Fashion: #DitchTheDress Party Season looks

#Ditchthedress

If your December social calendar is anything like mine you have parties, dinners and lunches booked up till around the 2nd Jan2018.

Between office festive parties, dinners and lunch dates, it's easy to get bored of your party dresses.

Why not ditch the dress for something different?

Check out these cool dress free party looks...bang on trend with #Velvet, #FauxFur & #Sequins

 

Burgundy velvet trousers

Sequins Jeans

Leather pleated skirt & faux fur

Sequin Jumper

Enjoy the parties x

@MsShayDivine

Fashion: Petite...Really?

I am 5ft tall..yes! tall, and curvy...I have lost count the amount of times I have tried on "Petite" range items which make me look like I am wearing my 12 year old nephews clothes...and not in a good way!

For the life of me I cannot understand why the fashion industry haven't caught on to the fact that not all petite women are thin or slim.

I don't fit into plus size and "Average" ranges are either too long or  knees and elbows are in the wrong place and look ridiculous.

I am sure I am not the only one who comes into this category...

Having curves makes a huge difference to the make, cut and fabric of "petite" items.

My butt can makes trousers shorter and my waist is always left out in the cold by the huge waist gap I have when going up a size in jeans...just so they can go over my bum!

Sleeves are always wet as "Average" range items are too long and "petite" ranges do not go over my bust...

Come on...where are the curvy petite brands/designers/manufacturers?

If you know any...please let me know.

In the meantime I'll live in hope that some day...somewhere, someone will make clothes for the curvy petite woman!

@MsShayDivine

Fashion: 50+Party LookBook

Over the past few months I've been approached by a few women in their late 40's to 60's curious about how to put an outfit together for a special occasion from the high street.

What all of these women had in common was, they all still like the stores they shopped at in their late 20's & 30's, but are now afraid to look like mutton dressed as lamb or road kill...

The most common stores mentioned were....

• Top Shop
• River Island
• New Look
• Miss Selfridge
• Dorothy Perkins
• Warehouse
• H&M

All these stores are typically aimed at those under 30, so it's easy to feel that once you pass 30/40/50/60 the fashion is no longer designed for you. NOT TRUE!

Personally, I don't believe after or before a certain age you need to start shopping in certain stores. I believe it's more about how you wear your pieces, rather than where they're from.

Although the aforementioned stores are great, there are also some other stores which typically design for a wider age range...

• Wallis
• French Connection
• Next 
• Oasis
• Karen Millen
• Coast
• Monsoon
• 
  

This gave me the inspiration to create this lookbook. 

I started with a silver pleated two tone midi skirt and added a white sleeveless blouse. 

To accessorise the look, I added a navy clutch bag, navy pointed heels, a long silver necklace and medium size rhinestone hoops.

To add a hint more colour, I added deep purple lipstick and nail polish which helps to bring all the colours in the look together and add another layer to the style. 

For the hair, depending on the length and style, I would go for tapered curls, an loose pin up or a classic bob.

Lookbook colours

And there you have it...a fun, elegant party look which I think a woman over or under 50 could wear and feel fabulous!

@MsShayDivine