Print and Proper

 Dries van Noten

Gosh, looking at all that lovely pattern does make me think that my wardrobe could do with a bit of jujing up. Hmm, that's not a word, is it? But you know what I mean.



Holly Fulton

And there is so much to choose from.

 Isabel Marant

I just have to work out if I am brave enough to do it justice. I suspect you can't be a shrinking violet.

 Jonathan Saunders

Particularly with impalas leaping around all over you.

 Marc Jacobs

Topshop

(Images via Net a Porter, Daily Telegraph and Style.com)



The Kat Who Got the Cream

Hands down my favourite dress worn by anyone at Venice Film Festival was the Mary Katrantzou worn by Keira Knightley. The shape is incredibly demure but the pattern is quite challenging. Which makes for a pretty brave fashion choice.

So I applaud her for that. I think she looked amazing.

Plus it gives us the opportunity to remind ourselves just how lovely the rest of Mary Katrantzou's collection was.

Not to everyone's taste, and certainly not easy to wear, but utterly beautiful.

(Images via Elle UK and Style.com)

Nine Inch Nails

So, nail art really isn't my thing. I like to paint my nails, sure, but I like to keep them short. And the thought of having long daggers attached to my fingers makes me break out in a sweat. How do you function with them? How do you not freak out about tearing them off. EEEEEEEKKKK! That just makes me shudder in horror.

But despite that I think these are strangely beautiful. Especially the floral ones. They are all part of a nail art exhibition called Nailphilia so go check it out if that floats your boat!

(Images via Stylist)

Go Their Separate Ways

When I saw this picture of Marisa Tomei on the grey(?) carpet at Venice Film Festival I assumed it was separates, which I think is decidedly informal for such an event.

(Images via Go Fug Yourself and Net a Porter)

But then I realised it was actually a dress. A dress by Preen. And to be honest I'm not sure if that makes me like it any more.

I just don't really understand why you would want to make or wear a dress that bears no resemblance to a dress. Or am I just terribly out of touch?

Make a Clean Breast of It

(Image via Go Fug Yourself)

Wow! I really, really hate this dress.

Reiss's Pieces

I am currently lusting after all these things from Reiss. Aren't they pretty?

The Old Gaard

Do you remember when I bought those amazing Camilla Skovgaard shoes? Which I then took back. I think I made a mistake. Because I saw someone wearing them (in black) in a magazine the other day and the sensations that I felt towards that woman weren't very pretty. There was a seething, seering jealousy burning in my chest.

(Via Net a Porter)

So I went to Selfridges to see if they had them and they didn't. Some lovely styles, but not those. But Net a Porter just sent me an email kindly letting me know that they have them. So I think this time I might need to make them mine. Does that seem reasonable? And like the right thing to do? Oh! It does?! I'm so glad you agree!

My Word is My Bond

I've been invited to a hen do where the bride to be will be a glamourous Bond girl and the rest of us Bond himself. As far as these things go I am happy with that. Truth be told I have only been to two hen dos, one which involved nice dresses and a sophisticated evening of dinner and drinks, the other extreme bawdy drunkeness aboard a river cruise and neither involved a costume (thank goodness), and I was a bit nervous of that side of things. But a Bond theme? That I can deal with.

Particularly seeing as the girl-tux is such a trend right now. You know me, love jumping on a fashion bandwagon. But actually, what we have been asked to wear is all black (trousers or skirt and top or a dress) with white collar and cuffs and a black bow tie. The suggestion is to buy a Chippendale-style costume and add it to the black outfit of our choice.

Which obviously makes for an easy outfit, and one that doesn't need to break the bank or take too much hassle. A concept I appreciate. But I want to bust out 'a look'. Not to upstage the bride, you understand, but just so that I can get spruced up. Seriously, the only time I seem to put on a fancy dress these days is for weddings, so I like the idea of a night out where I can pull out all the stops. Now man-styling and black wouldn't be my first choice of outfit for a big night out, but hell, I'm ready to work with what I've got.

Now, I don't want to go too far. But MK's look below? It is masculine-inspired but still quite feminine, which is I think what I need to try for. Trying to look like a boy when you've got the bumps that I do is really a non-starter. And obviously there will need to be high heels.

So maybe a black jacket over a little floaty pair of shorts or mini skirt/dress? Something soft and feminine and flattering.

I think Kirstin Dunst really nailed the look. And I love that shirt buttoned up to the top thing. But I just don't think I could carry it off. My boobs always make a bid for freedom if I try to trap them under buttons. So while I'd love to try and steal her style, I think I should maybe try my Comptoir polka dot dress with a fitted jacket, black tights, the librarians, which are quite a boyish heel, and a home made collar and cuff set with the white Uniqlo shirt I was about to take to the charity shop.

(Images via Daily Telegraph)

And then fashion a soft floppy kind of bow tie from velvet ribbon to carry on the feminine stye. What do you think?

I need to fit the theme but also feel fabulous. You know?

Scott Free

It has to be said, I am a girl who loves a feminine shape to the clothes I wear. So naturally I love L'Wren Scott.

Any one of these dresses would make me a very happy girl.

And the best part is, that not only are they super feminine, they also look very wearable.

The only downside?

They are way over my budget.

Gah!

(Images via Style.com)

It'll All End in Tiers

(Image via Jigsaw)

After falling for Sofia's flippy skirt I am now obsessed. So imagine my delight when I saw this tiered delight in Jigsaw. It must be mine. I particularly like how it looks with flat shoes. Just add thick tights, a long line cardigan and a soft pink knit and a perfect look is born. Ta-dah!