Splendid Skirt: Denim Skirt from M&Co

I've been searching for a decent denim skirt for a while now - one that's a classic, stylish shape, an indigo colour, a modest length and a good price.  A super skirt like this will work for most daytime occasions, paired with a blouse for a smart/casual look or a simple vest top for a laid-back, easy style. It can be worn with any shoes also - pumps, heels, wedges - but I'm planning on wearing it with a simple t-shirt and my Converse!

I found a lovely one at Boden, but it's pretty much out of stock and is fairly expensive for what you get, even with a 10% discount code.  So I was really pleased to find a similar one at M&Co.  It's a pencil skirt but there is enough give in the fabric and a slight flare to ensure a good, not too tight, stylish fit.  The colour is a perfect indigo blue and the high waist keeps everything in nicely!  It's £24 and comes in sizes 8 to 22.

Until 14th August, new customers can get 20% off at M&Co with the code FIRST20 (making it just £19.20); alternatively, after that, there's 10% off (making it £21.60) for a while for new customers with the code FIRST10.  Delivery is just £1.  So all in all, this makes this skirt a real quality, good-looking bargain!

Splendid Skirt: McGregor Skirt from Fever London

Apologies for the gap in posting - it's been one of those weeks!  But I'm back, checking out the ongoing sales and today I've been perusing the Fever London sale.

This Fever McGregor skirt in a citrus fruit pattern is cheerful and summery. The a-line cut with the belted waist will flatter most shapes and the flared skirt will ensure one is kept cool during hotter days.  Wear with a bright, citrus coloured top and sandals for a chic, effortless daytime look.

The skirt is available in sizes 6 to 18 and has been reduced from £59.99 to £29.99.  In a mainly cotton material with a hint of elastane for a perfect belted fit, this is a great, quality bargain to see one through the summer months.

Delightful Dress: Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Antoinette Floral Dress

I love Vivienne Westwood's collections.  Her style is rebellious and grungy, yet it still manages to retain an element of femininity.  I think also that her designs are so beautiful, that they are almost a piece of art in fashion format.  My favourite items that completely embody these ideas are from her Anglomania collection.  It is romantic, with a hint to the medieval, with bodices, full skirts, delicate florals and flattering, ladylike cuts.  It's also slightly less expensive than other Vivienne Westwood collections which is always good!

This draped neck, sleeveless Antoinette floral dress epitomises the Anglomania collection and I think it is utterly gorgeous.  Made from 100% cotton, it will feel fantastic and be cool for summer.  The cinched waist and flared skirt creates a superb, hourglass silhouette, complimenting curves perfectly.  I'd wear this for evenings in the sun drinking Pimms on the terrace, paired with some pretty pink heels and a pashmina.  It's also perfect for weddings and other summer events.  Alternatively, one could be truly inspired by Westwood's vision and team it with a pair of Doc Martins and a leather jacket for a feminine modern punk look!

Usually retailing at around £350, it's available on sale at Van Mildert for £245.  Alternatively, My-wardrobe.com may be re-stocking it for £248 - the site says it's 'coming soon'.

It's also available in black which is also lovely, but more suited to evening dos I'd suggest.  Normally retailing about the same (£350), it's also on sale at Van Mildert for £210.

This dress would be a real investment piece that will last year after year and continue to be fabulous.  Do you prefer to spend more on such pieces or buy lots of items at cheaper prices, that can be replaced each season?

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!

Splendid Skirt: Louche Cindy A-line Skirt from Joy

Say what you like about Victoria Beckham, I don't think it can be denied that she's come a long way from her Spice Girls days and developed into a respected (and in my opinion, talented) fashion designer.  Her dresses are gorgeous, flattering and feminine but unfortunately are out of my price range!

The item from her SS13 collection that I've been coveting is a bright orange a-line skirt.  Victoria's been spotted out and about in this skirt a couple of times now - as part of a suit to give a fashion talk and with a neutral top when out with her daughter.  I love the vivid tangerine orange which is summery bright and cheerful.  And an A-line skirt is always flattering, pulling in the waist and disguising the upper hips and thigh but still flashing enough leg to be fun!

I've found an equivalent skirt from Joy the Store.  Whilst it isn't top-class designer, and it's a cotton blend as opposed to silk and wool, it's still stylish and great quality and is reminiscent of the Victoria Beckham version.  I would pair it with a tucked-in cream or white blouse for simple, sophisticated chic; for day I'd wear flat pumps and switch to some killer heels in the evening.  Available in sizes 8 to 14, it's been reduced from £32 to £20 in the sale.

What are your views on Victoria Beckham as a designer?  Do you think she's a worthy designer whose styles can be emulated?

Delightful Dress: Black Elephant Print Peter Pan Collar Dress from Sheinside.com

Definitely, one of the best things about writing this blog is finding new and exciting online stores that stock items that can't be found on the High Street - or even in this country!  Many of the foreign stores I have found lately focus on the vintage/retro look - which I love - but Sheinside.com has that and more!  New items are added to the site every day, so it's really easy to get something unique, interesting and fabulous.

This black and gold elephant print dress is really fun and funky.  The elephant pattern and striking colours for me creates an impression of the far East - think sumptuous silks, sparkly gold and wandering safari animals.  The A-line style of the dress is very flattering too; it will create a very feminine silhouette by pulling in the waist but flaring out underneath.  And a Peter Pan collar is always cute!

This dress would look fantastic with a few simple accessories - maybe a great hairband and some bracelets. I'd then add some black t-bar peep-toe heels to create a lovely, vintage look with a modern twist.

This dress is on sale at the moment, reduced from $89 to $59 (so about £38) but an extra bonus of Sheinside is that there is free worldwide shipping - brilliant!  Also, new customers can get 15% off their first order by signing up to their email list, but I imagine this won't work on sale items.  But worth a try!  Let me know how you get on in the comments below.

Delightful Dresses: About the Artist Dress & Soda Fountain Dress from Modcloth

I am afraid that I can't stay away from the US site Modcloth.  There are so many amazing items on the site, especially their dresses.  For this post, I have chosen two dresses that I feel are gorgeous, versatile and great value but, to be honest, I could have chosen far, far more!

The first dress I love is this 'About the Artist' lilac dress.  Made from a soft cotton, it is perfect for keeping pretty and cool in the summer months.  I adore the whole style of this dress, from the capped sleeves, darted bust area, ruffles and v-neck to flatter the top half, the flowing skirt to flatter the bottom half and the belted waist to create a beautifully defined, feminine silhouette.  It comes in a great range of sizes - from small to 3XL - and is $52.99.  That's about £35 which isn't bad for a dress like this.

The second dress I have chosen is even better value and slightly more practical - but still pretty!  This cotton stretch 'Soda Fountain' dress comes in cherry red, cola black, purple grape and ginger yellow.  Again, being an A-line style, the fit is super-flattering and being cotton is will be cool to wear (in all senses of the word!).  The element of stretch material in this one also will allow for a perfect fit.  As it's slightly plainer than the 'About the Artist' dress, I think this would work wonderfully as a summer office outfit as well as a more casual day dress.  It's $44.99 (about £30) - so again, great value for a great quality, cotton summer dress.

The cheapest Modcloth shipping to the UK is about $17 (about £11), not including any customs charges - various options are available though.

I've also just noticed that you can invite friends to join Modcloth and get a $15 voucher - so might be worth having a look at that too for extra savings!