Finally got round to showing you the butterfly print maxi dress I wore the weekend I celebrated my birthday with my family… it seems so long ago now. It’s also a very long time since I owned a maxi dress – not including the vintage gown I wore to the UK Blog Awards: The last one I had was cotton and had tiers of lace in the skirt (nicer than it sounds), but I stepped in the lace gaps and ripped it at least twice. I have a habit of getting my heels caught in a maxi when I kneel down: I know that ripping sound all too well (anyone else do this)?!
I got this dress (Marks & Spencer again, I make no apologies for my current M&S obsession) partly as a summer dress and partly for my holiday next month in Santorini. Cannot wait. I saw the Asos pointed lace-up heels very soon after I got the dress and knew they’d be perfect together. They also look great with cropped jeans so you’ll be seeing more of them, I can promise you that…! The mirrored sunglasses were a gift from my parents for my birthday (I chose them) and the coloured lenses couldn’t have coordinated better with the colours in the dress. The Yosa tough cuff was the perfect finishing touch.
So another throw-it-on dress for the summer, and again a nice change from my usual fit-and-flare style that I always tend to go for. I’m breaking out of my comfort zone left, right and centre this year 😉
Are any of you still planning a holiday wardrobe? I’m loving all the end-of-season sales for holiday essentials – if you can recommend any to me let me know in the comments (oh and if you’ve been to Santorini yourself, please tell me what it was like)!
Dress: Marks & Spencer | Shoes: Asos | Sunglasses: Asos | Earrings: Old, unknown | Watch: Seiko | Cuff: c/o Yosa | Nails: Barry M Gelly Blueberry
Shop the look:
P.S. Like this post? You might also enjoy my Birthday Dinner Outfit (another maxi, this time a black and white striped skirt)!
Linking up to: Visible Monday, Let It Shine, Monday Mingle, Style Sessions, Turning Heads Tuesday, Trend Spin Link-Up, What I Wore Wednesday, Brilliant Blog Posts, Throwback Thursday, Passion for Fashion Friday, Friday’s Fab Favourites
It is a lovely dress and those shoes (comfortable I bet) give the outfit a little pepper. You can be proud of yourself again. Well styled. I hope you will have a lovely holiday. Mine ia already long forgotten and I did not get round to visit England. My fault.
Greetje
beautiful dress! I love the color of your nail polish too!
x,Abril
The Color Palette
That dress looks lovely on your frame!
xo,
Abby of Life in the Fash Lane
I do love a maxi dress, know what you mean about the voluminous skirts from a few yrs ago getting caught on everything! This one is more sleek and modern I think though, really elegant! M&S are nailing it at the moment!
I had a summer casual maxi dress in my closet for over a year until yesterday. I always had the feeling that when you wear a maxi dress all the looks will fall on you. But yesterday I didn't care, I wore my dress and loved it! Yours is great!
What a pretty dress, dear Catherine! I love the cute butterfly pattern and the colours. You look adoreable!!!
xoxo
Nadine (from Vienna)
my Blog
Happy late late late birthday. I love this dress so fun and colorful. xo~ Megan The Fashionista Momma
SO LOVELY!!!!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
Thanks so much for joining us for Fun Fashion Friday! Hope to see you back next week too!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Dress is a hit.Beautiful design…
http://jovanica92.blogspot.com/
Ha! First we own the same tunic….now the same dress! I wore this dress on our honeymoon, so versatile, comfortable and pretty. Worked well in both the bright lights of Vegas and the verdant hills and white sand beaches of Hawaii!
I haven't been into Marks and Spencers for such a long time, i must pay them a visit! I love the pink and purple butterfuly print pattern on your dress Catherine. The blue nails are the perfect finishing touch. You look lovely.
PS Santorini sounds like the perfect place!
This maxi dress is beautiful Catherine! I love the mirrored sunnies with it too! I'm going on holiday for the first time in 8 years in September and I don't where to begin! 🙂
Take care,
Daniella xox
Such a beautiful dress! Lovely photos!
http://martasfashiondiary.com
Thank you so much Marta! x
I was about to make the same comment as Suzy until I read through all the comments, ah heck I'll say it anyway…Love that you picked a small detail colour from the dress to wear as your nail colour!
Had a chuckle to myself when I read how long ago it feels since your birthday. Every year gets shorter arrgh make it stop! I recall my Dad saying that once or twice when I was a kid & I'd be completely puzzled as to what he meant….;-)
Michelle it was the colour I already had on my nails – then I decided to wear the dress: a happy coincidence!! Somehow it often works that way, I never plan these things…! Thanks sweetie x
The maxi dress looks stunning on you! I especially love the added hint of blue in your nails too. So pretty. I wish I could say I've been to Santorini… alway thought it looks like such a beautiful place to visit.
Suzy x
http://www.suzyturner.com
Yes it's been on our bucket list for many years, Suzy…!! Thank you my lovely xx
I love this dress, you looks beautiful.
Gaby
http://www.stylishsalat.com
Gaby that's really sweet of you, thank you xx
Love your style, great dress and flats! You have beautiful hair 🙂
http://sunmoonstyle.blogspot.co.at/
Aww Sanja thank you so much!!
Ghille shoes!!!
Love them!!!
What is it about that lace up the foot? Why is it so sexy and elegant? I don't know TBH, but I love it!
Even with a modest (and practical) heel, they work.
Shoes do get me every time but I love your details too, Catherine.
The subtle nail pick-out on your butterflies…and your glasses pulling out the purple.
Genius, as always!
XXX
Samantha
FakeFabulous
Thanks Samantha – the shoes were a definite "I MUST have those!!!!"
Cute shoes 🙂
BLOG M&M FASHION BITES : http://mmfashionbites.blogspot.gr/
Maria V.
Thank you x
What a stunning maxi dress and love that your nails pulls out the blues in the dress.
Alice
http://www.happpinessatmidlife.com
Would love to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
Alice thank you! It was just coincidence about the blue nails, though I must say a happy one!
Hi Catherine,
You are getting together a great wardrobe ready for your holiday. You will have a fabulous time in Santorini. Visited a few years ago whilst on a Cruise. The island is beautiful and you will find some lovely boutiques and jewellery shops. Sure you will be posting about items bought whilst there.
Have a fabulous time.
Arrrgh I can't wait, Marysia!! I haven't been on a holiday-by-the-pool type holiday in about 12 years… We've done mostly cultural holidays so I need a wardrobe to suit being in the sun! Everyone seems to have wonderful things to say abut Santorini, I think it's going to be fabulous :))
That dress is gorgeous, m&s have really up'd their game I got a shirt and trousers while doing a food shop on Saturday
Lauren
livinginaboxx | bloglovin
Haven't they, Lauren??!!! I bought so many things after doing my Supermarket Sweep-style reckkie round the store in Marble Arch when I did the video campaign there, I couldn't help myself! It's my new go-to store!!
Thank you sweetie :)))
Long and lean and gorgeous, Catherine. That's a dress I'd wear once a week in Florida. xox
Oh thank you Patti – I dream of long hot summers…!!!!!!
Lovely dress! I like the butterfly pattern and it reminds of a top I once had from Uttam boutique! As for Santorini, you're going to love it! Shoes wise stick to sandals or low heeled ones for Oia and Fira! I've seen that you pinned my guide about the island, but let me know if you want any more tips! Oh and definitely go wine tasting if you like wine! Santorini has exceptional wines!
Thanks Anna! And yes I must revisit your post about Santorini – it's getting close now…! Unfortunately I'm not a wine lover at all (weird I know, though I wish I was) – and yes I may well ask you a question or two!! xx
You look fantastic! Especially for going outside your comfort zone — The maxi dress fits you so perfectly!
xo
http://www.ma-luxe.com
Aww thank you Megan! I was lucky with the fit – often they're waaaaaaay too low cut ;))