Friday 14 January 2011

Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning.

Like everyone, I'm loving the Peter Pan collar at the moment. It just transforms an outfit into something ladylike yet quirky. The Topshop Peter Pan collar dress sold out instantly over Christmas, and their collared tunics have been seen on pretty much every blogger up and down the land, such as Michelle and Lily. The new item du jour - at least for me - is this little Wednesday Addams number from Peacocks, beautifully modelled by Laura and Helen. As soon as I get paid I am so getting a piece of that action.

I've only just discovered detachable collars, but they are an ace way to transform an outfit at low-cost. Hayley did a post earlier this week on her picks - but I'd already chosen one at a much lower cost from Etsy, thanks to a link I saw on Rebecca's blog.

(Good lord, the linkage in the above two paragraphs. You can tell I'm well and truly back in the world of computers and blog-reading again, can't you?)


I got this collar necklace for £15 from girlandbird. Attaching the necklace to silver chain is genius! The quality is just lovely and it hangs really nicely, no twisting or odd folding. It wasn't quite long enough for the dress in question, but I attached it to an extension chain (benefits of being a jewellery designer) and fixed it for my purposes.


This dress is a rather boring grey number that I reserve for conferences and work events where I need to look smart. It does the job, and I actually really like how it fits, without the tight, unflattering skirt of a standard shift dress. you may recognise it, actually - I also have it in blue!

Anyway, it seemed like the perfect dress to try out my new collar with. Lo and behold - transformed!


Dress - H&M
Cardigan & Belt - Dorothy Perkins
Collar - girlandbird
Tights - New Look
Necklace - Hatfield House

I accessorised it with a simple black cardi one of my favourite necklaces, this chunky cameo, which I got from the gift shop at Hatfield House (a local stately home) for the bargain price of £3.50. I love how heavy and solid it is - apparently it's made of pewter. I've seen them on ebay, if you want one!


In other news, I added some new bits to my Etsy shop this week. I also have a 20% discount code valid for the whole of January - just enter ILIKEYOU at the checkout!

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30 comments

  1. Oh my god, that collar is amazing!! It really transforms the dress and it's incredible how something so small can make a dress so different! It looks lovely on you and wow, I'd have never have thought of something like that.
    xxx

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  2. I love collars too! I must add a shameless plug here, but I make them myself! I have a few in my Folksy shop but am working on some new reversible ones at the moment :)

    Katie x

    www.folksy.com/shops/kakesmakes

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  4. It transforms the dress so well, so so cute!xx

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  5. Arh (pirate impression there!) don't talk to me about peter pan collars - it appears if you're above a size 16 you might as well forget it! I bought the peter pan dress from ASOS before xmas, before NYR not to buy, and although the collar is gorgeous the actual dress is a bit pants! I'll do a post on it & let the public judge.

    I can't believe how different your dress looks with the collar! Amazing. Oh I so want a collar like that now. But I can't, no spending. Boo!

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  6. Love the name of this blog, my fav disney film ever!
    Girlandbird is a lovely shop, she's a great photographer if you get the chance to check her out :)
    Belle xx

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  7. Oh my, that is absolutely stunning. It's a very nice dress anyway but the addition of the collar makes it something a bit special.

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  8. Oh wow, that collar is stunning :) xxx

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  9. i have just been looking this week for a collar too, although have yet to decide on one. this is really nice...thanks for the link :-)

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  10. You live near Hatfield House? Me too well about half an hour away! We must live fairly close to each other then!
    I love that collar, spotted it on esty a few weeks ago. Kept it in my favourites and keep umming and ahhhing over it. I dont need it but I want it haha. Decisions decisions!
    It looks fab with that grey dress, really adds a little something.
    Sophie
    x

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  11. that is the most amazing collar! it would look great with so many things, what a great find! x

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  12. 1. Thanks for the linkage

    2. Buy the peacocks dress ASAP

    3. I need a detatchable collar.

    x

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  13. Cute dress! That collar is adorable <3

    My new blog!
    http://londonscloset.blogspot.com
    xoxo

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  14. woow I love this collar!! it's amazing, and definitely makes the dress stand out!

    xx Iris

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  15. I really fancy trying a Peter Pan collar, but I'm ridiculously busty so I don't really know if it would work. Your dress was already very pretty, but the collar just transforms it. I could really get a piece of that action.

    I might just bite the bullet and buy one.

    Your necklace is lush btw. A very nice outfit in every way.

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  16. Holy cow YES! The collar totally changes the dress. I'm looking out for one at the moment actually, I've loved peter pan collars for so long so I am really glad they are finally in fashion.

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  17. WOW that collar really works well thanks for the idea xx

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  18. Wow, that collar really makes the dress look even more gorgeous! Such a great way to change up outfits :)

    I'm also wanting a bit of that peacocks dress action, the leopard print version? Can't afford it either atm, and I work there for god's sake so the temptation is tooo much!

    Danni
    xxx

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  19. wowza, that's ON. How did you spot the collar would go so well with that dress? because you have MAD STYLING SKILLS i guess. love it.

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  20. Such a good idea, I might have a go at making a collar myself.

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  21. Wow, the collar makes such a difference to that dress!

    Also, I noticed the cameo necklace in your first picture and hoped you would mention where it came from when you put the outfit details, and then you not only did just that, but provided an ebay link as well!! Brill!

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  22. The collar looks great. I bought that peacocks Peter pan dress but took it back as I wasn't happy with the quality. It creases really easily :( The new look version is much better quality and comes in loads of variations, I got the black one with the leopard collar and it's perfect xx

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  23. Oh I'm really pleased with my peacocks dress! I think it's better quality and fit than those tunic ones in Topshop. I think all jersey creases easily though.

    I love this collar but I bet I would get so frustrated about it not sitting right on certain dresses and wouldn't be able to magic it to fix any dress like you!

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  24. ha wow! They were meant to be!
    They go so perfectly with that dress, just lovely and yeah what a great idea putting lace on a chain, perfect.
    Ive actually just done some collar DIYs! Not sure if youre into the more starched shirt collars but I made a red and green one over on my blog :)
    xxxx

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  25. this is an ACE idea - one i'll definitely be trying out. thanks for posting it lovely. also followed you in twitter, too (minielle)! x

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  26. Wow, that is so pretty! It goes so beautifully with your dress too.

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  27. i want i want i want i want i WANT! the collar is just divine.. i think i might have to DIY that sometime... just go thrifting, find a lace collar, and hand sew to a chain? this needs to happen. <3

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  28. Ahhh so pretty, I love how collars can transform an outfit. Hoping to DIY one soon!

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  29. wow, what a good idea for people on a budget! I so want one!
    I may have to try and make one if I get time! If not that is quite a good price!

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