Back In Action!

Hello All!

So... where on earth have I been? Why have I seemingly abandoned this lovely blog? Well, it's been a strange old year. With too much work for not quite enough money, and plenty of hours taken up by finishing studies, there hasn't been too much time for the joys of shopping and general style adoration. But forget all that, it's time for this style dissection and appreciation lark to get back on track, and back to the fun!

I've been ferreting away writing regular articles for some other lovely blogs, all in the name of sharing fashion must haves, but from now on they'll be right here too. I don't need to tell you lot that fashion and style have evolved so very much since my last posts, and we all have some opinions that need airing!

Tune in regularly for the good, the bad and the downright flabbergasting! Thanks for having me back, ladies. xx

Gorgeous Sale bargains from Oli

Hi All! Happy New Year to everyone, and goodness... I can't apologise enough for the hiatus. You ever have those months where everything just happens at once? Anyway, enough of my wittering, it's time for the dreaded/beloved January Sales!

I've been shopping already, and boy has it been fun. So it's no surprise that I couldn't resist giving you all a little nod towards www.Oli.co.uk since their clothes and service have put a grin on my face this morning. Rarely would I ever advertise a company so willingly, but they really do treat a girl well!

I've picked three pieces that I fell in love with myself. Both the dresses are excellently tailored and of great quality. The mustard number feels luxurious and wonderfully lined, with a really gorgeous retro feel at an astonishing price. It's just a shame that the Jasmine Guinness item runs a little big on sizes, so beware when ordering! Finally, the Satin T-bars, which are gracing my feet at this very moment, make a gorgeously glamorous flat shoe that will translate easily into any day or night wardrobe. There's loads more online at Oli, but be quick or you'll be cursing your size going out of stock!

Jersey High Neck Dress, £14
Satin T-bar Shoes, £16
Jasmine Guinness Print Dress, £25

Where have I been? Working to horrible deadlines, damn it all!

Hello All!

This is just a little note to say a big Sorry for the lack of updates of late. Sometimes a Stylish Fille is unavoidably a very busy one too!

There'll be much more in the way of news, views and general fashion rants in the run up to Christmas and in the New Year.

I hope you're all getting into the festive spirit and buying gorgeous sparkly things to stave off the cold Winter thoughts.

x

When fashion gets it wrong: Fetish fashion brings us stud shoe mania

I'm a girl who seriously loves shoes. It's bordering on addiction, I mean... there's nothing that makes shopping more gratifying than the purchase of some gorgeous Mary Janes or a pair of classic trainers. It's hardly surprising then that shoe crimes make me sad inside.

The fashion lot have gone a bit crazy over a few trends this Autumn/Winter, but none worries me more than fetish fashion (except perhaps for the bizarre '80s revival, don't you just want to cry?). Some of the most wonderful shoe designers in the world have fallen foul of this nonsense, including the one whose shoes I most often lust after, Christian Louboutin.

Studs never looked good, not even when people where punching them onto the backs of leather jackets to write 'cool' slogans, so why are they ruining perfectly reasonable shoe designs in the here and now? I can't begin to understand. If you think I've lost it, and you love these pairs then let me know. And you can buy them from Net-a-Porter too. But when you're looking back and wondering what the hell you were thinking, don't say I didn't warn you...

Add a touch of festive sparkle with Christmas party dresses from Oli

Christmas is the best time of year for splashing out on loved ones, and that's a perfect excuse to treat yourself a little. There's nothing that makes me feel more Christmassy than getting my glad rags on, and it's the perfect time of year for gorgeous eveningwear.

The classic Christmas party dress has been ever increasing in its variety, and the wonderful Oli has a huge range of dresses perfect for just such an occasion. I've picked four of my favourites, perfect for dressing up or down, and there's one for every body shape too.

For the braver girls out there both black dresses are a great choice - the first (far left) has a daring hem to match it's sixties cut, and the second (far right) is a stunning figure hugger. For all of us who aren't model perfect, this dress will look fantastic with the right slimming undies too!

Whatever your favourite, view these dresses at Oli.co.uk, along with many more.

Product Details (from left to right):
Warehouse Embellished Back Detail Dress, £70
Vila Panel Dress, £35
60s Tunic Dress, £69
Satin Dress with Jewel Trim, £59

Make your own knitwear to die for with Weardowney Knit Couture

I absolutely adore knitwear, which probably explains my woolen dress shopping spree a couple of weeks ago. Far from being a dowdy and practical choice, knitwear can be some of the most fantastically sexy and, dare I say it, quirky items in a girl's wardrobe.

The best part is, you can make your own to rival designer pieces with the new book from Weardowney Knit Couture. This gorgeous little manual contains 20 hand knit designs, from dresses to sparkly vests, and even tells us plebs how to start from the very beginning.

Any knitwear or hand made clothes enthusiast should have this book. The designs are fantastic, the explanation made simple and the pictures a joy. I'm just off to buy myself some needles!

Get yours from Amazon online for just £14 in hardback, from Anova books.

Very Vintage Filles - Time of the Season by The Zombies

They just don't dress ladies like they used to, eh? Take a nostalgic stroll down the catwalks of decades gone by with me in this fantastic video for Time of the Season by The Zombies. I'm trying to hold back the jealousy...