Style it up Saturday

Hey guys,

A couple of nights ago, I gave in and ordered the oxblood red high-low hem dress from Matalan. I really wanted it after the success of the polka dot version I bought a couple of weeks ago, but they were sold out of my size online so I was a bit wary of ordering the size below. I'm really loving the new oxblood trend, so I bit the bullet and crossed my fingers. It arrived this afternoon and I'm pleased to say it fits well, although I could do with a bit more space for the girls. There's no way a padded bra with good support is fitting in this thing!

I also can't believe this gorgeous dress is only £18.00!

I'll be bringing it to an OOTD when I feel a bit better. I really can't wait to share it with you, but I've not been able to sit or stand all week so it'll have to wait until I can. Instead, I'm going to share with you some outfit ideas based around the dress, which I was working on last night whilst day dreaming of wearing the dress.

Look One
 

Dress: Matalan chiffon dipped hem prom dress £18.00
Biker Jacket: Dorothy Perkins black collarless biker jacket £45.00
Tights: Evans black 70D opaque tights £6.00
Rucksack: River Island black stud and spike rucksack £40.00
Shoes: River Island leopard sole flatforms £28.00
Necklace: ASOS multi row cross necklace £8.00
Rings: River Island silver tone two pack rings £6.00

Outfit cost: £151.00

There's something about oxblood which feels a little Gothic to me, so the first outfit is a little edgy dressed with a lot of black. I think the dress would work perfectly with a leather biker jacket, and I love the simplicity of this one from Dorothy Perkins. I've always wanted a leather jacket and I'm really taken with this one, though sadly I see it's now sold out. Perhaps the gorgeous leather studded rucksack is a bit much with the jacket, but it's my new favourite thing! I wish I could afford it. I've added black 70D tights to keep the goosebumps at bay, and black and leopard print flatforms because they'll add a little height but still be comfortable and suitable for crunching through Autumn leaves. I've kept the accessories simple with a multi cross necklace, as they're bang on trend for Autumn and work with the Gothic theme, and a set of two rings as I'm a sucker for cameos and pearls.

Look Two
 

Dress: Matalan chiffon dipped hem prom dress £18.00
Cardigan: New Look black v neck cardigan £12.99
Collar: ASOS textured bow collar £10.00
Tights: Evans black 70D opaque tights £6.00
Rucksack: River Island black stud and spike rucksack £40.00
Shoes: ASOS VERITY Mary Jane flatforms £30.00
Bracelets: Topshop skull spike bracelet pack £12.50
Belt: Dorothy Perkins black double strap belt £9.50

Outfit cost: £138.99
 

This outfit is another take on the edgy look I was creating. I couldn't choose my favourite from the two so decided to share them both. I've kept the rucksack and tights from the first outfit, but swapped the necklace for a beautiful textured bow collar which I'm pretty sure I'm going to purchase, and replaced the jacket with a black v-neck cardigan for those warm Autumn days. I swapped the flatforms for a pair of red leopard Mary Janes which I've been admiring for quite a while now. Aren't they gorgeous? I think they help tie the outfit together. I also decided to change the belt the dress comes with, for a studded skinny Dorothy Perkins belt, and added in a stack of bracelets to finish the look.

Look Three
 

Dress: Matalan chiffon dipped hem prom dress £18.00
Cardigan: New Look black v neck cardigan £12.99
Collar: ASOS textured bow collar £10.00
Tights: Evans black 70D opaque tights £6.00
Belt: Dorothy Perkins black double strap belt £9.50
Satchel: ASOS Cambridge Satchel Company 13'' leather satchel £95.00
Shoes: New Look extra wide fit woven bow ballet pumps £15.99
Bangle: Matalan single plastic mustard bangle £2.50
Earrings: Oasis cameo stud earrings via ASOS £8.00

Outfit cost: £177.98

This is an outfit I adapted from look 2, to show how easy it is to up date an outfit with a quick accessory change. This look is a little girlier than the previous two, but the mustard gives it a quirky vibe whilst brightening up the dark palette.

A pair of comfy ballet flats have replaced the flatforms, perfect for a busy day of running about doing errands, or for going out to lunch and shopping with the girls. I really want one of these cambridge satchels. The yellow has stood out at me since we began stocking a handful of designs at work a couple of years ago. The colour adds personality; I love adding colour in to my outfits, and usually do! I've tied the colour in with a bangle, and also couldn't resist the rose studs. How cute?

Look Four
 

Dress: Matalan chiffon dipped hem prom dress £18.00
Cardigan: Matalan round neck cardigan £10.00
Snood: ASOS owl print snood £12.00
Bag: ASOS bird print across body bag £18.00
Shoes: New Look wide navy fitted studded slipper shoes £17.99
Earrings: Ted Baker via ASOS raspberry stud earrings £12.50 (originally £39.00)
Ring: New Look black stone oval chain ring £4.99

Outfit cost: £93.48

Now this is a very 'me' outfit- lots of colour and print! I thought it would be fun to try pairing the dark red with different variations of cobalt and navy blue. As you know, I adore my cobalt blue cardigan, so I decided to try to incorporate it, and matched it with the studded slippers, which would make great Autumnal footwear. The snood features one of this seasons hottest trends- owls- and would provide a bit of warmth when the Autumn chill sets in. The little printed bag is so cute- I love the colour palette, and it's a great size day bag for a day out and about. The raspberry earrings add a bit of fun, whilst the black ring tones the brightness down a little.

Look Five
 

Dress: Matalan chiffon dipped hem prom dress £18.00
Cardigan: New Look dark green thin v neck cardigan £12.99
Jacket: Dorothy Perkins blue dark wash denim jacket £35.00
Bag: Accessorize Yenzi owl across body £25.00
Shoes: New Look extra wide fit woven bow ballet pumps £15.99
Ring: Dorothy Perkins flat fox gold ring £5.00
Necklace: Accessorize Metallic feather statement necklace £16.00

Outfit cost: £127.98

The look I was going for here with 'Autumn walk'. I would wear something like this for a walk on a chilly Autumn day crunching through leaves and conkers. I'd add tights when the last of the Summer warmth goes. I've gone for an Autumnal colour palette of reds, browns, and golds, with a bit of fun from the owl bag (I need it!), and the fox ring. I associate this time of year with nature and woodland creatures; I often hear owls after dark, and spot the occasional suburban fox. I also thought the feather necklace was perfect for this time of year. Depending on the temperature, I'd wear this outfit with either the gorgeous forest green cardigan (I ignore the red and green should never be seen rule), or a denim jacket.

Look Six
 

Dress: Matalan chiffon dipped hem prom dress £18.00
Cardigan: Dorothy Perkins camel cat print fluffy cardigan £32.00
Collar: ASOS textured bow collar £10.00
Tights: Evans black 70D opaque tights £6.00
Satchel: The Leather Satchel Company via ASOS 14'' satchel £90.00 (originally £140.00)
Shoes: Vans via ASOS Chukka slim leopard print boots £58.00
Earrings: Ted Baker via ASOS raspberry stud earrings £12.50 (originally £39.00)
Bangle: Matalan single plastic mustard bangle £2.50

Outfit cost: £229.00

And here I've created a warm palette of Autumnal shades of brown, red, and mustard. Just looking at these colours sitting together is making me feel all cosy and snug, and it's not even cold yet. This is a cute day time look, and I carried the cat print of the cardigan  on with the skinny leopard belt, and leopard shoes. I added tights to prevent frost bite, and gave the collar a reappearance as I want to wear it with everything and never take it off. The satchel would make me look like an intelligent student, although I've not been either for a long time! But who would know?

Of course, there are far more possibilities with this dress than I've gone in to. I decided to come up with every day looks, as I currently see little chance of being able to go out and have some fun, so night time looks are no use to me right now. It would work well dressed up for a night out or a party- it would be perfect for a Christmas party or gathering. I could also make it far more lady-like with beautiful heels and a structured bag, with nudes or a rainbow of different colours.

 

Which outfit is your favourite?

 

How would you style this dress?

 

I hope you've enjoyed this post, and hopefully I'll be back with an OOTD post really soon. Thanks for your patience! I hope you're all having a fantastic weekend.

 

Louise x