You guys know how much I love a dress, especially a little black dress. LBDs are so versatile, but even so – it’s not often you find one that can work for any occasion. However, high street favourite, Coast is one of those few brands that can design a dress so simple that you can put your own stamp on it. Coast is confident enough to design wow dresses, but is equally as confident in designing dresses that don’t need to be over embellished, over designed or over marketed. Which is great, because it means we can make our Coast dress our own.
This LBD by Coast is from the amazing new range Cinch Sculpt Shape, which has a secret support lining designed to suck you in and create a smooth silhouette. The lining is made from a two-way stretch fabric, a bit like a mesh, which is really snug and so moulds to your body. (I’ve heard Victoria Beckham uses something similar in her dresses). It instantly sculpts, removing the need for any shapewear which can often be costly and worse, seen through some fabrics. The stretchy mesh lining is all the shapewear you’ll need and really does make a difference to the way the dress looks and feels. When wearing mine, it feels snug (but doesn’t constrict movement) and structured, which encourages me to sit or stand up straight, but the outer fabric is so comfortable that, actually, I feel very much at ease. Which is great because the dress naturally improves my posture without leaving me feeling self conscious. If you’re worried about smoothing your silhouette, then the new Cinch Sculpt Shape range is definitely a great investment. If not, you’re sure to like the classic, clean designs of the collection which work for all occasions, from work to dinner to cocktails to weddings. Here’s how I style mine.
Day
Black, the perfect colour for the office. Team with a jacket or mac and black court shoes. Add a structured bag, a man’s gold watch and a chic iPad cover and you’re good to go!
Bag: Westport Gallery, Dundee
Shoes: Debenhams
Watch: Accurist
iPad Cover: MaxMara
Evening
Black, the perfect colour for cocktails. Team with this season’s strappy sandals and a statement necklace. Add matching gold cuffs and a sleek clutch, and you’re good to go!
Bag: French Connection
Shoes: Primark
Necklace: Accessorize
Cuffs: M&Co
Headpiece: William Chambers
Style Note: A great hatinator, like this one by William Chambers, transforms this dress for a wedding or the races – the exposed hot pink zip adds interest to the classic LBD.
Where did I get my Coast dress? House of Fraser. Even better, it’s on sale! Anytime I need a great dress, I head straight to Coast, and where better to shop than House of Fraser, with all its amazing beauty hall, top designers and high street favourites? It’s a shopper’s heaven, whether in store or online. Happy shopping, Daydreamers.
