Less Is More

Less Is More

fashion style    6:03 AM   

Regular followers of The Daydreamer will know that I am a huge fan of designer outlet shopping emporium, Bicester Village. Possibly the most luxurious way to do discount shopping, Bicester Village is a gorgeous outdoor village dedicated to providing high fashion at affordable prices for stylish customers.

To celebrate it's 15th anniversary, Bicester Village has launched a website featuring an online exhibition of timeless pieces, curated by the legendary Colin McDowell. Not only is McDowell incredibly passionate and knowledgeable (understatement!) about fashion, he is a kind and charming man. (He once telephoned me personally at home to give me advice on my writing career).

The Bicester Village 15 Years of Style website also has an online charity auction in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. Here you can bid on designer goodies from luxury labels such as Mulberry, Yves Saint Laurent and, this week in particular, Marni. Not only will you add classic, stylish pieces to your wardrobe when supporting Timeless, you are doing so for a great cause.

Guilt free shopping? Count me in.

Bicester Village Timeless
Photography: As Seen In Vogue

http://www.timeless.bicestervillage.com/

Bid in the charity auction here: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/bicestervillage

On Your Marks, Get Set...Go Pringle!

On Your Marks, Get Set...Go Pringle!

fashion style    2:34 AM   

I don't know about you, but I'm struggling to embrace the trend for luxury sportswear. It's my curves again: my hips get in the way of a pair of clingy, jersey harem pants; my ample rack takes an oversize, silk racer-back vest, effortlessly thrown over a very visible black lace bra, from athletic chic to nasty-put-some-clothes-on; and my butt makes a mockery of a cute, white tennis skirt because the fabric won't stretch so far as to protect my modesty. Luxury sportswear on me? The fashion pack might as well airbrush me onto page 3 and be done with it.
Then I saw this dress by Pringle of Scotland from their SS10 collection. It's loose, but not so much that my curves drown and disappear. It's short enough to show off tanned (and therefore slimmer?!) legs, but not so short that my rear end hogs the length. The racer-front design adds that so-hot-for-now element of sportswear while revealing shoulders instead of cleavage, and the colour is bright like reflective safety gear, but it's subtle and therefore très chic for summer. And those nude sandals with elastic straps? The very sweet icing on a very healthy looking cake.

image: Pringle of Scotland Spring / Summer 2010, courtesy of Pringle of Scotland