The black shift dress

The shift dress is one of your classic must have wardrobe that can be worn year round. So there is no need to relinquish this dress to the back of the wardrobe come Autumn. Here are some stylish ways to layer the shift dress for extra warm. You can wear the shift dress with merino lightweight polo neck. This flared sleeveless dress also looks very sophisticated with red polo neck which is very festive for the christmas season. Alternatively you may choose to layer your shift dress with this
Pure Cashmere Scoop Neck Cardigan or this long wool cardigan

Update your winter wardrobe

I have been writing this week about fashion personalities and how our style of dress is a reflection of who we are as a person.

For instance “Classic” is a fashion personality group that is defined by a timeless wardrobe. The classic personality is conservative and likes tailored high quality clothing. She goes for clean lines and traditional fabrics like tweed, silk, wool blends, cashmere etc.

The neutral palette is her friend and she loves navy. While seasons come and seasons go, her wardrobe will stand the test of time as her smart investment wardrobe choices never go out of fashion.

This classic British Tweed Coat is just the kind of coat the classic personality would add to her winter wardrobe. Though she may opt to wear the Ruched Waist Shift Dress and Cable and Bobble Scarf in a more conservative colour.



This Cashmere Tunic made with a luxuriously large amount of cashmere will fit right in with the classic personality's winter wardrobe. Accessorize with this Danielle wool & woven cotton bag in georgeous turqoise and chocolate brown. This classic winter bag is another great winter wardrobe must have for your wardrobe.
This Swishy Applique Skirt will go well with yellow or pink woolly jumper and smart yellow boots.

Wear Floral Dresses this Autumn

Good fashion never goes out of style and florals is one of your classic fashion which like your stripes and polka dots is always in. Though mostly assorted with spring collections, floral patterns can become part of what Gok Wan of "Gok Wan Fashion Fix" calls your ‘capsule wardrobe’. Your capsule wardrobe is simply your basic wardrobe pieces which you can build on. Each piece of your capsule wardrobe should be interchangeable with at least three outfits.

Floaty Hotchpotch Floral Dress

When adding florals to your wardrobe you can choose patterns that already match up with colours in your wardrobe to make them easily interchangeable to create several outfits and looks. At the same time your dress sense may be more eclectic and you may prefer contrasting looks and textures.

Ruched Waist Shift Dress

Classic styles and cuts of floral dresses, skirts, blouses etc makes for a better addition to a capsule wardrobe as you would not have to worry about the style going out of fashion. Vintage style dresses like this ruched waist shift dress is perfect for this trend.

Silk Cotton Scoop Neck Floral Blouse

Floral fashion is usually made from soft, flowing fabrics like silk and polyester making it easy to fell dressed up when wearing this trend. Florals are fun, flirty and very feminine and a good fashion trend to wear if you want to get away from the harsh black and greys usually associated with winter.

If you feel that florals are not for you. Then floral accessories are always an option.

Heliconia Copper Earrings

Opalina ring

Orchid Pendant


Orchid Brooch

The Pearl Necklace - a must have jewellery accessory

If you thought pearls were old fashioned and something your granny wore, well think again. Pearl necklaces are certainly right up their among your top timeless fashion accessories and are no longer only to be worn by the rich and famous like Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, Michelle Obama and Sarah Jessica Parker to name a few.

So how do you wear the pearl necklace? It is all a matter of style, occasion and the look you want to achieve.

Pearls are an ideal accessory for the black shift dress – always a classy elegant look. Michelle Obama famously wears the classic short double strands pearl necklace in this official portrait of the first lady photo released by the white house Feb 27, 2009.


While pearls have been traditionally white, cultured freshwater pearls are available in various colours and shapes which gives the option of wearing pearls grouped in alternating colours like this medium length multi strand coloured pearl necklace worn here by “Carrie Bradshaw” Sarah Jessica Parker to achieve a more casual look.


Keeping it simple, elegant yet casual is Actress KEIRA KNIGHTLEY at the world premiere of her movie Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. A jean clad Knightly is wearing a single strand of mixed white South Sea and black Tahitian pearl necklace made of baroque pearls. An opposing combination - jeans and pearls - but it certainly works.

Katherine Heigl of Grey's Anotomy fame is the picture of glamour in this multicoloured choker pearl necklace.

Like any other fashion accessory, pearls can be dressed up or dressed down. Layer your pearls with other necklaces like Ann Hathaway in the Devil wears Prada for an eclectic haute couture look.

The looks are endless but the appeal is universal and owning your very own pearl necklace is not as expensive as you think. The availability of cultured fresh water pearls have made pearls very affordable. Of course salt water pearls are more expensive but there are many creative and uniquely designed cultured fresh water pearl necklaces to choose from.
This pink and peach round pearl necklace with champagne crystal pendant is simply exquisite. Individually wound with wire by hand, the highlight of this necklace is its stunning faceted champagne crystal pendant. At only £39.99 now that's affordable for a lifetime fashion accessory. Click here for more affordable pearl necklaces to achieve your look.

The shift dress and designer highstreet

The shift dress is an extremely versatile dress that no wardrobe should be without. The bust darts, parallel side or front seams allow for a very flattering fit that skims the body. With such an iconic dress that has been around since the 1920's there are many variations to this style of dress. So how did designer highstreet interpret this catwalk trend for autumn 09/10?



This black sleeveless shift dress from fashion designers Elizabeth and James with its scooped neck and gathered detail will certainly offer a good fit to most shapes. Available from my wardrobe

Navy Blue sleeveless Shift Dress from Paul and Joe Sister is designed with a cowl neck and cap sleeves. Dress has a pleated waist with belt tie and two front pockets. Dress is fully lined and fastens at the back with an invisible zip and has a button down small vent to the skirt. Available from my wardrobe


Tweed Jersey Shift
This dark grey sleeveless tweed shift dress by Joseph is designed with a rounded neck and a slit to the back. Dress fastens with a zip and has some stretch for comfort. This shift dress is fully lined. Available from my wardrobe

Shift dress by by Australian born fashion designer Martin Grant from his ready to wear fall 09 collection.



This textured finished and lined shift dress is made different by it's bow detail and is from Marks and Spencer Per Una collection.


This contemporary wool shift dress from Hobbs is a perfect addition to any wardrobe. You can team it with a smart jacket for work or try adding chunky knits and opaque tights for a chic casual look. This shift dress is made from a crinkle effect fabric and is designed with a rounded neckline, flattering half sleeves and delicate unpressed pleated detailing at the bust.

The shift dress and Michelle Obama – Autumn Winter 09 Fashion Trend

The classic shift dress was very popular on the catwalks for autumn winter 09/10 collections as designers went for the wearability factor. The silhouette cut of the shift dress achieves a look of slenderness whatever your size.

This classic 1960’s look made popular by style icons such as Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn back in the 60’s and more recently by First lady Michelle Obama who wore this Michael Kors sleeveless black shift dress in her first official portrait as First Lady.


More than the recession factor, no doubt fashion designers would have taken their cue from Michelle Obama who in years to come would be labeled the fashion icon who popularized shift dresses 08/09 as she blazed the campaign trail outfitted in off the rack and designer made shift dresses.



Below is a black sleeveless shift dress by Michael Kors from his Autumn 09 Collection.


This white shift dress from Victoria Beckham's Fall 09 ready to wear collection is chic and elegant.



An embellished shift dress from Thakoon's fall collection 09.