Two for the price of one.

So if you like the idea of dresses but can't to get grips with skirts, I may have come up with a solution.  A skirt that becomes a dress.  But you get a top as well.  Ok so it's not rocket science, we're talking about a skirt and a top that match.  Hardly reinventing the wheel here, but if skirts aren't on your radar at all (*waves hands madly*) then this may not have been an obvious choice before (or is that just to me?... potential tumbleweed moment....) 

Regardless of whether this is old hat to you or a total revelation, there are some fantastic options that I've uncovered to have a look at. 

For me, the great thing about these is that they'll work hard for you.  They can be worn either as a skirt (as per my ideas yesterday), a top (and most of these here are shell top shaped which are my absolute favourite and work so so well over all sorts of trousers and jeans) or a dress (ok that's all pretty obvious, isn't it...).  They should triple your cost per wear as opposed to just buying a dress. 

Warehouse have this look nailed. First and third are my absolute favourites although the multi stripe set may pip the other to the winning post.   

Multi Stripe Floral Co-ord skirt £32







Stripe Floral Co-ord top £30






Textured Floral Print Co-ord skirt £40






Textured Floral Print Co-ord top  £35 (this does look slightly cropped if I'm honest, but ideal to wear with all those high waisted skirts that are around this season.  I'm gong to be frank - I shall not be sporting anything like this with anything vaguely low waisted.  I didn't do cropped tops with flesh in my teens or twenties - after three kids there is less than zero chance of me flashing my muffin) 


Abstract Floral Skirt £36








Abstract Floral Top £36



This is a more casual version of events but I do love this pastel print and the idea of a sweatshirt that I'd get loads of use out of.

Baum Und Pferdgarten Edea Pencil Skirt in Smudge Graphic Print £69






Baum Und Pferdgarten Edea Sweatshirt in Smudge Graphic Print £69











ASOS Knitted T-shirt in textured Stitch £30 



Dorothy Perkins have got this look nailed and even have a separate category for it online (you can pretty much bet that instore the chances of you being able to pick up/find both in your size are a big fat zero). 

Black and White Jacquard Daisy Tee and Skirt Combo £36






Black Floral Mini Skirt £20


Black and white floral jacquard tee £16



Black Spotted Lace tee and skirt combo £34 (available separately on link) 




Finishing with Mint Velvet - an outfit which I see every day as I drive past out Mint Velvet and salivate over.  Love this - totally love this. 

Mint Velvet Circles Mesh Top in Black £59



And the matching pencil skirt in black £69







And in ivory, the top £59


And the skirt £69









Now I've realised, whilst I've been writing this, that I am a complete and utter tool as I actually do have a skirt and top combo that I wear as a dress.  My Isabel Marant for H&M silk set.  But, in my defence, but but but a) it's a blouse and not a top (we may be talking semantics here but it's longsleeved and a totally different concept therefore.  Ish) and b) I never ever wear the skirt in its own right.  I probably should..... 

Finishing with my outfit today - photo taken by Amanda The lovely Online Stylist  who I spent the day with at a fantastic photo shoot for Mother's Day - all will be revealed on Friday... Definitely worth waiting for.  Suffice to say, BIG tick for skirts....

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Black silky crepe top - Zara
Baxter jeans - Topshop
Leopard print coat - Fenn Wright Manson
Wild Kat ballet flats - The British Flat Shoe Company 
Sierra Necklace - Stella & Dot
Whisky Marcie Medium Satchel - Chloe

Tomorrow I shall be back with an experiment.  Watch this space. 

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CONVERSATION

28 comentarios:

  1. Hi, love your blog and thanks to you I've just bought the pink whistles dress from Friday. It's lovely. Thanks x

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    1. oh what a lovely thing to read, thank you so much for commenting. And I hope you love the dress - I adore my Whistles ones from last year xx

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    2. I really do love the dress and it's totally out of my comfort zone, my wardrobe consists and black, grey, navy and some white and cream for colour. I wanted a stand out dress for my sister's "big" birthday party, and this is it. Thanks again, and meant to say earlier you always look great in your photos.

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  2. I love this trend! Don't be afraid of the skirt though. You can do it! :)

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  3. Hi, I adore your Fenn Wright Manson coat. Could you possibly advise me on sizing? I'm normally a 10 but I wanted to check whether it came up big or small before I bought the 10 online. Thank you very much!

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    1. Right, well I actually think they're quite snug on the shoulders so I kept the 12 not the 10. I would say they're on the small size. To be fair, the 10 did fit and if I'd wanted to wear it just over a dress say for a smart occasion the 10 would be totally fine. But as I knew I wanted it for everyday throw on, I sized up to be able to layer underneath it. Hope that helps. I LOVE mine (as you may have noticed..!) xxx

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  4. I couldn't have asked for a more helpful reply, thank you! I can honestly say that your blog has revived not only my wardrobe but also my general enthusiasm for clothes. After having had two children very close together, I felt I had lost any sense of style...but you have got me back on track and I am extremely grateful.

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  5. You look amazing in your pic, your hair & makeup are perfect. I love your IM for H&M blouse & skirt, but I'm biased since I have the dress and pants in the same print. I'm intrigued by the top & skirt combo but I'm more inclined if it's in a soft fabric and not too structured in any way.

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    1. Thank you, I did indeed feel amazing! ah yes, I see what you mean, I was after the more structured look I now conclude. x

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  6. You hit my soft spot - I love the look of floral skirts & tops - they are just wonderful, but how nice is the Mint Velvet ivory mesh top and skirt - wowser - Love it !!

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    1. absolutely gorgeous, isn't it. And such a useful set to have in your wardrobe. x

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  7. Im in floral heaven with quite a few of those xx

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    1. So so summery, aren't they? (sits here shivering...)

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  8. loving the Mint Velvet combinations but which colour way do i opt for......sigh, i want them both.
    Love you outfit and your hair looks lovely. sounds like you had a good day.looking forward to Fridays post to see what exciting things you have in store for us. x

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    1. hmmm that's true, isn't it - which would be best? God I don't know actually. Get both?!

      Blog coming up later today x

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  9. Just love the Mint Velvet top and skirt. Adore the white, although my practical head is saying I'd get more wear out of the black. I've already chosen my Mothers' Day present, darn it!

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    1. My thoughts exactly... Yes, the black is more practical all round but you could always buy both and mix and match...!

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  10. Love that Mint Velvet outfit, especially in the black. Also really like the tan sandals they have styled the white with.

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    1. All gorgeous isn't it. Would work for so so many occasions. x

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  11. Just to say I ordered the next skater shoes in the black and leopard ponyskin and love them! I also ordered the taupe snakeskin ones which were also lovely but I can't cant can't have 3 pairs if such a "fashionable" probably short lived trendy shoe! Love your blog and I'm a bit away from 40! I think your writing is wonderful and style realistically aspirational! X

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    1. I'm going to pick mine up today (I think I did order every size from a 6 to an 8 and inbetween.... Taupe snakeskin you say.............?? Thank you for being so lovely as well, it really is so wonderful to hear (and keeps me typing!)

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  12. Kat, I love your blog! I bought the FWM leopard print coat as I loved it on you. It was out of stick but I finally tracked one down. I love it but its really tight on the shoulders/underarm. Is this just me with my bingo wings?! I don't want to send it back!

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    1. OH NO!!!!!!!! Yes, I did size up but for the summer it should be fine? I'm such a mover and a groover (not) that I wanted somethign loose for every day. x

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  13. I just saw your comment above about the FWM coat being snug!

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  14. The third warehouse set is gorgeous, really love that colour/pattern combination.

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