Fish and chips

Coffee and cake.  Tea and biscuits.  Obviously gin and tonic.... But no I'm not doing a food blog.  It's nothing edible (all that's done is make me hungry) but they're two things, in my book, that go together perfectly. 

In fact - possibly my favourite outfit combo.  

Dress and boots.  I will acquiesce it doesn't "entirely slip" off the tongue (some PR work needed there!) but ignoring the semantics - the two of them are perfect together.

And what better to write about for my new collaboration with Marks and Spencer (speaking of two names that go perfectly together..!) than my favourite picks from their new season dresses and boots.  Which also coincides perfectly with their 20% off Sparks weekend.

Why do I love this combo?  Easy.  Comfortable, versatile, a no brainer of an outfit.  Take one dress, take one pair of boots and go.  Depending on the boots - a lower pair of ankle boots and a biker and you're set for every day.  Heeled boots and your evening outfit is sorted.  I'm also partial to a dress with a pair of trainers and a trench. 

But for the purposes of today's blog, I've tried on a selection of new season dresses with heeled boots.  Hopefully this will give you an idea of how to dress them up and I can run through the sizes too. 

I will say that I fear I may have been slightly too gung ho with the baguettes and the rose in the holidays (combined with ZERO exercise) as I am now a 12 in dresses at M&S.   I'd love to say their sizing has changed.. and maybe it has?  But I fear it's gravity and carbs that are to blame.  All feedback on sizing very very welcome.

Starting with one that really doesn't look that much on the hangar.  But team with the most wearable velvet ankle boots and a belt and you're in business.

Floral Print Long Sleeve Midi Dress £49.50



Wearing a 12 and a Medium belt.

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Black Stiletto Heel Stretch Ankle Boots £39.50 - size wise, I sized down to a 6, which M&S say is a 39.5.  I am usually a 39.5, sometimes a 40.  So always a 6 or a 6.5 - never a 7 (which I am elsewhere)



And velvet belt in black to tie it all together.

Velvet Round Buckle Belt £12.50




Floaty again.  I would also wear the above belt with this.  Not sure why I didn't try it.  Or any waist belt.  Perhaps ring the changes with a western style one (yes, if you read the blog yesterday, I am OBSESSED!).

Floral Print Hanky Hem £49.50




In the 12.


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This time teamed with the navy velvet boots. 

Stiletto Heel Side Zip Ankle Boots £39.50




So this isn't in my comfort zone.  I'll be honest, I thought it was going to be longer and on lovely normal people, this will be a fabulous midi length.  The ruched sleeves are the most amazing detail - very Marant meets Jonathan Saunders at DVF.  Perfect for work.

Printed Ruched Sleeve Wrap Dress £39.50



I have the 12 on here and the boots in the 6.5 (so a 40).


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And why not add a red boot (I LOVE these boots - I am definitely going to get my hands on the white ones).

Leather Stiletto Heel Toe Cap Ankle Boots £79



Another version.  These are the most superb buys if they suit you.  I would buy them in every colour.

Printed Tie Side Wrap Midi Dress £39.50



Unusual, on trend and simply gorgeous.  Again, I wore the 12.  I'm thinking about styling this over jeans. 

Floral Print Velvet Short Sleeve Dress £59



But a more traditional look (with boots obvs...).



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And then onto longer - the perfect navy dress.  If I opt for this, I will wear with a belt as being tall, the high waist line is even higher on me.  But a belt will sit under the little frill perfectly.  Again I wore the 12.

Printed Mesh Flared Sleeve Dress £45




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Then there a couple of two pieces that can work as dresses.

Wool Blend Ribbed A-Line Skirt £59



And the jumper £45 - which obviously will look amazing with any print skirt, black leather skirt, black trousers, jeans... super versatile.




So... the top is in fact an 8.  And it fits.  I would probably go for a 10 though as I would like it a smidge roomier.  The skirt is a 12 and there is no way I could go any smaller at all!


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And this print, which I am all the obsessed with.

Printed V-neck Flared Sleeved Shell Top £29.50 




Printed A-Line midi Skirt £45



Here I am in them worn together - although obviously they'll be just as fabulous separate. 

Top here is a 10 (and actually it's plenty plenty big), the skirt is a 12.  I could possibly do a 10 in the skirt, it was on the loose side on the waist. 


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And then finally the one I came home with and am wearing out tonight.  The weather has turned though, so I also got a polo neck to layer with.  These sell out like hotcakes so buy them as soon as you see them in your size.  I have the 14 and it's still spray on!

I also added a belt which I think makes it look less full on party and slightly edgier (although I would absolutely wear without the belt but with heeled sandals for sunnier times).
Spotted Tulle Maxi Dress £45




Heatgen Thermal Polo Neck in black £16




Ta da!  Out for drinks (so had better rush...!)  I think this is very Perseverance.  I'll also be wearing it for during the day with my studded ankle boots and a biker jacket. 


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Dress - M&S

Polo neck - M&S
Boots - M&S
Belt - Topshop
Earrings - Aldo

I would absolutely love to hear what your favourite looks are from above - I'm definitely going to go and get another one this weekend with my 20% off but can't decide.  HELP!  

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CONVERSATION

40 comentarios:

  1. Love the red jumper. Had my eye on red funnel neck one from Whistles but when I tried it on it just enhanced my ageing turkey neck!! I had 20% off with Sparks last weekend so if you have a code please share. I have also developed an expanding midriff this summer, which I'm blaming hormones and the start of the menopause! Nothing to do with rich foods and wine!

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    1. oh noooooooo. Mine is this weekend. I don't think there's a specific code - it's just with my Sparks card email and I know other people's too. Hmmm maybe sign up again?!

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    2. The code is SEP15FF. Happy spending.

      so far I have ordered two (I guess you could call them pussy bow) blouses with the discount and some SKYN eye gel patches for the puffy eyes I seem to have gained.

      In navy and cream:
      http://www.marksandspencer.ie/Tie-Detail-V-Neck-Blouse/000000022511800005,en_IE,pd.html

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    3. Great thanks. I'll give it a try.

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    4. Oh fingers crossed that works!!!

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  2. Loving the yellow dress on you. It looks better styled than the model shot! Oh and those red boots are gorge. Gonna get me some of those babies lol!

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    1. They are amazing... Super comfortable (they are high though..!)

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  3. ''Tis fully down to you that i have purchased my first non summer maxi ever from the new Olivia Palermo x banana republic collection here in the states! I do think it is quite up your alley possibly? I love the dark paisley print of it and it's silk & fully lined! Planning to wear w.,my suede grey Weizmann heeled long boots! I envision channeling a Stevie knicks vibe (in my head that is) hehe! Would love to know what you think of the collection, I've got the dress and olive military jacket - so far- planning to probably go back for more tho! Cheers! http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1090563&pcid=1090184&vid=1&pid=875221002

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    1. Oh WOW!! I don't think though that we can get that in this country. In fact, I think most of the BR stores have closed. Which is such a shame!

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  4. Drat none of the codes work for me. Will there be a general 20 per cent off at the weekend? I have a basketful of boots.

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    1. Try SEP17A8. Not sure if it's Ireland only but generally they are the same weekends as in the UK.

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    2. Hmm I think these are just in Ireland. You have to go through your Sparks card invite which I know loads of people have had...

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  5. Loving that red two piece on you, and red is supposed to be the colour of the season!
    The discount code doesn't work for me either, thought it me be because I have to order from the international website, but I tried it on the UK one and it doesn't work there either.

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    1. Can you get international delivery from the UK site, or does it just redirect you to the international one?

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    2. You have to use the international site unfortunately. Even worse it doesn't accept British gift vouchers. They do let you know when there are discounts though.

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    3. Gah. I thought that was the case. Thank you

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  6. Love that red outfit and absolutely love you in the yellow dress. But if you are a size 12 I must be about an 18! I actually ordered those navy velvet boots yesterday - going to pick them up at the weekend, are the red ones much higher because I feel I could make space for them too :D xx

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    1. Hmm the red ones are high, I will say that. But the blue ones are on the high ish side... They're definitely worth a try as they are GORGEOUS!

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  7. I've ordered the black knee high suede ruched black boot, also love it in grey, but you haven't mentioned those! http://www.marksandspencer.com/leather-ruched-knee-high-boots-with-insolia/p/p60111807?image=SD_01_T02_6034A_Y0_X_EC_90&color=BLACK&prevPage=srp, but am also strangely drawn to the white leather kitten heel (stiletto is too high for me) http://www.marksandspencer.com/wide-fit-leather-kitten-ankle-boots/p/p60116588?image=SD_01_T02_6334W_Z0_X_EC_90&color=WHITE&prevPage=srp, I'm not really a wide fit but find them fine, maybe a half size down. I'm glad you said that about their sizing. Glad I'm not the only one - find it utterly depressing to the point I don't bother with their clothes ...

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    1. I tried them but they were too big on my leg... Absolutely agree - size another half size down in wide fit and they're perfect. Only problem is that sometimes with boots it does mean they are looser on the leg..

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  8. Me again! Wondered also if you'd seen this?https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/maisie-botanical-maxi-dress-black?category=new-clothing&color=009 remind me of the botanical prints you posted recently. I think it's gorgeous but the waist wouldn't work on me (tall and errr, no waist :(!). I don't often look at their clothes but just recently have spotted a couple of interesting things and a couple of weeks ago, I bought these, https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/carin-pleated-wide-cropped-leg-trousers?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=052 and they are gorgeous! so pleased with them. Have been wearing them with trainers (obvs) and a tee but will switch to boots soon. I know you will probably think they are too short but they are much longer than in the pic. I am 5'9" and not nearly as slim as you, and they are ankle length on me. so please with them. also fabric is nicer than it looks!

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  9. Kat, you really are the most sublime 'hanger'. Every outfit just sublime on you, delighted that M&S have you picking out your faves etc. great ideas there, roll on pay-day in 6 days.. waaaaahhhh. Have a great weekend, last nights outfit on you was gorgeous. Off to totally copy! Audrey xx

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  10. I definitely think your need a job styling the M&S online pics! Yours are so much more flattering to the clothes. Those navy boots look lovely, might have to get myself a pair of them!

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  11. Oh dear lord, you look Hallowe'en ready in a couple of these..

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    1. I may be misunderstanding, but that's a bit of an off comment!

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    2. I suspect it's a comment on the dresses rather than than Kat! Having scrolled back I can kind of see one or two of them having a Halloween vibe. Which perversely makes me like them more :D

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    3. Well that's my outfit for the 31st sorted then!!

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  12. I love the yellow floral print dress, LOVE the navy tulle celestial dress on you and I also quite like the red knit two piece. The last dress that you ended up choosing doesn't look like much on the model, but layered and with the addition of the belt, it looks fantastic! Also in general I'm just loving the length on all of these, at 5'10" it can be such a pain to find dresses that work (not that I need to tell you that) so personally I can't get enough of looking through all these fab midi options.

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    1. So pleased it's not just me!! (and yes, I'm the same height!)

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  13. Get the first outfit, belt included, and the red two piece, boots included. They are amazing on you! Agree that you may want to consider the slightly larger jumper. Very inspiring post - at 5'4 with short legs I am usually too short for long, let alone midi, dresses, but you have just inspired me to give them a try again this autumn :)

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  14. Hi just picked up my mks delivery of the stiletto stretch ankle boots and tulle maxi dress. You make them look amazing, I loved your advice and acted on it. Tried them on and and it looks gorgeous. Can I ask what size the dress you brought was please as I don't know if I should go for a 8/10 as that is my normal? Took the 12 based on your comments. Thanks.

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  15. Thanks Kat - I've been looking for a dress for a wedding in November for weeks and I've just bought the floral velvet dress with the boots and it's perfect ! Would never have bought it if I'd just seen it on the M and S model !

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