Work IT Girl | No comments:

Whilst I can't stroll into work wearing leggings and the latest tee (not that I would ever want to..I don't know if you have noticed but I DON'T do trousers..like ever) I still love getting all dressed up for work. Another plus is that I am not forced to 1) wear a corporate suit and 2) wear the same damn suit every single bloody day. Being a receptionist, this can sometimes be asked of you.

Dressing for work, I like to express my classic and signature, sartorial style, so the skirt, shirt and bow combo is always a winner - usually worn on Friday's or more often than not, 'Thirsty Thursday's'. Today, I have gone for my signature dress and collar look. If you haven't met me, or are new to The Sartorial Doll - I LOVE ANYTHING WITH A COLLAR, and no matter what, I will still try and shove a shirt slash collar under any dress, cardigan or jumper (I'm verging on obsessed...and yes mother, I can breathe...why wouldn't I be able to?)

This classic, black shift dress is one of my favourite bargain buys; anything bought from Primark in my opinion is...a bargain buy. For a mere £13 I have worn it probably over 100 times over the past 3 years and hell yeah it's still in perfect condition. With the addition of my (American Apparel) cropped shirt and dainty Chanel necklace this look is non-chalant and understated, a look fit for both work and apres-work playtime! Need a splash of colour? Add a silk scarf, my fave's come from the likes of Louis Vuitton and (OBV) Hermes.

TIP: Black shift dresses are beyond versatile, try pairing these with a long or short shirt worn underneath, or alternatively try adding a detachable collar.
Add a cropped jumper, cashmere cardi, fitted jacket, or your boyfriend blazer and you will find that this look can be re-invented a million times over.
In addition to this, try frilly socks and wedges for that/spring summer look, or tights and trucker boots in the winter! EVERY GIRL NEEDS A CLASSIC, BLACK SHIFT DRESS.

Due to the bipolar weather that we ALL love to hate in London, I opted for a black cashmere cardi from none other than my grandmother's fave - M&S (btw their cashmere is affordable and so comfy, as taught by my wonderful grandmother). As for the shoes, my fellow doll at work gave me these as a brand, spanking new hand-me-down due to them being too small. Thanks Doll! They were £25 from New Look and are honestly some of the most comfortable shoes I own.

Whats with the flowers? Give a girl a bouquet and she's sure to run off with it...okay maybe that's just me! If someones not going to give them to me...I'll give them to myself.

Bea Wears:

 

Black Shift Dress - Primark

White Cropped Shirt - American Apparel

Cashmere Cardi - M&S

Peep-Toe, Studded Heels - New Look

Necklace - Chanel

Silk Scarf - Louis Vuitton

Bea {x}

SAMPLE SALE: SOPHIA WEBSTER | 2 comments:

 

 

 

Nothing better than a glass of Prosecco after running a half marathon...and buying SHOES!

This continues to baffle me...if anyone is familiar with how this is done PLEASE TELL ME.

One of the perks of having a BFF in fashion PR is that you get to know about all the sample sales; who, when and where. I for one love a bargain, and I have been quite lucky when it comes to shoes lately and no matter what I'm doing I can always find time for a good ol' sample sale. 

So who was it this week? SOPHIA WEBSTER! If you have read one of my LFW blog posts from back in Feb (see here) you may have figured out that I am a huge fan of Sophia's eccentric aesthetics and quirky, youthful style. A shoe designer at best, Sophia's shoes are colourful, fun and flirty...yet expensive! So when I reached the finishing line of the Roding Valley Half Marathon to receive a call from Claudia asking me to go, I couldn't say no! No matter how much my legs demanded that I rest I jumped straight in the shower, grabbed a bagel 'to go' and off I went to Covent Garden...

Being the UK average shoe size of a 5, it meant that on my arrival most were AS USUAL gone. After trying on several styles in my size I got myself in a tizz regarding the fact 'Giselle' weren't in my size. Of course this pair of gorgeous black booties were all gone. I went for broke and tried a 4 1/2 and ... THEY BLOODY FIT. So about 10 minutes later I was £150 poorer but I had treated myself. Oh YARRR. A shoe fit for Queen B, Sophia's addition of what appears to be tiaras on the front of each foot is just what caught my eye. Total love!

Claudia also purchased a pair of black slouch booties, hers more elaborately detailed than mine with metallic-thread embroidery and an open toe with stiletto heel. 

All heels were £150 with some being £200. Samples were £50 but were all in stupidly large or small sizes. The mistake many (including myself) make with sample sales is that you are inclined to buy something because it is 'designer' and 'cheaper'. DON'T. 80% of the time you are still spending over £100 on the piece and well... If you don't love it, DON'T BUY IT. I spent over an hour faffing over several pairs of shoes at the Nicholas Kirkwood sample sale, only to realise I didn't actually like any of the shoes in my size. Close to spending over £300 I refrained and left without regret. The key to bargains is to not buy rubbish but buy golden goodies that have a story to their purchase! If you find that golden goody, grab it, then go treat yourself to a glass of prosecco, just like we do! Retail Therapy...

What we wore:

 

Bea:

Dress - Sister Jane

Ostrich Feather Gillet - Miss Selfridge

Sunglasses - Topshop

Claudia:

Cheque Cigarette Trousers - Topshop

Follow The Sartorial Doll on Twitter to keep updated with upcoming sample sales! @sartorialdoll

If you haven't checked out Sophia Webster you can do so here! 

Bea {x}