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How to wear the same dress two ways

7th September, 2017

My wardrobe has a colour palette that features neutral shades quite prominently. It’s important to me that everything I own is versatile and can easily be restyled in different ways to suit myriad occasions. That said, I do have a soft spot for the occasional colourful buy that’s bold and makes a statement. I was after a punchy, vibrant dress in the lead up to spring and this Bambah maxi from Farfetch definitely fit the bill. A lace mustard yellow dress is definitely high on wow factor but as with every purchase I make, I wanted it to be versatile too. My style philosophy has always been that I have to be able to dress something up or down to ensure I can get maximum wear out of everything in my closet. This is why I’ve found a way to transform the look and feel of this dress to suit different occasions and here I show you how.

If you want to go…dressy

I love the ultra feminine details of this dress—the beautiful lace, the oversized bow and ruffles make it a stylish go-to number when I’m headed to a dressy affair. I wanted the dress to take centre stage so I paired it with my gold Gucci heels to keep the overall outfit in a similar colour palette and not have my shoes overwhelm the entire ensemble. With a dress such as this my beauty look had to be clean and understated so I opted for a relaxed ponytail and minimal accessories to keep the look simple and chic.

If you want to go…casual

Whilst this dress looks at home at a formal occasion it can easily be switched up to have a more casual vibe. The first thing I did was swap my heels for a pair of Aquazzura Starlight flat sandals. A change in footwear to flats gives this look a more relaxed feel. I then added accessories in natural textures such as my Nerida Winter straw boater and Helen Kaminski raffia clutch to help dial back the lace which tends to look very dressy. A pair of fun Fendi cat-eye sunglasses adds a playful finishing touch to the overall look and when paired with beachy waves it instantly transforms this dress to something that would be fitting for a more laid-back event. When you can get multiple wears out of a statement piece it’s a definite win-win.

Credits: Dress, Bambah; Sandals, Aquazzura; Sunglasses, Fendi; Heels, Gucci; Bag, Helen Kaminski; Hat, Nerida Winter

Photography: Danielle Castano

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Fashion

How to dress for an event when you’re pregnant

22nd November, 2016

At Fashion Week this year with a bump

During both my pregnancies I had to attend a few big events and particularly during the last pregnancy I also had to navigate Fashion Week which was certainly a challenge for my wardrobe! Whether it’s a wedding, a birthday or now that we’re heading into the festive season a slew of Christmas parties dressing up with a bump can admittedly be a little trickier than when you’re you’re usual shape. Here are some things I learned about event dressing when pregnant…

Consider going a size up

Keep in mind that you don’t have to specifically buy a maternity dress you could also consider going a size up to give you more room for your stomach. This is great when you want to buy something from one of your fave labels as you like their styles but don’t necessarily fit into your usual size. I remember buying a dress from Scanlan Theodore who are one of my go-to designers as I really loved the style but I simply bought a bigger size to accomodate my belly.

Voluminous isn’t always good

It can be tempting to go for a billowy dress that simply just “hides” your belly but it’s not always the most flattering silhouette for a pregnant figure. I find that you still need to maintain some degree of shape to what you’re wearing so often something in a stretchy fabric that is quite figure hugging and that shows off your bump is the best style. It’s also super comfortable which is a plus.

If you prefer floaty dresses try adding a belt under the bump to nip in the dress a little and give it some added some shape.

Try layering

I found adding a blazer or jacket over a dress really helped to give my outfit some structure which in turn looked more flattering. It also gave me a tether to my old wardrobe so helped me feel more confident and “myself” in what I was wearing.

Accessories are key

The one area of your wardrobe that definitely doesn’t get affected with a burgeoning bump is your accessories. A great pair of shoes, a pretty clutch and amazing jewellery are all great for topping off an outfit and giving it a bit more oomph. Plus you know no matter what it’s definitely going to fit!

Don’t spend a fortune

Yes, you want to look great but you also don’t want to spend a fortune on a particular outfit if it’s something that you definitely won’t wear post-pregnancy. I find that ASOS has some great maternity dresses specifically for events that are both on-trend but also budget-friendly. The upside with buying from a maternity range is that whatever you buy, you know it’s been cut to accomodate a bump so there are no issues with fit. Aside from that they also do great casual and work clothes for pregnancy so definitely check out the range if you haven’t already.

Always remember your style

Just because you’re dressing with a bump in mind it doesn’t mean you have to completely change your style. If you usually wear black from head to toe then do it. Yes, your shape may be different but it’s important that you always anchor what you’re wearing back to your usual tastes and style. Remaining true to your wardrobe aesthetic will definitely make you feel more comfortable in anything you wear.

Stuck for event-appropriate pregnancy look ideas?

Here’s a look back at a few What I Wore looks that could definitely work for a big occasion – just tweak and adjust according to your own style!

Check out my building blocks for a great pregnancy wardrobe

Fashion

The dos and don’ts of wearing flats at the office

19th October, 2016

When I was working full time I used to always wear high heels to the office. I know when it comes to workwear it can be nice to have a little height in the footwear department to help add some polish to an outfit but I’ve since learned that flats can work equally as well, if not more so. These days when I’m going to office I may have the girls in the morning or in the afternoon so my outfit has to look professional yet be comfortable at the same time. This is where I’ve found having a great flats wardrobe can come in handy. These are some of my dos and don’ts of wearing them to work…

Do experiment with different flats

I’ve found the best flats for the office are ballet flats, brogues and loafers [the closed kind not slides as these can look a little too casual] and flat boots for winter [see in order below]. Try to keep your flats as streamlined and simple as possible to keep them professional.

Do wear flats with dresses

If you tend to favour dresses for the office you’ll be pleased to hear that you can get away with swapping your heels in favour of flats for this particular look. I’ve found that flats look really great with tailored dresses and maintains a classy effect.

Winning combination: Alexa Chung does ballet flats and a dress/ Image via Stockholm Street Style

Do opt for a slim trousers

Wide leg pants are on trend this season but I’ve found that they tend to work better with heels, especially if you’re on the shorter side. However when it comes to slim fitting trousers you can definitely afford to go with flats. A slim silhouette will help elongate your figure and when teamed with flats it looks very Audrey Hepburn-esque.

Don’t forget to flash some ankle

Make sure that if you’re wearing pants that they’re cropped so you are showing some ankle. This length will tend to be a little more flattering when worn with pants.

Do keep your look quite preppy

Flats such as man-style loafers and ballet flats work are a match made in heaven with a preppy-style outfit. Think a collared white shirt and a knee length skirt. It’s a little collegiate, definitely office appropriate and a stylish alternative to traditional corporate wear.

Image: Stockholm Street Style

Don’t forget about the finishing touches

Flats don’t have to be boring. Keep an eye out for interesting finishing touches. Tassels, discreet bows, or a metal horsebit accent are all great ways to take an ordinary flat from so-so to stylish. One of my favourite brogues has a metal toe cap (see pic above) and I find that this helps give them a point of difference.

Do leave socks at home

A lot of flats look better sans socks so make sure to give them a miss. As I said earlier, flashing some ankle is flattering as it helps to emphasise the slimmest part of your leg. Also, socks can look a little too bulky.

Do team flats with opaque stockings

In winter I know going bare legged can be a little chilly so pairing a pair of flat boots with opaque black stockings and a nice dress is a good office appropriate look. I tend to favour stockings in black as opposed to nude as it looks much fresher and more modern.

Tell me – are you a fan of wearing flats to the office?

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