Quality over quantity - the designer day dress

After I have finished my shopping ban (three and a half months to go and counting), I have promised to think more carefully about the clothes that I buy. To only buy what I need, to look for quality items that will last and to buy more eco fashion including second hand, vintage, organic, sustainable and Fair trade clothing.

Since commencing my shopping ban, I have started to look at my wardrobe in a completely different and more creative way and realised that I don't need to buy every high fashion piece of clothing available. I realise that I definitely have some buying habits that don't really help me for example buying party dresses when I don't go to parties very often. I also have a definite lack of stylish every day wear. For the summer, I love wearing dresses but don't have as many every day dresses as I need.


The good thing about pledging to buy quality over quantity is that I can get some really stylish and flattering designer pieces that I will want to keep for years. Instead of lots of cheap ones which never look that good on me anyway. So here are some of the beautiful day dresses that I have found and hope that I will be able to afford now I no longer buy quick fix high fashion pieces. I still keep wandering towards the party dresses and have to stop and tell myself, it is day dresses that I really need.

Style of a Fashionista has definitely inspired me to look at Nicole Fahri for some gorgeous classic pieces. I love the neutral colours of this Fahri Striped Shirt Dress, light and breezy for the summer and endless possibilities for accessorising.

This Theory belted shirt dress is so simple, but I love it. It would work well for every day but also for business meetings and lunch with the girls. Again so many possibilities for accessorising and would look great with my tan wedges.

This Vivienne Westwood Sunday dress is the day dress of my dreams and something that I would really treasure. Unfortunately it is sold out apart from one size, which will be long gone by the time I have finished my shopping ban. It is my birthday soonish though, if Mr Style Eyes happened to be reading (unlikely).
OK so quality and classic doesn't have to mean navy blue. This Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Multi Fortune Dress is in my favourite pink and looks so comfy and easy to wear, I know I would wear it all the time.

LFW Estethica - Maxjenny

I am often heard to complain about the wet weather and I am still trying to come up with a completely satisfactory solution of what to wear on a wet and windy day. What I need is something that I can put on over whatever I am wearing, including jackets, jumpers and cardigans with plenty of room for manouvering.

The 'street sculptures' (pictured above) and 'the new black' collection by Maxjenny fulfils just about everything that I want in wet weather gear. The black for more serious occasions and the bright colours for when I feel in need of cheering up. Nothing like those very practical looking jackets that outdoorsy types wear (no offence but that is so not me). I love the way these jackets are cut, lots of room to move about even if I have lots of layers to keep warm and they look so stylish.

The jackets are suitable for all year round and are made from fabric recycled PET bottles. They are rainproof, breathable and iron free. They are not cheap mind but a great investment buy I think.

I'm Taking Dame Viv's Advice

Last week one of my favourite British designers Dame Vivienne Westwood appeared on BBC London News and told shoppers to stop buying clothes for 6 months. At first, to many who love their fashion and clothes, this might seem like complete madness but the comments made in support of a campaign to protect the environment and reduce landfill, which is being led by London Mayor Boris Johnson, highlight a dilemma that I am currently facing as a fashion blogger regarding the sustainability of my shopping habits. Dame Vivienne urges us to avoid buying clothes unless we absolutely have to, in which case we should look to invest in quality pieces that will last.

I have already stopped buying clothes since January in an attempt to help the environment with my no more wants challenge, where I have been creating outfits around SS10 trends using clothes that I already own. I have decided to extend this for at least a few more months. Although I am not sure whether I will last 6 months, when I do start buying clothes again, I will do so with more though and buying more eco fashion, second hand clothes and quality pieces that will last.

There has been much debate over the sense in Vivienne Westwoods comments and claims of hypocrisy and that we should continue to shop to help the countries economy. But I believe strongly that we should all try and live more sustainably (and there is no time like the present). I am still going to be spending my money, just not on clothes at the moment.

I think it is a great way to help promote sustainable fashion and clothing. I am even starting to notice a few benefits to not buying clothes.

• I have got more money, I am using this to join the gym and save up for some really nice pieces of quality clothing when I need them.
• I have discovered and started wearing some great clothes in my wardrobe that I had forgotton all about.
  Not buying new clothes has forced me to think more carefully about what I wear, I think this is making me more creative with my outfits.
• The clothes in my wardrobe have been tried and tested and are the clothes that I love wearing. I have made many buying mistakes in the past, but the clothes I have left are hopefully the ones that look best and really suit me.
• If I get bored with my clothes I can always indulge in a bit of clothes swapping or refashioning my clothes.

So what do you think? Am I completely mad? Does the economy depend on our shopping? Could you give up buying new clothes for 6 months?

picture from http://www.vogue.co.uk/

Graduate Fashion Week Recycled

I was really pleased to see that some of the recent trend for second hand clothes and recycled clothes was evident at graduate fashion week in the collection of Lucie Vincini. Graduate fashion week is especially important in influencing future trends as it is likely to be these students that will be the some of the rising stars of fashion over the next few years. The choice to use recycled products will definitely earn them some brownie points with the eco types but they will also have to hold their own in terms of style and innovation. I think Lucie's collection was definitely a collection to be taken seriously and not one just with the novelty factor of being environmentally friendly.

The menswear collection by Lucie Vincini, graduate of UCA Epsom was eclectic, innovative and theatrical. It used a range of recycled materials including a jacket made of Royal Mail bags and trousers made of carrier bags.

picture from www.ameliasmagazine.com