A dress fit for a Princess: Part II

This post is a part of the Royal Wedding series, featuring on here during April.

Anyone tired of the talk of the Royal Wedding yet? I'm not and I'm not sure I ever will be. A wedding is just so exciting and a wedding of a real life Prince to his soon-to-be Princess is just too exciting to tire of, don't you think?

When researching last week's post, I discovered the rather fabulous blog, modern vintage bride. This modern vintage bride is to wed in 2011 in London and is charting the planning of her wedding in her blog posts. She had posted the photo below which carries on a theme from my previous post in which I waxed lyrical over Carrie's vintage wedding suit in the Sex and the City movie:

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I love the idea of a shorter, less conventional and obvious wedding dress like this one. (I also happen to love the shoes, particularly the low heel height!) It seems that a shorter-style of dress is what excites me - personally - most. In last week's post, I also posted this dress which I thought could be a very stylish wedding dress:


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I think there is something of a '60s feel to both of the dresses above and yet there is also something timeless about each of them. Whilst not wishing to go the conventional wedding dress route, I am conscious of having a dress which would date too quickly as I would like my wedding photographs to look classic.

What do you think of these two dresses? Must a wedding dress be floor length?

A dress fit for a Princess

This post is a part of the Royal Wedding series, featuring on here during April.

As the Royal Wedding approaches I got to thinking about wedding dresses. Many little girls dream of growing up and marrying their prince in a fairytale wedding. For Kate Middleton this will become a reality in just a couple of weeks time. For the rest of us mere mortals, we can still dream. But when dreaming gives way to the reality of real life, what do us grown up girls really want to wear on our Big Day?

It is not secret that Carrie Bradshaw and the rest of the Sex and the City girls are a massive style inspiration for me and so when Carrie finally married Big in the first film I was in heaven. Her Vivienne Westwood wedding dress is surely the thing of which dreams are made:


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Of course, the film also saw her dressing up in many a wedding dress for her Vogue shoot:

Sources: photo #1; photo #2; and photo #3.

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Carrie is not the only bride in Sex and the City. Charlotte wed twice during the television series, each time opting for a traditional and classic ivory gown:

Sources: photo #1; and photo #2.

While Miranda married Steve in the final series, in a less conventional deep burgundy velvet dress:

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There were even photos of Samantha in what was a rather traditional looking wedding dress, during the filming of the second movie, for the highly unconventional Miss Jones:


Sources: photo #1; and photo #2.


But that is not the end of the story. While Carrie's Vivienne Westwood dress was fit for a princess, we would hope that Prince William will not "do" a Mr Big and leave his bride-to-be standing alone at the alter. However, whatever the events that led to Carrie marrying Mr Big at City Hall in a vintage suit, this is by far and away my idea of the perfect wedding outfit:


Sources: photo #1; and photo #2.


There is an elegant timelessness to the vintage suit and the shoes are to-die-for! I have already decided that if I am ever to say "I do", it will be wearing the exact same shoes that Carrie Bradshaw wore to wed Mr Big:

They will be my "something new" and my "something blue"!

This dress, which was gifted to Livia Firth by a friend, would make a really fabulous unique wedding dress. The beading is exquisite:


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 What is your dream wedding dress like? If you're married, what did you wear?

GUEST BLOG: Style Icon: Sarah Jessica Parker

As regular readers will know, I have recently begun asking for Guest Bloggers to tell us about their favourite Style Icons. This week's Guest Blogger is Kileen of Cute and Little. Kileen describes herself as a "little Asian girl" and her blog as "my little world where I invite you to indulge in my daily fashion and makeup experiments". Cute and Little is a delightful mix of Outfit of the Day photos, reviews and musings. Kileen is currently taking part of the 30 for 30 Challenge that I failed earlier this year. For your daily fashion fix, make sure you head over and take a look. For now, though, over to Kileen and her Style Icon:

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First of all, thank you Emily for giving me this opportunity to guest post on her wonderful blog!  I wanted to share with you my style icon, Sarah Jessica Parker (SJP), and what it is about her fashion sense that makes her unique.  

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Although SJP became widely known for her fashionable Sex and the City character, Carrie Bradshaw, she has quite a unique style of her own.

Above all else, SJP is a risk-taker. She isn’t afraid to blaze new fashion trends and experiment with different styles.  But regardless of whether her adventures land her on the best dressed list or the worst dressed list, she always exudes a confidence that makes every outfit shine.

Sources: photo #1; photo #2; and photo #3.

With Sarah’s classic elegance, it is no surprise that she partnered with Coty to launch her own perfume, Lovely, in 2005.  

Sources: photo #1; and photo #2.

Sarah’s story of growing up in Nelsonville, Ohio as one of eight children is truly inspirational.  She is truly a hard worker with a strong sense of personal self - a rare find in these days of Hollywood tabloids.  SJP therefore leads by example and shows that all women can and should have fun with fashion!

If you are interested in reading more of my fashion blog, head over to my site.  

Thank you again, Emily!!

What do you think of Kileen's choice of Style Icon?

If you have missed the previous style icons featured on the blog, check them out here. Of particular interest might be Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker's alter ego.

Tell me, who is your style icon?

I am also looking for bloggers who would like to write a guest post for this series, about their Style Icon, so if you would like to join Kileen as a guest blogger, please get in touch if you would like to get involved. You can find out more here.

Wardrobe Wake-Up: Dressing-Up Box

Autumn's most flamboyant trend is all about colour, chaos and creativity and the good news is, anything goes! So this trend isn't so much about waking up one part of your wardrobe this season but all of it. Mix-and-match anything and everything in your wardrobe for day or night:

At Alexander McQueen, brocade capes were teamed with elaborate head pieces and fierce footwear:

John Galliano added oversized bows to his models head, alongside layers of faux fur, tweed, satin and then tied it all together with a belt:

Coloured tights made a big comeback on the legs of models on the Jean Paul Gaultier catwalk:

And at Meadham Kirchhoff colours clashed and textures ruled:

Take inspiration from your favourite television heroines, Carrie Bradshaw:

And Ugly Betty:

Or even your favourite fashion bloggers, Katie, of What Katie Wore:
 

 
Or Susie, of Style Bubble:
 

 
And throw caution to the wind as you pull out all of your favourite pieces and throw them all on together. Clash colours, mix textures, layer-up.
 
One of the easiest ways to pull off the trend is to add a pair of coloured, textured or patterned tights to your outfit. Try these from Tabio:
 

 
Or these textured cable knit leggings which I am currently lusting after:
 

Do you plan to play dress-up this autumn?

Friend Friday #12: Product Placement

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1. As we watched the Chilean Miners being rescued last week, there were many things to take note of - the amazing faith of these people, the joy of life, love and family, and - interestingly enough - product placement. As you watched the rescue efforts did you notice the products? What were your thoughts?

Product placement is the least offence form of advertising in my humble opinion as it is the least intrusive.

I admit that when watching the amazing events as the Chilean Miners were rescued last week and holding my breath until each came up to the surface, I didn't pay any attention to what make of sunglasses they were wearing and wouldn't have done until I read about it for this post! So it didn't work for me.

In general, I don't seem to notice the product placements all that much apart from Apple product placement. That seems to be everywhere. And often it’s not limited to one thing, it is everything. E.g. in a television series, suddenly everyone has an iPhone, an iPod, a Macbook. Then I kind of zone out of the programme and just get annoyed! I’d still like an iPhone though!! So maybe it does work.

2. Product placement is all around us today, what do you think makes it such a marketing gold mine?

Product placement only works so well in today’s culture because of the cult of the celebrity that has grown in recent years. We covet what we see a celebrity with because we think it will make us more like them. So when we see our favourite character – on Gossip Girl or whatever – with an iPhone (for example!), we want one too. However, after a bit of reading about the whole Apple/product placement issue, I discovered that Gossip Girl is actually sponsored by Verizon and that, as a result, the Apple symbol on the Macs etc that the characters use have to be blocked out:

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Of course, fashionistas’ favourite, Sex and the City, is all about the product placement. Check these out for just two examples:

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3. On your blog, either now or in the future, what is/will be your stance on highlighting specific products?

I am happy (hello, PRs!) to highlight specific products on my blog, IF they are things that I might have used anyway or I feel my readers would be interested in, i.e. they must remain within the spirit of my fashion and lifestyle blog which focuses on a budget. I’m not going to start highlighting gardening tools or car maintenance handbooks or anything “off topic” like that.

4. If the opportunity arose would you give a bad review of a product?

I would rather keep the tone of my blog as positive one and therefore I think that if there was something that I felt negative about or had had a bad experience with I would probably chose not to write anything. If someone asked me – in a comment or by email – about a specific product I would give them my honest opinion.

5. Do you view your blog as a product? Where have you or do you hope to place it?

I don’t think I have ever thought of my blog like this but I think that in a sense, yes it is. I do “advertise” it I suppose, through Twitter, on IFB, through the Friend Friday conversation and on British Style Bloggers. I don’t place it in a conventional sense and I’m not sure how I would. But I do think that every time we leave a comment anywhere and leave a link to our blog, we are, in a sense, advertising the product.


What do you think of product placement? Is it distracting? Does it work for you?

Remember, to visit Modly Chic to read the other contributions to this week's discussion and for more information if you would like to join the Friend Friday conversation.

Something for the Weekend #1

A long time ago now I did a list of 10 fashion-related films. Now I bring you my picks of television series from over the years that have influenced fashions, good and bad. So why not pick one of these boxsets and settle down with a nice bottle of wine this weekend and relive some of television's favourite fashion moment?



Dynasty*

Never seen it but I do know that the power shoulder pads caused something of a stir and inspired many women in the '80s and since to imitate the trend.


Friends*

Now this I have seen - again and again and again! Some of the outfits may look a little dated now but Rachel's hairstyles over the years certainly inspired many girls and women to ask for a copy. "The Rachel" is said to be one of the most popular hair cuts of the '90s:

Sex and the City*

What do I need to say about this that I haven't already said here and here?! The fashions of Sex and the City continue today and if Asos is anything to go by and their whole collection of SATC-inspired fashion, it remains an inspiration today.


Ugly Betty*

No question really: set in the publishing house of a fashion magazine and following the story of the unlikely and very unfashionable heroine, Betty. It takes a look at what it means to fit in and how clothes can aid that.


Gossip Girl*

When I ran my Blogger Style Icon series recently 3 of them (Harriet, Glamorous Grad Student and Leia) chose Blair Waldorf - off of Gossip Girl - as their icon. The fashions of the leading ladies have influence a new generation of television watching women and girls, from Blair Waldorf's preppy look to Serena van der Woodsen's immaculate elegant style and Jenny Humphrey's more experimental take on fashion. There is something for everyone in each of these.


Which television series has inspired you? Have I missed any out?


Have a happy weekend. More soon. Love, SG


*click through to buy from amazon.co.uk

Style Icon: Miranda Hobbes

While Samantha was more of a caricature of herself in SATC2 and the storyline was a little limp, Miranda Hobbes shone for me. 


Miranda looked radiant and her character was developed into something fun and funny. The scene with Miranda and Charlotte in the hotel bar confessing their trials and tribulations of being mothers is one of my favourite in the whole film - it is heartfelt and yet hilarious too. My favourite line is still when Charlotte says she was more worried about losing the nanny than Harry cheating on her! (If you've not seen it - do!)


Patricia Field came up trumps with her wardrobe for Miranda. I particularly love the first dress - by Bottega Veneta - she wears in the very first scene with all of the girls:

And this Roland Mouret raspberry dress really shouldn't work with her flame coloured hair but it really does:

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This was the only photo I could find of this dress - annoying!

If you have missed the previous style icons featured on the blog, check them out here.

Tell me, who is your style icon?

To friendship

I haven't said all that much about my Sex and the City 2 experience - despite having seen it three (yes, three) times. Like Amy Thomas of God, I Love Paris, I liked - and in parts even loved - the film but it hadn't really inspired a thorough analysis and dissection with the girls after watching. But then I read Amy's post and the one referenced by her - here - and I suddenly started to appreciate it a little bit more.

It is the friendships and the strength of these and the strength that these provide that really make the film for me. The scene that really stands out, for me, was that between Charlotte and Miranda in the hotel bar when they confess the difficulties they face as mothers:

I don't have children and don't profess to understand the challenges that come every day with being a mother but did feel that this scene was heartfelt and yet still keeping a sense of humour at its heart. Both of the girls drew strength from each other and it demonstrated that old adage: a problem shared is a problem halved.

For all of the fashions and loves of the Sex and the City girls, it is the friendship between Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha that really cemented the television series as a favourite of women - young and old - across the globe. There is a part of each of the girls in all of us and in all of our friends - we recognise something in them and we connect to that.

Indeed, as Carrie says, "...friendships never go out of style".

Which does bring me rather neatly to the styles and fashions of SATC2, as no review of the film on a fashion blog would be complete without a little commentary on this. Some of the outfits are perhaps a little far fetched, stilettos in the desert, really? But others are simply divine. The Halston Heritage pieces that Carrie wears are simple, chic and elegant:

Set, for the most part, in Abu Dhabi, the fashion tends to be geared towards the hot weather which makes it the perfect inspiration for the current summer weather and upcoming summer holidays. Carrie's maxi dresses have certainly fuelled my own longing for one [remember this?].

There is also the nod to '80s fashion, which has seen a revival in recent years, with a series of flashbacks:

For more fashion from the film and the television series check out Style Icon: Carrie Bradshaw and check back in the coming weeks for the other SATC girls.

Sex and the City 2 might not have the strongest of storylines and there was certainly not enough of New York for me but it will definitely remind you of all of the friends who enrich your life and who provide you with strength every day.

So to all of my friends - old and new - thank you. I think I'd drink a cosmo to that... To friendship.

Fascinating?

After recently professing my love for Carrie, I have to confess that she is also the influence behind my addiction to accessories. Carrie Bradshaw is the queen of accessories: corsages, pearls, cuffs. She rocked the lot. Of course, she also rocked hats and hair accessories. See?

Source: Pretty Good Things

With this influence in mind when I received an invitation to my cousin's wedding last weekend and when I heard that my sister was planning on wearing a rather enormous and fabulous hat, I decided that I too should seek out some form of head wear. So I did.

After much research and many hours spent trawling the internet, I found this gorgeous creation:

Isn't it divine?

Well, it is actually the handmade creation of Claire:

After receiving the beautiful fascinator I decided to ask Claire a few questions about them and her. Here, she answers those questions.

How long have you been making these gorgeous headbands?

I have only been making my hair accessories for the past few months. I am a firm believer that every girl has the right to feel gorgeous, and something as simple as a pretty hair accessory can offer a little pick-me-up on the days when we’re feeling a bit low, as well as helping to enhance an outfit.

What prompted you to start making them? And selling them?

I felt that the price of hair accessories at certain retailers were far too expensive, and that I could offer a more cost effective alternative, especially in light of the current recession.

Where can we get our hands on your creations?

At the moment, I only sell my items on eBay, under the name of olliethecockerspaniel - named after my beautiful pooch. This particular headband [the one I bought!] is currently available at a cost of £5.50 plus P&P, and is my bestseller!!

Have you always been creative?

I have always been creative, I took Art & Design for my GCSE and A levels, and went on to study a foundation degree in Art & Design also, in which I specialised in Fashion Design and Photography. My career then took a different route, but my passion has always laid in the creative field.

Who do you imagine would wear your headgear?

When I first started selling my items, I was quite dubious as to how popular they would be - I like them, but wasn’t so sure that everyone else would like them too! To my surprise, they have become extremely popular, and I have now sold over 400 of them to people all over the world and, more recently, to women attending Ladies days at Ascot!!

What is your style?

I wouldn’t say that I had a particular style as such, and my boyfriend often says that I pretty much have my own style. I don’t tend to follow trends just because they’re fashionable, but opt for items of clothing that I like and feel good when I’m wearing them.

And finally, cos I've been asking everyone recently, who is your style icon?

My Style Icon would have to be Jennifer Aniston, because she always appears to be effortlessly glamorous, and has very much a natural beauty, which is what I am a huge believer in.

And last but not least, what is your top style tip?

So, my top style tip would be to encourage people to wear whatever makes them feel most happy!!