Dresses. Pretty, pretty dresses.

Well you all seemed quite interested in my off-topic, "I don't understand clothes" post the other day.

I nearly had to post a follow-up. My boyfriend got me a ticket to a summer ball that they're having at his university, and my first thought was "oh god, what am I going to wear?!"

But actually, I got really lucky. I was feeling a bit rubbish yesterday so decided to head into the city to clear my head and get some fresh air... and I came home with a dress. It's really pretty, and it was only £20! (And it's got the boyfriend's approval, so it's nice to know I won't look like a fool...)

I'm not one to put photos of myself up all over the place, but I might make an exception, because I'm really excited about it. And I'm kind of proud of myself for solving this dilemma all by myself. Normally I drag my mum out... or rather, she drags me out and I get stressed because I can't find anything I like, or I feel really fat in everything, or they don't have the right size, or.... well, you get the picture. I'm not good at buying dresses, let's put it that way.

I will probably need some clothes advice soon though. I'm starting a work experience placement at a literary agency in London on Monday, and have NO idea what to wear. It's complicated by the fact that there's a party in the evening... Ugh. I'm really excited about it though. I'd done quite a lot of work in literary agencies last year, and so it'll be nice to get back into the office, you know?

All that aside, this is my pretty dress. Isn't it lovely.

(Apologies for the bad-quality photo. My housemate took it for me on my phone. That's a comment on my phone's quality as a camera, rather than my housemate's quality as a photographer, by the way...)

(Also, apologies for my horrendously smelly slippers that are trying to get in on the action. They're not the prettiest things in the world, are they.)

Off-topic

This post has nothing to do with books, publishing, or anything else literature-related. Just sayin'.

...And on with the show.

I have a good friend, who I've known since secondary school, who told me at the start of the year that this would be the year she would reinvent herself. I asked her what she meant, and she said that she needed a new look. Now, at the time I was slightly puzzled by this. I didn't see anything wrong with her old look. But recently, I'm starting to get it.

You know that feeling when you get up in the morning and you feel like you've got nothing to wear? Well that's how I'm feeling at the minute. Except it's pretty much every day that I'll be feeling like this. I'm not a vain person, really. I don't spend hours planning my outfits and then hours getting ready. But I like to look good, you know?

I should mention that I'm also not, uh, the most fashion-savvy person in the world. My sister, well, I think she got the fashion genes. Or jeans, if you will. (Haha, Emily you're so funny. Yeah, I know. Thanks guys!)

ANYWAY. Essentially I'm at a stage in my life where I feel like I want to give my look a major overlook. By which I mean my wardrobe, not the rest of me. I'm just coming to the end of university, and since I've been here my wardrobe has consisted mainly of hoodies and the thickest jumpers I can find. Jeans that may or may not fit properly. And, er, that's about it. I don't know how to layer my clothes so that they look good, and I don't know how to accessorise properly. I own like, two belts (er, and a couple that don't fit me, and should probably be thrown away..!). I don't have any 'fashion jewellery'. My wardrobe is, in a word, boring.

Now, bearing in mind that I don't have much money at the minute, what do you think would be a good starting point with my wardrobe? I'm thinking maybe some cute accessories. Some jewellery, maybe. Long necklaces and bracelets, I always think they look cute - on other people, but not me, for some reason. I dunno. I should also probably go through and throw out anything that doesn't fit and/or I haven't worn for over a year...

And if you guys have any tips... I'd be thrilled. This fashion-challenged chica needs all the help she can get!