So this dress thing seems to be working out ok

Me wearing dresses during the day - and I'm not going to a wedding, Christening or First Holy Communion.  Oh and it's not Christmas.  And I'm not on holiday.  

I have come to love a dress (as you may have noticed)  I am still firmly firmly wedded to my jeans and I am starting a little bit of a fling on the side with my A line skirts but it's so so easy to wear a dress.  Just one thing and you're off - no thinking about what top to wear (which is fast becoming the bane of my life with the midi skirt - I KNEW this would be the case.... am hoping it will be easier in the A/W with jumpers...).  For the record may I please point out that I do wear pants.  Just in case anyone was vaguely concerned, it's not literally the one thing.

I used to have shoe issues with them but I have to say, the ankle boot is working its magic just fine.  I may have a go this week with a sneaker as well.  Don't say you haven't been warned.  

And speaking of sneakers - this dress covers it all for me.  You could easily wear this for work but with a denim jacket or casual blazer or coat, this would just as well with sneakers for the school run.  Dress down lunch, just swap for brogues or loafers.   

By the way - I've realised that this post is slightly M&S heavy, apologies - I have ZERO contact with them and this isn't sponsored in any way shape or form.  I just think they are pretty great value for money and I spent a lot of time in there the other day!  

Best of British Pinstripe Stripe Dress £59 from M&S 

In fact, the new Best Of British range at M&S does have some more reasonably priced items this season. 

I haven't mentioned LBDs yet this season but no doubt it's a matter of time.... so starting early, a very versatile number from Best of British for only £59.




I know that the above one looks incredibly svelte and as if you couldn't eat for a fortnight before wearing it but on closer inspection, the centre bit is ruched which, believe me, is very very forgiving and flattering.  I've also seen that M&S have some new sets of sucky in underwear (clearly that's not the technical term), the sort that you can wear with your own bra like the one I have from Sainsburys but ones which are more leotard like ie include pants as opposed to being a slip.  My slip version from Sainsburys rides up when I walk and as useful as it is to create clean lines for wearing clingy things, it's immensely irritating to wear.  Especially after a drink or 10.  I shall be trying the M&S ones - I absolutely promise there will be NO photos of me in them but I may try a dress over to see.

Another flattering one would be the slightly longer length in grey.  I actually love how they've styled these with flats. 

Best of British Drop Waist Drape Dress with Wool £59




Another dress that would be great for work - it is very smart and would be ideal to take you from work into the evening.  Actually I do think you could get away with this for a Winter wedding or smart occasion - with some full on funky (I know it's a totally bobbins word but I'm all out of options - trendy, cool - they're all just pants words) shoes or shoots, I may well wear this for a dinner out...  It is honestly so flattering and so comfortable and gave me curves where God didn't.

Windowpane Checked Bodycon dress £55





I have a bottom - LOOK! 



Staying with M&S as there are still a couple of gems I want to mention, they seem again to be taking their inspiration from JCrew.  Not sure if anyone remembers but there was an amazing pattern last season that they did in a number of different pieces.  Most though were in a flattering (honestly it is - it has wonderful sucking in abilities) scuba like fabric. 

And this one has such a JCrew vibe about it, I had to try it on.  The main difference being the price....

Bold Floral Shift Dress from Autograph at M&S £59 




I have to say, I did prefer this to the windowpane check one.  I just love the colours and think it will work well in both the Spring, Autumn and Winter - definitely covering all bases.  But it didn't love me.  GAH.  I am just too tall for it - it's super flattering though and surprisingly hides a multitude of sins.  But because the dimensions aren't right on me, it's all sorts of wrong.  Please try this if you are even a couple of inches shorter (or more) as it's a total surprise in a dress. 

Ok so it doesn't look TOO bad in this photo (even though my expression is saying something else....).  My hand is in a cunning hide all place.



One of my very good friends has got a rather fabulous new job and asked me where she could buy a very last minute treat work outfit and I suggested Autograph at M&S.  She came for dinner that night wearing this dress - no-one else could believe it was M&S, it honestly looks amazing on, much more By Malene Birger!  Apparently it was much admired on her first day at work again - highly highly recommended. 

Faux Leather Trim Striped Shift Dress £55




And whilst we're there I love these shoes as well - I honestly think these would look amazing with a pair of jeans or capri pants, I am so going to try them and report back.  Simply perfect for work outfits. 

Leather High Court Shoes sling backs £79 They also do them in a cognac shade but I definitely prefer the black. 



Now I know this will be so many people's idea of hell - a polo neck AND a jumper dress but for me - with fried egg boobs, no waist and a pancake arse, this couldn't be more perfect for the winter with opaques and biker boots.  Perfect dress down every day bliss.  Throw on some heeled ankle boots for a slightly dressier look. 

Polo Neck Sweater Shift Dress from M&S £35



Needless to say I wouldn't be wearing it with bare legs and kitten heels. 



Now I saw this one in store and I loved it.  I have absolutely no idea when I would wear it (I wouldn't....pretty much that about sums it up) but I love it.  Coat wise - well.... hmmmm, I think a shorter jacket like a biker jacket - anything longer and with no shape, I think the risk of looking like Mary Poppins would be high).  Maybe a fitted cropped blazer (my Tuxedo one may work.... hard though) 

Frankly, I am not remotely cool enough for this. (although maybe on a night out for a dinner party... hmmm but then like I don't have enough other stuff to wear. I am looking for more versatile dresses however I will hawk this one in the sale perhaps.) 


Daisy Print and Embellished midi dress £69







But now for something a bit different - a brand that I found at John Lewis called Damsels in a Dress.  I've come across them as I've wandered through a couple of times but have always swerved as they've looked slightly on the mumsy side.  However I spied this amazing one the other day which I thought would make the ideal A/W dress - perfect for during the day actually (ok so you'd have to be doing something a bit special, it's hardly emptying the dishwasher and the bins attire), so a dressy day occasion.... and ideal for a night out. 

Now John Lewis have let me down massively and I can't find it on their website at all.   But I did manage to track it down at House of Fraser.  

Alderley Park Dress by Damsels in a Dress £149 







It then made me have a closer look at some of their other pieces.  I have no idea who they are, where they've come from, if they're a part of someone else but they do have some decent items which I don't think you'd bump into anyone else wearing (the perils of buying a dress from Next, for example......) 

More super flattering ruching and a wonderful neckline if you're more generous of bust. 

Damels in a Dress Arundel dress in grey £129



This is an amazing dress, I saw this in store as well.  It looks like a jumper dress but is actually a properly structured dress with the texture of a wool/tweed.  But not too thick to be overpowering, if that makes sense?!  It's gorgeous. 

Damels in a Dress Barrington Dress in Neutral £109






Damsels in a Dress was £109 now £49  This is obviously from the Summer but I think would work just as well into the Autumn with opaque tights.  A wonderful cranberry shade which wouldn't look out of place on Christmas Day.  Yes, I know I know, I mentioned the C word but I think it's something like 12 Fridays left till the big day.  Ha. Oh ha ha ha ha (kill me now)  I may have to just cave and start looking for party dresses.  Faint.





Another v neck dress I saw at John Lewis was from Wishbone.  The colours of this are perfect for Autumn I think, especially with this warmer weather.  Not too wintery but it would go so so well with shades of grey and navy.  Gorgeous and unusual at the same time. 

Wishbone Manon Geo Dress £120




And another from Wishbone - again in beautifully wearable colours for warmer days and cooler nights.  V neck and ruching = super flattering.  Great price on this one as well. 

Wishbone Watermark Print Dress £75  I actually this would look a lot better on someone with curves.




And there are loads more I've seen but it's coming up to Saturday night with the kids - something we don't do very often but I have to say I love it.  We've had a fab family day - crazy golf and the driving range this afternoon, family over for coffee this morning and now it's nearly time for The X Factor.  

Just in case you think this all sounds rather idyllic, as I'm typing, the three offspring are having an absolute screaming match over making a Lego Video with a plethora of lego men and an Ipad.  Who thought that's how World War Three would start..... (amazing App by the way if used sensibly and not by marauding siblings)

I'm about to crack open the wine.  Obviously.  So I will be continuing with the dresses another day - this is definitely my new favourite thing but fear not, I haven't forgotten my beloved jeans and have some more ideas which are slightly (ever so slightly) off the beaten track.  Ish... But now finishing with my outfit from Thursday I think.  The day the sun went away. 



Wine and bone breton top - Massimo Dutti
Paint splattered khakis - Zara
Camel knitted jacket - Whistles
Taupe Jaouse boots - Ash
Tan bag - Prada 

And today 



Nude vest - Primark
Stone oversized linen square top - The White Company 
Patch skinny jeans - Mango
Linen scarf - Zara
Patent Sliders - Zara
Black Diego bag - Alexander Wang 

All geared up for Rugby tomorrow morning..... Thank god it's not going to be cold.  Yet.