What Colour Shoes with a Black & White Dress?

What shoes should you wear with a black and white dress?

It's a tough one isn't it?
The black and white dress can leave us scratching our heads when it comes to shoes.
There are so many great options to choose from that it becomes confusing.
Nobody wants to look contrived or frumpy do they?
So what can we do?

I decided to choose a simple striped dress for today's experiment.
The black and white dress is equal parts of both black and white.
This makes the experiment fair, but the principles are the same for dresses with different proportions. For example; a white dress with a black trim, or a black dress with white polka dots.

{See this striped dress styled HERE with floral flats and splashes of red!}

Choosing shoes can be a fun way to express your personal style, and give your already bold dress more of an impact.

Black or White (or black & white)

Obvious and super easy.
Depending on the style, black can look more formal and appropriate for cooler months.
White can look 'summery' and less serious.
Black & White shoes look contemporary and modern.
{I have a space in my wardrobe for a pair!}

Whatever you choose, you can't really go wrong with a bit of matchy matchy!

Bold colours.

Bold and Bright colours are the most fun to wear.
Well, in my opinion anyway!
Red is an obvious (and classic) choice but any bright colour works beautifully.
The boldness of the shoe gives a modern and edgy feel to the dress.

This blue pair are my absolute favourite with this dress, BUT this post makes me really want a pair of bright yellow shoes!
How fabulous would a bold yellow look with these stripes?

These purple shoes have black and white gems on the front, working perfectly to tie the colour with the design.

Patterns.

Pattern mixing gets a HUGE thumbs up from me!
Leopard print and bold florals look perfect with stripes.
{As do polka dots.... which I don't have.}

In fact, leopard can almost be classed as a neutral.

Neutrals.

Grey is a perfect neutral to wear with black and white.
The colour tones things down slightly, and gives a more formal feel.
Silver also looks amazing with black and white, giving off a summer party vibe.

Nude can sometimes be accused of being a little dull with such a vibrant dress (ditto gold) but it all depends on the look you want, and your personality.

Maybe you want the dress to do all of the talking?
Or, maybe you just love the leg lengthening effect of a nude shoe!
It's your call after all.

What colour shoes would you wear with this dress?

Please let me know in the comments... I would love to hear your opinion.

I thought I would leave you with the moment my green heels got stuck in between the slabs.

What a ninny!

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Fab 40's Favourite Colours | Pink from Head to Toe

Welcome back to The fab 40s.

The fab 40s Favourite Colours.

This month's Fab 40s theme is "What's your favourite colour?"
Simple right?
Not really!

As a lover of SO many shades, this month's theme was particularly hard for me.
I wanted to pick yellow, but had posted this yellow outfit just the other day.
Red was an obvious one, but there has been so much red on my blog recently.
I also love green, and blue, and bright orange.
Decisions, decisions....

So, I did something a little different.

I picked a colour I've never really liked.

Wait...

What?

Was the brief not "Favorite colours"?

Let me explain.

I've always loved pink, but only on other people.
Admiring it from afar, and wishing it was my kind of colour.

I have played around with pink in unexpected ways but never really embraced it properly, so today I'm going bold and bright and mixing my pinks with gusto!

From magenta, to fuschia, to pale blush... it's a pink-fest!

Our Guest blogger this month... 

Catherine from Not Dressed as Lamb.

I'm super-excited to have this hugely successful, award winning and all-round lovely lady joining us this month.

As a regular reader of her blog I guessed that her colours would be blush pink and rose gold... (although orange could have been a good one to pick too).

I was very pleased to be half right!

Catherine can't put a (stylish) foot wrong in my book.

Sheela from Sheela Writes.

Sheela is a naughty girl here!
Choosing an achromatic palette and trying to pass it off as a colour.
She is such a rebel.
{I would expect no less!}
As always Sheela's attitude makes this outfit stand out from the crowd.

Ann from Kremb de la Kremb

Ann totally surprised me with her colour choice.

I was convinced she was going to choose red.

However, the velvet is no surprise at all.... she has a bit of a 'thing' for it.

I love this shot of her, so beautiful!

Jennie from A pocketful of polka dots

I had a feeling that flame haired Jennie would be in bright green.

{It makes perfect sense}

Red hair and green is a classic combination that always packs a punch.

I love her bold and beautiful style.

That vintage dress is knockout!

Diane from Fashion on the fourth floor

Diane has also surprised me with her colour  (I thought she was going to choose khaki and blush pink) but not her camouflage.

I knew there would be a touch of the tomboy somewhere!

Laid back cool, with killer heels. 

Mary from Curlybyrdie Chirps

Ive got a bit of an obsession with yellow at the moment and this bold outfit is ticking every box for me.

So striking and cheerful.

Mary's wearing her own sunshine and I love it!

Veronica from CID Style file.

I thought Veronica was going to choose something a little tomboyish and different and she didn't let me down.
Dungarees, gutties and a burgundy bomber... perfect!

What's YOUR favourite colour?
Is your favourite colour different from the colours you actually wear?

Please let me know by leaving me a comment.
Or contact me.
I love hearing from you.

TROUSERS: Topshop... these are pretty but not as bright...these chinos are bold!

TOP: Bonmarché (c/o)... this one is beautiful.

GLASSES: Fenchurch

SHOES: Vagabond

EARRINGS: H&M... these are nice.

BAG: Lloyd Baker... this one is beautiful.....here is a great budget option.

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What to Wear when you don't know the Dress Code.

Yesterday afternoon I was lucky enough to be going to a hen night.
I knew it was going to be lots of fun, but a very sophisticated affair.
It wouldn't be involving costumes, strippers, shot glasses or inflatables.

{Although, I'm all for that kind of wild hen night too!!}

We were off to a lovely restaurant for food and plenty of cocktails.

Unfortunately, I had to work in the morning and had very little time to get ready when I got home.
Problem?
Not really.

How to get ready in 10 minutes.

1. Plan.

This is the most important part.
Spend time (when you have it) assembling your entire outfit.
You need to make a quick change so everything must be ready.

A bit like fireman's overalls, you will simply step into your preplanned outfit and be ready to go.
Make sure you have tried everything on and you are happy with it.
This will save any last minute panic.
Check from all angles now, so on the day you don't need to.
This stops the last second dash that involves throwing clothes and shoes around shouting "I've got nothing to wear!"... or maybe that's just me?

2. Lay out.

Get your entire outfit together.
Attach any belts to belt hoops, or brooches to lapels, and have everything (and I mean everything) either laid out in order of use (if you have space) or all together on a hanger.

I had this entire outfit on one hanger. Even down to the underwear I was going to wear with it.
My shoes, bag and earrings were in a shoe box nearby ready to pop on.
Have your evening bag as prepacked as possible ready to grab and go.

3. Freshen up

Spend any time you do have refreshing your makeup, giving yourself a spritz of scent and sorting your hair.
I managed to top up with some eyeliner, lipstick and powder, fluff my hair a little (although that was a pointless exercise as we were caught in a rain shower) and use some body lotion on my arms.
Good to go!

What to Wear when you don't know the dress code.

Dress codes can be tricky can't they?
When an occasion has no specific dress code and "anything goes" this can make it much more difficult to decide what you should wear.
It's so much easier when you know what's expected of you!

Black tie? Simple.
Smart-casual? Help!

This outfit is a great one for when you are not sure how smart (or casual) other people are going to be.
Hen nights are like that.
Some people can be in jeans, others in evening dresses.
I always feel that the occasion deserves the respect of making an effort, but (in my opinion) it is always better to be slightly underdressed than overdressed.

So, my go-to smart/casual outfit would be a pair of dressy trousers and a pretty top.
Dressy trousers come in every shape, colour and design.
There is bound to be a pair that appeals to your sense of style.

Satin trousers can be hard to wear (they are completely unforgiving on lumps and bumps) but they do strike a great balance between comfort and style, with enough impact to seem 'dressed up'.
I teamed them with a chiffon top that adds interest and a more seasonally appropriate feel.

Comfortable platform heels and a few pieces of jewellery finished my look off.

Would you rather be over or underdressed?
Why?
Please share in the comments, I'd love to hear your opinion on this!

TROUSERS: Finery... these are nice and on sale!
TOP: Primark... this is pretty.
SHOES: Vagabond (those are the tan ones)
BAG: Old....and crumbling. Similar.

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Why it's okay to be Out of Fashion.

It's sunny and warm in Scotland!*

{*gets the flags and banners out to celebrate.}

There is something joyous about a really warm day when they are few and far between.

Especially when that warm day that just so happens to be your day off (insert relieved and slightly smug face! 😌).

Arms are out.

Legs are out.

Sunglasses are on!

{There is also a cardigan, brolly and covered shoes packed in the big bag... Scottish weather can change at a moment's notice.}

Today I am wearing silky, flowing culottes and a silky, flowing top.

SO comfortable, it almost feels like a cheat!

Chunky, retro sandals and a HUGE bag were all this outfit needed to have me grinning from ear to ear.

Perfect for a day like today.

However....

While I was looking at the photos of this outfit I realised something.
This look is so far behind the latest trends that it is almost 'old'.
Are the true fashionistas totally over culottes and cold shoulders?
Probably.

I realise that I am WAY behind the fashion-party.
In fact, I have probably missed the bus all together... Taxi!!

And, you know what?
It's okay!

Warming up to a trend is a normal thing for regular people to do.

Lurching from one latest "must have" to another doesn't allow us the time to settle and enjoy.

It's okay for some items to be on a low simmer rather than vigorous boil!

Culottes have been on a really slow burn for me.

I first tried them at the beginning of my blogging life and struggled (understatement!).

I felt awkward, frumpy and out of proportion.

In short... a sack of tatties! 

(Or a bag of potatoes for anyone unfamiliar with that phrase.)

BUT...
As time (and style) moves on, my affections have changed.
Today I feel comfortable and confident.

Ditto the cold-shoulders....
From feeling awkward (and a bit silly) to feeling sleek and sexy.
Who'd have thought it?

So the moral of my style story is; Do you own thing and follow your own path.

Yes, keep up with what is trending, and read fashion magazines/blogs.

Yes, keep trying new colours and new styles. 

BUT, don't give up on styles and colours that you love, and that make you happy.
In fact, don't give up on anything that makes you happy.
And, if your style is on a slow-burn when it comes to certain things (like me) then so be it!

Are there any trends that you are just coming round to?
Are there any 'old' trends (or colour combinations) you still love?
Please share them in the comments.
I would love to hear from you.

I wanted to leave you with this ridiculous photo of me taken just as a bee flew in my ear! Hahahahaha
Much as I love bees, this one gave me a fright.
My husband almost fell over laughing!


CULOTTES: Matalan.... similar.
TOP: Next
SANDALS: Clarks... similar.
BAG: Bogner...splurge....save.... this one is fun!
GLASSES: Tkmax... similar.
EARRINGS: Asda... these are pretty.
RINGS & BANGLE: Gifts

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4 Ways to Wear a White Shirt | PPP

Each month Anna, Ann and I are styling a 'classic' item and this month it's the turn of the boring classic white shirt.
White shirts are supposed to be a "Wardrobe staple" that "Every woman should own!"

BUT...
I find it hard to see past the link with school, or my old waitresses uniform.
White shirts leave me feeling bored and uninspired.

Perfect for this month's ping pong piece!

These posts are supposed to help breath a little life into otherwise uninspiring items.
{See last month's blazers (Zzzzzzzz) HERE}

This white shirt is sleeveless, and made a perfect 'fake' collar for a red dress.

However, a full sleeve would probably have worked better for me as I would have prefered an extra layer!.

{My only full-sleeved white blouse is too billowy.... see it HERE}

A bold belt and Leopard shoes were all this outfit needed to make it feel like me!

DRESS: Bonmarché c/o.... now on sale for £25!

BELT: French Connection

SHOES: Office ...these are cool too!

BAG: Hidesign...this is nice.

EARRINGS: A gift

GLASSES: Tkmax.... these are lovely.

Monica from Señora Allnut

Monica is one of my favourite bloggers!

She is uniquely stylish.

Her use of colour is a constant source of inspiration, as she is someone who clashes and mixes colour/print/pattern in unexpected ways.

Her outfits prove that preferring comfort is no excuse for being boring.

Plus, her smile is contagious!

I am thrilled to have her join us this month and take on the challenge of a white shirt.

{I knew this would be a big change for her....Monica is not a white shirt kind of girl!}

I love how she 'cheated' a little by using a white shirt as a jacket/cardigan.

This is how to wear something plain and make it fun, colourful and fabulous!

Be sure to follow Monica on Instagram for more inspiration!

TROUSERS: Festa (old) / pantalón

SHIRT: La Redoute (ages ago) / camisa blanca, de hace siglos

SHOES: El Naturalista (last summer sales) / zapatos, rebajas del año pasado

T-SHIRT: C&A (old) / camiseta rayas

ORANGE COAT: La Redoute (old) / gabardina naranja

NECKLACE: Sfera (old) / collar

BAG: Surkana (old) / bolso

(Outfit details and a lesson in one!)

Anna from Anna's Island Style

Anna's shirt is classic, basic and traditional.... none of these adjectives apply to Anna!
{Okay, there are pleats and bold buttons, but you know what I mean. 😊}

She has taken the boring shirt (her words as well as mine!) and given it a kick up the rear with this funky pattern clash.
A completely masculine idea (trousers, shirt, waistcoat) with a totally feminine twist.
There is a mermaid/man feel for me that I love.
Helped a little by her location, I'm sure!

Follow Anna on Instagram for more style inspiration....prepare for location envy!

BLOUSE: charity shopped

WAISTCOAT: River Island

TROUSERS: Primark

BOOTS: Primark

Ring and Pendant: charity shopped

SUNGLASSES: Quay Australia

Ann from Kremb de la Kremb

Ann has gone all white.

Making the white shirt part of an achromatic outfit (no colour at all) adds impact.

Ann really suits white, and this outfit looks fabulous on her.

Casual but beautifully elegant.

All-white outfits are so chic looking, even when the pieces are all casual.

There is something about wearing all-white that says "I must be a pulled together and organised person to wear this".

Brilliant for when you want to make an impression.

{I wrote a post on this subject... see it HERE}

EARRINGS: Forever 21

Too many other baubles to mention!

SHIRT: Shein

JEANS: Gloria Vanderbelt from charity shop, double DIYed hem by me

SANDALS: Teva

Follow Ann on Instagram. for more inspiration... especially if you are a fan of cool-comfortable footwear.

Is there a classic item you would like to see featured?
Do you wear white shirts?
Or, do they remind you of school uniform?

Please share your thoughts in the comments.
I love hearing them!

Bright Yellow & Grey | When You Have to Have it!

As someone who buys 80% of her clothes from charity shops, or on super-discount sale, it is a rare thing to be tempted by a full-price item.
Especially when I understand the HUGE margins, markups and just how much of a rip-off new clothes can be.
BUT...
Sometimes something catches my eye and I can't walk away.
Something that makes me go back to the shop....twice.
Something that I know will slot perfectly into my wardrobe.

Hello yellow trousers!

(Please excuse my hair in these shots. It was SO windy, and I had bits flying around everywhere!)

I know that bright yellow trousers are not everyone's cup of tea, and I realise that if I wait a while these bright yellow trousers will probably end up in the sale rale for a fraction of the price-tag... BUT what if my size sells out?
What if these bright yellow beauties slip through my fingers?
Sometimes we have to strike while the iron is hot!

As I was trying these trousers on I could imagine them going with just about everything in my wardrobe.
Whether it's a neutral, or another bold shade.... Ooh the possibilities!
AND they are perfect for any season.
Sandals, heels, trainers or boots will work beautifully.
To top things off, they are perfect for all occasions... work, weekends or even a casual night out.
A must have!

Yellow is the perfect partner for so many colours, but today I wanted to stick to an old classic...
Grey.

Grey is a subtle neutral that grounds the boldness of the yellow and gives the outfit a smarter feel.
Maybe even suitable for work?

{See some other work outfit ideas HERE}

My much-loved buckle sandals and a patent belt were all this outfit needed (I am wearing long earrings, but you can't really see them) plus a pale grey bag to carry all of the bits and bobs I needed for the day.

Grey is such a great shade that can make any bold colour seem more wearable.
It is not a colour I often wear head-to-toe (although it can look super-chic) but it is a great partner for more 'difficult' colours, or patterns... like bright yellow!

Yellow is one of my favourite colours... although I think I say that about every colour 😊.
I can't pick a favourite really!

Maybe my favourite depends on my mood?
Or the time of year?

Do you have a different 'favourite' colour at different times?
What was your latest "Must Buy"?
Please share in the comments... or email me (samantha44blair(at)gmail(dot)com)... I love hearing from you!

TROUSERS: Next
SHOES: All Saints...similar
BAG: Bonmarché c/o
BLOUSE: Next
BELT: Boden (old).

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