Dressing up a cute vintage top

This is a fun and exciting top by St. Michael's and it's vintage too. It's a size 16 but fits more like an 8 or 10. I guess those old sizes are much different from today. I just got it from a vintage shop online and can't wait to wear it but I will be switching out the buttons on this oen too. Haven't decided yet on what types of buttons; either those smooth pearly ones or clear.

Romantic ivory lace

This is a very cute and romantic lace top from Principles--the only thing is I don't have a matching cami to go underneath it. Found it last year at Debenhams but the cami is holding me up on wearing it. Thought I'd found the right one at M&S but just wasn't quite the right one.

Maybe I can work with this afterall..........

At first I was not having much luck with finding the right scarf to wear to Istanbul. Yesterday that frilly thing came and it's not much too it. Today I received this teal silk scarf in the post. I'm not mad though. I really like this one. I mean, it's not the size that I had hoped for but I love the colour. It will look great with a crisp white shirt and jeans. Thank goodness I can work with this. Oddly enough I did come across a very nice but very colourful silk scarf in my closet this morning whilst having a clear out. Now no more mail order scarves Estelle.

That fab green dress

This is such a lovely dress. It's a vintage piece that I found at a shop in Ladbroke Grove. The only thing is it's a little big at the shoulder so I will have to have it altered but I will wait until I visit Atlanta in September and have a friend of mine work on it. It's very classic in style and looks great with black patent heels. Right now I haven't decided but I am thinking of changing the buttons out but then again I like the solid green effect.

Almost London piece

This is such a sweet little jacket top. It's very different from most that you see. It's by Almost London (never heard of it). like the mixing of linen and lace this time. Now it's just a matter of finding the perfect pieces to go under it. The lace accents are just great. I am thinking a black strappy dress and heels possibly. I am also thinking of adding something else to it where the boutonnière is located. It's great for a summer party.

Skirt in luck

Unitl yesterday I had never heard of this HIJKLM UVWXYZ label. I think it could be John Lewis or something. I hate having to buy so mnay skirts but they are the only thing that looks decent on me at the moment over here.
Over the past two years I have collected a mountain of skirts from M&S, John Lewis, Primark, New Look you name it. It's so hard to find nice trousers in Europe that actually fit real black women.

Black ruffles

Normally I don't get into the asymmetrical skirts because of how they look on me and especially longer ones like this. This is a nice black ruffle skirt from Selfridge's---again another bargain snagged. Now I have to find the right top to go with it. Of course a skirt like this can only be worn with strappy sandals.

Scarves as halters

This is actually a large scarf used as a halter. The centre is knoted and it ties in the back at the neck and around the waist. Of course I am not too big on going braless or using those silly hold me in things but this will go well with a jacket or a nice big white cotton shirt.

The vintage silver shirt dress

I have finally got around to doing something different to this dress. I replaced the tired older ones with fresh silver tone buttons to bring it out a little more. However I think I will add a wider black patent belt instead of this narrow one. The dress is vintage and wears very well. Looks great with black patent heels too.

Swahili cloth

From time to time I enjoy wearing fabrics or prints with an ethnic flare. Being someone partly of Kenyan and Tanzanian ancestry I love this cloth. I have two large pieces of it. It can be worn as a scarf around the body,headwrap, a sarong wrap or used as a decorative piece for the home.

Cropped cardi's

I think it will look cool to wear the Obi with a cropped jacket or cardi, a vest and bottom. This cropped cardigan is from Marks and Spencer. The colour is a favourite of mine so I had to get it.

The Coat-jacket-dress thingy

Right now I am not sure what to call this lilac coat-jacket-dress thingy but I like it. It's cool for wearing something lightweight under it. It's a fun look with tall black boots.It's from Chilli Pepper. The store near me is closing and that had a serious bargain sale and I got this one for £2! I bought in ivory too. That one looks good with browns and rust.

The Lime green H&M shirt

I like this lime green buttondown shirt from H&M. Actually it's a blokes shirt that I replaced with multi-coloured buttons. It looks cool with jeans.
Lately I have needed to switch out the buttons on so many clothes just to give them a new and interesting appeal.

Looking for the perfect Obi

The Obi belt is a very cool and hop accessory. I can't find the one that I am looking for but tis cummerbund style will do for now. The one I want is has a more Oriental theme about it with a little ebroidered piece in the centre. This black cummerbund cost me £3 at Primark. It looks great with a nice soild silk top or dress.

Dressing it up

Got this silver shirt dress a few weeks ago. Found it at a vintage shop. Yeah as Ade says, "it's a bit old maidish" but I am planning to dress it up by changing out the buttons with black shiny or silver tone ones, adding a wide black patent belt and black patent heels.

Not sure exactly of what I want to do with this Armani Collezioni teal jacket. It's iridescent fabric is really pretty. It's a dressy piece but I am thinking of wearing it over a nice white silk tshirt, with slimming jeans and boots or heels. It could also be worn with a nice black bustier and and flared mini skirt and silk heels.

Save the Queen

This two pieces are actually very large strips of Save the Queen fabric. They are nice stretchy material and can be worn as elaborate wraps. What's cool about Save the Queen is that they use a lot of wild patterns and bursting colours. I'm not one to do too much colour but I like the boldness of this collection. Lately I have been working with more colours than my usual black and brown. SVQ and Legatte are definite head turners--I first noticed while working with a customer when I worked for Beale's.