Warehouse Blog

Jumpsuits: a style leap we love

                                     
                     

Photos @ Rex Features. From left to right: Fearne Cotton & Rachel Weiz; and bottom centre: Maggie Gyllenhaal

Calling all fashion junkies! If you haven’t done so already, then get yourself a jumpsuit pronto: fashion editors everywhere are predicting it to be the biggest style statement of 2009, even taking over from the LBD and trouser suit. With its glamorous, Studio 54 era vibe, not to mention the endorsement of style icons Fearne Cotton, Rachel Weiz and the kookily glam Maggie Gyllenhaal, it’s a case of jump to it or risk total fashion exclusion.

Check out our wide-leg camisole top jumpsuit, a look that's a more moderate, daywear take on Maggie Gyllenhaal's flared catsuit (see picture). For an exotic oriental take, see our dove-grey satin jumpsuit with mandarin collar and sash tie– a fashion forward NYE look if ever we saw one – and for an on trend choice that’s also kind to the environment, our strapless black recycled silk jumpsuit with too-cool-for-school harem trouser legs (the shape of the new season)is the ticket.

                                 

                                                                                                       

 

Cowboy Boots Comeback!

From left: Marilyn Monroe @ Rex Features; Cowboy boots The Warehouse way; Brooke Shields @ Rex Features; Fearne Cotton @ Rex Features

'Cowboy boots: cool' is a divided subject. Fashion editors aplenty insist that cowboy boots on anyone other than a genuine rancher, are a great big NO.

They have a point: think of them as ‘fashion items’ and you get Mischa Barton between stylists, Madonna, Britney, Joss Stone et al having a country moment in hotpants and tasselled bras - fine on stage, but to traipse down high street in, uh-uhh, no way sister!

Thing is, they made a few surprise appearances on the spring/summer 09 catwalks, and we must concede that they really do look great when worn in the right, early Brooke Shields kinda way. That being (in our opinion - it is subjective after all) with respect for their origins and so kept casual with jeans, a cute shirt, tomboyish styling and a wholesome fresh face. The notable exception is, of course, Marilyn Monroe, who pulls off the cowboy boot and high waist hotpant look as only the greatest pinup of all time can.   

         

 

 

The office Christmas party: Do's & Don'ts

If ever there was a social dilemma, it’s the office Christmas party. It's occasion for you to see your boss as a human, to feign friendship with the girl that's had it in for you from the start and to generally strike that delicate balance of knowing how to have a good time without overdoing it. Trouble is, inhibitions tend to fly out the window in direct correlation to the flow of liquor. But fear not, we've enlisted the wisdom of seasoned reveller, Grazia's Stefan Lindemann, to guide you through the quicksand.

Do’s:

1. Do show up. It’s the courteous thing to do and good manners are always in vogue.
2. Do dress to feel your best. The nature of the event/venue will dictate how far you push it – that new taffeta mini dress you so love ‘ain’t going to fit in down the dogs, but for cocktails or dinner and dancing, it’s on the money. 
3. Do talk to your colleagues about life outside of work. You’re bound to have some common interest and it’ll keep you from sinking into wine fuelled work bitchery.
4. Do compliment your boss and colleagues’ appearances. Keep to specifics though, such as how they’ve done their hair or their totally covetable new shoe-boots / tuxedo jacket. ‘You look amazing’, might trip glibly off the tongue as you sink that 2^nd glass of champagne, but it won’t necessarily sound genuine.
5. Do have a sense of humour. Themed dress codes and group activities will usually become quite enjoyable if you realise you’re all in it together and can laugh at yourself. 
   

Stefan's top party looks: Neck-tie jacket; Armoury dress; chunky shoe-boot; sequin scarf; Moir dress.

Don'ts:

1. Don’t ignore the food. Even if the majority of the budget has been spent on pre-dinner fizz, and the food is forgettable, eat up. See the warning note below*
2. Don’t reveal too much, be it flesh or feeling. Buttock grazing skirts and plunge-to-the-waist necklines scream wardrobe malfunction quicker than you can say Britney Spears. While 'fessing up to anything you'd automatically keep schtum over when sober, is a BAD, BAD move.
3. Don’t lose track of your belongings. Mislaying your new season bow-tie coat, clutch bag with keys, phone etc greatly improves your chances of waking up in the wrong place the next day. Also see warning note below*.
4. Don’t spend the whole night in girly cliques in the loo. You might be innocently reapplying your makeup, but it’ll look like you’re gossiping - or worse.
5. Don’t forget to have fun. A sequinned dress being a surefire way to get you in the mood.  

 

More party pleasers: longerline tux jacket; waistcoat tulip dress; Emerald dress; Moc croc clutch.