STEAL HER STYLE – PRETTY WOMAN

Back in 2011 I wrote a post about getting the Pretty Woman look – all about that brown polka dot dress she wore to the Polo – and it’s still one of my most viewed posts today! However the dresses I recommended back then are very much out of stock now, so I wanted to update the post with new options and some other ways to emulate Vivian’s look (once she’s under Edward’s wing of course).

Vivian: You’re late.
Edward: You’re stunning.
Vivian: You’re forgiven.

1. Lola Stylish 50’s Retro Swing Dress in Brown – £27.99 – Dolly & Dotty
2. Taupe Polkadot Fit & Flare Dress – £40 £30 – Wallis
3. Billie & Blossom Navy Spot Dress – £32 – Dorothy Perkins (I know it’s not brown, but it’s a really good match for the shape and style!)

“In case I forget to tell you later, I had a really good time tonight.”

“It was so good, I almost peed my pants!”
“She said she liked it better than Pirates of Penzance.”

1. Bardot Crepe V Plunge Maxi Dress – £35 – Missguided
2. Petite Nisha Sweetheart Off the Shoulder Dress – £18 – Boohoo
3. Polly Off the Shoulder Sweetheart Skater Dress – £15 – Boohoo
4. Crepe Bardot Midi Dress – £25 – Missguided

Also, just as an aside, my favourite fact about the movie… In the scene before the opera where Edward gives Vivian the necklace to go with her stunning red gown – remember it? Where he shuts the jewelry case on her fingers as she goes to touch it? Well that was totally unscripted and just something Richard Gere did messing around, but the producers loved it so much that it made the final cut. It’s such a lovely moment – just goes to show how real Roberts and Gere’s chemistry was on and off screen. No wonder they made so many films together!

I was in here yesterday, you wouldn’t wait on me.
You people work on commission, right?
Big mistake. Big. Huge. I have to go shopping now.

1. Lace Trim Bardot Mini Bodycon Dress by Rare – £49 – Topshop
2. Sistaglam Grace Bardot Dress In Overlay Lace – £65 £38 – ASOS
3. Choker Detail Bardot Dress – £35 £17.50 – Missguided
4. Lace off-the-shoulder dress – £29.99 – H&M

It must be difficult to let go of something so beautiful.

Happy shopping you pretty women!
Love,

GILMORE GIRLS – STYLISH THEN, STYLISH NOW.

Gilmore Girls is without question my favourite TV show of all time (I mean maybe Game of Thrones or West Wing or Newsroom or One Tree Hill or Luther come close, but over all, if push came to shove, it’s GG). And yes I’m proud (I have strange pride boundaries) to say that I’ve watched all 7 seasons on Netflix within 2 months of it being available in the UK (about time amiright?).

Watching it again – 16 years after the first season aired back in 2000 – has made me realise that some things really don’t go out of fashion. Except the bandansa Sooki and Laurelai used to wear all the time – those are done. And I got to thinking about how many of the fashion statements we saw Rory and Laurelai wear over those 7 wonderful seasons are still around today – or have come back after a few years off.

So I’ve picked out some of my favourite trends that were in then and are back now, so take a little look at how to emulate Laurelai and Rory with a 2016 twist…

The Spaghetti Strap Slip

This is a Laurelai classic look – she’s a big fan of the triangle top, spaghetti strap slip dress or top for an evening look. Whether it’s metalic, silk/satin or floral, this shape was seen frequently through all 7 seasons and now it’s a look that’s EVERYWHERE! Further great news, baby blues are so in this season, so if you’ve got blue eyes like Laurelai (or me) these will really make them pop!

Stylish now: (L-R) Ciara, Jamie King, Ashley Benson, Anne Hathaway

1. Cami Front Midi Slip Dress – £38 – ASOS
2. Satin Midi Slip Dress – £24.99 – New Look
3. Busy Garden Wrap Dress – £39 – Topshop
4. Crepe Wrap Midi Slip Dress – £28 – ASOS

 

The Choker/Keyhole Dress

Another trend that’s all over the high street at the moment – chokers. As Taylor Swift said “I feel like maybe chokers are the new flower crowns?” – they are everywhere this summer and now, dresses with built in chokers! That black dress Laurelai wore to the BBQ at her parents house (far right above) was a WOW moment, and now you can get an almost exact replica!

Stylish now: (L-R) Taylor Swift, Khloe Kardashian, Jessica Wright, Selena Gomez

1. True Decadence Petite High Neck Keyhole Pencil Dress – £30 £12 – ASOS
2. Rosia Choker Neck Bodycon Dress – £25  £18 – PrettyLittleThing
3. Malaya Crepe Choker Midi Dress – £25 – PrettyLittleThing
4. Sophia Choker Neck Plunge Shift Dress – £12 – Boohoo

 

The Bardot Gown

Who could ever forget Rory’s prom dress which Laurelai made her? And when Emily said ‘Oh good you bought her a dress’ – the highest of Emily praise… *sigh*.
ANYWAY that gorgeous gorgeous man *cough* navy silk bardot gown was the envy of all at the prom (so was Dean) and the shape is back in a big way at the moment. Bardots are everywhere, but I’ve looked out the most sleek and stylish fits for that clean, modern look!

Stylish now: (L-R) Sienna Miller, Blake Lively, Lady Gaga, Reese Witherspoon

1. Lavish Alice Deep Bandeau Asymmetric Hem Midi Dress – £58 – ASOS
2. Michelle Keegan Loves Lipsy Rib Bardot Midi Dress – £35 – Lipsy
3. Bardot Bodycon Mini Dress – £30 – Missguided
4. Bardot Bodycon Dress – £55 – River Island

 

The Shortsleeved/Sleeveless Turtleneck

Another trend that’s back and everywhere! This was another staple through the seasons and often worn cropped or with high waisted jeans/skirts – so 2016! Team this look with wide-leg trousers for a chic, office look and denim shorts or skirt for the summer!

Stylish now: (L-R) Lily Aldridge, Alessandra Ambrosio, Olivia Munn, Karlie Kloss

1. Honey Punch High Neck Ribbed Body – £32 – ASOS
2. The Turtle Neck Body In Rib – £14 -ASOS
3. Monki High Neck Top – £8 – ASOS
4. Glamorous Rib Turtle Neck Top – £7 – ASOS

 

The Raglan Tee

This is a sportswear staple, but as part of the current sportsluxe trend, the raglan tee is a classic casual style. It’s all about the contrast sleeves and bold colours. Team a raglan tee with jeans and trainers for the perfect casual weekend look. Or wear with distressed denim shorts in the summer for a simple, classic sports look.

Stylish now: (L-R) Elle Fanning, Jennifer Lawrence, Niall Horan, Alessandra Ambrosio

1. Contrast Raglan T Shirt – £8 – Missguided
2. One Day Tall Contrast Raglan Tee – £14 – ASOS
3. Baseball shirt – £7.99 – H&M
4. Celina Contrast Raglan T Shirt – £10 – Boohoo

So there you have it, you can now channel Lorelai and Rory all week long, whatever the occasion!
Love,

STEAL HER STYLE: SELF-PORTRAIT AZAELEA LACE DRESS DUPES

The dress of the moment has to be the gorgeous Azaelea Lace Dress by London based designer Self-Portrait. It has been seen on the stars for all types of events and it’s one of those illusive dresses that looks perfect for the red carpet, a wedding or a simple garden party. The different colours make it versatile and means there is something for everyone.

Left to Right: Miranda Kerr, Bella Thorne, Maisie Williams, Daisy Lowe all wearing the Self-Portrait Azaelea lace dress

HOWEVER it is a rather pricey £240 and rather hard to get hold of currently as it’s in such high demand. Therefore I’ve taken it upon myself (you’re welcome) at the suggestion of my bestie Claire (who’s also obsessed with this look) to find cheaper alternatives – dupes if you will.

Now you were able to buy this beauty on ASOS, but it’s all sold out now unfortunately. Sad face.

Self-Portait on ASOS

I have however found it on Selfridges and this amazing site called Lyst (new favourite) which shows all the dress colour options and where you can buy them!

Self-Portrait Azaelea Dress on Lyst

So if you’re all done swooning over the original, here are my dupe finds – all cheaper than the original, but not all super cheap… You have been warned!

1.  Lace skater dress – £40  £15 – Missguided
2. Harlow Corded Lace Detail Midi Skater Dress – £30 – boohoo
3. Mink Premium Lace Ladder Trim Skater Dress – £44.99 – New Look
4. Something Blue Crochet Lace Midi Dress – $46 – Lily Boutique
5. Crochet Lace Full Midi Skirt – £35 – boohoo
6. Boohoo Exclusive Premium Lace Midi Dress – £30 – ASOS
7. Premium Ladder Lace Bodycon Midi Dress – £44.99 – New Look
8. Boutique Aiko Lace Ladder Trim Skater Dress – £30 – boohoo
9. Love Triangle Always And Forever Lace Midi Dress – £55 – Next
10. Lace Midi Dress – £75  £30 – River Island
11. Lace Halter Dress – £165 – Warehouse
12. Cross Strap Halter Midi Dress – £69 – TopshopI hope you like these and agree that while they can’t compare to the original, there is a way to get the look without spending hundreds!

Happy Azaelea shopping!
Love,

POM POMS AREN’T JUST FOR CHEERLEADERS…

Pom Poms are EVERYWHERE this season! A little pom pom trim is a surefire way to bring a wardrobe basic on-trend and add a little whimsy. They’re all over the catwalks and designers are loving them, but I’ve scoured the high street to find some affordable alternatives. Whether its a pom trim, multicoloured excitement or randomly placed poms – there’s something for every style!

 

1. Kiss The Sky Festival Crop Top With Pom Pom Hem – £17 – ASOS (LOVE this one)
2. Navy Daisy Crop Top by WYLDR – £34 – Topshop
3. White Tassell Pom Pom Top by Dolly Rocka – £28  £18 – SilkFred
4. Pom Pom Ghillie Sandals – £19.99  £9 – New Look
5. Drop Armhole Jersey Playsuit with Pom Pom Trim – £18 – ASOS
6. Printed Pom Pom Bandeau – £15 – Missguided
7. Shorts with a pompom trim – £12.99 – H&M
8. Embroidered Top With Pom Poms by Glamorous – £25.00 – SilkFred
9. Liquor & Poker Pom Pom Playsuit With Wrap Detail – £28.00 – ASOS
10. Bandeau dress – £14.99 – H&M
11. Lace Up Pom Pom Sandals Camel by AJ | VOYAGE – £28.00 – SilkFred
12. Tall Bardot Pom Pom Playsuit – £35.00 – Missguided

I hope this has inspired you and given you some pom pom options for the summer!

Love,

SLOGAN SWIMMERS

This summer it’s all about the Swimsuit. Bikinis are great for the tan, but for style 2016 = the year of the one-piece. It’s all about the bright colours, high leg cut and low scooped back – 80’s throwbacks galore! Mix your bold and bright swimsuit with a stand out slogan to be instantly on trend.

I am loving the slogan swimsuits by Private Party (available on ASOS) – they have great colours, slogans and a really sexy, but flattering shape. HOWEVER they’re also £65 – fine if you’re pushing the boat out, but if you’re holding on tight to the purse strings this summer then never fear as I’ve scoured the net for the best slogan swimmers around… Take a look at my top picks:

1. BAE WATCH – £7.06 – eBay
2. BEACH SQUAD – £17.99 – New Look
3. SUN SQUAD – £20 – boohoo
4. DOPE – £20 – PrettyLittleThing
5. ST TROPEZ – £24 – Missguided
6. MERMAID – £42.97 – Etsy (not quite as cheap, but needed to include this one!)
7. LOVE – £32 – Vero Moda
8. SUNS OUT BUNS OUT – £18 – Missguided
9. NOT YOUR BAE – £14.99 – H&M
10. PALM SPRINGS – £28 – Topshop

Hope you find something you like!
Why not pair your new swimsuit with an amazing inflatable for the pool?!

Have a wonderful summer all!