The Failsafe Midi Dresses To Reach For When You Have Nothing To Wear
Let us remind you of the unsung wardrobe hero, the staple of any staycation suitcase, the cutest and most comfortable addition to any haul- that's right people, it's the humble midi dress.
Picture this: your hair is greasy, your alarm didn’t go off, your dog has vommed on the kitchen floor and you’ve ran out of tea for your morning cuppa. Not a great start to the day, and in all honesty we’re not sure who you peed off in a past life but it’s not looking good. Anyhow, you need to get out the door STAT, but what are you going to wear? Let us remind you of the unsung wardrobe hero, the staple of any staycation suitcase, the cutest and most comfortable addition to any haul- that’s right people, it’s the humble midi dress.
Keep it feminine with sandals, add a grungy edge with a layered band tee or add a practical twist with some chunky trainers, and remember gleefully that there is nothing you cannot achieve in the perfect midi dress- you simply cannot go wrong. And as the U.K. summer continues to be somewhat lacklustre, the midi dress cements itself once again as the perfect staple piece to carry you through to Autumn (cries in Pumpkin Spice), making it a totally sensible and justifiable purchase.
Read on for 24 of the best midi dresses to shop now, from & Other Stories, Molby The Label, Nobody’s Child, Kitri and more!
July Book Club: Reviewing The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent
A case of mistaken identity and Highland hijinks coupled with just the right amount of grit ensures this summer read holds its own where others often tail off into soppy delirium and tweedom.
Content Warning: It’ll make you snort into your wine glass with the grace of a reversing dump truck.
Lizzy Dent’s delightful novel and soon-to-be TV series The Summer Job couldn’t have landed in our laps at a better time. If the perfect heatwave companion exists, then Dent has well and truly crafted a 10/10 fren to unfurl under a parasol with this one.
The pitch-perfect tone makes it feel like you’re on a night out with the girls and its honest and self-deprecating protagonist, Birdy Finch (who also happens to answer to Heather), will have you rooting for her from the very first page.
A case of mistaken identity and Highland hijinks coupled with just the right amount of grit ensures this summer read holds its own where others often tail off into soppy delirium and tweedom.
If you’re looking for something to fill the Fleabag shaped hole in your life, prepare to plonk yourself on the beach for the day and inhale this page-turner quicker than hunks of baguette dunked in aioli.
Keep scrolling to see what the team thought of this laugh-out-loud Scottish (mis)adventure!
Have you ever imagined running away from your life?
Well Birdy Finch didn’t just imagine it. She did it. Which might’ve been an error.
And the life she’s run into? Her best friend, Heather’s.
The only problem is, she hasn’t told Heather.
Actually there are a few other problems…
Can Birdy carry off a summer pretending to be her best friend (who incidentally is a world-class wine expert)?
And can she stop herself from falling for the first man she’s ever actually liked (but who thinks she’s someone else)?
Lareese
Hands down one of my favourite reads this year so far! Lizzy Dent has crafted an absolute chef’s kiss ((shout out to James, the hot chef in the novel) of a summer read with The Summer Job. Birdy Finch is a wonderfully human character – fallible, self-deprecating and laugh-out-loud relatable. You can’t help but root for her from the very first page. Dent’s tone of voice, together with a stellar cast of characters, makes for the kind of book you can easily gobble down in one sitting and I think the comparisons between Fleabag, Bridget Jones and Bridesmaids are spot on. If you’re a fan of feel-good fiction with equal parts humour and grit, The Summer Job needs to be on your radar.
Rating out of 5: 5/5 Would you recommend? Och aye!
Charlotte
To me, this book feels like the ultimate in summer reads, only made better if I was sitting beside a pool with a Pina Colada in hand. A girl can dream. It felt very similar to the Sophie Kinsella Shopaholic series I read when I was probably too young to do so because similarly to Rebecca Bloomwood, Birdy certainly knows how to get herself into a pickle, and following her journey in doing so is such a joy. It’s a funny, feel-good, addictive read and one I’ll be recommending to family and friends in need of a poolside read for summers to come. The tone of voice made for an easy but gripping read and I would love to read more from Lizzy Dent after devouring this gem of a book!
Rating out of 5: 5/5 Would you recommend? 100%!
Danielle
I bloody loved listening to The Summer Job, it’s exactly my kind of read. If you love Richard Curtis movies and Nora Ephron stories then you will adore this novel from Lizzy Dent. I listened to this at the start of the summer throughout my staycation in Cornwall and I think the combination of the book being set in Cornwall and the knowledge that I would only be staycationing for 2021 made me really appreciate how much the UK has to offer. I’m not sure how easy I could have soaked up a beach read set somewhere more exotic! Birdy makes a brilliant protagonist, completely lost in the world, constantly comparing herself to her best friend, putting up with ludicrous treatment from an off again off again boyfriend, basically where plenty of women find themselves in their twenties. I often think about what it would be like to have a completely different life to my own, new city (or country!), new career path, I’m sure a lot of people do, so it was fun to live vicariously through Birdy heading up to Scotland on an adventure. I immediately fell in love with Bill, Irene, James, and Roxie, they all instilled so much confidence in Birdie until she was finally able to see it herself. The pace of the book is kept up by key events and Birdy’s daily struggles through the dinner service but the underlying questions regarding her best friend Heather’s personal struggles and why she originally applied for the role keep you reading on. I was quite excited for it all to come to a head, and I was so pleased for a happy ending. I hope I’m not giving too much away!
Rating out of 5: 5/5 Would you recommend? YES! Great for the end of summer or even a cosy transitional read!
Darcey
I really, really loved this book! I read it on the beach (pebbly Brighton beach and not a lovely sandy beach in Spain but we take what we can now) and it was the perfect book to sit back and relax with. I think we can all relate to Birdy in some way or another, living adult life with past trauma, in and out of relationships we know aren’t good for us and even down too feeling a little lost career wise. I really enjoy books with such relatable characters, something about it is really soothing to me. Also, spending the Summer in a beautiful Scottish hotel, drinking delicious wine (trying to learn wine lists not so much) and flirting with a very attractive chef? Sign me up! This is a real feel-good, laugh out loud read, perfect for the Summer! Would definitely recommend if you like a good rom-com.
You're dressed as if you're going to the gym, everyone around you thinks you're going to the gym, but are you actually going to the gym? No siree.
I think we can all agree that the ONLY saving grace of this pandemic was the fact we didn’t have to wear proper clothes for 90% of 2020, and no-one bat an eyelid if you so happened to end up at the corner shop in said loungewear/pyjamas – truly simpler times. Whilst the ability to go to the pub/club/shop till you drop is wonderful in many ways (except for our bank balance, RIP), getting dressed every day might feel like a chore if you’re still longing for your beloved loungewear. Introducing: athleisure. You’re dressed as if you’re going to the gym, everyone around you thinks you’re going to the gym, but are you actually going to the gym? No siree. This stylish hybrid between gym wear and ‘grabbing coffee and running errands’ fashion is here to stay and we’re not mad about it. Workout clothes just got cool.
Gone are the days of PE kits you’d rather be seen dead in than wear for a second longer than necessary, #health is wealth and having a fitting outfit to translate that is everything. Brands such as TALA, Sweaty Betty, Girlfriend Collective and ASOS 4505 are ones to keep on your radar, and make actually having to leave the house the teeniest bit more comfortable.
Princess Di inspired cycling shorts 4ever.
Charlotte
Comfort + expandable waistlines …. yes please! Whilst the gym isn’t my most natural habitat I sure do have a thing for leggings/cycling shorts/oversized tees and anything that feels a little like pyjamas outside of the house. I’m living for the neon trend so these shorts are right up my alley for a fun summer look, and paired with a casual, toned down tee it makes for the perfect running errands look. Very Princess Di vibes! Paired with some black Converse- my most worn trainers- it’s a ‘fit I know I’ll be reaching for often.
I’m such a sucker for biker shorts and an oversized t-shirt, not only to release my inner off-duty Princess Di, but also because it’s SO comfy. I’m excited about the new SKIMS outdoor range so I’d put these malachite biker shorts to the test. Crisp white Nike tee with a sporty vibe and I’d wear that with some Arizona Love sandals. Throw on a lil baseball cap and I’m good to go.
I love a sporty look with no intention of doing any actual sports! I recently got this tennis skort and top from Sophia & Cinzia X Slazenger collection and it is suuuuper cute. Paired with a big tote bag and some trainers you look prepped for the tennis court, but really I’m heading for brunch and a big iced latte!
I never thought I’d be here for sportswear outside of the gym but I’ve done a full 180 since lockdown. I love how you can throw on some trainers, an oversized sweatshirt or baggy slogan tee, shorts and sunnies like the OG of 80s bike short outfits, Princess Diana, and be done for the day. It’s a top tier ‘just running few errands’ easy-going ‘fit in my eyes.
I can’t say that I’m really one to wear sportswear as daywear, the only thing I think I would ever do would be to pop to the shops in cycle shorts and an oversized tee/jumper. Put on with my favourite trainers and you have ultimate chilled out comfort.
13 Questions with Amy Thomson, Founder of Moody Month
We chat with Amy Thomson, founder of Moody Month, a daily health and wellness tracker, that connects women with solutions to support their most common moods and symptoms.
First off, how are you and how is your 2021 going?
As with everyone, there are some very big changes happening in life and work. However, these changes have been incredible for my life. We have made Moodya fully remote business and I have moved to Portugal to build our vitamin product line and begin a new life of sunshine and surf.
Can you tell us about your career and how it has evolved?
I started my first business at 23 in 2011. It was a live event and social content business working with brands like Nike, Microsoft and Diageo. I was young but had a specific view of the new era of social and how brands could use live events as a vehicle for acquiring audiences and building brand loyalty. It felt as though that business was born out of me being in London at a unique moment, as social media exploded into the brand world. I sold this business in 2016 to start Moody, a tech company that uses data ethically to help women connect with the science of their bodies and personalise the experience for their daily health and wellness needs.
What’s the story behind Moody Month and how it started?
I burned out whilst building my first company. My periods stopped and I just kept working, until one day I realised my health was more important. At this stage, I made a tough call to sell the company I had built and begin working on how we solve the problem of stress impacting women’s hormones, health and happiness.
Why do you think tracking your hormones is so important?
Understanding how your hormones affect your daily mental and physical health helps you make informed choices about life, work and even relationships. Our hormones have a huge part to play in how we optimise our productivity, reduce stress, and improve happiness. They also affect sleep, metabolism and even sex drive. All key functions for our bodies ability to be happy and healthy. They are the why behind wellness.
What do you want people to get from downloading the Moody Month app?
Moody is a game-changer for optimising happiness and reducing stress, connecting you with yourself and your body.
Moody provides each user with a daily understanding of how their hormones are fluctuating across their cycle. Logging and journaling alongside that allows women to connect with patterns of moods and symptoms, along with customised daily diet, exercise and nutrition tips and wellness solutions.
What are some of the best benefits of being more in tune with your body?
Less guilt about how these changes affect our emotional and physical self. When we have this knowledge, it helps us understand that we don’t wake up the same every day, we have flows and cycles that mean when we know how this works, we can work with these patterns and cycles. You become more productive as you reduce guilt and stress.
Can you tell us about your book, Moody: A 21st Century Hormone Guide?
The book is all the science and research behind the app that shows how we can use hormonal science to optimise our everyday lives, not just focus on fertility or contraception. This is science we should be learning in school and yet in 2021 we are having to re-learn how our bodies work, so we can better inform ourselves on the health and wellness choices we are making that work for us. Not following trends, but listening and learning from how your hormonal body works.
What are you currently working on?
I’m looking at how we can build more products and services that support women’s long term hormonal health, as well as working on hormone health research and education, to ensure we build a future world where every person who menstruates has access to the science they need to understand how their hormonal body works.
Who are some of your favourite body empowerment accounts online?
@eatlovemove – inspiring nutritionist who is breaking down wellness norms, science and body positivity
@christinamay (aka holistic baddie) – bringing all the vibes to wellness
@dose – wellness for hedonists – focuses on dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins, our happy hormones and neurotransmitters
@ferly – sexual health and wellness – best app and social account for how sex and pleasure can help your health
@jadasezer – all-round badass and I am in love with her approach to neuroscience, health, body image and life
What does your perfect weekend look like?
I always try and start my weekends with a surf. It’s a new passion and I have been learning since moving to Portugal. This is followed by some time to decompress from the week, 15 mins of breathwork or meditation is key in my morning.
I always prioritise some time with friends and will often cook or host friends at my apartment. My friends are more like family to me and in Covid times these friendships and bonds have been a transformative tool for navigating through such challenging social restrictions. It’s also an important hormonal health support, as when we see friends and bond we release DOSE: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin and Endorphins. These are your happy hormones and neurotransmitters.
What do you always carry with you?
I have a ring that I wear every day and I bought it as a gift to marry myself. I remind myself that I must love who I am and be whole, or I can’t be much use to anyone else. I would advise everyone to marry themselves.
What would your last ever meal be?
Ramen (veggie). Noodle soup is my safe, cosy comfort food. It is my favourite meal and my go-to when I feel happy or sad.
What is one positive piece of advice you could give to our audience?
By best advice is to connect with your body and yourself by following this 3-step programme:
Marry yourself and commit to a life with yourself through sickness and health. You and your body are your biggest asset.
Understand your body, listen, and learn how to build daily routines that work for you. Use tech tools like Moody to help make your daily routines easy.
Forgive yourself quickly when you inevitably fail or don’t meet your own standards.
The New-In Skincare Products You Need on Your Radar
Your beloved beauty cabinet is about to get a serious update this season, with new skincare products dropping like it's hot here there and everywhere, and honestly, we don't know what to buy first.
Your beloved beauty cabinet is about to get a serious update this season, with new skincare products dropping like it’s hot here there and everywhere, and honestly, we don’t know what to buy first. In the month of heatwaves, floods and humidity gone wild, our skin has been through it to say the least, but as the British weather calms down to its showery and cool ways for the foreseeable, reestablishing a reliable, daily skincare routine feels somewhat more achievable.
For the first step in your routine- the cleanse- look no further than the new Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm. This indulgent cleanser minimises the appearance of open pores, re-balances and hydrates and moisturises and conditions all skin types. The formula is beautifully soft making it a treat to use first thing on a grey morning. Next up on your need-to-know list: the Embryolisse Active Water Face Mist. This new, refreshing spritz has only two ingredients, making for a highly targeted solution that hydrates from the get go.
Other hero products include the Mandelic Acid & Rice Bran Gentle Exfoliating Serum by the king of skinfluencing, Mr Hyram Yarbro and his brand Selfless by Hyram and the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ Ultra Concentrated Serum which is simply chefs kiss . The below edit of new-in budget to indulgent skincare means you can’t go far wrong in adding to your well-loved existing routine. Enjoy skincare savvy peeps!
12 of The Best Drinking Games & Apps To Get For Your Next Pre Drinks
Whilst a banging playlist is guaranteed to get everyone in the party mood, when hosting a bigger 'pres' or on the nights when you want to add a little bit of spice, a fun, flirty, and fiery game or two can be exactly what's needed to make the night a memorable one.
Did someone order 4x tequila and limes every Friday night for the rest of the year? Hell yes! Social distancing restrictions are a thing of the past, 90s, noughties, and generally naughty (oi oi) nights out are back on, and finally, our favourite part of the night, pre-drinks, can resume- nature is healing!
Whilst a banging playlist is guaranteed to get everyone in the party mood, when hosting a bigger ‘pres’ or on the nights when you want to add a little bit of spice, a fun, flirty, and fiery game or two can be exactly what’s needed to make the night a memorable one. Keep reading for the must-have card and board games to add to your shelf before your next big night out, and get ready for secrets to be spilled and dignity to be lost.
One for the couples who love a tipple together before date night, the Let’s Drink To That card game blew up on Tiktok last year and has since extended their original design to include 4 new different decks for every occasion. The 100 pack of cards includes categories Let’s Drink to, Risky Business, and Tipsy Trivia and is one guaranteed to lead to some serious sexual tension and playful secrets being revealed. Couples who drink together stay together!
With the help of a dice and 5 categories of cards, The Confessions Game is one that lays it all out on the table and leaves nothing to the imagination. Perfect for bigger groups getting to know each other for the first time or in more intimate friend circles when delving deeper is the aim, The Confessions Game allows you to reveal all via the categories of career, sex, money, relationships and family, sparking daring conversations and true honesty. Although the game isn’t designed with alcohol in mind, baring all to those closest to you is always easier with a drink in hand, and so finding ways to weave in shots, sips, and downing your drink won’t be a challenging one!
Turned up at a spontaneous party without cards or a game in tow? We got you! Mobile app PSYCH! (designed by Ellen DeGeneres FYI) has been described as where trivia meets Cards Against Humanity and encourages you to anonymously answer questions about your friends, with the funniest or most accurate answer winning. Prompts such as “What’s the last thing Savannah googled?”, “What does Leo spend too much time thinking about?” or “What’s Meredith’s hidden talent?” are to be expected here, and the tipsier you are, the funnier the outcome…
One for your next ladies night, For The Girls is designed to get your night off to a messy and hilarious start from the get go, be it for pre drinks, hen parties or birthdays galore. Whoever has the most Instagram followers will be the first to roll the dice and up for the challenge of performing the initial task without hesitation. The game is made by the creators of What Do You Meme, another at-home party classic, so you know it’s one that will bring energy, fun and hilarious Instagram Story content you’ll be watching back for weeks. The pack includes 100x ‘I Have Never’ Cards, 100x ‘Rapid Fire’ Cards 100x, ‘Best of the Best’ Cards and 100x ‘ Most Likely’ Cards meaning the fun will last for hours.
Designed by our favourite Instagram besties and podcast pros Sophia and Cinzia, The Girls Bathroom: The Card Game is the ultimate in night out fun for your closest and wildest girlfriends. Including 250 playing cards divided into Most Likely To, Drink or Dare and Say it or Shot it, it’s sure to get pulses racing and leave nothing unsaid. Examples include, ‘Drink or Dare: Ask the last person you slept with if they’re out tonight’ and ‘Say It or Shot It: Of those in the group, whose ex are you the most attracted to’ … spicy!
The gorgeous pink box design makes the perfect addition for your bar cart or drinks shelf and is a guaranteed ‘must remember’ item to pack for your girl’s staycations this summer.
Need something simple to kick your night off right? Look no further. For those who can never remember the rules to Ring of Fire and are forever asking “What’s the difference between spades and clubs again?” then the Drink If game is for you. The deck contains over 50 ‘Drink if’ options, ranging from PG to 18+, such as “Drink if you have a cat” and “Drink if you have ever taken revenge on an ex…”
The playful twist on Never Have I Ever comes in the pastel pink packaging of dreams and is one of the most affordable drinking games around!
Get the drinks and good vibes flowing with this 150 deck card game designed to make you laugh, then keep you tipsy. When the game works its way around to you, simply act out the card’s instructions without holding back and watch as those around you try to keep a straight face, or inevitably sip their drink as the giggles start and don’t stop. A playful and harmless game, it’s perfect for when in a new group of people if sharing your darkest secrets isn’t your style, and is one you’ll be forever reaching for on Christmas and Boxing Day too.
DIY drinking Jenja did the rounds on TikTok during 2020’s main lockdown, but if you don’t have the time or creativity to make your own now that your social calendar is fully booked, then Typo has you covered. Featuring prompts such as ‘Take a shot without using your hands’ and ‘Everyone touch their nose. Last person drinks’, this innocent but surefire way to get tipsy (if not a little more) is one for all the upcoming BBQs and birthdays in your diary.
If you’ve not heard of Picolo then seriously, where have you been?! This party game drinking app is another that encourages individual involvement from all your pals, as you answer questions, follow rules and leave the direction of the game in the fate of the app. Spoiler: good times guaranteed. It’s simple, fun and most versions of the game are free! What’s not to love?!
No you’re not already drunk, you’re just two rounds into the Incohearent party game in which everything sounds like Gibberish no matter how many drinks you’ve necked. Whilst written down the words on the cards make zero sense, when read aloud they are in fact commonly known phrases that your teammates need to guess before time runs out. Containing over 500 cards, you’ll be screaming at your besties all night long as your competitive side is guaranteed to be activated.
A tipsy twist on the childhood classic we know and love, Snakes And Bladdered is a surefire win for anyone that’s partial to a shot (or 5) ahead of the big event. Using the shot glasses provided as counters, make your way around the board with the aim of avoiding (or aiming towards depending on your game plan for the night) snakes and slipping into drunkenness. Suitable for 2-4 players, it’s the perfect quick and easy game for housemates before heading to the club.
When you’re a few vodkas down, everything around you slows, making Name 5 a must for earlier in your night as quick thinking is the name of the game here. With prompts such as name five famous rivers, five British Kings or queens, or five high-end designers, teams must complete their task before time runs out or drinking is obliged …
Although not strictly a game that involves alcohol, adding a forfeit of alcohol to those who lose always makes it that little bit more fun, and who doesn’t love dishing out a losing tequila to your defeated opponents?!
Wedding Series: The Best Off the Rack Wedding Dresses and Outfits Under £1,000
With cult brands such as Rixo, Sleeper, Self-Portrait and Ghost all delivering high-fashion collections, “buying off the rack” has never looked better.
We don’t know who needs to hear this but you don’t need to drop £2k on a wedding dress to have the ceremony of your d-r-e-a-m-s.
Thanks to an array of online retailers offering affordable alternatives, speedy shipping and 10/10 service, finding a dress that gives you all the feels without breaking the banks is no longer just a fairy tale.
With cult brands such as Rixo, Sleeper, Self-Portrait and Ghost all delivering high-fashion collections, “buying off the rack” has never looked better. From Bridgerton-inspired gowns to avant-garde designs and understated slips, these ready-to-wear bridal styles will ensure you’re ceremony-ready with change to spare. And the best bit about going down the non-bridal shop route is that you can shop for your dream matrimony ‘fits, all from the comfort of your own couch with a Prosecco in hand- what else are Love Island ad breaks for?
Without further ado, let’s say yes to the dress shall we…
Sorry, dispatched within 1-2 working days and sent on a priority delivery service? It’s a love story. The Self-Portrait bridal edit expertly bridges the gap between high street and luxury, boasting everything from statement Victoriana style lace maxi dresses to fresh and contemporary designs perfect for an intimate backyard micro-wedding. With an impressive A-list and royal clientele, you can trust that Self-Portrait is an iconic label to wear on your big day.
Laid-back brides won’t want to sleep on this brand. Sleeper really said feathers on everything and pjs for all occasions, and we absolutely stan. Whether you want to say ‘I do’ in your elevated comfies (iconic) or save the party pjs strictly for the dance floor and snap up their silk Atlanta dress for your nuptials, Sleeper will make it their business to ensure your lewk will take you from ceremony chic to slumber party ready in a heartbeat.
Affordable, impactful and wearable? Prepare to ask for Solace London’s hand in marriage because it really is the full package. The designs are bold, confident and refined with dramatic ruffles and sculptural sleeves aplenty. Modern brides, this edit will steal your heart.
Not all brides want to stick to traditional wedding wear. If you’re eloping for your special day or you’re having an alternative wedding abroad, Free People is the leading label for unconventional bridal threads. Featuring smocked necklines, cool crochet sets for a laidback beach nuptials, effortless silk suits and vintage inspired maxis, this boho collection was made for the wild at heart. Barefoot brides, prepare to swoon.
For the bride who wants to make the ultimate fashion statement, look no further than Net-a-Porter. The beautifully curated edit of high-fashion designer dresses and separates carries all the need-to-know bridal labels, including Halston, Les Rêveries and Galvan. Whether you want to own the aisle in a crepe jumpsuit or command the room in something period-drama chic, Net-a-Porter is your one stop shop for exclusive of the moment pieces, modest silhouettes and everything in between.
The British brand knows a thing or two about show-shopping occasion wear so naturally, their wedding dress edit was always going to be next-level. If you want to go all-out romance with blush tones, soft playful tulle and whimsical detailing, say ‘I do’ to Needle & Thread, my friend. She fancy.
Leave it to Whistles to handle your capsule wardrobe and your wedding day attire. From sleek white suits perfect for a town hall venue, to fluted silhouettes and dramatic trains made for an intimate church setting, these off the peg pieces are proof that you don’t need to go to an appointment-only bridal boutique to find ‘The One’.
We’ve never met a Ghost dress we didn’t like, and their wedding offering is no exception. Famed for its romantic details, contemporary silhouettes and fashion forward cuts, the bridal edit offers a range of options, suitable for every bride-to-be. From pared-back party pieces destined for a rehearsal dinner to floor-length masterpieces with oodles of wedding day wow factor, you’re bound to find your sartorial significant other amongst this lovely lot.
Their bridesmaids collection is equally magnifique, consisting of ethereal vintage-inspired dresses in a variety of hues ranging from watercolour pastels through to moody jewel tones and punchy poinsettia red. We’d couple up with any one of them tbh.
Category is: take all of our money. The brand’s first foray into bridalwear did not disappoint, full of vintage inspired pieces, elevated fabrics and signature RIXO shapes, ready-to-wear, off-the-peg bridalwear doesn’t get better than this. We’d live happily ever after with the Allegra, that’s for sure. It’s a boho dreamboat! None left in your size? You can get in touch with their dedicated Bridal Specialist to have a chat about a made-to-order design.
Second only to naked nuptials or recycling your mum’s wedding dress, wearing a Reformation dress (with all the wear-again appeal) on your big day is the most sustainable option.
Unfussy silhouettes paired with ample romance is Reformation’s domain. Whether you’re into little white linen dresses, puff sleeves, ruched bodices or open cowl backs, they’re committed to making sure you look the part whatever you’re wearing, whilst doing their bit for the environment, too. Outfit repeating never looked so good.
The contemporary London-based brand is the ultimate marriage material, offering effortlessly timeless gowns at accessible price points (all the dresses are priced at £1,000).
Their 10-piece collection is all made to order using 100% ivory silk and lends itself particularly well to a summer wedding complete with a dreamy open air tablescape, soft candlelight and bundles of blooms.
For the brides who want to be fancy and frugal, allow ASOS to do the legwork for you. With such a huge variety of styles ranging from fishtails to lace A-line styles, co-ords and fuss-free bandeau designs, plus free delivery over £35 and free returns, you may as well make a day of it, order in a few options and host your very own at-home bridal boutique appointment with your girls. Cue the happy tears!
High Street Neon Pieces to Brighten Up Your Wardrobe
Neon is always a summertime dream, and as Covid restrictions are lifted and the roaring twenties x2 can officially begin, making a statement is more of a priority than ever when selecting the perfect outfit for any occasion
You glow girl! It’s Leo season and you best believe there’s no better time to act like the main character, pop on a luminous ‘fit and channel the confidence you have after a few glasses of bubbly in your day to day routine. Take that Instagram photo in front of a crowd, drop it low in the club like no one is watching and wear that revealing crop top you’ve been saving until you felt confident enough- we promise you look great. Our babe Billie Eilish gave neon green a real moment over the past few years, but the team’s picks this week are head over heels for all things hot, hot pink.
Neon is always a summertime dream, and as Covid restrictions are lifted and the roaring twenties x2 can officially begin, making a statement is more of a priority than ever when selecting the perfect outfit for any occasion- is anyone else still so excited at any excuse to get dressed up?!
From small nods to the trend in the form of accessories such as strappy heels or mini bags to full neon extravaganza dresses and jumpsuits, it’s not one for the faint-hearted.
Danielle
I don’t own much neon I’m usually a neutral gal but if I’m going to go for it I’d blast this beautiful sequin bardot number from PLT. Would wear with some simple white accessories because let’s face it this dress is doing all the talking. I’d also slick my hair back with some Ouai pomade and live my full Instagram baddie dream.
I love an ‘out there’ look so neon is right up my street, and it also looks fab with a tan in the summer months too so I’m all over this trend right now! Ganni is one of those brands I’m forever lusting over and these shorts are no exception, giving me ultimate American sporty vibes and also look v comfortable. I’ve doubled up on the neon with this bag from Roop which I know I would get so much wear out of despite the bright colour palette, and tied it all together with a basic but cute top and comfy trainers.
I’m most at home in top-to-toe neutrals and earthy tones but I have pushed myself out of my beige bitch comfort zone lately, embracing colour and playful prints in moderation. Admittedly, I’m a bit of a novice when it comes to neon but hot pink is the cheery antithesis to the lockdowns we’ve all just lived through, so I’m going ham on this happy shade. Gimme an oversized blazer, bracket and tailored trousers for a few vinos in the sun and consider me a neon convert!
I’m here for the neon trend, I’m all for standing out from the crowd so let’s hope not too many people jump on it. Although I do find it annoying when flies come to me more because of the bright colours. I’ll opt for something simple like a neon t-shirt contrast it with high waisted black shorts and black sandals. Then, as ever some chunky jewellery and we’re off for brunch or beach drinkies.
I really like a pop of neon in my wardrobe, I’ve gone with a really simple neon slip dress from Collusion in hot pink. I like this as it can be dressed up and down, versatile pieces are always great for getting the most out of a piece of clothing. I’ve paired it with some black accessories and some fun jewellery to tie it all together!
NSFW: All the Thoughts & Twitchy Feelings We Had Whilst Watching “Sex/Life”
If you haven’t heard of the show, the premise is this: penis. That’s it. That’s the premise. The steamy eight-part series follows a married woman called Billie who can’t stop thinking about her ex and all the mind-blowing, clit-throbbing, hot-as-fire sex they had.
*CONTAINS SPOILERS*
It’s the question on everybody’s lips after the meat-cute to end all meat-cutes, brought to us by Netflix’s Sex/Life…
Was Brad (played by actor Adam Demos) wearing a prosthetic penis or is he really just blessed with king-size junk?
The gym shower scene (episode 3, 19 minutes in, for anyone wanting to skip to full frontal nudity) has left the nation well and truly hung up. If our memory serves us correctly, we haven’t been this excited since the Duke licked a spoon in 2020.
If you haven’t heard of the show, the premise is this: penis. That’s it. That’s the premise. The steamy eight-part series follows a married woman called Billie who can’t stop thinking about her ex and all the mind-blowing, clit-throbbing, hot-as-fire sex they had. In the lift, in the pool, in the bath, the restaurant. Everywhere and anywhere. Cue the love triangle and thirsty sex scenes so gloriously choreographed, they’ll charm your libido out of its wicker basket and have you pausing to frantically masturbate. The instrument responsible for this sorcery? Brad’s pungi.
Prepare to get so hooked and horny on Billie’s life, you lose sight of everything that matters in your own.
Here’s all the thoughts and feelings we had whilst watching Sex/Life…
I mean, that house in the snow with the old car in front is enough to arouse me. Game over.
Billie’s boobs are magnificent.
But she’s being far too vocal for a finger job.
“Just get the vibrator” should be a podcast.
18 months without going down on her? I’m going to masturbate out of principle because Cooper, that is a war crime.
Not gonna lie, I came here for the famous phallus…
One minute I’m horny the next I’m broody and I just don’t know what to do with all these feelings in quick succession.
It’s all butterflies, babies, boobs and buttcracks. It’s nuanced stuff.
Because the kid is so cute but her tits are so great and I really just want Cooper to fuck her brains out like she deserves.
Did not see the Carrie Bradshaw erotica twist coming.
Just a modest chandelier, Brad. No biggie.
The things that fruit bowl must have seen…
Holy shit, the GIRL CODE IS EXTINCT.
Hudson in his little pastel shirt with that little fucking yellow pocket. Not coping.
That breast pump sounds strangely like a) my aromatherapy diffuser b) my convoy of vibrators.
I feel like I need to hire Hudson to back me like he backs his mum.
It’s been a good 20 minutes without a sex scene. Might turn over for Naked Attraction.
Is Brad’s dog tag the new Connell’s chain. Time will tell.
If my memory (and opinion) serve me correctly, Connell wore it better.
Feel like awkward mumbling Irish is distinctly hotter than Australian but it’s a close call.
Never thought fairy lights would make me horny but here we are…
No peen in that scene. When is this gigantic bell end gonna make its debut?!
Cooper with wet hair is a vibe.
I thought you had to pump and dump after a night out?
Since Cooper discovered the kitchen counter he really does love it doesn’t he.
Side note: even his wank-kins are fancy. What’s on them, a botanical print commissioned by Soho House?
Ok, all the breastfeeding and cute babies between wanking and shagging is really not the formula for me. We get it lady, your nipples are a true multi-hyphenate pair
Bold of B to carry on journalling after the phone call from Brad knowing full well Cooper is a hate follower now.
Well, Mrs Brenda is pure SUNSHINE isn’t she…
19 floors to come, without a vibrator? I’d need at least 100 floors with a mechanical breakdown in between to buy some time.
Fucking hell what is THAT?!
Why do I feel like I’ve just been through an exorcism?
He could literally pick up a bar of soap with that thing.
Got me feeling like I’ve just done a lateral flow test because my eyes are watering and I’m gagging.
This is not real life. This is FICTION. Nothing but a well-hung fable.
And yet, on closer inspection, a rewind and several frantic pauses later, the appendage looks incredibly realistic. I need facts.
calls the boyfriend to (quote) ‘come and look at this!’
“Nah, that’s CGI. Someone’s paid to make that”
Me: “But it has a vein and everything!”
Thank you, Stacy Rukeyser for catering to the female gaze with APLOMB.
Mmm Cooper must be an oat milk kinda man. Breast milk? Not so much.
I’m going to be bitterly disappointed if Brad’s Lad doesn’t have its own Instagram account.
Oh, to be the intimacy coordinator choreographing THAT.
Hate to break it to you Billie but you can’t take a shower with your laptop.
The DEAR ME > Thanksgiving Recipes transition. Well, it sure is eat out to help out this year, Billie.
She does pick a man with a superior head of hair doesn’t she.
THERE WILL BE A DUEL WITH THEIR PENISES I KNOW IT.
And I shall enjoy it.
Very much here for angry Cooper. This is the passion Billie needs, craves and deserves.
‘Piece of shit’ sounds so much better with an American accent.
What is it with sexy TV shows and bees? Don’t remember seeing them in the shower scene.
That buggy is bigger than Billie. The handlebar is literally higher than her libido.
Wait, he doesn’t know what big dick energy means? Pray for Cooper.
Floppy hair + a far from floppy penis. What a combo, Brad.
There’s not a FaceTime screen ratio big enough to handle the wingspan of that thing.
Googles coital alignment technique colloquially known as grinding the corn
“Tonight darling, we’re doing the CAT. The clit wants what it wants”
That is one loaded motorbike.
Steals Bowie from Brad’s baby names list
Is that Farrow & Ball Rangwali they’ve got on the walls?
I’m sorry but there is no way you could do doggy with Brad without sustaining an injury. Nope.
Billie really gets the wear out of that white nightdress. Sultry and sustianable. Love her.
Seriously though, Billie mate, get a password.
If we just let morals slide for one tiny second, can they just fuck one more time?
Mmm, that bathtub doesn’t look big enough to fit both Brad and his penis in it.
Are they going to throw their keys in a bowl with Devon and Trina?
Cheating on B at her cousin’s wedding Brad?! That’s some real shit show shit.
This is one party I would never expect to run into a Karen.
That is quite the aerial yoga swing!
@ me looking around the room trying to find a reliable ceiling I can levitate from.
I’m not really into the whole circling people like they’re Aslan the dying lion though.
It feels very Riverdale all of a sudden.
The party has bad, bad vibes.
You manipulative little shrew Brad showing up at her house with a ring and your leather jacket and your perfect fucking teeth.
But at the same time, if Cooper says stain one more time please runaway with B and have all the sex.
A Brad and Cooper shaped homoerotic twist would really save this finale.
Haven’t heard chickenshit in a long time.
Every kids’ party I’ve ever been to has left me wanting to make a beeline for gelato on the other side of town too tbh.
Alright the stain analogy has gone on long enough.
Blimey, they build blowjob bridges real quick in the suburbs of Connecticut.
Or is she going to risk the 85% for the extra 15 inches?
So, Billie is right back at square one? Settling for the man with the smaller penis and the big pay package when she really just wants to live a sexually fulfilled life with the man in Manhattan with the small bathtub and the colossal package?
Oh Brad & Billie are a couple in real life now! That explains A LOT.
Fresh and Funky Graphic Tees That Are Guaranteed to Make a Statement
Slogan tees did the rounds a few years ago as feminist statements became the focal point of this out-there trend, but recently the focus has turned to fun, fresh and lighthearted graphics and sayings that spark a smile and ironic 'lol'.
Get ready for the stares and intense reading faces of those that walk past you in the street, it’s statement tee shirt time people! Slogan tees did the rounds a few years ago as feminist statements became the focal point of this out-there trend, but recently the focus has turned to fun, fresh and lighthearted graphics and sayings that spark a smile and ironic ‘lol’.
Gen Z and TikTok humour are one likely influence, but this trend originally dates back to the early ’00s with everyone from queens Britney Spears and Paris Hilton rocking a graphic tee with a low rise jean. This streetwear staple is the perfect throw on and go item for days when you need to leave the house in a hurry and your bar/beach/dinner reservation is calling your name, and is guaranteed to earn you compliments aplenty from both strangers and pals alike- designs not to be worn on the days you want human interaction at a minimum!
Add some feel-good to your ‘fit this summer and embrace your playful side- it looks good on you …
