6 Top Sale buys to save you money this Autumn!!

Savvy Lesser Mortals save money now by buying winter clothes at bargain prices!!

http://media.photobucket.com/user/tanakachane/media/lady_thinking.jpg.html?filters%5Bterm%5D=woman%20thinking&filters%5Bprimary%5D=images&filters%5Bsecondary%5D=videos&sort=1&o=6

I know…..I’m crazy in this heat, to be thinking about winter…..! But now is the time to get some really great bargains reduced by over half!! Should you waste your money on summer things, when you’ve had half the summer already? Or be canny and start planning for winter. The prices will almost certainly have increased year on year, and it’s always a shock after the summer prices, which are usually l0wer, due to the weight of the fabrics used. I like to look at the top end High street stores, which I normally find too pricey, and if you live in a town or city (like Leicester) where you don’t have a lot of the top end shops, then many mail order companies, have free post and package now. Here is my list of money saving ideas!!

Ok – I know a lot of them are black…..

1. Sheer silk and lace bouse. Karen Millen. Reduced from £125 to £35. 100% silk. Sizes 6-14 available on line. A glamorous top you can dress down with jeans, or wear at night with a skirt or trousers. Suit pear, apple and boyish best.
2. Softly tailored jacket. Karen Millen. Reduced from £199 to £75. 100% polyester. Dry clean only. A lovely soft drapey jacket, with sheer sleeves, which can be dressed up or down for day or night, and even worn in the office. Sizes 6-16 available on line. Suits any shape.

 

These 2 items take care of your christmas night out…..

1. Setif bow back strapless dress. LK Bennett. Sizes 6-16 available on line. Reduced from £295 to £175. polyester cotton mix. Dry clean. Good for hourglass and anyone with a nice décolletage!
2. Orson black lace panelled jumpsuit. Reiss. Reduced from £245 to £120. 100% polyester. Dry clean. Sizes 6-14. A great alternative to your LBD, this style will suit some pear shapes and boyish figures.

1. Dionne leather ankle boot. LK Bennet. Reduced from £275 to £140. Sizes 36-42 available on line. 100% leather. The belted ankle., means you can adjust to fit.
2. Vancouver duffle bag. Jigsaw. Reduced from £129 to £64. A really good price for a leather bag. This style of bag featured recently in magazines.

I guess most of us don’t buy in advance as a result of the impatience to wear the items, and so waste discounted opportunities. But the way to save money is to plan ahead, and only buy what you NEED.

For more help or advice, contact me via my website:www.vickysmithstyling.co.uk

 Further reading:

IS it safe to buy in the sales: mail online

more than half of Brits never wear clothes bought in the sales…This is money.co.uk

How do I wear white this Summer 2014?

Can We Lesser Mortals really wear white and not look…….inappropriate?

http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/spring-summer-2014/ready-to-wear/jw-anderson/full-length-photos/gallery/1036651

White is always in…. out……shake it all about, but Lesser Mortals have lots of dilemmas – Will my pants show through?(you’d be surprised…) Will I get ketchup on the them? Am I too pale to wear white? Who am I kidding that I am pure and innocent….? This year, it is fashionable to wear white and white and white-altogether.

As I always say, the fashionistas in London can get away with a lot, but you try trotting round Asda with white stilettos, white handbag and a white dress, and we all know who will have the last laugh. My advice would be to take hints of the trend – maybe add the white shoes/sandals at night time to get the whole look. (And yes, I know white shoes used to be tarty, but they are very on trend this year. They are very retro -think 60’s. Maybe a kitten heel rather than stiletto? And white sandals do go with everything). White jeans are easy to get hold of, so I haven’t looked at those. And be careful with white linen trousers – they can look like a dogs dinner. (and you do tend to see a lot of older ladies in them…….) Add a bright or dark cardi which you can stick on and button up when you are eating – it will save a lot of soaking when you get home……

Did I mention my other pet hate is cheap white polyester nylon. Just don’t do it. It needs to look luxurious and silk like.

1. Amarro top – All Saints. £98. Sizes 4-14. 100% polyester. Dry clean only. A bit pricey, but may be on sale soon. The back is lower than the front. Suits apple shapes and anyone who wants to hide anything. The model is 5’11 so it will be VERY long on smaller ladies. Team with white skinnies for the full on “look”.
2. Cream woven cami. Next £12. sizes 6-18. Bigger sizes sold out on line. A variety of comments on this being see through or static, but I thought it looked quite good for £12. Maybe it is just ok for under jackets. Suits anyone really-unless you have problem with your bra straps showing – lots of larger busted ladies wear co-ordinating coloured bras under strappy tops, or ones with see through straps.
3. Ivory high neck top. J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams. £32. Sizes 8-20. Features a zip fastening at the back. A lovely silky feeling top for not a bad price. Best on boyish figures and pear shapes – depending on what they team it with.

1. Linen blend blazer Marks and Spencers.. £75 reduced to £50. sizes 8-22 regular length only. A lovely jacket at an affordable price. Chuck it on instead of a cardi. Suits most body shapes – apart from apple. To rock the “look”- wear with white skinnies, and heels.
2. White broderie dress. J by jasper Conran at Debenhams. I was really surprised how nice this was. 100% cotton and machine washable. Has a side zip. This would suit hourglass, boyish and pear shapes. The length appeals to trendy younger ladies or more demure older ladies!! Go 50’s with coloured flat pumps, or rock it up with a black leather jacket.
3. Jennifer white lace fit and flare. Reiss. £155. 100% cotton. Dry clean only. sizes 4-16. Would suit pear shapes and boyish, and perfect if you dislike your upper arms, or going to an event that require decorum. Model is 5’11 so will be longer on normal heights.

1. Cream silk bomber jacket. Jigsaw. £149. Sizes S – L. A delicate jacket but great quality. Available in black, fuchsia, pale blue , and coral, as well as cream. Dry clean only. Suit most body shapes.
2. Emery 54D wedge sandals. Tommy Hillfiger at House of Fraser. £85. Leather and synthetic fabrics. They have run out on line. But available in stores.

If you like what you have seen, please take a look at my website or give me a call or text on 07976 635518

I would love any comments you would like to make – fill in the reply box underneath.

Further reading:

reiss blog: Wearing white SS14 trend

40plus style : the perfect asymmetrical white dress

instyle: what to wear with your little white dress.

whowhatwear: 10 stylish ways to wear white

Favulous Fashion Fix : how to wear the white dress this spring……..see – they do wear black opaque tights with white dresses!!

 

Is Organza fashionable this summer 2014?

Can We Lesser Mortals wear organza and only show our modesty?

http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/spring-summer-2014/ready-to-wear/erdem/full-length-photos/gallery/1038681

Organza can be tricky for older women, or those of us with less than perfect figures And it can be downright impractical whilst juggling kids, shopping bags and supermarket trolleys. Do you trust your friends or sales consultants to give you the right fashion advice for your age? (or are they secretly having a laugh behind you back!) Will a sales person give the right fashion advice if they are half your age? Well, I absolutely think you can follow fashion whatever your age, and shape. It’s just the degree to which we do this, that’s the tricky bit!! Here are some affordable High Street ideas, which I think will suit Lesser Mortals.

1. Organza jacket. Zara. £25.99. polyester cotton mix. In navy blue. Machine washable. Sizes S, M, L. What a great jacket for slinging on over jeans, or over a delicate strappy dress or top at night time. Pretty well suits any body shape, depending on what you are wearing it with. PEAR shapes with wide leg trousers or A line skirts, HOURGLASS with some thing that draws attention to your waist, BUSTY ladies leave open, BOYISH shapes with anything, or highlight your waist with a belt, and APPLE shapes need to lengthen their bodies with heels and long flowing trousers, or an empire one dress.
2. Striped poplin organza blouse. £29.99. Zara. 100% cotton and polyester stripes. Machine washable. available in XS, S, M L. The back has a small split up the lower back. This shell top looks daunting at first, but for those faint of heart, a little vest top should help cover your modesty. Obviously, avoid if your bra/vest top causes any flesh to squidge out over it! The stripes conveniently cover your bra, and it’s not too cropped. As it is a boxy shape, it will make your chest area look bigger, so will flatter PEAR shape but make busty ladies too top heavy.

1. Watercolour organza dress. £198. Jigsaw.100% silk. Dry clean. Size 8-14. The model is 5’10” so petite ladies will find it comes below your knee. It is longer in length than a lot of fashion styles around at the moment. As it is 100% silk, you can’t wear it too tight, or it will split at the seams. It will suit slight PEAR shapes and HOURGLASS. BOYISH will need to try on, as the skirt may need hips to fill it out a bit.
2. Flower embroidered dress. £215. Karen Millen. 100% polyester. Dry clean. Size 6-16. A more demure dress for special occasions. Suiting HOURGLASS and BOYISH figures. The 3/4 sleeves are perfect for women who hate their upper arms. Middle aged women sometimes find showing arms a touch indecent but I think the length should be fine with tights.

1. Sheer back T shirt . £50. Karen Millen.  Viscose elastane mix. Sizes 6-16. Machine washable.  Also in peach and white. I lovely floaty T shirt which can be worn during the day with a vest top under so it’s appropriate for work or school runs, but can be worn with just a bra at night time for a hint of naughtiness!!  The colours reflect the pastel theme in fashion this summer. Team with dark colours (navy, berry) or try other pastels (whites, pinks, citron) or even orange!
2. Collared neck long sleeve sheer blouse. Marks and Spencers. £29.50. Ivory. 100% polyester. Machine washable. Sizes 8-24. Hurrah, a top to cover all muffins and bellies!! It has an opaque panel over all the bits you may want to hide! And what can go wrong with white? (apart from ketchup, if you have kids)

If you are worried about wearing organza, ask me a question, or you can book a consultation with me. If you would like me to feature a particular trend you have seen, give me a comment and I’ll see what I can do. My faves are the Zara jacket and the Karen Millen T shirt. What are yours?

My Facebook page often shows me wearing different trends so you can see how a Lesser Mortal gets away with it.

If you like what you have seen, please take a look at my website or give me a call or text on 07976 635518

Further reading:

woman wearing organza jacket; gettyimages

Organza shell top: Fash Mob Blogs. scroll down to see the top.

Organza skirt: Imperfecti.

Organza blouse – I featured this in autumn! Chictopia.

Can I wear a jumpsuit this summer?

Can We Lesser Mortals wear jumpsuits without looking like Andy Pandy or an 80’s throw back?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2481871/Anneka-Rice-Treasure-Hunt-star-day-changed-life.html

http://www.olivia-newtonjohn.com/photo/view/347/8147.html

Lesser Mortals are probably thinking – Can I wear a jumpsuit at my age or is it too young? Is it practical if dragging a toddlers around? or even: With my pelvic floor, can I get to the loo quick enough? Jumpsuits have been around for the last 2-3 years, and I think they are highly wearable and comfy if you are a jegging type lady, and hate constrictive garments. I also think they are very stylish, as not many people have embraced them yet. I wear mine for special occasions, like weddings, as I like to be different, and you can guarantee everyone else will be in a dress. ( I shall be posting some images on my Facebook page if you want a laugh – Vicky Smith Styling) Anyway, here are some ideas for different shapes, sizes and budgets, as obviously with a jumpsuit, you haven’t got the flexibility to buy different size tops and bottoms (not least tall ladies don’t want to be cut in half, and petite ladies don’t want to trip over their trousers legs!!) I also prefer the jumpsuits that are the same pattern top and bottom, (for different patterns top and bottom, you could just buy separates). A belt is an essential accessory which can add quality to a cheaper jumpsuit.

 

1.  Brittany jumpsuit. Phase Eight. £110. Sizes 8-18. Polyester elastane. Machine washable. Fastens with a zip at the back. This will suit pear shapes, as the drapey wide legs flow nicely from the hip. Hourglass figures and larger busted ladies may find this fits them, as the V neck and stretch fabric will allow room to expand and the V-neck will break up that area. (NB – Next stocks this jumpsuit too!) Lovely with a Chanel style jacket.
2. Saskia Lace jumpsuit. Phase Eight. £110. Sizes 8-18. Mixture of fibres. Dry clean only. Again, the wide leg flatters larger hips, the 3/4 sleeves are for those who hate their upper arms, and the wrap over top suits a nice bust. The gentle gathering over the tummy area, may also forgive a less toned middle area, but if store fat over your tummy, the gathers may accentuate too much. Will suit hourglass figures too.
3. Pink jumpsuit. Next. £55. 100% polyester. sizes 6-22 reg, and 6-18 petite and 8-18 tall. How lovely to see a jumpsuit that isn’t black !!(believe me, there are a lot of black ones out there!!) This has the advantage of being scaled to fit whatever height you are. If you are petite, wear heels and make sure the legs drape over your shoes, to give the illusion of extra height.  Definitely wear with a belt.

 

1. Navy print jumpsuit. £28. Next. 100% viscose. Available in sizes 8-22 and petite and tall. This is a good jumpsuit or wearing with flat shoes as well as heels. It will suit top heavy ladies with long slim legs. The slightly dropped waist will lengthen your torso and again, use a belt.
2. Printed wide leg jumpsuit. £35. Next.  Only available in regular sizes 6-22. Don’t be a shrinking violet. This eye catching jumpsuit allows you to cover up on the beach, or dress up a night time with heels. You probably need a generous chest to suit this, but it will also expand round the waist, and apple shapes may find a contrasting belt around the middle gives a waist where there isn’t one. Use a coloured pashmina at night time.
3. Palm print jumpsuit. £39.99. Mango. Xs- XL. 100% viscose. Handwash. Another lovely summery print. Suits a boyish shape, as the straps don’t allow much bra support. Wear with a smart belt. To dress up, use a gold belt and high heels.  For evening, a white tuxedo jacket will really add style.

Have fun shopping!! Don’t forget to see how I wear mine on my Facebook page. Vicky Smith Stying.

 

 If you like what you have seen, please take a look at my website or give me a call or text on 07976 635518

 

Further reading:

Fall 2014 runway trends: Fashion times

Jumpsuits: good enough to replace your LBD

2014 trend report – the jumpsuit and the romper