Autumn Trend – Plise and Pleats

Posted on September 21, 2016 by fashion-mommy

When you take a look at the key Autumn trends for 2016, pleats and plise seem to just jump out at you – they are everywhere! From fluid style 70s metallics and crinkling, to more elegant chiffon styles that could also work for day wear, the two ‘p’s are something well worth adding to your wardrobe.

The pleated skirts are just divine. They made a return a few years ago when both Alexa Chung and Olivia Palermo were spotted wearing them, and a particular design by Whistles became the ultimate in cult buys. Since then they have been a steady part of each season’s looks, varying in length and fabric, but there, in some shape or form all the same. My own wardrobe is just full of them, and, as they were a mainstay during the 1970s, I often look for vintage versions in charity shops – my most recent was a M&S St Michael label that cost a grand total of 50p. But for those who don’t like the idea of someone wearing their clothes before they do, I would suggest a trip to Topshop – they currently have a brilliant range in super juicy colours and metallic options.

Plise is another throwback to the 1970s, this time to the disco era of Studio 54, Bianca Jagger and Jerry Hall. I also think this slinky, tiny pleated fabric is the nearest us mortals will get to a Fortuny pleat, and it is an ultra glamorous look that really lends itself well to evening wear, hence making it perfect for Christmas party season. New Look, Topshop and Miss Selfridge all have some great plise pieces this season, making it very easy to do modern vintage styling.

Here are my key picks, along with some inspiration from the celebs.

Celebrity Inspiration

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Get the look

Jersey Pleat Midi Skirt £32.00 Click to visit Topshop

Animal Pleat Midi Dress £85.00 Click to visit Topshop

Velvet Pleat Midi £55.00 Click to visit Topshop

**Wrap Front Midi Pleat Dress by Oh My Love £45.00 Click to visit Topshop

PETITE Belted Plisse Jumpsuit £39.00 Click to visit Topshop

Plisse Lace Cold Shoulder Dress £38.00 Click to visit Topshop

Black Sateen Pleated Midi Skirt £24.99 Click to visit New Look

Black Pleated Wrap Front Bodysuit £19.99 Click to visit New Look

Grey Foil Pleated Bardot Neck Top £17.99 Click to visit New Look

Red Satin Pleated Skirt
Was £35.00 Now £20.00 Click to visit Dorothy Perkins

Black Plise Cropped Trousers
Was £24.00 Was £15.00 Now £13.50 Click to visit Dorothy Perkins

Colour Block Pleat Skirt £55.00 Click to visit Miss Selfridge

Burgundy Pleat Maxi Dress £59.00 Click to visit Miss Selfridge

Archive by Alexa and Rosie’s perfume – a M&S update

Posted on April 13, 2016 by fashion-mommy

Everything she touches turns to fashion gold, so letting Alexa Chung loose on the not considerable fashion archives of M&S has to be one of the best ideas ever. ‘Archive by Alexa’, which has just launched, is a collection of pieces that have been curated by Alexa, and have then been reworked, or used as inspiration for a brand new collection that is sure to appeal to fashion purists, M&S fans and Alexa fans everywhere.

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I love the collection, which has the sort of retro cool feel you would expect from Alexa Chung. You can see the inspiration everywhere. The Misty tea dress is one of those 1970s takes on a 40s tea dress in the most beautiful print. The Olive slip dress is a typical minimalist 90s barely there dress, but with the addition of a really pretty print. The Ada blazer is a real 1980s, power dressing throwback, whilst the Harry Blouse has touches of 1970s Laura Ashley milkmaid meshed with Lady Diana circa 1981. I totally love it all.

My Key Picks

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA New The Misty Dress £45 Click to visit M&S

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA The Misty Dress £45 Click to visit M&S

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA New The Frances Trench £89 Click to visit M&S

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA The Frances Trench £89 Click to visit M&S

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA New The Olive Slip £39.50 Click to visit M&S

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA The Olive Slip £39.50 Click to visit M&S

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA New The Eliza Dress £45 Click to visit M&S

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA The Eliza Dress £45 Click to visit M&S

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA New The Ada Blazer £49.50 Click to visit M&S

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA The Ada Blazer £49.50 Click to visit M&S

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA New The Ada Trousers £39.50 Click to visit M&S

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA The Ada Trousers £39.50 Click to visit M&S

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA The Bertha Cardi £35 Click to visit M&S

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA The Harry Blouse £35 Click to visit M&S

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA The Effie Skirt £39.50 Click to visit M&S

ARCHIVE BY ALEXA The Lydia Trousers £35 Click to visit M&S

To view the complete Archive by Alexa collection, click here.

Rosie for Autograph

I’m not normally a great fan of celebrity perfumes, I hated everything by Britney and JLo, and even SJP only convinced me with Covet Pure Bloom (no longer available – sob!), but the Rosie Huntington Whiteley fragrance for M&S is different. A Eau De Parfum rather than toilette, Rosie for Autograph is just lovely.

It is a floral fragrance with an topnote of rose that makes it soft and wearable for everyday. It has been blended with rose centifolia, which is beloved by perfumers as the most prestigious and exceptional of all rose fragrances. The Rose Oil is from handpicked roses from the South of France, adding a gorgeous Continental twist to this fragrance, and a stunning bottle complete with Rose gold label and top, would grace any dressing table, it is just so super pretty.

A 75ml bottle costs just £28 – an absolute bargain for Eau De Parfum, and you can currently get a free Rosie Body Cream when you buy this size.

Rosie HW

ROSIE FOR AUTOGRAPH
Eau de Parfum 75ml £28.00 Click to visit M&S

To view all M&S fragrance, click here.

Alexa Chung for AG Jeans

Posted on July 27, 2015 by fashion-mommy

She’s done it again. The supremely stylish and unique Alexa Chung launched her new collection for AG Jeans last week and the collection is now available at Selfridges. Totally channeling a 70s vibe which seems to combine Jodie Foster in Freaky Friday with Daisy Duke, the collection is full of a-line mini skirts in denim and suede, dungarees and kick flare jeans, and pussy bow blouses. I actually think if you combined the outfits of both Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster in Freaky Friday, you get Alexa’s collection, sort of grown up glamour and geeky youthfulness all in one!

With a social circle that seems to include all of London’s beautiful people, it is no surprise that the Alexa collection for AG is already gaining an it-girl following. One of my current style crushes, Harley Viera Newton, shows that pink and denim is a great colour combo, whilst Alexa’s great friend Pixie Geldof turns a daytime sweatshirt into a piece suitable for a rock chick by adding a hot red leather skirt.