Theory time

You don't have to do all the trends all of the time.  (not rocket science but sometimes it does need to be said.)

However seeing as I am a fashion schizophrenic and change my mind more often than I change my pants, that's not to say you can't try them if you want to.  

Frills.  I'd love to say I'm frilled at the thought (it's been a long weekend) but.. well.. meh.  I can't.  They scare me.  They scare me a lot.  I'm not great at frills or ruffles.  I've tried them, I really have.  Plain and print.  In blouses.  In skirts.

At a meeting last week with a very senior (and impressive) fashion editor, the topic of frills came up and whether everyone could wear them.  "No", was her immediate response.  "If you don't like them, don't do them".  Genius.  She then went on to say that if you were to do them, the best way is to go big or go home (not in those words, I have obviously paraphrased).

And it made me think as I was looking through my wardrobe for something to wear last night.  I need to wear frills in a dress.  And in print.  There's no point with a waffly little ruffle, I need to throw everything at it.  

I have one - a gem of a dress that I got for the bargain price of £14.99 from H&M and which polarised opinion.  But I think it's worth giving them another go.

My choices are obviously long but I have seen some amazing short ones around which I know lots of people will prefer.  

Plus I've found some rather fantastic bargains - perfect if you're not entirely sure about embracing the trend, these are definitely worth a punt. 

Spring is definitely on the way.  Those legs will be out before we know it.  In the meantime, wear over jeans, leather leggings or good old tights.

ASOS Long Sleeve Frill Dress in Heart Print was £42 now £21  And just in time for Valentine's Day... don't say I don't give you anything.

Upping the budget but you could easily wear this to a wedding.  Alternatively with a pair of sneakers or ankle boots - just fling on a denim jacket.

Maison Scotch Viscose Mix Print Dress with Ruffle Details £180




Miss Selfridge Floral Ruffle Tea Dress £39



Sister Jane Ruffle Dress in Print was £70 now £42 and I think you can get another 10% off sale items at ASOS with the code SWIPE10.




Short Wrap Dresses at H&M - three colours for £29.99  If I had decent knees, I would be stocking up on these for Spring to wear with ankle boots.  Lusharama (oh my lord did I just write that?  Forgive me - I'm typing and watching Legally Blonde at the same time).

Red Floral £29.99



Black again £29.99



And the black spot £29.99

As you can see, works just as well with trainers.






Slightly longer now - this would be too short for anyone really tall (although it is personal taste) but on your perfectly normal person, this would be an amazing midi length. 

ASOS Ruffle Midi Tea dress £45



Another really good length is this print dress from ASOS.  I will admit, I am not usually a fan of the cold shoulder.  But in this dress - I think it really works.  Another perfect length for the less Gulliver amongst us.

ASOS Ruffle Front Dress in Placement Floral was £42 now £16.50



Printed at Topshop. 

Floral Ruffle Midi Dress £49




Asymmetric again at Topshop - this time in Tall.  Although personally I'd still want it longer than knee length.  Being tall, knee length just doesn't work.  There's too much leg left poking out at the bottom.

Tall Pop Ruffle Floral Dress from Topshop £68



Subtle grey in a midi again at H&M.  Moving onto longer lengths.

Patterned Dress from H&M £34.99



Monochrome again at H&M £39.99



Plain now and just let the ruffles do the talking?  

Boohoo Ruffle Midi Dress £22.00



Midi again Ruffle Front Dress at ASOS was £60 now £24



Plain in black at H&M. 

Long flounced dress from H&M £39.99



Then we have the midis that mean it.  Print and ruffles going the whole full on hog.  Here's where I start taking notes.  

I loved this one on the pics.

Floral Print Long Sleeve Meadow Dress from & Other Stories £95



But I wasn't as sure on.  Although having come away and looked at the pics (moronic expression not withstanding), I really quite like it.  It was small though (I swear & Other Stories sizes are getting smaller each season).  This is a 12 and I can JUST do it up.  I wouldn't want to eat a big meal in it....

But then I arrived in ruffley print heaven.

Patterned Dress in Purple Tiger from H&M £39.99  Oh lordy I loved this.  I so completely and utterly loved it.  But it's too short on me.  It's a totally foolish length and needs to be longer.  So I'm randomly... bear with me... tempted to buy two and see if a local seamstress can fashion an extra frill for the bottom.  Total madness?







I love the top of it, the fit and the print.  The fit is amazing (this is a 10), I think why not go ruffleupagus on the bottom?




This for the Summer is just fabulous.

Monki Stripe Ruffle Dress £30



And finishing with one that is so ridiculously not for wear now but put this one away in the wardobe for holidays and scorchio days here.  I am definitely going to try this.  Love the colour, love the stripe, love the frill, love the shape and love the price. 

ASOS Ruffle Self Stripe Dress was £75 now £37.50 10% off with SWIPE10.



So here I am in my bargain H&M full on frill and print dress from last night.



Dress - H&M
Boots - Balenciaga

If you look closely, you can see I have earrings on.  That aren't my usual small studs.  I'm going in.  I'm going in big time.  These I bought 15 years ago, from Fenwicks.  They're faceted jade green drop earrings that I wore to my first ever black tie function with the husband.  And I just found them and thought - they are perfect.  So now I am on an earring obsession.  You have been warned. 

So any seamstresses out there?  Have I lost the plot thinking I can add another ruffle layer to the bottom of the above dress?  And can anyone recommend an amazing lady that can sew?!