Lounge In Style With Garden Party Chic…
So the Summer is (sort of) here and whilst some may be jetting off to palm lined beaches, others will be relaxing in the garden. So especially for those who will be enjoying sun, BBQs and Pimm’s in good old Blighty I have created some lovely little visuals to get you in the holiday mood. Luxurious lounge wear in white is flattering with a golden tan and perfect with gold jewellery, add colour pops in neons and jewel tones for interest and keep a good balance by mixing high street and designer. I’ve also added a few elements to enhance your surroundings so viva la garden party…
Outfit One: White Pleated Maxi Dress £50, Next. Gold Bandeau Bikini £180, Melissa Odabash at My Wardrobe. Orange Belt £79, Malene Birger at My Wardrobe. Neon Flat Sandals £85, Sam Edelman at ASOS. Statement Necklace £18, ASOS. Neon Paisley Clutch £20, Next. Large Stone Ring £60, Ottoman Hands at ASOS.
Outfit Two: Beach Shirt £28, Next. Neon Lime Bikini £25 (for both pieces), Next. Jewelled Sandals £45, Aldo at ASOS. Studded Snake Clutch £1’995, Jimmy Choo at Net-a-Porter. Pharaoh Style Statement Necklace £45, ASOS. Cuff £25, Made at ASOS.
Garden Party Decor: Parasol £8, Ikea. Mustique Lounge Chair £199, Made.com. Carraway Cushion £19, Made.com. Blackberry & Elderflower Pimm’s.
Outfit One: Bird Print Kimono £79.99, Zara. White Cut Out Swimsuit £9.99, New Look. Gold Ballet Flats £310, Lanvin at Net-a-Porter. Blue Jewelled Pendant £35, ASOS. Metallic Shopper £249, Love Moschino at ASOS. Round Sunglasses £12, ASOS.
Outfit Two: Silk-Georgette Kimono £130.01, Mara Hoffman at The Outnet. Hot Pink Long-Line Bikini £25, Topshop. Wedge Shoes £149, Designed by Me at Shoes of Prey. Black & White Floppy Hat £18, Next. Jewelled Sunglasses £20, Topshop. Gold Plated Necklace £34.99, Kenneth Jay at The Outnet. Leather & Rubber Neon Green Tote £78, Michael Kors at The Outnet.
Garden Party Decor: Moon Chair in White £349, Made.com. White Parasol With Base £74, Ikea. Gin Hendricks.
Outfit One: Beaded Kaftan £115, John Lewis. Nude Swimsuit £190, Melissa Odabash at Net-a-Porter. Palm Tree Print Clutch £53.29, Juicy Couture at ShopBop. Oversized Sunglasses £237, Matthew Williamson. Shoes £169, Designer by Me at Shoes of Prey. Amethyst Ring £60, Ottoman Hands.
Outfit Two: White Tux Jacket £195, Unique TopShop. Photographic Print Motel Swimsuit (on sale) £80.50, We Are Handsome. Floppy Metallic Hat £15, Dorothy Perkins. Nude Mojito Shoes £159, Julian Hakes. Cat Eye Sunglasses £275, Prada at Net-a-Porter. Clutch £350, Anya Hindmarch. Nude & Gold Earrings £4.99, New Look.
Garden Party Decor: Cuba Lounge Chair £219, Made.com. Black Parasol £50, Ikea. Denby Heather Tea Cup £9, John Lewis. Denby White Saucer £4.85, John Lewis. Black Tray Side Table £149, Dwell.
All prices correct at time of publication.
Gatsby Inspired Outfits for All Budgets…
I certainly don’t need to remind you that The Great Gatsby directed by the legendary Baz Luhrmann, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan was released on May 10th. There has been so much discussion and anticipation and I just can’t wait to see this visual marvel on the big screen. The 20′s has long been a favourite era of mine, the music, the architecture and of course the fashion. Androgynous silhouettes, short hair, feathers, sparkle, beautiful fabrics; nothing but glamour and style. I have created many 20′s inspired outfits in the past on Helen’s Wardrobe and today is no exception, however this time I have created three options for three very different budgets. Everyone should be able to explore 1920′s style and I will show you how to do it. So there is no excuse, channel your inner flapper and get those glad rags on…
Sacrifice your Friday night drinks for…
Outfit One: Pink Embellished Flapper Dress £75, Frock and Frill. Patent Mid Heel Shoes £28, Next. Bando created using Hair Slide £8, Rose Clips £7, both Accessorize along with feathers from any good haberdashery. Long Crystal Pendant £8, Accessorize. Cream Lace Purse £20, Next. Deco Ring £10, Accessorize. Pink Glitter Nail Polish £2.99, Barry M. 
Save up your cash for…
Outfit Two: Embellished Silk Flapper Dress £325, Jigsaw. Mary Jane Shoes £149, designed by me at Shoes of Prey. Headpiece £210, DC Bouquets. Vintage 1920′s Beaded Necklace £80, Rock My Vintage. Blue Moon Nail Paint £2.99, Barry M. Clutch Bag £35, Accessorize. Sterling Silver Turquoise Ring £15, Accessorize.
Sell the rest of your wardrobe for…
Outfit Three: Draped Brushed-Satin Dress £1’495, Lanvin at Net-a-Porter. Head Scarf £145, Liberty. Crystal Embellished Shoes £590, Miu Miu at Net-a-Porter. Sequinned Box Clutch £290, Kotur at Net-a-Porter. Gold Nail Polish in Honey Ryder £11.50, OPI. Cocktail Ring £790, Tiffany & Co. Century Flask in Sterling Silver £730, Tiffany & Co.
All prices correct at time of publication.
Once Upon a Time…
…in an abandoned motel by an empty pool, a beautiful stranger waits for her lover to return. As the days come and go she waits and waits, is he ever coming back?…
Outfit One: Denim Waist Coat & White Denim Shorts, True Religion. Shoes, Fashion Union. Las Vegas Necklace, Heart Earrings & Heart Brooch, Plastic Bat. Badges, Vintage (Stylists Own). Rings, The Great Frog. Belt, Stylists Own. Nail Wraps & Lip Foil, Nail Rock.
Outfit Two: Top, Primark Kids. White Jeans, True Religion. Shoes, Fashion Union. Clutch, Primark. Necklace & Ring, The Great Frog. Sunglasses, Stylists Own. Nail Wraps & Lip Foil, Nail Rock.
Outfit Three: Dress, Fashion Union. Denim Jacket, True Religion. Shoes, Fashion Union. Necklace & Ring, The Great Frog. Earrings, Plastic Bat. Sunglasses, Stylists Own. Dog, Stylists Own. Nail Wraps & Lip Foil, Nail Rock.
Outfit Four: Jumper, Vintage Seek & Revive. White Denim Shorts, True Religion. Shoes, Fashion Union. Heart Necklace & Heart Earrings, Plastic Bat. Nail Wraps & Lip Foil, Nail Rock.
Art direction, Styling, Photography – Helen S Stanley of Helen’s Wardrobe. Make-Up & Hair – Allison Boyd. Props – Jessica Speller. Model – Georgina Goodman. Behind the Scenes Filming & Photography – Stephen Turner. Special thanks to the St Albans Sub Aqua Club for giving permission to shoot at this wonderful location.
All aesthetic material © Helen S Stanley, Helen’s Wardrobe.
Nominate Helen’s Wardrobe for Best Established Fashion Blog…
Attention regular readers and brand spanking new style seekers! Please consider nominating Helen’s Wardrobe for Best Established Fashion Blog at the Cosmopolitan Blog Awards 2013 with Next.
After many years hard graft in the fashion industry I decided to set up Helen’s Wardrobe 3 years ago at the same time I decided to go it alone and become a freelance stylist and consultant. I work extremely hard on my blog creating self-styled photo shoots, outfit builds and features exploring style and fashion from a professional’s point of view. I love fashion history, garment construction and photography and I hope my knowledge and experience comes through in my labour of love, Helen’s Wardrobe. I report on events as well as creating outfit builds and styling shoots to inspire and help my readers, and I like to draw attention to independent and up and coming designers alongside well established brands and designers. If my readers need help dressing for a wedding, I create a feature on wedding outfits, if they love comics, I create a comic inspired feature. My blog really is all about fashion, style and helping people feel and look wonderful. So if you read my blog and love it, please nominate Helen’s Wardrobe for Best Established Fashion Blog here at the Cosmopolitan Blog Awards 2013.
Occasionally There’s An Occasion…
No matter what the grand occasion some of us struggle with attire for such soirees and end up reaching for the dreaded feather fascinator, well don’t. Put down that over enthusiastic head-ware and ask yourselves, “What would Coco do?” Well, she certainly wouldn’t overdo it. Think chic not crass, don’t show too much skin, make sure you leave something to the imagination and for goodness sake stay away from pashminas or shawls. Aesthetic balance is key, if you want to make a statement do it with your shoes or a bag and keep the silhouette flattering and simple. You don’t have to spend a fortune, just look like you have. The best way to explain is of course to show you, so whether you are heading to the races or a wedding, a garden party or roof top birthday be style savvy and let me help you out…
Flowers are a great way to add subtle texture (think Prada and Louis Vuitton) combined with a tonal palette of cream, light camel and gold with pops of turquoise is the perfect recipe for Summer style.
Outfit One: Lace Daisy Shift Dress, Next. Shoes designed by me, Shoes of Prey. Belt, Vintage (stylists own). Light Camel Leather Jacket, Zara. Gold Lips Clutch, Lulu Guinness. Artsy Gold Plated Ring, Saint Laurent at Net-a-Porter.
Those who are regular visitors to Helen’s Wardrobe will know I am a big fan of oriental inspired styling, as seen in my SS’13 Trend Summary. So I couldn’t resist injecting some soft oriental influence to this Gatsby style silhouette. Don’t be afraid to clash patterns using a headscarf to add even more glamour to this oriental 20′s inspired outfit.
Outfit Two: Silk Blend Tank, Kain at Net-a-Porter. Wide Leg Pants, Temperley London at Net-a-Porter. Kimono Jacket, TOPSHOP. Silk Scarf (worn as headscarf), Liberty. Necklace, Saint Laurent at Selfridges. Shoes designed by me, Shoes of Prey. Clutch Bag, Lamb 1887.
Grecian goddess meets Park Avenue princess, mixing textures of embellished beadwork, raffia and snake skin for elegant and comfortable style.
Outfit Three: Embellished Maxi Dress, Melissa Odabash at Net-a-Porter. Shoes designed by me, Shoes of Prey. Bangles & Ring, Vivienne Kelly. Fluro Raffia Clutch, Next. 
Seek & Revive Vintage Sale…
Today I was extremely lucky to be invited to preview the Seek & Revive vintage sale at The Oval Space just off Hackney Road, London. This was the first of many monthly vintage kilo sales, where you can shop from rails and rails of vintage pieces then pay by the kilo. Amazing. The Seek & Revive vintage sale is the ideal place to find incredible vintage clothing and accessories at a fantastic price. Not only can you shop, there is a lovely roof top bar and a DJ playing indie tunes which really made my day. Thank you to the Seek & Revive team, it was a great morning and so much fun to shop. The next sale is on 01/06 29-32 The Oval, E2 9DT.
Here’s a sneaky look at the pieces I found from Seek & Revive which will be featuring in up and coming photo shoots on Helen’s Wardrobe…
Comic Genius…
With Lichtenstein: A Retrospective at the Tate, fashion has gone a little comic strip stylish so I thought it rude not to create some outfits which salute the Pop Art movement and in particular its references to comics. Colour blocking, simple silhouettes and graphic prints are perfect for this inspired trend. There’s no need to be too literal about it, remember trends should be addressed in a subtle, stylish manner, not an attention seeking scream. So channel your inner artist and get shopping…
Outfit One: Checkered Dress, Zara. Shoes, Maison Martin Margiela. Sunglasses, ASOS. Watch, Paul’s Boutique at ASOS. Bag, Jump from Paper. Metallic Lip Foils, Nail Rock. 
Outfit Two: Cape Sleeve Dress, Zara. Shoes, Zara. Earrings, Marc by Marc Jacobs at Net-a-Porter. Bangles, Vivienne Kelly. Comic Book Clutch, Spencer Ogg.
Outfit Three: Lips Sweater, Markus Lupfer at Net-a-Porter. Polka-dot Trousers, Rochas at Net-a-Porter. Yellow Ballet Flats, ASOS. Sunglasses, Linda Farrow at Selfridges. Spots & Stripes Nail Wraps, Nail Rock. Silver Clutch, ASOS. Cartoon Eyes Rings, Tatty Devine at Selfridges.
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