Fancy Pants

"Hey there fancypants

Play the songs that make us dance

Play the tunes that make the ladies swoon

A song for all the lonely hearts, shattered dreams and broken parts

Feels like sunny days are coming soon"

~ WEEN

I have blogged about so many jumpsuits, rompers and playsuits on here; I am obsessed with them and they have long been a wardrobe staple for me. One thing my rompers have always had in common though is that they have always been shorts. Being a little on the short side (ok ok, I'm very short!), I have literally found it impossible to find a full length one to fit me. Until now!

This black, silky beauty is from High Street favourite Karen Millen and it has proved to be one of their most popular pieces ever. A cool take on the LBD, this softly tailored jumpsuit can be dressed up with heels and a clutch for a special night out or dressed down with flats and a leather jacket for a low-key daytime look. It is chic and effortless, a real throw-on-and-go piece.

I styled my cool jumpsuit with a great pair of Jimmy Choo court shoes. They were the first pair of Designer shoes I ever owned; they are easily 15 years old, and are still going strong! A timeless classic shoe design that is reimagined season after season, they will never go out of style.

Get The Look:

Jumpsuit: Karen Millen Jumpsuit in black (similar)

Shoes: Jimmy Choo 'Anouk' Shoes in black
Photos: Mike Lawrence ©

The Peasant Blouse

"There is a silent eloquence

In every wild bluebell

That fills my softened heart with bliss

That words could never tell"

~ Anne Brontë

I have long been a fan of high street store Karen Millen; I own pieces, mostly dresses, by this brand dating back years! I often wear their glamorous dresses when I'm out gigging with my band Alter Ego.

Of course Karen Millen don't only sell gorgeous dresses, they have a range of more casual pieces that are simply amazing.  This delicate vintage inspired blouse is a case in point; made from a silk cotton blend, it features an embroidered organza front yoke and pretty lace trims.

It is a modern take on the classic peasant blouse and can be worn throughout the summer with skinny jeans, dungarees, 70s style suede & denim skirts and as styled here with cool denim shorts and a great pair of ankle boots for an effortless Summer look.

Get The Look:

Top: Karen Millen Vintage Inspired Blouse

Shorts: Zara Denim Shorts

Shoes: Hudson 'Mirar' Ankle Boots in beige (similar)

Joining The Dots

"Those people make me calm, calm the flame,

Come up to the moth for a change.

Darling if it's all the same to you, I'll have you to myself,

I'm joining the dots, I'm joining the dots"

~ Arctic Monkeys

I've always been a bit partial to polka dots; big and bold or small and dainty, they are playful, feminine and cool. Over the years the polka dot has seeped into many aspects of our culture. We've seen Disney's Minnie Mouse wear her iconic red polka dot dress, we've sung along to Brian Hyland's hit song "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" and we've admired artist Damien Hirst's stunning, vertigo-inducing dot paintings.

Polka dots are set to be a huge trend for SS15 and this gorgeous, girly top from High Street favourite Karen Millen is a great way to embrace the trend. Featuring a colourful dot print on a pale pink background, it is made from a soft crinkle georgette material and has a high neckline and flowing back neck tie.

Styled with my go-to skinny jeans (ie. my only pair of skinny jeans!), classic nude heels and the best over-sized clutch bag in the world, there has never been a better time to join the dots.

Get The Look:

Top: Karen Millen Dot Print Draped Top

Jeans: J Brand 'Songbird' Skinny Jeans (similar)

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Pigalle' Shoes in nude

Bag: Nadia Minkoff 'The Cut/SE1' Clutch in nude
Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

Snake In The Grass

Snake print is really hot this season; it’s a trend that has never really gone away and I am delighted that it has slithered its way back to the forefront of our Spring/Summer wardrobes. As animal prints go, snake is one of the easiest to wear; not as Bet Lynch as leopard print, not as bold as Zebra print, it is instead, elegant, sophisticated and very versatile.

The ‘Rafi’ shirt from Reiss is a great way to rock the snake print trend; the silky shirt, in striking black and white, features a cute little collar, covered button placket, single button square cuffs and is a gently fitted shape. Rafi can be dressed up or dressed down; it would look great teamed with a classic black pencil skirt and heels, with tuxedo trousers and a tailored jacket or as I’ve styled it here, with a pair of distressed denim shorts and comfy ankle boots.

I went very casual with this look but even so, the shirt still makes quite a style statement. I love it to bits and I’m trying very very hard not to purchase the Reiss dress, skirt and clutch that all feature the same cool print. Lets see how I get on with that!

Get The Look:

Shirt: Reiss ‘Rafi’ Snake Print Shirt

Shorts: Zara Denim Shorts (similar)

Shoes: Karen Millen Stack Heel Ankle Boots (similar)

 

Faster Better and Stronger

My band Alter Ego was recently booked to perform at the 30th Anniversary celebrations for iconic 80s TV series Robin Of Sherwood (remember when it was the law to love the Hooded Men Michael Praed & Jason Connery?) and I wanted something new and green (the green bit was particularly important, obviously) to wear for such a cool gig.

This beautiful Karen Millen shift dress, in the brands signature stretch fabric, was perfect! A figure caressing style that sculpts a flawless silhouette, the dress features sexy cut-outs at the shoulders, zip closure to the back and a stunning, dramatic splash print (in green) that I knew would stand out on stage. Such a stunning dress deserved equally stunning accessories so I styled it with classic Christian Louboutin peep-toe shoes and a statement clutch bag from Kiwi Designer Karen Walker.

Karen Walker's Fall 2014 collection was inspired by the way New Zealand's Suffragettes printed their messages on dresses, bags and even on money; making a statement without having to say a word. The limited edition 100% leather clutches read “Young Willing and Eager”, “Hello and Goodbye”, “Liberal Miserable and Cynical" & “Faster Better and Stronger”. I chose the latter slogan as it struck a chord with me and perfectly describes the me I am today. I am faster. I am better. I am stronger.

The outfit was perfect for the Robin Of Sherwood gig; comfortable, green (the important bit) and a little bit sexy. We played our way through two energetic sets, watching actors I adored as a youngster and so many of their wonderful, enthusiastic fans dancing to our music all night long. It was wonderful; the trippiest gig ever! As Robin and his Merries would say, "Nothing's forgotten, nothing is ever forgotten".

Get The Look:

Dress: Karen Millen Splash Print Shift Dress

Bag: Karen Walker Limited Edition Statement Clutch

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Very Prive' Peep-toe Shoes in black

Photos: Kate Carpenter