I blame Chris De Burgh....

....for me having swerved red for years and years.  I've nothing against Chris De Burgh himself but I absolutely loathe his music.  I think there might be one song I don't mind (*think*... something about a spaceman?) but as a rule, he's up there with Chris Rhea for making my ears bleed.

Ok to be fair, it's not entirely Chris's fault (the De B one), I can also hold my hair responsible.  For some reason, red just didn't work on me with very dark hair.  Years ago (and we are talking many years ago) when I was full on blonde, I loved it.  It really seemed to work so much better and I used to wear a fair bit of it. 

And with me getting slightly fairer with every hair appointment, I am starting to feel the love for all things red again. 

All things being equal (as in none of my children being ill) I am off shopping this week and am determined to try on a whole host of red gems to scratch the itch.  I definitely think it's a case of finding the right shade - personally I prefer a more cranberry shade as opposed to a tomato version but I do think it's a question of trying on to see.  Especially as I haven't worn any form of red for years.

So I'm starting with a dress as, following on from my post yesterday, I could definitely justify one of these.  Now in an ideal world I would be looking for one that could cover a multitude of bases - so yes, I could wear it to a party but could also throw on for a lunch with flat boots (which I don't own - I may also be having a squizz at the over the knee boots this week.) 

This I have to say I threw in at the beginning when I was thinking more party dress.   It's a gorgeous dress - I'm just not sure it's the right shade for me.

ASOS 70s Deep Plunge Belted Midi Dress £45

This is more the colour that I have in mind.  Dare I say it might be a tad plain?  Having said that I do love the gathering on the cuffs.

Maje Realiste crepe dress £185




We then move onto all things drape.  This I love, but for me, I think it's slightly too lightweight for what I'm looking for.. to be fair this does happen to be a changing brief as the search goes on.

Drape Front Tunic Dress from Topshop £40



Now I am definitely in the market for sleeves but I absolutely adore this dress.  Although again, I think too tomato for my colouring.  What a stunning dress for the money though.
ASOS WEDDING Wrap drape midi dress £55





Call off the dogs.  This is sublime.  Love the colour - it's almost a brick red.  I also love the very long sleeves which would hopefully mean they'd be a normal length on little old jolly green giant me.  Have to see I'm every so slightly meh about the creasing on the hem though.... 


Although I think this one is probably better value.. I'm not sure if it's the one I had on yesterday..... hmm I've just checked, yes it's exactly the same as the one that I posted from Very Exclusive but that one was £305. WHOA!   Go Selfridges then.... I fear this on me would be that hideously frumpy bumpy just on the knee length.   But it looks like the perfect shade of red.

Anglomania Taxa Stretch Dress £250  





A variation on a theme at FCUK with more ruching and draping.  This is very grown up and very sexy which means I couldn't wear it as I am a 5 yr old frumperella in disguise.

Tilly Valentine Wrap Dress from FCUK £65



This one is so off the search criteria (bar the fact it's red) but I do have a big Charity Ball I'm helping to organise for next March and this could be perfect... Also wonderful if you do have a super dressy Christmas party on the cards.
CoutureOne Tosca £120  Also comes in black and purple.




Now so far out of my comfort zone and so totally and utterly un-me I can't tell you but I am insanely drawn to it..

Chi Chi London Aviana dress £75



Back to randomly what I would wear.  Cannot recommend these dresses highly enough, even though this one is perhaps verging on wine as opposed to red (which may account for my love for it...) 

Embroidered Lace Dress from Self Portrait £260







I absolutely couldn't wear this as I have boobs like pancakes and this would make me look skeletal on the chest but one of my really close friends bought it for a party in September and it looked unbelievable on her.  An amazing dress.


Although I do also like the look of this one from Jaeger but for me - I adore a slightly higher neckline.  However I'd actually wear these during the day and I think I'd get more wear of the Chloe one.  Alas of course it doesn't go in the machine.  This Jaeger one does though... I am hoping that it would just a couple of inches shorter on me...(slut alert)

Jaeger Seamed Dress £99




This is very much my favourite shape for a versatile dress that I'll get loads of wear out of.  I'm not sure this is the right shade of red but I love the shape.

Northern Jersey Jumper Dress from FCUK £70



The best colour though and the best all round versatile shape is perhaps this one from Boden.  And there is currently 25% off everything at Boden (bar the Icons and clearance) 

Abigail Jacquard Tunic Dress were £79 now £59.25  How great do the boots look with it?!  



So.. have I lost my tiny mind?  I have to say I simply can't stop thinking about the Chloe one.  To be honest, the only thing that's stopping me is the fact I would no doubt trash the silk part of it with one drink and it doesn't go into the machine.  It would genuinely lie at the bottom of my washing basket for the entire season.  I am a completely lazy cow when it comes to dry cleaning anything (although they have just started taking dry cleaning at Waitrose which may well revolutionise my life... although I still begrudge paying.  Tight cow alert now)

I just think that a red dress will be so completely different to anything I have.  I can feel a trying on session coming on.

Lovely lovely weekend although today, had to wave off my (not really a baby but my first baby) 11 yr old on her first ever week away.  On a residential trip to North Wales with the school.  I may have shed a tear (god bless her, she was sobbing this morning, not helped by The Husband telling her she'll have to be fine as we're not driving the 8hrs to pick her up.  He thought he was being encouraging.... Men.) 

7yr old is still not 100% so we managed to swerve the rugby today - sod's law as the weather was gorgeous and it would have been a lovely day down at the club.  Managed to drag him out late this afternoon with his brother for a walk with the dog though which he coped with and so is definitely going back to school tomorrow. 

Outfit from yesterday - and yes, there's red.  Red and khaki...... I may be totally sold on this combination.



White tee - Eileen Fisher
Lobster Sweatshirt - Leon & Harper
Boyfriend off white jeans - All Saints
Superstar sneakers - Golden Goose
Whiskey Medium Marcie Satchel - Chloe

Tomorrow morning will be very strange minus a child.  I am feeling a khaki and red obsession coming on.  You have been warned.