Shoulder the Blame

If you are talking sexy, you might well be talking Penelope Cruz, right? And her appearance on the red carpet for The Counselor in Nina Ricci absolutely confirms that this season's fashion erogenous zone is the neck and shoulders.

Good old Miuccia has also championed the look and, for a girl who doesn't tend to flash the flesh, this is a subtly sexy style of dressing that is just my speed.

Slouchy, undone cardigans beneath dresses here I come.

(Images via Style.com, Red Carpet Fashion Awards)

Tartan Army

(Image via Asos, look by Emma Hill at EJ Style)

The grunge look has been showing its face now for a few seasons but it feels as though it is really going to hit home this season. Now I was 11 when grunge started to form. I loved Nirvana, I lived in DMs and plaid shirts.

But I think there is definitely something to the theory that you should not revisit trends that you loved when they first came out.

And I was going to stick to that until I saw this dress in Zara. It is tartan and florals, which is a combination I love, but it also gives a nod to the nightwear trend. I think it is lovely. I might have to go there.

What about you? Tempted to go grunge? 

Reign Check

It is the Coronation Festival this weekend, celebrating the 60th anniversary of Liz's coronation.

To commemorate the occasion John Lewis have released some sketches from their collection of 1953 and have made these dresses up for the coronation catwalk event. Oh lord I'd love it if we still dressed like this. Heaven.

(Images via Stylist)

For Crying Out Loud

(Image via The Telegraph Fashion)

I love a bit of nude and neon. So Rosamund Pike is definitely in my good books with these amazing shoes. Bliss. She really is quite the expert in looking demure but not in the least dull. I am very much taking notes. 

All White Now

I love summer and white dresses. It just makes me wish I wasn't such a mucky pup because I would never be able to keep them immaculate and would inevitably spill my lunch down them on the first outing.

Hobbs

Band of Outsiders

 By Malene Birger

 Carven

Christopher Kane

Etoile Isabel Marant

La Petite S*****

Philosophy di Alberta Feretti

Stella McCartney

Valentino 

 Victoria Beckham

(Images via Hobbs, Net a Porter)

Top Marks

I am trying to save my pennies at the moment, but of course I still want to shop. So what's the solution?

The cheaper shops that I used to patronise just seem way to young and trendy for me, old trollop that I am.

But what's this? Marks and Spencer you say? A Peter Pilotto-a-like geometric patterned dress and adorable patterned and bow-bedecked pumps?

Fabulous, no? I might just have found the answer.

(Images via Marks & Spencer)

Wedding Belle

Acne

 

The lovely Miss Keddie is getting married in six months. I am inordinately excited about the nuptials. Mostly because I know that she is going to rock a serious dress. The woman owns Lanvin, for goodness sake, it is going to be a sight to behold, I am quite sure.

 

So I think it is only reasonable that I have started to fantasise about what I am going to wear. I want it to be amazing. And I want it to be colourful.

 

Here are some of my fantasy dresses so far.

 

Alice by Temperley

 

Antonio Berardi

 

Burberry London

 

Calvin Klein Collection

 

Chalayan

 

Christopher Kane

 

Christopher Kane

 

Donna Karan

 

Donna Karan

 

Emilio Pucci

 

Maison Martin Margiela

 

Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti

 

Preen

 

Roksanda Ilincic

 

Roland Mouret

 

See by Chloe

 

Valentino

 

Victoria Beckham

 

Yves Saint Laurent

 

(Images via Net a Porter)

Greater Than the Sum(mer) of its Parts

 

I know that it is terribly impractical but with all this grey weather what I really want to do is thing about the spring/summer collections.

 

And these Antonio Berardi dresses are definitely putting me in a good mood. Particularly the bright pink ones. Gosh, you just can't be in a bad mood when you are wearing pink, can you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Images via Style.com)