Wearing an Old Favourite | A Blue Striped Summer Dress With Black Accents

Blue and white striped midi dress, black heels, black belt

What I love about my summer wardrobe is that the English summer is so brief, all my dresses and summer clothes get so little wear that when I open up my summer clothes storage it feels like I have a whole new wardrobe.

I have a TON of summer dresses but each has only been worn a handful of times so I’m still completely in love with all of them. This blue stripe dress is years old but such a favourite: No revelation (where I’m concerned) that it’s a fit-and-flare midi. It is of course no longer available to buy, but this one is a really good match – and so’s this one – if you wanted something similar.

I’ve always worn it with a tank underneath as the neckline is far too low (the dress was last seen on the blog with a coral tank back in 2012) but I like that layering adds some interest to it. Layering means it’s possible to create lots of different outfits with one dress – usually a hard task with such a “complete” item of clothing. This time was a lot more neutral than last time: I went for black accents (belt and heels) and even got a bit daring with a navy bag… The black and navy police will be after me if I’m not careful.

Is your weather more unpredictable like the UK (meaning summer outfits rarely get an outing), or do you get the chance to wear summer dresses to death? Lucky you if you do… Do share in the comments!

Blue and white striped midi dress, black belt
Blue and white striped dress
Blue and white striped midi dress, black heels, black belt
Blue and white striped midi dress, black belt

Dress: Very  | Tank: F&F Clothing | Heels: Asos | Belt: Unknown | Bag: Debenhams | Sunglasses: c/o Lulus | Earrings: New Look (also available in gold) | Watch: Fossil

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24 Comments

  1. 12 July 2015 / 6:39 pm

    Love this dress…. never throw it out. Never. It is so flattering on you. And we have the same kind of summer here in The Netherlands. I always say I have more summer outfits than there are warm enough days to wear them. And still I keep buying more. Ridiculous. But they are so much more cheerful than winter clothes.
    Greetje

    • 17 July 2015 / 11:56 pm

      I think we're very much alike, you and me, Greetje…!! Thank you xx

  2. 6 July 2015 / 6:22 pm

    I love to wear dresses in the summer instead of shorts. Texas summer's may end but the heat and humidity can go as far in as December! (I have worn shorts at Christmas) But that's the south for you! It's my winter wardrobe that feels brand new every year since it sees very little wear.

    • 17 July 2015 / 11:51 pm

      Oh gosh I've never thought of places that have the opposite sort of weather to us creating problems of lots of heat and very little cold, Wendy!! I can't imagine it being warm enough for shorts in December, hehe!!

    • 5 July 2015 / 9:04 pm

      Excellent, Kate – I assume you've subscribed…?!! x

  3. 4 July 2015 / 2:08 pm

    I absolutely love this dress on you!! You've somehow managed to magically mix together a summer dress with black accessories WITHOUT making the entire effect "heavy". Yet just one more example of your brilliant styling!

    Sed Bona

    • 5 July 2015 / 9:03 pm

      Aww Ashley you're such a love – thank you sooooooo much =muah muah=

  4. 4 July 2015 / 10:43 am

    I wouldn't have thought black would work with this dress but it really does make it look a little bit more dressy. Plus the paler accessories keep it summery overall, very pretty! I like the navy bag too, rules are made to be broken! 😉

    • 4 July 2015 / 10:46 am

      p.s. I never would have thought to shop at Macy's from the U.K., I really miss it over here! How is their shipping?

    • 5 July 2015 / 9:03 pm

      I tried a wider black belt first but it was definitely too heavy… the skinny one was perfect I thought! Thank you Steff (you rule breaker, you!) xx

      P.S. Macy's do ship to the UK but for this dress it's £15.64 on top of the dress. So a bit pricey…!

    • 6 July 2015 / 9:02 am

      Good to know thanks! Might still be worth it for the sales though, things are always a bit cheaper Stateside! 🙂

  5. 3 July 2015 / 10:59 pm

    Lovely dress, and you. I truly love wearing a summer dress and sunglasses and not too much else. xox

    • 5 July 2015 / 8:59 pm

      You have to admit you have an unfair advantage living in Florida, Patti…?!!! Oh, to have regular, guaranteed sunshine… I can't imagine it!

      Thank you hun, you're as sweet as always x

  6. 3 July 2015 / 9:24 pm

    This is lovely on you.

    I wore a summer dress today.

    bisous
    Suzanne

    • 5 July 2015 / 8:57 pm

      Aww Suzanne thank you – and yay!! for summer dresses x

  7. 3 July 2015 / 9:06 pm

    The dress has a beautiful flow about it and the different angles of the stripes make it so visually striking. I'm going to make a concerted effort to wear my summer dresses more this year, even if it's a wet summer!

    • 5 July 2015 / 8:57 pm

      Yes, do it!! I was only saying to my husband yesterday how I wish women approached dressing like they did in the 50s: Always beautifully smart, lots of tailoring, day dresses… Imagine Grace Kelly in track pants?!! Noooooooo!!!!!!

      Thank you sweetie x

  8. 3 July 2015 / 7:42 pm

    YES! I'm a sucker for blue and white stripes anyways…but this dress is just plain pretty! I love how the designer has used stripes to create pattern at the neckline and hem…it really makes them Pop! The fabric looks like a stretch cotton, yes? It looks super comfortable, yet still very chic!

    Awesome weather here in Vancouver. I've really been enjoying wearing my many fit and flare dresses too!

    • 5 July 2015 / 8:55 pm

      Yes it's a jersey cotton, Sue! Yes I love the way the stripes run too – not bad for a very reasonably-priced dress! Thank you my lovely, so glad you're getting great weather too 🙂

  9. 3 July 2015 / 7:14 pm

    such a lovely dress and I love your hair today, looks amazing, so very flattering ( OK it is always flattering on you but something about the side pony looks fantastic). We get lots of summer ( yea) but apparently I have way to may items that they never get old. ( or worn) Its fun when a change of season makes you feel like you have a whole new closet.

    • 5 July 2015 / 8:54 pm

      I love opening up my boxes with all my stored clothes in, Linda, every summer/winter – there are always things I'd forgotten about!! And thank you, you're a sweetheart x

  10. 3 July 2015 / 7:03 pm

    I have summer dresses that are of the legal drinking age (in the USA) and are still pristine! Not much chance of wearing them out up here in Scotland. I like the tank modestly layered under the dress, nice touch.
    Samantha.
    XXX

    fakefabulous40.blogspot.co.uk

    • 5 July 2015 / 1:31 pm

      Hehe thanks Samantha – I'm not the only one, then! Sounds like it's a British thing…! C x

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