Following on from last week’s post, here are the final images from our Anthropologie shoot. I have chosen to group these outfits together as they all have a smarter element to them without being particularly ‘smart’ outfits. I rarely seem to get really dressed up these days so if I do have a dress or a skirt in my wardrobe, I like to think of ways of dressing it down, as well as dressing it up.

First up is this grey jumper dress which is a wardrobe staple that will see you through winter after winter.  This particular dress is the perfect balance between loose but not too baggy.  It is a blank canvas on which to add a more directional piece, or indeed statement jewellery.  With this particular outfit, it allows the tweed coat with the velvet collar to make a statement. I should add that this coat looks grey but it is infact a woven brown and black thread. 

 When it comes to footwear, don’t be afraid to wear a chunky ankle boot with a skirt or dress.  If you are worried about cutting your legs off at an awkward place then choose a boot that is the same colour as your tights and make sure the tights are opaque.  We particularly like the fact these boots are patent leather – so although they are the same colour as mum’s tights, there is a slight definition without it being unflattering.

If you were looking to make this dress look smarter, a knee high boot would look great (but as always, make sure that the bottom of the dress covers the top of the boots!). These are a good example.

For me, this dress represents what Anthropologie do very well.  Beautiful, printed pieces that are more unusual than the things that you find elsewhere on the high street.  The fabric of this dress is beautiful.  The colours and print are subtle but the overall style makes an impact. 

It was so comfortable to wear as it is super loose and floaty but fitted around the shoulders so as not to be unflattering.  Plus, it has pockets!  Which gives it a contemporary edge.   I’m also not a particularly girly girl in the way that I dress so it felt right for me to wear the navy ribbed jumper over the top (it also leant some much needed warmth on a cold day!).  A fitted polo neck worn underneath this dress would also look great too. Of course, if you wanted to keep the dress smart then I would loose all the layers (it would need a slip though as it is quite see-through!)

I ‘hardened’ up the look with the hiking boots but obviously a less heavy ankle boot would look good, as would a ballet pump in tan or a trainer.

 The beauty of this dress too is that you could wear it in summer.

We managed to get these last outfits in, just as the light was starting to fade. It felt quite apt as these are the most suitable for evening of all the outfits that we wore.

It is interesting because mum’s initial thought on this skirt was that it was lovely but not very ‘her’ as it is quite a statement and she prefers more subtle styles.  However, once she put it on, she completely changed her mind.  The embroidery is stunning and very unusual.  We paired it with a simple black polo neck as this allows the skirt to sing, it is also more in tune with mum’s usual style.  However, if you were someone with a more bold sense of style then to pick up one of the colours in the skirt would look fabulous. 

The black patent boots add a cool edge to the look but obviously if this isn’t for you, then a pair of black (maybe patent?) pumps would look great too.

I’m not one to generally go all out when it comes to smart evening looks so this more laid back take on this beautiful silk skirt and shirt suits me well.  Tie-dye saw a massive resurgence this summer and it has carried through into winter.  This skirt is cut on the bias and is a flattering length on the ankle.  To tone it down, a chunky knit like the one tied around my waist would look great for the daytime but the look could be taken through to the evening by wearing a silk shirt (like this one), or a camisole and blazer.

 I have worn these fantastic boots from Sorel as I love the mismatch of styles but it would also work so well with knee length boots in black (as previously suggested) or a ‘barely there’ sandal for a proper night on the tiles! (lovely pair here)

Photography and artwork by Alexandra Mooney

All clothes, Anthropologie

Sue - Look 1

Coat, £174

Jumper dress, £80

Boots, £110

Earrings, £36

Hannah - Look 1

Dress, £90

Jumper, £120

Boots, £165

Sue - Look 2

Jumper, £70

Skirt, £205

Boots, £110

Hannah - Look 2

Silk shirt, £130

Skirt, £98

Jumper (tied around waist) £120

Boots, £120 (sold out on Anthropologie but found here)