Top 10 Christmas Dresses

Style Theory: A dress, your partywear in one garment. Add a pair of animal print heels and a faux fur and you are ready to party..simple and effective!

Here are my top 10 Party dresses available on the high street now. I have chosen ones that are not too sparkly, I like to wear sequin embellishment on casual clothes (sweaters, shirts etc) and like to use accessories to add sparkle to a Christmas dress....however, no doubt as it gets nearer and nearer to Christmas my need for over the top sparkly dresses will grow and more will be featured....here are my favourite dresses so far....

Oasis Leila Lace Dress £85

I would pair this dress with some leopard print heels and a sparkly or black Chanel-esque quilted clutch. A black drapey, long trench would look spectacular over this dress.

Asos Black Scuba Dress £95

Scuba fabric is all forgiving, the peplum hem will be really flattering on your legs. I love the deep plum colour, I would pair with black opaques and black heeled courts for an extra leg-lengthening look.

Me & Em Pleat Front Swing Dress in Deep Peacock £148 (fur snood separate)

A heavy fabric that hangs beautifully. This dress can be easily worn casually or dressed up with a sparkly, statement necklace and heels.

Whistles In Smoke Dress £195

A beautiful, floaty midi dress, this again I would wear in the winter with opaques and black heels and in the summer with bare legs and strappy gold sandals, beautiful for year round wear.

Topshop Brocade Paisley Shift Dress £65

Not everyone's cup of tea but I really like the 60s vibe going on with this dress, it is a great layering piece and would look cool for a Christmas lunch with a fine black polo neck underneath, black opaque tight and some flat, black, pointed shoes. Or add grey ribbed tights and silver shoes for a cool, quirky look.

Zara Studio Dress £69.99

A beautiful, whimsical dress, perfect sheer coverage on the arms, I haven't seen it in store so not sure of the length and whether it would be a little too short, but with opaques you can definitely get away with taking hemlines up a little. 

Zara Cape Sleeve Dress £45.99

I was looking for a cape dress everywhere last year and here we have one at a reasonable price. Simple and chic, just add extra sparkly shoes and clutch.

Comptoir des Cotonniers £170

A sweater and sparkly skirt combination in a dress..perfect! 

& Other Stories £79

These structured dresses are always flattering, pick one of the colours in the print to match to an oversize slouchy, suede/leather clutch to (bright pink or electric blue would look striking)

Miss Selfridges Black and Lace £55

Very elegant, lace and a hint of sparkle and shine...no accessories necessary for this dress...

MY STYLE:

Over the last few days, a trip down to Winchester with my very best friends for champagne, mulled wine and Christmas Markets...

Coat: M&S
Gilet: Primark
Scarf: Becksondergaard
Jeans: Topshop
Trainers: Adidas Stan Smith

 For a dinner out with friends..my summer maxi dress layered with a jumper over the top and worn with my knee high tan boots

Dress: Topshop
Jumper: Topshop
Bag: H&M
Boots: Russell and Bromley 

This week so far has not been a roaring success I am currently in with the little one on the third day of two ear infections and super high temperature...still the good news is he still wants to play every minute of the day (arghhhh)..so far this morning we have completed a 150 pce puzzle, built 20 different combinations of a marble run, built three lego sets, plus a train track whilst watching Planes...ahh the joys! Starting to panic about the very smart Christmas do I have next week, three days in eating mini mince pies and a family selection of Waitrose Christmas biscuits is not helping my ever-expanding waistline..still there is always spanx!

I would to hear your thoughts on your perfect Christmas dress, are you a low key or spangly kind of girl? 

Next time perfect Christmas jumpsuits and separates..

Frances x

Shades of Green

Style Theory: Over the last few weeks I have been drawn to all different shades of green, from khakis to bottle greens. Green looks great worn with my two colours of the season navy and berry, add green into the mix for Autumn/Winter colour perfection..

This Mulberry ad made me realise this was the colour I was missing from my wardrobe. I have now have a berry bag and am now searching for a bottle green sweater to go with it. 

Green looks great with berry, navy, camel and greys, it is such a versatile colour, here are a few options available on the high street now which will make people 'green' with envy..

Me + Em Fine Stitch Box Jumper £88

A super fine sweater, this would look great with skinny jeans and a pair of berry, heeled red ankle boots and bag to match...

These boots would fit the bill.. 

River Island Boots £85

This Mulberry-esque bag from M&S is a cheaper alternative to the bag in the Mulberry above but is really gorgeous leather quality and would look lovely with a green poloneck.

M&S Across Body Bag £69

Some alternative sweaters and blouses..

Whistles Padded Neck Jumper £115

Zara Lace Collar Shirt £19.99

This is a beautiful dark green colour, I would tuck into a pair of skinny flares and wear with pointed heeled, berry boots.

H&M Knitted Jumper £19.99

This would suit my Autumn/Winter uniform perfectly, long jumper, leather leggings and trainers. Sling a berry bag across for a AW14 look.

Mango @John Lewis £19.99

I prefer a baggier poloneck than super tight as they are more flattering on me, I like the tight collar of this but the wider cut of the jumper. Sling this on with a pair of black skinnies and some slouchy beige boots.

H&M Frill Jumper £59.99

I know I have already featured this jumper but it is still an obsession and I am going to try to track this down in store with 20% off discount card (on December's Glamour magazine to be used in store only)

Zara Crepe Dress £39.99

Simple but stunning this crepe dress is an ideal alternative to the LBD, wear with black opaque tights, black pointed flat shoes and a deep berry coat for a stunning Autumn/Winter look.

Traffic People ALine Skirt £61

Wear this gorgeous A-line skirt with a navy poloneck and berry knee high boots.

Topshop Ripped Utility Trousers £36

I have been looking for an alternative to jeans for the schoolrun and I think these could fit the bill. Wear them with trainers for the schoolrun, then for an evening out pair with a navy cashmere sweater and a pair of leopard print heels.

Zara Hooded Checked Wool Cape £89

This check cape would add drama to any outfit.

Zara £29.99 - In store only

I found these in my local Zara this week, they are a fab khaki colour and look so gorgeous on. Unfortunately, these were a size too small..I am still searching!

MY STYLE:

For the schoolrun, a meeting them a quick run around the shops..

Sweater: H&M
Breton: Petite Bateau
Jeans: Topshop Baxter
Shoes: Zara
Bag: Coccinelle

This weekend involves lots of playdates, birthday parties and hopefully a quick trip to the shops for those cargo trousers that will make my weekend that bit more comfy..as weekend-wear should be!

Would love to hear your thoughts and comments on shades of green, do you have a need for a little emerald in your wardrobe?

Until next time Frances xxx