Summer Staple: White Broderie Anglaise Dresses

Following on from my blog post last night about Ugg wedges, I wanted to find the dress that I felt would go perfectly with them.  My criteria was straightforward: classic, white, 100% cotton, broderie anglaise and on sale at a great price.  It also needed to be in stock and available in a range of sizes.

I have found two versions what I was looking for, in two different price ranges, both of which will go perfectly with the Lucianna Ugg wedges!  Both have a gorgeous, broderie anglaise pattern which is elegant, feminine with a hint of vintage.  Both are simple enough to wear during the day, every day - but could easily be dressed up for the evening with some colourful accessories and shoes.  And they're both totally gorgeous, classic and should last season after season.

The first is this white cotton skater style dress in the Dorothy Perkins sale.  The capped sleeves and fitted waist will flatter, as will the flowing, flared skirt.  It's quite a young style, so not only would it work well with the wedges, but it could be dressed up with some neon accessories - I'm thinking a bright pink necklace, bangles and/or nail colour!  Originally £24, it's been reduced to £15 which is an absolute bargain for a dress that should stay on trend for years to come!  It's still available in sizes 6 and 12 to 22.

The second is this Jaeger broderie anglaise dress which is available on sale at House of Fraser.  The keyhole neckline with ruffles is very pretty and quirky and the tie waist will be amazingly flattering.  The length on this one is slightly longer than the Dorothy Perkins dress, if one wishes to be more modest.  This dress is available in sizes 10 to 14, and has been reduced from £180 to £85.  Although this is slightly more pricey, it's an investment piece which will last and stay chic year after year.

What's your favourite summer outfit? Do you like a cool, cotton dress like this - or do you prefer cropped trousers or shorts? Let me know in the comments below!

Delightful Dress: Sequin Pattern Skater Dress from Fashion World

A girl can never have too many dresses so here's another one!  Fashion World is an online and mail order catalogue company, focusing on plus-size womenswear from sizes 12 to 32.  They have a great variety of on-trend, quality clothing, shoes and accessories, all designed to flatter and compliment all figures.

This sequin patterned skater dress is perfect for summer. The design is delicate, the colours subtle and pretty.  Skater dresses flatter curves enormously, by drawing in the waist and then skimming the hips and thighs; this particular dress goes one step further - by having a pleated skirt, it will hide any lumps and bumps and create a wonderful, girlie silhouette.  Being cotton and elastane, it will be cool and fit well.  It's a fantastically, versatile, savvy purchase - I'd team with casual sandal wedges and a cardi in the day or nude heels and a pashmina for the evening.

I think this dress is great value already at just £27.50, but new customers can get 10% off with code CQHC5, which is ongoing until the end of the year.  It's available in sizes 12 to 22.

What's your preferred dress style?  Would you wear a shorter skater dress like this or do you prefer a maxi?  Or something more fitted?  Let me know in the comments below!

Delightful Dress: F&F Limited Edition Jacquard Prom Dress from Tesco

Prom dresses are gorgeous and versatile.  They can be dressed down with a casual leather jacket and wedges or glammed up for a night on the town with some amazing accessories and killer heels.  They are super-flattering by holding in the waist but skimming the hips to create a lovely, feminine shape.  Bigger busted women should look for prom dresses with round or v-neck necklines and smaller busted women can go for dresses with a higher neckline.

Tesco have a great range of dresses at the moment, and now is a good time to shop there, as they are doing their clubcard exchange promotion.  This means that every £5 in vouchers can be exchanged for £10 worth of vouchers for particular products - including clothing!  So essentially, customers are getting double something for nothing*!

I spotted this F&F Limited Edition Jacquard prom dress on the site, and it was also featured in Grazia magazine's Fashion Charts.  The neon green floral pattern is quirky and fun as well as being totally on-trend at the moment.  I'd wear it in the day and accessorise it with a belt to create the illusion of a small waist and team with some smarter sandal wedges and cream cardi.  The dress also comes in black and white and is available in sizes 10 to 20.  It's £35.

* Of course, there needs to be an initial spend to get the vouchers in the first place but hey ho.

Delightful Dress: Trollied Dolly Rock N Rollers Summer Dress from Spoiled Brat

One of the great things about doing this blog is finding lesser-known online boutiques that stock unique and wonderful clothes and accessories - but still provide great value for money.  Spoiled Brat 'has a passion for fashion and a love for celebrity clothing' and stocks a great range of exclusive and beautiful clothing and accessories.

This royal blue 1950's inspired seagull print sundress by Trollied Dolly is simply divine.  It will work for all occasions, such as barbecues  weddings and garden parties - or just to go shopping!  The cut and style will flatter all over, from the neckline with the bow, to the cinched waist and flowing skirt.  It could be worn with wedges or pumps and look great - just add a pair of sunglasses for summer chic!  It's normally £52, but Spoiled Brat have a voucher code for 15% off that expires today so it's £44.20 - use BANK15.  

Delightful Dress: Red & White Spotty Prom Dress from BHS

The BHS Spectacular Event is now on, with up to 30% off in-store and online.  I have had my eye on this Sophie Gray spotty red and white prom dress for ages now but obviously didn't want to pay full price - but now I don't have to!  As with all prom dresses, the cut is classic and flattering.  The colours are great and I like the way the polka dots are larger than one often gets with spotty dresses; it adds a unique twist.  There is also netting underneath the full skirt, which will give a lovely vintage-inspired shape.  Usually £49, with 20% off it's £39.20 in sizes 16 - 22.

Delightful Dress: Amelia Red Prom Dress from Lipstick Boutique

Ahhh, The Only Way is Essex.  A modern, cultural phenomenon or completely outrageous car crash entertainment?  Opinion is divided, but it's certainly created a number of marketing opportunities for its stars such as Amy Childs, Lauren Pope and Lydia Rose Bright, not least in the fashion industry.  Lipstick Boutique is an online store that stocks the creations of many of the cast members and some of it is good value and really rather nice!

This poppy red lace prom dress is half price in the sale and is just £35.  The high-necked flower appliqué top is intricate and pretty and the gathered waist and ruffled skirt with netting underneath will be amazingly flattering.  The colour is eye-catchingly bright and superb.  I don't think one would need to accessorise this hugely - some black heels and a few simple bracelets would make this dress look really classy.  It is still available in sizes 8 - 16.

Delightful Dress: Blue Cutwork Skater Dress from Warehouse

There's 20% off dresses at Warehouse today and tomorrow (ends Friday at midnight) so it's a good opportunity to find something pretty!  There are so many fantastic dresses on the site, but I have gone for a skater dress in this season's shade of royal blue.  The pattern is not quite a broderie anglaise design, but it's certainly headed in that direction and I love it - this makes it a bit more interesting and delicate than the average skater dress.  The capped sleeves, cut of the dress and the scalloped hem all contribute to a flattering silhouette.  It's available in sizes 6 - 16 and is usually £95 but with the discount, it's £76.