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.

      

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!

Investment Piece: Giselle Rose Print Silk Dress from Reiss

Purchasing key investment pieces of clothing and accessories can be seen as a savvy way to shop.  By choosing a few, high quality, versatile and classic items, one can have a gorgeous wardrobe that can work well for any occasion and never go out of style.

For this reason, I have fallen in love with this rose print silk dress from Reiss which comes in sizes 4 to 14 and is £159.  The silk will be luxurious to wear, cool for summer days but elegant for evenings.  The pattern and cut is flattering, with the fitted top and flared skirt to skim hips.  I'd pair this with some killer heels - maybe some Louboutins! - and a structured handbag - for an exclusive night out.

Awesome Accessories: Beaded Dangle Earrings from Catwalk Glamour

Catwalk Glamour is an online accessories store that designs and makes high quality products that are affordable but luxurious. Everything on the site is unique to the brand and so can't be found anywhere else and there are some really pretty, great value but quality items.

I think these beaded earrings are delightful.  The colour combination is superb and the beaded, dangly style hints towards 1920's vintage.  They are simple and elegant and I think would go with almost anything - and also work for day or night.  Priced at just £10 normally - with free P&P - Catwalk Glamour are offering 20% off everything until the end of the month.  So these gorgeous earrings are just £8 delivered at the moment!  A great bargain and it's certainly worth checking out the rest of the site, as there's loads of loveliness there.

Fantastic Footwear: Art Harlem 932 Oxford Brogues from Sarenza

I don't know if it is the weather or what, but I seem to be searching for shoes that are more suited to the autumn and winter months at the moment.  Surely there's something wrong with this picture?  Where is the sun?  But on the plus side, it does mean that I'm finding some really great bargains that can be stashed in the cupboard until later in the year - or, in fact, worn now if summer has truly been and gone...

The Sarenza summer sale has started and they're offering up to 60% off on over 50,000 styles of shoes and bags from hundreds of top brands, so it is definitely well worth a look.  They stock Art Company footwear, which is a quality shoe brand whose values are strength, quality, innovation and humour.  I think these Harlem 932 taupe lace-up leather brogues fit nicely into that philosophy.  Clearly inspired by the 1940's, they're a classic, fun, vintage style.  The fact that there is a heel means that the usual masculinity of brogues is lessened, and so they can be worn with anything.  A girlie tea dress or skirt would look fab, but so would jeans with a flash of ankle.  And I love the colour block, three tone effect of the shoe, making it unconventional and interesting!

Normally £92, they've been reduced by 30% in the sale to £64.40, which is the cheapest I can find online for these, and are available in sizes 3.5 to 7.  These shoes are also available in darker 'Moka' brown colours.  Sarenza offer free delivery as standard - always a bonus!

Heeled brogues, flat brogues or no brogues - what are your thoughts?  Let me know in the comments!

Fantastic Footwear: Miista Galaxy Oxford Brogues from Free People

Brogues have been a fashion trend for women for a couple of years now.  Since then, they've evolved from a basic flat shoe, found in simple brown or black, to one that can be found in all manner of patterns, colours and heel heights.  They are practical and comfortable, and a great alternative to a ballet pump.  Unless one is deliberately going for a mannish style, they work best when paired with more feminine outfits such as a floral tea dress, pretty skirt or cropped trousers.

I think these Galaxy Oxford brogues from online boutique Free People are a great version of the trend.  The fact that they're pastel and patterned counteracts the absolute masculinity of the traditional style; this means that they will balance well with most outfits, even if they aren't super-feminine.  So I'd not only wear them with skirts and dresses, but jeans too.  These shoes are leather and great quality, and were £158 - but have been reduced in the sale to £99.95 (with free shipping) and are the cheapest I can find on UK sites online.

What do you think about brogues?  Too mannish, or a practical, trendy and comfortable way to get through the day?  Let me know in the comments below!

Delightful Dress: Charleston Midi Dress from Monsoon

One can never have too many great quality, pretty sundresses and this red floral Charleston midi dress from Monsoon is no exception!  It's got a lovely vintage-feel with a flattering tie waist embellished with mother of pearl leaves and brass-tone sequins.  It's available in sizes 12 to 22 and is £59.

Until 2nd June, customers can save £30 with £150+ spends with code MAY30 or save £50 with £200+ spends with code MAY50 at Monsoon (and free delivery on orders over £75 as standard), so it's worth having a look whether there are several items to consider stocking up on!

Fantastic Footwear: Menbur Malubi Peep-toe Heels from Zalando

I can't believe I missed these pastel blue satin peep-toe heels when researching my Great Gatsby Glamour post yesterday!  The sky blue of the shoe adds an element of colour to the neutral shades of the dresses really well and I love the diamante decorative jewel effect on the heel which takes it into a whole new glamourous dimension.  Perfect for the whole 1920's look!

They're currently on sale at Zalando - reduced from £90 to £65 with free delivery.

Team with the matching blue satin clutch for ultimate loveliness!  Don't forget, there's £5 off £50 spends at Zalando till the end of the month too.

The Look for Less: Great Gatsby Fashion Part 2 - Jewellery & Accessories

For Part 2 of this themed blog post, I have focused on accessories to enhance and beautify The Great Gatsby look - jewellery, bags and headwear.

A strand of pearls is probably the most archetypal piece of jewellery from that era and, to stock up with good value versions, Claire's Accessories is a great bet.  There are some basic plastic or glass strands available that work well, but I prefer this slightly more expensive stone pearl tier statement necklace for £12.

If one's budget stretches, Boticca stocks limited edition, unique pieces and this black pearl with casted lace leaf necklace is simply divine.  It's £153.50 but again, it's an investment piece.

These vintage inspired, silver plated drop earrings from Folli Follie nod towards the Art Deco movement.  I love the intertwined motif and delicate tassels - simple, yet elegant as this look should be!  They are £80, but with the code STYLE20 there's 20% off until 26th May making them £64.

An elegant clutch is the bag to have for this look, and Jones Bootmaker have a great selection at the moment on sale.  This Carrie clutch bag is perfect, with the metallic sparkly glitter effect.  It comes in gold or silver and is reduced from £35 to £29.

Alternatively, this Kzeniya dream engraved perspex leather handbag would make an amazing investment piece.  It's £320 at my-wardrobe.com but there is still the chance to get to get £50 off spends greater than £180 until the 26th May.  

With headwear, there are two main options - a fabulous hat or hair accessories.  A felt cloche hat is a key staple and looks amazing.  This Dickins and Jones burgundy hat from House of Fraser is just £13.50, reduced from £45.  I love the speckled feather and bow embellishment too, which takes it from simple to sublime!

Scarves and turbans also can be worn on the head to recreate 1920's style - to me, this look totally epitomises Hollywood glamour, not only from this era but beyond!  Turbans aren't exactly a current wardrobe staple, so one's best bet is to look in vintage stores, Ebay or Etsy - or make your own!  I like this purple one which is on Ebay, which has been accessorised with a diamante circular clip.

There are so many gorgeous, 1920's and Art Deco inspired hair accessories with which to experiment.  The ultimate look from the era is the classic bob, swept to one side with a gorgeous clip such as this Petal Navette barrette from Accessorize.  It's not on sale, but it's a bargain at just £8 and fabulous, with a decent nod to the Art Deco movement.

Alternatively, what about this crystal and pearl flower comb which is again from Claire's Accessories, where there is three for two on many items.  Very pretty and vintage-inspired!

As the movie has just been released, there is a ton of fashion inspiration out there, but I hope these posts have given a good start to devising an on-trend Gatsby-inspired wardrobe for 2013!

The Look for Less: Great Gatsby Fashion Part 1 - Clothing & Shoes

Following my editorial content review of those fantastic Clarks shoes, I have decided that I am going to branch out with the blog even more and not only put together outfits through Polyvore, but do themed posts!  The basis will be canny and savvy styles, whether it be sale items, discounted items or great value investment pieces that will last year after year.  Baz Luhrmann's movie The Great Gatsby was released this week and it seems to have initiated a ton of fashion trends!  So, in homage to the film, here's my first themed attempt - Great Gatsby Glamour!  I have divided it into two halves - clothing, shoes & headwear and jewellery & accessories!

Of course, the pinnacle of pure Gatsby chic is the Jigsaw flapper dress I blogged about a few weeks ago.  This is the ultimate 1920's investment piece and will prove its worth for years to come.  However, the price tag may be too much for some and therefore, why not take advantage of the Bank Holiday offer from Yumi, who have 30% off all dresses over the Bank Holiday weekend?  This pink drop-waist tiered pleated dress from Uttam Boutique harks back to the era perfectly, and is reduced from £50 to £35 in sizes 8 to 16.  It also comes in navy blue.

Now, a drop-waist isn't for everyone as, although it elongates the body and this style is really pretty and feminine, it doesn't really do much for those who need a dress to cinch in the waist and/or minimise hips.  Although the boyish look is very 1920's there are Gatsby alternatives for those with more of an hourglass or pear-shaped figure, such as this Claudel nude lace top pleated dress by Pippa Dee from StylistPick.com.  New customers get 25% off their first orders automatically.

This lace beaded detail feather hem shift dress from Lipsy is simply amazing.  Feathers were fashionable at the time, so this dress couldn't be more perfect.  Again, it's more of an investment piece at £130, but there's free shipping on orders over £75 at Lipsy, so that's something.  

T-bar peep-toe sandals are just perfect for recreating the look from this ear.  Dune have a great selection of metallic ones that will work very well and these silver strappy heeled ones are on sale for £59.  

For something a bit more casual, Traffic People have a great selection of dresses, skirts and tops that would work really well for this look and until the end of May, customers can get 20% spends greater than £50 off with the code TRAFFICMAY.  This Under Silkwood - On the Edge yellow silk dress is sumptuous and divine and nods to the era without going over the top.  It comes in lots of other colours too and is £79.20 after the discount.

Alternatively, this floral patterned Butterfly Effect - Afternoon Tea dress works really well and is £47.20 after the discount.

Brogues work well for this look and these cream Rocha. John Rocha ones are lovely.  The colour would work really well with the palates that I have selected for this post and I especially like the feminine touch provided by the crochet lace detailing on the shoes; sometimes brogues are far too mannish, in my opinion!  They are on sale at Debenhams at the moment, reduced from £35 to £28.

And to finish - a cream cricket jumper, the 1920's equivalent of today's boyfriend jeans perhaps!  Go for a bigger size than normal for a slouchy look which works over both dresses and jeans.  Amazon have a good selection or you could support your local team!  I like this Charles Tyrwhitt cream cotton one, which is currently half price at £54.95.

I hope this Part 1 Gatsby Glamour post has started to give a little inspiration to recreate that fabulous 1920's look.  The next post will focus on jewellery and accessories to enhance it!

Delightful Dress: Flapper Dress from Jigsaw

The Great Gatsby movie is released in a few days and the fashion world seems to have gone crazy for 1920's chic.  Romantic, feminine, loose and fringy, the current styles are shorter, swingy dresses and long, fitted gowns.  Team with feathers, pearls, red lips, nude colours and fascinators to completely embrace the look, or simply choose a few key pieces for a hint of retro chic.

I think that this silk flapper dress from Jigsaw epitomises the trend and is simply gorgeous.  It comes in a delicate oyster colour or a shimmering silver grey - both pictured as they are so exquisite!  The shape and cut means that it will skim the body and flatter most body shapes.  Despite being inspired by a 1920's vintage pattern, I think the look is timeless and this dress is a real investment that will sell-out fairly quickly judging by what I've read about it already!  I'm afraid all I can offer in terms of a discount for this dress is free standard delivery.  But I couldn't resist it....  This dress is amazing.