Dionysus Skirt from Coast

Coast has just launched its High Summer collection and it is gorgeous - lots of bold colours and prints, pretty pastels and florals and flattering styles, perfect for fun Summer occasions.  There are beautiful shift and maxi dresses, stunning strappy sandals and fantastic skirts, all in luxurious fabrics such as jacquard, lace and satin.

I love this Dionysus skirt.  The box pleats and full, A-line shape means that it will be flattering, especially to one's waist. It's versatile; it can be worn with pretty much any top - plain or patterned - for any occasion.  A simple t-shirt and pumps would make a great daytime outfit, or dress it up with a silk cami, jewellery and heels for an evening look.  My favourite colour is the baby blue (shown), but it also comes in yellow and this season's colour, royal blue. Lovely!

It's £75 in sizes 6 to 18 and until midnight tonight, customers can get 25% off full priced items with the code SUMMERTIME.

Geometric Print Tube Skirt from House of Holland

I love the House of Holland collection, with its 1980s inspired, bold patterns and styles.  The collection is available on its own website, but also can be found in other stores such as Debenhams and Urban Outfitters.

I spotted this patchwork tube pencil skirt on Pinterest and love it.  Its a perfect pencil skirt, with its edgy, geometric pattern, superb midi length and high-waisted, stretch jersey fit.  Wear with a black t-shirt and ankle boots for a great, urban look.

It's £90 on the House of Holland site, but this fantastic skirt is also available at Urban Outfitters who are offering 15% off until 23rd March with the code MIAMI15 making it £76.50.

Hermione de Paula Miriam Lace Midi Skirt from My-Wardrobe

So many sales, so little time! The My-Wardrobe sale is always great and there's currently up to 80% off a superb range of brands and products from designers such as Preen, See by Chloe, 3.1 Phillip Lim, MSGM and Joseph.

I love this luxurious silk lace midi skirt by Hermione de Paula. Simple yet chic and elegant, it adds an element of class and style to any outfit.  It could be worn with tailored classics, such as a crisp blouse and courts for a smart office outfit. Or it could be glammed up with a colourful top and accessories and some killer heels for the evening. Perfect!  Originally £743, it's been reduced by 75% to £185.

Alice Polka Dot Midi Skirt from Boohoo.com

Boohoo.com is great for fun, contemporary and good value clothing.  Customers can stock up each season without breaking the bank and, even better, they've just launched a new range of plus-sized clothing from sizes 16 to 24.

Spots are still on trend this season so I've spotted (ha) this black and white polka dot skirt.  It's perfect for the day, teamed with some heeled sandals or ankle boots and a sweater until the weather improves, and then a simple t-shirt or vest top would look fab.

It's £20 and I can't see any discounts for the site right now, but I think it is good value.  However, by using the code NEXTUK by 8pm today, customers can get free next day delivery so that's something!

Delightful Dress: Baroque Print Midi Dress from Lipsy

I know I just blogged about a fantastic body con dress the other day, but I have found another fabulous one from Lipsy.

This Lipsy Baroque print midi dress is simply stunning.  It's from their Petroleum range, designed to be slick, strong and super fierce!  The teal and purpley-brown and colour combination is really interesting and unique and really flatters the body con silhouette.  I think this brocade pattern - feminine and luxurious - is going to be on-trend for AW13.  I'd wear this dress for an evening out, with fabulous heels and minimal - but edgy - accessories.  It's £48, but until 15th September, customers can benefit from £20 off £100 spends at Lipsy using a discount voucher code, so add this and a couple more items, save and look amazing!

Delightful Dress: AX Paris Comic Midi Dress from USC

The comic print trend is still very much en vogue and there are loads of fabulous patterns and styles available.  I've already spotted this brilliant pencil skirt, which I like for its quirkiness and idiosyncrasy and I do love a man in a Superman t-shirt....

But I want more!  And so it shall be.  I have been coveting this AX Paris comic print midi dress from USC for ages now but it's been full price the whole time.  However, it's now on sale - originally £22, it's reduced to just £15.  It will be so easy to wear - simply team with a pair of black patent heels and heads will turn!  This body con dress will really show off one's feminine silhouette - the elastane means it should hold everything in, so don't be scared!  Channel your inner superhero and fly away in style!

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.

Splendid Skirt: Orla Kiely Alpine Grove Skirt from People Tree

I love People Tree, with its ethical, fair trade ethos and superb, quality products.  For over 20 years, it has partnered with Fair Trade artisans and farmers in the developing world to produce a collection of ethical and eco fashion.  It has always been a pioneer in that field so customers can feel good about purchasing from them!

There are loads of great items in their sale right now, including designers such as Orla Kiely.  I'm really impressed with the sale price of these Alpine Grove cotton midi skirts - they have been reduced from £70 to £28 - a real bargain!  Pair with a simple white t-shirt, cardi and flat sandals for a perfect, chic summer look.  I can't decide whether I prefer the blue or coral - but at that price, I'm tempted by both!

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.

Delightful Dress: Ashley Shirt Dress from Baukjen

Shirt dresses are classic, versatile and comfortable.  They can be thrown on and teamed with jeans or leggings, bare legs or with tights and look chic.  I would pick a cotton or cotton blend one and make sure that it has a decent tie waist to really flatter the figure - otherwise one runs the risk of looking like one is wearing an oversized man's shirt.

The Baukjen sale is on and I have found a lovely blue and white striped shirt dress, available in sizes 8 to 16.  It can be dressed up with wedged sandals (I think it would be fab with these Steve Madden ones) or wear with skinny jeans and Converse for an off-duty, casual look.  Originally £109, it's been reduced to just £43.60.

Delightful Dress: Tribal Print Body Con Midi Dress from Izabel London

There are so many gorgeous dresses at the moment at Izabel London and I have been hard pressed to pick just one!  I have gone for an ethnic print bodycon midi dress for something a little different to usual.  It's on trend, glamourous and the fitted, stretch fabric should hold any loose bits in nicely!  I find that a midi length on a dress and skirt is very flattering.  I especially like this pattern for the colours which are pretty and subtle but which still manage to convey tribal style.

This dress is only £18, but there are a couple of voucher codes for Izabel London which are valid until the end of the month - 12% off with code 12IZABEL (all orders) or 15% with code 15IZA40 (if you spend over £40).  They're also offering free standard delivery on orders over £20.

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.

Delightful Dress: Pretty Dress Company Mistress Day Dress from Look Again

The retro look is fab, but sometimes I want to channel it without going too far - I'm thinking of when I'm at work especially!  So I've searched for a dress that conveys Mad Men office chic but isn't completely 1960's and I think I've found it in this Mistress black and white day dress by The Pretty Dress Company.

This fitted pencil dress is an easy one piece style solution, suitable for not only the office but for the day too; it can be worn as it is with a pair of pumps or heels and that's the outfit, sorted.  The classic, monchrome design, features a contrasting collar, three quarter sleeves and retro cut that are in keeping with the 60's vibe that I was looking for.  It also has a paneled waist detail to cinch in the middle area to create a flattering, hourglass silhouette.

It's available from a few sites online at around the £100 mark, but it's currently on sale at Look Again for £78 in sizes 8 to 16.

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.

Splendid Skirt: Rothko Striped Skirt from Great Plains

Great Plains provides modern and stylish fashion for women focusing on comfort, quality and wearability - so a brand that ticks all the boxes in my opinion!  There's clothing, jewellery and handbags and they are currently holding a end of season sale.

A pleated midi skirt is always stylish and versatile, and I love this striped one that's been reduced from £69 to just £24 in the sale.  It comes in the orange, grey and beige shown (or husky/rooster combo on the site) or royal blue, navy and grey (or veronica/aleutian combo).  It could be worn easily for work, paired with a white blouse and heeled courts or dressed down with a dark top, tights and boots.  Being pleated and a modest knee-length, it will skim the hips, and by tucking in one's top and adding a wide belt, it should be really flattering.

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!

Splendid Skirt: Louche Larry Monochrome Pencil Skirt from Joy

Now this is more monochrome but with a difference!  This black and white graphic print pencil skirt from Joy the Store reminds me of an optical illusion by MC Escher, creating a unique, three-dimensional and fabulous effect.  As ever, the pencil skirt style is perfect for most women's shapes and sizes, with the fabric being slightly stretchy for a great fit.

This skirt would be lovely for the office, with a smart shirt and shoes but it could be dressed up for the evening too with some brightly coloured heels and accessories.  One could perhaps even combine this skirt with the current neon trend to make a real fashion statement - I think that would look amazing!

Joy have an ongoing offer of 10% off first orders when customers sign up to their newsletter, so instead of £35, the skirt can be bought for £31.50.

Splendid Skirt: Print Jersey Ruched Pencil Skirt from Anna Scholz

Pencil skirts are just amazing in that they suit nearly every body shape and look fabulous dressed up or down!  There are so many amazing styles, materials and patterns available that one is really spoilt for choice and it's great to see what's available that looks great.

Anna Scholz designs high-end, plus-size clothing and has a superb collection at the moment.  Even better, for the Bank Holiday, customers can get 25% off full-priced items with the code LE25 (until 28th May).  So I've found this fantastic pencil skirt in a geometric 'crystal maze' print. I love the pattern and colour combination and the fact that it's lined with front and back panels mean there will be a flattering drape across the figure without clinging to the hips.  It's also got a touch of spandex, so it won't be difficult to move in!

Normally, it's £125, but with the discount voucher code this is reduced to £93.75.  It comes in sizes 22 to 28.

Splendid Skirt: Ainara Lace Crochet Skirt by Malene Birger from my-wardrobe.com

The sun has brought clothing palettes out in a yellow fever apparently!  Yellow is a great way to update and brighten one's wardrobe for Spring and Summer, so incorporate accents of lemon, ochre and gold but avoid wearing head to toe yellow. Choose one bold piece to make a statement and complement the look with perfectly sun kissed - but safe - skin.

I am loving this crochet layer midi-length pencil skirt from By Malene Birger, available at my-wardrobe.com.  As ever, a pencil skirt is versatile and feminine and this one will work really well with a crisp blouse or masculine shirt and blazer for a chic workwear look.  It's £199 but new customers can get £50 off purchases of £180 or more by entering the code MYNEWTREAT50 at the checkout until 26th May.

Splendid Skirt: Comic Book Print Pencil Skirt from Amazon

Bam! Zap! Kapow! Comics are brill.  And apparently they are filtering into the fashion world, with designers like Tom Ford taking inspiration from the genre for his AW13 collection.

Wearing this trend is less like dressing as a superhero and more like choosing a key, statement piece and having fun!  I've found this great value pencil skirt from Amazon, available in sizes 8 - 14.  I love the cute geisha girls combined with the comic book graphic print, slogans and vibrant colours.  Style with heels and a plain top - braver individuals could try wearing a crop top for a really modern, youthful look.

Definitely a great way to show off your inner secret superhero!