Two birds, one stone

So, up my sleeve I had planned, as I think I mentioned a week or so ago, a navy dress post.  For all those of you who have abandoned the harsh shade of black in favour of the "much more flattering for an old bird" navy. 

Well it so happens that I may well be in the market for a new dark dress to wear to my mum's funeral (which we're actually hoping will be after Christmas now.) and she would be over the moon to think that I've managed to find something constructive (in the loosest sense of the word I appreciate..) to occupy me whilst we wait for things to happen. 

When I'm waking up at 2am, 4am, 5.30am what am I thinking about to help me go back to sleep?  Why, what I'm going to wear to the funeral of course.  And having gone mentally through my wardrobe about 10 times, it occurred to me that maybe it doesn't have to be black black.  Of course it would be easiest thing in the world to justify the purchase now of a new black coat (you can see where this is going, can't you... yes there are more coat blogs to come) but at the same time, I have a rather great navy dress coat (which admittedly was only £20 from H&M but who cares, it's fabulous).  Therefore the purchase of a navy dress to go with said coat would make sense.  And navy is a dark colour ergo surely it's fine to wear to a funeral?  There's no law that it has to be black is there?

Plus a navy dress is a great addition to a wardrobe.  Like I said, they are much easier to wear against an ageing complexion (hell that makes us all sound geriatric, doesn't it?  Soz). 

I also love putting navy and black together.  However this made my mother's skin crawl.  It clearly was way too modern a concept for her and she used to sniff and suck her teeth whenever I tried to disabuse her of this notion.  Plus all her friends will no doubt think the same and she'd be mortified if they all thought I'd rocked up in something that didn't match.  (Isn't this the best justification you've ever heard for the purchase of a new dress or coat?! I'm sure I can squeeze some shoes in there as well if I really put my mind to it) 

Without further ado, let's have a look at some of the navy dresses I've unearthed. 

Starting with one you're going to have to de-party.  Or maybe not - with a navy frock coat, navy opaques and navy satin shoe boots... actually that's not going to work.  Navy head to foot is really hard.  And... well.. hmmm.... just not that great.  So I may have to throw my principles to one side and wear black opaques, black suede shoe boots (thank you M&S trusty old ones from last year which will be dragged out again) and a black clutch.  Maybe all of her friends have fading eye sight anyway? (Is that ok mum?)

This would also be an amazing dress to wear now for nights out (as above actually) or into the Spring.  I have yet another First Holy Communion (last one) and this would be marvellous with black sandals and bare legs (she says, ignoring the fact it's never actually been warm in June for either of the previous two).

Now lace isn't perhaps people's first thought when it comes to sombre but black lace is very Catholic.  (which I appreciate is not navy.....).  We just need to make sure no bare flesh in Church.  Easily done.

Navy lace Dress from The White Company with 30% off was £129 now £90.30

This one is just sublime.  Perfection with a capital P and look at the price!  I am ordering this in the interests of research.

Autograph Square Neck Lace Shift Dress was £89 now £62.30



A slightly different shape now with a fuller skirt and not as long but for me, the ones above pip it to the post.  However Gestuz is a gorgeous brand so it would be lovely and not quite as inferior quality as, dare I say it, it looks here (ASOS styling for you.  Not exactly aimed at the 40+ market but we have to have imagination).

Gestuz Claudia Dress in Navy Lace £119



Upping the ante now seeing as it's for a rather significant occasion and if the perfect dress came along, it is the ideal time to buy it.  So I took myself off to Selfridges "just to look"....

A hint of lace now in the yoke but this is a gorgeous dress.  With a plain navy coat, this could look perfectly sombre.  And would be a stunning party dress as well. 

Claudie Pierlot Ready Crepe Dress in navy £239 (handwash too!)




Jil Sander Short Sleeve Wool Blend Dress £390 from Selfridges  A complete classic.  I do think it needs a killer shoe.  Anything slightly more mundane and there's a risk of looking Amish.


More midi at Maje.  This is simply too gorgeous for words.  The Husband and I were due to be going to Selfridges on Wednesday which we may or may not do and I am so tempted to try this one on.  The fact I'd probably want to buy the boots as well is neither here nor there (or the above boots.  I'm not that fussy, I'd go either).

Romario Stretch Crepe Dress £315








I'm not going to lie with this one  Would I love it as much if it wasn't Sportmax?  Probably not.. Shallow shallow me.  Bet it looks amazing on though (and it would want to for nearly £500.  It would want to make tea as well). 

Sportmax Giotto Stretch Wool Peplum Dress in navy £470  (I'd want more oomphy shoes personally. Not necessarily, in face definitely not, for a funeral but if we're talking party..)



However there are definitely more reasonable and - dare I say it - eminently more wearable on an every day basis, dresses.  

In fact, top of my list for dresses that I have and could wear is my black Me+Em swing dress which I bought three years ago (and MUST go and get from the blasted dry cleaners...will probably wear on Saturday night to the School Ball that I think we'll still go to.  Seeing as I organised it I should probably go.  I'm thinking fringe Zara ankle boots.... But I digress.  This has been happening a lot.  More than usual.  Which is saying something).

Panelled Shift Dress in navy £135  Look at those OTK boots eyeing me up lasciviously. 



Another ideal option.

Tailored A Line Dress from Me+Em £135



And yet again.

Keyhole Swing Dress £165



Alternatively, this with a navy coat would be ideal for both a solemn occasion but also perfect for a night out.  Team with a knit and loafers for dress down during the day.  Would also make the ideal work dress as well.  It's not cheap but it's super versatile.  (ooh how about with top button undone, skinny silk scarf from the other day, black loose blazer and black heeled ankle boots.  Not for a funeral of course.. but as a pretty darn fabulous outfit?)

Printed Dropped Waist Silk Dress from Me+Em £248



A variation on the theme from Whistles. 

Side Drape Jersey Dress £95 (actually it's only £85 at ASOS)


And a couple of extras from ASOS.  

This is too short for me, I'm sure but if you're not as tall as I am, I think this would be a corker of a dress to have in your wardrobe. 

ASOS Tulip Dress £35 (they also do this in amazing red)



ASOS Knot Front Wiggle Dress in Crepe £45 


And the bargain of the day from ASOS. 

Love Wrap Front Midi Dress with Tulip Hem was £42 now £16.50



However if we're speaking of complete bargains, then my find of the day has to be the Jaeger Outlet.  Someone mentioned this in another post on the comments and I'll admit I had forgotten about it till I went to search Jaeger and Jaeger Outlet came up first on Google. Would have been rude not to have a quick look and holy nora there are some amazing steals on there.  Plus some have an extra 40% discount on check out. 

Heavy Ponte Dress in Midnight was £99 now £49 AND an extra 40% off.  Makes it much less.  Maths isn't happening today.  It basically makes it cheaper than a dress at Florence & Fred though. 




And if you thought that was a bargain... well ha. Think again. 

Silk Wool Lace Panelled Dress was £175 now £49 pre extra discount.  I absolutely love the addition of black to this and I'm thinking with my navy dress coat and black suede shoots and a black bag, this could completely work (clearly at this price, my navy and black issues have gone right out of the window).  Only slight niggle that on me, a v neck isn't the best idea in the world.  (I'm slightly pigeon chested - as in I have a protruding Angle of Louis.  Unless you have one of these, you will absolutely no idea what I'm chuntering on about.  Store it away for a Quiz Night.  You never know when it might come in handy)






Or the Wool Knit Flare Hem Dress was £180 now £60 pre 40% extra off. 



So I must be off now as I have a Jaeger Outlet to explore.  Definitely am in need of either a new dress to go with my navy coat or a new black coat to go with my navy dress. 

Finishing with outfit of the day.  Spent with friends. 


Black and white vest - Edun
Black trapeze roll neck jumper - Reiss
Black skinny coated jeans - New Look 
Biker Boots - Seven Boot Lane
Grey poncho - Simply Be
Black Harker hands free bag - Anya Hindmarch

May I please end with apologising if my rather dark humour with regards to how I'm dealing with my mother's death offends anyone.  The one thing I have learnt (and recall from when my father died) is that everyone handles grief in a different way and there are no rules and no right or wrong way.  However that isn't to say, especially if you have suffered a loss yourself, that you have to empathise with how I am handling it.  Apologies if you are upset at all and I promise that the blog is not going to be dominated with the topic, but I may mention it now and again as it's pretty much the major thing happening in my life right now. 

Apart from Christmas of course.  And Christmas stops for no man, dead or alive.  So there will be more talk of Christmas.  And Spring... did I mention new season yet....?!

I'm still being overwhelmed by the support from friends and family as well as my new found virtual online family.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.