1 little black dress, 7 days in 7 ways

I recently found this blog called the uniform project which documents an exercise in sustainability where Sheena Matheiken had seven versions of the same black dress. One for each day of the week. She accessorised in different ways to create different outfits using vintage and handmade accessories. I decided to try this out myself not for a year but for just seven days, with the same dress which obviously I washed each time. I don't have many vintage and handmade accessories so used what I had in my wardrobe instead. The black dress I chose was one that I bought about a year ago in Oasis. Partly because it is, I think quite flattering and also as the short length lends itself to being worn with leggings and trousers giving it more outfit possibilities and versatility.

The black dress from Oasis

Jeggings - Topshop
Boots - Whooga Boots
Cardigan - Jane Norman - a long time ago
Scarf - Dorothy Perkins

Tights - Uttam
Shoes - ASOS

Wood and string necklace and bangles - presents
Jeggings - Topshop
Shoes - Marks and Spencers

Jacket - Second hand suit jacket - Next
Leggings/ jeggings - Topshop
Shoes - New Look
Necklace and bracelet - presents

Jacket - Charity Shop - Jaeger
Chain necklace - New Look
Leggings and shoes as before

Cropped leather jacket - Gestuz from ASOS
Necklace - French Connection
Jeans - DIY refashioned with bleach


Top / jacket thing - Next
Chain Necklace - New Look
Footless tights - bought in error (I thought they were normal tights) from Uttam.
Shoes - M & S


I thought this would be easy peasy but it is actually quite hard and by day seven I was really starting to get bored with my little black dress. After day three, I struggled to think of what to wear with the dress and really had to stretch my imagination beyond my usual uniform. But I also learnt something very important, I don't have nearly enough beautiful, stylish and unusual hand crafted accessories. It made me think a bit rather than resorting to the usual safe options. It also made me reconsider the importance of buying 1 lovely black dress and accessorising in many different ways. Something that I have always tried to do to a certain extent, until I spot that must have floral statement dress or something else completely whimsical.

and yes I can confirm the cat did not move for the whole 7 days!

Bespoke Finery

I recently went along to a SHE Means Business event in London, which by the way was amazing, lots of interesting and inspirational business women, speakers including Jenny Packham (bridal and evening wear designer), champagne and yummy food plus a goody bag so heavy, it was hard work to carry home on the train.

Whilst there I met a lovely lady from Bristol and travelled home with her on the train. She really stood out from the crowd for her beautiful neck wear. The lady, Bronwen Grover has a company designing Bespoke Finery (also the name of her company) and she was wearing a piece that she had designed (pictured above).

Her intricate and glamorous accessories are handmade of beautiful and eye catching materials like organza, beads and feathers, individual pieces that really stand out.

Soft Jewellery

When writing about North Circular the new ethical knitwear label recently, I discovered a new term for the accessories that I have been seeing around everywhere but never really new how to describe. The term soft jewellery is self explanatory really but I have only just come across it. Soft jewellery describes the chunky and knitted necklaces that seem to be popping up every where especially on Etsy. I love them, they are such great statement pieces and for me bridging the gap between jewellery and clothes - not quite a necklace but not a collar or scarf either. It is great to have some really big necklaces that don't weigh a ton. I never can wear great big necklaces for long before getting neck ache.

Here are some very gorgeous pieces from Giia on Etsy. It looks like lots of fashion bloggers have already discovered these

.

Chunky Knits and Knaked Knitting!

Pictures from www.woolfisher.co.uk

I recently spotted some really amazing knitwear on I Want You to Know It and just had to find out where it came from. These amazing chunky hats and dresses not only look very cozy and warm but also very stylish in a super size sort of way. Unfortunately for me, nothing in life is this simple and when I contacted Woolfish, creators of these lovely pieces, I was told I could buy the extra chunky yarn to make them myself. Woolfish is a small yarn and textiles shop on the edge of the picturesque village of St Abbs in Scotland. Hmm, I am not much of a knitter, in fact I am not a knitter at all and I strongly suspected that embarking on such a project, would end up in yet another half finished creation.

I have however fallen in love with the very beautiful colours and chunkiness of the dress and hat. When I found out that they were made using knaked knitting (no knitting needles required), I was even more tempted. I am currently considering a slightly simpler project using the very chunky yarn, a snood - something that is quite near the top of my wish list for this winter. Now I just need to decide on a colour.

Style Eyes Weekly Fashion Round Up 25/10/09

picture from Bamboo Baby - organic baby clothes

So here it is what I have been up to (or part of it) for this week, I hope that you enjoy reading it.

Posh Swaps Clothes Swap - Make do and mend seem to be the words on everyones lips, I check out this trend. I have also asked the question how does a posh swaps party work. Don't forget we have our first South west Posh Swaps clothes swap party in November.

Bamboo Baby - as well as the usual information about organic baby clothing, I have written about the environmental impact of clothing dyes in the post brightly coloured baby clothes and dyes. I also review yet more environmental initiatives in Lily Cole backs scheme to save Amazon rain forest and reThread Eco fashion in Environmental action and awareness through fashion.

Shmotter - a great place to design your own outfits and get inspiration from others. THis week i have been looking at scary spiders and halloween fashion and Agyness Deyn outfit at the Burberry SS10 show.

An up do and autumn walk in the park

Top - second hand - Next

Denim pencil skirt - Dorothy Perkins

Pink cardigan - Fenn Wright Manson

With it being the weekend, I had a bit more time on my hands on Saturday and so decided to try my hair in up do. Unfortunately, am having slight difficulty focusing the camera so the picture is slightly blurry.

So on Sunday, I decided to get in some camera practice with an autumn walk in the park with Mr Style Eyes and the children. Such beautiful scenes with all the red, yellow, orange and brown autumn leaves. Admittedly Mr Style Eyes did take a few of the pics but they were on my camera so that makes them mine.

Oldie but goody - Desert boots

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that Clarkes had brought back the desert boots to celebrate 60 years. A firm favourite from my youth, I wore my bright green desert boots every where from youth club, to sailing and roller disco (in the days when it just wasn't cool to actually roller skate at a roller disco). There was a great selection of desert boots with a different style for each decade. I found it very difficult to decide which one I liked best and could quite happily buy them all, one for each day of the week. I am already picturing outfits that I would wear them with.

If however, I was pushed (and in my current economic status, I probably will be) to choose just one, then it would have to be the Liberty print. I originally loved desert boots for their simplicity and yet now I would choose probably the least simple design. Perhaps an indication of how my style has changed over the years. I was also slightly surprised by the price. I always thought of desert boots as cheap and cheerful, not anymore, perhaps another sign of the times!

The winner of the Blackberry and Richard Nicoll Pouch is .....

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the recent competition/ giveaway to win a Blackberry and limited edition Richard Nicoll pouch. The winner is Liv Lundelius of Blushless.com. She sounds like she could definitely do with a Blackberry in a very stylish pouch.

I would also like to say thanks to Begadgets, Carphone Warehouse’s social networking initiative for providing this great prize.

Begadgets was launched in August 2009 to bring young people and gadget lovers together and to be able to exchange user experiences at a new level. It keeps users up to date with the latest’s gadget news, provides them with exclusive content, and gives them the chance to enter exciting competitions.

Weekly Shopping and Goodies 21/10/09

picture courtesy of http://www.fashionhippo.com/

This weeks shopping and goodies round up is packed full of giveaways, gorgeous fashion and luxurious beauty. I would like to wish Being High Maintenance not Bitchy a Happy Birthday!

A Few Goody Gumdrops finally found the perfect Little Black Dress from Twenty8Twelve! Do you agree?

Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy is celebrating her birthday! Tell her your favourite post and you could win!

Fashion Fille ponders if Gen Y is becoming tragically inarticulate.

Fashion Hippo showcases the Best Over-the-Knee Boots in Every Heel Height

Handbag du Jour thinks life is easy for Nicky Hilton and her Valentino Maison Hard Tote.

Princess Dominique invites you to enter the YMI Dark Wash Bootcut Jeans Giveaway!

Quinta Trends shows Karina Latorre last collection

Shopping and Info has a $500 Carolina Herrera gift card giveaway.

Style Eyes checks out a scary collection from Paris Fashion Week in her post Giles in Paris - an Arachnophobes worst nightmare.

StyleMaven relies on Mario Badescu Drying Lotion and Calma Mask for skin care emergencies.

The Fashionable Bambino invites you to enter our Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Wubbzy Goes Boo DVD Giveaway! TWO winners! Contest ends Friday 10/23!

The Fashionable Housewife is giving away Crest & Scope Giftbaskets to 5 lucky winners!

Each gift basket will contain toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss picks in the new Outlast flavor from Crest and Scope.

The Fashionable Gal is giving away a CLARISONIC! Not only that, it's a PINK one!! Just donate to Fashionable Gals For A Cure, and you'll be entered to win a pink Clarisonic of your very own!The Budget Fashionista wants to remind you that you only have until October 27 to tell them why you're a Maxxinista and get a chance to Win a $500 Shopping Spree to TJ Maxx.

TheFind Blog is excited about the Anna Sheffield for Target jewelry collection and we can't wait to get our hands on our favorite picks from the vintage inspired necklaces, earrings and "charm-ing" bracelets.

What's Haute Magazine's beauty editor spends some time with the hair master, Frederic Fekkai.

SomeoneSpoilMe.com has the best Halloween Costume Ideas

Couture In The City Shows us how to spice up our fall look with jewelry designer Jessie Williams

Posh Swaps Clothes Swap Party - Bath

After the success of the last Posh Swaps clothes swap party in Chiswick, I can't wait until the next party in Bath. A really fun evening which combines a chance to have a chat with friends, a glass of wine and refresh you wardrobe with some new (swapped) clothes. At the last Posh Swaps clothes swap party, there were so many gorgeous clothes including a Marc Jacobs coat and Missoni dress. So if you live near Bath, I would strongly recommend that you get your ticket now before they sell out. Details are below:

When? 24th November 2009 7.00 -9.30pm
Where? Brunswick Room, Guild Hall, Bath
How? Just bring along 2 or 3 items of clothing that someone else would be delighted to own
Why? It’s fun, it’s frugal and it’s eco friendly, plus a great chance to refresh your wardrobe!
Cost? £10 in advance, £12 on the night including…
entrance to the swap party and our fashion and beauty market
a glass of wine and nibbles
the chance for one lucky person to be styled by Personal Stylist, Emma McDonnell of Style to Wear
a reusable goody bag with fashion and beauty goodies

Why not arrange a girls or work night out? Buy 5 tickets in advance and get the 6th Ticket free!

For further information and to buy tickets visit Posh Swaps Clothes Swap Parties or email Ceri (at) heathcotecommunications.co.uk.

Giles in Paris - an arachnophobes worst nightmare

Perhaps you though that I had forgotton to post about Paris Fashion Week. I had not. I was just considering and digesting the events and have decided to be very selective in posting as opposed to the blanket approach of blogging about every single show, as that would bore myself and everyone else. So here it is the show that really jumped out at me immediatley - Giles.

My first thoughts, WTF, actually I really like that, eww is that spiders. My best description of the colour scheme would be zingy. It was bright and included neons but in a very unobvious way.The collection had a fair amount of retro and comedy in it. The spiders were, even for someone who claims to have no fear of spiders, slightly creepy. For some, I can imagine they would provoke a shreaking sort of over reaction. But then perhaps that the reaction is part of the joy of wearing such an outfit.

I can see all the cool kids wearing this collection next summer. Unfortunately I don't think any stretch of the imagination could put me in the cool kids category but perhaps I can give it a try anyway, it looks so much fun!

pictures from http://www.style.com/

A Pop of Colour

picture from Shmotter.com

Don't you love how fashion phrases come in and out of fashion just like clothes. A while back everyone was working a look, then they were channeling, lately everyone is adding a pop of colour. I love this expression as to me it says a small amount of a very bright colour against a neutral or black background, usually some sort of accessory. This picture shows some great pops of colour that I have come across, almost makes me want to go out and buy a new grey dress.

Style Eyes Weekly Fashion Round Up 18/10/09

picture from Shmotter.com

This week is a slightly longer round up than usual as I haven't posted for a few weeks as I have been so busy writing.

Posh Swaps Clothes Swap - I check out Glove Love, an initiative by Green Thing to find a pair for lost gloves. I ask and answer the question What is Swishing?. I look at Sustainable and recycled fashion at New York Fashion Week. I find out about the Uniform project an exercise in sustainability and consider whether I could wear the same dress for a year?. I can't wait until the next clothes swap party in Bath. I give a few ideas on how to refashion your wardrobe and finally, I give a quick review of the Ethical Fashion Show in Paris.

Bamboo Baby - as well as the usual information about organic baby clothing, I have written about organic cotton tights and socks. I have also founc a great dress by Frank and Faith Ethical Fashion.

Shmotter - a great place to design your own outfits and get inspiration from others. I review the trned for exaggerated shoulders in the post Don't Get The Cold Shoulder, I also ask Slouchy Boots- how do you wear yours?. I give a few ideas on how to get your own unique style and especially for autumn and winter 09/10 I look at the updated leather jacket and post on the jumpsuit - love or hate it and how to wear thigh high boots. Finally, I think about style inspiration.

The Blue Inc Woman Launch

Today, amongst the doom and gloom of fashion retailers closing down, comes another glimmer of sunshine for affordable women's fashion, in the form of the Blue Inc women's range. Blue Inc already has a men's wear range which features very popular and trendy casual wear.

The woman's wear range follows the same successful formula of street fashion but adds a bit more colour, sparkle and glamour for the ladies. There is a range of very comfy and stylish looking leisure wear but my favourite pieces are slightly more dressy. Some great versions of my favourite piece of clothing at the moment, leggings, which I love wearing with a mini dress for a bit of warmth and modesty in the winter. But the best bit of all, for those desperate for a fashion fix but lacking in cash, is the price. Have a look, I think you will be surprised.

Weekly Shopping and Goodies 14/10/09

Picture from the Fashionable Housewife

A Few Goody Gumdrops shops the chic and edgy bandage look in hot pink from Pleasure Doing Business!

Bags, Bling & Beauty has discovered an oh-so-chic feminine take on the Fedora by Wallaroo.

Couture In The City shares with us Pretty in Pink with Lisa Salzer and Loft stores.

Fashion Cents shows you how to take your 9 to 5 look into after 5.

It's simple and just makes sense.

Fashion Hippo brings youSaks Friends & Family Event

Look at Secret garden, Ropa del Alma new collection in Quinta Trends

Raging Rouge wants to remind you to enter for a chance to win $374 in Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown and Origins product!

Shopping and Info loves a grey pair of boots for the winter.

SomeoneSpoilMe.com encourages you to SHOP while you GIVE BACK.

StyleMaven is facing the blustery weather in style with her Hunter Wellie Boots during one of the fiercest storms this year.

The Budget Fashionista hopes you will get your maxxinista and win a TJ Max gift card!

The Fashionable Housewife shows you How To Wear Over The Knee Boots for Fall 2009.

The Fashionable Bambino shows you the best Safe, Lead-Free Toys from Green Toys, Inc.

Fashionable Media presents Fashionable Gals For A Cure Breast Cancer Awareness Fund Raiser and Giveaway.

Help us raise money for BCA research and enter to win fabulous prizes from Gillette, Elle Moss, Urban Decay, cashmere wraps, Mama Mio, Philosophy, and more! We're even giving away gift cards to TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Bare Necessities, and Super Shoes!

TheFind Blog found the perfect accessory for hiding the gap between your jeans and fitted tees, right where you need it - the "Hip-T".

So not bored of the high street

Knitted frill dress - Marks and Spencers

Something Else Space Dreams Tank at Urban Outfitters

Dress - Cos

How could I possibly get bored of the high street at the moment. In fact it just seems to go from strength to strength. With the current economic climate and a sever lack of pennies to spend, I don't think I will be needing designer clothes for the time being - not with so many lovely high street options.

More trash than cash

As people struggle on (myself included) trying to look stylish in a recession, the magazines seem to be jam packed with ideas for cost effective ways to look good. The November issue of Vogue has a strong focus on DIY clothes, more dash than cash and thrifty fashion - although Vogues ideas of thrifty differs quite some from my own ideas. In particular a feature called 'Make do and mend' caught my attention, where domestic objects were turned into DIY couture by Shona Heath, William Tempest and Peter Jensen. It reminded me of a feature on Blue Peter many years ago when I was a child and they made party dresses from black bin bags.

I would have to question the ecomomics and environmental credentials of this outfit considering it is highly unlikely that it has been made using old/ recycled rubber gloves and dustbin bags.

I am just trying to picture the faces of all of the mums at the school, when I turn up to pick the children up wearing this outfit made of cotton wool balls.

Worryingly, I actually really like this, I might even consider wearing it.

Dish cloth couture- I love it!

Amazing what you can make using a few old tea towels. Very clever.

I am guessing this outfit was not designed with wearability in mind.

I decided to have a go at my own 'make do and mend' feature amidst mutterings by Mr Style Eyes that he wonders if I am all there sometimes. I have been wondering what to do with my ever growing stack of fashion magazines and have previously considered turning them into jewellery. There is something about the glossiness and rich colours that I think would work really well. Anyway I have long been hankering after a gorgeous bib necklace but lacking the cash to buy one. I decided to attempt to make one using an old copy of vogue in what I think is a truly economical and environmental project cost - £0. Not sure about how durable it will be though and I am really hoping it doesn't rain!

And here is my recycled magazine handbag crafted by my lovely daughter.