There’s a distinctly nautical flavour to Dents’ Spring / Summer Collections… I can almost taste those sea breezes from here

Laura, in design, has just handed me the tiniest, sparkliest dress I have ever seen and told me to wear it for the Christmas party!

Christmas and party are two words that I really don’t want to think about yet.  Christmas, I thought, was weeks and weeks away.  Apparently not, some people in the office have bought and wrapped everything!  Don’t get me wrong, I love it when it’s upon us, twinkly lights, mulled wine, reindeer shaped chocolate and lots of smiley faces. but I’m not ready to tackle it yet.  And party, well that just means a lack of any food unless it resembles something a rabbit might eat until I’ve struggled into The Dress!  It’s heaps of carbohydrates I need to produce a Merry Christmas, not carrots!

Perhaps the answer is to carry a huge bag as a cover up, isn’t that what Kate Moss does to look even smaller?

This one would be a perfect size…

 

but let’s be sensible, these treasures are far too gorgeous to leave in the wardrobe!  With such a cute selection I may need to go out more…

 

…coming soon!

We’re now on the home straight, hurtling towards the summer holidays.  Hoping for long lazy days on Cornish beaches, sailing, surfing, Pimms and relaxing balmy evenings.  Well, we’re certainly hurtling towards the holidays but the reality will be Cornish beaches, in the rain, sailing, in the rain, surfing in the rain, Pimms, lots of it, under a brolly and long, long, evenings drying soaking wet kit and arguing about who’s cheating at Monopoly!  Just as we’re about to surrender and pack up a leaky tent, we’ll have two days of glorious sunshine, litres and litres of ice cream and we’ll all agree that it’s been the best camping holiday yet! Luckily I have all the survival equipment I need thanks to Dents. (And Cadburys!) Beach bags, sarongs, sun hats, rain hats, gloves and even a raincoat from our Factory Shop. The bags are great for the beach or for browsing around the local farmers market.  Tough but glamorous! In preparation for the latter I felt a short trip to London was required in order to indulge in another quintessential British pastime, Afternoon Tea at The Ritz. What a very lovely afternoon, gossiping, juggling ornate silver pots of tea, gulping peachy pink champagne (forget cloudy lemonade!), divine cakes and tiny sandwiches. I had a whole family to dress that day, dresses, killer heels and bags, bags, bags. Festooned with petals from head to toe. I’m ready for anything now!

Glastonbury fever, only 32 days to go… Oh, what to wear?

Did everyone know that we are only just down the road from Glastonbury? In fact many of you will come within half a mile of our factory shop – good news, as I for one cannot wait to start pulling together my festival look, and this season it’s all about the 70’s.

With bold patterns mixed with ditzy florals, retro shades, crochet tops and denim shorts, it all seems a bit of a mis-match, which is how I’m justifying throwing all my favourite pieces from the Dents collection together.

After much deliberation I have settled of this fab hat to cover my unruly hair…

teaming it with this cute little duffel handbag,  and with only four days to pay-day : ) …

I also have my eye on this little clutch. Naughty, I know, but with the legendary Paul Simon and U2 there, I feel like I should make the effort.

So, hey, the sun is out (well today anyway), and the heat is on, so I’m daring to bare in style.

Kelly -x-

If you are a fan of Instyle you may have spotted our fabulous nautical stripe bag in this month’s issue (June 2011). It sits alongside Paul Smith sunnies and Kurt Geiger shoes to re-create the Moschino SS2011 catwalk look, but we here at Dents think that it is so much more versatile… As anyone who even vaguely keeps up with fashion will have noticed, stripes are BIG this season. Whether they are wide or thin, horizontal or vertical, or even multicoloured or nautical, they are the one thing that is an absolute must for the fashion forward right now. If you work the Fendi look, or dream of Dior, then you will have no problems fitting this piece into your wardrobe. The more tailored cowboy & indian inspired looks of Hermes & Gucci also have a place for this with its chic tan trim. However, if you are more of a toned-down-classic Stella McCartney/Calvin Klein type or a girly Goddess like D&G, then you will probably be wondering if there is a place in your wardrobe for more pattern or detail… If so, then never fear, your Dents fashion guide is here!!

Dents multi coloured driving gloves 7-9041

We recommend these beautiful striped leather driving gloves, as featured recently on Gok’s Fashion Fix (available at Selfridges soon and our online shop now)… …and this handy metallic striped leather clutch bag which could double as an extra large purse – if you, like me, have far too much to fit into a regular sized one. It could be that perfect piece you’ve been looking for. Keep it inside your Nautical Tote during the day and simply drop your phone and lippy inside and you are ready to go in the evening. All in all, I know what I will be wearing this season, and you’ll be able to spot me sometime soon in Bath wearing my favourite stripe of the moment… Prizes for anyone who can pick me out of the crowd?!! Nautical bag available at stores nationwide this season… Also available in this lovely satchel shape, online too…

Well, this month it’s all about food, chocolate, chocolate and more CHOCOLATE!  Lovely! It’s nearly Easter and Bettys does Easter better than anyone we know.  Luxurious, indulgent, simply delicious, handcrafted eggs, beautifully decorated.  The kind you eat in the utility room, so you don’t have to share with the children! This is such an uplifting, inspiring time of year, daffodils, lambs, fluffy bunnies, and of course a new wardrobe. Always time for  a new bag, a huge, easy, fun tote in tomato red  (20-1310 ). A pretty modern bow bag in rose pink. The start of a fresh outdoor mood, lazy picnics and Summer holidays to follow…

Yay! Finally we are emerging from the cold, dark winter months, into glorious Springtime! The daffodils are growing nicely in the garden, and the blossom is beginning to bud on my apple tree. Surely it’s time to update and rejuvenate my wardrobe with a little Spring colour?

So it is out with the black and grey, and in with the fabulous colour palettes for Spring! For us the three big trends have been:

Neutral Nudes and Toffee tones Bright blues of all shades – including sparkling turquoise Azure and deep Marine blue Sugared almond shades of Lavender and the palest of pinks

Looking thorough our online shop, I am tempted…

I adore the patent snakeskin Azure tote 20-1307 – so useful for work! But then the geometric laser cut out detail Nude tote of 20-1309 is equally fabulous.

My definite favourite is the studded clutch 20-1294. I so want this bag!

And I had made my mind up to buy the Nude… but I have just seen the dramatic Black version. Oh bother – maybe if I make a list (it may be quite extensive at this rate) then maybe I could have them all for my birthday!?!

And this is all before I have even had a chance to look at the leather handbags page!

Move away from the mouse Laura……

Laura x

A Spring update from Adele, our handbag designer…

key baby satchel in divine azure, rose, toffee and black

 

Gold piped studded statement scoop

Stripey stripes, essential transition pieces

At last!  The sun is shining, snowdrops are fighting their way through the solid ground and we are finally, tentatively, emerging from  our thick winter coats to embrace the rays.  Hopefully this is not just a cruel trick of nature, and it won’t be snowing again next week!

The stores are full of Spring, Spring, Spring and here in design we are getting ready to shop.  We’re like magpies drawn to sparkly treasures, longing to own airy whites, peachy nudes, neon brights, stripes, sequins, buttery soft leathers, bows, beauty, optimism, romance and glamour…

We’re starting with the details at Dents.  Bags to love…

A soft slouchy scoop with a doubly fabulous heart clasp detail, in delicious toffee, white, dove and black. 

Our signature handbag.  Elegant, understated, so on trend this spring, with multi pockets and zips to organise all the little things that don’t always stay in our heads!  Beautiful colours, toffee, buttermilk, white, navy, berry and black. 

And to coordinate, our useful north/ south tote. With sweet grab handles, and a long across the body strap, in toffee, navy, berry and black, perfect for work and weekends.

Stripey stripes, essential transition pieces to brighten our days.  Very chic, in berry, navy and black.  

 

Spring wouldn’t be spring without some quirky quilting.  Embellished with bows, oversized frames and chains, or simple, zipped sophistication.  Black with white, coffee with cream and white with black.  Just lovely. 

Key pieces to buy now and wear all season, take your pick!

 

So tell me, have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? I still have loads to do – Christmas really seems to have snuck up on me again this year (which is a really daft thing to say… because it’s the same date… every year)!  Must do better next year (there’s my New Year’s Resolution sorted)!

 It’s so difficult trying to find that great present that each person really wants to receive (and I have discovered that smellies* just don’t cut it anymore)!  Thankfully I have a little trick up my sleeve with the Dents online shop.  So, that’s the family sorted… phew! Take a look yourself and you’ll find all your stresses melting away.

 Now don’t forget it’s also the Christmas party season! A perfect excuse for every lady  (and gentleman) to purchase a new outfit (or two) for the festive season. Or you may be keeping withthe classic LBD from last winter.  In which case the easiest way to update it is with a new pair of shoes and a gorgeous bag. I have personally narrowed down your difficult decision to 3 fabulous options:

One – the cute and sparkly sequin number – surprisingly big enough for your all your party needs. It will still be sparkling long after midnight.

Two – the delightful rich jewel coloured taffeta clutch will brighten any party outfit and is roomy enough for all of the essentials.

Three – the stunningly cute, classy clutch in the winter 2010 fabric of choice – velvet. So rich and luxurious, you cannot fail to impress your companions with this little clutch.

Quickly now, hurry off to your nearest Dents stockist, before these all sell out!

Have a great Christmas,

Laura x

*For our overseas readers… this is a British alternative for bath oils and perfume: )

The items featured are available at Dents stockists everywhere…more casual handbag stylesare available at our online shop.