Beautiful Dresses / Beautiful Garbage

- A PLACE FOR FASHION -

Goodbye Dresses&Garbage!

As anyone who has followed this Tumblr will have noticed. I haven’t posted anything in a long time. There are a few reasons for this. Firstly it was because I found myself very busy, but secondly (and more relevantly) it’s because since my last Tumblr posting I’ve become a fashion journalist and stylist.

I sincerely thank everyone who followed my Tumblr. Every reblog, every comment and every ‘like’ meant a great deal to me. The absolute truth is that when I started my original Tumblr, I was a student of fashion design, and though I had a penchant for design and reinventing the styles of decades past, I seriously lacked interest and technical skill (I resorted to super-glue on more than one occasion).

Having said that I did manage to, and still can produce a decent dress when I really focus on it.

Anyway, back to the point. Yes, When I started Dresses&Garbage it was originally a place where I could just write about fashion for research purposes. The problem (and the blessing) was that I started to enjoy writing about fashion, trends and style a little too much. Before long, I was considering a serious change of career path. That consideration (coupled with certain administration and financial reasons) led me to drop out of fashion design altogether.

For a while, I was entirely lost. I was away from my friends and (as as any drop out will tell you) felt like a failure, and a disappointment to myself. It was during this time that I turned to Tumblr the most, over the summer of 2011.

I wrote, edited, responded, reblogged every day. Soon after, to my surprise I found myself contributing to the blog of a top London stylist. 

Less than a year later, I am a working fashion journalist. I am now Style Editor of that blog, with my articles appearing on Vogue.com. I am also running my own website and was able to skip straight into the second year of a fashion journalism degree. 

This isn’t a sob story, nor a success story. It is literally a genuine thanks to everyone who read my posts. Corny as it may be, Tumblr gave me the platform and the confidence to pursue a career that I always should have.

So, thanks.

You can now find me at www.bookofchic.co.uk (which of course, will soon have it’s own Tumblr) 

Happy Tumbling. 

TODAY I LOVE - DENIM - This is my first post in quite a while as I’ve been ill and/or very busy. What better topic is there to turn to upon returning other than denim. One of fashions most loved and frequented materials, denim has been used for over a hundred years, and has slowly worked its way up from practical workwear in the late nineteenth century to the most common and widely worn item in fashion: Jeans.Its popularity hit a high point in the 80’s and it has remained a firm favorite ever since, with countless innovations and incarnations. Here, I’ve put together just a very small set of one of my favorite modern denim garments: the denim dress - a very fresh and young look that can be tailored to suit any style from punk rock to boho and beyond. 

TODAY I LOVE - DENIM 

- This is my first post in quite a while as I’ve been ill and/or very busy. What better topic is there to turn to upon returning other than denim. One of fashions most loved and frequented materials, denim has been used for over a hundred years, and has slowly worked its way up from practical workwear in the late nineteenth century to the most common and widely worn item in fashion: Jeans.

Its popularity hit a high point in the 80’s and it has remained a firm favorite ever since, with countless innovations and incarnations. Here, I’ve put together just a very small set of one of my favorite modern denim garments: the denim dress - a very fresh and young look that can be tailored to suit any style from punk rock to boho and beyond. 

elle: Initiation Welcome the Taylor bag, the newest addition to the Mulberry family of bags. Available for purchase now! Photo: courtesy of Mulberry - Dresses&Garbage: I think this is actually my favourite Mulberry yet.

elle:

Initiation

Welcome the Taylor bag, the newest addition to the Mulberry family of bags. Available for purchase now!

Photo: courtesy of Mulberry


- Dresses&Garbage: I think this is actually my favourite Mulberry yet.

FELICITY BROWN DRESSES - 

- I find these dresses stunning, the blue/green ones have a very ocean like aesthetic and the blue/red ones look like a rearranged union jack. They are simple in construction and cut and yet look overwhelmingly complicated. If you had the cash ($6000+) you’d be guaranteed to have one of the most interesting dresses in the room at any occasion.   

TODAY I LOVE: CORALS - - It can be dark, dusky and captivating, or fun, fresh and feminine. Either way coral is a colour I’m loving for women right now. It’s a little bit last year, what with colour block-brights popping up everywhere, but it’s still a stylish and pretty alternative.To be on trend, pick a bold bright coral shade, otherwise go any shade of coral crazy.

TODAY I LOVE: CORALS - 

- It can be dark, dusky and captivating, or fun, fresh and feminine. Either way coral is a colour I’m loving for women right now. It’s a little bit last year, what with colour block-brights popping up everywhere, but it’s still a stylish and pretty alternative.

To be on trend, pick a bold bright coral shade, otherwise go any shade of coral crazy.

A Trip to London - - I’ll be going up to London for a visit soon, but what do I wear? That may seem an odd question - It’s not a formal occasion and has no dress code but I’ve always been particularly fashion conscious when travelling, especially to cities. Why? Because it’s probably the time that your outfit will get the most exposure.Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to stand out while I’m on a crowded tube platform but this is no time for sweats. Hundreds of people will see you and what you wear, so If you’ve ever wanted people to think you look good - A city is the time and place to do it.This is a simple outfit - Black trousers, polka dot shirt, and a soft grey coat with a little leather detailing, which I’ve matched the shoes and accessories to. It’s a very simple and easy to wear look but I think with the smart classic cuts, leather details, and polka dots, it will keep a guy looking a little more interesting than the one in a plain tee and blue jeans.

A Trip to London - 

- I’ll be going up to London for a visit soon, but what do I wear? That may seem an odd question - It’s not a formal occasion and has no dress code but I’ve always been particularly fashion conscious when travelling, especially to cities. Why? Because it’s probably the time that your outfit will get the most exposure.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to stand out while I’m on a crowded tube platform but this is no time for sweats. Hundreds of people will see you and what you wear, so If you’ve ever wanted people to think you look good - A city is the time and place to do it.

This is a simple outfit - Black trousers, polka dot shirt, and a soft grey coat with a little leather detailing, which I’ve matched the shoes and accessories to. It’s a very simple and easy to wear look but I think with the smart classic cuts, leather details, and polka dots, it will keep a guy looking a little more interesting than the one in a plain tee and blue jeans.

WHAT I’D BE WEARING TODAY -  - Soft neutral tones almost always work well together. Throw in a bright shirt for a stand out spring look.

WHAT I’D BE WEARING TODAY - 
 
- Soft neutral tones almost always work well together. Throw in a bright shirt for a stand out spring look.

50 FABULOUS GOWNS FOR 50 FABULOUS FOLLOWERS- 

- In the early hours of this morning, I reached 50 followers. It’s not an exceptionally large amount, but every follow means a great deal to me as I love working on this blog and really appreciate every note, message, reblog and follow.

Its always a pleasure to wake up and find that someone has deemed Beautiful Dresses / Beautiful Garbage worth a look, so I wanted to put something together to commemorate those fifty people.

Thank you to all of you. 

 

WHAT I’D BE WEARING TONIGHT - - I saw a poster of a peacock yesterday, and thats where I’m drawing inspiration from tonight. Blues and greens are colours that I love and despite the ‘should never bee seen’ rule, I think they can work beautifully if you use them both as accent colours. Black is a good colour to balance the two without taking attention away from the colours.

WHAT I’D BE WEARING TONIGHT - 

- I saw a poster of a peacock yesterday, and thats where I’m drawing inspiration from tonight. Blues and greens are colours that I love and despite the ‘should never bee seen’ rule, I think they can work beautifully if you use them both as accent colours. Black is a good colour to balance the two without taking attention away from the colours.

THE ROYAL WEDDING  - 

- Kate Middleton, now HRH Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge looked absolutely radiant on the day she entered the world of the British royal family. The gown was Sarah Burton for Alexander Mcqueen and it was a beautiful creation in White satin and lace. Long and draped enough to suit the occasion, but slim and tailored enough to avoid comparisons with Diana. 

I have to say I was glad she wore a tiara instead of flowers on the day, as lovely as flowers would have been - she is going to be the Queen one day, and the tiara perfectly framed the moment in which she became royalty.

Her reception dress was equally as beautiful, and looked as if palace courtiers had stripped her actual wedding gown down to its simplest form. Simple and elegant yet eye catching and beautiful.

My only disappointment was that the dresses were such safe choices. I understand that Kate’s style has always been so, and that as a future Queen her choices will have to be carefully considered, but when I first heard the rumour that the dresses would be McQueen, I have to admit I had something with a little more imagination in mind.

Not quite as much imagination as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie though. 

TREND ALERT: SIMPLE TOP / SWANKY SKIRT

- Reviewing store websites and catwalk shows tells me that a big trend for the coming months will be skirts. Skirts that grab your attention because of their colour, pattern, texture or otherwise are hot right now. To be bang on trend make sure you focus on the skirt and team it with a very simple T shirt or top.
I’ve put together a ideas of how to wear this trend.

Photos arranged using: Polyvore.com 

WHAT I’D BE WEARING TODAY - - Today I have absolutely nothing to do. So I’m going to relax in the garden, probably read, and more than likely blog. I love lounging around in Kimonos and sandals (always Birkenstock) - they are comfortable and provide a very stylish and luxurious alternative to a fleece dressing gown and slippers. As for the parasol, well depending on the weather it may come in handy. If not, it’s pretty and oddly satisfying to use.

WHAT I’D BE WEARING TODAY - 

- Today I have absolutely nothing to do. So I’m going to relax in the garden, probably read, and more than likely blog. I love lounging around in Kimonos and sandals (always Birkenstock) - they are comfortable and provide a very stylish and luxurious alternative to a fleece dressing gown and slippers. As for the parasol, well depending on the weather it may come in handy. If not, it’s pretty and oddly satisfying to use.

ROYAL STYLE - 

-With the royal wedding practically hours away, I found myself having a look at some stylish royal women, both past and present. Queen, Princess or Duchess, by birth or by marriage, royal women have the ability to make an impact on the fashions of their time and have done so for over a thousand years in the United Kingdom. In decades past The royal women were a magical dose of glamour to the post war people. In more recent times it is more of a lottery - Sometimes they surprise us with their style credentials and sometimes they disappoint with the lack thereof. Either way, most of them work hard at what they have to do and lets hope that with Kate Middleton joining the ranks on Friday, they will up their game fashion wise.

From start to finish: HM The Queen Mother/ HRH Princess Marina, The Duchess of Kent/ HM The Queen/ HRH The Princess Margaret/ Diana, Princess of Wales/ HRH The Princess Royal/ Miss Zara Phillips/ Sarah, Duchess of York/ HRH Princess Beatrice of York/ HRH Princess Eugenie of York.

Photos arranged using: Polyvore.com 

WHAT I’D BE WEARING TODAY -- I’m travelling quite a bit today, so I’d want something easy to wear and effortless, I don’t want to be adjusting fussy details or scouring the train station for mirrors.  Neutral chinos and a Burberry trench (the best kind of trench) achieve this. Keep it interesting and a little unexpected with a polka dot patterned shirt and accent coloured black accessories with brown/tan details that match the cuffs of the coat and compliment the whole outfit.Set created at: polyvore.com 

WHAT I’D BE WEARING TODAY -

- I’m travelling quite a bit today, so I’d want something easy to wear and effortless, I don’t want to be adjusting fussy details or scouring the train station for mirrors.  Neutral chinos and a Burberry trench (the best kind of trench) achieve this. Keep it interesting and a little unexpected with a polka dot patterned shirt and accent coloured black accessories with brown/tan details that match the cuffs of the coat and compliment the whole outfit.

Set created at: polyvore.com