Bold belts

Hi guys,

I have previously enrolled myself in a stubborn, anti-belt mindset. I have always hated the way a belt divides a pair of trousers and a top, somehow shortening the legs and adding needless fuss. However, I recently got given my Grandma's old belt and it has completely altered my ideas. It's soft leopard fur fits me perfectly-ticking the first box of a successful belt-and somehow manages to clash ideally with everything it's paired with.

Sunglasses from ebay, Jacket from Topshop, vintage dress from Falmouth, Vintage belt, Shoes from Converse

I lifted this black dress with it's bright appearance, creating a centre-piece to add focus to the outfit. 
On my first ever post, I showed you this picture of Poppy Delevigne:

Taking inspiration from the way she uses her shiny belt to provide a futuristic, modern look on a demure dress, i have recently bought a similar metallic belt. I subsequently plan to pair it with black or dull, block colour dresses.

Love From Dido xx

The statement necklace

Hey Guys,

The statement necklace may seem daunting, many favouring a clasped grip around the neck above a garish jewel. I too, have stayed decisively clear of this accessory for a long time-purely out of the risk associated with boldness.
However, recently the statement necklace has been bragging it's compatibility with almost every outfit possible. Take a simple grey t-shirt: The mere accessory lifts it out of serious dull territory, across the threshold, and straight into fabulous. Or maybe a clashing print: The shine ties two prints together, by contributing a third factor-stopping them from being entirely separate and lacking in fluidity.
This has gone past the function of an accessory, now deserving it's own religion. It has been my savior during the past winter months-settling ontop of a warm jumper, just as the snow settles on the ground outside.

Top from Primark, Necklace from H&M, Nail varnish from Models own

Jacket from Topshop, Sunglasses from ebay

Talk to you soon,
Love from Dido xx

Perspex

Hi guys,

The sheer delight (see what i did there?) of perspex clothing and accessories has once again returned to my life. After recently buying a jeweled perspex ring from H&M, I threw a firelighter on the fading heat of our relationship. Perspex is a high-flyer this spring-It appears I'm not the only one who loves the element of risk in exposing the contents of your bag or embracing the slightly yellow tinge the foot adopts when squeezed into the plastic. I'll be searching for a see-through bag this season, taking inspiration form Charlotte Olympia's gorgeous clutch or Rosie Fortescue's favorite 'Klear klutch'. For those of you out there restricted to a budget, I suggest customizing a large stationary pocket or even altering a large pencil case. I'll also be embracing the perspex mid-heel-the perfect solution for intimidatingly tall girls, like me. With perspex, you may be tempted by selecting a coloured option (see Simone Rocha's tote). Although I prefer to keep it understated and chic, this would be the ideal way to add a pop of fun to your outfit-Just be wary-as being see-through, perspex is a statement by itself.

Simone Rocha

Christian Louboutin

H&M

Charlotte Olympia, Pandora Feather Perspex box clutch

Klear Klutch

Love from Dido xx

Spring trends

Hi guys,

When the days grow longer and the buds grow taller, A sigh of relief can be drawn at brisk Winter's end and Spring's cool beginning. However, it's not thankfullness, it's confusion that now occupies the mind of the Fashion world. A woman understands her winter wardrobe: staple pieces that can be layered, a sturdy pair of boots, a jacket, coat and ofcourse the armour of hats, scarfs and gloves. Likewise, Her summer selections must include light dresses, whispy jumpers and thin jackets. Spring is a fashion blind-spot-running the unassuming public into the extremes of either siberian shivers or sahara flushes, purely as a punishment for lingering awkwardly between Winter and Summer dressing.
To get you through the spring months ahead, I have put together an SOS guide to insure comfort and ofcourse, style.

1) The stripe

The stripe is now huge (see Marc Jacobs amongst many others). Be it vertical or horizontal, this serves as a striking piece that can afford to be surrounded by duller, warmer items.

2) The midheel

Woman can finally pack away the sky-scrapers, and descend to a lower level that promises comfort and elegance in one. Cue the easy transitions from day to night and an uproarious sound of heels on the street.

3) Trainers

As I have previously noted, the 90's have returned-with Isabel Marant's cult trainer wedges having sparked a comeback. Ominous as it may be-pairing trainers with everything has emerged from it's hiding place-gracing London with the luxury of constantly warm toes and the perfect grunge redux formula to result in effortless cool.(see Ashish, who have paired theirs with fabulous gold socks)

4) The midriff

The serial-killer of fashion has once again reared it's ugly face. Prepare to expose-or be exposed-to the sight of toned, lizard-like abs, peaking out of shredded clothing. However, don't despair-the Midriff has rised in height, so the inevitably less rounded part of the stomach-just above the bellybutton-is revealed instead.

5) The suit

The suit is the ultimate way to master the transition from the smart office to that sexy bar. Combined with the midheel, the only change needed is in a smoky eye and shake out of the hair.

This spring, comfort is the key. However, this does not grant access to relentless parading of your onesie-instead take a statement piece and add layering in the areas that won't distract from it's glory.

Love from Dido xx

Metallic

Hi guys,

Yearning after a job within an industry that revolves around fabric, I recently realized that my knowledge in the construction of clothes is somewhat sparse. In order to familiarize myself with sewing, I decided to follow the same rules as I would when introducing myself to a new face.

Step 1: Find something you have in common- the material and I found common ground in our attachment to style.

Step 2: Pay a compliment- I noted that the fabric resembled that of Burberry's recent dazzling metallics.

Step 3: The final outcome of a comfortable conversation- Or in my case, the final outcome of a comfortable dress.

The moment Cara Delevigne arrived at the British Fashion awards last year, I knew that the team at Burberry were onto something inspired. The perfect embodiment of 60's Carnaby Street, The dress deserved an award purely to itself.

I love the way that the dress blurs the lines between the conventional and the unexpected, taking a dull shape and allowing the material's quirkiness to bring surprise. I editted the sewing pattern to insure a higher neckline-in the knowledge that the intended low cut combined with the short skirt would give the already bold fabric a costume-like feel and bar the piece from qualifying as daywear.

As confirmed by vogue, Metallics are big news this season (see Simone Rocha's silver jacket and Opening ceremony's pencil skirts)-but don't be fooled into believing it's easy to wear. As a rule, I'd suggest one metallic piece per outfit. For the evening, this piece could be paired with heels and even bare legs (if London's cloudiness hasn't seemingly bleached you, as it has to me). In terms of makeup, I suggest learning from Cara and modernizing the liquid black flick.

For the Day on the other hand, more care must be taken. With such a bold material, the line between insanity and to-die-for is very slim. Draw attention from the rest of your body by selecting minimalist wear and your most constrained accessories. Although I am usually in favor of dressing down dresses with a pair of boots, I feel boots would lack fluency here-try a simple pump or heel.

Love from Dido xx