Off the Shoulder Frilled Top and Floral Culottes #iwillwearwhatilike

Summer style: Off the shoulder ruffle top, floral cropped trousers, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb

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:

 

Summer style: Off the shoulder ruffle top, floral cropped trousers, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb

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!

Summer style: Off the shoulder ruffle top, floral cropped trousers, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
Summer style: Off the shoulder ruffle top, floral cropped trousers, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
Summer style: Off the shoulder ruffle top, floral cropped trousers, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
Summer style: Off the shoulder ruffle top, floral cropped trousers, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
Summer style: Off the shoulder ruffle top, floral cropped trousers, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
Summer style: Off the shoulder ruffle top, floral cropped trousers, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
Summer style: Off the shoulder ruffle top, floral cropped trousers, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
ASOS off the shoulder top | ASOS floral trousers | Hobbs tote c/o | Daniel Footwear cage heel mules | oNecklace personalised pendant (similar gold monogrammed necklace) | Lizzy O diamante wrap bracelet | Nails: Nails Inc ‘Porchester Square’

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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  Styling My Classic Boho Maxi Dress (Again!) in Cornwall

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

Fashion bloggers in mixed patterns #iwillwearwhatilike

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!

38 Comments

  1. 27 July 2016 / 2:36 pm

    I love that top on you! Joining in today, been ages – it's hard keeping up blogging and life alongside a PhD!! x

  2. 27 July 2016 / 9:39 am

    Gorgeous outfit, gorgeous photos of you looking relaxed and beautiful.

  3. 27 July 2016 / 9:19 am

    Gorgeous summer look, Catherine! I love off-the-shoulder and boatneck tops.
    Glad you had such a wonderful time on your birthday weekend!!

    xx
    Annette | Lady of Style

  4. 26 July 2016 / 5:58 pm

    You look fabulous Catherine! Pleased you found one to suit you and it really does look great, that colour is just perfect. I'm a big fan of off the shoulder tops, I have quite a few and was literally doing my post on my latest off the shoulder when your link up email came through!!!
    Steph
    x
    http://www.pricelesslifeofmine.com

  5. 26 July 2016 / 2:10 pm

    Truly a perfect "birthday girl" outfit, dearest Catherine!! 🙂 I actually love the LOOK of an off-the-shoulder top…but I've yet to find one that doesn't feel like a straitjacket when I have it on!! I haven't given up, though; and if I'm lucky enough to snag one that's actually comfortable – AND as pretty as this ruffled, powder-blue version of yours! – I shall be a very happy fashionista!! P.S. Your hairdo is giving me some serious "fringe" envy lately!! XOXO

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com

  6. 26 July 2016 / 9:58 am

    You look sooo beautiful Catherine! The top you are wearing is delightful, the colour is lovely and suits you so well! I really like the ruffle effect it has too. This whole outfit looks amazing and you photographed it perfectly 🙂

    Take care,
    Daniella xox

  7. 26 July 2016 / 6:00 am

    Firstly, thanks for including me in your line up this week Catherine – it's always a wee thrill to see that I've made the grade with you. Congrats for the 5 years blogging as well as for your birthday. I loved your hubbie's write up the other day. And well done with finding the perfect off the shoulder top. I love your perseverance in your search for the elusive "one" and can see it was worth the wait. You look neither bony or busty, so hurrah for showcasing this slightly challenging style. I for one, am not sure I can wear this look, but you suit it so well. Love your culottes too – I'm a sucker for florals at this time of year. Have a great week x
    Anna

  8. 26 July 2016 / 1:50 am

    Hope you had a beautiful birthday Catherine! I have not jumped on the bandwagon yet. I have very broad shoulder and combine it with an OTS top, they are even wider so I will steer clear of it. This is such a great look on you.

    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.

  9. 26 July 2016 / 12:43 am

    It took me a bit to jump on this trend but now I'm obsessed! Love this ruffly top on you Catherine!

    Heidi || Wishes & Reality

  10. 25 July 2016 / 10:38 pm

    Love the whole look, fabulous especially the top. Great colour as well. I've just collected a cold shoulder top and can't wait to try it. Thanks for the link up. x Jacqui
    http://www.mummabstylish.com

  11. 25 July 2016 / 9:50 pm

    Happy birthday/bloggerversary! I absolutely loved reading your husband taking over your blog and shared his perspective on your blogging journey. You look beautiful in this OTS top and those sandal has amazing details. Thanks for hosting the link up and have a great week!

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

  12. 25 July 2016 / 7:06 pm

    Very pretty top, I love the ruffle! 🙂

  13. 25 July 2016 / 6:43 pm

    I am a bit late today. We are 9 in the house this week, but I am still here.
    Loving your look and every pic so much
    Mil besossssssssssss

  14. 25 July 2016 / 6:10 pm

    Okay…I can't resist…{insert slightly-smug-I-told-you-so-face}.
    Catherine rocking ANOTHER pair of culottes….. after insisting that they don't suit you…"I look dreadful in them"…blah blah blah.
    You (as I suspected) look AMAZING in culottes.
    AND an off the shoulder top!
    Once again kicking that rule book into touch.
    Looking SEXY but super-classy.
    A fabulous look.
    Love it!!!
    XXX
    Samantha
    FakeFabulous.com
    P.S. Here is to the next 5!!

  15. 25 July 2016 / 5:23 pm

    Oh yes, happy birthday! and happy blog birthday too!

  16. 25 July 2016 / 5:22 pm

    I love your off-the-shoulder top. In addition to a great cut and colour, it looks like it will stay put! Hahaha. My linkup top had a tendency to flop towards the shoulder so I had to wear a silky halter top over it as backup. Thanks for the linkup!

  17. 25 July 2016 / 4:25 pm

    I really like this outfit! I have floral pants that I love, but they are getting a bit worn and I'll need to replace them soon. Yours are really pretty. And the top looks fabulous! I haven't gotten any off-the-shoulder tops because I had a horrible experience with an off-the-shoulder top about 25 years ago, and I'm still a bit traumatized…

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

  18. 25 July 2016 / 3:50 pm

    Happy Birthday and happy summer, Catherine! For whatever reason I've had trouble uploading to your site but today it worked. Yay! Looks like you found the perfect off-the-shoulder top! It suits you beautifully! Lovely color, too!

    xx-Mary
    http://marymurnane.com

  19. 25 July 2016 / 3:36 pm

    Indeed this is a very clever solution as the top looks very good on you. I haven't tried it nor will I as my chest has wrinkles and I hate strapless bras. Makes me have 4 breasts by lunch when the bra sags. Love your expression "blosso ing food babies" hahaha.
    You looked peach perfect for your date with the instagram husband.
    Greetje

  20. 25 July 2016 / 3:04 pm

    Such a fab look, the pants/print is my favorite!!!
    -InMyJoi.blogspot.com

  21. 25 July 2016 / 2:59 pm

    It took me some time to decide on something off-shoulder and posted that today. You look simply amazing and so lovely in your ensemble. Love the shoes with it, too. And your nicely coiffed hair! Happy birthday Catherine. I have been enjoying your Cheltenham pics on insta…thanks for hosting. xo Sabina

  22. 25 July 2016 / 2:46 pm

    Happy Birthday and Happy Blog Birthday Catherine! I think you look fabulous in your off the shoulder top! I have a couple of off the shoulder tops and I love them, but haven't done any posts with them, I should after seeing yours – Adorable!

    Cherie
    http://www.stylenudge.com
    Style Nudge

  23. 25 July 2016 / 2:41 pm

    The first comment didn't work, so I'm trying again! I LOVE cold shoulder EVERYTHING, so I am excited to link up 2 posts and a YouTube video! Catherine, you look gorgeous, as ever. Love the top and how you styled it. I am hoping ASOS have it in my size (please!). Belated birthday greetings and #fangirl love! xx

    https://www.kittyandb.com

  24. 25 July 2016 / 2:24 pm

    I love that you admitted to having the top button undone after your birthday dinner!! You look utterly stunning as usual. That shade of blue is particularly pretty on you, Catherine!
    Belated Happy Birthday!
    Suzy xx
    http://www.suzyturner.com

  25. 25 July 2016 / 2:16 pm

    BTW thanks for featuring me on your pattern mixing : )

  26. 25 July 2016 / 2:16 pm

    This looks so pretty!

    bisous
    Suzanne

  27. 25 July 2016 / 2:10 pm

    First—how wonderful you showcased my mom in your mixed prints…and I didn't even see that before I added her to this week's party!! (I love the open shoulder shirt I purchased for her because of the asymmetrical hemline—and the best part? She likes it too!!)
    I still haven't tried an off the shoulder look yet…
    And I really like how you added a necklace with your shirt…so many of the times, I see them without any necklace and I keep wondering if there's a reason for it?
    jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  28. 25 July 2016 / 2:07 pm

    It's those those shoes-love, love, love them.

  29. 25 July 2016 / 2:02 pm

    I haven't purchased anything off the shoulder yet. I love looking at pictures of everyone else wearing off the shoulder items, but for me, I worry it would be too uncomfortable. I don't like strapless bras, and I like to use my arms. I can just imagine tugging at the shirt constantly trying to keep it up. I also have a large bust and round shoulders, and I don't think it would be flattering. I love the top on you though. You look amazing.

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