I learned something when putting this look together, or should I say I learnt from my own advice. It’s very easy when being asked for style tips to dish out the same old advice that you’ve always sworn by – and one day you realise you’ve not been following it yourself. So if you can bear with my ramblings in this post it might make for some insightful reading…!
So this rather fabulous orange dress was loaned to me by Lithuanian womenswear brand Freak Factory – when they contacted me last year to ask if I wanted to borrow some pieces to style in a post, I did hesitate over whether borrowing designer pieces was a direction I wanted to go in with my blog. But nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say… I had to try it at least once in order to decide. (I did actually borrow a tote bag from another brand a few weeks ago, and what I found was that the bag inspired a whole outfit that I may not otherwise have put together. So with that in mind, I decided that I should give not just an accessory but an actual item of clothing a try as well.)
The description of the Freak Factory brand sounded particularly appropriate to my style:
“Freak Factory is a fashion label which represents the style of self-confident, free, brave and innovative women. Every season, a wide spectrum of high quality and exclusive clothing delights customers unafraid of bright and bold style statements”.
I can really relate to that – the brand seemed to be tapping into my sartorial psyche with that statement (or my desired one at least)! So I chose a couple of outfits from their Spring/Summer 2013 collection: this orange terry cloth and jersey dress and a purple top/skirt (to be seen separately in a couple of weeks or so). I decided to contrast the orange with my chunky blue chain necklace and my rainbow bright wool Asos heels which picked out both colours. (I’m a little obsessed with orange and blue at the moment – I’ve been pinning loads of outfits in that colour combination – so it seemed an obvious accent colour for the lovely warm rusty-orange of the dress.)
The verdict? I’ll be honest: I really wasn’t sure about the dress at first… either on the hanger or me. I quite liked it, but I did think I was a bit too busty for a sleeveless jersey dress. Both the design and the quality are beautiful, however, and the dress retails at €219/£185 (which is rather out of my price range, but that’s about the same as a Reiss or Karen Millen dress which are available on most high streets).
BUT! here’s where my advice was heeded not sooner but later. The fact that I tried it on and photographed it has proved my own point to me; something I always say when asked for a style tip is to not only use a full-length mirror, but also photograph yourself in the outfit and study the image on a monitor (not just on the camera screen). Now that I’ve seen the images on a computer screen, I actually like the dress on me much more than when I looked at myself in the mirror. Whilst it isn’t the perfect dress to flatter my very skinny, very white arms and quite ample chest(!), it does prove my point that you should venture out of your comfort zone every now and then and try on something you’d normally never even vaguely consider. So the dress has grown on me – I’m pleased with the styling and the colour combination is lovely.
I think even fashion bloggers can get in a style rut every now and then, and if we don’t want to try something new – who else is going to?!
Don’t forget to vote for me!
Shop my look! Items marked* are the actual items, if still available:
Dress: Freak Factory* (on loan), Jacket: Very, Heels: Asos*, Tights: Unknown, Necklace: House of Fraser (old), Earrings: F+F at Tesco, Watch: Asos, Ring: Asos
And if I’ve tickled your fancy for orange dresses (mine certainly has been!), how about these..?
Thank you to Freak Factory for the loan of this item. Please note I have not been compensated for this post; all opinions are my own, however.
Linking up to:
Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style
Monday Bloom at DC in Style
Monday Mingle at Momtrends
Share Your Style Saturdays at Claire Justine oxox
Creative Mondays at Claire Justine oxox
Yolo Mondays at Still Being Molly
Wardrobe Wednesdays at Kiwi Women’s Style
What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy
Aww Megan that's so lovely of you, thank you xxx
Catherine, you look beautiful! I love how you've paired the dress with a simple jacket. Great choice!
Thank you Daniel, and for all your support too!! x
Such a beautiful dress and love your shoes with it!! You look gorgeous!
BTW, dropping in via Pleated Poppy link up! Love your blog – new follower:-)
Stay in touch!
Have a wonderful day!
-Jyoti
PS. I am hosting an amazing giveaway on my blog, hope you would participate!
Enter $40 giftcard giveaway by Lorraine Tyne
Thank you sweetie, it's nice to meet you! x
I just adore your red hair! 🙂 found you through your feature on IFB congrats! 🙂 x
That's really lovely of you, thanks Vicki (& welcome!) x
Catherine,
You are looking gorgeous as ever. Love the image below of you in the hat. Congrats on being recognized by IFB. WELL DESERVED! Your photography is so unique, and it goes without saying your outfits are too. So, I am now signed up to follow you via Bloglovin'… I love what you've done with the site too…. Looks great, and I look forward to not missing a post. Hope you are well!!
xx-Whitley
http://www.thequeencitystyle.com
Thank you Whitley, it's nice to see you back here! Thanks for all the lovely comments hun xoxo
I loved your style! You inspired me to look for more colours. I'm 41 years old and I'm in identity crisis: I don't want to look old but at same time I don't want to look ridiculous young. But the way you wear colours, and the combination inspired me.
Thank you!
I will follow your blog
best regards,
Renata
Renata thank you, and it's so nice to meet you! Don't fret too much about trying to look a particular age… wear what you like, what suits you and you'll look great because you'll feel great and feel confident. I'm so glad I've inspired you, thank you! x
Love the color and the addition of the terry cloth detail breaks up the look of the jersey nicely. I really love that blue necklace as a counterpoint!
Spashionista (Alicia)
Alicia thank you! It is a rather unusual design, which is why I think it has grown on me so much. Thank you sweetie :))
It sure is a statement outfit, and not just an ordinary dress. You styled it so beautifully, nice ensemble!
Catherine, we think that you look lovely. This orange dress accents your natural beauty that you glow with. Thank you for a pleasant collaboration!
Freak Factory fashion house
http://www.freakfactory.eu
Thanks, guys!! What a lovely compliment, and thank you also for the loan of the pieces. There'll be another Freak Factory outfit post to follow soon…! xoxo
loving the whole look…the colors and those shoes! stopping by from Kiwi Womens style link up
xoxo
Val
http://styletoenvy.com
Not only do I love the dress too, but also that you are taking risks and your own advice. I agree that I've looked at outfits and it's not until I've photographed them that I've loved (or hated) them with the right level of perspective. Might just have to venture into this orange blue zone myself!
It's awful to admit you're not taking your own advice, Kelly, isn't it?!!! All a learning process, I suppose… thank you lovely x
Catherine this dress looks stunning on you, I love the colour and cut of it. The metallic blue necklace really compliments and the jacket neutralises the stronger colours beautifully. Congrats on this great collaboration 🙂
Take care,
Daniella xox
Thank you, D! I can imagine a lot of their pieces would look pretty amazing on you…! x
I love the dress, it's beautiful, it's cute. It's nice color and design. And you, what you wear, in a sophisticated and attractive.
LOVE this look, Catherine!!
I hope you'll keep an eye out on my blog later today. I'll be featuring this as one of the looks I love today.
Terry
http://terrystwocents.tumblr.com
Terry you're a star – thank you for the feature! C x
Love this dress, you teamed it up perfect with the amazing shoes :)think I'm going to have to look for something orange now …
This is gorgeous. I've been hunting for a bright coral dress for ages…tried on a few and nothing's right!! X
It's a very unique dress. I too would be wary of it, as orange tends to look horrible on me, but it's a lovely piece, and you've done a really great job styling it.
Sincerely,
Joanna
http://www.ModaMamaBlog.com
I did think the same about orange on me, Joanna! But I think I may try some orange pieces now (it's about getting the right shade isn't it). Thanks sweetie x
I like the dress, the cut and velour detail make it look a little edgy and I like that you paired it with the fishnets and colorful heels. Playing it safe can get dull. Kudos for you for 'borrowing'. I run a small biz and I don't have the resources to just send bloggers items and I have worked with bloggers who have borrowed items to do posts. I think it works for both in a way and bloggers get something fun to try, but with no purchasing.
Becky 🙂
Thanks Becky: yes it is a good way to do things… I did wonder whether just featuring an outfit you've styled when it's not from your actual wardrobe would put people off, but sometimes it's good to see examples of styling and how bloggers would wear something if it DID belong to them. It's still all good inspiration, I hope! xoxo
Absolutely stunning, dear catherine.
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Yes, yes! This is so us: "self-confident, free, brave and innovative women" Bring it, Freak Factory! You look amazing in this orange dress. xoxoxoxo
It's such a great quote, isn't Patti?!! Thank you my lovely xoxo
Gorgeous! I love redheads in orange – it really is such a flattering color for us. On a side note, I love the location of this shoot. The tire ruts are splendid and give just the right texture to set off your great outfit. 🙂
I think it looks gorgeous on you, and I love how you added the blue. My favorite color combo!
(That comment is from LizOnTheHill)