It's that time of year again. The Dress Thread.

But fear not, there is no wedding.  So no issue about colour.  Well, I say that.  But actually it's First Holy Communion season for us.  Now this really is an oddity for anyone who's not Catholic.  So let's just gloss over the ins and outs and surmise that it's a Big Deal for us.  Which, means party time. Which equals dress time. 

Which means lots and lots and LOTS of dress research for me as, god forbid, I should leave it till the last minute.  This is clearly an absolute, large, steaming pile of bilge, as I always leave it till the 11th hour.  But had I not done any research, that would result in inordinate amounts of panic.  It doesn't make sense obviously and, as one of my best friends always says, I've never turned up to anything in just my pants.   Form for me, is normally buying one (which is code for five) dresses, smugly claiming I'm sorted, then having a huge change of mind, taking everything and buying something completely different a day or two before the event.  But at least I have had a back up......

And so here we go again.  Now there is the huge temptation to wear the blush pleated Cos dress I had altered and wore for my Italian wedding last year again.  I have the shoes and bag to go with it, it's loose so I can eat to my hearts content the weeks before (bliss or what?).  But I had promised myself that this summer, the first of my 40's, I would get my legs out.  I have finally woken up to the fact that, come 60, I am going to be gutted that I was so precious  and pathetic about a couple of wobbly, flobby bits.  And with my new found love of fake tan mousse, I shall be ready to rock. 

Where to start.  Right, first off, I'm going down the practical route.  Now, if anyone has read my blog for a while, they'll be aware that I am from the getting multiple use out of something school of purchasing.  I hate wasting money.  Don't mind spending it (I have a first class honours degree in that).  Hate wasting it.  

And to me, a dress that costs a large amount of money and then sits in the wardrobe as an "investment piece" is a waste of money.  As personally, I don't have that many investment piece worthy occasions to go to.  And they always need dry cleaning.  I loathe anything that needs dry cleaning for a plethora of reasons, all to do with me being lazy and tight.  Oh and last time I took two jumpers to be cleaned, I got a parking ticket.  Just to add insult to injury and remind me how much I detest the whole dry cleaning malarkey. 

Which lead me up the jersey path.  A dress I can dress up and dress down.  Something that will be appropriate for a dressy affair but won't look inappropriate for a party in the summer, dinner with friends or lunch with the girls on all those fabulously sunny days we'll be getting come June (one can dream) 

They go in the washing machine, they don't crease and look like you've slept in them after you've been sat down for more than 5 seconds and they're normally not as expensive as their more formal, structured sister dresses. 

Starting with some stunning print ones from Reiss.  Both have a bit of ruching which I love.  Yes with these, Spanx (or my Sainsburys fabulous versions) will probably be your friend.  (let's just hope it's not too hot or my cunning plan results in a sweaty mess. Details schmetails) 



Gilda Pointelle Multi Print dress  £120

Reiss 1971 Gilda Cream printed jersey dress £120




Moving onto House of Fraser and the No Brainer dresses from Mary Portas, which I'm reliably informed are designed to hide a multitude of sins with their ruching and draping. 
Mary Portas Twist detail No Brainer dress  £99

And in Mustard  




And printed.  Also £99




The Queen of jersey dresses has to be Baukjen and this for the summer, would be my port of call.  The fabulous ruching (spotted a theme yet?) of the skirt means you can taylor the length to your requirements.   I actually have the shoes that she has on in the khaki dress pic but in a different colourway.  I have the black, tan, neon yellow and snakeskin versions.  I'm thinking with the pale tan belt and a snakeskin clutch this could be a ready made outfit for me...


Baukjen Rosamund dress £89



And in Khaki 





Belt looks great with it £69 which I know is seemingly a heinous amount of money for a belt but it would go with so many different things.  Just have a flick through the Baukjen website.  A whole new lease of life to so many pieces with just a belt!   And not so bad if you think of it as a whole outfit rather than a belt and a dress purchase.......As I already have shoes and a bag that would go perfectly with the dress I wouldn't need to get any more (she says.......oh how we laughed) 



Actually love the belt in the orange as well. 



Speaking of orange, I have been hankering after this dress since the beginning of the season.

By Malene Birger Dusa Jersey Drape Dress £159.  I may have to cave and order this.  My only reticence is that it's so bright, people would remember it so unless you had the most fabulous social life with lots of different groups of people, it's quite a distinctive one to trot out a lot.  



Breton top - H&M
Dad Boyfriend jeans - Current Elliott 
Navy blazer - Zara
Pegasus necklace - Stella & Dot
Stone maxi zip satchel - By Malene Birger
Snakeskin ballet pumps - Primark
Sunglasses - Dior

Yesterday I had a fabulous day in London at a Fenn Wright and Manson press day.  Can't wait to be able to tell you all about the new A/W collection.  Very very very surprising (in a good way!)  I have already earmarked my Christmas presents, than you very much.  Am also awaiting some photographs that we had taken so I can give you a heads up of their current S/S range. 

The lovely photographer there Max took my photo for me. 



Silk printed tunic - Zara
Distressed biker jeans - By Malene Birger
Cream quilted biker jacket - Zara
Royal blue jersey scarf - & Other Stories 
Grey Cherelle cross body satchel - Whistles 
Gold boots - homesprayed but originally Peacocks

And today, I'm on my hols!  More on on this tomorrow.  


Navy marl sweatshirt - Zara 
Dad boyfriend jeans - Current Elliott
Gold plaited belt - Zara
Indira necklace - Stella & Dot
Gold leather sneakers - Gap

I'll be back tomorrow with holiday wardrobe news!