As suggested by...Samantha

This is the second in the new series. The first offering, As suggested by...Karren was a resounding hit with so many of you that I thought I'd establish this as a monthly offering. You'll recognise this wonderful jacket from some posts recently as seen here so it's already coming down in terms of cost-per-wear. The gorgeous leather jacket generated some good feedback for me, both in the comments and on Instagram, the first of which I'm going to address here today. This outfit was inspired thanks to Samantha's (of Fake Fabulous) input. Her suggestion to pair the very fitted jacket with a big skirt was a great choice, therefore was a no-brainer for me.












I've had this beautiful cotton lawn skirt stashed in my closet for years, so I could do with getting some more wear out of it. All I had to do was add my black net underskirt and hey presto - the big skirt was born! Such a huge outline needed high heels to stop me looking like a wee toadstool, which is where my legendary Michael Kors boots came into their own. 

As it happens this outfit is the second one this week where I've showcased a net underskirt and I maybe had something to learn from Wednesday's offering. I think the beauty of wearing a net underskirt is all in the showing of it. Perhaps this skirt could have been hoicked up a bit to reveal the bottom of the underskirt in a more playful way. Too late, I know, to re shoot, but I think that's the whole point of these frou-frou net creations - they really beg to be flashed, don't they? 

Well, when I said it was too late, that got me thinking. So last night after work, I quickly pulled this together before the sun set. With skirt duly hoicked up, jacket left open and new beaded belt on show, I decided to give it another go. The question is, Samantha, do either of these looks showcase the jacket a-la-big skirt that you imagined?










This type of challenge is great fun for me, so I'd like to invite you to contact me with your ideas and suggestions from what you've seen. Is there a piece I've only shown once that you'd love to see again? Do you have an idea like Karren's that will push me out of my comfort zone, yet surprise me with too? If you're a lurker and are feeling a bit shy, then you can just email me rather than publish your comment. Or make contact on Instagram if you'd rather. I'd love to hear from you - any feedback is really useful in gauging how I'm doing. I'm coming up to my first anniversary of fashion blogging soon and it would be great to know how I'm performing. I prattle on a couple of times a week, showing you the latest ensemble in my very own style, but what do you think? I'm so lucky to have formed friendships with other bloggers, but I know there's a whole raft of you guys out there, sitting quietly enjoying things at the back, and would love to hear your thoughts. Write me x

Jacket: DSquared. Skirt: Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti. Underskirt: eBay. Boots: Michael Kors. Tights: Dorothy Perkins.
1st variation Necklace: Dorothy Perkins. Blouse: charity shop. Belt: charity shop. Watch: Michael Kors. Rose gold bangle: Kate Spade New York. Flower ring: Dorothy Perkins. Perspex ring: gift.
2nd variation Blouse: eBay. Belt: Sainsbury. Yellow ring: Martin James. Solitaire ring: Dorothy Perkins. Pearls: Almost Perfect

Linking with
Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb 
Patti of Not Dead Yet Style 
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20 comments

  1. It's Fabulous!
    Perfect for creating that classic hourglass shape.
    And those boots..... sigh, I love. XXX
    Samantha

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    1. Hahaha Fabulous indeed Samantha, I like that! Thanks so much. Enjoy the rest of the weekend x
      Anna

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  2. What a great unique look! Samantha is full of fun ideas.

    The jacket is so so cool!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Am loving this jacket so much. Hope this love affair continues for a long time x
      Anna

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  3. Oh my, those sky high boots! I luv the can-can slip. It looks just as cool being overt or covert. One is just a little bit more of a surprise. Each piece has a sweet little detail too it. Nice.

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    1. These boots are pretty awesome aren't they? Glad you like the variations. I kinda like both of them too. Thanks for dropping by x
      Anna

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  4. Such a fun way to come up with a new outfit! Samantha has fabulous ideas, and your outfit came together perfectly!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

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    1. I'm happy for anyone to feed me a line, but as you say, Samantha has some very good ideas. I thought the outfit was pretty cool x
      Anna

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  5. I think I like the second version better - the shorter hem on the skirt of course shows off the floofy underskirt better, but it's also more proportionate on your frame. Plus, I ADORE that ruffled blouse (you know me and ruffles!). Wonderful!

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    1. I know what you're saying Sheila. The second version was more over the top with the ruffles and frou-frou, but all the better for it too!
      Anna x

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  6. You do look beautiful! The skirt makes me think of Nancy from the Oliver musical! I like both version but my favourite was the first blouse without the jacket- so perfect!x

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    1. Thanks Kezzie. There's something very theatrical about this skirt, and I must admit I felt a bit like Mary Poppins in it! It cost me an arm and a leg, so I need to be wheeling it out a bit more often to get that cpw quota down.
      Anna x

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  7. When you first said you put the skirt under the skirt, I thought brilliant---but I want to see it! Thus I'm so glad you showed us that version too!
    And initially I was going to tell you my favorite version...but I don't think I can give a fave---I think they are both great for different reasons, so 2 hits for this styling!!
    jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com
    ps...I have that belt with the wooden closures (in a different colorway): http://bit.ly/1RYHpAc---do you have trouble with them popping apart?

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    1. Yes Jodie, I felt the underskirt needed to have it's moment of glory too. I'm glad that both versions made the grade with you. And that belt, well, so far so good. No popping open yet, but I've maybe not given it a thorough work out yet. Will let you know x
      Anna

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  8. I am just blown away by that jacket and the skirt is a fabulous addition. I think the belt was a brilliant touch - very 50s especially with the underskirt. I wonder if footless tights or leggings with ballet flats would work; it would certainly be very 50s.

    I liked the ruffled blouse, too. The boots are lovely but I could never wear heels like that and be comfortable! I wish I could because sometimes a pair of heels is what an outfit needs - but I'm all about comfort now...

    Have a great week

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    1. I love your idea of the footless tights and ballet flats, but as a notion only. The length of the skirt really calls for heels when you're my height otherwise I really would look like a toadstool! I've walked a fair distance in these boots and they are comfortable enough to wear for a whole working day so that's perfect by my reckoning. Hope you have a great week too!
      Anna x

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  9. That underskirt is gorgeous...and yes, it was begging to be seen! I love the more fitted silhouette of the jacket with the fluffy skirt and the colors are perfection.
    Debbie
    www.fashionfairydust.com

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    1. Hey Debbie, so lovely to hear from you again. I'm suddenly a big fan of these floufly underskirts and can see I might need more of them. Did you see the red one recently? I think the neat jacket is the perfect ploy for such a big skirt - it feels like real dressing up!
      Anna x

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  10. Love that gorgeous skirt! Come check out my latest collab with CHICWISH and let me know what you think of the LBD! Have a great week!

    Rebecca
    www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

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    1. Great to hear from you Rebecca. I'll take a look at the that LBD and let you know x
      Anna

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