Dressing Up British Style

My last post was a rundown of my trip to the UK.  Of course I shopped while I was there, but I didn't go too crazy.  Pre-Christmas sales were slim, and afterwards (Boxing Day and beyond) the stores were packed.  All in all I bought three dresses...Check how I styled them for three very different looks!    

Chiffon Blush

This is my rock and roll beauty queen look :)  I thought it would be fun to take an elegant pink chiffon dress and pair it with kick-ass black boots.  A fem dress doesn't always require ladylike accessories, and this is a great example.  Use contrast to make a statement and stand out from the crowd.  I scooped up this dress at a super inexpensive vintage-esque shop called 9 Pound Fashion.  i.e. Nearly everything in the store was only nine pounds (about $15).  All the clothes were new but they had a definite vintage vibe...and the quality was impressive for the price.  This dress especially caught my eye.  Styled with: Report Signature boots, Kate Spade clutch, JewelMint earrings, and Guess bracelet.   

Black Lace & Silver Shoes

This is an elegant cocktail look with just a little bit of edge.  I own soooo many black dresses, but this one was a bit different.  The sleeves and trim are lace, but the bodice is a sparkling textured fabric, and there's even a subtle faux-fur collar.  Since the dress has a gothic vibe, I chose to avoid black accessories.  Instead I opted for silver glitter pumps to compliment the sparkle in the dress.  I love the opalescent statement earrings, versus a necklace with this look.  This dress was also a steal at 9 Pound Fashion, though it's not available through their site.  Styled with: Boutique 9 'Justine' (the most comfortable pointed-toe pump ever), Nine West clutch, Topshop belt, and BaubleBar earrings.

The Ladylike Red Dress

This stunning neoprene red dress was my only splurge, and I still got it for 50% off retail.  It was a truly last minute airport find.  The duty free shops at LHR Terminal 5 are oh-so-enticing, and Ted Baker is one of my favorites.  Stopping to try on this dress meant we nearly missed our flight (no joke) but it was worth it.  The dress retails for $248 on the US site, though I found it on sale and tax free for 75 pounds (about $125).  Styled with: Sole Society heels, Ted Baker tote, BaubleBar necklace, and H&M bangles.

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