Two for the price of one.

So if you like the idea of dresses but can't to get grips with skirts, I may have come up with a solution.  A skirt that becomes a dress.  But you get a top as well.  Ok so it's not rocket science, we're talking about a skirt and a top that match.  Hardly reinventing the wheel here, but if skirts aren't on your radar at all (*waves hands madly*) then this may not have been an obvious choice before (or is that just to me?... potential tumbleweed moment....) 

Regardless of whether this is old hat to you or a total revelation, there are some fantastic options that I've uncovered to have a look at. 

For me, the great thing about these is that they'll work hard for you.  They can be worn either as a skirt (as per my ideas yesterday), a top (and most of these here are shell top shaped which are my absolute favourite and work so so well over all sorts of trousers and jeans) or a dress (ok that's all pretty obvious, isn't it...).  They should triple your cost per wear as opposed to just buying a dress. 

Warehouse have this look nailed. First and third are my absolute favourites although the multi stripe set may pip the other to the winning post.   

Multi Stripe Floral Co-ord skirt £32

Stripe Floral Co-ord top £30





Textured Floral Print Co-ord skirt £40






Textured Floral Print Co-ord top  £35 (this does look slightly cropped if I'm honest, but ideal to wear with all those high waisted skirts that are around this season.  I'm gong to be frank - I shall not be sporting anything like this with anything vaguely low waisted.  I didn't do cropped tops with flesh in my teens or twenties - after three kids there is less than zero chance of me flashing my muffin) 


Abstract Floral Skirt £36








Abstract Floral Top £36


This is a more casual version of events but I do love this pastel print and the idea of a sweatshirt that I'd get loads of use out of.

Baum Und Pferdgarten Edea Pencil Skirt in Smudge Graphic Print £69






Baum Und Pferdgarten Edea Sweatshirt in Smudge Graphic Print £69








ASOS Knitted T-shirt in textured Stitch £30 



Dorothy Perkins have got this look nailed and even have a separate category for it online (you can pretty much bet that instore the chances of you being able to pick up/find both in your size are a big fat zero). 

Black and White Jacquard Daisy Tee and Skirt Combo £36






Black Floral Mini Skirt £20


Black and white floral jacquard tee £16



Black Spotted Lace tee and skirt combo £34 (available separately on link) 




Finishing with Mint Velvet - an outfit which I see every day as I drive past out Mint Velvet and salivate over.  Love this - totally love this. 

Mint Velvet Circles Mesh Top in Black £59



And the matching pencil skirt in black £69







And in ivory, the top £59


And the skirt £69









Now I've realised, whilst I've been writing this, that I am a complete and utter tool as I actually do have a skirt and top combo that I wear as a dress.  My Isabel Marant for H&M silk set.  But, in my defence, but but but a) it's a blouse and not a top (we may be talking semantics here but it's longsleeved and a totally different concept therefore.  Ish) and b) I never ever wear the skirt in its own right.  I probably should..... 

Finishing with my outfit today - photo taken by Amanda The lovely Online Stylist  who I spent the day with at a fantastic photo shoot for Mother's Day - all will be revealed on Friday... Definitely worth waiting for.  Suffice to say, BIG tick for skirts....