#AW14Trend Retro Revival Splurge vs Save

Yesterday I blogged about the Retro Revival AW14 Trend that has taken the design houses by storm, featuring Alexander Mc Queens contribution to the retro revolution, a beautiful ribbon cuffed dress.

However the best revolutions are shared and this Save vs Splurge piece is for all. Highstreet vs Designer- whatever your budget, look fabulois. 

Splurge:

Gucci Dress, Matches.com - £2,390

Alexander McQueen Bag, Matches.com £1,195

Gianvito Marble Suede Boots, Matches.com £680

Thomas Sabo Rebel at Heart bracelet, Thomas Sabo £275

Save:

Glitter Funnel Neck Shift Dress, Asos £90.00
Hydro Heel Sandals, Asos £50
As if Clutch, Missguided, £17.99
Sunglasses, Zara £19.99

Spulrge:

Balenciaga Coat, MatchesFashion.com £4,750
Valentino Dress, MatchesFashion.com £2,175
YAZI Macaroon Coco Clutch, Wolf & Badger, $249
Boots, Paul Andrew, MatchesFashion.com, £625

Save:

Dress, ASOS £35.00
Printed Bomber Jacket, Zara, £45.99
Deva Sequin Clutch Missguided, £27.99
Boots, Dune £115

More Retro Dresses from ASOS:

How to fix a fail. Celebrity Style Master Class.

When perusing the People & Parties Best Dressed section of Vogue.com I am usually impressed with the choices for the celebrity best dressed. However this week, something is a miss in the Vogue office, because what they picked as the best, was certainly lacking.

I don't believe in criticism without constructive advice, so this post will not be about dissing these ladies, everyone can make a mistake, (I  owned a red PVC jacket in the 90s). Rather, this post will be about room for improvement...because we all mess up sometimes.

1. Evan Rachel Wood at the Hammer Museum Gala, LA

Firstly I do love the leather pants an Chris Louboutin's, so they can stay. However waist up, this look is incredibly dated and unflattering. The jacket is not cut to flatter her lovely boyish frame, the netted vest is awful with that jacket, and paired with the striped shirt...I just can't.

How to improve

For an alternative to Evans unflattering jacket I chose a Preen Line Jacket. I love this jacket because it is unique, with patchwork detail to add character and most importantly is cut to flatter a petite frame, making it a perfect choice for Evans. If you are small, be sure not to let your clothes drown you. It is all about tailoring.

This is a Preen Line  jacket via via Net-A-Porter

Shirt 

This shirt is just gorgeous and is flattering without being to fussy or girly. Business in the front party in the back, it has the attributes of her netted jumper but looks far better--- transparent where it needs to be, and smart where you want it. 

SACAIPleated-back poplin and chiffon shirt

Net-A-Porter

2. Laura Carmichael wearing Erdem at the Madame Bovary Premier

It is not her fault really, the dress has far too much going on. Unflattering shiny plastic netting, embroidered black flowers an long sleeves have me gasping for air. Added to that the white and black combo is not the best choice for the pale laura, as it makes her look washed out. 

How to improve. 

I think a little colour would really make this pop. And have found a Valentino gown which has the classic essence of the original gown, without it's unflattering execution. 

Where to get it: Valentino leather trimmed silk chiffon gown, Net-A-Porter

Oscars Glam : Best Dressed 2013

Well if you're anything like me, barricaded in by the relentless icy grip of winter, its nice to see someone, somewhere wearing something strapless. These Hollywood stars made me smile, vicariously enjoying their moment in the sun. I mean forget the dresses , I would swap with a homeless man in Hollywood right now. Any whoo these dresses were too beautiful to not share so here it is my Annual Oscars Best Dressed.

1.

 Giorgio Armani

Boom - that's one sexy Red Head!Jessica Chastain expertly avoids making her fair skin washed out with the wrong colours. This beautiful golden nude dress with art deco detail  crystal overlay is to die for, making her my favourite look of the day. 

L A W // of life know your look & work it be you to the fullest.

 

Kristen Stewart in Reem Acra

This is bitter sweet for me because I don't love K-Stew -  she usually looks grungy, dirty and awkward but  this is none of these things. I love how she looks in this beautiful Reem Acra Couture dress. I love Reem Acra ( see earlier NYFW post) and Kristen  makes this gown look young and chic. So yeah, she's alright... it turns out a beautiful dress can change everything. Go Kristen.

Woohoo! My girl,  the beautiful Kerry Washington is all shades of happening in this Mui Mui gown. Elegantly understated, Kerry decides against jewellery and allows the bold neck embellishment to do the talking. She looks a million bucks.

Valentino knows how to dress a woman , and Jenifer Aniston looks beautiful in this bold red evening gown, with a luxuriously full skirt and sculpted waist.

 

Charlize Theron lets her face do the talking with her cropped haircut and simplistic Dior white gown, complimented subtly with Harry Winston Jewellery.

I may just like this because it's Jenifer Hudson and I am impressed with how great she looks for losing all that weight- I don't usually like front slits ( tacky) but I do like the fabric and shimmer of this midnight blue fitted dress. So yes I guess its not just Jen, I do love this Valentino gown.

 

George Clooney's plus one Stacy Keibler ensures all eyes are on her in this bold yet subtle, powerful yet elegant Naeem Khan metallic gown.

                      Amy Adams floats on a cloud in this dreamy Oscar De La Renta gown.

 Guilty pleasure here as this gold may be criticised by some for being a bit tacky, but I just love how regal Catherine Zeta Jones looks in this Zuhair Murad gown.

Sandra Bullock looks as lovely as the night sky ( corny but whatever) in this Elie Saab beaded gown

Grammy Fashion Crimes: The tea pot, Lochness Monster & Mighty Zorro

Ok, so for the most part I was impressed with the style at the Grammy's - but sometimes focusing on the right gets boring- here is my little dig at the fashion misses at the Grammys.

I'm a little tea pot, the Lochness monster and the Mighty Zorro all made an appearance at the grammys.

Adele " The tea pot"

 

Adele- Ok I know " she looks like she is wearing a tea cosy" is the typical auto quip to this picture- but really it has to be said. This is a crime against Adele. The 21 year old star looks positively matronly in this fussy frock. The high neck line and cut paired with her haircut give of a farmers wife look. Dont get me wrong I love Valentino- but I do not love this look, not for Adele.

Florence Welch AKA the Lochness monster

 

Ok I know she is known to be out there , and yes I do love green with pale skin and gorgeous red hair, but preambles aside the shiny green fabric and tacky slit up the leg make this gown out of this world- & not in a good way. 

Janelle Monae  AKA the mighty Zorro

an over styled Janelle Monae takes the tuxedo look too far and the result is that this look is wearing her. I see what she is trying to do, but this is coming across costume like to me.

Still we are all allowed to get it wrong once in a while.... 

Love 

Lois Aymes Wilson

L A W on L I F E

I Love Valentino

I just fancied mentioning that I love Valentino, His designs were perfectly in tune with feminine strength and desires. Highlighting the beauty in every woman. Even in the 90's where so much in fashion was wrong he got it right- Check out this vintage Valentino yellow coat as featured in voge