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

Stylish Filles: Style Icons past and present - Lou Doillon

While many of my style influences tend to date back to gorgeous women from distant decades, every once in a while I see a girl in the here and now who instantly impresses in the style stakes.

Lou Doillon is a true stylish fille (she is French after all) with real individuality that impresses and influences even the fashionista crowd. The actress and model is, like her mother Jane Birkin, something of a sex siren and all the while wonderfully unconventional looking.

Lou's look is often defined by her personal individuality, mixing fashion forward trends with vintage influences and quirky accessories (what else can you call wearing a top hat on a red carpet?). Her long, tousled mane toes the line between unruly and 'styled to look messy' with grace.

Above all, what I love about Lou is, with true continental flair, she defines how to be stylish while so involved in the fashion world. While she knows how to be ahead in fashion, that doesn't stop her stamping out her personal style. She selects the trends which suit her body and personality best and gives them her own twist. The result? Effortless and enviable.

More stylish filles: Brigitte Bardot

Make your music the ultimate accessory with Stylz Earphones

Sick of your dull and ordinary black or white earphones? You can make your MP3 or media player a fashion statement with Stylz earphones. While I'd usually be in favour of can headphones as an earphone alternative, this variety of styles might just be right up your street.

Available in a huge variety of colours from electric blue to gold to hot pink you can accessorise your earphones with your handbag, if you're that sort of girl. Or if you'd prefer to make more of a statement, and have people wondering where on earth you got your hands on something so frankly bizarre, you can choose tiger or cow print. Some might call it funky, I'm more inclined to say tacky. Read more and find out where to buy yours from Stylz.

Style Solutions for real life stylish filles

Today I was very pleased to receive a message from a reader asking for style advice from little old me. Our anonymous lady has set me quite a challenge, and one I only hope I can fulfill, as no girl wants to feel like they're in style limbo! So, here goes!

"I love your blog & I love your style so I'm gonna ask you for some style advice... I work in a very technical job which means I have to wear work boots and clothes which I can do hard physical work in. This usually means combat boots, jeans and a t shirt I've been given for free. I'm really CRAVING to look just a little stylish and not like someone you won't want sitting next to you on the tube. I've tried looking round the shops and asking the in store style advisors but they don't seem to understand. The work boots are a health and safety requirement but the rest is up to me. I'm 5' 4" and a size 14. I currently have auburn hair... If you can help, I'd be soo grateful."

- First off, Hello and thank you for the humbling praise! This is quite the dilemma, and an unenviable situation, so I hope my tips will make you feel every bit the stylish fille 24 hours of the day.

It's clear that practicality has to be your main concern, and it's always hard to find a stylish way to include it. I'd start with a pair of jeans, even if you're used to wearing jeans and have grown to loathe them. Finding a pair that flatters you is the best way to feel great in your skin without being dressed up. I'd suggest a pair that snugly fits your bum (without being too tight, of course!) and with a bootcut leg. This will add an element of style and also serves to shape your silhouette well with your curves. They're great for ladies under 5'6" (like you and me!) and they'll cover up the work boots you seem to so dislike!

After you've found a good pair of jeans (I warn you, it is entirely worth trawling every shop you know to find the pair that makes you smile into a changing room mirror), I'd go for some fitted t-shirts. Instead of the basic tee that's loose and unflattering, a few fitted basics that show off your figure will do wonders and still be just as comfortable. If your job isn't so physical that the clothes will suffer then why not spend a little bit more on some cute casual blouses, or even smock dresses that you can easily wear over jeans? (Dresses over jeans always look funky, and are easy to wear without looking like you haven't made an effort.)

The main thing I'd suggest to you is to treat yourself to a good haircut. If you can afford it, just this once, get a restyle from a reputable hairdresser. I love auburn hair, so let a good cut bring out the vibrant shade. Whether your hair is long or short, a well kept 'do will make you feel a little bit special, I find, especially if you look after it with a good conditioner and maybe even a straightening iron once in a while. You can even invest in some great hair jewellery from any high street fashion shop if you need to tie it back for work.

Finally, if you can wear makeup then experiment. Day makeup doesn't need to be all out glitter, but a little bit of foundation and blusher will give you a fresh faced look that's fabulous, and you can stamp a little of your personal style on your look with some eye makeup or lippy. If not, then exfoliate and moisturise and your natural glow will do the job even better!

I hope I've helped a little, and given you some inspiration. I've included some product links to get an idea of what I'm talking about, so get clicking. And please let me know how else I can help you, or any other readers in a fix!

x

Dazzle in David Meister's Strapless Belted Dress from Neiman Marcus

I really must stop falling hopelessly in love with dresses I simply cannot afford. Not only that, but being a student and journalist, I don't have the places to wear such examples of designer gorgeousness. But, enough of my plight, isn't this dress fantastic?

By David Meister, this luxurious strapless dress manages to pull of a strapless, figure hugging bodice with lashings of class. The pleated, almost tulip skirt really compliments the strapless shape, creating a gorgeous silhouette. In this season's 'new black' (no, honestly it is this time!) it also ticks the fashion boxes, if we must.

A gorgeous designer stunner that can't fail. Now all we need do is save $410.

Join Une Very Stylish Fille on Myspace!

If you are a devilishly stylish fille and want the world to know, then you can add me on that lovely network called Myspace.

Go to www.myspace.com/verystylishfille and, well, you know the rest. Friends are always welcome, and it's a great way to get in touch with me whether it's feedback, suggestions or just a good ol' natter.

x

Very Stylish

Welcome to Une Very Stylish Fille. A blog devoted to all things stylish, above the fashionable. Many think that style and fashion come hand in hand, but that's why I'm here to share my view of their vast difference. So what is it that separates the two?

To me style knows no constraints. Style is a personal expression, never mind what the catwalks, fashion magazines and high streets tell us to wear. Whatever body shape or hair style is the one to be seen in, I am far more passionate about the personal style of those ladies who create their own niche among the fashionistas. Never blindly following the crowd and borrowing their favourites from the fashion forward trends, these are the girls who make us sit up and take notice. They're the girls who stand out and make 'fashion' what it should be - flattering, elegant, classic, sexy, cute, independent and above all entirely gorgeous.

This blog is dedicated to my own style choices from the fashion lot - what I love about clothes, shoes, gadgetry and accessories - and exploring the diversely stylish girls of the world and what makes them tick. From the catwalk to the high street, the bargain bin to belle of the ball.