Oriental Style Dresses At Phase Eight

I have just come across an amazing collection of oriental style dresses at Phase Eight named the Shanghai Collection which I couldn't help share with you. They are flattering shapes with rich colours, beautiful prints and intricate details. These would work so well for a summer party but you could also easily add tights and a jacket for winter parties. Whilst oriental styles have been big this summer including kimonos and oriental embellishment, these dresses are a bit different to so many of the pieces that I have seen on the high street, I love them.

Multi Coloured Oriental Print Dress

The oriental print on this dress is the perfect way to compliment the simple style of sheath dresses. So elegant!

Black and Red Oriental Tape Dress 

This striking dress has such amazing detail combined with an incredibly flattering shape.

Black Harriet Dress

This stunning black dress is a classic piece that will be worn time after time. It is glamorous, versatile and head turning.

What do you think? Would you wear any of these  dresses? Will you be working the oriental trend for Autumn?

Weekly Shopping and Goodies

Giveaways, handbags, leather jackets, floral trouser and Facebook aps and sunglasses! We have it all in todays Shopping and Goodies. I am sure that there are enough treats and goodies to keep you going for the rest of the summer and right into autumn and winter. I am in love with the Proenza Shouler bags and would love to get one in every colour to brighten up my wardrobe. Which are your favourite shopping and goodies posts?

A Few Goody Gumdrops is giving away a $250 Giftcard from SSENSE.Enter to win!
Handbag du Jour is currently coveting the Proenza Schouler PS1 Medium Leather bag in every color!
RedPoppy Fashion wants to share some of her favorite handbags of the moment!
Shopping and Info is loving Versace's Crinkled Leather Jacket in Purple!
The Fashion Buzz checks out a summer trend that is set to last in floral trousers for autumn winter 2011
TheFind is celebrating the launch of CATALOGUE by TheFind for Facebook and we're giving away an Apple iPad 2 to one of our lucky fans. Enter today!
What's Haute is checking out Miu Miu's Fall 2011, film-noir inspired sunglasses collection!

Floral Trousers For Autumn Winter 2011

If you have invested in a pair of floral trousers this summer, good news, they are going to be on trend again for autumn winter 2011! Even if you haven't bought into this colourful and eyecatching trend yet, no worries, there are plenty of floral trousers in the summer sales giving a cost effective way to get a really on trend autumn and winter outfit. You can also squeeze a bit of wear out of them for the rest of the summer.

Just check out this pair by Paul and Joe.

At Celine the trousers were slightly more fitted but stil with very bright floral prints.

Whilst much of the focus at the Mary Katrantzou show was on the bell shapes skirts, there were also some beautiful floral trousers.

Images from http://www.style.com/

Much of the floral autumn winter 2011 is head to toe florals a brave but incredibly eye catching look. This is quite an unsual trend for winter as all over florals are usually a summer thing but these floral trousers are dark and richly coloured.  

You can pattern match or pattern clash your floral trousers with a top, it is really up to you just make sure you stick to floral prints. The only problem with shopping this look on the high street is that it can be difficult to find a matching floral top and pair of trousers but looking for an all in one or jumpsuit may be the answer.

You can also adapt your wide legged floral trousers or palazzo pants for the seventies trend that is going to be so huge this autumn and winter. try adding a fake fur gilet and some wedge heels.

Here are some of the floral trousers that I have spotted lately.

Retro Print Floral Trousers Warehouse

Wide Leg Belted Trousers - New Look

Floral Print Jumpsuit - Boohoo

Edda Floral Pants in Navy - Missguided

Black Floral Palazzo Trousers - Dorothy Perkins

 

Cocoon - The New Silhouette For Autumn Winter 2011

Trends for autumn winter 2011 will be all about a new soft lines with volumous cocoon shapes. Skirts will stand out with domed and bell shapes as seen at Mary Katrantzou, Lanvin and Peter Som. Shoulders  will be rounded and puffy and overall silhouttes will be rounded. The fabrics will be stiff enough to hold these volumous shapes with a mixture of both feminine and masculine depending on the proportions of the designs. Vogue Magazine recommends opting for deflated silhouettes and heels for the most flattering effect and wearing cocoon dresses with bare legs for the ultimate cool look for Autumn Winter 2011.

Stella McCartney featured simple cocoon shaped mini dress with an air of masculinity about them.

Giambattista Valli featured rounded shoulders and bell shaped skirts for a dramatic shape with bold detail.

At Mary Katrantzou the bell shaped skirts stood out making the outfits look like intricately decorated ornaments.

At Jil Sander soft lines formed a simple loose fitting dress that looked like it would cocoon you in warmth.

Images from http://www.style.com/

As autumn winter stock is only just arriving in the shops, I haven't spotted too many cocoon silhouettes around yet but here are few toned down cocoon shapes that are incredibly wearable if you wanted to get in on this trend for autumn.

Autograph Cocoon Hem Drape Jumper

Brown Oversized Tee by Vince

Scoop Neck Tulip Tunic

What do you think of this look? will you be going for cocoon shapes this autumn and winter?

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania on Sale

Some items of designer clothing are the perfect  investment especially when you get them in the sale. Vivienne Westwood Anglomania is on sale at My Wardrobe at the moment along with lots of other designer pieces. The great thing about Vivienne Westwood is that her designs are classic and will never go out of fashion. Her signature draping is incredibly flattering and strikes the ideal balance of feminine and casual with a contemporary twist. The Anglomania label which started in 1997 is a much more refined look than the punk rock style originated by Vivienne in the seventies but it still has an edginess about it that defines it as a future classic and piece of fashion history.

I wish I could afford to buy all of these Vivienne Westwood Anglomania pieces some with as much as 60% off.

Dionne Blouse

This is such a versatile piece, it looks amazing with both dresses and skirts. For a really classic look you could try wearing with a beautifully tailored pair of trousers.

Grey Donna Dress

For those that have a late summer wedding to go to this dress is ideal. It screams understated elegance which and looks anmazing without trying  to steal the limelight from the bride.

Fortune Nymph Lily Dress

This dress says festival fashion to me. It is laid back and comfortable but also colourful and fun.

Hylas Tee

This t shirt is a great everyday casual piece that works incredibly well with skinny jeans and looks bold and striking when teamed with just about any bright colour.

Black Fulfiment Dress

Christmas may seem like a lonf time away, but I know that this dress would be perfect for my work Christmas party. You can't really go wrong with a little black dress especially one as flattering as this with it signature Vivienne Westwood draping, it works for so many occasions.

Monday Dress

I love the corset top of this dress with the full skirt another of Dame Viv's signature styles. This is such a feminine look.

Have you found yourself any amazing designer bargains in the sales?

Oasis Discount Code - A Further 20% Off Sale Items at Oasis

I am delighted to be able to offer you a further 20% off sale items at Oasis when you use the promo code 20SALE0711 at checkout until 24th July. I am incredibly excited about this fashion offer as Oasis is a favourite place of mine to buy clothes. I think they manage to balance affordability, quality and trend led style to perfection and with this offer you can get yourself some real bargains. They still have plenty of gorgeous pieces for summer in their sale plus some transitional items which will also take you right through into Autumn  and winter. Here are some of my favourites:

I have  been lusting after this colourful fifties style sateen printed dress all summer -so cute! It is reduced to £30 in the sale, so with your discount will be just £24!

The detail on this delicate lace crochet dress is unbelieveable! If you buy before 24th July with the above discount code it will also cost just £24 - what a bargain!

I love the delicate print on this  Botanical print shell top. It is great for summer but would also work with trousers or shorts and tights for winter. Again if you use the Oasis discount code above, the top is yours for just £24.

This bright and breezy chevron striped dress is so perfect for holiday. Add your Oasis Discount code and it will cost you just £16!

This Angel Sleeved Embellished top is so pretty and will also work with jeans for the autumn. A very affordable treat at £24 (with above Oasis Discount code applied)

Happy shopping, if you want to keep up with all the latest fashion offers, follow us on Twitter or Facebook

French Connection Autumn Winter Lookbook Preview

French Connection is a great place to find quality wardrobe staples as well as some more trend led pieces which are great for updating your wardrobe for the season ahead. This autumn and winter the Look Book has been divided up into 6 sections each with its own theme. There is something to suit just about every situation from night vision which is perfect for an evening out or those office to bar pieces to straight lines which has some great contemporary workwear and tailoring to country folk which is the ultimate in stylish casual wear for relaxed sunday afternoons and the last detail which features eyecatching details for when you just don't fancy the minimalist look.

My favourite from the French Connection Autumn Winter collections has to be the cult classics full of pieces that I know will be a great investment including the Fondas Knit Dress a classic bodycon jersey dress and the Jump Jack Twill Classic Coat with its straight masculine cut for a really striking silhouette. I also loved texture overload for a great way to add some subtle texture and interest to outfits using animal prints and metallic knits. The Chica jersey dress would be a comfortable and stylish day dress and perfect worn with black opaques for the winter and the twinkle knit jumper in silver and bronze is a great way to add a little seventies glamour to an everyday outfit.

You can view the full collection here or click on the images to view the individual pieces in each outfit. French Connection are also offering free standard delivery when you use the code FREEPANDP at check out.

Night Vision - Create drama after dark in a smokey palette of black, charcoal and teal.

Straight Lines - Cut a smart silhouette in minimal lines and sharp masculine tailoring

The Last Detail -Take your outfit from simple to standout with eye-catching details

Country Folk -Escape to the country in hand-crafted details and tactile fabrics.

Cult Classics - Achieve classic style status in these timeless wardrobe favourites

Texture Overload - Trust your animal instinct in wild prints, raw suede and leather.

What do you think? will you be investing in any of these pieces for autumn and winter?

Is Pattern Mixing an Art or Science?

Pattern mixing has become a huge trend over the last few seasons. By that I mean wearing one or more patterns together that shouldn't really be put together. The designers are doing it, the fashion bloggers are doing it and people on the streets are doing it. That is part of the beauty of this look that it is striking and right on trend but anyone can do it using clothes that they already have in their wardrobe.

Those who haven't yet given pattern mixing a go, might be a little weary of getting it right after all mixing 2 or more patterns is not the most natural thing to do. Is there a set formula that can be followed for amazing effect when pattern mixing or does that kind of defeat the object of pattern mixing which is all about individuality and looking so wrong but so right!

Of course the designers have got pattern mixing down to T and looking at their creations is a great place to start when looking for a formula.

Mary Katranzou

Jonathan Saunders

Dries Van Noten

Christian Dior

all images from http://www.style.com/

It seems to me that for many successful pattern mixes the patterns have one aspect of similarity. So two bright and bold patterns will work together well or two different patterns but with similar scales or colours. Dark florals tend to work well with black and white polka dots and stripes with bold florals. The same pattern but in different colours also works really well. When clashing very different patterns, the proportions of each can be important and where in the outfit they are. For example adding just a small amount of one pattern and putting some distance between two patterns perhaps a skirt and headscarf make it easier to wear them.

But there are times when pattern mixed outfits really shouldn't work but they do, they don't appear to follow any particular formula but just look great. You can check out streetstyle and outfit sites to see countless examples.

Whilst there is a kind of formula that you can apply to pattern mixing, the most original and striking combinations appear to be those that don't follow a formula put together by those with an artistic flair. Anyone can do it though why not just try laying out different patterned pieces and putting different options together to see what will work best. Why not give it a try?

We would love to see your pattern mixed outfits, please leave links in the comments below.

Sainsbury's To Launch New Gok Wan Figure Fixing Range

There are so many people who are unhappy with their shape or size or some part of their body. Gok Wan's new range for Tu at Sainsburys aims to help everyone love their bodies with figure flattering styles and shape enhancing properties.

In the past Gok Wan concentrating on styling helping women to feel better about themselves with his witty encouragement and wardrobe guidance. The Tu collection will be the first time that he has tried his hand at designing though.

I was invited to the preview of this exciting new collection (with Gok Wan!) but sadly was unable to attend. From the limited photographs of the collection that are currently available, I like what I see and can't wait to see more. The collection which will be available in the autumn (Oct 6th) in 200 stores nationwide and will contain just 13 pieces but I am hoping the phrase small but perfectly formed will apply.

The great thing about the Sainsbury's Tu collection is that it is incredibly affordable, the sort of price that you can easily slip it into the shopping trolley with the weekly shop and hardly even notice. It promises to be high quality too with plenty of attention to detail like the buttons on the sleeve of this wrap over dress, ribbon finished seams and satin collars. The clothing has built in shapewear which helps to create a smoother silhouette for everyone but Gok also tells that it will be comfy.

Personally I love Gok and think this collection will be fab. I can't wait. What do you think of Gok?