Perfect party dresses for under £100!!

UPDATE: TOFU now available up to size 14!!

Don't think you get buy a designer party dress for under £100? Think again! Introducing Tofu. New to Brittique Tofu offer feminine frocks with personality - and for a very good price. All the perfectly pretty party dresses above are under £100. The only dress that's more is the one featured in The London Paper this week. The Jerry Fish dress with it's layers of silk is still a recession proof £119. Check out their very cute coats too.

Great knits and fab fringed boots

As Metro said today, those of conservative disposition, look away: this knitwear is for rockers - and boots too! If you picked up a copy of the London commute essential, you would have seen the fab jumpsuit by Cooperative Designs. We just got this in last week and are awaiting the photos. We know for a fact that one very popular blonde model of the moment has one. I can't wait to see where she wears it.

These Camilla Staerk boots are rather daring too. Not feeling the fringe? Give them an instant update by removing the fringe and wearing them plain.

Always check your gauge

Every knitter's nightmare - you spend hours, weeks, months knitting away at a garment with a vision of how the finished jumper/vest/sweater will look. You take it off the needles and - voila! - it's too big or small. This just happened to me. I even knitted a gauge swatch and everything was fine. Must be a problem with the pattern. I've decided to try to wash it a bit and see if it will shrink rather than frogging and starting again. The worst thing is that I've run out of yarn. So now have to wait for Mr postman before I can finish.

The vest is beautiful though. It's from the Debbie Bliss premiere magazine and is knitted up in Debbie Bliss Como yarn. It's a nice bulky weight so knits up fast. I just added an extra cable repeat to make it into more of a tunic than shorter vest.

In other knitting news, I took a workshop with the infamous (if you're a knitter and addicted to Ravelry) Jared aka Brooklyn Tweed. Jared is the most incredible knitter and pattern designer. And because he's a photographer by trade the photos on his blog will inspire you to pick up the needles even if you're never before had the urge.

The workshop was on Jared's Hemlock Ring blanket. My blanket, when I finally get it finished, it going to look great thrown over one of my leather chairs in the lounge room next to the fireplace. Nice and snuggly for winter. Although it will probably be next winter!

To console myself that my vest is too big it's time for a cuppa and a couple of home made choc chip cookies. These are better than most cookies because they're made with oats and coconut. The coconut makes them really moist while the oats make them, ahh, umm, healthy?

It's tea time!

Google kindly email me notifications of all blogs and websites that link to Brittique. I check them all and enjoy discovering new blogs who have discovered Brittique. Recently a blogger had linked to the new Emma Cook collection and commented on all the items she wanted.

When I read through the blog though it was not just on fashion but a starvation journal. This poor, troubled girl dairied everything she ate (or didn't) while other disturbed people congratulated her on only eating 1 tablespoon of ice cream, half an apple and litres and litres of black coffee a day followed by hours at the gym. Of course she'd have major slipups - her body was starving! - and she would punish herself by eating less and exercising more.

The blogger's thinspiration was the many images of catwalk models with their skeletal figures plodding down the runways. The fashion industry has a responsibility and I hope all the press of the size zero model doesn't quiet down and more is done to promote a healthy image.

I'm doing my bit. I'm working at my desk with a a fresh warm slice of my homemade banana cake with a weak, black Earl Grey tea. Here's to the fashionistas who eat!

Deliciously dapper gents

Dressing a man is really hard work. I discovered this first hand recently when I grew weary of my man's wardrobe which was far too heavy on work wear and Abercrombie casuals.

First up, where do you actually go? There's the High Street but I generally have issues with the cut, quality and ethical production of my stores. So that really leaves designer boutiques and department stores. Most department stores are pretty boring with the same old world wear - great if he needed more suits. Macy's was just scary! All gangsta rapper and Ed Hardy. In the end we did manage to find a few good pieces in DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss. It was slim pickings though.

Help is here from deliciously dapper gentleman's stylist Mr Gammon. Advising viewers of the Vodcast what to wear for the season's festivities, Mr Gammon selected the new Peckham Rye for Brittique paisley scarf. The perfect paisley scarf is the ideal gift. And if you buy it for your man you can wear it too!

Ilse Crawford for Brittique

Remember the Sex and the City episode where Samantha is desperate to become a member of Soho House? Then she finds a membership card and sneaks in only to be discovered after she puts on a terrible British accent. Well Ilse Crawford is the vision behind the Soho House brand.

Ilse Crawford has teamed up with Volvo to design this stylish and practical travel bag. It's available exclusively on Brittique.com with only a few bags remaining.

One woman's trash is another's treasure

Just this evening I was throwing out my rubbish in our "trash receptacle" room when I saw this shiny gold silk in a bag in the paper recycling box. On closer inspection it was a gold jacquard silk Emporio Armani jacket! Someone on my floor had thrown it out!

It's a touch tight but in perfect condition. It's edged in snake skin leather and has amazing striped silk lining and a stand up collar. While it's labelled a size US6 It seems as if someone has accidentally washed it because it's really shrunk and is more like a 2 and the silk is really crumpled just like when you wet it. I'm pretty sure that if I send it to the dry cleaners they'll give it a good press and stretch it a bit and make it sit properly. What a find! Thank you neighbour! I'm just a bit afraid to wear it around now in case they see me in it and think I'm a scavenger...

D&G sample saleing

Vest Camilla Staerk, top Mango, scarf Salvatore Ferragamo, bag Chloe, trousers D&G, shoes vintage.

Dress D&G, cardigan Massimo Dutti, scarf Louis Vuitton, shoes vintage.

It's sample sale season. Prada's was a couple of weeks ago, Max Mara was this week as was D&G and Vivienne Westwood starts 10 November. I went along with come colleagues on my consulting job to D&G - WOW! It was cheap. Most items were 90% off. I got this black pencil dress for $127.50 and the tweed distressed trousers for $180. Just fab!

The dress has a patent leather attached belt and a large gold exposed zip up the back - and pockets! I do love a dress with pockets. The trousers have distressed raw seams on the leg and waist. They're uncuffed, a touch short and I think they look great rolled.

While a bit more conservatively dressed than usual, I've been consulting the past couple of weeks. Soon I'll be back to my usual style.

I also bought another denim corset style dress with an attached red patent leather belt and straps. It looked fine while i was fighting to see the mirror in the crowded communal dressing rooms, but i put it on at home and it's SOOO low. The vest nearly extends to my naval and I don't think it's my thing. I'll just write it off as a sample sale mistake. We all have those right?

Introducing Bionda Castana SS09 by Imelda

Nothing gets the heart racing like a new pair of shoes. Perhaps that's why shoes outsell clothing on Brittique. When I saw the new collection from Bionda Castana by pulse raced and I knew I had to have them. They're just so yummy! No wonder the designer's won the Vogue Italia's Who In On Next award. While not available until February, preorder yours now.

Since no one know's shoes like Imelda, see the superbly funny blog for details of my recent discussion with the one and only.

Louise Amstrup heads East

A huge congratulations to the exceptionally talented Louise Amstrup. She is heading to China to show her SS09 collection at Shanghai fashion week. Preen and Basso & Brooke are just two of the big names who have preceded her.

Louise Amstrup really is one of the most talented young designers. It is hard to beat the quality of her finish and I urge you to try the fit of the tailoring. Nothing fits me better which is why I'm always wearing it!

I recently placed our order for Louise's SS09 collection and I can tell you that it's her best yet. And Vogue agreed. Preorders will open soon but in the meantime if there's anything you really must have, just email us.

Not so coiffured in NYC

Today I tried to pull myself from the grey/black rut I'm in wore my new plaid, flannel, ruffle top by Ivy with a black Amanda Wakeley pencil skirt, vintage shoes stolen from my mother and black waist belt by Mardelle de Caille.

As you can see I don't have time to do my hair. I'm lucky to introduce my hair to a brush once a week. On occasions I get out the GHD's (love love love them) but most of the time it's the bed head slept in look.

New York women always surprise me with how coiffured they are. Where do they find the time to style their hair? Who has a spare 30mins each morning? It's even more apparent when you go to the Upper East side. This is where you find the typical twinset-with-pearls-lady-who-lunches type wearing a Chanel jacket, pearls, of course, boot leg jeans and a sensible shoe from Tods or maybe a sturdy heel. The hair is immaculate the nails are shiny and the look is one of careful consideration.

This morning I had an appointment on the Upper East Side and felt strangely "under dressed" despite my pencil skirt and heels. I just wasn't put together enough and looked like a fish out of water. But then I spied a girl waiting at the lights who looked as out of zone as me. She had the same bed head hair, although platinum blonde, leggings with big Belstaff boots and a black cocoon coat. She looked fab. As I got closer I heard her talking on her "cell" - she was British! Of course she was.

More bows and a sad day for Camilla Staerk UK

I didn't realise I owned so many "bow things" until I snapped my pic this morning wearing this beautiful draped dress from Louise Amstrup and matching red ankle boots from Camilla Staerk. These ankle boots are my absolute favorite pair of shoes so I have them in a number of colours. The heel is just the perfect height - 70mm - and the toe is has the perfect "pointiness". So I was really sad when I read the news that Camilla Staerk will be no more.

Yes I know it's not really Camilla Staerk and the real Camilla Staerk designs under Staerk. But there shoes and garments had a nice feel about the cut and quality. The collections have sold well here on Brittique and I'll be sad to see them go.

Given the current economic conditions this isn't going to be the last time we wish a design house RIP.

Did we skip autumn? I'm feeling the bows

I'm not sure about London but here in New York it's FREEZING! Around 8C actually. But it just seemed like a couple of weeks ago that I was sitting out in the park with my little boy in a tank top and shorts. It was actually three weeks ago and now there's salt on the roads and there's a valuable section of my tween-season wardrobe that didn't get an outing once again. Last year my autumn wardrobe stayed in the closet because I was heavily pregnant. This year it's been skipped!

The past weeks I have been consulting with a corporate client on fashion trends. It's a reach back to my banking days and a nice break from being immersed in my own business 24/7. While everyone else walks the hallways in suits, I don't own any so I'm enjoying tapping into a more corporate side of my style, one that hasn't been out in a while.

What I'm finding though is that I'm a bit stuck in a black/white/grey rut. I'm putting in another Brittique.com order tonight to try to rectify this. I'll show you what I purchase. Can't wait!

Sometimes it's incredible how quickly a trend reappears. Today's coat and top both feature large bows at the top. My top is large bow from Louise Amstrup is part of her SS07 collection (there's a story to this top so more on that in a later post) and the coat is by Katarzyna Szczotarska, who unfortunately doesn't seem to be designing anymore. It must be from her AW06 collection. If you read Elle or the ever candid jewellery designer Wendy Brandes' blog, you'll know that bows are definitely here for at least another couple of seasons.

Unfortunately my top and coat have sold out long ago but if you need a quick bow fix Kirribilla have some irresistibly cute dresses coming in the next month featuring bows. I've got my eye on this one. Perfect for your work holiday party, no? I'll pair it with my super sexy brown snake skin shoes and a gold clutch from Ignes.

The black panel skirt is from Louise Amstrup (stunning skirt with a zip right up the back and zipper lined pockets). I did have my Camilla Staerk ankle boots on again, but then I decided the gold buckles clashed with the silver top and skirt zippers to I change to a lovely pair of vintage kitten heels that I stole from my mother's wardrobe. Thanks mum!

Introducing my style

It just dawned on me that I might have one of the best jobs in the world. As the founder of Brittique.com I get to spend lots of money on clothes each season - all for customers of course - and take from the virtual shelves whatever I like - well, I do have to support my designers and try out the clothes don't I?!?

Each day I step out dressed head to toe in some of the best designer clothing and it would be just wrong not to share when I have a particularly good outfit going on. Introducing my style.

Today from Brittique I'm wearing shrug jacket and skirt by Hussein Chalayan, vest by Camilla Staerk, shoes by Camilla Staerk. The belt is by Mardelle de Caille, a lovely designer who sells at The Young Designers Markets held on Mulberry Street, NYC every weekend. The fabulous redesigned vintage necklace is by Shay from The Ongoing Project. Shay's jewellery is fabulous and you'll be hearing more about her in the future. Watch this space...

The Russians fashionistas were years ahead

I visited a friend in Russia in 2001. His father had the foresight to start importing luxury produces into the country long before the current consumptive environment became apparent. As a result my friend is rather affluent and showed us the high life of Moscow and St. Petersburg. To this day the restaurants we visited were the most opulent I have experienced and around $50 a head bought you an incredible three course dinner, with wine and vodka. My favorite restaurant featured a giant glass fishbowl with a full working farm, animals, farmers, farmer's wife knitting, and all. Each evening we would be chauffeured in our black benz to a non-descript warehouse surrounded by dozens of matching black benzes and groups of drivers surrounded by clouds of cigarette smoke. After passing through metal detectors and numerous body guards, we were lead into these amazing restaurants and bars filled with beautiful monied people (mainly old men with nearly illegal looking young girls).

These barely-out-of-school girls with their long legs, heavy makeup, sleek finish, and doll like faces were very stylishly dressed. I didn't merit a second glance with my slept in, don't own a brush style and easy-to-travel wardrobe. There was one noticeable trend - all girls were wearing mini skirts with ankle boots, generally topped by a giant fur coat. Back in 2001 the bootie hadn't hit the west yet, it looked really odd to have your ankle enclosed and your leg bare. My man and I kept commenting about how strange it looked. It just didn't quite look right. Fast forward 7 years and it's right on trend hot.

Bionda Castana's Kika and Tillie ankle boots are two of the best interpretations of this trend. Judging by the press they've gathered I'm not the only one who thinks that. A couple pairs left...

A song and dance for Evie Belle

I know I know, I'm a bit like a London bus with my blog posts. You wait forever for one and then 3 come at once. Forgive me, like everyone it seems, I've been busy.

Confession: I didn't know who Katherine Darcy Jenkins and Darcy Bussel were when I saw these pictures. Call me uncultured but just keeping track of all the fashion designers is a fulltime job. A google search revealed that the stunning blonde is Katherine Jenkins, award winning mezzo-soprano and, with the list of awards she's received, I really should have heard of her. The beautiful brunette (with incredible legs!) is a now retired ballerina.

Katherine and Darcy appear in this photo shoot for Evie Belle, now available at Brittique.com. Evie Belle has a sexy secretary and yet vampy vibe. Kind of a secretary by day dominatrix by night type thing. The designer Sairah Hick's background with top tailoring specialists such as Burberry and Acquascutum is evident in the cut. The styles are universally flattering for sizes right through to 14. If you are a size 14 and think that designer clothing doesn't cater for you, try Evie Belle.

Win The Gift Book and a £100 Brittique voucher with Now

It's competiton time! We have teamed up with Now magazine to give you the chance to win £100 to spend on Brittique.com plus a copy of The Gift Book by Patricia Davidson from the siteguide.com, the definitive guide to the very best fashion, beauty, lifestyle and gift shopping stores online.

Beautifully designed, the book is bursting with interesting anecdotes and has themed sections including Valentines Day, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and house warmings, with gift ideas to suit every possible type of person.

Featured within the ‘Fashion Victim’ chapter, Patricia details online boutique Brittique.com which unites established fashion designers with the UK’s most exciting new labels, all in the comfort of a chic, easy to use online boutique.

Enter here. Good luck!

Happy Birthday Brittique!

I can't believe another year has past since I first "opened shop" on Brittique.com. It's certainly been an exciting journey. To celebrate we're giving all subscribers to our newsletter 30% off the entire range - including the new arrivals. Just subscribe and we'll send you the discount code.

Thanks again to all our customers for you support of Brittique.com!

Nicole
Founder

London Fashion Weekend tickets up for grabs

The retail extravaganza that is London Fashion Weekend is soon upon us. Running from 24-28 September and with a new sponsor, Elle Magazine, it should be the best one yet. Brittique will be there again with some crazy discounts on our beautiful clothing, shoes and accessories.

I've got 2 tickets for Thursday or Friday valued at £20 up for grabs. To enter just leave a comment here and I'll select a winner at random on Sunday evening 14 September. If you win we'll also give you and your friend an additional 10% off our sale prices at the Brittique stand.

From Winehouse to wedding

A couple of funny titles came to mind as I write this blog playing on the Wino angle. But like Sister Wolf, I do admire Amy Winehouse for her unique sound in a world awash with pop and R&B and genuinely hope that she can pull herself out of the mess.

So why am I talking about Amy Winehouse? You may recall that this is the dress, or one of them, that she wore for her private concert in Russia. Of course in true Amy style it was an itsy bitsy mini and a super small size. Here's another take on the stunning Kirribilla Hilo dress - the cover of Cosmo bride. The floral print of the dress does make you want to pack the SPF and head to St Lucia. Unfortunately we sold out of this dress as soon as they hit the site. We do have it in perhaps the more wearable colours of black and coffee.

Futuretense by Louise Amstrup

Louise Amstrup also had a short film as part of SHOWsudio's Futuretense series of video essays along with Peter Jensen a couple of weeks earlier. SHOWstudio launched Futuretense as a global platform for new designers to showcase the future of fashion. The Q&A offers an insight into the imagination of each designer.

As I said in last week's Grazia, Louise's clothes are all about flattering a woman. I know so many designers say that but then try on the clothes and the waist is too big and the hips and thighs are too tight. That's not cut for a woman. Most of us have curves and more designers need to understand that. Louise Amstrup does and not only are her clothes cut perfectly but they finish is incredible too. As I'm writing this I'm wearing my favorite from her SS08 collection, the striped cotton dress. It has sold out now but it's also available in a brilliant blue silk.

If you try just one new designer this season take a look at Louise Amstrup. Her pieces are seasonless classics that you'll wear for years to come.

Save 15% off the new Autumn/Winter 08 collection

This season is special. This is the season that was carefully selected by no other than super stylist blogger Susie Bubble. It was really fun to work with her last season and we know that you're going to love her special touch on this collection. We look forward to your feedback.

As a special treat we're giving you a discount of 15% off all preorders that are paid for by the end of August. I've already picked out Cosy, Kika and the tie dye smock dress. That's just for starters though...

Futuretense by Peter Jensen

Wunderbuzz brought this little gem to my attention. I am always in awe of imaginative, creative people. It's what attracted me to the business. The creativity of designers is not confined just to the sketch book and fabric. Often the way they market themselves is just brilliant too.

Peter Jensen has done a couple of these short films as a subtle way of showcasing his collections. I found this one brilliant but cringey at the same time - the same feeling I get when I watch The Office. You're begging people not to say something but they do.

This young laddie was just so precious. When his heart was broken by his teen lover he spray painted hearts all the way to her school. He was arrested and spent 6 hours in a cell. I want to give him a big hug.

The British accents are just brilliant too and I can't wait to get back to the Ol' Blighty next month for my fix.

Stella's autumn wishlist

Once again the Kika by Bionda Castana is on the wishlist of fashionistas. This time Stella magazine's fashion director's picked this stunning gladiator style shoe for their autumn wishlist. Lucky you if you're a size 7 because that's all we have left.

We've been nominated for the Grazia O2 X award!

When I started getting emails on Tuesday from friends saying they'd seen me in Grazia I was very surprised. I knew that our lovely PR Liz had been working on some press, but I didn't really know what it was. What a fantastic surprise! Each year I read the nominations for the award with admiration for these hard working women. And now I can't quite believe that Brittique is now there.

Thank you to all our loyal customers for all your support over the past 1.5 years. Setting up a business in the competitive world of fashion has been tough, but the feedback I receive from customers makes it worthwhile.

Amy Winehouse wears Brittique

In June Amy Winehouse rocked at a private party for the gala opening of an art gallery run by Daria Zhukova, the girlfriend of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. For the performance she wore the Hilo dress by Kirribilla - and shortened it quite a bit! Such incredible talent. It's just a shame she can't straighted out her personal life before she implodes.

Knickerbocker glory

Those who commute home might have seen this fashion spread in The London Paper last night. The fashion editor talks about how flattering and bloomin' lovely hareem pants are. And I couldn't agree more. They really are flattering. Previously you would only see these on dreadlocked alternate types with their rasta accessories but they have been peeping into catwalk shows for the past couple of seasons. Now it looks as if they're ready to go mainstream. Perhaps you should try? H Chalayan offers a great option for hareem pant virgins because they aren't so low in the crotch. They're also 25% off at Brittique.com.

Autumn's new hall of fame

Grazia's fashion team selected their top picks for the new season. Charlie Miller, Executive Fashion Director, selected the Kiki gladiators from Bionda Castana. These are just the most scrumptious shoes I've seen all season and I'm so excited to have a few pairs left on Brittique.com. If you're size isn't there just email me and we can add you to the waiting list.

Net a bargain

Our sale starts today with at least 25% off the spring/summer 08 collections. We have some of the old season stock at up to 90% off. So big bargains to be had. You magazine featured just two of the bargains you can bag. The Camilla Staerk sundress which was £285 now £143 and the Louise Amstrup drape skirt which is now marked down to £165 from £330. And we still offer free returns.

Electronic brights

It's quite rare to see people wearing bright colours. Generally when you look up and down a street in London and New York it's a sea of muted black, white and beige even in summer. The Europeans do brights better. Especially the Spaniards and Germans. They're not afraid to wear bright colour and pattern. Perhaps that's why Barcelona is one of my favorite shopping cities?

Both the Daily Mail and London Lite picked Kirribilla's stunning Lilikoi dress for their Electric Brights feature. Kirribilla make cute, fun and flirty dresses that aim to make you feel like the prettiest girl in the room. I'm particularly excited about their Fall/Winter 08 collection, especially the Maeve dress. How cute is that big bow?