Christmas Outfit Ideas, Part Two

Getting closer and closer to the big day, here are three more great ideas for dressing up on Christmas (or even before)!

I know it's easy to get sick of wearing red and green during the holiday season, so today's tips steer completely clear of the dreaded Christmas colours. I promise.



If you absolutely can't decide what colour to wear, maybe a neutral beige is for you. This beauty, with its wrap-around waist and flared skirt, is a super-flattering option which should suit just about any figure. I'd wear it with a deep burgundy cardigan or wrap and some classic heels.



Feeling a bit more daring? Try orange. It's not a colour for everyone, but if it tickles your fancy then this bow-neck dress might be just the ticket. Wear it with a pair of matching flats and a beehive hairstyle for the ultimate Mod Christmas!



And now for something completely different... From this year's Christmas collection, our striped blue velour dress is an unusual take on a holiday outfit, so this is for you if you want to stand out from the crowd a bit! Wear it with navy shoes and lashings of silver bangles for the best effect. The best bit? It's our Offer of the Month, so you get €40 off!

What will you be wearing for Christmas? Red and greens, or something completely non-traditional?

Libelle Magazine Loves Edith & Ella

I love this picture from the December issue of Libelle Magazine! Purply-blues never fail to win me over, especially when worn by such a sassy-looking model ;)


And be sure to check out this dress in the Edith & Ella store if it takes your fancy. Unfortunately, it's not available in blue at the moment, but if you're an orange kind of gal then head on over!

Christmas Outfit Inspiration & Ideas

The party season is upon us, and despite the stress it causes a lot of people, it brings one distinct advantage with it — an excuse for new clothes!

I love buying my Christmas clothes. As in, LOVE. It's another one of those Christmas rituals that gets me feeling all seasonal and fuzzy inside. I know there are better things I could be doing with my time in the run-up to Presentfest (such as, err, buying things for other people...), but oh well, whatever makes you happy, right? And scouring the town for Christmas outfit inspiration is definitely making me happy right now!

I've thrown together a few outfits in the hopes of sharing my festive consumerist delights with you guys. I know that some people prefer to stick to traditional reds and greens for their outfits, and some people prefer to break the mould a bit — so see which takes your fancy.

Items in this set:
Edith & Ella - Red Christmas Dress
Edith & Ella - Black Coat
Edith & Ella - Black Lace Heels

Firstly, a more traditional sort of outfit. The red keeps it Christmassy, but pairing it with simple black items keeps you from looking too much like one of Santa's elves.

Items in this set:
Edith & Ella - Purple Christmas Dress
Edith & Ella - Black Ballerina Flats

Next, a total departure from Christmas colours altogether. I am in looove with this purple dress from our Christmas collection, and I think it should be worn with as little else as possible to maximise its gloriousness! So, to that end, I chose a pair of simple black flats to go with it, as they won't detract from its very purple statement.

Items in this set:
Edith & Ella - Brown Check Ballet Flats
Edith & Ella - Brown Skirt

And finally, a bit of a middle ground. I like the idea of avoiding red, but still keeping it Christmassy with warm, spicy colours. I kind of imagine that this outfit would taste like cinnamon :)

More Christmas outfit inspiration on the way in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned, readers!

Christmas Pajamas!

Yup, it's December 1st, the Edith & Ella blog is back in action, and I'm in full seasonal spirit!

I don't know about you guys, but I spend most of November pretending that all the premature Christmas madness isn't happening. I just can't deal with tinsel and fairies and reindeer that early! So come December first, I have a ritual that involves hot chocolate, Sufjan Stevens' Songs for Christmas album, and (a little embarrassingly) The Muppets' Christmas Carol on DVD. Heaven, I tell you. Heaven!

All of this, of course, must be done in a pair of pajamas purchased specially for the occasion. We recently updated the store with a few things that fit the bill nicely, I think.

First up, silk slip dresses. Available in cream or black, these are perfect if your Christmas plans involve an evening in — wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more ;)

Or, if you're more of a comfort lover, you might prefer a pair of silk pajamas. Pair with a hot chocolate for the perfect evening by the fire.

And to top off either of these, don't forget a silk kimono-style dressing gown, and a pair of vintage-style slippers. I dare you to feel like anything other than an old-time movie star in these!

Have you got a December 1st ritual? Or are you happy to revel in the Christmas spirit as soon as they get the tack out in the shops?

An Apology

Hi everyone, sorry for the recent absence of any new posts. Things are about as hectic as they can be around here right now, so there'll be a bit of a blog hiatus until December, methinks.

Don't disappear though, my dears! There are still all the blog archives to trawl through, as well as the Edith & Ella site itself, so you needn't despair for a way to waste some time on the internet ;)

Until December then, folks. I'll see you all back here for some Christmas (am I allowed to say that word yet?) cheer in a month!

More Burlesque-esque Style from Ms. Dita von Teese

So, my last post on Dita von Teese's style got me thinking; as much as I love that dress she's wearing, there's no way on earth that I'll ever find an occasion where it would be appropriate! So I decided to put together a more wearable version, that'll keeps your modesty in check without losing the burlesque glamour.



A layered lace dress is the foundation for this look - it gives the illusion of being sheer, without actually revealing the ol' goods underneath. Accessorise with a dramatic necklace to get the same impact as the original dress, and add a pair of classic black heels to keep the retro glamour going. Add lashings of red lipstick and liquid eyeliner, and you're ready to paint the town whatever colour you'd like!

Dita von Teese's Sheer Dress: Oui ou Non?

I came across this photo of her vintageness, Dita von Teese today, wearing a sheer black Jean Paul Gautier... thing. I've extolled her virtues before, in a piece on burlesque-esque style, but what do you think of this?

While my fashion sense tends to be a bit conservative (by which I mean I like my knickers covered up, thanks), I actually kind of find myself liking this a lot. Not that I think I'll be stepping out in it anytime soon - I'll be sticking to dresses that give the illusion of being sheer instead. But it's different, it's weird, it errs on the side of fetishwear, yet somehow manages to look bizarrely classy at the same time. Thumbs up, Mr. Gaultier.

Would you wear a sheer jumpsuit?

What are your thoughts on this outfit, featured in the October 2009 issue of Jan magazine?


Would you be caught dead in a sheer jumpsuit? Or are you itching to go out and get your hands on one right now?

P.S. The shoes above are available (in pink and blue) in our online store - check them out!

Classy, Ladylike Fashion — Autumn/Winter Style 2009

With the increasing popularity of style icons like Ms. Joan Holloway, lots of you are looking to ladylike fashion for inspiration this Autumn/Winter. And do allow me to say that this is more than welcome in a world of Ugg boots and fake tan...

So grab your pearls, your tights, and your fancy underwear, and let me show you how it's done!

Look 1: The Repressed 1950s Housewife

Okay, so maybe we don't want to live her lifestyle any more, but damn did she know how to dress. The key here is cinched waists, flared skirts, and simple heels, so I picked a red satin dress and black patterned heels to give this simple silhouette some interest.
You might also like to check out this previous post on 1950s hair and makeup tutorials, if you want to get the complete 1950s ladylike look.

Look 2: The Rich Eccentric

She's got style. She's got class. She's... probably got a lot of cats. And we love her for it. (Or maybe it's for her money.) Channel your inner feline fancier with a pussy-bow blouse and floral-patterned skirt. Cat-shaped bag is optional; for a more 'growed-up' look, try patent leather.

Look 3: The Classy Modern Gal

I always appreciate someone who can look classy without looking antiquated at the same time. The idea of wearing a pink dress with pearls might seem a bit absurdly girly at first, but I think the black ruffle gives this one an edgier feel. Pop on a pair of black flats, and one of the long, draped cardigans that are so popular this season, for some instant trendy class.

(I absolutely could not get this song from one of my favourite films, Singin' in the Rain, out of my head while writing this post... It's kind of fitting, no?)

Pick of the Month — Autumn/Winter Waistcoat

If, like me, you're a little bit tired of the blazers that are (already) everywhere this season, then I suggest you try mixing things up a bit with a waistcoat instead!


Perfect for sunny autumn days — when a jacket would be too much, but a shirt on its own too little — a waistcoat can add a little bit of intrigue to an otherwise mundane outfit. Wear it with a tailored shirt and trousers for an androgynous look, with a wool skirt to bring out your inner librarian, or with a pair of jeans to make them more suitable for the office.

Me? I like to pretend I'm wearing a tuxedo when I don a waistcoat, so I'd grab a white bow embellished shirt, black skinny jeans, and some black and white oxford shoes to top off my look:

How to Wear Plaid for Autumn/Winter 2009

Next up in my series of 'how to wear this season's fashion trends' is one of my favourite things in the world — plaid. (I'm off to Scotland tomorrow, and the thought of this is maybe influencing me a little...)

We've oodles of plaid items coming up this winter season, so it was hard to pick just one to style. I think the long skirt won out solely because of its kookiness! I love the slightly 70s vibe it gives off, and the length is the perfect antidote for winter chills.

The most foolproof way to style plaid is to pick one of the colours featured in the checks, and choose solid-coloured items of the same shade to pair it with. I've picked black above and below, and I also did something similar with orange in a previous post.

If you like the outfits above, I've got some good news for you; you can nab the sweater in the first set and the boots in the second for a massive 70% off in the online store. The boots, which were €269, are just €80.70. And the sweater was €109, but is now a piddling €32.70. Grab 'em while you can!

How do you wear your plaid?

Kate Bosworth Style — OK Magazine Loves Edith & Ella

OK! Magazine showcased one of our scarves in a great feature on Kate Bosworth's style. I'm not sure the skirt is quite to my taste, but I do like how the the t-shirt and denim vest combination is made less slouchy-casual by the shiny, sequined mini.

What do you think of this outfit? Yae or nae?

Marie Claire Loves Edith & Ella

Marie Claire features a pair of shoes from our upcoming collection in its style guide - catwalk trends 2009. Loving all the pink! (I have days where I love pink, and days where I detest its very existence - I guess today is one of the former.)

Three Different Ways to Wear — Brown Cord Skirt

The Autumn/Winter ranges are starting to hit the shops, and I'm having trouble resisting the urge to start stockpiling scarves, gloves, and woolly jumpers. I'm particularly excited about our own upcoming range, because it's full of really timeless pieces that are also bang on trend this season — corduroy skirts, plaid jackets and structured blazers, to name just a few.

To fuel my excitement, I've decided to put together a few guides to wearing this season's trends. First up is the brown cord skirt!

Look 1: Totally Trendy
This is the way I'm seeing cord skirts being put together everywhere — flannel shirt, blazer, and a pair of gentlemanly shoes. I usually try to avoid wearing things in the same way as everyone else, but this look gets my total and utter love, and I shall be recreating it at the first moment possible.

Look 2: Geek Chic
A little bit Velma from Scooby-Doo (okay, a lot), a lot awesome! Channel the seventies by pairing your brown skirt with deep, burnt orange tones.

Look 3: Out on the Town
This is as glamorous as a cord skirt is ever going to get, but I like it a lot — paired with a shiny top and sparkly shoes, it's not too dressy to wear while you're mooching around during the day, but not too casual to wear on a dinner date either. Style equilibrium has been reached!

All the items above are from the Edith & Ella Autumn/Winter 09 collection, which will be hitting the online store soon, so don't forget to check back often. Also, stay tuned for further style inspiration, courtesy of my continuing frustration with the summer...

Vintage Inspired Style - Mad Men's Joan Holloway

Joan Holloway, of the much-loved Mad Men, has stolen many hearts with her impeccable fashion sense. But how can you replicate her look at home? It's all in the slink.

Grab a vintage-style silk shirt, a pencil skirt (the most important part!) and killer heels, then top it all off with a matching handbag. A flick of eyeliner and slick of lippie later, you're ready to get your wiggle on, just like Ms. Holloway!

Gossip Girl — Blair-Inspired Fashion

Okay, I have a fashion-blogger confession to make — two of them, actually.

1. I absolutely cannot watch Gossip Girl for any length of time. I find it shallow and silly to a point that even I can't stand (and I have a pretty high tolerance for rubbish on TV).

2. I spend way too much time looking at pictures from the show anyway. I can't help it, the clothes are all so beautiful! Blair is unquestionably my favourite, with her classy, ladylike style — I'd wear any of her outfits in a second. For example:





What I would give to raid the Gossip Girl wardrobe... sigh. Failing that, I've come up with a few tips for imitating Ms. Waldorf's style.

1. Keep your necklines high. Ne pas de cleavage, under any circumastances.
   
2. Keep your colours quite demure and classy — think burgundy, aubergine, cream, and grey. Nothing tacky, luminous, or neon, please!
   
3. Three words: Lots Of Skirts. Pants seem to be quite the no-no in this young lady's world.
4. Never underestimate the power of a hairband, especially if your hair is a gorgeous as hers is. It'll draw attention to your flowing locks in a snap.
   
5. Break out the colourful tights, especially if your hemline is more than an inch or two above the knees.

Still having trouble channeling Blair's style? Check out the Edith & Ella store for some items worth of her royal stylishness. I think she'd love the button-embellished heels, black checkered cape, and striped linen skirt (with red tights, of course).

Personal Pick: Flirty Floral Dress

Perfect for the transition to Autumn weather, this floral, 1940s-style tea dress will see you through hot and cool times. It's got that great Edge of Love style, which goes perfectly with so many things — from chunky knits to uber-feminine high heels.


Pair it with some light shoes to make those hot days bearable, or with tights (I'd suggest navy or cream) and a cute cardigan when the sun fails to show his face.

New Site Launched

The new Edith & Ella site is up and running (though forgive any bugs - we're still ironing out the kinks), so check it out for a couple of sneak peeks at the new Autumn/Winter range!

New site on the way...

The online store's down at the moment, but check back for a new site that's on the way soon!

Image from Grazia.

Edith & Ella Sale

Sale! Sale! Sale!

I'm excited to announce that the Edith & Ella spring/summer sale has started, with selected dresses, skirts, tops and outerwear now reduced by 40%! And there's a sweet 20% of selected shoes and handbags, to boot.

My personal favourites:

Blue linen skirt. Was €121, now €73.

Sweet blue flats. Were €148, now €119.

Mauve bow dress. Was €135, now €81.

More and more items will be going on sale in the near future, so don't forget to stop by the online store regularly!

Pick of the Week; Cotton Pocket Dress

From sunny to muggy to miserably wet, this dress has seen me through a lot this summer, and so becomes my next Pick of the Week! I love how layerable it is - over a t-shirt or swimsuit, or under a cardigan with colourful tights - and how easy it is to slip on for an instantly cheery outfit. And how cute are those pockets?

If you'd like one of your very own, find it in the store!

Grazia Loves Edith & Ella — Slim Leg Pants

Grazia recently featured one of our tops in a "Perfect Silhouette" spread. Check it out below:

I love voluminous tops with slim leg pants, but unfortunately the look isn't that suited to my own figure... I just look a bit frumpy, to be honest. My idea of a perfect silhouette is all about the waist, so I tend to substitute a good pencil skirt for the pants, more like this:


What does your own perfect silhouette look like?

Pick of the Week: Navy Cardigan

If love has a physical form, then for me it's this strawberry cardigan!I pretty much haven't taken mine off since I got it. Mostly because I seem to be obsessed with navy at the moment, but also because I love the flattering cut, the poofy sleeves, and the cute little embroidered strawberries on the front and back.

My favourite way to wear it (so far, anyway) is with a little red dress and navy flats. I also throw on a pair of green tights if it's a bit chilly out, because they make the green embroidery on the cardigan stand out wonderfully.

Argh, it's just too great! ;)

Dressing up Jeans

Pink bow flats featured in Alt for Damern

Jeans are so versatile, but a lot of people shy away from the idea of dressing them up - myself included. To me, they're just sloppy weekend wear, but I'm working on changing my mind about that. Any suggestions to help me? Here's what I've figured out so far - it mightn't be big news to most people, but these tips will go far for any novices like me.

1. Nothing dresses up some ordinary jeans like a pair of pretty shoes, and a nice pair of heels will add instant glamour to any outfit!

Check out these Black Heels in the Online Store

2. Jeans and t-shirts are almost synonymous in my mind, but don't let yourself fall into that trap! A slinky top will take you from day to night in an instant. Pick something silky or sequined so that there's no way you'll feel under-dressed.

Try this Cream Silk Shirt

3. Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise! And choose wisely. When you're wearing a simple outfit, any embellishments will speak volumes, so use them to express yourself.
I think a bag is a great way to let your personality show through. Are you a little bit kooky? Try a fun, retro-style bag. Feeling classy? A classic black bag is the way to go.

Vintage-style bag

Chic black bag

So, with all that in mind, grab your favourite jeans and make them work for you!

Pick of the Week: Bows! Bows! Bows!

What is it about bows that makes them so appealing? I fall for anything with a bow on it, and I know that lots of my friends are just the same. And it's not just us; I went shopping today, and just about every single store was covered in bows! I felt a bit like I was in some sort of eternal children's section...

Satisfy your own bow lust with these beauties:

Pink Dress with Bow

Mauve Bow Dress

Pink Bow Shoes (my favourite of the lot!)

Is there anything you're going a bit ga-ga over this week? Share your links in the comments!