It’s been quite a while since my last beach holiday. I’m not much of a sun, sea and sand girl – I prefer the smog, smoke and, er, sweat of the city. Alliteration aside (ha), my last few trips have involved more skyscrapers than sunbathers.
When TK Maxx challenged me to find a holiday outfit for under £100, I immediately panicked at the thought of appearing on the blog in a bikini. But then I realised that summer holidays don’t always involve two weeks on a beach reading the Spanish version of OK Magazine – city breaks are just as popular and much easier to dress for. Phew!
Dress, straw bag, belt and brogues, all c/o TK Maxx
So I headed off to my favourite TK Maxx store – Crown Point Leeds – in search of bargains. I’m not shy about my adoration of TK Maxx – it’s one of my absolute favourite places to shop and I never come away empty-handed.
Watch, c/o Daniel Wellington | Rings, various
After a quick rifle through the rails I came across this beautiful embroidered dress. Black is one of my favourite summer colours – it looks so good with a tan, which I’m clearly demonstrating with my lily-white legs (they are actually quite tanned but I was standing in direct sunlight!). This pretty piece was £39.99 down from £70 and is the perfect relaxed fit. It’s also made of a crinkled cotton, which means you can scrunch it up in your suitcase without worrying about creases. The care label actually advises you DO NOT iron – amazing.
Black and tan is a classic summer colour combo, so with my LBD in the bag I went on the hunt for tan accessories. I do often struggle with shoes in TK Maxx – I’m a size 8 and the selection for big-footed ladies (holler at me) isn’t always as great as it is for you neat little size 5s. But luck was on my side, and I found these beautiful leather brogues for £29.99 down from £69.99. Comfortable shoes are a must for city summers and these have padded insoles – great for exploring on foot.
Last stop was accessories – a plaited tan belt to nip in my waist (£5.99) and a cute straw shopper to add a beachy vibe to my city outfit (£10). A full summer in the city look for £85.97 – done! #Summer4Keeps
What would you wear for a summer city break?
Great shots! I love the dress against the flower! 🙂
http://www.theemeralddove21.blogspot.com
Your lipstick and your hair match so well together!
I love this summer in the city outfit! Followed!
Could you please check out my fashion blog – http://fashionandartworld.blogspot.co.uk/?=m
xo
love daniel wellington!
http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/xen-tan-dark-lotion.html
You look fabulous, love the dress and bag combo!
P.S i’m hosting a giveaway atm you may be interested in 🙂
Those shoes are gorgeous ! Tk maxx is fab at the moment 🙂 x
http://theressomethingaboutalice.blogspot.co.uk
Cute outfit, love the bag! xx
fashiontatt.blogspot.com
love the DW watch, I have it too! and the dress looks wonderful ♥
Those brogues were such an amazing fund Jen!
Sophie
X
This is so gorgeous! I’m obsessed with your shoes and watch xo
You are one of those people I envy who can find something in TK Maxx. I go blind in there and can’t see through the rails of stuff for anything I like so I just don’t bother anymore. This weekend I will try again 🙂
Gorgeous Jen!
Love the color of bag.
Cute shots in the sunshine, love the dress.
Lauren
livinginaboxx
bloglovin
I wear a size 8 or 9 shoe and I totally agree with you on TK Maxx. Don’t you find that whoever labels the shoes is totally inept too? They label US 8s as UK ones and put their own UK8/EU42 labels on shoes marker 41. Gah!
I love the outfit. Also – thanks for mentioning where this TK Maxx is, I do like getting the bargains from there, but I cannot STAND the one in the centre of Leeds. It’s jammed packed with people, everything is all cluttered together and it has those stupid mini escalators, oohh, those escalators make me mad. Maybe crown point is better!
Corinne x
http://www.skinnedcartree.com
Amazing look, Love your style!
XX
Great post !
that bag is so nice , i am obsessed with this colour at the minute.
beautiesunlocked.blogspot.co.uk
Lx
What a lovely summer outfit, especially now we have the perfect weather for it! You look wonderful!
Xx
http://www.heroineinheels.com
real fashion this work, thanks for sharing