Vintage 70s Polka Dot Dress with Modern Retro Pieces #iwillwearwhatilike

Vintage 70s polka dots dress, burgundy boots, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb

This week’s #iwillwearwhatilike theme is vintage –  one of my favourite themes so far!

I wore my vintage 70s polka dot dress to the Blognix Retreat at the end of last month as it’s probably my most treasured vintage dress and I hadn’t worn it in a long time (I was shocked to discover it’s only appeared on the blog once before in 2012). It’s a little tricky to style due to the colours, but I went with some modern retro-style pieces that would continue the vintage look without looking too fancy dress.

The colour blocked belt has the most perfect 70s styling to it (such great colours) and the burgundy 60s style boots were bought a while ago just before my pre-Christmas injury, hence why they haven’t been seen on the blog before. They’re sadly long since out of stock but I did find these gorgeous vintage-style knee high boots that would also work really well with a midi dress for that late 70s look.

I will admit I didn’t actually take the orange tote bag with me on the day as it’s a new addition to my bag collection (read how I styled the tote with several different outfits last week) but I now have a bright tote that goes beautifully with this dress – and everything else too…!

Here’s a problem I always have: Midi dresses are notoriously difficult to wear with a winter coat. Biker jackets are perfect as the cropped length suits the longer, fuller skirt, but if you want something warmer the long length of most winter coats messes with a midi. This wrap coat has rounded off corners and (in my eyes) somehow suits the longer skirt poking out underneath. If only I’d tried this coat last year – typical that I discover this just as winter is ending. That’ll teach me not to at least try different options even though in my head I think they won’t work.

Thank you so much for all the wonderful outfits you added last week to the pattern theme (128 link ups!), there were some fantastic looks – scroll down for my featured favourites. And of course do add your outfits to this week’s link up and you may be featured next week if you’ve linked up something vintage!


WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE VINTAGE PIECES THAT YOU OWN? COMMENT BELOW, OR TAKE IT TO TWITTER @NOTLAMB!

Camel wrap coat, vintage 70s polka dots dress, burgundy boots, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb

Vintage 70s polka dots dress, burgundy boots, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
Vintage 70s polka dots dress, burgundy boots, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
Vintage 70s polka dots dress, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
Vintage 70s polka dots dress, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
Camel wrap coat, vintage 70s polka dots dress, burgundy boots, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
Vintage 70s dress from eBay (alternatives: Wrap front midi in 70s zig zag / Short sleeved black polka dot dress / Wrap front midi dress in dark floral
Lookagain wrap coat c/o (similar camel wrap coat)
ASOS boots (I like these vintage style burgundy knee high boots)
Hobbs orange Adlington tote bag c/o
ASOS colour blocked metal bar belt
Lulus sunglasses c/o (These black cat eye sunglasses are nearly identical)
Maybelline Forever Strong nail polish ‘Divine Wine’

 

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#iwillwearwhatilike | 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!

RELATED  The Best Hat to Wear to a Summer Wedding

So link up all your fabulous outfits (or shoes, accessories, make-up, etc.) every Monday at 3pm UK time – it’ll 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



PLEASE NOTE
This is for linking up what you’ve been wearing (or would like to wear) only. I like to keep it all looking tidy because I’m a bit of a neat-freak, so non-outfit links will be removed – it’s only fair to others linking up!

 

Please be a good sport and do the following…

1. Follow your host Not Dressed As Lamb via Bloglovin or Instagram
2. Link up your outfits (blog or Instagram posts) that show how you choose to wear what you like – as many as you like!
3. Include a link back to the post if you’re linking from a blog post, or add my button (below)
4. Post your outfit on Instagram (if you use it) with the hashtag #iwillwearwhatilike – Monday’s the day to join in the IG fun
5. Please do not link up anything other than outfits, shoes, accessories or make-up  non-outfit links will be removed. This link up is for linking up what you’ve been wearing (or would like to wear) only
6. Visit some of the other links and share the love!

#iwillwearwhatilike | Not Dressed As Lamb

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Featured favourites

Fashion bloggers wearing pattern #iwillwearwhatilike

My favourite PATTERNED outfits from last week’s link up:

(L-R) Two Take on Style | Fashion and Cookies | The Barefaced Chic | What Lizzy Loves | A Colourful Canvas

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

94 Comments

  1. 15 March 2016 / 12:01 pm

    What a wonderful dress. I love the polka dots in it and how you paired the boots.

    • 15 March 2016 / 10:24 pm

      That's lovely of you to say – thanks Julie! xx

  2. 14 March 2016 / 12:45 pm

    What a beautiful dress – I can see why you treasure it so much! I know just what you mean about getting the right coat to wear over a midi length. I have a really long coat but sometimes it's just not practical to wear it. I love your camel wrap coat, it looks so elegant over that gorgeous dress!

    Emma xxx
    style-splash.com

    • 15 March 2016 / 10:24 pm

      Thanks so much Emma, I can't quite believe how well this coat goes with this dress!!

  3. 13 March 2016 / 10:33 am

    Catching up with your blog on a Sunday morning. Coffee and muesli in bed!

    That frock rocks! I love polka dots. Years ago I had a red mini dress with black spots and some Italian friends said I looked like a "coccinella" (ladybird). Alas, I think it went to the great charity shop in the sky. As did my mum's vintage long-sleeved mini from the '60s. She was reed-thin and had the most amazing collection of dresses – a green satin Chinese mini (a gift from a boyfriend from Hong Kong, so the real thing not a westernised one), a yellow mini-kilt, some mad platforms that I would've rocked in the '90s and this gorgeous black voile mini dress with raised white polka dots. The frocks didn't fit me past the age of 12, unfortunately.

    • 15 March 2016 / 10:23 pm

      Hehe my "frock rocks" – thank you, Emerald!! I can't bear thinking about items of clothing from years past that you remember, for me it's the things that my sister (who was 10 years older than me) or my mum wore. My heart breaks if I think about some of their gorgeous pieces that would now be highly sought-after vintage gems!!

  4. 10 March 2016 / 9:37 am

    I thing that is perfect style for you! You are very beautiful women!

    Macey L.

    • 12 March 2016 / 2:24 pm

      Macey that's really sweet of you – thank you!! x

  5. 9 March 2016 / 9:07 pm

    I love that dress with the boots and the extra pop with the bag! So pretty and fun! Great link up! Peace! Cheryl

    • 12 March 2016 / 1:55 pm

      I'd fallen out of love a little with this coat, Jess – I'm so glad I rediscovered it! thank you hun xx

  6. 9 March 2016 / 1:46 pm

    Beautiful vintage dress! I adore the fit and swing of those 70's dresses. Thank you for hosting and xox,

    Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

    • 12 March 2016 / 1:55 pm

      Wrap dresses are the best, don't you think Patti (though this is a faux wrap, but it's the same effect)!! Thank you my lovely x

  7. 9 March 2016 / 11:26 am

    Great outfit! I always reach for a cropped jacket with my longer length skirts, but somehow you have hit on something here that works.

    • 12 March 2016 / 1:54 pm

      It is a difficult one, isn't it Margo? I may have to get another colour in the same style for next year…!! Thank you xx

  8. 9 March 2016 / 9:07 am

    Its the midi dress/coat conundrum i have had all winter! I totally agree, a cropped jacket like a biker is the best, but its so damn cold still a real coat is needed. I have a slight outfit/coat ocd situation too wear my coat has to go with the outfit underneath.
    And well my lovely friend, you've nailed it. This coat looks perfect! well done solving the coat/midi dress mystery, heehee! Still loving the hair btw, looking fabulous my friend, as always thank you for hosting, wishing you a lovely rest of the week xxxx

    • 12 March 2016 / 1:53 pm

      Haha that's the coat/midi mystery solved – hurrah!! Thanks Rachel my lovely, lots of love xx

  9. 8 March 2016 / 8:38 pm

    I'm such a fan of vintage pieces and this dress is so lovely on you Catherine. I love how you've styled it with these burgundy boots. And let's not forget the wonderful pop of orange in this tote – fab x
    Anna
    Anna's Island Style

    • 12 March 2016 / 1:52 pm

      I know very well how you love vintage, Anna…!!! So glad you liked this, I thought the colours and pattern would right up your street – thank you! x

  10. 8 March 2016 / 6:54 pm

    Gorgeous dress! I really like the styling and beautiful color mix.

  11. 8 March 2016 / 6:17 pm

    This is such a beautiful outfit! I rather like when dresses peak out the bottom of coats, gives a hint at the prettiness hiding underneath.
    JJ

    • 12 March 2016 / 1:50 pm

      Ahh that's a good point, JJ! Thank you sweetie!!

  12. 8 March 2016 / 3:54 pm

    That is an amazing dress – totally love it. And I think your style is brilliant, which is why the Gina Bacconi mother-of-the-bride outfit featured in the newsletter was such a shock! Just ghastly.

    • 12 March 2016 / 1:49 pm

      Hmm I'm not sure why you felt the need to say that, Alex – what purpose does it serve to say that something's "ghastly"? It wasn't my style or something I wore – I made that clear – it was a suggestion for someone else to wear that would THEIR style, not mine. There would have been no point suggesting something I'd wear if I were a mother of the bride as the person in question described her style and I responded.

      I have actually had two emails in response to say how much they loved the outfit – you have to understand that everyone has different styles and we're not going to like everything that everyone else wears all the time. So therefore it shouldn't be a "shock" that I'd suggest a totally different style to my own for someone else. There's no need to be hating on something that's different to my style – if something you see on the internet isn't to your style just don't comment and move on. Let those who DO like it enjoy it without being bothered by comments like yours…!

    • 12 March 2016 / 1:43 pm

      phew that's a relief, Nancy!! hehe thank you x

    • 12 March 2016 / 1:43 pm

      Thanks Nancy – you can see why it's my fave…!

  13. 8 March 2016 / 6:18 am

    What a stunning dress! The yellow polka dots are so unexpected.

    xo,
    Janise

  14. 8 March 2016 / 2:57 am

    A perfect vintage dress and I love the belt with it too! Thank you for hosting and hope you are having a fab week!

    Alice
    http://www.happinessatmidlife.com

    Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.

    • 12 March 2016 / 1:41 pm

      Thanks Alice – the belt rather makes it, doesn't it…? xx

    • 12 March 2016 / 1:37 pm

      Cherie thank you so much!! And you're very welcome my lovely x

  15. 7 March 2016 / 11:12 pm

    Great vintage dress. I have had that same problem with midis – what coat to wear?! Yours works great. I love vintage and have lots of it but my timing didn't work out so I put up what I had. Thanks for the linkup.

    • 12 March 2016 / 1:28 pm

      I'm sure you know you you link up anything from any time, Melanie – it's lovely to see what you've worn in the past as well as recently! Thanks sweetie! x

    • 12 March 2016 / 1:10 pm

      Thank you Jacqueline – it was the colour that drew me to the boots first, too!! x

  16. 7 March 2016 / 8:56 pm

    Fab dress, I love seeing how you wear your vintage pieces, seeing as you blend the modern in with it! It's very inspirational. Hope you're having a good week xx

    • 11 March 2016 / 4:12 pm

      Thanks so much Porcelina – thought this would be a great week for you!! I have had a very good week, happy Friday and weekend to you x

  17. 7 March 2016 / 8:17 pm

    Your vintage dress is beautiful Catherine one that will never date.I will be raiding mothers wardrobe for a bit of vintage and will post in a couple of days.
    Thank you for hosting
    Laurie x

    • 11 March 2016 / 4:11 pm

      Ooh I hope it doesn't, Laurie!! And no worries about linking up, sounds like congratulations are in order for the new arrival in your family…! xx

  18. 7 March 2016 / 7:21 pm

    That is a great dress, and the boots match perfectly! 🙂

    • 11 March 2016 / 4:07 pm

      thanks Laurie, that's good to hear you think so! x

  19. 7 March 2016 / 7:15 pm

    Oh Catherine…I have shamelessly filled up your linky with vintage and vintage inspired outfits.
    I got a little excited at the theme!
    I love this beautiful dress…it even looks like a vintage fabric in the shots (they don't make things like they used to).
    The colour is perfect with your new softer hair colour and your accessorising is beautiful.
    XXX
    Samantha
    fakefabulous.com

    • 11 March 2016 / 12:04 am

      That's absolutely fine, Samantha – you link away to your heart's content!! I know what you mean about even the fabric looking obviously vintage: It's the old "they don't make them like they used to" thing, isn't it..?!! Thanks my lovely xx

  20. 7 March 2016 / 6:51 pm

    I remember is dress. Lovely dress. The boots really complement it. In one and a half week I will have a vintage jacket, but for now I will upload a vintage coat. Cannot wait one and a half week, now can we. Note that I will link to it wearwhatilike in my new post, but I will upload an old one.
    Greetje

    • 10 March 2016 / 11:59 pm

      Wow Greetje you have an awesome memory – as I said the dress has only been on the blog ONCE before!! And of course you can link up any outfit post you like, it's all for driving traffic your way…! Thank you sweetie x

  21. 7 March 2016 / 6:20 pm

    Love this modern retro style. You look almost like Florence Welch who I absolutely love.

    xo Sheree
    http://poshclassymom.com
    IG: @poshclassymom

    • 10 March 2016 / 11:53 pm

      Oh wow Sheree – thank you! I've been told I look like Flo before but that was when my hair was long… I thought it was just the hair really – maybe not!

  22. 7 March 2016 / 4:51 pm

    You could have filled me when you said this (fabulous) dress can be hard to style. You make it look easy and stunning. Love the retro feel you gave it,

    • 10 March 2016 / 11:52 pm

      Aww thanks Trina – it's the colours really that are tricky. Somehow orange and black don't lend themselves well to many other colours – and I'm no colourphobe as you probably know!!

  23. 7 March 2016 / 4:50 pm

    Very pretty dress. I love polka dots, no matter what era! The cut of that camel coat is so flattering and looks great with the mid length of the skirt. And those burgundy suede boots, wow!

    Theresa
    http://www.vintagestylefiles.com

    • 10 March 2016 / 11:51 pm

      Aww thanks so much Theresa – I was really pleased with how well all the pieces went together 🙂

  24. 7 March 2016 / 4:42 pm

    I just love your dress and that belt, perfection! I agree, midi dresses can be tricky to style up with a coat, but this trench is perfection! Love it all and your new bag is pretty darn fab! Can't wait to see all the fun vintage looks this week!
    Have a great week!
    XO
    Suzanne
    http://www.AskSuzanneBell.com

    • 10 March 2016 / 11:50 pm

      Thank you Suzanne!! And oh the midi dress/coat problem… what a nightmare. Thank goodness this coat has those rounded front bits! 😉

  25. 7 March 2016 / 4:36 pm

    Well, you had me at polka dots Catherine! And…although your coat may not be vintage, it makes me think fondly back to the sixties and my Mum's much loved camel coat…yours is a beauty too! I'm looking forward to seeing all the looks for this week's theme, Vintage Love.

    Thank you so much for featuring my polka dot coat!

    • 10 March 2016 / 11:49 pm

      hehe do I sense a polka dot obsession, Sue…?!! Thanks sweetie (and yes I too think the coat looks like it could be vintage)!

  26. 7 March 2016 / 4:08 pm

    Ah I LOVE this week's theme Catherine! So perfect for this time of year — spring and vintage seem to go hand-in-hand in my mind. I love that polka dot dress on you. It proves that some silhouettes are really, truly timeless!

    Xoxo,

    Ashley || Sed Bona

    • 10 March 2016 / 11:48 pm

      Oooh I've no thought about spring and vintage going together before, Ashley – but you're right they do rather!! Although it wasn't really a wrap dress (I pinned the two top bits under to create a faux wrap) it's that timeless wrap style that was born in the 70s 🙂

      Thank you my lovely, and for linking up too xx

  27. 7 March 2016 / 4:04 pm

    Wow, I love this look on you, Catherine. I'm a big 70's fan, so I guess it's no big surprise! I don't think I would've thought to put those boots with that dress, but it's totally fabulous, works so well … everything looks great together. Thanks for the link up & have a good Monday.

    OXOX
    Dawn Lucy
    http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com

    • 10 March 2016 / 11:45 pm

      hehe I know how you love the 70s Dawn Lucy so no it's not a surprise at all that you love this dress too!! Thank you sweetie xx

  28. 7 March 2016 / 4:02 pm

    I absolutely adore your dress, Catherine, you've taken something Diana would've worn as a fresh-faced nanny and made it completely fresh, relevant. Those colours are so beautiful together 🙂

    Personally, whilst I adore vintage pieces, I don't own as much as I'd like. That Purple Eel Clutch, that's vintage. So too the Ungaro Pink & Purple Knit Jacket. And my Leopard Cape. I think that's about the extent of my treasures from the past 🙂 xoxo

    • 9 March 2016 / 9:39 am

      Ooh yes it does have that late 70s/early 80s vibe to it, doesn't it Sheela…?! Thank you sweetie, love hearing what vintage other people go for! x

  29. 7 March 2016 / 3:57 pm

    Wonderful dress and it goes so well with the coat.
    99% of my clothes and accessories are second hand vintage or not, I am not sure.
    Great to be with you another week, dear Catherine.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    • 8 March 2016 / 8:24 pm

      I knew this post would be a winner with you, Sacramento – it's a dress AND it's vintage!! Thank you so much and for linking up xx

  30. 7 March 2016 / 3:55 pm

    Such a lovely dress and it's perfect with those boots and that tote. And you're right about that coat, the curved edges is just the right shape for it. Gorgeous!
    Suzy x
    http://www.suzyturner.com

    • 8 March 2016 / 8:23 pm

      Thanks Suzy – if only I'd tried this coat with this dress earlier!! x

  31. 7 March 2016 / 3:43 pm

    Gorgeous dress! I really like it with the coat! And what fun boots! It must have been frustrating not to be able to wear the new boots because of your injury… But I'm sure you'll enjoy them for years to come!

    • 8 March 2016 / 8:22 pm

      It was frustrating, Andrea – I just couldn't pull the right boot up my leg without searing pain!! Because they're quite low they're very comfy… So glad I can wear them now. And thank you xx

  32. 7 March 2016 / 3:40 pm

    I know why this polka-dot midi dress is your absolute fave as far as vintage pieces go, dearest Catherine…it's beyond perfect with your rose-gold hair colour!! And speaking of "perfect matches" – your belt and boots (and that new orange tote!) work like a charm to continue the seventies theme!! XOXO P.S. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who sometimes struggles a bit to find the perfect coat for a particular look!! 😉

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com

    • 8 March 2016 / 8:19 pm

      Aww thank you Monika!! I was so surprised that the dress had only been on the blog ONCE… I wear it quite a lot! Plus coats are so awkward, you want the right one to keep you properly warm and then there's the colour and then there's the shape, oh problems problems!! ;))

  33. 7 March 2016 / 3:37 pm

    Since vintage is really my thing I've linked up a few times this week. Hope that is okay : )

    bisous
    Suzanne

    • 8 March 2016 / 8:17 pm

      Suzanne of course it's okay! The link up details say you can add as many as you like…!! x

  34. 7 March 2016 / 3:26 pm

    Love the retro vibe.

    bisous
    Suzanne

    • 8 March 2016 / 8:16 pm

      Thought it'd be your kinda thing, Suzanne!! thanks so much x

  35. 7 March 2016 / 3:23 pm

    Such a fabulous vintage dress.

  36. 7 March 2016 / 3:19 pm

    Love love love! This dress is perfection, you look beautiful in it. How wonderful that you styled it with boots, even more retro. Love, Kirsten xx

    http://www.thelifbissue.com

    • 8 March 2016 / 8:15 pm

      You can see why it's my fave, eh Kirsten…?!! thank you sweetie!

  37. 7 March 2016 / 3:19 pm

    That polka dot dress is gorgeous and looks fabulous with those boots!

  38. 7 March 2016 / 3:18 pm

    Love the dress – it's stunning, and really suits you! I feel your pain with the whole midi length dress/skirt plus winter coat fiasco. It's an eternal struggle! x

    • 8 March 2016 / 8:13 pm

      Hehe it's a tough one, isn't it Rachel?! Thank you xx

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