Classics - Little White Dress

Who wore it best?!

Perhaps not the most practical festival choice Chloe..

I had five days in beautiful Marrakesh before coming back on Friday to the sodden Jubilee.  Not that I didn't get fully on board with it and three rounds of hurrahs for Queenie who must have been exhausted after it all.  I know I was! It seems faintly ludicrous to talk about Summer dresses as I peer out of the window at the rain, but one thing I really missed on my mini-break was the perfect white dress.  I used to have one but it one of the many items that seems to have strolled off since the move.  Grrrr.

The white dress is the perfect thing to throw on when it's bright outside, like it's better known sister (the LBD), it's good for any occasion.  It can be smart or toughened up with a leather jacket or chucked over leggings and ballet flats when there's a bit of a breeze.  Layer it up with a Breton sweater, add a tailored blazer and a hat for a day at the Races or just put it on and with a pair of sunnies and head out on your bike like Kiki.

Anyway dear readers, my constant hunt has paid off and I've found a few that I think could fit the bill - the only problem is which one. Two are from Whistles and one is from Jack Wills. Urgh JACK WILLS!! I cannot stand that shop but I had to sidle in when I saw this dress in the window, it is also available in black as well. I really like the black one as well...

The next two are from Whistles, a shop that I've always had a rather strained relationship with. I love so many of their clothes but the fit is always slightly off on me.  Their Lisa dress however, I LOVE. This is definitely one that you could dress up or dress and is probably the most formal of the bunch. I think it would look beautiful with a large black straw hat for a wedding...

My last choice is probably the one I'm going to buy. Breathable cotton? Tick. Under £100? Just. Lovely detailing, including a cheeky cut out? Tick. Now I just need the sunshine...

Classics - Polka dot or Gone dotty

Spotty chic

You know how sometimes you come across an image and think, "I want to look like that".  This is how I feel about this chic, young lady above.  If anyone is in London at the moment, you will have experienced the London monsoon that happened this morning..I still have soaking wet feet which isn't an ideal way to start the morning.  Even though I have my long awaited Summer break from Saturday, the weather is making me feel schizophrenic..still need to be making the most of my Summer purchases whilst longing and actually needing Autumn/ Winter buys.

Where Marc Jacobs leads, others will follow. I heart Cruella .

Dots, polka dots, dalmatian dots etc are going to be a big trend next season..this season...I've lost it already. They're a classic and work beautifully in the day or evening. Possibly the least scary print, a classic navy/black and white is always a winner.  Take some fashion inspiration from the following images and hit the shops..just take an umbrella and sunblock.

My new Winter coat from DVF..well not actually but my do I want it.

Ashley Olsen working dots as evening wear.

Kirsten Dunst dips a toe in the trend with this discreet black and white top. Perfect day to evening outfit.

Full on dotty evening wear from Olivia Palermo who mastered two trends in one with this pretty, mullet-hemmed dot-print dress by Bensoni.

Am mannish vibe at Paul Smith was enlivened by a dot motif on these lovely cropped trews!

And finally..Alexa, ahead of the style curve with some enviable Celine arm candy too.

Classics - Leopard Print or Call of the Wild

"I don't want to be cool, I want to be Fashion" Anna Dello Russo

 I am of the belief that not all animal prints are created equal, that one stands shoulders above the rest in the fashion jungle.  Leopard.  A smattering of it can add glamour to the most normal day to day combination.  Looking stunning when worn with simple black, jeans and a t-shirt; as little as a scarf or going all out with a wild coat (or truly going for it..like Ms Dello Russo above!), leopard is one of the classics.  

Rosamund Pike and Carey Mulligan in An Education

There were two triggers for this post, firstly that it is now cold enough in London to dig out my beautiful fur (faux obviously!) leopard coat from Topshop last season (seen on Alexa below).  I teamed it with a black silk over sized shirt from Silence and Noise, black leggings with leather panels (ASOS), red quilted ballet flats (French Sole) and my black Chanel 2.55.

Secondly, all the beautiful 3.1 Phillip Lim pieces from Autumn/ Winter 10/11..which it must be said are in a variety of animal prints.  I'm particularly obsessed with the leopard print Derby Oxford and the Atomique mixed media trainer, oh and the stunning giraffe and leather biker jacket, but unfortunately do not have a spare £1085 at the moment so I'll be sticking with my vintage style Topshop coat for now.

3.1 Phillip Lim items from La Garconne, Browns Fashion, Neiman Marcus, Aloha Rag and Net a Porter.  With thanks to Susie Bubble for the collage.

I can even pinpoint when my love affair with leopard started, it was seeing Audrey in her perfect leopard pillar box hat in Charade, watching on a Sunday afternoon with my mother and I thought it was the most glamorous outfit I had ever seen....