Whether you're looking for a chic day look, or wanting to party the night away in something super stylish, the LBD (or Little Black Dress) is a wardrobe stable we are all familiar with! However it's easy to run out of ideas on how to breathe new life into that trusty little black dress, which is why I'm here to help!!

What sets one outfit apart from another is down to clever styling, and I was over the moon when Menarys/Tempest invited me over to raid their extensive array of accessories, giving me the perfect chance to share some of my secret styling tips on how to style the iconic "Little Black Dress"!

Menarys/Tempest at Bangor has been one of my secret shopping destinations for many years now, when I'm on the hunt for something a little different I always head straight down to see what I can pick up! Offering a broad range of brands that span across a massive age demographic, they are every fashionista's "Best kept secret!" and stock many accessory brands you won't find elsewhere in Northern Ireland! From covetable handbags, to jewellery, hats, scarves, etc. they have it all covered! (I still have my beloved tweed cap I bought from the Bangor branch many years ago after seeing one similar in The Devil Wears Prada!)

First on the cards was to hit the store floor to find a cute and sassy "Little Black Dress", and it wasn't long until I spotted a chic and stylish version from brand "First and I". With a sparkly finish to the fabric, it's high neckline and body con look gave it a modern feel, but with a hint of retro too! Even better was the fact it was in the sale, a total steal at only £15!!!!

Look One: Chic Daytime!

This look is all about interesting texture and perfectly co-ordinating your accessories. Combining faux fur and wool gives a cosy, luxe feel to the look, while the snakeskin finish of the handbag adds a further focal point to the ensemble! This look is all about co-ordination, with the colour palette of the cape drawing all the pieces together, and the shooting star brooch giving added sparkle to the outfit!



I couldn't believe it when I spotted this Max & Enjoy grey embossed snakeskin tote, as it has all the look of a high end handbag for a fraction of the cost! For anyone who is into their designer arm candy, you will instantly see design nods to the Givenchy Antigona, in the shape and styling of the bag and it's handles, it's perfect for anyone wanting to recreate the look!


Look Two: Evening Girl About Town Look!

For this look I wanted it to be ALL about the dress! This LBD from First and I is super chic, so accessories wise I opted for pieces that would compliment the dress rather than overpower it.

The rainbow hues and geometric feel to this Buckingham necklace and matching bracelet provided a welcome pop of colour to the look, while the Guess clutch perfectly complemented the sparkle in the dress, creating a simple but high impact evening look!



Look Three: Fun and Girly!

This is a look which anyone can totally rock, and is perfect for a casual lunch or evening drinks! I love finding pieces which are really different, and I instantly fell in love with this super cute apple handbag by Ollie & Nic! Sometimes novelty handbags can be a little too quirky for my taste, but this beautifully made wicker apple bag is both cute & stylish and just like Snow White I couldn't resist!


I then carried though the red in this amazing oversized scarf by Kamia, which like so many of the accessories in Menarys/Tempest is exclusive to them in NI! I loved the versatility of this piece, as the oversized nature of the scarf means it can be worn multiple ways, plus it's reversible too giving you two looks in one!



It's amazing the difference a few accessories can make, and with a store like Menarys/Tempest, you really are spoiled for choice! I love the fact that they stock so many lesser known brands too, as you really feel like you're getting something really special and exclusive! In world full of Michael Kors, I love how I can discover new brands and come home with something that will really stand out from the crowd!

I hope you've enjoyed this post and each of the looks I've created, it was soooo much fun raiding the accessories department at Menarys/Tempest for the shoot and I can't wait to head back in store to pick up a few new pieces for myself too! (What can I say, I just can't resist a gorgeous handbag!)

Menarys/Tempest have stores province wide, to keep up to date with their latest offers check out their Website or social media: Facebook & Twitter!


A massive thank you to Keith Mitchell at Menarys/Tempest for all his help and to Adrian Quinn for all the amazing photography!