Off the Shoulder Frilled Top and Floral Culottes #iwillwearwhatilike

Following my 5th blogiversary/birthday post on Saturday (written by my Instagram husband, no less), today I’m bringing you the outfit I wore when we went out on Saturday for my birthday itself – also known as my first venture into the off the shoulder trend.

This week’s #iwillwearwhatilike theme is off the shoulder and cold shoulder tops (or dresses), so if you have any of either do link them up (to be featured next time) or simply link any other outfits as the theme is always, always optional!

To be honest I was quite nervous about wearing this style top: I tried on a ton of different off the shoulder styles before I found the right one. I think I was hesitant because I tried on one off the shoulder top last year and it was a total disaster. The thing is I like my shoulders – to the extent where I think they’re one of my best features – but I’m also a little bony in that area. When you add in an ample chest and put a top that cuts straight across and above the chest, you (I) end up with a 1950s-style pointed chest when you look from the side.

SHOP THE LOOK:

This is not a look I’m ever going for (anything that makes me look more flat-chested is a winner in my eyes), so I pretty much gave up.

However, this year an abundance of off the shoulder tops meant that there were many more styles and variations to try, so I gave them another chance. Admittedly it did take about five different ones before I found “the” one, but the secret to wearing off the shoulder tops when you’re quite busty is to get one with a ruffle – it prevents a sharp ‘protrusion’ of bust from your shoulders. If you see what I mean…?!

Aaaaaaanyway I found this pretty ruffle top from ASOS and it was perfect. We went out to dinner in Cheltenham on my birthday – what you can’t see is that the top button isn’t done up on my floral trousers. We both had a fabulous meal at Jamie’s Italian (in the old County Court converted to a restaurant, no less) and the loose top hid my blossoming food baby nicely. Comfy heeled mules and my monogrammed necklace finished off the look… It makes me wonder where I’ll be with the blog when my 6th blogiversary rolls around…!

Wishing you all a fantastic week – no theme next Monday as I’m away a lot this week so will need some catch up time 🙂

HAVE YOU TRIED THE OFF THE SHOULDER (OR COLD SHOULDER) TREND? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS!

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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

NEXT WEEK:

THE THEME FOR 1 AUGUST IS ANYTHING GOES
(I’m away for most of this week so it gives me a chance to catch up!)

Linking up etiquette…

CLICK HERE to read the rules of linking up (and to grab the #iwillwearwhatilike button)

Featured favourites

My favourite MIXED PATTERN outfits from last week’s link up:

(L-R) Fake Fabulous | Inside Out Style | Suzanne Carillo | Jodie’s Touch of Style | Anna’s Island Style

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!

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