Thursday, 21 August 2014

More first date fashion - The Theatre Date, One For The Boys and The Boris Bike Date

Again, a little late with this one so thought i'd catch you up with the most recent first date fashions as featured on the 30dates blog!
As you know, I am very much enjoying being the resident stylist with 30dates and it's been so much fun creating outfits for all the different scenarios Miss Twenty-Nine has been giving me!
Hope you like the most recent looks and keep checking back for some thrifty styling posts coming very soon...

The Theatre Date

This dress caught my eye immediately. The print is gorgeous and it’s a great shape, smart cut and a comfortable fit for sitting down in a theatre in. I like it when statement dresses have 3/4 length sleeves like this because it means it’s still summery but the sleeves just keep away the evening chill without you having to cover the dress with a jacket.  A dress like this should not be hidden away under a jacket!
The theatre is a nice opportunity to glam up, so I’ve picked this bag as I love the sparkle and the colour is really unusual.  It goes really well with the dress. Now, I know my usual rule is to let a statement dress do the talking and not overload with necklaces, but in this instance I’m going against that. Sometimes even a bold printed dress can benefit from a necklace to lift it and this necklace is perfect for the job. The dress is gorgeous and the colours are really striking, but the necklace just adds a touch of evening glamour without overdoing it.  The colour goes perfectly with both the dress and the bag, so it still looks coordinated and finishes off the look beautifully. With all that colour it’s best to keep the shoes neutral – these are perfect because the colour is subtle but still picks out those nude tones in the dress, and the bronze detail of the heel and straps keeps them nice and dressy for a date at the theatre!

As we all know – every woman should own a little black dress.  They’re classy, sexy and the perfect base for an outfit. They’re also a fail safe if you’re unsure about what to wear because you can pretty much wear any colour or print with them! When I think of the theatre I always think of it being a classy, glamorous affair so what better than an LBD?
This is a really nice one because it’s a great length, has a lovely feminine fit and the high neck means it’s just begging for a statement necklace! Which is why I chose this gorgeous pearl, yellowy bronze one.  It’s a really lovely necklace and I love these colours on the black dress. Nude and bronze tones really complement a black dress and look clean and elegant for a sophisticated look. I have these shoes myself and I’m really pleased I bought them – they’re a nice height and the top front section actually comes across the foot in an angled straight line which is a nice touch.
With two pale elements against the black dress I didn’t want to pick a nude clutch as I think that would have been too much.  This bag is a lovely accompaniment to the look and the beading adds a pretty but subtle touch.

One For The Boys
I really like all these colours together, neutral and maroon are a great combination. I’ve gone for black chinos as they’re a nice smart alternative to jeans and i’ve chosen black as you don’t want another colour in this outfit or it would look far too much! The shoes are a great finish for this look, the colour fits in really well to keep the outfit nice and co-ordinated and they keep it looking smart while still stylish. Admittedly, they are expensive but these are timeless and can be worn with a smart suit or on a date with a slightly more smart/casual look. This is a relaxed, stylish outfit that’s perfect for a restaurant date!

This look is a slightly more summery look. I really like chino shorts and as before, they’re a nice way to smarten up the outfit for a date scenario! Blue and tan look great together and suit anyone, the colours complement eachother really well and I always think blue and tan look effortlessly stylish but still smart. Adding a shirt to the shorts ensures the look stays date worthy and doesn’t stray into beach territory however the shoes add a nice nautical touch. I really like this belt and the colour with the outfit, you could tuck the shirt in or out to show off the belt, it would work either way.

Boris Bike Date
So this week I was asked to put together a couple of looks for a Boris Bike date. I love this date idea and it’s a really fun alternative to the stereotypical dinner or drinks. It does mean a bit more consideration on your outfit choices though!
This first look is great for this type of date, as it takes into account both modesty and practicality issues. A jumpsuit is a stylish alternative to trousers or a dress and means you can still look glam while ensuring you’re not flashing anything you shouldn’t be! Wearing a skirt or dress is a definite no-no on a bike as your attention is going to be on protecting your modesty or watching the material doesn’t get caught in the chain, rather than actually enjoying the date! I’ve tried on this jumpsuit before and it’s a really comfortable jersey that would be perfect for wearing on a date like this.
The sandals are a good option for a bike ride as they are secure and comfortable so no danger of losing one on your journey! The bag is a perfect choice, it has a long strap which you can either clip on as a long shoulder strap or looped through a clip to make it a backpack! It’s a brilliant idea and so versatile. Wear it as a backpack during your ride to keep your hands free and then if you decide to take the date to a restaurant afterwards, you can wear it as a stylish shoulder bag. I have this in duck egg blue and I absolutely love it!

I like to think this look has a slightly Hepburn feel to it.  It’s stylish, comfortable and sophisticated. The trousers are comfortable yet nicer than a pair of jeans for a date, and the print is also perfect for hiding any potential mud spatters!
I really love this jumper – it has a relaxed, loose fit that’s perfect for an active date and the colour is a great way to lift the black and white of the trousers.
I chose the shoes as the colour works well with the other colours in this look; they’re comfortable and simple yet still nice enough to wear out afterwards for dinner or drinks. I wanted to add some simple jewellery to the outfit that wasn’t going to get in the way so a small gold necklace was a good option.  It’s a pretty addition to add some bling without being a hindrance while cycling!
Lastly, the bag is a gorgeous colour, especially with the mustard top and as a cross-body bag, it’s perfect to wear on a bike ride.  As with the bag in the other look, it keeps your hands free for the ride, yet still looks nice slipped on one shoulder for afterwards!

Friday, 1 August 2014

I WON!!!

Hey All!

Thought I would update you on the Virgin Holidays Cruise competition and i'm very pleased to say I won! Really pleased my outfit got the most votes as I was really happy with what I put together and I really appreciate all the votes and sharing that got me there!

The prize is £200 of shopping vouchers and I was given the choice of store so I went for Topshop of course! Really excited to go on a shopping spree and I will do a big post on my new purchases and what i'm styling them with as soon as I get the vouchers and get myself to Topshop!

Thanks again for all the votes!

xx