A How to Wear Polka Dots Special #iwillwearwhatilike

Great polka dots outfits: Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

On 3rd September 2015 I started the very first #iwillwearwhatilike link up – one year on and it’s still going strong!

As this week’s theme is polka dots I’ve celebrated the one year anniversary with a round up of my favourite polka dot outfits from my years of blogging. I think it’s highlighted the fact that I don’t wear polka dots nearly as often as I should, so I’ve made a mental note to change that in the near future.

AND AFTER A YEAR OF HOSTING THE LINK UP I’VE DECIDED TO CHANGE THINGS A LITTLE – DON’T WORRY, THE LINK UP ISN’T GOING ANYWHERE

And after a year of hosting the link up I’ve decided to change things a little – don’t worry, the link up isn’t going anywhere and it’ll still be every Monday at 3pm UK time, but I thought it was time to shake things up a bit!

fever London spotted top and loose patterned trousers
Basically it’s been quite hard to come up with a new theme every week, so I’m simply going to retire the theme. The whole philosophy of #iwillwearwhatilike still applies, so it’s still THE place to show us your outfits, old and new.

I’ll still feature my favourites (remember you need to include a link or my button in your post if you want to be featured).

I will also be taking a little blogging break: The Monday link up will still continue, and I’m going to feature my all-time favourite outfits that have been linked up over the past year in a special One Year Anniversary post. However other posts will be put on hold for either a week, 10 days or two weeks, depending on how long I need… More on that in a brief explanation post tomorrow or Wednesday.

But I PROMISE you I’ll be back, so do peruse my archives in the meantime:

As always do add your outfits to this week’s link up – click the blue button below and follow the instructions!

HAVE YOU BEEN A FAN OF THE #IWILLWEARWHATILIKE LINK UP AND PHILOSOPHY? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS OR TWEET ME @NOTLAMB!

Polka dots and trenchcoat
Classic everything: Polka dots, trench coat and flared jeans: Original post here

Polka dot shirt & navy pinafore dress
An eclectic mix of peach polka dot blouse layered under my fave navy blue embroidered skater skirt dress. Original post here

fever London spotted top and loose patterned trousers
Serious(ly gorgeous) pattern mixing of red and navy polka dots with geometric print pants – original post here

Navy polka dots & mustard yellow pleated skirt
Somewhat Snow White-esque in a navy polka dots blouse with puff sleeves and a yellow pleated maxi skirt – original post here

Black & white polka dots with chinos
That’d be my favourite sweatshirt: Black and white polka dots with a cute neck scarf, roughed up with chinos. Original post here

Black & white polka dot sweatshirt, pastel pink wide legged trousers, black slip on sneakers, cherry red tote
And that sweatshirt again, this time worn with pastel pink wide leg pants and black slip-on sneakers. Original post here

Springtime brights: Mustard polka dot blazer, pink chinos, taupe mules
Could this be my favourite-ever colour combination? Mustard yellow polka dots with off-white and candy pink chinos – original post here

Vintage 70s polka dots dress, burgundy boots, orange tote | Not Dressed As Lamb
My most treasured piece of vintage clothing, the 1970s vintage polka dot sheer dress. Worn with very 70s style boots and belt. Original post here

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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!

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


Linking up etiquette…

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

 

Featured favourites

Fasjion bloggers wearing summer sandals #iwillwearwhatilike

My favourite SUMMER SANDALS from last week’s link up:

(L-R) Fake Fabulous | Cato in Amsterdam | The Sequinist | Mama in Heels

 

 

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

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN | YOUTUBE | NEWSLETTER

 

P.S. DO CHECK OUT MY PINTEREST BOARD WITH ALL THE BEST OF THE #IWILLWEARWHATILIKE LINK UPS – HAVE YOU BEEN PINNED…?

Linking up to: iwillwearwhatilikeShoe and TellVisible MondayTurning Heads TuesdayBrilliant Blog Posts, Fun Fashion Friday, Passion for Fashion Friday

32 Comments

  1. 9 September 2016 / 7:38 am

    This link-up is such a great idea ! It's my philisophie ever ♥️
    I love all your wonderfull outfits!

  2. 7 September 2016 / 9:37 pm

    I love all your outfits and photos! And yes, we all need a break here and there. The blogosphere isn't going anyway so we will definitely see you when you get back! Enjoy your time 🙂

  3. 6 September 2016 / 6:27 pm

    Catherine, I love your style, your link ups and your philosophy. Love your polka dot posts of the past and I can see how your style has grown and evolved, yet you have stayed true to your philosophy. Thanks for all the work and the inspiration. I hope you are taking a well deserved respite for rest and relaxation. – Amy
    http://stylingrannymama.com/

  4. 6 September 2016 / 2:15 pm

    I also don't wear polka dots NEARLY enough, dearest Catherine; but I've just recently purchased a dotted cardigan that I'm excited about styling for the fall. So – thank you for providing such divinely "dotty" inspiration at exactly the right time!! ;D P.S. Looking forward to whatever it is you have up your sleeve in the next week or two!! XOXO

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com

  5. 6 September 2016 / 12:38 pm

    Love all these outfits! Congratulations on a year of link ups! I hope you enjoy your break from blogging and return restored ad inspired 🙂

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

  6. 6 September 2016 / 12:18 pm

    I think a theme is unnecessary because most people just put what they wear that week. It was fun when we were doing the Instagram challenge, but then we were trying to prove a point…that we could wear what we want, including everything on that list. And were still proving that we will wear what we like when we choose whatever we want to wear that week. I love your polka dot outfits!

  7. 6 September 2016 / 10:31 am

    Liz MUAH that's a lovely thing to say – I'm only too happy to showcase so many lovely ladies because of all the support they (you) give me!! xx

  8. 6 September 2016 / 7:20 am

    Catherine, this is one of the best posts you've featured – so much creative variety and yet it's all about dots!! I LOVE that long yellow pleated skirt! Enjoy your break. xx

    • 6 September 2016 / 10:25 am

      Oh Elizabeth thank you, that's so sweet of you! x

  9. 6 September 2016 / 5:00 am

    I am a huge fan of polka dots and adore all of your looks!

    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.

  10. 5 September 2016 / 6:53 pm

    I love the navy and red spotty top with this smart joggers Catherine, fab-u-lous! Thanks for another link up party. Good luck with your little break, and come back all refreshed and raring to go.
    Anna x
    http://www.annasislandstyle.com

    • 6 September 2016 / 10:25 am

      I hope I will be Anna – thank you x

  11. 5 September 2016 / 4:45 pm

    Dots, dots, DOTS! I remember when they became a really big thing in the '80s when Princess Diana was wearing them. You have so many and they look fantastic!
    Have a great break. We all need them from time to time.

  12. 5 September 2016 / 3:51 pm

    So glad to be back to you.
    Tons of love
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxx

  13. 5 September 2016 / 3:41 pm

    You own great polka dot pieces!

    I started incorporating style into my blog about a year ago, and your blog was one of the first style blogs I read. It was right when you started the link up! I remember linking up a (pretty horrible) Instagram photo after watching the link up for a few weeks… 🙂

    And, yes, I do like the philosophy of wearing whatever makes sense to us, no matter what age we are! The rules are so silly. Of course I won't wear many of the things I wore 20 years ago because they are not "me" at this point in my life. But it makes no sense to tell me not to wear a certain piece of clothing just because I'm over a certain age. We are all so different, and clothing is so different… All that matters is that we find what we feel good in and works for us!

    We all need a blogging break once in a while (for so many reasons). Good luck with whatever is going on!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

    • 6 September 2016 / 10:23 am

      Oh that's so nice of you to say about the link up, Andrea – thank you! What you said makes perfect sense… I wouldn't wear many of things I wore FIVE years ago, never mind 20 years ago!! Though saying that, the 90s have been making a comeback ;))

  14. 5 September 2016 / 3:07 pm

    You know I'm a huge fan of you and your fashion philosophy! And yeah, I sure understand needing a break. For the last month between school starting and getting ready for fashion week and of course keeping up with the blog, I've been on full throttle (which I don't do well for very long). So … I totally get it. Relax and refresh, Catherine! We'll be here when you get back! And I love all the looks, but most super especially the trench coat outfit! LOVE!

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

    • 6 September 2016 / 10:15 am

      Thank you Dawn Lucy… yes the break is most definitely needed…!!

  15. 5 September 2016 / 2:59 pm

    I can totally relate to taking a break—we were gone this weekend, and I tried very hard to unplug!! It's hard for us Type A personalities, but it's good for our mental health!!
    I don't have much in the polka dot realm–I wonder why?
    jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  16. 5 September 2016 / 2:38 pm

    I am very curious about your break. And I love polka dots. Yours and mine.
    Greetje

    • 6 September 2016 / 10:15 am

      All will be explained in a day or two, Greetje! xx

  17. 5 September 2016 / 2:35 pm

    Love polka dots, but for some reason I have nothing with polka dots. I'll have to change that! 🙂

  18. 5 September 2016 / 2:10 pm

    I also love your polka dot stylings! They really suit you. I enjoyed looking through all of these photos seeing your style and hair change over the years.

    I wish you a restorative and inspiring blogging break; I can't wait to see what you cook up next once your batteries have a week or two to recharge! Lots of love to you, Catherine. xx

    • 5 September 2016 / 8:35 pm

      Thanks so much Lisa – as you know it's well needed…! x

    • 5 September 2016 / 8:30 pm

      hehe oh no Maggie – you've just found my blog as I take a break..! Hope to see you back here x

    • 5 September 2016 / 8:29 pm

      Aww Shelbee thanks so much – that's reassuring! x

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