Sloaney Style: Mix textures and dress to impress in contemporary winter glamour

In recent years sequins have become a recurring trend and are especially prominent during the festive period. As party season approaches Sloaney Style suggests the time has come to shimmer under the moonlight and embrace this glamorous look. 

A Little Black Dress is a wardrobe essential and this sequin and bead-embellished LBD by Anna Sui (£440) will give your party portfolio a dazzling update. The 20s style is both versatile and timeless.

To add a contemporary edge you can team it with black tights and these fabulous velvet stud ankle boots (£265). Not only does this footwear make a decadent statement but it gives some extra height to ensure you stand out from the crowd.

Experiment further with luxury textures by opting for this beautiful leather and shearling jacket (£1,520)from the Mason collection by Michelle Mason. Finally, complement the overall look with this Chloe clutch (£240). The soft suede and leather combination reinforces the tactile appeal of this outfit.  

Sloaney Fashion: Kate Middleton heralds the return of the glamorous long dress

The Duchess of Cambridge was pictured wearing another stunning Jenny Packham gown last night when she hosted a dinner with the Duke at St James’s Palace for the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal. The Grecian inspired dress accentuated her slim waist and aptly highlighted her poppy.

Long hemlines are making a return this season and they are ideal for achieving a sense of high fashion glamour. The Winter Maxi Dress is a welcome supplement to a ball gown and allows for a modern take on this traditional style.

Here are The Sloaney’s Top Three Long Dresses:

This beautiful Roberto Cavalli gown will imitate the fluidity of Kate’s dress as the silk moves softly against your skin. The drop waist gives a nod to 1920’s sophistication and the floral print is very on trend. £1,780

The embroided tulle gown by Monique Lhuillier is simply exquisite and this is reflected by its price tag. The boned bodice and stunning detail epitomises traditional elegance. £13,500

The Duchess is a big fan of Issa and this halter neck maxi will add a pop of colour to your wardrobe this winter. £575

Sloaney Fashion: Style advice to take you from desk to dinner!

With Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night behind us, the party season is about to begin with a bang. As Christmas approaches our diaries become even busier than normal with festive celebrations aplenty. Dressing to go straight from work to a drinks party - with no time for a pampering session at home beforehand - can prove a tricky task.
With this in mind, Sloaney Fashion has created an outfit that will help you move from desk to dinner in style.

The base piece for this look is a chic jacquard effect dress by Lela Rose. Opting for an elegant dress for daytime provides you with an aspect of versatility as you can easily add some extra pizzazz by accessorising the outfit as dusk arrives.

The blends of ivory and black enable you to keep the look simple, yet chic for work. Wear some black tights with these gorgeous thigh high boots from Chloe. The Antonio Berardi jacket has sequin-embellished sleeves that will give a hit of festive glamour to the look.

The black Mulberry Tote is a key part of this outfit as it provides you with a great work bag that is spacious enough to carry your evening accessories. By the end of the working day you can draw further on the hint of glamour reflected in the sequins on the jacket and enjoy a gold rush.

Swap the Chloe boots for these divine Givenchy sequin leather pumps that will sparkle late into the night. Add the chain embellished patent leather belt from Yves Saint Laurent and complement this by replacing the accommodating Tote with Mulberry’s bronze Bayswater Clutch.

Through accessories alone you can arrive at the office looking chic and businesslike, yet leave ready to dazzle at dinner.

The Sloaney's Top Tips for ‘Desk to Dinner’ Style

*Plan your two looks in advance*
*Remember the golden rule that accessories can easily transform your outfit*

*Pick an elegant dress as your base piece as it is easy to glam up come evening time*

*For a dramatic but easy way to change your overall look, opt for a different colour scheme at night*

*Take a work bag that is large enough to carry your evening accessories*

*Wear a glamorous overcoat or jacket to work; in the run up to Christmas you can easily get away with a hint of glamour at day time that will carry you through to after work hours*

Sloaney Style: Prepare to party in leather and green

This season, leather has returned with a bang. Whether you decide to explore the trend overtly or subtly, one thing is certain; your wardrobe simply must include a dash of this timeless textile. 

Everlasting leather jackets remain a wardrobe staple, but with party season fast approaching there is no better way to follow the leather forecast than opting for an edgy dress.

This asymmetric leather and wool piece by Helmut Lang (£810) combines winter textures and gives the traditional leather dress a quirky twist, by including wool panels.

Bottle green is a key colour for accessories this season and Sloaney Style suggests creating an edgy party look by matching the leather dress with these fabulous Diane Von Furstenberg platform sandals (£260). Keep it simple and complete your outfit by adding a touch of elegance with this clutch by Chloe (£515). 

Sloaney Fashion: Sculpted knitwear on show at the Bethan Juliff SS12 preview

On Friday evening, The Sloaney, had the pleasure of attending a preview of the Spring/Summer 2012 collection by  knitwear designer, Bethan Juliff.

Knitwear can typically be associated with delicate cardigans or cosy jumpers that keep you nice and warm during the winter months. However, Bethan’s pieces proved significantly more adventurous.
The talented designer presented a chic and sculpted collection of high-fashion dresses at Kensington Roof Gardens. Bethan is available for private commissions and the pre-designed items typically retail at between £800 and £1,200. Below are some highlights from the collection.

For enquiries, contact: info@bethanjuliff.com

Sloaney Fashion: Wrap up warm for Autumn in a Miu Miu Duffle Coat

Hasn’t this summer just flown by? I can’t believe it is the last day of August! With autumn officially just around the corner, now is the time to start wrapping up warm during the cooler parts of the day.

NET-A-PORTER has just released this wonderful Miu Miu Duffle Coat (£1,350). Even the sight of it reminds me of long country walks and the sound of leaves crackling under my feet.

Style suggestions from the website include wearing this piece over dark denim or printed skirts; however, I can see it working just as well over tailored trousers. Not only will it help you stay warm during the colder weekends, but you can also arrive at work showcasing a touch of the heritage look that is proving so popular this season.

Sloaney People: The Duchess of Cambridge spices up her image in military inspired McQueen

The Duchess of Cambridge has stepped out to show her support to Birmingham following the recent riots. She visited the city with Prince William and met with local residents.

Kate opted for a more fashion forward outfit than usual and swapped her classic attire for a chic military inspired look. She again revealed her fondness for Alexander McQueen designs and this latest choice of outfit is possibly a reaction to recent criticism that her dress sense is too ‘ordinary’. Although she was still armed with her favourite style of shoe, Kate definitely spiced up her image today but has maintained her refined style that has proved so popular over recent months.

What do you think of Kate’s dress sense? Let The Sloaney know by leaving a comment…

Sloaney Fashion: Shoe splurge

If you want to have a splurge on some luxurious footwear, the Kentra from Jimmy Choo is divine. Jewel colours are a key trend for the new season and this beautiful emerald sandal is guaranteed to satisfy your style cravings. Its striking zebra motif sits on delicate mesh and is encrusted with hand embroidered crystals.

Price: £1250.00
Register your interest by emailing: waitinglist@jimmychoo.com

Sloaney People - Pippa Middleton

Pippa Middleton was photographed over the weekend when she attended a cricket match to support her long term boyfriend, Alex Loudon who is captain of the Eton Ramblers.

Pippa opted to wear a striking red dress. Although the vibrant colour turned heads, the less than flattering cut and easy-crease nature of the fabric, let the usually immaculate style icon down on this occasion.

Those wanting to emulate Pippa’s style should consider LK Bennet's new Apple Dress (£225). It falls under the high-street fashion umbrella; however, this exemplary style will fool some onlookers into thinking otherwise.

Sloaney Fashion - Diane von Furstenberg signature wrap dress

Owning a Little Black Dress is of the upmost importance at this time of year. One moment an afternoon summer haze will have us feeling warm under the collar, before a chilly dusk sets in.

As we make the transition to a new season, purchasing one such garment simply eases our ‘what to wear in this weather’ dilemma. We need to look classic and chic as autumn approaches, but remain appropriately dressed for late summer soirees.

The Diane von Furstenberg signature wrap dress provides the perfect solution during the seasonal confusion. This updated version is available from NET-A-PORTER and boasts dramatic draping, juxtaposed with a bead-embellished belt. A bargain at £595.