fabulous green dress. See how the empire line defines her fabulous boobs, and that deep V neckline gives balance and proportion of colour. I like the interesting criss-cross of her sandals, too. I don't like to wear anything between my toes, but if I did I'd like these.

We've already seen how Lesley loves striking vintage and retro looks, and here she's taken the current trend for maxi dresses and ramped it up to it's most glamorous, 1980-style pinnacle. The silk sheen of the fabric lends an opulence to the rich colour palette of royal purple and old gold, and then the presence of sleeves give it a graceful, excessive, Isadora Duncan feel.

A few weeks ago Maeve said that she didn't normally wear skirts or dresses. Frankly, looking at these pics I'm beginning to think she might be a bit of a fibber. It's a wonderfully colour coordinated look, which we've come to expect form Maeve, but the dress itself is really fabulous. I don't know if it's vintage, but that solid matt fabric has a real retro feel, which helps make the petticoat feel 'right'. The V neck and ruching over the bust is flattering and allows the hard horizontal line of the belt to create an attractive cinching of the waist without creating a widening illusion. The tea-length is right for Maeve's frame, and showing some petticoat wouldn't usually work, but where you have the contrasting colour it looks amazing. Va-va-voom!

Queen of Goths this week has accentuated her curves by the use of this full skirt, balanced above the waist with this paler, knotted shrug. The effect of the shrug is to make the boobs look more generous, so they can hold their own against the width of the skirt, while emphasising the neat little waist. I love the colours here, too. It's like chocolate cake with cream.

The swelegencia love a retro look, have you noticed? Miss-Shelf is rocking my favourite polka-dots, which are all over the place again this summer, but which do suggest a fifties aesthetic... however, it's the scarf knotted at the neck that really gives that vintage feel. Friday frocks is about special touches, and wearing a scarf in this way gives an outfit just that extra something. But the real pizzazz here is the hair accessory, and I have to tell you, Miss-Shelf made it herself! How clever is that?

@Girl_In_A_Box has honoured us with another bright floral frock, and I love this one. The combination of colours here is rich as well as fresh: dark pinks and purples tend to be very flattering to brunettes. The black belt and cardigan work because they're in a limited area, and close-fitting - which suits the tailored style of the dress. The cardigan also breaks what would otherwise be a very high neckline for someone as buxom as madam, here.

Much more simple, but 'spark' is wearing a beautiful summer frock that states another case in support of summer black. In it's favour is the amount of bare limb that is still exposed to the sunshine, but also the lightweight fabric. The detailing at the neckline (and also the sleeves and hemline) is subtle but makes the design feminine and special. I love the vertical line created by the buttons too.

I love the shape of this dress, but what strikes me is how perfectly 'temper_tantrum' has teamed it with sexy sheer black stockings. The rule of thumb with hosiery is to match your legs to your hem - and although all rules can be happily broken, the dark band at the bottom of this frock paves the way for sexy dark legwear. The shoes are fabulous too: the dark bow works with the stockings, and the white upper refers back to the white body of the dress.

As is traditional, lastly here's me. This full skirt I hope demonstrates what I said in my last post about full skirts not necessarily being retro. It's not quite a circle skirt, but it's nearly there: I certainly have to watch it blowing up in the breeze! I love the colours here - the purple is rich and berry-like, which works well in both summer and winter. I've styled it without emphasising the waist as I normally would, and I think the effect makes my boobs look slightly higher than normal, so I'll try that again...

Full Circle - Skirts for Fun and Frolics and Flattery

2010-07-19T23:33:00.001+01:00

I was asked months ago by a friend to have a look at circle skirts, but I confess I forgot. Still, she has reminded me, and so here we are. Circle skirts flatter most hourglass and pearshaped women, but actually give the impression of curves to anyone with boobs bigger than their waist - and they're forgiving of bums, hips and thighs, and tummies too, if like me you bulge out primarily below your natural waist. They're a fun, lighthearted sort of shape, often - but not always - evocative of a retro 1950s look, and as the Autumn Winter collections reassured us, they're going to be around more and more over the coming months.

The retro look of the circle skirt is fairly obvious - they're much beloved for giving incomparable swirl and movement when dancing, and you need a lot of skirt to top a net petticoat. The skirts above and top are by Hellbunny, cost less than £20, but come in a terribly limited range of sizes: only going up to a 14. I include them because they're fun, but for similar skirts you could also try Wagtails Dancewear, who have a good range of sizes and patterns in a slightly longer length.

Length then. Most circle skirts fall between 'just above the knee' to 'tea length' (upper calf), and certainly it's worth bearing in mind that most retro petticoats are designed to fall just below the knee if you're average height. But the full circle skirt has many incarnations. Taken shorter it becomes a skater skirt, and these are huge fun if you're confident showing your legs (be aware that circle skirts of any length have a tendency to get caught by the slightest gust of wind and expose more leg than you'd planned) - ASOS have a good range of these up to a size 22. Taken longer than calf length, and without a petticoat to create the shape, all that extra volume becomes quite blowsy. They are around - the example above is by fashion brand American Apparel, and you'll find a lot of them in 'hippy' shops, but it's not a flattering look. As a rule of thumb, the longer a skirt is, the stronger silhouette it needs.

What about a modern look? Well, a circle skirt doesn't need to be dressed up in retro trappings to be a flattering option. The skirt above is by catalogue company Very, and with its net overlayer looks very contemporary and clean-lined. It's available up to a size 24 and costs a reasonable £32. To avoid echoes of the fifties, don't overplay the waist with a cinched belt, and whereas you would wear a more retro look with ballet pumps, wedge heeled espadrilles or curvy high heels, here you'd keep things modern with some more modern lines as above, or perhaps a tomboyish pair of flat, heavy-soled boots.

In most cases, circle skirts look best with a close fitted top, to give definition to the waist, but of course if you opt for a dress you don't have to think about what to wear with it. Obviously purveyors of fine retro frocks Vivien of Holloway and Collectif, amongst others, will cater perfectly to your vintage-look needs, but contemporary fashion also provides. The dress above is silk, by Great Plains at Oli, and it breaks my heart to say it only goes up to a size sixteen, because it truly is gorgeous. £59 reduced from £85. For other full skirted frocks, look for anything called a 'prom dress'. Odd terminology (have you seen what is generally worn to proms?), but the silhouette is usually right.

Lastly, an apology and a request. My friend did ask me to find a particular skirt that she saw, once upon a time in some long-lost corner of the internet. I couldn't track it down, but maybe the swelegencia can? We're looking for a circle skirt with flames appliques or embroidered around the hem. Please pass the information on via the comments box or email if you happen across it on your travels.

Edit - one suggestion from the lovely people at Biscuit Boutique: This gauzy number from Mode Merr - handmade and with a breathtaking price to reflect all the work involved.

Friday Frocks - Super Eight

2010-07-16T00:54:00.001+01:00

It was another hot, hot Friday last week, and the swelegencia measured up in the scorching stakes.

Proving the point is 'Queen of Goths', who has turned a simple maxi dress in to something theatrical and elegant through the addition of a shrug. The tight cover-up looks like it's part of the frock, and creates a sexy, flattering neckline, and the lace trimming makes it look more opulent. Then the fabulous purple corsage picks out the colour bands at the hemline, and is tonally matched by the flatteringly large pendant. All those bangles make the wrists look delicate, and the empire line (with the shrug nicely out of the way) enhances hourglass curves. Brava!

A similar look from Ruby but I wanted to draw attention to how cleverly she's reworked this dress. Originally the dress had sequin banding, but she's removed that and replaced it with this pretty braid detail. It's a simple bit of needlework which requires a couple of things: motivation and vision. To see something you almost love and realise what needs to be done to make it the piece you really want is really creative style shopping. I love those cute little dolly shoes too.

The last of this week's trio of maxi dresses is from drag0n, and this frock is really flattering. It makes her boobs look fabulous, and the horizontal seaming on the skirt is pretty, but unobtrusive enough not to interrupt the vertical line. The washed-out blue works well with the plaid shirt and slouchy bag to create a pretty spin on the early-nineties 'grunge' revival.

So now onto a trio of tunics. Tunics are a fabulous option for apple shapes, as they glide over your tummy. Many apples have great legs, like gorgeous 'aqua' here, who has finally decided to take the plunge with leggings... and doesn't she look amazing in them? The tunic itself gets a way with such a large floral pattern because of its muted colour palette, allowing those peacock tones in aqua's hair. If you do have striking hair colours you have to be careful with clothes - choosing tones to enhance or to provide a backdrop. It's the latter here, and it looks great.

Preserving her anonymity with a headless shot, and her modesty with a leggings and vest combo 'cesare' looks really cool in this short kaftan. The translucent fabric makes for lots of flattering colour without the 'in-your-face' impact of a more solid cloth. The translucent patterned fabric also creates a flattering diaphanous effect, softening the clean black outlines with floaty vertical stripes and feminine frill detailing.

My last tunic is from Fran, who I know would dearly have loved to wear a more dressy frock, but she's finding it tricky to find one to fit both her and her tummy-residing daughter. This tunic is lovely, though - it emphasises her fabulous rack, makes her bump look gorgeously blooming and rounded, while finishing at a good length to ensure that someone so petite (and Fran is under five feet tall) still looks quite long-legged (that's also the empire line at work). Fabulous.

Rozi has been on her school's winter holidays this week but still frocked up in this utterly wonderful skirt. When you have a feature piece like this, you obviously need to keep everything else very simple, but I'm glad she's picked out the turquoise from the skirt for her top, rather than sticking to safe black - colours near the face are brightening and flattering.

Charlotte also went for separates with these cool linen oxford bags providing the foundation for a bright strappy top and feature necklace. There's nothing complicated or hard to wear here - but the overall look is elegant and put together. Try choosing a more complicated piece of jewellery and then putting together a simple outfit behind it, paying attention to the colours that flatter you, but keeping things plain.

Jewellery really can be the making of an outfit, particularly in a dressing-up, Friday frocks context. This lovely, full maxi skirt doesn't need much, and the simple white vest is perfect - but imagine if 'geminisnake' hadn't added the necklace. The broad bands of rich colour at the bottom would dominate, dragging the eye down. By picking up the colour again at the throat, our eyes focus on the outfit as a whole. It's a wonderful photo too, no? There's something about it.

Back to the frocks. I love Cloo's dress here. There's something a bit Brideshead Revisited meets Wimbledon, and it's utterly flattering. Cloo is really slim and petite, and the length and restrained full skirt of this dress suits her proportions. She has pale colouring too, and would be in danger of the white washing out her complexion, but the clever black piping gives definition. Hurrah, too for nude shoes.

@BeBelongy's two-in-one nautical dress is right up to the minute. The horizontal lines at the bust make her look utterly boobalicious, while the A line skirt skims to the knee flatteringly. She's softened the harsh monochrome with a soft ochre corsage, allowing her to finish the look with fabulous matching mary-janes. Beautiful - her hair looks great, too.

Tribal prints are absolutely everywhere this summer, so 'temper_tantrum' is right 'on-trend', but it's more than that. This sundress may be simple but the cut is so flattering. The close fitting, deep scoop-necked bodice accentuates the bust, while the pretty, full skirt hides any imperfections while keeping your legs cool. Expect to see more of this shape in Autumn/Winter - it was very big in lots of the catwalk shows. Hurrah!

A similar shape, from 'wayward bob', but the high neckline here does two things. Firstly, it's more flattering for a smaller bust, and secondly, it evokes a more retro feel. That, combined with the simple print and the slightly shorter length (plus the bare feet) makes this look quite beautifully childlike... in a womanly kind of way. Perfect for a summer day in the garden, picking daisies in the shiny weather.

All womanly swelegance, however, is Maeve, who this week decided to go for simple, classy pearls to finish off her look. She tells me that the pearls made the outfit look almost forties-style, and I know what she means: it's also because of the scale of the print - you could imagine that fabric making up a tea-dress fit for a siren of the Blitz. The black leggings, cardie and shoes make this a restrained, elegant look for Maeve. Really lovely.

Have I said enough, yet, how much I love this style of dress. This week it's Trashy's turn to be sporting the 'deep-V-neck-tailored-bodice-wider-than-A-line-but-not-quite-full-skirted' frock. If you have boobs over a C cup and a smaller waist, this dress will flatter you - get one while they're in the shops. I love the double string of beads here: the colour lends warmth to the face and the curve sits perfectly in the angular neckline.

The curve and V effect is also used here by Miss-Shelf, but that's not what I love most. Look at that brilliant, bold raspberry pick cardigan. It turns an elegant, grown up dress into something fun and flirty and fabulous. The cropped length of the cardi allows Miss-Shelf's neat waist to feature, somthing she's accentuated with a cinching, chunky belt. The flip flops coordinate perfectly too. Very 'put together'.

I'm aware that I often point out who shouldn't be wearing white and light colours, but Sophie here demonstrates that if you have some colour in your skin, and warmth in your hair shade, pale clothes can look breathtakingly pretty. The sprigged floral pattern and feminine styling is a little bit 'Little House on the Prairie' - but I imagine Sophie's too young to get that reference... I adore the white flower - it increases the cute, romantic feel, while the wedges are simple and retro but high enough to be womanly and sexy.

I recieved lots of pictures of accessories this week - which I love to feature because some people still think that Friday frocks can't work with their life... but everyone can accessorise with something a little bit special. Beautiful 'Moose' actually did put together a whole Friday frocks outfit, but could only get a pic of the head and shoulders. We'll have to use our imaginations for the rest of the top and the three quarter length jeans, but it's creating a pretty picture in my head. What we can see is the fabulous necklace from Retro Jewellery UK - sadly the cherries are out of stock, but let the website and Moose inspire you to jazz up your friday with an inexpensive piece of fun.

@Melanie_jane sent me this picture of her fantastic Friday footwear. How Fabulous are these feet of flame? The rich orangey red platforms are wonderfully late seventies retro, and the different textures create a sculpural look - I love those kind of design details. The manicure is perfect, and the whole look sets off her ice-blue tattoo.

I know that Pootle did a whole Friday frocks outfit last week, because she told me all about the compliments she was getting the whole day long. Sadly, she only got it togther to photograph her handbag - but it's a beauty. Proof that elegant doesn't have to mean boring, Pootle swapped her usual courier bag for this gorgeous vintage-style coach bag. The pale tan leather is timeless, and the external purse pocket both makes the piece interesting, and evidently is a practical solution for mp3 player storage.

The always-glamorous @Girl_in_A_Box spent all day on Friday travelling, so focused her swelegance on one finger. She calls this her 'Ring of Power' - I love it. The pretty lilac stones coordinate with her hot pink nails, and the asymmetric circles design looks both organic and playful. I must. not. covet.

No picture of me this week - I did do Friday frocks, but I wasn't happy with it. Let nobody ever feel under tyranny to share with the world what they know looks rough. I'll do better next week...

Easy Glamour

2010-07-14T00:02:00.004+01:00

A mission:

Hello Charlotte,

I loved your response to the size 6 PGCE interviewee and therefore feel confident in you ability to help me (if you have the time).

I am 5ft 4 and size 16/18 (34 j boobs but relatively small waist). I have been invited to an uber glamorous 40th and am dreading going because for me glamour + dress = me feeling like a man in very unconvincing drag.

I did try on a purple halterneck at Coast recently and didn't look completely stupid but it's too rich for my pocket and I'd never wear it again.

Please can you point me in the right direction? I am blonde with blue eyes and short thick legs attached to size 8 feet.

Many thanks in anticipation,

Selena

Dressing for a glam event can feel like a challenge, but it should be fun, too. Enjoy the element of theatricality involved in wearing richer colours, finer fabrics and an outfit designed to make you look special. Regular readers will know that I don't recommend a lot of black - and I wouldn't normally do so for a blonde... but there's truth in the lore of the Little Black Dress, and this one is particularly flattering for Selena's body. It's by Monsoon and it's £85 but you would be able to wear it for years - particularly if you wore it with different accent colours each time. For this summer and your colouring I recommend pale gold or pewter accessories: a chunky bangle, dangly earrings, a simple pendant to echo the neckline and a pair of strappy sandals - wedges to give your legs some shape or flats for comfort, but not heels in a metallic shade with this dress - too middle-aged. The dress would work for Selena because the neckline is perfect to flatter her boobs, and the structured tailoring at the waist will accentuate her waist. As it's a high waist it will also give the impression of longer legs - as will the shorter length: it's more flattering than a long hemline if you're not tall. This dress is in the 'New Arrivals' section of the Monsoon website, but is only showing in a limited range of sizes. Monsoon, however, don't hold a centralised record of stock on their website (which is why they have such great sales) - you'd be well advised to phone a few branches.

I've written before about the often disappointing design output from Bravissimo's clothing range, but this Kingfisher satin dress (£65) is quite beautiful - and remember that blues and greens are the most flattering colours for pale complexions. Being by Bravissimo it is cut to fit perfectly over the bust (you'd want the 18 'Super Curvy' size), but the tailoring detail is flattering to the rest of the body too. The waist is defined by the jewelled applique, and that pleating over the tummy is generous and flattering to your lumps and bumps. Which is not to say you won't want to wear Spanx - not to reduce your size but just for smoothing. Because of the detailing at the waist it's keep jewellery simple and silver. Some nude (pale tan) heels or heeled sandals would look best.

I know I'm becoming predicable in my love of a dotty frock, but I really think this one shows why. Patterns go in and out of fashion - currently the newest trend is for tribal prints - but the simpler the pattern, the more longevity it will have. These spots are fun and by breaking up the expanse of solid colour they are flattering too. I really think this is a pattern that won't date because it's so simple. The frock itself is on the expensive side - it's £89 from East - but it's fearsomely flattering to a curvy girl. The crossover neckline will accommodate larger boobs (you can add a vest or camisole in your chosen colour accent if it gets too boobalicious), and the plating and cut of the skirt will smooth over lumps and bumps while giving the impression of an hourglass silhouette. There is a matching camisole, but I wouldn't - matchy-matchy feels matronly. Instead team this with a close fitting cardigan in a fine knit. I think a sherbert colour (like a pastel but with more guts) would work beautifully: perhaps sky blue or pink. You can then work that colour through to your shoes and jewellery.

Lastly, although I really do think that shorter legs do better with shorter dresses, I know that people's sensitivity to their body imperfections can be all consuming - so I offer you a maxi dress. It's £35 by Next, and unlike most maxi dresses it's glamorous enough for a dressy event and you can wear a bra with it. It's possibly going to need a vest or camisole underneath because of that plunge neckline, so I'd go with black accents including flat black sandals as here. The empire line silhouette elongates the legs and draws attention to the fabulous boobs.

Friday Frocks - The Magnificent Seventh

2010-07-07T23:29:00.005+01:00

Another week of massive participation in Friday Frocks; I recruited some posters from webforum Urban 75 to the cause. If any swelegant readers also post on forums, you could try spreading the joy of frocks in that way.

First this week is Trashy in a divine vintage dress. Denim is very big this season, and I love the 1980-style detailing here. She wasn't sure about the length, but I think it's a great feature that's part of what makes this look so retro-chic. She's styled it beautifully with those peeptoe wedges, and a pair of oversized tortoiseshell sunglasses would complete the look. Or she could go more rock-chick with a bright red belt and heels.

Two Friday frocks from Lesley, I love the gorgeous white and navy vintage dress: that fabric creates great lines and structure, and the circular detail adds a fabulous three-dimensional texture. And then the second frock proves that animal print can be completely classy, especially, when here it's used for a clean-lined, tailored piece.

Urban 75's 'wayward bob' next in a really beautiful fabric. And a look that she described as hippy, but I think is utterly lovely. The way that deep vertical split is echoed by the long lines of the outfit and her lean figure creates an overall impression of elegance.

Another urbanite, drag0n, joined in with this full-on glamorous makeup look. There's an oft repeated rule that in makeup you should focus attention on either the eyes or the lips. It's a rule I generally ignore, but it's hard to argue that drag0n doesn't look amazing with those sexy smoky eyes - and that the effect wouldn't have been less dramatic had it been fighting for attention with full-on lips. Maybe I should take a leaf from her book...

Maeve also focused on the details this week. Her plain black outfit is the perfect backdrop to draw attention to these well matched, but not matching collection of silver accessories. I love that: the way they all belong to the same aesthetic, but are interesting because of their differences. Beautiful.

My colleague Charlotte looking effortlessly gorgeous here in a simple red sundress. Summer makes most of us veer away from dark colours, but we don't all suit pastels. If you're white with dark hair, you may well find pale shades make you look washed out - so look for summer brights. Like most brunettes, Charlotte looks amazing in red, and the simplicity of the dress allows the colour to give the wow factor.

On the other hand, if you have a tan or naturally darker skin, white stops counting as a pale colour and becomes a bright. Twitter's @BeBelongy wasn't sure about the length here, but I think she looks fab. I'm not a fan of gladiator sandals, but these gold ones are close enough to her skintone that they don't shorten the leg. I adore that headband too. So cute.

@mikedixon looking moody again, this time in a gorgeous white shirt that he obligingly popped that second button on, and then sent me another photo. The shirt is by superdry, and Mike says it's like wearing fine Egyptian cotton. Me, I like the black detailing, especially on the inside of the collar. It makes my eyes follow it inside the shirt, which I'm sure is something a lot of men would want ladies finding themselves doing....

Edie sent me this gorgeous photo of her in her Friday frock, and although I can't see much of the dress (what I can see - deep V neck, full, floaty skirt - I like a lot) the photo itself is gorgeous, isn't it? Friday frocks photography getting arty? I didn't expect that.

But then, this has to be the most enthusiastic photo we've had so far. Another Urban 75 type, scifisam, searing a simple summer dress with an unfussy monochrome floral print.Prints like this are a good compromise if you can't bear to let go of black altogether, and there are quite a few of them around this summer. I love the draped neckline here, too... but of course mostly I love the pose. This is how good I hope Friday frocks should make you feel.

Gorgeous 'mentalchik' teamed her monochrome floral dress with skinny-fit jeans for a casual-glam look. Personally, I can't wear jeans in the sort of heat we had last week, but she wears them well and the effect is flattering and fun.

Lovely Rozi (@EatOrBeEaten on Twitter - follow her!) is one of Friday Frocks' biggest cheerleaders, and this week she not only bought a new dress but had a gorgeously flattering new haircut ready for Friday. Remember she's in New Zealand, so she's wearing fashionable grey in the form of a jumper dress. It's important with grey to add some interest, and her warm-toned necklace and chunky ring make this look dressy and put together. It's hard to wear a necklace with this kind of cowl neck, but the length and weight off these beads are perfect.

So many of the dresses in the shops are short at the moment, and I know it's something the swelegencia are finding annoying. @hayleyjgreen solves the problem here by layering this dress with it's flattering empire line and stylised floral design over a similarly flowing skirt. The line of the dress is continued down, successfully creating an elongated silhouette.

Suzi says this frock makes her "walk tall and smile wide", and what more could you want? The cafe au lait colour is warm enough to flatter her skintone, and the deep square neck provides a frame so that attention is focused on the face, smiling widely. See too how those sandals, so similar in tone to her complexion, elongate the legs.

Conversely, tempertantrum chooses black shoes, which allow her to accessorise this tailored floral summer dress with a smart black jacket - without the shoes, the black would seem too heavy. However, these shoes, although black, really only appear to cover the toe, so the line of her legs isn't broken until the last moment. Very smart.

My offering last week was a bit of a break from the norm. I didn't choose this dress, I was exhorted to buy it by my mother-in-law a couple of years ago. Although it's pretty and I love the zigzag seaming at the dropped waist, the lack of tailoring at the bust and waist and the pearshaped silhouette aren't very flattering to my 'over-inflated-hourglass' body. However, it's very cool in the heat - and it coordinates perfectly with my turquoise and pink flowered Birkenstocks.

On Friday @Girl_In_A_Box (left) was bridesmaid at @LittleModChick's wedding. Not technically Friday frocks, but how could I resist. Particularly because I wanted to talk about how great these bridesmaids look. When you have attendants of different shapes and sizes, it's cruel to put them all in the same dress. The solution here, of frocks in the same fabric but a shape to suit each girl, is both elegant and kind. That kingfisher colour is gorgeous and flattering to all the ladies too.

@Girl_In_A_Box did single out The Lady Vee among the wedding guests as being particularly Friday frocktastic. I can see why - the colours on this dress are deep and jewel-like, perfect for a special occasion and so flattering to her colouring.

Lastly, the bride herself. @LittleModChick has the perfect figure for this dress: not enough boobage and the corset top will look sad and empty, too much and you look fleshy and unsupported. The diagonal pleating over the bodice enhances her waist and adds subtle detail and interest to the simple ivory. I love the way, too, that those delicate curls just touch her bare shoulders. All brides look beautiful, but this is elegant too.

The Importance of Shirt Buttons

2010-07-06T22:11:00.001+01:00

Aww - I love this photo. I have it as my desktop wallpaper on my work computer and my laptop. It captures a beautiful moment on the happiest day of my life. But - oh my gosh it irritates me, too. Drives me mad. Just -just look at it...

I have known my utterly wonderful husband for about four and a half years. During this time, I have explained, demonstrated and cajoled, but still he insists on unbuttoning one, but not two of his shirt buttons - I've more or less given up with him, but it just looks odd. And yet, as I look around at the gentlemen of Britain, this one-button-madness seems to be rife. The problem is one of connotation. Two open buttons give an impression of comfort and relaxation. One button open is, well, more buttoned-up.

The king of 'Only Opening One Button Land' is actor / writer / presenter / comedian and all-round likeable chap David Mitchell. But it works for him. Mitchell's media persona is one of slight diffidence and discomfort, a man who finds himself ill at ease with things like relaxation, fun and the modern world. As such, the single button open at the neck says "I didn't want to wear a tie, but actually, I'm not quite sure what to do if I don't have a tie on. I know that leaving all my buttons done up looks weird, so -there - look, I've undone one. It's more comfortable and I don't look like I've just taken off my tie. Even though I probably have." And while that works for him, it's not the kind of image many men want to project. It's also true that, having two buttons open makes you look leaner both in the face and neck; and in the body. It's the same optical rules that make V necks so flattering for women.

When I was at the pub on Saturday, I got some of the gentlemen to pose for us, with one and two buttons undone. Ignore the odd orange glasses - and instead, notice how - when Adrian has more buttons done up - he looks a bit geeky.

It's even more pronounced here, on Harry - perhaps because of the long sleeves - that with only one button undone the wearer looks uncomfortable and uptight. It's important to notice that if you undo two buttons you're not normally going to expose great acres of chest-flesh: you just give the impression of a longer neck.

Undoing two buttons is flattering, and it also marks a clear distinction between work and play. On the left, Pete would be smart enough for many workplaces... but who (except barstaff) wants to look like they could be at work on a Saturday in the pub? On the left, Pete looks laid back and casual. It's so simple.

There's always one. It's funny, though - a few men have pulled their shirt open in a similar way when I've brought this subject up. Assuming it's not a crazy desire to show me their manly chests, it sometimes seems to be a way of jokingly dealing with insecurities related to showing off more of their bodies. Or perhaps it's not feeling it's ok for everyone, even very 'blokey' blokes, to look stylish and be aware of what suits them. As I said above, most shirts won't show much more flesh if you open two buttons than one, but actually, very soft, unstructured shirts like Steve's will tend to fall open in a wider V shape.

I think the more open neck here looks great - very relaxed and summery, but you can go too far with a good thing. It takes a certain type of person to pull off more than two buttons open, and on others, it can look a little odd...

In the unlikely event that you are Mr David Mitchell and you are reading this blog, please accept my apologies. I think you know that you've a look and persona that work for you - but should you ever want to change all that, I think you should start with the hair. Seriously...

Undercover Arms

2010-07-05T23:25:00.001+01:00

So, I've been meaning to get around to this mission for a while - but Friday Frocks has been a shameless attention seeker, and I've been dazzled by its frivolity.

Mission request? As you know I have tattoos on my upper arms, and as much as I love them I don't show them at work (professionalism and keeping work/private life separate). Looking for long or 3/4 sleeve tops and dresses in the summer tends to limit the choice so I sometime buy things that have shorter sleeves and wear cardigans. I hate buying them them so need some suggestions on cardis for covering up my tattoos in the summer and not leave me boiling.

We don't all have fabulous tattoos like Trudi, but many of us feel more comfortable covering up our upper arms. It seems especially true that ladies with big boobs have had the dubious twin blessing of hefty hams to match - but lots of us are sensitive about our 'bingo wings' - the untoned flesh that keeps waving long after we've stopped. It stands to reason then, that Trudi's quest for ink-concealment will come in handy for quite a few others of us.

The most common solution to the problem is an elbow-length cardigan, either cropped or very fitted. The pink cardigan at the top of the page is versatile enough for day or evening, and won't look dated anytime soon, so it's probably worth the £50 price tag (it's by Phase Eight at House of Fraser - other colours are available here). The orange shrug above, (£49, John Lewis, also available in black) has a little more femininity in its design detail, with the puffed shoulder and gathering at the elbow - and this can make it easier if you are trying to disguise rounded arms. There are two problems with this style of cover-up (and for more in the same kind of mould, see here): firstly, they're quite expensive, and secondly, they're probably a bit much for a really hot day.

So we want pocket-friendly, heat-busting, arm-covering pieces. This white three-quarter sleeved bolero from M&S is a perfect summer cover-up. The colour is light-reflecting and summery, and it's 100% cotton so it will allow air circulation. It would also be ideal to protect yourself when you've had enough sun. Those flared cuffs will help to balance out heavier arms, and the fabric has a pretty, subtle, circular pattern. It's only £19.50 and will work with all kinds of looks.

Not everyone feels comfortable wearing white, but I've rarely met someone who doesn't look great in shades of turquoise. This bolero is also from M&S, also £19.50 and also 100% cotton (it's also another really weird picture with an uncomfortable-looking model - try to see past that). I'd say his bolero is less versatile - unlike the last one, it probably wouldn't be suitable for more casual occasions - but it is a lovely colour and those A line sleeves are going to be cool and flattering.

Lastly, this slouchy shrug is from ASOS. It comes in black, a warm pale beige, and a super-fashionable pale grey, and the loose cut is easy to wear in the heat. Best of all it's reduced from £18 to £12. This is a less tailored look, but that doesn't mean it's only suitable for casual dressing. Kept simple with a more tailored dress or skirt in a plain colour, it would look draped, elegant and classy.

Now, Voyager - Trashy-fabulous Temptations

2010-07-03T13:20:00.002+01:00

Much as we might be dedicated to swelegance, few of us can afford to buy a whole new outfit whenever the mood takes us. That's when you need accessories. Not your bog-standard, identikit bits of outfit-garnish, but gorgeous focal points that will attract glances and compliments whenever you wear them.

So let me introduce you to Now, Voyager. This is a small business based in Southend-on-Sea, and they stock loads of lovely bits and pieces - perfect for adding a touch of glory to your look. I'm a big fan of floral hairclips: they are a great way of injecting some bright colour to your outfit, and by carrying your look through above the neck it helps you look more 'put together', rather than being all about the clothes. Now, Voyager's own range of hair flowers are some of the best I've seen. They're bright, yes - but they're also large: I think a larger hair accessory looks more balanced and less like an afterthought or an apology. I'm definitely going to buy the sunflowers (£8.50) and the poppy (£7.00) above and - depending on how my spending goes for this pay packet - possibly one or two others as well.

You'll have noticed a retro aesthetic to the photos used, but I really believe a floral hairclip can work regardless of your look. However, that rockabilly sensibility is their guiding design principle. That doesn't mean, though, that you have to go wholesale for the look. Take the necklace above. By Bow & Crossbones, it's £12.50, available in silver or gold finished brass and would work beautifully to add something a bit special to the current big nautical trend that's all over the high street.

Wedding season is upon us, and people love a fascinator... but I like them in principle much more than practice, where I feel the design opportunity is often wasted in favour of producing anonymous sprigs of feather and ribbon. Some of the larger hair accessories at Now, Voyager however, are perfect for wedding guests who want to look truly fabulous. The butterfly clip at the top of this post is really lovely and sure to attract compliments. The black and white pompom above (£9.50) would be an easy alternative to a pillbox hat for city nuptuals, while the fabulously huge orchid (right, £9.50) is perfect for those who love the theatricality of a wedding.

If that's not your style, you're not off to any weddings, and you like to look a little more frivolous, then there's plenty on offer. In fact some of what's in store is a little bizarre. There's a whole range of cake hairclips, another made from children's toys, but how about a big feathery bird (available in a range of colours £8.50), or a small, girly straw hat (£14.50) complete with trailing ribbons?

Friday Frocks - Long and Hot and Sixy

2010-06-30T23:35:00.001+01:00

The sixth week of Friday frocks and we have a bumper crop. Firstly, here come the boys:

Your eyes don't deceive you, and this isn't a distorted picture - @Hayrr's jacket really does feature the kind of pattern you see if you get too close to your TV screen. I love it! I bet it attracts attention all day long. On a design level, see how the pattern gets smaller as the jacket tapers in? That's pretty neat.

One of my colleagues, next - and isn't this shirt gorgeous? The print has quite a vintage feel, and it isn't too much for work because the tailoring is neat and close-fitting. It helps too, that Hugo is quite a trim guy: that pattern over a much larger frame would look a little like soft furnishings, and what man wants to look like a sofa?

Lastly, for the gents @mikedixon honoured us with a new T shirt. Cant say I'm much of one for slogans or jokes on clothes, but I do like the retro-americana styling with the contrast neck and yoked sleeves. And the moody look - you have to love a moody look. He's a musician, you know, ladies...

Say hello to trashy. Trashy is a very, very close friend of mine and I truly love her, but this is the first time she's braved Friday Frocks. What kept you, beautiful? Here she looks sophisticated and cool in a floaty-but-tailored black dress. I love the deep V neckline, it makes the dress sophisticatedly sexy - and it's enhanced by a simple silver necklace of exactly the right length. Those Audrey Hepburn-style sunglasses? Divine. The darkness and size balances out the dress against her fair colouring.

Rebecca lives in Ireland, and I guess it must've been a bit cooler there last Friday, because she's chosen to team up this simple black sundress (simple, but gorgeously flattering and boobtastic) with jeans and a cardie. The dark denim works with the black dress - and of course jeans are practical for a busy mum - while the soft rose cardigan adds a flattering flash of colour and enhances her auburn hair. Accessorising with a three year old in full Spiderman regalia? I love it. And if even toddlers can get on board with Friday frocks, what excuse have the rest of us got?

Speaking of small people, I know that lots of you loved Poppy, @BeBelongy's baby daughter last week. Well here's mum! This is a lovely sundress, but styled up to look very swelegant. Belting a dress can be a great way to show off your shape and add a certain something - and here that tan leather belt has been echoed by some lovely heeled sandals. Then the chunky necklace gives the top of the outfit balance against that full skirt.

I need to apologise to a couple of lovely ladies for missing them out last week. I expect I occasionally will forget what photos I've been sent - please, please remind me if I do. Charlotte looks so sophisticated here - this tailored dress is given a look of softness by the draped neckline, and the ballet pumps are the perfect retro-friendly option for people on their feet all day.

Less practical footwear from Megan, but I love the contrast of these twenties-style cutout 'tap shoes' against the black tights. The eau de nil shade of the vintage-look dress (tiny pleats are such a lovely fashion detail at the moment) is picked up in the ribbons tying her shoes. I adore this look - so cute.

Back to this week and another colourful frock from the woman in black: @Girl_In_A_Box... I may faint! This is a simple linen shift dress, but the idiosyncratic black jewellery, retro eyemakeup and 'up do' make the overall look unmistakably glam.

Maeve is rocking an actual skirt this week - which she tells me is a novelty for her. I don't know why, because she wears it well. Immaculately colour co-ordinated as always, the little cardigan makes the outfit fun and is wonderful against Maeve's reddish hair colour.

Another turquoise cardie - this time from Trudi who is looking positively girly. Those silver pendants are just the most flattering length, and because of where they sit they break up the blackness of the top - tying it in to the patterned skirt. I really love those ultra-pared-back sandals too. Glitzy and practical.

I love the shape of Amanda's dress, here. The neckline is so flattering and respectably sexy, and the empire-line cut and A-line skirt give an impression of height and long-leggedness. It looks really cool and airy, too.

Now, this is @_idioteque's Friday frock look - but it raises the question... is a Friday night outfit a Friday frock? Well, technically, no... probably not. BUT - I'm happy to feature them anyway. Grey is Hugely fashionable at the moment, but it can look washed out and dull. This outfit pulls the grey into sharp focus by teaming it with black throughout - on different scales. I'd love to see more of those shoes - the contrast platform sole not only works with the contrast pattern on the skirt, but is eyecatching enough to be a focal point for the outfit.

@Girl_In_A_Box again, this time with first time Friday frocker @LittleModChick - ready to paint the town red. @LittleModChick pulls off the difficult horizontal stripes of the current nautical trend - but in such a showstopping top, wisely doesn't go too short with her skirt. Conversely, @Girl_In_A_Box covers up her cleavage in favour of showing off her fabulous pins in a pair of daringly short shorts.

@BeBelongy looks tanned and sultry here in this flattering maxi dress for her Friday night. Once again she shows her eye for accessorising with those two simple wooden bangles - natural materials enhancing the kind of glam-hippy look.

A headless Bonita next - she sent me this Friday evening frock last week, actually - but it fits in with the Party Frock theme. I know regular readers will recognise the fabric as being the same as my peacock dress from the summer party a few weeks back - but this style, also from Collectif last year, is shorter and more flirty. To avoid too much exposure, Bon is wearing a beautifully matched vest top underneath - always an option to make you feel more secure.

Lastly me, in a pair of dotty frocks. In my Friday frock I've inadvertently managed to channel the eighties - it's a bit Strawberry Switchblade, and that's no bad thing. On the Saturday night, at my Mother-in-Law's birthday party, I rocked my new frock from Collectif, and very pleased I am with it, too

So there you go - week six: a bumper crop. But keep sending them in - regulars and newbies; young and old; male and female. And keep spreading the word!

Short-and-Sweet and Super Slim Summer Smarts - A Mission

2010-06-28T23:14:00.001+01:00

I received a plea for help from a lady known to me only as Hellsbells:

Can I ask for some urgent advice please?

I have an interview on Friday for a PGCE and don't know what to wear. It's been years since I had an interview of any kind and don't own any smart trousers or skirts. I was hoping to get away with wearing smart black jeans, but not sure this is a good idea. Plus, in this heat, I'd probably be stupidly uncomfortable.

I find buying trousers that fit properly REALLY hard. Practically impossible actually.
I'm petite - about 5 foot 1. And very slim. So for anything to look decent on me, it has to be pretty fitted. Don't know what's going on with sizes in shops, but trousers in Next (for eg), in a size 6 in the petite range - they just fall off me or look utterly ridiculous.
Should I wear a skirt instead? And if so, what kind of length/style etc?

Thanks for your help

Sometimes, we all need to look smart. Some jobs require an everyday level of spit-and-polish, while others - like teaching - are a little more relaxed day to day. Some jobs are T shirt and jeans territory... but almost all of us need to look tailored and groomed for interviews, and although this is for a course (post-graduate teacher training, for the uninitiated), it's the sort of thing that demands a professional-looking appearance. But then - wow, but it was meltingly hot today. Looking the part may be important but if you're too flushed and flustered to answer your interviewer with your customary charm and sparkle...? Well, you may as well be dressed in your pyjamas. So we need to find a balance - on the one hand, smart; on the other hand we need to keep it cool.

The answer, my swelegant lovelies, lies in dresses. If you weren't going for elegance and poise you could be cool and comfy in a loose linen trouser, but linen is too soft and crumply to give a super-professional impression. The two dresses above will both allow cooling breezes to circulate around your bits and pieces, and while they are superficially similar, not all Little Black(ish) Dresses are created equal. The dress on the left is from Marks and Spencers' petite range. It's £29.50 and available in sizes 6 to 18. The dress on the right is also from the petite range, is £35 and available in sizes 6-18. So which is better? It's the latter. Hellsbells is a teeny size 6, so we can safely assume she doesn't need to worry about that high neckline making her boobs look matronly, as a more buxom girl would, and the benefit of that is the fabulous retro styling that the neckline gives (along with that perfect little belt). Think Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy - the slightly pointed low-heeled pumps add to the early-sixties look. Also, it's not black, but rather charcoal grey: an entirely more flattering colour for almost everyone. Dark grey also manages too look more expensive than black, even in a budget-friendly man-made fibre like this. Lastly, the lack of sleeve will help keep Hellsbells cool as air can get to the underarms too. We can't all look smart when sleeveless - those of us with flabby arms can't help making the place look untidy if we let them wobble around freely - but a size six has no such problem. Cover shoulders and decolletage, of course - but the arms can be exposed without compromising your smartness.

Both those dresses are very plain, though. It is possible to look more 'fashion forward' (to use a revoltingly fashionista phrase) while still communicating grown-up intelligence. My least favourite high-street shop seems to be having a little moment of style. The navy dress above (available in a size 6, petite length - but also in regular and tall length and sizes up to 22) is rather fabulous. The matte, businesslike fabric is enhanced by feature seaming and silver buttons to create a suitably subtle but unmistakably stylish military feel. It's £28.

So far all the dresses have been super-sober, but this is an interview for a potential teacher, and teaching is all about personality - so how about some colour? Also from Next (I know...!) and available in the same range of sizes and lengths is this soft raspberry pink dress - a colour muted enough to be sensible but bright enough to fit the season (£38). In terms of cut, this dress is in the same family as the charcoal Marks and Spencers dress above - more contemporary (with the draped skirt) but also not quite as smart at the waist. For that reason it's not a clear winner: you'd have to decide whether fabulous tailoring or gorgeous colour is more 'you'.

Regarding the rest of your outfit - I'd accessorise with black: even with the navy dress as matching blues can be hellishly hard. A low 1 - 2 inch court shoe or mary-jane would be ideal, but a well polished ballet pump would do (no sandals or peeptoes, though), and a plain black bag or slim briefcase. Keep jewellery minimal, and probably silver for all of these outfits. If you want to take a warmer layer, a black, lightweight fitted cardigan in the twinset style would be better than a jacket. Despite ettiquette I think, in extremely hot weather, that you needn't wear tights: so long as you aren't self conscious of your legs being blotchy or some other such thing. If you do choose hosiery, go to the locale bare legged and take two pairs of 10 denier, non-shiny, skintone (not tan) tights in your handbag. Put one on in a cafe loo just before you arrive - the second pair is in case you ladder the first through nerves or plain old cack-handedness... or is that just me?

And good luck! Teaching, eh? Why anyone'd d want to do a thing like that I'll never know...

Friday Frock Factor Five

2010-06-23T22:28:00.003+01:00

Lots and lots of new visitors to the blog this week, so if that's you: welcome, and let me tell you all about Friday Frocks. Just over a month ago I launched a manifesto to spread a little happiness through making an extra effort with what you wear on a Friday. It doesn't have to be a frock, boys can join in, and it's all relative to your own everyday standards of glam. For you, Friday Frocks might be a whole showstopping look, or it might just be a clean T-shirt... so long as you made the extra effort in honour of Friday, and doing so made you feel good about yourself.

Last Friday was the fifth week of Friday Frocks and I know through checking the hashtag #fridayfrocks on Twitter that lots and lots of people in the UK, and also several in New Zealand and in Ireland are now dosing themselves up with Friday fabulousness. But it's the usual suspects who are sending me their pics. Can we make it a mission for next week? If you are or know a Friday Frocker who we haven't seen here before, capture their image and sent it to me! (Email address is on the left of the page) Of course, I do still want to see the hardcore loyal swelegencia... and why wouldn't I when they look as fabulous as Maeve in a dotty outfit I could die for. Gorgeous with her colouring, too.

Making good on her promise of colour, @Girl_in_a_Box here looks fresh as a country garden, despite the service-station loos backdrop! If you don't feel the ditsy, floral type, something more down to earth, like this chunky leather belt can make the outfit more 'you'. It works because the light floral fabric is juxtaposed with the solidity of the belt, which accentuates the femininity without making it feel 'too much'.

Suzi here is working a summery, preppy look for a day at home - and helpfully proving that frocks are optional. The soft blue cardigan looks rich against the more utilitarian fabrics of the rest of the outfit, and lends an air of luxury. I love those simple black birkenstocks too. You can wear black sandals with bare legs, but avoid too much foot coverage: these are perfect.

She also got creative and treated herself (and us) to an elegant updo. It's the kind of thing that Friday frocks is all about: a little extra effort that makes you feel a little bit special all day.

After last week's gorgeous maxi dress, Bonita is a hot contender once again for frock of the week in this fabulous monochrome number. The angel sleeves and deep V neckline are super-flattering, even for those of us not as slim as Bonita, and the addition of the broad black belt gives shape and finish to the look. This kind of stylised floral pattern is a great way to 'wear summer' even if you're not the flowery type

.
My offering this week (and please ignore the somewhat sulky face) isn't a frock either. I bought this skirt in the sale at Monsoon a few years ago, but have only worn it a couple of times as I'm really not fond of navy. I don't know quite how it can have taken me so long however, to notice that some of the flower appliques are red which is definitely a favourite colour. Loved this outfit, and got loads of compliments around school. Sometimes you need to know what works for you. For me, there are summery colours - pastels make me look ill!

In the end, though, we were all outclassed by @BeBelongy's eleven week old daughter. As a new mum she felt Friday Frocks was something she could best express through her delicious babe, and I think we'd all agree that the youngest member of the swelegencia wears it very well.

So - that was week five. Get planning for Friday and don't forget to send me the evidence!

Fabrication

2010-06-21T23:21:00.000+01:00

An enticing idea today.

An American company, Spoonflower, offers something quite unusual: the opportunity to have fabric printed to your own design. You can have your design printed onto a range of fabrics, ranging in price from $16.20 to $28.80 per yard (£10.98 to £19.52) which you can then sew yourself - or persuade / pay a talented tailor or seamstress - into the clothing of your dreams. There's even a cotton knit, a soft t-shirt fabric which would make darling baby clothes. There are lots of ideas on the site, but I've had a little play with some photos and pictures to give you an idea of what you could do.

The built in design software allows you to repeat your pattern with a horizontal staggering - as at the top of the post - a vertical drop, as above, or a simple repeat, as with this old map of London below.

You can choose a single design to cover the whole width of the fabric, but it would have to be at a minimum resolution of 150dpi. Alternatively, you can easily reduce the size of the design for more repeats on the fabric. There is also the mirror effect, which reverses your image through its horizontal and vertical axis and creates something quite unusual.

I'm not sure photographs would look quite right, but there's all kind of scope to get creative - scan in a child's drawing, alter an image using one of the many effects engines available online, make a collage out of the concert tickets, keepsakes and ephemera of your life... And turn it into... a bag, a skirt, a headscarf, a cushion, a dress, a shirt... anything you could imagine.

Yes the company is in the states, but postage is reasonable. For a fat quarter (that's a yard divided in half lengthways and widthways, as opposed to a thin, quarter-yard strip) of the lightest weight fabric it's $1 domestically and $2 to the rest of the world - that's experimentation price! To ship a whole yard of that weight is only $7 internationally - which is £4.75. I should point out that there is always the risk of your package attracting a customs fee too, but that's always a risk when buying from overseas... it's the luck of the draw, essentially.

Summer Party Style

2010-06-17T23:15:00.000+01:00

What with Friday Frocks, I'm doing a lot of analysis of real people's looks lately - but I think that's no bad thing. Part of the point of Swelegant Style Shopping is that people see what will work for them: not an eighteen year old with a figure my father used to describe as 'racing snake'.

On Saturday, I went to a birthday party (which of course didn't really get going until after the England match...). The birthday girl is known as a bit of a style icon, and her guests really rose to the occasion too. This is birthday girl Lesley, looking the picture of relaxed elegance in a much-less-expensive-than-it-looks intricately knotted ribbon shift dress from H&M. The photo doesn't do this dress justice, sadly - it really was fabulously textural and the pale tone suit's Lesley's colouring in a really flattering way. Those sandals are pared back elegance too - striking the right note between 'garden' and 'party'.

Also elegant, in a gorgeous midnight blue satin dress with fabulously feminine but structural waterfall-style shoulder detail, was this lady. The dress was all grown up eveningwear, but the choice of accessories here subtly changes the message to something a little more fun. The feather hair clip is from Accessorise, and all those fabulous bird-of-paradise colours are picked up in the glass ring. It's an injection of colour appropriate for the occasion but not taken too far.

More casual, but fabulously put together, Fay's longline Topshop jumper is so flattering to her petite frame. For knitwear, this too is really structural and almost space-aged, and the necklace is the perfect length and solidity to draw the eye down from that otherwise quite severe neckline.

A masterpiece of colour coordination next, from the wonderful Hattie. All the colours in that scarf are gorgeous jewel tones that flatter her complexion - and she's chosen the jade-turquoise shade to create the backdrop against which to show the scarf off. Wearing a patterned scarf in this way adds interest, and by having one end trailing down there is a lengthening, slimming vertical line created. Such a scarf though really needs the plain backdrop Hattie has provided. The accessorising here is faultless too: those glasses in a mock tortoiseshell of exactly the same shade of greeny blue. The colour of glasses frames can really help an outfit look cohesive - but be aware that the colour probably needs to be subtle, as here, if it is to flatter your complexion.

More coordination here. This gorgeous royal purple and pale gold silk dress is dressed down perfectly with the well-fitted indigo denim jacket. Again, the effect is 'party-dress-but-informal-too'. The jacket also helps break up the purple, allowing the lovely patchwork leather bag (which I think this lady said was by Marni) and the purple cocktail ring to add to the cohesive nature of this look, without being to overwhelmingly 'matchy'.

See those lovely shoes in the background? Guess whose?

You've seen both these items before (dress and shoes) but I was quite pleased with this outfit so I wanted to share. Indulge me. The dress, by the way is by Collectif, who I mentioned on Wednesday. Although that fabulous peacock fabric is sadly no more, the dress itself is the 'stella doll' style which is still available in lots of fabrics and is also essentially the same cut as their sailor frock. I've repositioned the halterneck to make shoulder straps, is all. Flattering, no? Of course unlike everyone else, I totally failed to get the balance between dressy and casual. I always tend to err on the side of glam...

Good News for More Retro-Loving girls.

2010-06-15T23:30:00.001+01:00

A couple of my very favourite dresses were from the online boutique Collectif. They specialise in retro looks with a slightly punky edge, and at pretty reasonable prices... But about eighteen months ago, with no explanation, they stopped stocking anything over a size 16. I was disappointed - I sent an email on behalf of the blog - but no response was given (which I still think is pretty shocking customer service). To the present day, though, and not only have Collectif begun to reintroduce sizes up to a 22 (in a very limited range of stock now, but the website seems to have been set up to suggest that bigger sizes will become the norm) but also until 21st June you can get a 20% discount if you enter the code SUGAR at checkout. I can't lie - I did just that, buying the frock above.

The polka dot dress (£50 - various colours and prints) I bought is basically the same shape and style as the cute sailor dress (£55, also available in black and navy). It's flattering to hourglass shapes, disguises tummies, bums and thighs, and can be worn with a flouncy retro underskirt (available in many other retro stores) for more fifties-tastic impact.

If you have a more flat stomach, there are plenty of pencil skirts and wiggle dresses in the range (although not yet in the larger sizes). I love the 'Lust' dress, above, for its dramatic portrait collar and asymmetric buttons (£50).

There are separates too - of which the Dolores top (£25) is my buxom favourite. The curves of this clever neckline will enhance small boobs, while flattering the fuller embonpoint because of it's diagonal lines.

There is also a new range by Bordello Shoes on the site. All fantastically impractical, I particularly love these 'too fabulous to be true' Teeze platforms (£49.95).

If you're new to Collectif, I think it's well worth a look - generally reasonable value, and with a 20% reduction as well, you may find something to treat yourself with.

Friday Frocks Goes Fourth

2010-06-14T23:41:00.000+01:00

The word continues to spread and people are Friday Frocking who've never visited the blog - hurrah (although, obviously I'd prefer them all to be reading the blog too...!)

First as always, to see in the new Friday, was lovely New Zealand-dwelling Scot, Rozi. Love those autumnal berry colours she's been wearing lately - and the perfect necklace to complete the look.

You've heard of poodle skirts? Well my colleague @Charlotte82 added some glitz to the school with this full skirt featuring a sequined cat applique, accessorised by a gold lurex cardigan and simple metallic pumps. Proving sparkle is perfectly acceptable for workwear if it's kept localised.

Continuing the feline theme, next is lovely Fay, who remembered to Friday frock even though she was excitingly taking delivery of two brand new kittens - and she's thoughtfully modelled with one of them here. The slightly sixties A-line dress is accentuated by the retro knee boots, and both are plain enough to be perked up by her patterned tights (as always, click on the pics for a larger view).

Apparently shy @debsa sent this very sexy office look. Her great legs are accentuated by those nude-toned shoes, and the tucked in and belted cardigan gives a flattering and womanly V shape above that funky belt.

@Girl_In_A_Box kept up the good work with this leg-enhancing polka dot dress and, I'm told, lace top holdups. The rain mac is also fab - the black is sexy and the cinched waist makes her all about the hourglass.

Now last week, @Girl_In_A_Box made promises that this week she'd go for some colour - and I held up my end of the bargain in jade green - but it was miserable weather, to be fair (hence the thick black leggings), so I'm laying down the gauntlet: let this Friday be for colourful frocks - come rain or come shine...

Beautiful Bonita couldn't have been more summery, however. This maxi dress is elegant and beautifully light - surely one of the prettiest Friday frocks to date.

Amanda went one further and got out in the garden - although I see those tights, and they prove that it was no less of an inclement day where she was. I love this frock - you all know my feelings on polka dots anyway, but the floral motif add flattering colour splashes and the asymmetric hem is fun and perky.

Lastly coordination queen Maeve rocking a particularly juicy cherries and cream look - the scarf ties together the top and bolero with panache, and she looks summer fresh and totally cheeky. In fact, she even took the look to these cutesy polka dot mary janes.

Bravissimo - ish.

2010-06-10T21:33:00.001+01:00

Before I begin - remember: Friday Frocks is tomorrow. Keep the fabulousness flowing, and send me your pictures!

The basic USP of lingerie retailers Bravissimo is to sell pretty bras to women who have big boobs but who aren't especially fat. They have a young, friendly image, their stores are staffed by bright and lovely bra fitters, and excellent customer service for their online retail business. I'm right at the top of their sizing range: massive rack (K cup) but weirdly slim back (34 inches - despite being roughly a UK dress size 22 (US 18)) and this tends to mean that the pickings are very slim. Not only are there fewer people buying in my size, but it's mechanically much harder to make supportive undergarments for my dimensions... so I was excited to see in the summer catalogue, a new style in my size.

The Boudoir Beau is by Panache, available in the peachy coral colour shown, or a more subtle minky silver. The bra is available in back sizes 28 to 38, cups D to K (in the 28 back the cups are only DD-J). It costs £29 and there are matching shorts / thongs available. You might justifiably be thinking "so what?" - it's pretty but nothing particularly special, and most, more normally-sized women will be able to find more fabulous and swelegant lingerie elsewhere. Well, I have two reasons for mentioning it: firstly, there's news for those of us who rely on Panache bras for their size range, but end up wounded under the arms because of their brutally high-cut underwires - you can give a cheer, because this style is pretty comfy and low-rise. It also gives a fairly natural shape - not sit-up-and-beg balconette to be fair, but nice and perky. The other reason for featuring this style is that Bravissimo are donating a quid for every bra sold to Coppafeel - a charity (launched by a twenty-something breast cancer survivor) which wants young women to be more breast-aware and examine their boobs for lumps and bumps regularly. You can't say fairer than that.

The other notable thing about the summer catalogue is lots of new clothing. Bravissimo manufacture their own line of clothing which, as well as being sold in traditional dress sizes (8-18) is also sized by the enormity or otherwise of your boobs, allowing you to buy clothes which fit all over. They're not especially cheap, and not especially funky (if you're into more unusual looks, go to Get Cutie for the same boob-size fitting), but they do a marvellous job of providing smart, tailored, well-fitting work / wedding-guest clothes to boobalicious types. It's not all good though - some of the designs look cheap and nasty, and some is bizarrely unflattering, so what is worth a look? Let's start with the red dress above it's an easy-wear shade, and quite retro / Mad Men in influence - sexy but reserved, it's £59.

More flattering to tummies and bums is this almost-wrap-dress (£50). The asymmetric hem and feature seaming detail at the waist are flattering as hell, as is that deep V neckline. I'm not so keen on the colour - though it will suit pale skins, and not all khaki tones do - so I'd want some seriously gorgeous accessorising (red, turquoise, lapis blue...).

Lastly, a more casual frock. I don't wear maxi dresses (you need to see feet at the bottom otherwise you look like you're dressing up in your Mum's clothes - I'm just too short) - but I know lots of you love them for their ability to hide a multitude of sins. I love this bold zebra print, and imagine a sun dress built to wear a bra with and cut so you weren't 'busting out all over'... but £59 is a lot of money for a sun dress. I'm not entirely convinced.

As a post script: I like Bravissimo as a company - despite their hit-and-miss clothing collection - and I'm happy to support them on these pages. But I don't know if I'll bother again. They've made every image on their site really hard to copy or save, unless you go through the palaver of using print screen, as I have here. I don't see what that achieves - other than to put off bloggers like myself, who are essentially providing free advertising... grr.

Friday Frocks - the word is spreading...

2010-06-07T00:20:00.000+01:00

I've been on holiday for a week, so here's a round-up of two weeks' worth of Friday Frocks. The word is spreading, via twitter and facebook, and people seem to either not get it at all, or think it's the best idea ever. I can live with that - I'll take a passionate few over the apathetic masses any day.

One of the most ardent new coverts is Twitter's @Girl_In_A_Box. Not only is she, as you can see, a sharp dresser, and not only has she a figure to die for, but she's a brilliant, great fun Twitter type - well worth a follow if that's your internet playground. I don't know how she came across the blog, or me, or Friday Frocks - but she's rocking it hard. Two weeks' worth of looks from her - firstly demonstrating that Friday Frocks is more about attitude than dresses, but then last Friday rocking a truly wonderful wiggle dress. This lady has her own style: it's sharp and direct and "hotter than the hammered hinges of hell" (as they taught me to say in Texas).

Feminine, too, though - look at these oh-so-pretty confetti-toned floral trims on her sandals. Just a small amount of colour in a restricted area can make a monochrome outfit look really 'put together'.

Which is what I'm trying to do here. I just bought this dress from Marks and Spencers (I really recommend it if you need something more spacious in the boob area.) It's a bargain at £35, linen - very comfy and well-tailored, but I find black and white quite hard to wear in daytime (on me, it needs heavier eye makeup to work) so I've added the red cardie to brighten things up. This cardigan works because the V neck follows the neckline of the frock, and the cropped length means I don't lose that flattering tailored waist. By the way - how dedicated am I to the sartorial cause that I've posted a pretty unflattering pic of myself alongside one of a model in the same frock? I deserve a medal...

Back to the friday frockers. Bee here shows that, so long as you're not 'busting out all over', a deep plunge can look classy enough for the office. That black band around the neckline going into the underbust buttoned yoke is really flattering - quite 1930s.

Lots of monochrome these last couple of weeks - here the lovely Nicola (whose work has the poshest loos, no?) jazzes up the black with some very disco silver shoes and a beautiful simple necklace. Swelegantly simple.

Friends Trudy and Megan both get around the potential impracticality of wearing a dress which might show more leg than you'd like, by wearing leggings. It's the equivalent of the black vest that boobalicious types like Trudy here employ to keep the cleavage respectably covered at work.

Some of you will remember our saucy New Zealand-resident biker chick from this post. Here she looks absolutely smoking hot. Remember it's winter in the antipodes, so that gorgeous red-wine shirt worn under the frock, pinafore-style isn't too much. The berry red really works with her colouring, and the combination of scoop and V necklines are flattering to those wonderful curves. Don't you just love putting faces to the Swelegencia?

Another swelegant girl regulars will have seen before (remember the glamazon at my birthday party?) here - rocking another M&S frock. It's a simple dress but the gold beading at the shoulder is picked out by the brass bangle and the gold sunglasses. Gold colours are so much more flattering to red-heads than silver tones.

Finally some reminders that it isn't all about the frocks. @mikedixon working a super summery titfer this week - and you know by now how I feel about a chap in a hat...

Lastly, super-stylish Maeve always looks beautifully co-ordinated but this week made her first attempt at a beehive, with Friday Frocks spurring her on. It looks utterly splendid - Joan Holloway herself would approve.

First Friday Frocks Gallery of Glam

2010-05-25T21:37:00.000+01:00

Oh-so-many of you loved the idea of Friday frocks - and the world was a more fabulous place for it last Friday. I know too, that some forgot... but that's the glory of Fridays, there's always another one along soon. To whet your appetite for next week, here's a round up of last week's Friday frockers.

First out of the gate was Twitter's gorgeous @_idioteque rocking a high-contrast, retro look. Love that eyemakeup.

My DJ mate (@nipsla) Tweeted me this gorgeous photo taken in the loos at her day job. How wonderfully summery do those white lace leggings look?

This wonderfully summery orange frock was also snapped at work - this time in the mirrors of a lift - but we get the idea: those lovely loose sleeves look deliciously cool.

Of course, Friday frocks needn't mean a dress. My colleagues sported some splendid separates and accessories. This lady is always well-groomed, but this emerald satin blouse was just breath-taking.

This vest-top is easy-wear, but the super-feminine ruffles are enhanced by the girly pearls-and-bow necklace, and the whole thing brings out her peachy complexion.

Another pretty pink look - the floral pattern in the summer top is given punch with the lovely raspberry-pink cardie, matched perfectly by large, intricate pink earrings (perhaps hard to see - but take my word for it, they were lovely).

You know my love for polka dots... and this dress demonstrates that yellow can not only be flattering to pale skin, but elegant too.

Of course, not only are not all Friday frockers wearing dresses, they aren't all ladies. @mikedixon Tweeted this picture of a deeply natty hat. Exactly in the spirit of Friday frocks.

Another friday frocker here wearing a dress over leggings. It's a practical, wearable way to feel comfortable in a dress. Great belt action, too.

This gorgeous woman bought her frock especially for Friday! Hopefully she'll get lots of wear out of it, though - it's a classic, flattering style and I love that bow at the waist. Great necklace too.

Lastly, me. Red gingham seersucker (needed an iron, though - whoops). The dress had pointless ties at the back when I bought it, so I cut them off, and was inspired to tie one in my hair. I think it's that bow in the hair that gives this look the retro Fifties/Dorothy feel.

I hope those of you who did join in with Friday frocks loved the day - I certainly got lots of compliments (but I do work in a girls' school and kids can be effusive), and I hope you did too. Regardless, I really hope you got a 'zing' from knowing you looked extra fabulous, and that you're already planning your outfit for this week.

Friday frocks will happen every week - and if you guys send me photos I promise to post them up here so everyone can see how great you look.

Nude Shoes

2010-05-20T23:56:00.000+01:00

The number one way to make your legs look longer is to trick the eye into seeing your foot as being a continuation of its length. Conversely, a bold colour difference between leg and footwear leads to a shortening effect. In summer, when bare legs are much more the order of the day, then, it makes sense to banish winter black and opt for skintone shades as the go-to neutral. Obviously skin colour is a varied palette - I apologise that the shoes I've selected for this post are caucasian in hue - clearly summer shoes are available to suit all shades of skin from ivory to ebony - but buying shoes in brown tones is somehow less of a departure, less radical - it's beiges and peaches that I think often go ignored on the shoeshop shelves, and so I'm featuring them here.

My first selection are these peep-toe, ankle strap wedges from Apepazza at Yoox. (£69) What's great about these shoes, other than that gentle, wearable wedge heel, is the way they marry smart, durable leather with a summery espadrille sole. Normally an ankle strap is a no-no for elongating the look of your legs, but because this one is skin-toned, from a distance, it won't be obvious. Lovely, too is the peep-toe styling. Perfect for a glimpse of polished toenail, and because it allows a certain degree of vertical movement for the toes, it's actually more comfortable too.

Does it have to be plain beige? Yes and no. Lots of beige shoes have a darker strap, heel, sole, or even toe section - and while these might be stylish in their own way, they won't have the effect of elongating the leg because they create a horizontal line on the foot. The shoes above, however (Vic Mattie at Yoox - £98), use colour as an accent - a splash that enlivens but doesn't break up the flattering monochromatic line. Another open toe, too - these shoes are unashamedly dressy and quite grown up. Imagine them with an iris coloured dress for a special occasion. Love the sexy curve of that heel, too.

Can beige be young and sexy? Absolutely. Look at these fabulously eighties-vixen stilettos from Love Label at Very. They're a steal at £32, and beautifully detailed with tiny gold studs and a chunky concealed platform to make that heel more wearable. These are enough of a statement to hold their own against a sexy short skirt, but are the right tone to flatter this season's fashionably pale pins. (No really, tans are 'out' - you can thank the vampires all over our screens).

Lastly, not really leg-lengtheners, but something more casual-glam? These jewel-encrusted sandals from Boden are steep at £59 if you think of them as flip-flops, but would be perfect and flattering for a more bohemian look at a summer wedding, or if you're lucky enough to be going somewhere luxurious this year - comfortable too, having no toe-post. The colours here are key: that metallic strap and footbed is subtle, but the warm peachy crystals add glamour without contrasting with your skin - call it 'sophisticated glitz'.

Oh - and if you're Friday Frocking tomorrow, don't forget to let the swelegencia know - and let the compliments flow.

A Manifesto - Look forward to Friday.

2010-05-18T19:57:00.001+01:00

While I've been away, I've been trying something out - and I've come to the conclusion that it's such a good idea it could change the world for the better. And as with all revolutionary ideas, it needs a manifesto...

Dressing up lifts the spirits - compliments may come; the day feels special.

One day a week is a realistic goal to aim to dress more swelegantly.

For most of us, Friday is already an optimistic day, and for many, a day that might end socially.

A frocktastic Friday will bring sparkle to the week - and is something to look forward to.

Sharing the positivity of Friday Frocks with your friends and colleagues, even your family, will increase the levels of happy around you.

So - we all have our own day-to-day balance of style, comfort and ease of dressing. Different ages, bodies, occupations and inclinations put us all in different starting places, but I believe we can all make that little extra effort with our outfit to make it look a bit special. That's what Friday Frocks is all about. Normally at work (I'm a Drama teacher) I wear wide-leg trousers and some kind of tunic or top, plus flat ankle boots in winter and birkenstocks in summer... But for the past few weeks I've made that little extra effort of a Friday. Now for me, that's meant putting on a frock (or dress, for my lovely overseas readers), and some prettier footwear - and checking my lipstick during the day so I can reapply it when it wears off (something a rarely bother to do).

Friday Frocks doesn't have to be about dresses - if you don't wear frocks you might join in with fabulous statement jewellery, or a pair of heels, or taking more time with your hair. Boys might go for a gorgeous vintage Liberty tie, or a stylish shirt (my husband now has three red-wine coloured work shirts - I keep buying them for him because they are smart but striking - the very essence of Friday Frocks). On the other hand, you may already be the picture of everyday classy dressing - but I'm sure you could bring something extra to Fridays: witty accessories, brighter colour accents, finer footwear...

Lastly, I like the idea of people sharing this new habit, and therein spreading the little bit of pleasure that comes with knowing you look like a slightly better version of yourself. My colleagues were mostly really positive when I mentioned it to them last week and I reckon some will join in this week - and of course, I'm sharing it with you... but if you like the idea, spread it (and the compliments) around. If you're among the Twitterati, tell us all what you're wearing or better - link to a photo - and add the #FridayFrocks hashtag. Link to this post on Facebook or elsewhere on the net, and above all, tell people. This idea may die on it's arse - but it's so positive I don't think it deserves to.

I particularly welcome your comments on this one, lovely readers, and if after Friday you'd like to send me a link or photo of your Friday Frocks outfit, via the comments box or email, I'll happily share your fabulousness with the rest of the swelegencia ...

Get Cutie - frocks with style and substance.

2010-05-18T00:00:00.000+01:00

Right - I've been quiet again, for which I apologise. Imagine personal matters daring to take precedence over matters sartorial! I have, in fact, received a mission from a reader, but I suspect I'm too late to help her. However, it's a common request, and the shop I've found to solve her problem is so fabulous that I can't possibly not share it with you.

Hi

I just found your blog tonight and I'm loving it!
Looking at the pics of your frocks and the advice you've given to others has inspired me and I was hoping you might be able to help me find a fab dress for a wedding at the end of May. I'm singing at the wedding so all eyes will be on me at some point and I would like to look good! (well amazing if possible!). So far all my searches for the right dress have ended with me hitting a brick wall and I am getting a bit desperate!

I am a size 22/24 on top (and an F cup so large bust) and a 24/26 on the bottom. I have a long upper body and tend to wear dresses that are more empire line style and usually with a v-neck front. I don't mind my upper arms showing too much but would rather have a bit of a sleeve or something to cover at some point.

I usually shop at evans, simplybe etc and ocassionally Monsoon depending on the style of the dress (i.e. if there is a bit of give then I can get into their size 22) but there is nothing inspiring me at the moment. I have had a look at some of the sites on your blog such as collectif but none of them seem to go above a size 20.

I have ordered this dress in purple as a possibility but I feel a bit meh about it:
http://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/product/details/show.action?pdLpUid=QB203&pdBoUid=1985&lpgUid=11148613#colour:0,size:

I'm blonde with fairly pale skin (at the moment!) and love the retro/pinup look although sometimes the tailoring doesn't work well with my bust. I love bright colours and patterns too.

Can you help a lady in distress please?!

Thanks!

Amy

One of the best parts of writing this blog is that it leads me to discover new purveyors of stylish schmutter for my own wardrobe, and rarely have I been more excited than when I discovered Brighton boutique Get Cutie. Their pitch is this: limited range of well-designed styles (four skirts, nine dresses, two men's shirts and a small range of assorted sundries), available in a large range of sizes (up to a 24) and critically, an unbeatably chic range of almost 100 print fabrics.

click for larger

For Amy, I recommend two styles. First is the long, cap-sleeved dress (above). The shape is so flattering to Amy: draws attention to her great boobs (she can easily add a camisole or vest top underneath if the effect is too boobalicious for a wedding), but the diagonal lines actually help to make them look less bulky. The bodice does the same job as Amy's generally favoured empire-line - on a long body it helps to accentuate the difference between boobs and waist - here, though it is tailored for a more pronounced effect. I'd wear some high-waisted control undies with this to aid the slimming effect. Finally, the A-line skirt will flare out over heavier hips, thighs and bums. The length is spot on for our girl, too - although there is a shorter version (top), more suited to less tall bodies. Unlike the photos, though, I'd wear a summery style like this with a lightweight wedge sandal or espadrille, tied elegantly at the ankle. The dress is £99.50 - which considering the dress will be made to order if they don't have it in stock is excellent value.

The second option (the half-sleeve dress) is perhaps less summery, and offers more arm coverage. The shape is more or less the same, but those longer-than-normal short sleeves are flattering, drawing the horizontal line at a thinner part of the arm. This dress also feels more formal (I think it's the turned-back cuffs) and is therefore possibly more suitable for a formal 'do', as well as being more wearable year-round. This one is £105.

I really recommend having a look through the Get Cutie site no matter what body shape you are. There are halternecks and strapless numbers, pencil silhouettes... frocks for all.

A question of scale.

2010-03-25T17:10:00.002Z

I've a blog post in my head about belts, and why some people don't think they can wear them. This isn't that post, but it's inspired by the crucial aspect of scale in selecting lots of elements of your look. Although these rules are for everyone, the photos tend to focus on the mistakes slim people can make, and for that I apologise. It's becaus if I'm pointing out mistakes, I want to use pics of celebs and models only, otherwise it's a bit nasty. And most celebs and modes are, of course, slim.

Your hat's too big, Li-lo... (and actually, about the rest of this horrorshow...)

Basically, it goes like this: if you have a small frame, you will be most flattered by delicate things - if you are large framed, you need to think bigger. So, let's start at the top. Take, for example, the wooly hat. If you have fine features and sleek hair, a baggy beret can make you look like a mushroom. On the other hand, bigger hats will balance out a bigger body and be in proportion to big hair or a rounder face. A large lady in a juliet cap is wont to look like a cherry on top of a cupcake. Hair too, then. None of these rules are hard and fast, and if you love a look that is the number one most important thing, but bigger hair looks better of bigger people - it's very hard to pull off a gamine crop unless you're elven of features. It works the other way - big hair on a petite frame and you're likely to look a bit cartoonish. It's even true that very long hair looks best on tall people: and here I'm guilty of ignoring my own advice. If you're short, too many long straight verticals can draw the eye too far down and make you look dragged down.

All these gorgeous necklaces would look better on larger women.

Jewellery - and by and large it's the same rule. Fine chains are hard to wear if you're larger because they look overwhelmed by the surrounding flesh, whereas big statement pieces can look like they're wearing you if you don't have the frame to balance them out. Of course, you might be a tiny size eight and have quite chunky hands - go for jewellery that suits the part of the body you're wearing it on. It's not quite as simple as that, though. Beware bracelets and chokers! Anything chunky cinching the thinnest part of you (wrist, ankle, neck) actually makes it look wider. It's the same reason that wrist-length sleeves are less flattering than three-quarter ones. So look for larger circumference bangles or bracelets that will sit past the wrist, onto the hand, or up the arm a little: it's a much more flattering look.

I've got some nice cushions to go with that...

Patterns are simple. The bigger you are, the bigger the pattern you need... but: keep patterns simple as a big busy pattern on a big body will make you look like a sofa.

This belt should be twice as thick. It looks silly next to those boobs.

Belts follow the same theory, except that you also need to consider the weight and thickness of the fabric(s) in your outfit. Sometimes it can be nice to juxtapose floaty and flimsy with chunky and industrial, but for a more elegant look you'd keep them in proportion. There's often a fashion for big belts, worn by slim ladies - that's fine, but they should then be worn on the hips. Trying to cinch a slim silhouetted outfit on teeny frame at the waist with a big belt can make you look like a weightlifter. Sorry.

Chicken-legs ahoy! I actually found this as a recommended look on a style blog... eek.

Then, lastly, shoes - or more specifically, heels. In theory, you'd want to leave slim heels to slim girls (a skinny stiletto beneath a plump calf can look like one of those balloons-on-a-stick they have in McDonalds for the kids) - and as far as possible you should aim for this, but more importantly, if your leg has curves, so, ideally should your heel, and that's more true the thinner the heel is. Platforms and wedges also suit more substantial calves more than they do slim ones - remember my chicken-legged friend? She should avoid a blocky heel lest it look wider than her calf. Again, the actual proportions of the body part are important too: I have size 3 (36eur/5US) feet, but they're broad and so delicate strappy sandals wouldn't suit as they would if they were more narrow. If your ankle is significantly narrower than calf and foot (mine look like the knots between sausages) again, avoid any straps that are right on the ankle. Ties up onto the leg or down on the foot are far better.

Massive apologies if you already knew that stuff, by the way. It's the sort of thing that I feel like I've always understood, but people tell me quite often that they find these types of post useful.

A new one on me: Joules.

2010-03-24T17:46:00.001Z

My big sister sent me a link yesterday to a site with such seriously pretty things that I couldn't wait to bring them to you.

Joules declare themselves to be "inspired by ... the love of all things equestrian and country" - and you'd be forgiven for thinking that that doesn't sound very swelegant. And, in fact, I did find most of their collection to be a bit 'Henley Regatta': upper middle class, tastefully bland, desexualised, sporty, casual wear. But then... Oh my! Such gorgeous, gorgeous frocks. Such beautiful bags. Such reasonable prices. The frock above, for example has a timeless cut, and beautiful teeny polka dots. It's streets beyond the largely shapeless output of Boden, for example - but at only £65, far cheaper.

The frock above was the one that inspired my sister to contact me. The oversized gingham is fun and retro, the full skirt and fitted waist are flattering, and that crossover V neckline is perfect for bigger boobs. I love the way, too, that the waist tie can be fastened behind or with a cute bow in front, as in the second picture. I got rather excited about this dress, but then discovered that nothing on the site goes beyond an 18. That's such a missed opportunity for them. It's £55 - which is Dorothy Perkins kind of prices, for heaven's sake.

It's the attention to design detail that gets me excited about this store. Look at the lightweight jumper dress above. Such a pretty colour, but look at those cuffs on the elbow length sleeves, or the flattering waistband panel, and then notice that each of the three buttons is a different colour. At £69 it's a little pricey, but this would be such a great, easy, throw-on frock for work.

The next frock is available in two perfect fabrics. As you can see on the model, it's less full-skirted and feminine than the first two frocks... but you know my feelings about polka dots, and how lovely is that summery Cath Kidston-style chintzy floral? This dress is retro-flavoured, but without going the whole hog, and perfect for less curvy girls. It's £55.

Lastly a couple of gorgeous bags. The first one is a retro leather daytime handbag that costs a fairly serious £130, but it makes me wish with all my heart that I'd held off buying my car for a month so that I could afford it. Aqua leather. For summer. *sigh* And I'm not even a particular fan of handbags. The second is also fabulously retro in wicker, and as pretty as candy hanging off your arm all summer long. A more reasonable £39, I already have a very similar vintage bag, but if you don't... Both these bags come in other colours, by the way.

Swelegencia Spotting at the People's Republic of Disco

2010-03-23T23:33:00.002Z

I was out and about a couple of weeks ago at the People's Republic of Disco (my very favourite club night) and I spotted some very stylish boys and girls who I thought I'd like to share with you lovely lot. Thanks to all these people for agreeing to my using their photos: you're all utter stars.

First up is this fabulous combination of spots and stripes. Combining patterns is a minefield, but a good rule of thumb, exemplified here with absolute aplomb, is that if you keep the patterns simple, and wear them boldly, then you won't go far wrong. This also works because the scale of the patterns are similar. Imagine tiny dots with those tights, or thinner stripes with that frock and you can see that it wouldn't work. It also helps that the white dots tie in to the white stripes and give the outfit cohesion.

Two ladies now both working a similar look, and since it's a versatile, easy-to-wear and flattering look, I'm going to explain how and why it works. This is a shirt-fronted dress with a fullish skirt and short sleeves, worn with a contrasting belt. It looks curvy and feminine on everyone, even those who have no curves. The fuller skirt makes the waist look small in comparison, as well as skimming over larger thighs and tummies and bums - then, above the waist the sleeves help to balance out that width, making everything look in proportion no matter how small or otherwise your boobs. Then, having created the wide points, the belt is an essential focal point to make the waist look different and narrow. A buckle on the belt is important, it breaks up the horizontal line which, as we know, gives an impression of width. Also helping to detract from the horizontal lines created by the wide hem, sleeves and belt is that flattering V neckline. The buttons also mean that more boobalicious girls can still get a good fit without gaping and straining. Undo the buttons to below the fullest part of your boobs and wear a matching or contrasting vest underneath, or simply show a flash of bra! Want one? The lovely UK site Pin Up Parade have the beauty below available for preorder from their 'Forthcoming Attractions' page. It's £90, available in sizes XS to XXXL. I'm waiting for the sizing guide, but if it fits, I think it might be a good investment for work. Red belt, though.

The next fabulous lady couldn't have been working a more different look.

Man, this girl looks fabulous! It's a little bit Tura Satana, but smarter and more fun. The boots are no-nonsense and fierce, but their length and tightness combine with those skintight jeans to look sexy and feminine. The black jeans blend into the black vest, making the waist look tidy and tiny - and then the knotted shirt adds a little retro 'Calamity Jane' character to the look, meanwhile its comparative fullness and contrasting colour makes the waist look smaller and the boobs look a little larger. I love her glasses too.

Next up, a couple of boys in bowling shirts (and with added smoke machine effect). I love bowling shirts - they sit open at the neck to just the right depth, and they often have vertical lines as here, which we know are flattering. It's an easy-wear retro look for men, and an effortlessly chic one. Try TenPinShop.com for a good selection if you're in the UK.

By the way, have you noticed all the red and black? It's a People's Republic of Disco thing... not compulsory, but much loved...

A gorgeous gal next, in a lovely dress, but that's not why she's here. This dress shows masses of her upper chest, and because of the contrast with her skintone, it creates an uncompromising horizontal line. The solution, as here, is a statement necklace with diagonal lines - almost creating a V neck. I should point out, a long pendant or long string of beads would draw the eye down too far, and give the impression of droopy boobs. This necklace is just about perfect.

I'm making a little more of an effort to get to grips with man-style, and I'm starting by identifying what I like. Two very different looks here, but both very stylish. The chap on the left is more obviously 'on trend' (horrible phrase). There are lots of those flannel-style checks around for men and women, but it's the fitted cut that makes it chic. Also, these checks would be much less flattering if our man wasn't so slim. But the shirt on it's own is just fashionable, it's the horn-rimmed glasses (my grandad had a pair) and extremely sharp hat that make this look totally swelegant. I'll say it again... everyone can suit a hat if they try. The look on the right I love because of the juxtaposition of floral Hawaiian shirt with the leather jacket. But because the shirt is black, the look is again, cohesive. Rock and Roll.

My last style direction might not be on everyone's map, but I hereby declare Swelegant Style Shopping's support for the 'tache. I think the reason that moustaches are more resistant to popular acceptability than the increasingly ubiquitous beard, is that moustaches are more of a statement. It's less possible to blend into the crowd when you have a 'tache, but I'm not about blending in. I also love the adaptability and transience of face fuzz: here today, gone tomorrow. And my lovely late dad had a 'tache, which means they have a very fond place in my heart.

Lastly, as is customary, my outfit for the night. The hat wasn't mine, someone plonked it on my head just before this pic was taken, and then all of a sudden it's a bit Annie Oakley. Sorry about that...

Apple Shoes

2010-03-23T18:45:00.003Z

I can't say too much about this one, as the lady in question wants to keep her outfit a secret - but I can tell you that there's a strong fifties mood and that we're looking for a pair of heels in the ballpark of apple green... but that the precise shade can be a little flexible. Which is a good thing, because the sheer panoply of hues that could be described as 'apple' is somewhat staggering - making matching hard. Basically, we're looking for a true green - with a fairly even blend of blue and yellow tones - somewhere on the line between lime and mint.

Which means that my first suggestion might be a little too bluey-toned. Which would be a shame, because these are rather splendid. They're by Fornarina (£89) and available on the website Yoox - a brilliant resource if you have time to spare, because they have a massive range of clothing and footwear and a fairly unhelpful search facility. These shoes have sexy retro ankle straps, a cute vinatgey grosgrain bow front, and that sexy classic heel shape. I've a bit of a bee in my bonnet about heels that go straight down from the back of the shoe: they don't support your weight properly, and more importantly, they don't enhance the undulating curve of your legs. But these are great - sexy - and they have a little silver star on the heel... it's a shame they're probably the wrong shade.

A better shade, albeit less pretty, are these vertiginous stilettoes from Ted Baker (£80) I could never wear a heel this high, but to be blunt: that's only because I'm too weighty for my freakishly tiny feet to support. People of more normal proportions seem to do fine. These shoes are less attention-grabbing, but I love the retro-sexy peep toe, the textured finish and that gorgeous pink lining.

My next option is all about textures. These open-toed heels from Poetic Licence at Yoox (£59) have a lovely pale upper, a fun, slightly 'trailer-trash' cork platform, and a marvelously tacky vivid green basket-weave effect heel. It's all very Las Vegas. Not tasteful, then - but one of the glories of the fifties look is that you can spin it in one direction and it's all Grace Kelly, and then from the other side it can be gloriously plastic and fake. Although for 'plastic and fake' we couldn't do much better than the next pair...

These shoes are defiantly inelegant, but there's something about their design that means it all works out. They're by RAS, again at Yoox, and cost £69 (also available in raspberry and the most fabulous orange, as well as predictable black). These shoes aren't the right kind of retro at all, but they are a fun statement, and they're definitely apple green. The multicoloured espadrille-style platform offsets both the overwhelming shininess and the uncompromising shade. I reckon they look quite comfortable too. The girl in question doesn't have the most conservative of tastes, so I wanted to offer her something a little left-field.

My last pair of heels is a little more expensive, but if this were my outfit, they are exactly what I would go for. The company is Bespoke Big Day Shoes and they're a fantastic find if your requirements are specific. Forget the 'Big Day' bit - their raison d'etre may be weddings, but these shoes could take you anywhere. Like all the styles on the site, here you can specify your own heel height from 1 to 4 inches in half inch increments. You can also choose between gold and silver heels and then, most importantly, you can choose your own glitter colour. So - imagine the style below with silver heels and the shade of glitter called 'lime' in the chart above. Glorious!

At this point I may have to concede that not everyone shares my barely-repressed inner eight-year-old's passion for sparkles - but that's not the only reason I chose these. The heel is perfect, there's a slight platform for comfort and the peeptoe is sexy and retro. They're £95 plus p&p, and I want some 'sparkle'-coloured, silver-heeled ones very badly indeed.

Lastly, I found a pair that aren't on the shopping list at all, but which I think are essential. As the evening wears on and you want to dance all night you'll thank your Auntie Charlotte for these. Ballet pumps are perfectly period and super cute. These ones from Boden are in perky patent, and again have a splendid pink lining. I love the bow detailing too. £69 is steep, and there's a wait for some sizes, but they fit the bill so well that I'd have to get these too.

Qucik Boden Bargain

2010-03-10T23:44:00.000Z

This gorgeous stretch frock has a subtle-as-sequins-can-be sequin neckline, flattering empire-line seaming, and that arm-coverage so many of you love. The Schiaperelli pink shade isn't for the shy and retiring, and would be hard for blondes or others with fair colouring to wear - but it looks fabulous on everyone else. It's £35 (reduced from £90) in the sale, available from sizes 12-20.

In other news, the new Boden line goes up to a size 22, where before it stopped at a 20. It's rather pricey for me, but I do love their use of colour and pattern.

Don't it always seem to go...

2010-03-10T22:58:00.006Z

I wouldn't like to imply by my title, that I thought Lee 'Alexander' McQueen was shamefully underrated in his lifetime: he was quite rightly vaunted and fêted as a bright and fabulous talent. I'm just a bit sad that it's taken a tragic and premature death for me to come out of the closet and pin my colours fully to the mast: My name is Charlotte and I love high fashion. I love designers. I'd give much to go to the shows. I buy Vogue.

I'd like, in this post, to talk you through my highlights in one collection, in the hope that it will explain why I feel this way. I warn you now, though, there's going to be a whole lot of florid language... it's going to get pretentious.

Today, at Paris fashion week, the Alexander McQueen Autumn Winter collection ('All Angels and Demons') had its show. And it was glorious. (I understand, by the way, that the label will continue - but this collection is unquestionably McQueen's own creation, and as such it's of course the last true McQueen one there will be). Despite being nominally 'Ready-to-Wear', the shows in Milan, London, and Paris aren't really about creating outfits many of us would want to wear to work or parties. When inventive catwalk fashion is taken out of its milieu, it often looks alien and undesirable. Hence Gwynneth Paltrow's gothic, string-vest ballgown at the 2002 Oscars (also by McQueen) looked unflattering, harsh and inappropriate. But the shows offer me two things here on my grotty sofa in South London. In part they are the delivery of aesthetic concepts. It's like a collision of art and theatre... textures, colours and shapes - given movement and personification. Secondly, they point the fashion industry, and also me, in a new sartorial direction. It makes me think about adding this accent or that flavour to my style. It's inspiring.

The two short dresses I've selected (above and top) have loads of gorgeous elements that can, and I hope will, filter through to the high street this autumn. Immediately obvious are those gorgeous theatrical reds and the heavy brocades the colour of old gold-leaf. But look at the shapes. I bet we'll see that belted kimono (top) influencing jackets and cardigans as well as dresses of all lengths. No buttons, cinched with a belt, bell sleeves (perhaps somewhat toned down for 'real life'), - It's flattering and wearable by women of all ages, and it's a new direction, although importantly for our sense of continuity, it still has an echo of where we've been (the belt cinching in voluminous heavyweight fabric has been big in coats and jumper dresses for a while). The second frock also has a taste of the familiar: it doesn't take a fashionista to see the silhouette similarities with the tulip skirt. But it's the new ideas that are exciting. That effect of the top 'layer' looking as if it's been pulled to meet at the waist and then falling back like a curtain at a window to reveal the contrasting base fabric, that's an idea McQueen has used several times in the collection, and it has potential to make its way onto the high street in quite a direct way even if it's just a general trend to focus attention on the waist through diagonals, that's good news: this look even creates the illusion of a waist from scratch if you're boyish of figure. The sleeves too, are beautifully excessive - so many folds and pleats, it screams sensuous opulence but with delicate, girlish proportions. And wouldn't those of us with large upper arms welcome something so generous of cut and, well, spirit, that it'd make our own dimensions look mean in comparison?

Of course, as I said, some of it's about the artistry. Fashion design - design in general - is the less-respected step-cousin of fine art, and I guess that's because of the bed it shares with commerce. It's certainly not unfair to suggest that an artist might produce work which more purely represents their vision if they don't have to deliver several pieces of it to a preordained schedule twice a year, every year. Art too, is free from constraints of utility: it does not have to withstand being worn and walked about in, and while fashion designers have pushed the envelope of avant garde, at the end of the day they are creating coverings for the human body. It isn't then, pure artistic expression - but art, I would argue, it is. The dress and mantle above inspire an emotional reaction in me that happens outside of my evaluation of them as clothing. That heavy crust of gold towards the bottom makes me think of life and decay and glory. The quality of it is at once industrial and organic and I want to get close to it and see it in detail but for some reason I don't want to touch it and find it too essentially 'real'. I'm experiencing it in the same way I might a painting, although admittedly not so deeply as, say, a Rothko. To someone else looking at the same frock, there might be no reaction at all (isn't that true of all art?) but to me - this speaks.

But ultimately, this is a style blog, and my passion is for clothes and the wearing of them. This jacket is by far my favourite piece in the collection. The shape is Old Hollywood - elegant, poised, dramatic - the face is literally framed. The texture is my favourite part, though - and sadly I can't imagine that making its way to mass production with any success. It's brittle and detailed like a delicate clockwork model, but at the same time reminds me of a viking feather cloak: tribal and animalistic - it gives an overall impression of such strength. Over that skirt it puts a new spin on the fishtail gown - the look of a grown-up mermaid. I'd love to see it on a bride.

A-mer-i-cano...americano...

2010-03-03T00:04:00.003Z

A mission from my fabulous New York-based performance artist friend Davi:

Hey Ms. Charlotte,
 
If you fancy a swelegant style project, here's one for ya!
 
I'm looking for a cocktail dress and some shoes to go with it.
 
I've got a bat mitzvah PARTY (not the service) to attend.  And I have  
no idea what happened to my favorite heels, which also happen to be  
green so they're limited in terms of what I can pair 'em with in my  
wardrobe).
 
Here's the scoop; after 7 months of injury, I've gained a little  
weight and the dress I'd probably be most inclined to wear to this  
party feels a little tight on me.
 
I'd love to treat myself to a new dress.
 
I've got big boobs, big thighs, a reasonably small waist (but not an  
hourglass figure), and I'm short.  (you know all this)
 
I like dresses that show off my shoulders; halters work well,  
especially with structured support for the boobies.
 
I don't really like pencil skirts/dresses because they  make it hard  
to dance.
 
I have a really great pair of gold wedge sandals (but, um, it'll be  
mid-march) and I will try to figure out what happened to these (my  
green heels):

I'd love to spend under $150 on the dress.
 
Ideas? I just ordered the Nanette Lepore Evermore dress off ebay and  
was looking at some DVF wrap dresses (though I own one and I know that  
it's pretty hard to find one that covers my boobs adequately).
 
Something sassy!

My knowledge of American-based shops is limited (although bigger girls in the Big Apple should visit Re/dress NYC - a fun and friendly boutique selling vintage and new plus-size gems... who knows if I'll make it myself, but were I to visit New York it'd be the first place I visited... but anyway, I digress...) but I have found some great frocks at Pinup Girl Clothing - purveyors of punky, retro and rockabilly fashions to the American Swelegencia.

We're looking for some boob support (and preferably the coverage to allow for a bra), but low enough cut to flatter bigger boobs, and ideally showing some shoulder-enhancing skin. All the dresses I've chosen have A-line or full skirts; Davi feels restricted in anything tighter, and it also makes it hard to accommodate a good fit if your thighs are proportionately larger than your waist. The first dress ($68) is a fun cherry-print on black or white. The black is more eveningy, but the white is irresistibly reminiscent of Monroe's frock in The Misfits. Both are edged in green piping which, although it isn't the same shade as her green shoes, is tonally in the same family, and will tie the frock to the shoes.

More conventional on first look is this gorgeous black frock with blue swallow embroidery on the bodice and hip and matching belt ($110). It's not too conventional, though: the swallows suggest sailor tattoos, and the full skirt is crying out for a net underskirt in peacock blue - or perhaps a more shocking contrast - raspberry pink, violet or emerald green. It won't show Davi's toned shoulders, but this dress is an absolute classic.

Next to website Baby Girl Boutique. A green dress here - cherries again, but this time less sexy and more girly. I see it with those quite schoolish shoes. The empire line is flattering to Davi's shape, and the A line will skim the thighs ($78.50). Ignore the wholesome model - this dress is funky and punky and lots of fun.

Lastly, it's back to Pin Up Girl Clothing for the Dolly Dress by Paperdoll clothing ($84). Paperdoll make this style frock in lots of colourways - but I'm struggling to find the brighter ones in stock anywhere. It's no good for shoulder flattery, but the length is perfect for someone petite, and again, the empire line is flattering. The one on the left has a cutesy cupcake trim, while the other has a design of retro movie monsters. I really see Davi in this dress, if all the black isn't too sober for her.

Swelegant Saturday Style

2010-01-30T18:43:00.002Z

Returning from a horrible gastric flu to share with you some of the swelegantly stylish details I spied last Saturday at Offline in Brixton. Offline is a free night put on by a mate of mine, and I was celebrating my birthday. Some of the people you're going to see are my mates, others are total strangers who graciously consented to allowing me to photograph them for my blog. If it's you - many thanks!

Let's start with this utterly fabulous glamazon look, sported by a very fabulous friend of mine. Rita Hayworth hair (natural colour!) isn't downplayed, but fully lived-up-to with this leopard-print 'wiggle' dress from Marks and Spencer. Utterly showstopping - but classy too, due to the higher neck and knee length hem. You could wear this with a lightweight twinset-style cardigan in cream or dark chocolate, or a contrast such as scarlet, if you wanted to cover up a little.

A couple of gents, and a couple of dapper accessories. I love this hat - they say that hats don't suit everyone, but I think some people just aren't trying. This hat's a little bit retro, a little bit flash, and it's as flattering as hell. To the right, I love these gloves: pure fun, but not in a 'Homer Simpson socks' kind of way. Men's clothing presents few opportunities for fun and wit, but these do the trick.

Next we have some utterly gorgeous accessorising. This retro dress is cute, but blue can be a bit 'safe'. Fortunately it has tiny red details, allowing the wearer to accessorise with simple but splendid earrings and a pair of girlie pumps. No necklace - a feature collar like this doesn't need one.

I met this lady on the night and developed a bit of a crush, to be honest. She'd come straight from work, and was simply dressed in black, but my how stylish! The hair is sexy and sophisticated - hair like this makes me tempted to cut mine short - and perhaps you can't see from the photo, but her eyeliner was glossy jet black, winged for retro flair, and matched with scarlet lips. The chunky, long jet necklace makes the simple outfit feel connected to the elegant face and 'do'. Applause.

click for larger images

Another stylish stranger was the lady on the left - now, this look wouldn't work for most, as legs this good are a rarity, but I'm showing it to you because of my post the other day about fashion and tights. The lace tights are covered up with socks, leaving a tantalising band of lace-covered thigh rather than the curious blotchy-leg look you can get if the whole leg is floral, and see how the dark opaque works with lighter, open toed sandals? Great hair too - I love a bit of backcombing, and heavier readers take note: a half-hive balances out weight below. On the subject of tights, how much fun are these purple lurex ones?

This rock chick was one of the DJs on the night, and I'm including her, primarily because she looks so good in her jumper dress. The fine knit is flattering, and those three-quarter length sleeves are elegant and provide great coverage. Ideally I'd have asked her where she got it, but even if I had, I may have been too 'refreshed' to remember... she reads the blog, though, so perhaps she'll tell us. I also love this ultra-girly, flamingo pink resin ring when worn with the short 'rock' nails and seventies-style parka. Unadulterated 'serious' black is too grown-up to be swelegant.

I mentioned them on the recent post about men's dressing, but I'm really getting into a fine crombie-style overcoat for men, recently. Lighter colours such as grey or camel with a darker collar are most stylish - and if you're tall and slim then you might prefer a double-breasted style, as here, as it gives a 'boxier' look.

I actually wanted to take a front-facing shot of this spectacular frock so I could show you the brilliant forties-style shoulders and slim V neckline. Unfortunately, the conversation between inebriated strangers in a noisy club wasn't terribly clear, and after two tries, I gave up. Anyway, it's a great shot of this splendid Alexander Henry fabric - skulls and roses sewn up into a retro-femme frock. I have a frock in this fabric: a gorgeously talented friend made it for herself and then sent it to me when she lost weight and it fitted her no more. Mine's a more full-skirted style, though.

I loved this gorgeous black lurex cardie which I spotted on a lady by the loo. It isn't just the sparkle that appealed to my magpie-eye, but the short-pile white fur collar - which instantly evoked the jacket Marilyn Monroe wore when she married Joe DiMaggio. Just a neat, contained bit of luxury, and the white will be kinder to some complexions than black on its own.

Finally, then, me. But you've seen this look before (but not, I hope, posing poutily in the loo...).

A Classic Coat

2010-01-21T21:33:00.000Z

I have a mission for you... I'm hoping that now is the time that I might find a winter coat in the sales? My black coat is looking pretty scraggly and worn. I'm after something that is a little bit fitted (I think), but still has room for me to wear a jumper underneath, black, and comes down to below the knee. I don't have many coats, so this will be the one I can wear to weddings, or work do's. Not sure where to start.

Well, for someone who isn't sure where to start, actually we have a really great list of preferences. It's a fab idea to have a think before you look for new clothes, about what you'd like in an ideal world, even if you can't picture it exactly. It may not exist, but it helps to narrow down the field.

I haven't owned a proper winter coat for years, something I only realised recently when I've been carless and commuting. It's an item that needs to be functional - to keep you snug; durable - because it'll get daily use; and stylish - because it's the layer that people see. Which means it's worth spending a bit on it... but then, who has that much money to splash at this time of year? And the price of even a cheaper coat means you'll probably only own a couple - so it has to be versatile too.

The first two are available from website ASOS. I love the first one, originally by high street chain Mango. It's £109, reduced from £145 - and for that you get a 95% cotton/wool blend, and some rather elegant design details. The braid on the cuffs also forms a fixed half-belt detail at the back, nipping in the waist, and those puffy sleeves leave plenty of room for your jumper. It's dressy and feminine - I love the covered buttons and Princess Grace-style collar. I happen to know the lady who has set the mission is not of model height, so it'll be at least knee length. Sadly sizes 10-16 only, but this is such a pretty coat I couldn't resist.

The second offering from ASOS is cheaper (£70, reduced from £90) but also a cheaper fabric with less wool content. That said, this is a great design for hourglass and pearshapes due to it's fuller skirt, and the fact that that cosy funnel-neckline opens out to a deep, single-breasted V. It's a wee bit shorter, but still long enough to count as a winter coat - on me, it'd be knee length. This one's available from size 6 - 18.

The classic, no frills option here (picture in red, but available in black) is from good old Marks and Spencer. It's £79 and available in a great range of sizes up to a UK26 - though not all sizes are in stock, everything from 14 to 24 was available in the black at the time of writing. It's high in wool content (75%) and even has 5% cashmere in the mix. Single-breasted coats flatter everyone, and this should suit girls of all shapes and sizes. I like the tiny puff on the shoulder and the double-effect hip pockets, echoing this season's ubiquitous Crombie: small details that tie it to this season, but wont stand out as an anachronism in years to come.

My last option is very different - not tailored or fitted at all, but stylish, practical and flattering, after a fashion. Closed, it's nothing to write home about - though the pod-like clean lines are quite futuristic Japanese-style, but open, at least part way, this coat has a fabulous statement collar that balances the shapelessness and focuses attention on the face. This coat is by Isabella Olivier, who is a maternity designer primarily - but this coat seems to be from her non-maternity range. At least I think so... those models certainly aren't pregnant. It's £119.50, reduced from £239, and available from a size 6 to an 18. The fabric is a wool cashmere blend and I think this really would count as an investment piece.

Boots - Less is More

2010-01-20T20:46:00.001Z

One of my oldest friends has asked me to find something, and who am I to refuse?

The opposite of wider wellies ... narrower boots for those of us with chicken legs !!! yes the rest of me continues to expand, however those chicken shins ... well they make a nice pair of boots look like wellies !!!!!!!

I'm supressing the urge here, to say "what have you got to complain about?" - we all have bits of our bodies that we hate, or which - as here - are just a pain in the arse to dress swelegantly. And I truly wouldn't want a pair of boots that stuck out beyond the width of my calf.

Okay, so - the first thing is to say that the sites that specialise in wide calf boots also cater for narrower legs. Duo are the market leaders and their prices can be high - but they currently have a sale and you should be able to pick up a pair of boots for around £100 - in calf sizes down to a teeny 30cm. This boot is £140, but I've chosen it for two reasons: the length is over-the knee - this will draw attention to a more shapely thigh, and the horizontal straps will give an impression of width. They also buckle behind the knee for a guaranteed close fit. The dramatic and sexy effect of the length is diffused by the practical heel - and the overall impression is very stylish. Think a groomed Kate Moss.

There are other calf-width boot specialists, but I've been let down by two separate companies in the past so some kind of recommendation is in order, and the Fitted Boot Store comes with a recommendation from Auntie Gok himself. They have much less choice than Duo, but a rather fabulous selling point: they make their boots to order, and take your ankle measurement as well as your calf to ensure a glove-like fit all the way up - particularly important for slimmer legs where baggy ankles look very obvious. I've chosen this pair in tan leather at a promotional price of £100 (but nothing on this site is priced over £125 - and that includes the made-to-measure service). Brown is a better colour for wearing with jeans tucked in, and being lighter than black, it will add the impression of width, as will the horizontal seam and the fact that the boot should stop at the widest part of the calf. This company also start at a 30cm calf circumference.

If you don't want to order from one of these specialists (you might want to try the boots on, and although Duo has some facility for this, it's not easy) what can you do? Firstly, it might seem obvious, but shop around. The boots available in Topshop are likely to be slimmer fitting than those in Next, for example, because their customers only go up to a size 14. If you can afford to splurge, the top labels make very narrow boots to cater for their size zero clientele. But even within stores, be aware that sizing will vary between styles. It may be worth trying boots that lace up the front, Victorian-style, or that are soft suede or fabric cinched in by criss-crossed straps. Over the knee styles might be an option if your thighs are a more regular size, as they only need to fit well at the top of the boot - a looser fit on the calf will be disguised by a thicker, more rigid leather. Obviously you can tuck in your trousers, but you should also be aware that wearing heels changes the shape of the calf, elongating the muscle and giving you a smaller circumference. Flat boots will be a better fit.

Ooh la ladybird!

2010-01-19T23:47:00.001Z

Tonight I need cheering up, so I'm going to indulge myself by wallowing in some of my favourite clothes.

Polka dots have been a passion for me since childhood. The young Miss Charlotte was enamoured of the aesthetic chosen by gothy Scottish popstrels Strawberry Switchblade (and the music, but that's a different story). Then as a teenager my first true love was a young man who modelled himself on the singers Iain McCulloch and Robert Smith, and had a signature look involving polka dot shirts and skintight jeans. I taught myself to sew with two polka dot skirts and a pair of baby-pink polka dot dungaree shorts... fast forward to more recent times and even my wedding dress had an overlay of cream polka dots. But in the last year or so, I've accumulated three polka dot purchases which are all, inescapably, in the crimson and black hues of the lovely ladybird.

Click for larger pics.

It started with this dress from Rockabilly/Punk online boutique Collectif (although they don't sell it now - or indeed much else in the same size). I bought it because of the polka dots, but also because I wanted something new to wear for the late lamented regular People's Republic of Disco club night, where red and black was the non-compulsory dress code. I know it looks short - remember: not only am I short myself, but it's also very wide. And look - there I am on the right, in the clubbing section of Time Out - proving that it's an excellent party frock! It's a great standby, this: my version of the 'little black dress'. I can wear it over trousers if I'm feeling self-conscious about my legs, it doesn't show too much boob and it isn't too dressy... but it still looks like I've put on something a bit special.

Then, as I mentioned in one of my first blog posts (here), I found a pair of super-cheap spotty low-heel shoes, meant to appeal to the kids' souvenir market in Barcelona. As I mention in my earlier post: they appealed to me immediately as 'ladybird shoes' - it wasn't until later that I realised that they match the frock. These lovely low heels are comfy enough to be worn all night. Around then I began to consider what it was about this particular permutation of polka dots that appealed so strongly. The crimson tone is deep, richer than a more firey scarlet hue, and this more bluey red flatters my dark hair and pale skin (orangey reds are better for fair hair or for tanned complexions). This red, then is juxtaposed with black - a powerful combination of mischief and strength. Minnie Mouse sports a red dress with white polka dots, and that's a far more innocent look. But for me, there's also something cool and cute about ladybirds themselves. The female identity, the bright colours, the childlike pattern... ladybirds rock.

Then, last summer, when I was searching for something special to wear for my hen night, I went back to the ladybird pattern for a third time. I'd already decided on plain pink dresses from Vivien of Holloway for my bridesmaids, and now I went all out one of their showstopping frocks for myself, in what else but red with big black dots. It's still available now - £59 for the dress and the matching bolero is £25. The dresses are boned in the bodice and very full in the skirt - they look great on their own or even better with a full petticoat.

As you can see, it's quite a show-stopping look... you need to carry it off with some confidence. Why do I love it? The slightly larger size of the polka dots make it more flattering for my large build - more so than the first dress, and it's so flattering to this over-inflated hourglass body. The dress only comes in halterneck though, and although I customised a bra to fit under the halter, very big boobs make for a very painful neck by the end of the night - when I next wear it (on Saturday, for my birthday), I'll convert it to shoulder straps. Finally, a gratuitous closeup. Photos like this make me love my body just the way it is - and what better reason could there be to have a passion for great clothes?.

A new direction - back to the missions.

2010-01-16T22:21:00.001Z

I've received a new mission from a New Zealand reader:

Yay! I'd missed your blog Charlotte, great to have you posting again!

I have a questions for SSS- my look has fallen a bit flat! I'm getting past the jeans-and-t-shirt-for-all-occasions phase I've been in for the last decade, but I've no real inspiration of what to look for instead. I don't want to be too "flowery" but I do want to feel a bit more feminine and look a bit smarter. I'm pretty busty, size 12UK (14AUS), olive skin and dark hair. What colours/styles should I be looking at?

This lady is gorgeous: tall, dark and beautiful. She rides motorbikes, too. Very seriously cool. But not even she can make jeans and t-shirts look swelegant. So what can she do? Well, I'm not going to start suggesting frocks for every occasion, but I'm fairly confident there's a clear path to a gorgeous look that she'll find wearable. The key change is going to be focused on tops. She's a slim lady, so it's not that we want to disguise anything, but big boobs need to be both accentuated and at the same time, not allowed to steal the all the limelight.

It's summer in New Zealand, and a pretty top worn with plain linen trousers (I assume the model on the left forgot hers) is a look that's feminine and elegant, but also relaxed and practical. Olive skins need deep colours near the face, but avoid black, dark blue, green etc in summer because it just doesn't sit well in the sunshine (fortunately, this matters less on your bottom half). Try patterns (polka dots, stylised flowers, stars...) which feature intense bright colours such as crimsons, deep turquoises, bright sky blues and raspberry pinks. Avoid thin straps like the plague if you have big boobs - you need a wider strap to make your boobs look in proportion. Halternecks - with thick straps - can, however, look stunning if back and arms are slim - the one above is a great cut, though probably too light in colour to flatter our girl. Avoid anything with a high or strictly horizontal neckline and say 'no' to strapless tops or anything with smocking over the bust. Try to find tops with some kind of empire-line (horizontal seam under the bust) as this will stop big boobs from making the whole torso look matronly. Avoid vest tops where possible - something in a non-cling fabric will make you look fresh, cool and elegant (as well as skimming any little lumps and bumps).

For work, and in cooler weather, my recommendation is the kimono neckline. Wear it with a vest, (as left) for daytime modesty, and without for maximum impact. The kimono top will have an empire line profile(probably with ties at the back), and either a deep plunging, or slightly cross-over neckline. If there are sleeves they should be wide and loose. These tops come in lots of different fabrics, from t-shirt cotton to silk and couldn't be easier to wear. It's really no different to t-shirt and jeans. They look great with dark denim slim-cut bootlegs or skinny jeans, leggings, or my preference, which is the straight-cut wide-leg trouser. Keep shoes flat.

Lastly, I must apologise for there being no actual shopping recommendations here. Wrong hemisphere and wrong season - but I hope the principles help.

What you want - 3: Jumper Dresses

2010-01-14T18:29:00.000Z

Before I begin what will be a list of clothes with prices, pictures and handy links for ease of purchase, I feel a bit bad about advocating spending on inessentials from time to time - and never more so than today, in the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake. Times are bloody tough, and I don't want to guilt-trip anyone... but if you had been thinking of donating to help the survivors, let me make it easy for you. Here's a link to the Disasters Emergency Committee's website - if you want to give and haven't got round to it yet, then I don't mind at all if you do that first and then come back and read the blog later.

Okay, so: jumper dresses. Or as Roxanne put it in an email to me:

Jumper dresses, please! For all shapes/sizes/occasions.

And it's the 'shapes/sizes' bit that worries me, if I'm honest: jumper dresses are unforgiving in all kinds of ways. Take the one above as an example (£28, Dorothy Perkins) It's a chunky knit, so will add bulk, short and tight and so will widen the thigh and cling to the tummy, has a high neck to make your boobs look matronly, short sleeves to accentuate the width of the upper torso and it even has pockets like saddlebags on your already beleaguered thighs. And yes, this was the worst example I could find, but there were loads to choose from. This dress would suit someone tall, with great legs and a boyish figure - which isn't many of us.

So is it all doom and gloom? Not entirely. I can see the snuggly appeal, but I have to confess, I'm not convinced by jumper dresses - they're not for me. However, not everyone is quite so short of leg, wide of thigh or big of boob... They're not for everyone but there is a jumper dress out there for most of you.

In a wearable green (and also cream) is this rather charming empire line frock from Peacocks. It's £16, and available from size 6-20. At that price we can't expect great quality, which is a shame because this is a great design. The deep scoop neck is buxomly flattering for all but the largest boobs, and notice how the cable knit pattern (in flattering verticals) is a smaller width over the boobs - giving a minimising look where the dress is tightest. The looser skirt is flattering over less-that-toned tums, hips, bums and thighs, and would look fine over jeans or trousers if you feel more comfortable covered-up. (You can, of course wear tighter dresses over trousers, but it's an unfamiliar silhouette and only really looks good with tight-profile trousers.) In an ideal world I wouldn't have had the pockets, and the sleeve is still a little short, but I like this.

Similar in style, but slightly less forgiving (and anyway, only available up to a 16) is this rather stylish frock from French Connection. It's a little bit retro teaparty, a little bit Parisienne - think cream opaque tights and dolly shoes. It's delightful colour (versatile and suits just about everyone) and a huge bargain at £45.50 reduced from £90 - if I were a size 16 I'd snap it up.

The next dress will best suit less hourglassy types because of its gorgeous, sophisticated lines. It's rather 1930s, I think, and the long sleeves and far longer-than-usual skirt length make it perfect for those going for an elegant look with sheer stockings. I'm less inspired by the grey, but it comes in black and french navy (the site wouldn't let me lift the photos of those colour options) in sizes up to an XL - roughly a 16-18. It's by Great Plains, who I know nothing about, and it's reduced from £50 to £36. Monsoon have a similar style (right) in black, for £60 - sizes 14-18 online, though with Monsoon, other sizes may well be instore.

Lastly, one for the more buxom. Monsoon have a few knitted dresses, of which the one I've mentioned and the one above - while not traditional jumper dresses, are by far the most flattering options. This dress is my favourite, because of it's hugely flattering wrap neckline, sensible length and full sleeves. It's £55 but sadly only available in the pale grey and in size 'large' online (again, try your local stores - Monsoon's stock control doesn't seem to be centralised).

Wellies revisited...

2010-01-13T22:42:00.002Z

Last February we had snow, and I posted about finding wellies to accommodate the larger calf - with your indulgence, I'll post that again here, but with updates based on a test of my newly purchased boots in the snow today. If you remember the original post, just scroll to the end for the new stuff.

I don't often need to go places where my feet will get wet. Other than the shower, that is. But one ought to own a pair of wellies - this much has been evident today - when surely I would have frolicked with unbridled energy in the snow (as opposed to staying in my cosy bed all day) had I only owned a pair of good old gum boots.

I did have a pair. They were £6 in Tesco's kids department several years ago. I eventually pressed them into employ on one weekend, at last year's Endorseit festival, and I was jolly glad of them in the Somme-like conditions. By the end of the weekend though, I'd sliced them down the back (because it's one thing getting your legs in; losing all feeling in your feet due to constricted blood supply is quite another), and eventually threw them away on the way home, in a motorway service station bin, because our car was rammed to the gunnels, and the boots had doubled in size thanks to having half a Dorset field clinging to them.

So now I am bootless. It's quite discomfiting to discover myself lacking in clothing or footwear for any occasion, so I've been looking on the internet for my next pair of wellies. Of course, if I do buy some, they won't be delivered before the snow disappears... but I'll be ready if it happens again, goshdarnit!

But my word - buying wellies which will accommodate the larger calf is harder, and in some cases more costly than buying lovely leather boots from Duo. Who knew?

Purveyors of Serious Wellingtons, Hunter, stock a larger calf size in their more boring styles, but prices start at £50 - rising to £240, and the most exciting colour in the wide fit styles is black. There are other serious brands selling serious wellies - mostly for horsey types - but the only brand selling purpose-made, wider-fit wellies that don't look eye-gougingly dull are Jileon Ltd. Jileon are welly specialists who stock loads of cute and glam welly designs at around the £25 mark. Sadly, only one pretty pattern makes it to the wide-fit style, but it's a versatile black-and-polka-dot boot (above), which should please many. However, for some reason, for the larger fit they nearly double the price - to £44.99. Even then, I was tempted... but sadly, their smallest size is a 5. Tsh! Back to the drawing board.

I should probably point out that Jileon stock two other 'wide fit' styles - which cost £19.99/£32.99, but they are that ubiquitous muddy green colour. They'd have to be free to find a place in my wardrobe...

Another welly-specialist is Funky Wellies - and the name sounds promising. Their neoprene-lined range is supposed, according to their blog, to be more capacious around the calf. They have a cute pink floral boot, but I rather love the royal blue ones patterned with cars and camper vans. I don't love them to the tune of £45.95, though - even though they have them in my size. Lakeland Welly Workshop do a cute daisy boot with handles for £25, which they say is good for wider calves - but seem to have very few sizes in stock.

So what, then. Well the choices seem to be one of two: buy a pair of sensible wellies in sludge green or black; or go for something other than a standard welly. Plenty of retailers sell ankle-height wellies, which will fit - but you can't exactly tuck your trousers into them. I know serious outdoorsy types who reckon wellies are for fools anyway, and would encourage me to buy some stout walking boots and waterproof gaiters. Quite apart from the cost, walking boots seem to only come in ugly colours, and I guess I'm just too shallow. And that's before I even contemplate wearing 'waterproof gaiters'. There is a compromise of sorts in low-calf boots, epitomised by the Crocs above (£25-£35). Pretty colours, yes - and if you buy the imitation ones on ebay they can be cheap as you like... but they're truly very odd looking. Maybe I'll wait it out...

Proof that I did wear wellies once. Even if they were the most sensible part of my outfit...

Update:

So, despite the recent Arctic weather not really troubling us that much in London, I felt frustrated that there might be other occasions when I would want to frolic in the snow, and be denied due to my inadequate footwear. The situatation in terms of what's available hasn't really changed, but Jileon did have size 4 boots in stock, which is close enough - allowing for two extra pairs of woolly socks, so I bit the bullet and shelled out close to fifty quid (including delivery) for a pair of spotty wellies.

No sooner had I placed my order than a friend sent me the following report:

I bought some of those and the strap on the side broke as soon as I put them on. I was really unimpressed with them, the soles were very thin too.

I never got round to sending them back so I might stick them on ebay.

I hope you like yours, I guess it depends what you want them for but I knew the thin soles would make walking round festivals very uncomfortable.

Which was discouraging to say the least, so I awaited their delivery with some trepidation, and as soon as opportunity afforded itself, I gave them a good old test.

Look - they match my diary!

They're certainly spacious. I have large calves, even for my size, and they had no problem accommodating them, plus three pairs of socks, and my turned up, wrapped-round bootcut cords. I reckon these would easily fit up to a UK dress size 26 - perhaps even larger. The straps on the side aren't terribly heavy-duty, it's true. I used them to hold the sides in place after I decided how much folding the gussets needed; you wouldn't want to use them to actually pull the sides in snugly.

So I set off, first on pavements - where the slight heel (half an inch) gave me more traction on slippery surfaces than my trainers have done - and then over the parkland of Peckham Rye. The snow wasn't super-deep: perhaps two and a half inches in places, but after about half a mile (and then a couple of hundred meters more on pavement again) I reckon I got a sense of what they're be like to wear. I found them very comfortable. Perhaps it was all the socks, but the soles didn't feel thin to me at all. At one point I wasn't sure if they were leaking ever so slightly at the heels - it may have just been the cold - but the sensation didn't last long, and when I got home my socks were dry. I liked them. I think for a pair of wellies they're too expensive, but at least I have a pair now, and can go festivalling, snowballing or puddlejumping with the best of them for, hopefully, many years to come.

What you want - 2: A big man

2010-01-12T19:37:00.001Z

So, I have a lovely friend - very stylish, gorgeous, sharp... and she has a chap who is also lovely - but struggling rather, in the struggle to match her sartorial splendour, and so she's written me an impassioned plea for ideas. As you know, this isn't my field of familiarity: I'm no expert on where to shop for men's clothes, but I'll do the best I can using basic principles. My friend's boyfriend is 40, tall and broad shouldered, but she describes him as "portly of tum", and "generally top heavy". I can't reproduce all of her letter here as it gets a bit 'frank', and it wouldn't be politic to use a photo of the chap himself, so I'm going to use the actor Vince Vaughn to get the body shape in your minds. I get a bit weak-kneed about Vaughn: he's a great big scrummy bear of a man.

It's hard for men. There are far fewer variables of shape and form in men's clothing, and their bodies don't offer many failsafes that can distract the eye from the imperfections. Where a woman can put on a slash of vivid lipstick or show a splendid decolletage, most men would consider these strategies as probably not enhancing their look. But there are some opportunities: my friend's chap has a good head of hair, and I strongly advise him to adopt a hairstyle that's a bit flash - short at the sides for slimming effect, but longer on top in the tousled style of Hugh Grant, David Tennant's artfully messy fringe, or Vaughn's own suggestion of a quiff with killer sideburns. A pair of stylish glasses can also draw the eye.

Some things don't change, though - the rules of what is optically slimming are the same for men and women. It's no more flattering for a man to wear a t-shirt, with its unforgiving high neckline, than it is for a woman. Any man who wishes to look a little more svelte would do well to eschew just about everything other than the traditional, button-front shirt, worn two buttons open at the neck, just as above. The V shape neckline elongates the throat and counteracts any burgeoning double chin (a beard can help, but should be well groomed. Those of us carrying extra weight have an unfair tendency to look unattractively ragged). The line of buttons going all the way down the front draws the eye down, creating a slimming effect. A shirt with vertical panels will enhance this too, and generally indicates a closer fit. It may seem counterintuitive but heavier bodies shouldn't be swathed in tent-like quantities of fabric; a more fitted look will reduce bulk. Just make sure the shirt is big enough (and long enough) to allow for a full range of arm movement when done up. As a general rule, unless very smart dressing is required, leave the shirt untucked and remember that long sleeves are far more flattering (and classy, and elegant, and stylish) than short ones.

Just as with larger women, heavier men should pay attention to pattern. Checks add width, horizontal lines are not to be countenanced, and patterns should be on a larger scale the bigger you are - but avoid anything too big as you may end up resembling a sofa. If you're going to wear the shirt without a jacket some kind of pattern is advisable, as unbroken blocks of colour can give the impression of acreage. Perhaps surprisingly, since vertical lines = slimming, I'm advising against the ubiquitous Paul Smith-style striped shirt. It'll make you look like a deckchair. Not all colours are great to be worn near the face: pale colours can make you look washed out, and yet slimming black makes some look completely drained. Experiment with dark wine reds, purples, blues and blue-greens as these shades suit all but the fairest skin and hair. Primary colours are for children and those with very dark skin only.

If the belly protrudes significantly over the waistband, the solution is another layer that will follow the form of the body. In winter you can wear a fine knit V neck sweater or tank top over the shirt and this will bring the shirt snugly to your waist. Summer is harder though, as obviously you won't want a knitwear layer. You can wear a t-shirt tucked in to avoid exposing the tummy, but t-shirts themselves are so unflattering... I would advise a t-shirt in a colour no darker than your skin tone, and wearing an untucked shirt on top, done up (apart from the top two buttons) or worn undone, like a jacket.

Over the shirt, jackets and coats should be tailored with vertical shaping, like a well-fitting suit jacket. A retro-style leather blazer in black, brown, or warm cherry red is a fantastic everyday standby. Finding one in the right size may be a problem as many are vintage, but keep an eye out. In the meantime consider a well-cut suit jacket as a standby. In colder weather, a classic overcoat like this from Crombie at House of Fraser is an investment that will flatter him and cut a dash for years to come. It's available up to a 48" chest, and costs £395 (reduced from £675!). Cheaper options are undoubtedly available, but it's the shape you want - deep V line, mid-width lapels, single breasted. It needn't be black: charcoal grey is an easier shade to wear for people with paler colouring.

What then to balance out the bottom half? Avoid anything with a tapered leg, and conversely, also avoid bootcuts. Bootcut trousers are designed to balance out a heavy thigh. Great for pear shaped women and rugby players, but heavier set men tend not to have proportionately wide legs. We want a trouser style then that will add bulk and an impression of width to balance out the top half. Cargo / combat pants do this, but probably won't work with the button front shirt and form fitting jacket. Instead I'm going to recommend a wide leg trouser in flannel or corduroy for winter: in summer adopt a dark linen suit with a wide leg. It should be long enough to crumple over the shoe at the front, but shouldn't rub the floor at the back: this is a fairly smart look. Avoid all except very dark denim with a wide, parallel leg, and say 'no' to shorts and cropped trousers altogether.

Footwear is important, and this look won't work with most trainers, although retro style tennis shoes, baseball boots etc would give a creative edge. More conventional would be a lace up (or ankle boot for casual wear) with elongated lines, echoing the vertical tailoring of the shirt and jacket.

Giving you what you want - 1: Tights

2010-01-11T23:42:00.001Z

I recently asked members of the facebook group what they wanted me to cover, and I'll be working through their requests in the order I recieved them.

First out of the gate was lovely Miss Dippy, who replied:

Ooh tights. As it's winter. I am often confused about what tights are in fashion for evening wear and what tights go with what shoes and colours etc? Ta x

And you all know me: I love this kind of thing as it allows me to get all bossy and lay down some rules.

Basically there are three kind of tight-wearing occassion. There are everyday tights, classy tights and statement tights. (For the purposes of this post, please read 'stockings' for tights, if that's your preference, especially in the 'classy' section.)

For everyday and night, your wardrobe should have a good stock of opaque black, probably brown, and possibly navy blue tights - as high quality as you can afford. There's a world of difference between cheap tights and more expensive ones in terms of softer fabric; closer, longer-lasting fit; and durability, so buy the best you can afford. Opaque tights tend to last for years in my experience, so you can justify spending a bit more for an item you will wear loads of times. Obviously tights can suffer in the washing machine if they come into contact with zips and bra hooks. You can buy net bags to wash them in, or tie them in a pillowcase. The style rules dictate that you match your tights to your shoes or boots, and also to your hem (if it's black, brown or navy). If you're wearing a brighter colour, match your shoes and tights anyway, depending on which neutral colour fits your preference and what suits the colour of your skirt.

Opaque tights are durable, flattering, easy to wear, and they allow the modest wearing of shorter skirts than would be viable with bare legs or sheer tights... but sometimes they just won't do. Some workplaces require a level of grooming that won't be met by the more casual look of opaques, and by extension of the rules above if you're wearing a light coloured skirt you really need flesh tone tights. As I wrote yesterday, retro dressing requires sheer hosiery and indeed, there are social occasions at which you will feel more elegant in sheers. The best rule of thumb is your footwear. The more elegant and ladylike your shoe, the less likely you are to wear opaque tights. A simple court shoe needs sheer tights, where a chunkier mary jane probably needs opaques. The spohisticated tapered heel above screams for sheer tights, whereas all kinds of boots look better with opaques. Peep toes can be worn with sheer tights if the 'peep hole' is small, but a fully open toe should be worn with bare legs. Sheer tights should be worn in a colour that represents your actual skin tone (don't try and use your tights to give the sense of a tan: it looks wrong), or in Nearly Black (a warm black tint) for most occassions. Pure black sheer tights can look a little more dramatic than elegant.

Tights, though can be fun when worn creatively. I'd avoid patterned sheer tights like those on the right, as they can look like blemishes on the legs, but vertical patterned lace tights look fabulously 'Moulin Rouge' when worn with boots, plain heels or with simple ballet flats and a short skirt (beware, though: lacy tights can chafe if your thighs rub together). In this case, keep the rest of your outfit plain - as a rule, the more attention-seeking your legwear, the plainer everything else needs to be in relation.

Opaque patterned tights make a real statement. Be aware that they're not going to be flattering on the whole (though a vertically ribbed pattern will of course elongate and slim the legs, optically), but sometimes fun is more important than flattery. Diamond tights are widely available, and suit straighter legs, whereas the also widely available herringbone pattern is great for all leg shapes. Patterned tights can be worn with any footwear, including sandals, but complicated straps will detract from the impact of the pattern.

Less dramatic, more 'stylish' impact can be had by the bold use of colour contrast with plain opaque tights - and it's also an easier look than he patterned looks above, especially if you're less than leg-confident. A mary-jane or T-bar shoe is perfect for this look, as it evokes a kind of retro nursery-chic, but you can also experiment with open toed shoes and sandals. The simplest look is pastel opaques worn with darker shoes (though beware the widening effect of pale colours). But as shown above, coloured tights can add drama to some quite unassuming shoes. The juxtaposition of colours makes the impact of both thights and footwear more dramatic. Equally, teaming your plain old black opaques with a splash of lighter colour makes a bold, stylish statement.

What I wore on my holidays part one: Hail to Miss Holloway.

2010-01-10T17:41:00.007Z

Ah, how I've missed having clothes to write about that I didn't hate.

I have a bargain for all you retro-chic acolytes worshipping at the shrine of Mad Men goddess Joan Holloway. I recently watched all on seasons two and three back-to-back and made a resolution, inspired by that statuesque siren to put myself together a little more elegantly. Well, having sprained both ankles a while back, I've had to eschew heels, and I did try to wear foundation every day but it made my skin break out... maybe it's a look for occasions... And I have found a great dress to wear on those red-letter days.

In limited sizes now from Ann Harvey but only £22 in the sale (of course, I paid £40 - sod's law, but still a decent reduction from £80), it's a really interesting piece of tailoring and much more flattering than the photo suggests. Even if it isn't still available in your size, it's worth having a look at why it works. The wide, V neckline acts as a frame for your face, while also simultaneously drawing attention to the boobs and making them look less bulky (this dress won't work unless you're fairly buxom - although you needn't have quite my ridiculous proportions). The deep bands of trim that follow the crossover shape of the bodice also detract from the obvious shape of the boobs. This gives a more sophisticated, tailored look. The vertical darts at the front avoid excess bulk without the need for a stretch fabric, but aren't so tight as to make the dress cling to the tummy: always a problem with 'pencil' skirts and dresses. The sleeves are an absolutely optimum length for flattery. They cover all the worst, widest parts, the length balances them out beautifully and is right for that retro look, where short-short sleeves are rare. I'm not so keen on the length on me, and the colour isn't easy to wear, but it's a fantastic example of this kind of frock.

Where else can you look for this kind of dress? Well, there are many sites in the states, of which Pin Up Girl Clothing is my favourite - an absolute Aladdin's cave of hourglass frockery. To buy in the UK without incurring prohibitive postage charges and running the risk of customs fees, I recommend Pin Up Parade. The owner of the site imports the frocks from America in low numbers, so it's a bit luck of the draw. At the moment she has this curvetastic number in an XXXL only (size 20, nominally, but check the detailed size chart) - £80.

This has a high neckline, so be aware that it will make your boobs look bigger. Both the dresses so far have really been for the girl who already has something of an hourglass shape. This look is a little different on ladies with less waist definition, but still very classy. You need to look for something with a high neckline, and pleated tailoring either side of the waist. This frock (below, £65) is really classy, has wonderful sleeves and reminds me of sixties air hostesses. It'd look sexy as hell with a pair of scarlet heels, too.

Keep belts thin and stockings sheer for this look. Heels and lipstick must be worn. This is high maintenance dressing, but in a really good way.