Party time. And the legs are out...

.....in dresses.  

This is request from a couple of friends who have parties coming up and need outfits to wear.  And they're dress gals.  I have tried to persuade them of the benefits of skirts - either midi and mini or even trousers and a top but for these parties, they are adamant that only a dress will do. 

And they've both moaned (hard work friends, right?) that I don't do enough on the short side.  Well that's because I have knees like Les Dawson and so I have embraced the midi and maxi fashions with aplomb.  

However Winter is upon us (yes I love Game of Thrones and am missing it dreadfully) and we can crack out the opaques.  Which means that a dress that I normally wouldn't wear becomes fair game with my legs encased in a gazillion denier lycra.  

So bring on the short dresses.  Do I promise to try one?  Personally I think I'm going to stick with what I know (midi and maxi) but never say never... (I do have some in my wardrobe that I could definitely revisit).  This is for my friends - I hope there's something here that floats your boat. 

Oh and yes - these are all print dresses.  I shall devote a whole other blog to the LBDs.

I'm starting with ones that aren't super super dressy but they could be dressed up easily.  However they're also ideal for wearing during the day, for a smart lunch and into the Spring with bare legs (you're on your own there...).  Versatile they definitely are. 

Gardenia Dress from & Other Stories £65  In my experience, I always size up here.  I think most of their dresses come up very small.  I'm usually a 10 but I take a 38 nearly always at Stories. 

Adore this print.  Very Sandro/Maje - a snip at £65.

Another gorgeous print.

Zebraic Mini Dress from & Other Stories £55


Beautiful print again....

Cut Out Satin Dress in dark red from & Other Stories £55


This is an amazing dress that a lovely lady had on at the hush lunch I went to last week at The Bath Priory.  I would never have guessed it was from Next.  The pictures don't do it justice at all - it looks great here, but it's superb in the flesh.

Berry Animal Print Ruffle Dress from Next £46


Flower Print Dress from Mango £35.99


More flippy hem magic at Warehouse.  

Star Print Flippy Hem Dress £49


Straighter now, shift style from Warehouse. 

Geo Party Print Shift Dress £45


And shift with a ruffle from Next.

Black Ruffle Printed Dress from Next £50


But this wins for me - absolutely LOVE this. 

Black Floral Ruffle Dress from Next £38 (bargain!)  Yes - it's from Next.  Yes it's under £40.



Now what I have noticed is that so so many dresses are a high neck.  It's really quite hard to find ones that are a v neck.  But I have found a couple.

Long Sleeve Watercolour Print Wrap Dress £85 from Banana Republic



Flowy Printed Dress from Mango £49.99 This looks like it's from Toast to me.


Flowy Print Dress from Mango £49.99



And also from Mango, an animal print dress which I think would look amazing with a black polo neck layered under it.   Again - this is very Sandro/Maje to me.

Animal Pattern Dress from Mango £35.99


V Neck drop hem at Karen Millen. 

Karen Millen Plaid Print Dress was £180 now £118.80


This I adore.  It's absolutely not what I would usually wear but it's perfect.  Ideal for now - wear into the Spring with sandals or sneakers.

ASOS Long Sleeve Dress with V Neck and Ruffled Hem was £42 now £29


And finishing with a couple of dressier options.  Just in case...

Black Embroidered Floral Dress from Next £95


Disco Dress from & Other Stories £79


Blair Velvet Print Dress from Monsoon was £59 now £44.25



But finishing with the most spectacular sequin dress.  Yes it's a full on party dress however you could dress it down for Christmas Day or Boxing Day by wearing over leather leggings or jeans?  And besides - everyone needs at least one sequin number in their wardrobe... (which obviously means I need to do a sequin blog no?)

ASOS Geo Sequin Dress was £100 now £70 - 30% off all partywear at ASOS currently. 


So are you a mini, midi or maxi girl when it comes to dresses.  Personally I do love all three but I'd be lying if I didn't say that my favourites this season are definitely the longer varieties. 

And hopefully I've proven that you don't have to spend a lot to get a fabulous dress for the festive season.  Here I am in my £15 H&M one last night.  A fantastic night out with the husband and lovely friends at my favourite local restaurant (The Vine in Sevenoaks) who now have a new Winter Cocktail menu (as if I had a reason to love it any more - Cranberry Gin Fizz and Espresso Martinis were my very welcome poisons of choice last night.  Delish) along with bar snacks (if you've never had chips with chipotle may then you are missing out...).  

Had to cancel all my other plans yesterday as the 8yr old was very poorly - chest infection and asthma combined, meant a trip to the Drs, resulting in a barrage of meds for him which seem to be working.  No London for me so was beyond grateful to be able to go out locally.


Print dress - H&M
Leather gold heel boots - Zara
Half Moon Bag - APC 

Tomorrow - fingers crossed - I am off to London for meetings and the odd cocktail later on perhaps...  How's the Christmas shopping going everyone?