Thoroughly Modern Milly

"Good-bye, good-goody girl,

I'm changing and how!

So beat the drums cos here comes thoroughly modern Milly now!"

~ Dick Scanlan

This seems to be how it generally goes for me with the more expensive Isabel Marant clothes; I fall in love with a pretty dress I can't afford, I wait (im)patiently for the sale, if I'm very lucky I get a phenomenal sale bargain for a gorgeous piece that is (alas) always at least three sizes too big for me, and my poor tailor then has to remake the entire dress to fit me. That's exactly what happened with this Marant dress.

I first saw the gorgeous Milly dress when I was shopping with a friend in Richmond. I knew from the very first glance that the long, impatient wait for the sales had just begun. Again. I waited and waited, and eventually my patience paid off; I got it online from Barney's, New York (one of my best sale bargains ever!) but oh my word, my poor Tailor then had a mammoth job to shrink it down to Hobbit size! 

It was so worth the long wait & all the effort, I absolutely adore it. In a delicate, silk chiffon material, Milly features an all-over red, blue and cream ikat print. It has gathered flutter sleeves, a round neck with pleat-trim on the front keyhole slit, and is cut for a very relaxed, floaty silhouette. A belt gives the voluminous dress a bit more structure.

I styled it here in the true Marant way, with bare legs and the most fabulous pair of boots. The hugely coveted 'Andrew' boots (also by Isabel Marant and currently on sale!) are made from a cool suede-leather combination; they have a pointed toe and a very unusual pyramid shaped heel. The slouchy design and cuffed top make them the perfect off-duty addition to any look.

Get The Look:

Dress: Isabel Marant 'Milly' Dress in midnight (similar)

Shoes: Isabel Marant 'Andrew' Boots in black

Belt: Twenty8twelve 'Penfold' Belt (similar)
Photos: Anna Saverimutto Photography ©

Dress Up - The Best Of 2015

"Pearls & boas, dressed to the nines,

Lipstick on pursed lips, trying to stay in the lines.

Big wobbly high heels, on tiny, precious feet,

Little girls playing dress-up, aren't they sweet!"

~ Laura Taylor Mark

Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©
Anna Saverimuttu Photography ©
Mike Lawrence © 
Additional Photos: Phill Griffith & David Ufton   

Jump To It

"I can't talk to you now, I got love to give

When my baby calls I gotta jump to it

I'm in a hurry, there's love to get

When my baby calls I jump, jump, jump to it"

~ Aretha Franklin

The fashion hero piece of 2015 has, without question, been the good ol' jumpsuit, and I'm delighted to see that the trend isn't going away any time soon. The jumpsuit is the most versatile, easy to wear (although not necessarily to the toilet!) piece of clothing there has ever been.

To be fair, as a short gal, I have struggled for years to find a full length jumpsuit to fit me but this year has been a bit like waiting for a bus; none come for ages, and then two come along at once! Two beautiful jumpsuits that fit perfectly; a very elegant black one from Karen Millen (blogged here), and this terrific Top Gun-esque one in a delicious khaki green colour-way from Topshop.

A utility style jumpsuit, it is tailored for a relaxed fit (I bought a smaller size for a more fitted look), has a button front, a drawstring waist and multiple pockets (I'm a sucker for a pocket). It's a terrific piece and comes with a very affordable price tag (I'm also a sucker for a great bargain).

Styled with a pair of flat brogues or pristine white Vans for a cool daytime look, or with a sexy pair of heels for a sophisticated evening look, the jumpsuit is a functional, feminine and fabulous addition to any girls wardrobe.

Get The Look:

Jumpsuit: Topshop Utility Jumpsuit in khaki green

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Pigalle' Shoes in nude (similar)
Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

Heart & Dagger

“Cut deeply by the sharpness of your words

There is a dagger in my heart;

You put it there.

But you still have me.

Your cold, dark eyes watching

Tears of pain stream down my face.

In this moment no kindness, no compassion, no love.

But you still have me.

Lost in your words that bleed me, I forget how to speak;

We are alone and we are together

Our new song waiting to be written.

And you still have me.”

~ Fiona Ufton ©

'Make Believe', Natalie B Coleman's AW15 collection is absolutely breathtaking. Inspired by the characters and worlds in Enid Blyton's 'The Enchanted Woods' books, Natalie has produced a whimsical, romantic collection. Each piece is evocative of treasured childhood memories, but at the same time, remains feminine, and very grown up.

This gorgeous shirt was the first piece to grab my attention; it is a bold, statement piece, quite simply a magnificent work of art! Covered all over in glistening white sequins, it has long sleeves, concealed zips at the cuffs, hook closing to the front, and a dramatic heart & dagger sequined logo to the front.

I styled it here with a pair of skinny jeans, and my favourite Isabel Marant boots. It's a cool, edgy look but believe me, the shirt looks equally fabulous tucked into a classic black pencil skirt for a more dressed up look or paired with a sexy mini for a cute, playful look. My wonderful sequin shirt is a classic, investment piece that will never ever go out of style.

Get The Look:

Shirt: Natalie B Coleman Heart & Dagger Sequin Shirt in white

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

Shoes: Isabel Marant 'Andrew' Boots in black 
Photos: Anna Saverimuttu Photography ©

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 ©