Best Dressed Wedding Guest...

If, like us, you're not feeling overly inspired by the summer fashion spread the high street is putting on right now, fear not it's not all doom and gloom.

We're in total agreement that it's not looking too inspirational at the regular hot spots - Zara is usually our fail safe option but otherwise after some rooting around we usually find H&M or Topshop hiding a few gems. Right now though, no one is ticking the boxes!! 

 

This became glaringly apparent while searching for the perfect wardrobe for my Italian getaway and, most importantly, while on the hunt for a summer wedding outfit. I hate the thought of arriving in the same dress as someone else and so usually try to avoid the wedding favourites, Coast and Reiss, and instead, I'm always on the look out for something a little bit unusual. 

I wanted something chic yet fashionable, summery but not too revealing and fun without being OTT! Challenge set, I went on the hunt.... 

I eventually found the one in the designer section of urban outfitters and as it was on the last chance rail, I took the gamble that nobody else at the wedding would have it! Thankfully I was safe, and all that scouting was worth it...

After such dramas, I think it's only fair to share the other wedding wear discoveries that I made along the way, especially in times of such limited inspiration! 

See out 3BM top finds below, happy shopping....

Reformation
Lucia Dress Colada, $258

 

3 Floor
Sweet Something Dress, £128

Reformation
Aloha Dress, $218

 

3 Floor
Mischief Lace Dress, £168

Ted Baker
Pin Tuck Tangerine Maxi, £208

 

Needle and Thread
Consellation Maxi Dress, £185

Finders Keepers
Strange Fire Playsuit, £132

So Long Heels...

Last week I read an article with perhaps the saddest fashion announcement since that of the arrival of the clear bra straps craze...the heel is dead! 

Yes, heels can be so uncomfortable that you'd rather stick pins in your eyes than cram your toes into a pair... It's true, a night of stiletto strutting can end in that burning feeling in the balls of your feet that still pounds as you lay in bed hours after kicking them to the corner of your room...But, a great pair of heels flatter legs beyond belief, make any outfit miles more chic and most importantly instantly ignite that feeling of femininity, confidence and class. Something that I'm pretty sure a pair of brogues or slippers can't muster!

Having said that, after doing some research for inspirational images, I started to think that maybe the flats brigade are onto something...

 

See, maybe not quite so scary after all! 

As my research progressed I found that the death of heels was littered all over the AW14 catwalks at Milan Fashion Week, leaving it very hard to ignore! Take D&G's amazing enchanted forest themed collection showcasing a whole host of flats...there literally wasn't a heel in sight! 

However these weren't your average ballet pumps or brogues, these had of course been sprinkled with a hearty dose of D&G pizazz! There were pixie boots, t-bar sandals, knee high boots and open toe pumps encrusted to the max with reams of sequins, jewels & glitter, not forgetting the array of metallic hues, animal prints and multi textures adding an extra layer of fabulousness!! If that wasn't enough, they were all paired with super short shorts, heavily textured dresses, bejewelled playsuits and billowing fairytale maxis...this is how you do it girls!

As ever, us Mice are keen to embrace the trends and won't ever dismiss one until we've at least given it a crack! Plus there are definitely a fair few upsides to not having your foot wedged at a 180 degree angle for hours on end...so on that note here are 3BM's top pick of flats which should be worn with pride and confidence (but most probably along side a few small sniffles of mourning for that fabulous heel!!)

Splurge...

Valentino Lace Pumps, £425

 

Free People Mesh Espadrilles, £100

 

Charlotte Olympia Kitty Slippers, £465

Ted Baker Multi Texture Pumps, £100

Rochas Metallic Embellished Flats, £510

J Crew Suede Pointy Toes, £230

Free People Laser Cut Slippers, £128

Valentino Rockstud Flats, £745 

Zara Metallic Sandals, £29.99

 

Mice Advice... Bridesmaid Dresses

The mice to the rescue on another fashion dilemma and this time we're on the subject of bridesmaid dresses. Last week we were tasked with the job of finding the lovely Jessica Ansell some fabulously spectacular bridesmaid dresses for her wedding coming up in October. 

Right ladies, we all know it can take hours and hours to find the perfect dress for a big occasion that's just the right style, just the right colour at just the right price and a bride-to-be has enough on her plate in the run up to the best day of her life to be stressed about what her best girls will be wearing when they walk down the aisle behind her.  So Jess, you'll be pleased to hear that the mice have come up with a shortlist of fashion forward suggestions.  A bridesmaid dress should be subtle in style and design (no one wants to overshadow the bride). The colour should complement the bride perhaps in an ice-cream pink / nude or contrast totally adding a pop of colour so perhaps a plum or a jewel toned dress.   Well we have both bases covered.  Without further ado, countdown please for our top picks... 3, 2, 1... 

Elegant and simple, this Aqua design is classic with a modern neckline in the form of a knotted twist. The perfect dress from a bridesmaids point of view because they can easily wear it again - nothing worse than a bridesmaid dress that you would never in a million years wear out of choice. WIN WIN! 

Aqua, £85

This Coast number is the perfect combination of romantic and girly. It's floaty hem and nudey hue whispers fairytale wedding. It also comes in a sassy azure and a classic navy.

Coast, £170

Add a touch of sparkle with this embellished Ted Baker style. Block colour brights always make for stunning wedding snaps and this cobalt blue suits practically everyone. Keep accessories to a minimum so as not to take away from the pretty jewel detailing.

Ted Baker, £249 

Modern and bold, this Reiss dress will definitely not leave your bridesmaids looking like over the top meringues. This jade drape style will really come into its own paired with a chic top knot bun - less fuss the better and all for under £100 too!

Reiss, £99

This Ted Baker stunning silk maxi features a detailed pleated bust in a stunning coral. Timeless in style, this gown will have your bridesmaids looking picture perfect on the day and complement an ivory or white wedding dress perfectly.

Ted Baker, £229

Mice Advice: Long Sleeved Glam Dresses

In a fashion fix?  Need some style tips?  Have a beauty dilemma? 

Well, the Mice are here ready to tackle any 3BM blog-ject you throw at us... First up – our friend Becca.

Hi Girlies,

I’m taking clients to the Brit awards a week on Tuesday and I need a dress.  My budget is £200-£300 max, I’d preferably like a dress with sleeves and I want something fun rather than a formal cocktail dress...

x

Becca

The Mice Advice

A great challenge.  So many party dresses are strapless, or sleeveless or strappy but long-sleeved doesn't have to mean frumpy and there are loads of fun options out there.

How about lace?  A huge A/W trend, lace is still going strong for S/S, with Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Preen and Nina Ricci all showing lots of variations on the theme.  Kate showed us how to do long-sleeved lace in Alice Temperley at the War Horse premiere last month.

Image via: www.graziadaily.co.uk

Ted Baker have a gorgeous short lace overlay shift dress with long chiffon sleeves which is available online from Selfridges.  It also comes in way under budget at just £60.

Image via: www.selfridges.com

As an alternative, you could tick two trend boxes and do cut-outs (Carven style) and lace.  Although this Silence + Noise black maxi dress from Urban Outfitters (£65) doesn't have sleeves, we suggest layering it over a long-sleeved lace body or cami top like this one (also Silence + Noise from Urban Outfitters and reduced to just £15 in the sale).  

Image via: www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk

Continuing in the cut-out vein but with a bit of bodycon ombre thrown in, ASOS have this Stylestalker dress for £115.  Pair with sky-high stilettos for some serious leg action.

Image via: www.asos.com

At the higher end of the price range, we think its hard to beat Tibi for red carpet worthy dresses without completely blowing the budget.  This season Tibi have a huge range of long-sleeved dresses.  The plain shifts would be perfect investment pieces, you can dress them up or down and wear them season after season.  For something that makes more of a statement we love the geo print dress, £190.

Photo via: www.tibi.com

French Connection also have some great sleeved options this season.  We love this navy maxi, £145.  Add some chunky gold jewellery to complete the Studio 54 vibe.  

Image via: www.frenchconnection.com

This black wrap dress (£160) with sharp padded shoulders and embellished sleeves has a distinct Balmain feel.  Finish off with black opaques, ankle boots and maybe a bright clutch or cocktail ring for a pop of colour.  

Image via: www.frenchconnection.com

Lastly, this sequinned shift, £260, has a sixties mod feel.  The sleeves and the high neckline perfectly balance the sparkle.  No further accessories necessary.

Image via: www.frenchconnection.com

Need some Mice Advice?  Send your all your questions to us at: 3badmice@gmail.com.