I can't put it off any longer

I fear we may even be in weeks of single figures till Christmas.   And whilst to most of us, that means a list of chores and jobs to do as long as your arm (god, even thinking about doing a Christmas food order is making me feel queasy, let alone the run up to and the aftermath of the cooking) - anyone started Christmas shopping?  (no I haven't so you can all stop hating me for either mentioning the C word.  I am disorganised with a capital D you'll be pleased to hear)

However let's just benchmark the onslaught of grief for a moment (I'm sure that most of you are far less lackadaisical than me and therefore it's not half as stressful - you would think I would learn, wouldn't you?!) and take one element of pain away.  The Dress. 

As much as I am a (new) fan of dresses in the Summer, the Christmas season is really when The Dress comes into its own. 

Even if you don't have a host of glamourous parties (that'll be me), I'm sure that everyone has a family get together, Christmas Drinks, Mum's night out, Work do and of course there is then Christmas Day itself. 

Which means that it's pretty easy to justify a treat for yourself in the form of a new dress.  Oh I know to some it's ridiculously shallow but a new outfit that you feel great in, to me is the ultimate pick you up.  And when the Christmas chips are getting you down, a pick me up is always an early gift from Santa. 

And is if by magic, I've also realised that this weekend, I have my Godson's Christening.  It'll be a wonderfully casual affair combined with his birthday party afterwards so I don't need a smart smart dress. 

Which could be said for lots of Christmas occasions actually.  There is that line in the sand between full on Christmas glitz and a dressy but not overly dressy number.  (that be said, there are definitely ones you could wear for both, just by changing up your accessories)  Fear not, I will be covering all bases but starting with some really wearable dresses.  Hold that sequin thought for the minute.

It also needn't cost the earth.  Dorothy Perkins seem to permanently have a discount code (a 25% thingy flashed up when I went onto their site) and we're starting at a good price anyway. 

Starting with a shirt dress - my discovery of the Summer. 

Black Yoke Shirt dress from DP £28   This would work teamed with flats, heels or ankle boots, depending on how dressy the occasion. 

A longer shirt dress now - this could be great again with some ankle boots or shoots.  Or even knee high boots.  Bring back the 70's. 

Paisley shirt dress from DP £38



Gorgeous print shift dress - I like the idea of this during the day with opaques and loafers, brogues, any sort of sneaker or ankle boots. Ideal for work and play.  

Teal blue shadow flora shift dress £32



Now this looks very Marni and therefore Cos to me - a classically simply dress - easy to dress up with jewellery or just let the classic shape do the talking.  Less can sometimes be more. 

Grey roll sleeve shift dress from DP £30



Another simple jersey number - again, with a necklace this would be great.   Or wear on its on for a nod to Scandi chic. 

Grey Drop Waist Dress £20



Another drop waist dress at Hush which I can absolutely vouch for, is the Quilted Dress 

Quilted Dress from Hush in Aubergine £49 - but don't forget your 10% off in October using OCTEVENT (plus 20% off nightwear at the moment with the code)



Or a classic black £49 pre discount 



From Hush and also in the aubergine is the stunning Sophia dress in cupro.  Feels exactly like a suede silk but apparently it can be handwashed.  

Sophia Dress £69



So I was having a think about where I'd previously found reasonably priced dresses and whilst I was earlier having a look for lights (yes, our house renovation is never ending...) and was on the BHS site - lightbulb moment (oh lord pardon the pun) - dresses. 

This one is perfect for a casually dressy affair.  Add heels for a smarter edge. 

Black Printed longline tunic dress from BHS £30



Black Zip Shoulder ponte dress from £35  (not sure I'd wear these shoes with it to be honest, I like to wear something slightly funkier - boak at the word I apologise - with dresses.  These would be my trouser shoes)



I've definitely had this one on the blog before - it's a Wallis one I've found at BHS but it's so fabulous and it's now in the sale for £25.  I LOVE this. 

Animal Print Shirt Dress now £25 was £38


Another shirt dress - this looks like it's a fake wrap dress - much more flattering than the tie yourself ones in my opinion (and this is true for everyone).  A classic shape brought up to date with a modern mix of colours. 

Black/Blue check shirt dress was £30 now £21




I found another fake wrap dress at Coast - a friend recently tried this on and it is beyond beyond flattering.  The colours may not be for everyone but I'm quite drawn to these. 

Coast Estra Print Dress £85



Now if you know me at all, you know I can't do red but I absolutely love it on other people.  This dress is very reminiscent of a Baukjen one at a fraction of the price.  They also have this in a black and a cobalt online. 

Red Flippy Ponte Dress £20 from BHS


The cobalt colour is also available in a drop hem sleeveless version.  Tell me you'd think this was from BHS?  I didn't think so - amazing isn't it. 

Cobalt Drop Hem Dress £30



If you're looking for something a bit more unusual and perhaps vintage is your thing, then this is the one for you.  I simply adore this - it's not me at all (for a start, still scarred by years of wearing bottle green as my school uniform - a colour you will never see me wearing) but I think it is just so chic and perfect for a myriad of dressier occasions.  

I also think this would be better on someone slightly shorter (the model is 5ft10) as I think the style works better as a proper midi - not knee length as it is here (it's called a Midi dress which to me is definitely below the knee).  I'd also like to see it with a slightly higher heel.  

Green High Neck Slink Dress £70 (the use of the word slinky, may I just mention, is theirs, definitely not mine)



This one however, I would call slinky.  I have been reliably informed that these dresses are super flattering.  They are amazing on those who have curves and give those who haven't that extra shape.  A beautifully neutral colour and style actually that could be dressed up and down as the occasion saw fit. 

Damsel in Dress Arundel dress in grey £129 This is slightly more but considering how versatile it is, I think it's worth paying that extra sometimes. 




If there is one colour though, that I am obsessed with this season, it's yellow. (ok so that's this week, obviously next week it will be something else) 

But call off the dogs - I wasn't "actually" looking for a dress (I was going to be really good and wear something that I already had).  And then I saw this. 

Panelled Shift Dress £46  It isn't perhaps the most Christmas of colours but this yellow against black, grey or navy to me is totally sublime.  I have a host of coats (literally about 10 she says with a teensy tiny hint of embarrassment.  To be honest, it may be more...) and shoes and boots that this would go with.  I also can, off the top of my head, think of 5 occasions where I could wear it. 



This one looks as it it could be Whistles to me but at Warehouse prices. 

Shadow Floral Slinky Dress £38




Speaking of Whistles, I wouldn't normally put them in the league of reasonably priced (ok they're not super super expensive, but it's rare you can get a dress for under £100)  But at the moment, there appears to be 30% off some Whistles at John Lewis. 

Which makes some of their dresses much much more affordable. 

This one would be super useful to dress up or dress down. 

Whistles Zip Detail Dress now £66





So does anyone else have anything coming up that they need a smart dress for?  I've got a couple of dinner parties which will definitely be dress worthy, the Christening on Saturday and I may have another girl's lunch in London before the end of November (you have all been warned....!) 

Finishing with my outfits from yesterday and today.  Unseasonably warm but I'm loving this inbetweeny weather.  Probably my favourite season actually - the inbetweeny season!