The Model and Me: Moonlight Bird autumn-winter 2018

Many of the style questions which get asked in our Everyday Style Facebook group (sign up to join here if you’re not already a member) are all about what to wear to an event or occasion … when that occasion or event is in the very near future.

This can be one of the most tricky of outfit situations you might find yourself in. Most of us don’t have a need to dress up on a regular basis, so we don’t have a wardrobe section filled with cocktail or formal wear. It can also be a style of dressing which doesn’t feel quite right on us. And that’s ok. That’s because it’s not a regular occurrence. 

I now have a selection of timeless occasion wear pieces in my wardrobe because for many years I would be caught out by an event invitation. I would find myself panic-buying for an event and settling for something that wasn’t quite right because I had little time to find something that was right.

I love that one of Birdsnest’s labels – Moonlight Bird – is now addressing this with a collection of fashionable occasion garments that is timeless and with prices that are affordable.

I’m featuring just one of my favourites from the Moonlight Bird autumn-winter 2018 collection.

The model

Moonlight Bird Suzette dress 

and me

Moonlight Bird dress (I’m in size 14) | Miss Monogram clutch | FRANKiE4 Footwear ALANA

Miss Monogram pouch

You know me … I’ve never met an off-the-shoulder anything that I didn’t love. When it comes in the shape of a stylish, yet comfortable, cocktail frock, then it’s love.

This Moonlight Bird dress works equally as well for a date night as a cocktail event. The spaghetti straps are adjustable – I do love this as it means I can decide how much of the arm is covered. 

The ruffled yoke is a flattering element as it helps to create the illusion of a high-waist because it falls to just under the bust. 

Comfort plus style is assured as the lined, polyester-elastane fabric creates shape but also skims the bits we like to skim. And, because of the stretch, you can breathe when you sit down. The soft lace overlay creates just the right amount of embellishment for an evening outfit.

Work this back with black or metallic accessories or mix things up a little by adding blush accessories. The ALANA FRANKiE4 heels are party faves of mine … they look great and I can stand up in them all night. Adding a Miss Monogram pouch is ALWAYS a good idea. If you look closely, mine has SY embossed on it in rose gold.

So, tell me, do you have any events or occasions coming up? Struggle to know what to wear?

* These pieces were gifted to me for editorial consideration. Full disclosure policy here. 

Let me help you create an autumn-winter 2018 wardrobe that works for you

Do you look at the new-season clothes in store and online and wonder what to buy and how to make any purchases work with your existing wardrobe?

My Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe program will help. We’ll give you a clear road map for planning your outfits for the season ahead.

For some, clothes might seem a superficial path to confidence but for the women in the Styling You community, we understand what we wear can affect us on a deeper level. Sometimes clothes might be an armour or a motivational pick-me-up. I know they can be for me.

I work from home – ducking out for meetings during the day – so, in theory, I don’t need to dress up for my job. I learned, however, that the days I did make a bit of an effort were the days that I was more productive. It’s like pulling on a “confidence” uniform to get sh&*t done. Does that work for you too?

So, now I plan out my outfits in advance and I show the women in the Styling You community through my Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe online style programs how to do that too. I show my “Capsulers” how to create a wardrobe that works for them and how to shop mindfully for any new additions. It’s not about me setting strict rules, it’s about providing guidelines for you to create looks that work for your personality and lifestyle. You know my thoughts on style rules, don’t you? Forget them and make your own. It would be very boring if we all dressed the same.

I get to really know more about the women in this fantastic community through these programs and they get to know and support each other in a way that is rarely seen on the Internet these days. Amen to the sisterhood, I say.

Registration for our autumn-winter 2018 Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe opens on Wednesday, April 18. Make sure you’re on our email list to be first in the know. Capsulers get priority access to the seasonal Styling You Shop edit, which will publicly launch on Thursday, April 19.