White Shirt Day

Saturday May 19th is Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) White Shirt Day 2012. Aussie store Witchery have really embraced this campaign and have a fantastic white shirt collection that includes a specially designed Project D shirt (AUS$149.95); 100% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the white shirt capsule collection will go directly to the OCRF. The collection is now available online and they ship internationally.

I love a man in a Tuxedo and I always fancied the idea of wearing one myself (with a bit of a twist), so I knew exactly how I wanted to wear my white shirt. These Miss Selfridge shorts are so smart & so tailored, they immediately lend themselves to that 'tux with a twist' look. I found the amazing oversized black sequin bow tie in Topshop. It only cost £8 so I bought two of them and cut the dangley bits off one (as worn here) for a more dressed up look & kept the other intact for a more casual, funky look.

Winter Kate have jackets for every occasion and my much worn, much loved, 'James' black silk jacket is perfect for this cool take on the tux. It was a sale buy last year, reduced from almost £300 to an amazing £70! 

I bought the shirt last December. I wanted an actual black tie, dress shirt but was surprised to discover there aren't many around that are specifically made for women. I eventually found this one in Hugo Boss. They had a small but fabulous selection of women's dress shirts. I chose a very simple, classic design & it works perfectly with the outfit.

The gorgeous Chanel bag was a gift a few years ago from my lovely Husband. As I recall, there wasn't even a special occasion, he just bought it for me because it was beautiful, I loved it and he is fabulous! It was such an investment buy, as is anything from the fashion temple that is Chanel! The bag adds a gorgeous splash of colour to the monochrome look and I chose a rich pink lipstick to compliment it.  

So this is what I'll be wearing on May 19th. Will you be donning a white shirt to show your support and help raise awareness for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation? You can follow the campaign on Twitter: @WhiteShirt2012.

Get The Look: 

Bow Tie: Topshop Oversized Sequin Bow Tie (similar)

Jacket: Winter Kate 'James' Silk Jacket (similar)

Shirt: Hugo Boss 'Linot' Dress Shirt in white (similar)

Boots: Topshop 'Adina' Shoe Boots (similar)
Bag: Chanel 'Cambon' Pouchette in pink/black

Kimono

I have wanted a Winter Kate dress in this kimono style ever since their first collection featured it in a grey/floral pattern. I tried to buy it a million times but every time the dress appeared on a website, it either sold out within seconds or they didn't have it in my size. It was never meant to be mine. This very popular style has featured in other Winter Kate collections since then, in different prints and colourways, but none appealed to me as much as the original one; until now. 

My favourite Winter Kate dress of all time is back for another season, in a beautiful Indian inspired Padma flower print in red/pink and this time I got it (thank you Oxygen Boutique!). It is simply gorgeous; it's made from delicate, vintage silk and features cute short kimono sleeves, a sexy plunging neckline and a waist tie that fastens at the front or the back of the dress. This vintage inspired piece looks and feels very modern and fresh while still staying true to the ethereal, feminine, boho style of it's talented Designer, Nicole Richie. 

I have styled it here with a beautiful House of Harlow 1960 gold locket and the most incredible Dior 'Extreme' Gladiator shoes. I fell in love with these amazing shoes when I saw Carrie wearing them in the Sex And The City movie. They may look fierce, but they are actually the most comfortable heels I own! I have gigged for hours in these beauties! 

Get The Look: 

Dress: Winter Kate Kimono Maxi Dress

Shoes: Dior 'Extreme' Gladiator Shoes

Necklace: House of Harlow Gold Medallion Locket

In The Navy

Natalie B Coleman's cool, edgy designs in luscious, organically produced silks with their quirky digital prints and fabulous pleat details, have unsurprisingly been causing a sensation on Irish TV's 'The Voice'. Both Presenter Kathryn Thomas and Singer/Coach Sharon Corr have been looking sensational in her designs, thanks to super Celebrity Stylist, Ingrid Hoey. 

When I first saw Natalie's collections on her website, a particular dress immediately stood out for me; a simple, silk, navy dress. It was that very rare kind of dress you could wear absolutely anywhere and would be a wardrobe staple for years to come. I wanted this dress so much, to wear to a very special Family gathering in Dublin in May, but I simply couldn't afford it before the big day (oh the glamorous life of a singer!). So you can imagine that I was absolutely astounded & touched when Natalie sent the dress to me, just so that I could wear it on the big day! I can't thank this wonderful, talented lady enough; it was such a lovely thing to do and I will feel like the belle of the ball in Dublin next month!

Of course I couldn't wait three long weeks to wear it, in fact I only managed to wait a day because my Tailor had to shorten it! (I'm short, everything has to be shortened!). I wore it at the weekend, for a night at the theatre and styled it with my favourite Topshop shoe boots & a long forgotten Kenneth Jay Lane necklace I rediscovered in the back of a drawer! 

This gorgeous dress has a bit of an 80s edge with it's bat-wing sleeves; notice the fanatastic accordion pleat detail, it is absolutely inspired! I adore the back to front collar detail, the gorgeous little gold buttons all the way down the back and on the cuffs & you all know how much I love a subtle side pocket. Navy is my new favourite colour; more flattering than black but just as neutral & easy to wear.

I know I will be treating myself to many Natalie B Coleman pieces: I already have a wishlist! There is a playsuit version of my dress that is just too beautiful to believe. There are gorgeous tops, funky skirts, amazing dresses & cool playsuits; every single piece is unique & refreshingly different. I've also had a sneaky peak at a very very special pair of gold trousers from her A/W12 collection that will soon be featured in Vogue; they have my name on them!

Get The Look:

Dress: Natalie B Coleman Silk Dress

Shoes: Topshop 'Adina' Shoe Boots (similar)

Necklace: Kenneth Jay Lane Strawberry Necklace in white

Bolo Tie

This is one of my favourite outfits, it is 100% me and I wear this kind of style a lot. The shirt is my very first purchase from French brand, The Kooples, a very rock & roll fashion label with quite a British edge. The silk shirt feels so luxurious to wear and I absolutely love the masculine cut, the great burgundy/wine colour and the cute contrasting collar.

The tailored shorts were a fantastic find. No-one believes me when I tell them they are from Miss Selfridge & cost only £38! They look and feel so expensive. They have a gorgeous faux leather trim detail at the pockets & the cute belt actually comes with them.

The pièce de rèsistance for this outfit however, is the Country & Western Bolo Tie. My inspiration for this came at a recent gig when my band had the very great pleasure of sharing a stage with American music legend John 'Rabbit' Bundrick (he has played & toured with The Who & The Rolling Stones to name just two of the legendary bands he's been associated with over the years!). 

Rabbit, a true Texan gent, was wearing the coolest Bolo Tie & the very next day I was straight onto Google to find one of my own. There are countless styles, designs, colours & prices available out there. I chose a simple white Buffalo Skull, to compliment the white collar on my Kopples shirt. It looks equally good with a denim shirt or even with a plain, collarless t-shirt. 

I finished the outfit off with my 'go to' Topshop shoe boots & a sweep of MAC lipstick in 'Red Dwarf', such a perfect match for the rich burgundy colour of the shirt. My Husband laughs every time he hears that lipstick name; he thinks it's the perfect lipstick for his teeny weeny short Wife! 

Get The Look: 

Shirt: The Kooples Contrast Collar Shirt (similar)

Bolo Tie: Bucklebox Buffalo Skull Bolo Tie

Shorts: Miss Selfridge Leather Trim 'Naples' Shorts

Boots: Topshop 'Adina' Shoe boots (similar)

Lipstick: MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in 'Red Dwarf' (similar)

All The Small Things

Kymerah, the name of one of my favourite fashion labels, is inspired by the chimera of Greek mythology and the brand is a complete embodiment of its mythological namesake: unrestrained, organic, alluring & fiercely feminine.

You'll know from a previous post just how much I love Kymerah so I was delighted to recently expand my growing collection with this, the 'Ayla' dress. It was on sale at Hint Boutique with a bargainlicious 50% off!  

My favourite style of dress to wear is short, loose, silky & sexy and this beautiful piece, in the most fabulous slate grey colour, ticks every single box. Particularly the short box!

Yes I know it's über-short and I do mostly wear it over my Sass and Bide leggings or with black patterned tights or skinny jeans, but for Blogging purposes I didn't want anything to distract from the lovely simple beauty of this dress. I adore it's dolman shape and the unexpected little details like cute side pockets and the sexy, sheer sleeve detail.

I have kept accessories to a bare minimum, wearing only my silver Tiffany charm bracelet and earrings, adding towering black shoe-boots for an edgy look. Oh, and pants. Big pants.

Get The Look:

Dress: Kymerah 'Ayla' Dress in slate 

Shoes: Topshop 'Adina' shoe boots (similar)

Bracelet: Tiffany & Co Elsa Peretti Silver Charm Bracelet (similar)

Earrings: Tiffany & Co Elsa Peretti Open Heart Earrings 

Sugarbelle

I had only ever seen the Winter Kate 'Sugarbelle' jacket on one website & by the time I got around to buying it, it had completely sold out! I searched often for it but I couldn't find it anywhere. Then, out of the blue, an email arrived from The Gilt Group (a terrific invitation only sale site) informing me of their upcoming Winter Kate sale!

I logged on, I hoped, I crossed my fingers & there it was, in the sale & in my size!! To make it even more perfect, my wonderful Hubby said he would buy it for me for our Wedding Anniversary! The perfect present for me!

I know that this gorgeous silk jacket will be a Summer staple. I shall pop it on with a white tee & denim shorts for the perfect, relaxed Summer look or throw it over a girly Summer frock to keep out the evening chill. 

I have styled it here with the fabulous Sass & Bide 'Black Rat' leggings (the only leggings I will ever own), fabulous sky high shoe-boots, a girly Winter Kate camisole, my treasured Bumblee necklace & a beautiful, long, gold medallion locket by House of Harlow. 

Get The Look:

Jacket: Winter Kate 'Sugarbelle' silk jacket

Top: Winter Kate 'Thistle' Camisole

Leggings: Sass & Bide 'Black Rat' Leggings

Necklace: Alex Monroe Bumblee Necklace

Pendant: House of Harlow 1960 Gold Medallion Locket Pendant

Shoes: Topshop 'Adina' Shoeboots (similar)

Sweet Rose

I'm wearing Winter Kate... again! You'll find I might do that fairly often on here. I can't help myself, it's Nicole Richie's fault for designing such beautiful, easy to wear clothes!

And isn't this a particularly gorgeous one? The 'Sweet Rose' silk mini dress, with its fabulous monochrome patchwork pattern is one I can wear anywhere, at any time of the year... & I intend to do exactly that! It's from the Winter Kate A/W11 collection & is also available as a Maxi dress. 

Here I wear it with Christian Louboutin black suede 'Rolando' shoes & an ensemble of lovely Tiffany trinkets!

Get The Look:

Dress: Winter Kate 'Sweet Rose' Dress

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Rolando' Hidden Platform Shoes 

Jewellery: Tiffany & Co Open Heart Necklace & Earrings in silver