Leather, lace and lashings of style

This season’s most beautiful dresses. While watching couture creations sashay down the catwalks is a joy to behold no matter what style is being showcased, it’s always the dresses that provide the real-stand out moments. And, this autumn/winter, the designers certainly didn’t disappoint with everything from the incredibly ornate designs of Alexander McQueen, who sent his models onto the runway in elaborate creations festooned with jewels to the more laidback pieces like Chloe’s monochrome maxi dresses and Lanvin’s prom shapes.

Katie from the delightso.me blog has put together a few of her favourites from the high end and the high street:
Leather fit-and-flare dress
Leather never truly goes out of style, as long as you invest in a piece which is classic and timeless. It’s a hard look to get right though – too short or tight and it can look too overtly sexy, and too loose and it can look shapeless. This leather dress by Ellos is definitely on my winter wishlist, with its clean lines and beautiful cut, which skims the body rather than clings to it. The pockets also give it a slightly nonchalant air that doesn’t look as if you’ve tried too hard. I’m going to be teaming mine with chunky knits and boots for daytime, a blazer and court shoes for the office and high colour-block heels for parties.

Lace dress with sleeves 

Incredibly elegant, this one is very Kate Middleton. In cotton guipure lace, it has a hemline which sits just over the knee, and elbow length sleeves, so it covers up any wobbly arms if they don’t quite look like Jennifer Aniston’s. But, while the rest of the dress looks fairly demure, the neckline dips at the back to add a hint of sex appeal. It comes in black and off white too, but I think I’ll be going for the white option to channel this season’s Little White Dress look.

Tartan
Tartan is one of those circular trends which keeps returning. This season, I’m wearing tartan heels that I first bought about six years ago, but they look bang-up-to-date again. And tartan was also popular with designers this autumn and winter. They sent their models down the runways in checks of every size and hue. One of my favourites is Miu Miu’s plaid dress, which has a cute yet flirty silhouette with its skater style skirt. Alexander McQueen’s McQ label also has this sweet version with a flippy skirt and zips around the front to give it an edge.

Vintage styleSearching out vintage and vintage-style dresses is always a good option for a party as it means you’re incredibly unlikely to spot anyone else wearing the same gown. I love this one from Mint vintage, which is from the 1950s, but which looks very much like one of the full-skirted prom dresses Lanvin sent down the catwalk for this autumn/winter. Not only that, but it is in this season’s must-have shade – pink.

Luxe sports
Since turning from Spice Girl to fashion designer, Victoria Beckham has defied critics to produce beautiful, wearable pieces, with her New York fashion show always one of the hottest tickets in town. Her showcase for next spring/summer revealed a more playful, sportier side to Posh Spice. But, you don’t need to wait until then to wear one of her sports luxe creations. Her ready-to-wear label features this gorgeous zip-through number in navy and black, which you can dress down with flats, or up with a pair of cut-out sandals.

With such a lot of beautiful cuts, colours and materials this season, the only problem is choosing which dress is THE one.

Have a nice day,

Kate and Lyosha