White 1940s-Style Vintage Dress and Lots of Red Tassels #iwillwearwhatilike

White cotton vintage summer dress outfit | red tassel earrings yellow ochre hobo bag pom pom and tassel boho sandals white retro sunglasses snakeskin belt | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

Well would you believe it – it’s the August bank holiday weekend and we’ve had glorious weather in Blighty… that’s practically unheard of. And what better way to celebrate heat and sunshine than with a white summer dress?

This dress is a vintage beauty I bought from eBay many years ago – it has been worn on the blog before but it was so long ago I can’t find when I last featured it. However if you want a giggle have a look at the FIRST time I featured it… I’d been blogging less than a month and all you got in those days was one picture. I guess that’s all I had time for seeing as I had a 9-5 at the time (as well as the fact that I didn’t know what I was doing… Oh, such innocent times)!

So it’s vintage and probably 1970s or 80s, but when the top button is done up (I don’t think I’ve ever worn it that way before) it definitely looks 1940s – I think it’s the little puff sleeves and Peter Pan collar that does it (this vintage one on Etsy is very similar). It’s just summer dressing at its best, and who doesn’t want to wear a white summer dress when the heat is on? They’re second only to yellow sun dresses IMO…!

What really dressed up this outfit, however, was the abundance of red tassels. Tassels have been EVERYWHERE this summer, and yes I know these these red tassel earrings have been everywhere… I’m almost a bit sick of looking at them on Instagram myself, to be honest.

But – and it’s a big but – the only place I’ve seen them worn is in the blogosphere (I’ve included bloggers wearing them IRL at events I’ve been to this summer).

White cotton vintage summer dress outfit | red tassel earrings yellow ochre hobo bag pom pom and tassel boho sandals white retro sunglasses snakeskin belt | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

SHOP THE LOOK:

 

No one around where I live has worn them. No one I know personally has ever even seen them. So I figured that as I DO love them, why not wear them anyway? My weekly outfit link up is called #iwillwearwhatilike, after all… Why shouldn’t that include pieces or accessories that have been worn to death by everyone else – I’d be contradicting myself if I thought we shouldn’t wear things for that reason.

MY WEEKLY OUTFIT LINK UP IS CALLED #IWILLWEARWHATILIKE, AFTER ALL… WHY SHOULDN’T THAT INCLUDE PIECES OR ACCESSORIES THAT HAVE BEEN WORN TO DEATH BY EVERYONE ELSE?

So clichéd red tassel earrings (US) it was, and it made sense to wear the pom pom and tassel sandals I wore with my green Seasalt dress in June… which are unfortunately now out of stock, but available in pink, or you can go for some similar flat versions or some strappy pom pom heels instead. All great alternatives that will brighten any plain dress.

Some of you may have seen my post last Friday where I spoke about how I fake confidence and how my leg injury is back again (what joy!) – luckily I didn’t have to do much walking in this outfit, but I did try the trick I discovered back in May to ease the stress on my legs and feet. Back then I talked about how to make heels more comfortable – one of the tips I gave was to wear Airpufs sole inserts which make SUCH a difference.

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Airpufs are offering free international shipping till the end of September with the code FREESHIP17, so don’t miss out on seeing how comfy you could make your heels!

I’ve had fun looking for white (vintage) dresses this week as alternatives for you – in my search I found the MOST beautiful 1940s-style white Dolce & Gabbana dress. I hope you’re sitting down: It’s a mere snip at over £2,000.

But oh, what a beauty… A girl can dream!

Not Dressed As Lamb - CLICK HERE to receive posts by email

 

DO YOU GET A LOT OF WEAR OUT OF ANY VINTAGE PIECES YOU’VE OWNED FOR YEARS? OR HAVE YOU ACQUIRED/INHERITED ANY AMAZING VINTAGE PIECES RECENTLY? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS OR TWEET ME @NOTLAMB!

White cotton vintage summer dress outfit | red tassel earrings yellow ochre hobo bag pom pom and tassel boho sandals white retro sunglasses snakeskin belt | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
White cotton vintage summer dress outfit | red tassel earrings yellow ochre hobo bag pom pom and tassel boho sandals white retro sunglasses snakeskin belt | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
White cotton vintage summer dress outfit | red tassel earrings yellow ochre hobo bag pom pom and tassel boho sandals white retro sunglasses snakeskin belt | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
White cotton vintage summer dress outfit | red tassel earrings yellow ochre hobo bag pom pom and tassel boho sandals white retro sunglasses snakeskin belt | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
White cotton vintage summer dress outfit | red tassel earrings yellow ochre hobo bag pom pom and tassel boho sandals white retro sunglasses snakeskin belt | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
White cotton vintage summer dress outfit | red tassel earrings yellow ochre hobo bag pom pom and tassel boho sandals white retro sunglasses snakeskin belt | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
White cotton vintage summer dress outfit | red tassel earrings yellow ochre hobo bag pom pom and tassel boho sandals white retro sunglasses snakeskin belt | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

Dress: Vintage (love this one, this one and this one)
Shoes: Dorothy Perkins (still available in pink or similar flats)
Bag: Marks & Spencer (similar)
Belt: Old
Sunglasses: Old (love these: save / splurge)
Earrings: Amazon (available here / US link)

 

OTHER CURRENT WHITE MIDI DRESSES TO TRY:

 

 

WHITE VINTAGE DRESSES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

 

 

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The #iwillwearwhatilike link up with Not Dressed As Lamb
Thank you for joining the #iwillwearwhatilike link up! This started as a campaign on Instagram in August 2015 where women over 30 wore everything on a journalist’s list of “inappropriate” items for 30+ women (including leopard print, short dresses and oversized sunglasses. Yes, really). It was so popular that I decided to carry it on weekly where women of all ages link up their fabulous style, never mind what anyone tells them not to wear!

The link up goes live every Monday at 3pm UK time and will stay open for a week. Whilst the original article was of course aimed at the 30+, you can be ANY age to link up. The only criteria is that you’re wearing whatever you damn well like!

An InLinkz Link-up


Linking up etiquette…

CLICK HERE to read the rules of linking up (and to grab the #iwillwearwhatilike button). Basically it’s just good manners to link back to here – to leave a comment is even nicer!

Featured favourites

Fashion bloggers who believe in #iwillwearwhatilike

My favourite outfits from last week’s link up (denim FTW this week!):

(L-R) The Sequinist | The Style Cheapskate | Lazy Daisy Jones

To get yourself featured next week, make sure you’ve included a link back to Not Dressed As Lamb or my button in your post/sidebar!

 

DO SHARE THE LOVE AND VISIT AS MANY LINKS AS YOU CAN (YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT OTHER LOVELY LIKE-MINDED LADIES YOU MIGHT MEET) – THE ORIGINAL INSTAGRAM CAMPAIGN FORGED SOME WONDERFUL NEW FRIENDSHIPS SO DON’T MISS OUT!

Catherine

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P.S. DO CHECK OUT MY PINTEREST BOARD WITH ALL THE BEST OF THE #IWILLWEARWHATILIKE LINK UPS – HAVE YOU BEEN PINNED…?

Linking up to: iwillwearwhatilikeShoe and TellVisible MondayFake It Until You Make ItTurning Heads TuesdayBrilliant Blog Posts, Fun Fashion Friday, Passion for Fashion FridaySaturday Share Link Up

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White cotton vintage summer dress outfit | red tassel earrings yellow ochre hobo bag pom pom and tassel boho sandals white retro sunglasses snakeskin belt | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

26 Comments

  1. 2 September 2017 / 6:19 am

    That dress is super cute. I would wear it. I think the belt works really well. I had shirts like this (I think it was the 90's). I should never throw these things out – I often regret it at some point. I just need a bigger wardrobe, that's all! Love you blog x #SaturdayShareLinkUp

  2. 30 August 2017 / 9:14 pm

    You are so right – a white dress definitely says summer. This vintage one is a beauty. Thanks for the linkup, Catherine.

  3. 30 August 2017 / 5:36 pm

    Catherine
    (huge gasp!)
    …thank you for featuring me, I am very honoured to see my pic up there with the big girl bloggers!
    Re Earings even if we have seen them before no-one has your style or can wear them like you (nuff said)
    thanks again girlfriend
    mwah mwah xxxxxxxx

  4. 30 August 2017 / 11:19 am

    What a lovely and versatile dress, the "retro" post look is cute too! I just ordered my first denim shirt in aaaaages, curious to see if I can style it out! I adore the tassel sandals, I fully admit I have not braved the tassel earrings yet, I was toying with picking up a pair for my Florida trip because I dress much more colourfully when I'm there 🙂

  5. 29 August 2017 / 1:36 pm

    The tassels look amazing with the white dress! I've got a bit of a thing for tassel earrings at the moment but I don't have any red ones…yet! I may have to do a bit of earring shopping 😉 We both started blogging in August 2011 and my posts were one photo and one paragraph too. Publishing that first post was so daunting!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

  6. 29 August 2017 / 1:32 pm

    I love this white dress, especially styled with those adorable tassel sandals! Gorgeous!!

  7. 29 August 2017 / 1:03 pm

    Such a fabulous vintage dress!

  8. 29 August 2017 / 10:25 am

    I love it all!!

  9. 29 August 2017 / 9:04 am

    Oh be still my heart…This dress is just divine & so are you wearing it to perfection Catherine!
    I adore your styling, the bright pom poms bring it up to date whilst letting the detail of the dress speak for itself. Gorgeous make up too my love, such a beauty you are xx

  10. 29 August 2017 / 8:56 am

    That dress is gorgeous, Catherine. I'm a huge fan of the styles between the 1920s and 1950s so this is spot on for me! I also thought the first time you wore it on the blog was so cute too! I love that backdrop 😉
    Suzy x
    Suzy Turner at Yogadocious

  11. 29 August 2017 / 7:09 am

    That's a stunner of a dress Catherine! You can't beat a bit of vintage. I actually am without a nice white dress at the moment, you're inspiring me to continue the search. I love the tassels. You're so right about some trends being blogger only. Wear what you like I say! X

  12. 29 August 2017 / 7:08 am

    Love your white dress , it does have a really vintage look. Your tassel sandals and earrings add a touch of Mexico .Thank you for hosting.

  13. 28 August 2017 / 8:50 pm

    You look ready to hit the streets of Saint Tropez in this breezy white dress, dearest Catherine!! And I totally agree about the red tassel earrings…if they speak to you, then wear them!! I often find my own personal style a little at odds with what's trending – I'm loving minimalist jewelry just when "statement" pieces are starting to come back, for example – but that's the beauty of making a look your own, right?? That's not to say that I haven't worn my own (black) tassel earrings a few times recently!! ;D P.S. I'm so sorry to hear about that old leg injury that continues to haunt you…having been through something similar with my DVT, I can truly sympathize. XOXO

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com

  14. 28 August 2017 / 6:13 pm

    White summer dresses are a "forever phenomenon" in my view. I honestly think you can still style this exactly as you did in the old post. Especially if you added couple of iron on, embroidered, red rose patches to the chambray/denim shirt!
    Your tasseled shoes and earrings are the perfect update. You are looking really lovely then and now!

  15. 28 August 2017 / 5:35 pm

    Wow Catherine – I think you look absolutely stunning inn the picture of the first time you styled it. How fun to be styling it so differently now though!
    xxx
    http://www.funkyforty.com

  16. 28 August 2017 / 4:11 pm

    Fabulous dress! Last year it was a Sunny day too! Because I was in the New Forrest then and all people could talk about was the fact that it was a bank Holiday and it was Sunny!

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