Hayden Asymmetrical Dress from Fever London

It's always great to find online stores that stock unique, fun and retro styles and Fever London does just that.  There is currently 20% off selected styles, so I have been having a browse to see what's available.

I am tempted by this 1960's inspired pencil dress in navy with a contrasting red stripe detail.  The bodycon styling with a hint of elastane means it will flatter one's silhouette, pulling in at all the right places! The length means it's subtle enough that it could be worn for work, with some conservative court shoes, or it can be glammed up for a night out at a jazz club.

Usually £69.99, with the discount (which runs until Sunday) it's £55.99 and comes in sizes 6 to 18.

Sophie Maxi Dress from Ossie Clark London

Ossie Clark is a well-established, classic designer who has been around since the 1960's and he invented the trouser suit! His collection consists of feminine shapes, vintage-inspired glamour with a hint of edginess.

There are quite a few items on sale on the website at present, including some beautiful, ethereal blouses and dresses, bold coloured tops and jackets and some stunning basics. However, I have gone for something a little more daring - this 'Sophie' black maxi dress with gold trim and ruffles. It's a maxi dress with a Disney villain twist - I'm thinking the stepmother in Snow White - but it's wearable, not costume-y at all! Wear to a fabulous evening do with gold strappy heels and subtle jewellery; this dress doesn't need much accessorising at all. Originally £149, it's been reduced to £79 and is available in sizes 8 to 18.

Missy Cat Print Collar Dress from People Tree

I've said it before and I'll say it again, People Tree is a great store with an admirable ethical ethos and customers should be proud to shop there! Their new collection is out for Spring and Summer and customers can take advantage of the code ECOLOVE, which gives 10% off until 30th March.

I love this pussy cat patterned shift dress, with capped sleeves and a Peter Pan collar.  It's very 1960's retro, and I love the kooky geometric cat print!  It will be incredibly comfortable and cool to wear, being 100% high quality, organic cotton. It can be worn with opaque tights and black boots to channel the 60's or wear with wedged sandals for a simple Spring look. It's £75 normally, but with the discount is £67.50 and there's free UK delivery (or just £5 for international delivery).

Alternatively, customers can get £30 off when they spend more than £150 with discount voucher code LOVEPT30, if there are other items on the site that need purchasing...!  This is valid until 27th March.

The Look for Less: Burberry Prossum SS14

Think pink! Another colour trend for SS14 is pink.  It's been spotted on the catwalks of Henry Holland, Temperley, Tom Ford and Chanel amongst others, in a range of tones and hues. I particularly like the candy pinks that are available - brighter and more fun than more common pastel shades.  Add some lace and layers and one is totally en vogue for the season!

So for this post, I am channelling Burberry Prorsum as seen during London Fashion week!

I found a great floral lace pink blouse at Marisota that is not dissimilar to the top of the dress above. It's just £18, reduced from £65. One could tuck the peplum into the skirt ir leave it as is. But hurry as it's selling out!

The blouse can then be combined with this Jacquard lace pencil skirt (below) from New Look.  It's just £19.99, comes in sizes 6 to 18 and a range of colours (black, blue, light and dark pink).

To complete the look, one could pair the skirt and blouse with some silver metallic heels - or go candy pink mad with pink courts and clutch bag!  I think this outfit would work really well for a wedding or similar more formal occasion.  A designer look, for a fraction of the price: true savvy chic, canny style!

Penelope Cross Stitch Jacket from Monsoon

As the weather improves, one needs a coat less and less, but it's still not warm enough to go out without some sort of cover up.  A lovely cardigan or jumper works wonders, but sometimes one needs something a little more structured.

The sale's just started at Monsoon and there are lots of great items with up to 50% off.  They have a selection of cropped, patterned jackets that will work really well for Spring.  I like this cotton-blend blue and burgundy version with floral details and a hippy/folk element.  It would be perfect with jeans and pumps but could equally be thrown over a dress to keep the chill at bay in the evening.  Originally £69, it's half price in the sale and is still available in sizes 8 to 16, 20 and 22.

Best of the Sales: Fever London

The Fever London collection is gorgeous - inspired by vintage culture yet still contemporary.  The sale's on at the moment, so there is already 60% off many items, but until Sunday, customers can get an additional 15% off with the code EXTRA15.

My picks of the sale can be found on my main website but I think my favourite is this Farringdon dress in navy which has been reduced from £64.99 to £38.99.  I love its flattering, sharp tailoring with the double breasted buttons and tie waist, meaning its perfect for work, but it's not too formal to be worn as a day dress.  The fabric also is a cobomnation of cotton and elastane, so should fit perfectly and feel great!

Footwork & Play Tartan Flat Pumps from Modcloth

Bold patterns are definitely one of the trends for this season, including checked, tartan and plaid patterns.  These patterns can be quite difficult to pull off though, without looking like a Highland fling so I'd recommend choosing just one key piece that flaunts the style.

With that in mind, I've found a lovely pair of tartan flat pumps in the Modcloth sale that can be worn with anything, embrace the trend but not go too over the top!  I'd wear them with a single coloured dress, opaque tights and let the shoes do the talking!  They are 30% off in the sale, so are $68.99 (about £42) and come in US sizes 6 to 8.5 (here's Clarks Shoes size and fit guide).

Beaded Flapper Style Top from Jigsaw

I don't think the 1920's Great Gatsby trend will be going out of style for a while yet - plenty of New Year's Eve parties had it as their theme as far as I can tell!  So it's worth searching out some key pieces in the sales that will take one through season after season.

Jigsaw have been excellent at creating some amazing retro pieces that remain true to the original, whilst still being modern and pretty.  Remember the silk flapper dress epitomising the era?  Unfortunately, it's not on sale any more, but I have found similar versions in a top.  Intricately-embellished with beautiful beadwork and a superior silk camisole lining it will be luxurious and flattering to wear. One can go for the whole 1920's vibe with a swinging skirt and kitten heels, or dress differently with skinny jeans and boots.  Available in grey or antique pink, both of these tops are reduced from £139 to £111 in the sale.

      

Preppy Colourblock Work Bag from Accessorize

Goodness me!  I have just realised that I haven't featured a bag since October, so I guess it's about time to do so once again.  And where better to focus than the Accessorize sale?  Of course, there are loads of fab bags there - clutches, totes, wallets and satchels - but I've chosen this colourblock work bag, mainly as I went back to work this week!

Smart and structured with a definite 60's vibe, it will be perfect for all those office bits.  The zipped compartments help to contain those additional non-work bits too!  The shoulder strap means it can be carried easily and comfortably to meetings and about town, putting it down with the carry handles.  Perfect!  And even better, it's reduced from £35 to £27 in the sale.

Best of the Sales: Modcloth

There's 50% off sale items on the US site Modcloth right now, so a perfect time to take advantage of stocking up on some fab retro and vintage clothing, footwear and accessories from America!  I've picked out six of my faves on the new site - as ever, it's so hard to choose just one when the sales are so amazing!  However, I find you can't really go wrong with a Bernie Dexter dress, so how about this 'France and Frolic' one?  A beautiful pastel blue dress with a French flavour, classic and fitted to cinch and flatter the wait and bust.  It's reduced from $155.99 to $77.99 (so about £47) - trés jolie et chic.

Keep enjoying the sales and I'll keep looking out for the best quality, gorgeous bargains!

Fantastic Footwear: Ash Jalouse Suede Ankle Boots from Allsole

Ankle boots are the boots of the season.  They look fab with anything, but for AW13 an easy, casual look is to pair them with some skinny jeans and a chunky jumper.

I have found some gorgeous and classic Jalouse suede ankle boots by the brand Ash.  They are perfect for pairing with jeans, but would also look great with shorter skirts, plus they're smart enough to be worn for work.  The vintage cowboy style makes them unique - but they are contemporary too!  The heel is 6cm, so not too high to be impractical but high enough to look good.  They are 100% suede leather too, so great quality that will last.

By far the best value ones can be found at Allsole right now - there's currently 20% off with the code MIDSEASON and they come in wood ash dark brown (pictured) for £135 or a topo tan/light brown for £149.  However, with the code, the wood ash pair is just £108 and the topo tan is £119.20.  The code ends on 22nd October 2013.

Fantastic Footwear: Irregular Choice Flick Flack Heels from Rubbersole.co.uk

Most weeks, Rubbersole.co.uk do a series of 'private sales' whereby customers can get up to 50% off selected brands on the site.  This week (until 11th October), they've got deals including Havaianas, Converse and one of my favourite brands, Irregular Choice.  This brand is quirky, edgy and unique and there is nothing to rival it, as far as I can tell!

I love these red and white spotty 'Flick Flack' courts which have been reduced by 30% - from £74.99 to £52.49.  They are fun, feminine and funky but not too over the top; they can be paired with a fairly neutral dress to look fab.  This style is also available in a floral baby blue and a spotty basic black.

Delightful Dress: Cream Tea Tunic from Dorothy Perkins

There are many great offers on the Dorothy Perkins website right now.  There's up to 30% off denim, a 20% student discount, special offers plus lots still available in the sale.

I've found this fantastically patterned tunic dress in the sale.  The shape is perfectly stylish and flattering, with a belt to cinch in one's waist and feminine capped sleeves.  It can be worn as a summer dress with some simple sandals, or as a tunic with leggings and jeans.  But it's the fabric's print that really stands out for me.  It's so unusual and pretty, with a nostalgic vintage flavour.  It brings to mind - for me - ladies enjoying a picnic (as opposed to a cream tea, as the dress is named).  This dress comes in small/medium and medium large and is reduced from £22 to £17.60.

Awesome Accessories: Lowie Cloche Hat & Tote Handbag from Rock My Vintage

In my opinion, vintage-inspired fashion will never go out of style which is why buying such items will always be a canny and savvy way to shop!  They can be mixed and matched easily - so one can go for the full retro vibe to channel whichever era one wants, or pick a few key pieces to add a vintage twist to a modern look!

Online store Rock my Vintage specialises in both original and inspired vintage dresses and accessories. The boutique offers a great selection of dresses, handbags, jewellery, belts, scarves and headwear.  There are loads of items in their sale right now, including some amazing dresses, but I'm focusing on the accessories today.

I love this hand-knitted Lowie cloche hat which is perfect for autumn and winter, when the weather starts to cool.  It takes me back to the Twenties - very Gatsby, I feel!  The ribbon is very cute and adds an element of interest, to prevent this from just being a simple woolen hat.  It comes in cream (pictured), red and cobalt blue and has been reduced from £40 to just £16.

I have also found this wonderful nude tote handbag which I think would work well with the 1920's, retro look - although it's also got a 1960's feel about it!  Mix and match of eras?  This would work well for all daytime occasions; the site suggests weddings and the races - August Bank Holiday at Goodwood anyone?  It's a great, versatile handbag and has been reduced from £75 to £45.

As these are sale items, voucher codes shouldn't apply but it's worth noting that Rock My Vintage do have an ongoing code (till the end of the year) for 8% off if customers fancy any of their full-priced items!

Delightful Dress: Myleene Klass Dice Print Dress from Littlewoods

Littlewoods is an online catalogue site which has a great range of products including fashion and accessories and items for the home.  They often have good deals - particularly on first orders - so it's well worth having a look if there is something one is after.

I spotted this Myleene Klass dice print dress on the latest advert for Littlewoods and thought it was lovely!  Red and black is always a great colour combo, vibrant and fun and perfect for when the weather dulls, but still suitable for summer.  The tea dress style hints at a retro, forties vibe but the dice print brings it up to date.  The shape and cut is flattering, with the tie belt waist and flared skirt providing instant, effortless style.  This dress is £69 but look out for discount offers on site, and it comes in sizes 8 to 20.

Delightful Dress: Plaid Pinafore Dresses from Urban Outfitters

Pinafore dresses have been making a bit of a comeback lately.  However, I've steered a bit clear of them as I do worry they look a bit schoolgirl if they are the wrong colour, pattern or styled too young.  The key to looking like a grown up when wearing this, I think, is to layer it with some mature pieces, such as a crisp blouse or some funky accessories and avoid school uniform grey!  Another trend emerging for AW13 is a tartan or plaid pattern and so I have found a couple of lovely pinafores in such a print from Urban Outfitters - I couldn't choose between them so I'm highlighting both!

The first is this red Vintage Renewal plaid pinafore dress, which is £38 and comes in sizes medium and large.  It's got a real Sixties retro look and feel to it, and is fun and playful, without being juvenile.  I like the way they have styled it, with the long-sleeved cotton blouse and I'd team it with some dark tights and Doc Martens for autumn and winter.

The second dress is this Cooperative pinafore dress in Black Watch tartan print.  It's £52 and comes in sizes extra small to large.  Again, it could be styled as the dress above and look great!

Until the end of the month, customers can get 10% off at Urban Outfitters with the code AUGUST10 and for a limited time, delivery is just £1.

Delightful Dress: New Romantics He Loves Me Best Dress from Free People

I love the boutique Free People as its product range successfully combines femininity and romanticism with edginess and sass.   There are so many gorgeous items available in their sale, but my favourite dress is this cream coloured dotted chiffon maxi dress.  It's ruffle-y, delicate and light yet unconventional - I love the quirkiness of the asymmetric, tiered bottom and crochet trimming and studs around the waist.  This means it can be styled as in the picture, with Doc Martens and chunky, metallic accessories - or keep it floaty and light with some strappy flat sandals.  Originally £250, it's currently £169.95 in the sale in sizes US 4 to 8 (8 to 12 UK).

While I am at it, I'm going to throw in this fab twisted snake ring which is just awesome.  It's also on sale, reduced from £20 to £16.95.  It would go perfectly with the dress, I feel!

Delightful Dresses: Modcloth Sale

The Modcloth sale is on with up to 50% off some gorgeous, vintage-inspired pieces and, quite frankly, if they're doing a sale, I'm going to find a perfect dress!  There are two types of dress that I have been after.  The first is a retro summer dress, that I could wear to an afternoon, vintage-themed tea party and maybe go for a little dance afterwards at a Lindy Hop club!  I've chosen this 'Head Bow-ver Heels' dress by Knitted Dove which is half price at $58.99 (about £39).  The style and shape, with the empire line waist, is very flattering and the white bow collar is just charming.
The second dress I want is something I can wear to the office and be cool and chic, but also something that I can wear in the day when not in the office.  And I have found two!  The first is this 'Stop and Smell the Hibiscus' shift dress by Tulle Clothing which is half price at $34.99 (about £23).  The navy, fuchsia, coral, red and white floral pattern is subtle but pretty and the collar makes it work well for the office.  The belt is removable, but will flatter the waist brilliantly.
Another dress I would wear to the office, as well as out and about, is this chiffon 'Strolling the Seashore' dress in mint green.  It's a similar style to the above but I love the colour combination and attention to detail.  Again, it's half price at just $24.99 (about £16.50).
So many dresses, so little time!  There are literally thousands of dresses in the sale - as well as other clothing and accessories - so it's a perfect time to grab a real bargain.

Snap it Up! 24 Hour Voucher Code for Modcloth

To celebrate the dog days of the sunny season, US vintage-inspired site ModCloth is offering a 15% off coupon for the entire site before taxes and shipping, excluding gift certificates! The coupon has no limit on number of uses, but be quick!  There are so many gorgeous items there, it's definitely worth having a look and perhaps a little stock up....?
This sale will only be for 24 hours between 23rd July 7:00am PST (that's now here in the UK) to 24th July at 10:00am PST (so 6.00pm on the 24th over here).

Once you reach your cart, just click 'apply a discount', enter the coupon code WOOF15, and all of those lovely items will be 15% off!