The saga continues...

So.  People say to me all the time.  You're lucky, you can wear anything.  (to pre-warn you - this is dress related.  Save yourself now if you're not in the dress market, would be my advice.  Having said that, there are some "interesting" pics).

Anyway... In. My. Dreams, can I wear anything.  I genuinely genuinely can't.  It may look as if I can but that's because I've been studying shapes and fashion for so long now that I don't generally wear anything that I don't feel is flattering. 

But that's not to say that everything works on me and that I still don't try on some humdingers.  Being tall can be as difficult to dress as it can for those who are petite.

Let's start with the truly terrible.  (to be honest, it starts off as merely bad.  Truly terrible is to come...)

I think I can confidently say that a trip or 3456 trips to the gym may be needed before I venture out in a knitted dress.  Can I apologise now if anyone is eating... 

Bow Knitted Dress £39.99 from Mango 

Please can I also apologise to Mango for ruining one of their dresses. (I'm breathing in here as well..)




However this pales into insignificance next to the beauty I purchased from Rachel Comey at Matches. 

So this is how I had hoped to look (with different shoes can I please point out).

Rachel Comey Collage Silk Chiffon Dress was £705 now £423 (I did get an extra 20% off. To be fair, it would have had to have been free...)






Alas - it wasn't to be.....And even if it had been free, there is absolutely no way I could or would have left the house in this.  The 9yr old came out of his room as I was taking the pic.  The look of horror on his face, "MUMMY, are you pregnant?".  



So a hunting we need to go.  All rather timely when I got an email with 30% off Sales Prices at Farfetch (use the code x30feb).  It so happens that all I came across was black.  You can never have too many black dresses.

Theory Kadrayel Dress at FarFetch was £315 now £157.50  This is a much much heavier fabric than the (much cheaper) Mango dress.  Although to be honest, with the extra 30% it makes it a really good deal compared to the £40 ribbed condom.  Ok so now I'm being mean and taking my lack of taughtness/laziness i on a dress.  It's not your fault lovely, just not on me, Mango dress....



Again - super sucky in fabric.  These are just so incredibly versatile.

Sportmax Susa Dress was £395 now £276.50





Oh the irony.  The original silk version that clearly the Mango one was inspired by.  Much more flattering for the majority of us than the clinging knit.

Joseph Belted V-neck Dress was £465 now £186



We're back to ribbed.. again, I can't imagine this would be anywhere near as unforgiving as the Mango one (she says optimistically but honestly, not being quite convinced...)

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Asymmetric hem ribbed dress was £494.10 now £197.64



But personally - if I could guarantee that the proportions would be right, I would get this.  I LOVE it.  It's so stunningly classic - a Dior tribute, would look amazing with court shoes - yes, even a classic court shoe, or a strappy glad style heel.  Amazing reduction when you include the 30% off.  (obviously I'm ridiculously tempted..) 

Preen By Thornton Bregazzi Everley Dress was £910 now £546





And now onto some more reasonable versions.  I'll be honest.  I have trawled the high street and there is nothing new.  In a couple of weeks, I'm sure we'll be inundated (with what styles, to be honest, I'm not sure).

ASOS Premium Occasion Lace Midi Dress £85  Firstly my reservations.  This is apparently lilac.  So I've looked at this on three different computers and it still looks.. green?  Ok, I could maybe go a grey.. but I'm really really struggling to get to lilac.  But assuming that the colour works and it's long enough for you, this is a great Self Portrait tribute for a fraction of the cost.  And yes, it goes in the machine. 



Up close the quality looks very impressive.





Sienna Lace Dress in navy from Monsoon. £119.  BEAR WITH ME.  I know, I know, this doesn't look the best in this pic.  It's the shoes.  But with a pair of, dare I say it, slightly edgier shoes, this could definitely work.  Think Self Portrait... repeat after me... think Self Portrait....







But for me - it's boiled down to two dresses.  I absolutely love both of them but they are incredibly different.  

Annette Dress from Preen Line at Luxe-Layers was £558 now £150  (You must go and look a this website - this dress was almost £700 originally at Matches and went down to £348 or something in the sale.. which is a big big difference.  I may have also bought the Iro boots to go with them... They are definitely not going to be everyone's cup of tea - the top bit of the boot is an actual knitted sock - but I absolutely adore them and they are now £100.  So the boots and the dress together are still less than the dress itself at Matches.)




I do think I'd wear it with the boots though for now and save these sandals for the Spring...
And then I reverted back to my comfort zone (seeing as my outing into Rachel Comey territory was so successful..) of Self Portrait.  I tried this on at Selfridges but it's actually cheaper at ASOS and free p&p.  

Self Portrait Oblique Lace Column Midi Dress £300  Yes folks - this goes in the machine.  



(that's my black bra...)



I will just finish with another gem (!) to prove that even not all Self Portrait dresses work. 

This should look like this... I had visions of having it altered to midi length.  As I type that, I'm not entirely sure what I was thinking.  Handily it was more Bride of Frankenstein than I had anticipated. 

Self Portrait Pleated Floral Crochet Maxi Dress £325




God love a trier.  See what I mean about Mrs F?  See you at the altar big man.



1970 red jumper - Bella Freud
Black pleather culottes - River Island
Black Mira boots - Ash
Quilted jersey biker jacket - Whistles
Monogram scarf - Gucci
Red soho disco bag - Gucci

Tomorrow I start on the quest for party perfection on Saturday.  If I don't get distracted.... (I do mean the food by the way, not more outfit planning.  I've narrowed my choices down, have ordered both, it's which is going to be best....)