If you buy one item for the party season...

...surely it should be an LBD.  But not the Little Black Dress as we know it.  As frankly, at 44, *little* doesn't really work for me anymore.  I want to hoover all the canapes, drink all the champagne and I don't want to go to the gym in the month of December (I will, as gravity's a bitch.  Well - I say the gym.  I won't be going to the gym as I never go to the gym but I will be doing pilates - in fact, I'm looking for a reformer Pilates class if anyone knows of a good one? - and brisk dog walking.  Briskish....). 

So I want a Long Black Dress.  FEAR not - I don't mean a maxi - although I can't promise one won't sneak in - but I do mean ones that cover both our snatch and our dignity.

I can't do mini dresses anymore.  Even with opaque tights.  I just don't feel like me in them.  I don't think it's necessarily an age thing - although suffice to say, my knees have not improved with the passing of the years - I think it's more of a taste, comfort zone thing. 

I'm essentially looking at ones that are below the knee, but if I do see any cracking ones that aren't foof flashing, I will include them.

These are surely the most versatile thing you can own - dresses that are black.  They stand the test of time, they work for every occasion, they can easily be dressed up or down.  I should point out that this isn't going to be a full on party wear blog.  I'm talking about a blank canvas - I'm saving the bling for another day.  You will need to add your own party to these dresses but it does mean that you should be able to fling them on with boots or trainers, a biker, trench or oversized cardigan and you can just go. 

Let's start... 

First up an easy throw on number.

Me+Em Frill Neck Swing Dress £149

And then we have some that you could easily layer. You could of course wear them on their own, but since my tan is fading faster than the speed of light, by this weekend, my arms will be a shade of white you can see from space and frankly WHO can be arsed with fake tan at this time of year?  But you're not all me.  Knock yourself out, all of you with skin that doesn't look like a plucked turkey (OR layer layer layer - I will be back with the ideal layering tops another day.  Showing my age now - jeez louise, I sound like my mum.  I've resorted to looking for thermals - just kill me now).

Kin by John Lewis Tie Waist Cowl Neck Dress £89




Kin by John Lewis Asymmetric Twill Dress in Black £89



Sleeveless at Boden.

Delilah Jersey Dress £90



Again - and another ideal dress for layering a polo neck (aka a thermal...) under. 

Caitlin Dress from Boden £140



Shorter, easy to wear, one stop wonders. 

Tara Dress from hush £59



Shorter again at All Saints. 

Eva Short Dress was £185 now £150.40 Currently 20% off everything at All Saint at the moment



And another from Joseph.  

Cora Smocked Silk-Georgette Dress from Joseph at The Outnet was £695 now £348




Polo Ralph Lauren Henley Long Sleeve Casual Maxi Dress £129   Love this styled down with the trainers.  Would work just as well with some jewellery and heels.




A similar one which is just as easy to dress up and dress down (stuck record alert) at All Saints.  Again currently in the offer with 20% off. 

Kowlo Dress was £158 now £126.40



Then I'm going longer... and this is probably my favourite.  I'm going to try this on tomorrow morning - watch out for Insta (eta - I started this the other day and didn't have time.  DANG IT!).

Wrap Maxi Dress from & Other Stories £79 



And then I'm pretty much out.  Ok so things I've learnt from writing this blog.  Long Black Dresses WITH SLEEVES are really *really* hard to find.  Any suggestions - fling them this way. 

It also meant that I have had been persuaded by all things floral (WHAT a surprise) after hunting for a classic black and failing badly.  I still definitely want to try that & Other Stories one but in the meantime, I've come up with a cunning way to make more of our print frocks. 

Like this... with a jumper over the top.  This is from last night when I was invited to the John Lewis Customer Event on Oxford Street to talk about all things hush.  New stock in and I'll actually bring you my capsule wardrobe ideas over the weekend but suffice to say, these are the two pieces I chose to wear for the evening (the jacket is my old faithful which I've had for, must be over three years now!).




Dolman Hoodie - hush
Cosmos Feather Dress - hush
Onyx Leather Biker - hush
Tools bag - Balenciaga
Red boots - Zara

Which means I now have the most amazing excuse to whip up some gorgeous print numbers.... you have been warned!  I am feeling ridiculously rejuvenated by this concept and have finished writing this blog not giving two hoots about a black dress!! (only because I'm exceptionally bitter that I couldn't find one I loved...).

So.. Black.  Or print?  Or are you not a dress person at all?