My prom is coming up and I need help with finding a dress. I am a size 8-10 and have £200 to spend.
I’m still a little resentful that proms became a “thing” in this country after I had left secondary school. It is, as you have clocked, a great opportunity to buy a beautiful dress. Chi Chi has plenty of joyful prom dresses, such as this strapless floral one (1 £58), or if you like embellishment, Frock & Frill makes pretty beaded dresses. Self-Portrait is perfect for such an event — try the Azealea dress in crimson red (2 £240), or the Delphinium satin and lace dress (£220), both available from Selfridges. For something edgier, Kimchi Blue’s Scarlett black dress (£42; urbanoutfitters.com) is simple yet striking. Wear it with New Look’s gold textured ankle-strap sandals (£20).
I am starting a new job in April at a technology company with a casual dress code. Having worked in highly corporate environments for a considerable amount of time, the concept of “casual” is somewhat alien to me. I’m size 14, 5ft 9in and would be looking to spend about £150.
It can be daunting going from an office with a strict dress code to one with “mufti”, as a suit can provide the routine comfort of a school uniform. Let’s ease you in slowly and work some of your tailored pieces into your new casual work wardrobe. I like Olive (oliveclothing.com); its affordable and unique pieces are quietly chic. Try the breton T-shirt (£18), with one of your pencil skirts or suit trousers, or the two-pocket detail shirt (£55) with a tailored blazer and some high-waisted dark denim jeans. AllSaints has a great selection of pulled-together but not too smart dresses. Wear the Fleet Haze dress (£188) with a leather jacket and ankle boots. Alternatively, try a print dress such as this tunic (3 £89) from Cos, with tights and knee-high boots.
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For my Easter break I am looking for a swimsuit that won’t make me look frumpy. I am in my early twenties and a size 10. My budget is £50.
The one-piece has made a strong return to the swimwear scene. Barring those with a trillion cutouts (which give odd tan lines), they are a chic choice. If you like the retro pin-up look, H&M’s Shape swimsuit (£25) has Brigitte Bardot vibes in spades. For a strapless option with plenty of underwire support, try River Island’s botanical print swimsuit (4 £35). My favourites are the scalloped designs by Topshop, which come in black with a plunge front (£36), or black and white in a 1950s shape (£35). They’re dead ringers for Chloé’s scalloped swimwear, at a fraction of the price.
How I tackled...the mini-bag
Above: Marcie mini cross-body satchel, £435, by Chloé; matchesfashion.com. Silk shirt, £230, by Equipment; net-a-porter.com. Suede dress, £199, from H&M. Lorca ankle boots, £150, from Ted Baker
Once upon a time, we toted handbags that were as heavy as their contents, with metal hardware that could give you vivid bruises. Hurrah, then, for the cross-body mini-bag, in light, bright leather. This little peach by Chloé is inspired by 1970s saddle bags and perfectly offsets the marsala suede dress (marsala is the Pantone shade of 2015, don’t you know). Just the right size for your essentials, the Marcie leaves your hands free for the important stuff. Now that’s power dressing.
This week I'm into...retro stripes
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Above, from left: maroon and orange knit, £68, by Topshop Unique. Blue stripy knit, £175, by Sandro. Green stripy knit, £40, from H&M.
The breton tee will forever be a wardrobe staple (running the gamut of women from Boden mum to Bardot babe), but currently I’m into the retro stripy jersey. It’s something about the fit (tight, with capped sleeves), the slightly iffy colour combinations (brown, yellow, red, green) and the material (Lurex or stretchy ribbed cotton) that makes this season’s riff on a classic staple work so well. Plus, it’s stripy, so it will go with everything.
Pandora's box of tricks
Make your own version of this season’s fancy blouse by tying a ribbon in a bow under your shirt collar.
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Main image credits: Hair: Tiffanne Williams using Kevin Murphy Fresh Hair, Schwarzkopf Osis Dust It and Osis hairspray. Make-up: Lucy Pearson using Mac
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