A Simple Orange Party Dress and a Diamond Anniversary #iwillwearwhatilike

Orange fit and flare dress with pleated skirt fishnets tights birthday party outfit | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

This weekend was spent celebrating my parents’ diamond (60th) wedding anniversary,

so of course a party dress was absolutely the order of the day. After my little run of wearing black for several outfits around Christmas I’ve worn my favourite colour – orange – for the third time in a row.

I bought this orange pleated midi dress quite a few months ago and unfortunately I don’t think there are many sizes left, but below I’ve featured a selection of alternatives you may love (especially this reddish-orange broderie one) – or the same dress is available in a pretty khaki colour if you’re more of a neutrals fan.

As for the party, my parents hired a huge holiday house down at the coast looking out to sea to accommodate the (roughly) 45 friends and family that came, and as always with the girls in our family (with Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries) we usually put on a party dress. It was the perfect occasion to break out the as-yet-unworn orange dress and team it with a chunky black necklace (similar), my low black heels (good for being on my feet all day) and the back-on-trend fishnet tights.

(Don’t miss the photo I’ve included from their super stylish 1957 wedding below…!)

Orange fit and flare dress with pleated skirt fishnets tights birthday party outfit | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

SHOP THE LOOK:

 

As you can see I managed to abduct the helium balloons from the party for a cliché blogger photo – it’s not as easy as it looks as any wind makes it hard to control them…! But it gave the people out walking their dogs along the path something to look (laugh?) at.

And in case you’re wondering, yes we did suck in the helium later and we even sang along to the Bee Gees butchered Staying Alive. I know it’s bad for you but who can resist overdosing and giggling on helium…?!

We all had a wonderful weekend but we did have one (somewhat major) mishap… Unfortunately my 87-year-old father had a nasty fall on the steps outside and not only cut his head but also hurt his hip and cut his arm – paramedics came and we did have to take him to hospital. He came out the next day and isn’t too bad considering (he’s pretty fit and healthy for a man his age), but he sure gave us all a fright and of course we’re now joking about him being a drama queen and stealing the limelight at his own party.

So a two day party turned into a four day one with the extra help we had to give my parents, but it was all worth it in the end and we carried on partying despite his trip to the local A&E…!

Do add your outfits to this week’s link up and if you’ve added a link to here or my button to your post you may be featured next week!

IS THERE A COLOUR YOU’RE ESPECIALLY FAVOURING AT THE MOMENT? COMMENT BELOW, OR TAKE IT TO TWITTER @NOTLAMB!

Orange fit and flare dress with pleated skirt fishnets tights birthday party outfit | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Orange fit and flare dress with pleated skirt fishnets tights birthday party outfit | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Orange fit and flare dress with pleated skirt fishnets tights birthday party outfit | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Orange fit and flare dress with pleated skirt fishnets tights birthday party outfit | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Orange fit and flare dress with pleated skirt fishnets tights birthday party outfit | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Orange fit and flare dress with pleated skirt fishnets tights birthday party outfit | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 styleOrange fit and flare dress with pleated skirt fishnets tights birthday party outfit | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
ASOS dress (I adore this red/orange embroidery midi dress) | ASOS necklace (love this black crystal statement necklace) | ASOS shoes | Fishnets tights

RELATED  The Best Hat to Wear to a Summer Wedding

OTHER ORANGE OR RED DRESSES TO TRY:

 

A chic 1950s wedding

1950s white wedding wedding dress 50s style vintage style wedding simple white velvet wedding gown
Above: My parent’s wedding, 1957. Far from being embarrassing, I don’t think either of them could look more chic or stylish. My mum designed and made her own dress out of white velvet (it being January), and even when I was a kid I admired its simplicity…!

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The #iwillwearwhatilike link up with 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). Basically it’s just good manners to link back to here – to leave a comment is even nicer!

Featured favourites

Fashion bloggers that believe in #iwillwearwhatilike

My favourite outfits from last week’s link up:

(L-R) A Labour of Life | Fashion Should Be Fun | Kremb de la Kremb | Madam Too Much | The Sequinist

To get yourself featured next week, 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

47 Comments

  1. Ella
    31 May 2018 / 4:05 pm

    In love with this bright red pleated dress! Looks fresh and feminine!

  2. 8 February 2017 / 6:37 am

    I know I am not the first person to say this, but Catherine! You are the dancing emoji lady in the red dress! Beautiful! And that picture of your parents. How special! Congratulations to them. Please tell them I find them to be special. And wow, you come from two very handsome and stylish folks. The apple doesn't fall far, does it?!

    Stunning. Everything about this post.

    Love, Ann from Kremb de la Kremb

    PS Thank you so much for the feature! I think that blog post might just be my most favorite of all time. It's up there anyway….

  3. 3 February 2017 / 1:48 pm

    So glad your Dad is ok, many happy returns to your parents! Their wedding photo is lovely, you take after your Mom and your Dad had the look of a young Ted Hughes about him!

    I was just eyeing up an orange dres on La Redoute the other day, it seeemd a bit bold for me but I do love the colour, esp. as I can't wear red it's sort of a red alternative I think. Yours is lovely and so versatile I imagine! xo

  4. 1 February 2017 / 7:50 pm

    My goodness, that wedding dress of your mum is gobsmacking. Soooo good. And of white velvet! Even better. Love her veil and the way it is fastened on her head. Both very good looking people. So you got the looks of your parents and the creativity and style of your mum. Quite a package to be thankful for.
    I hope your dad will recover completely. Always tricky when older people fall. My mother is 88 and has fallen twice last year. Nothing broken or anything. Thank God.
    As for your orange dress…. a beauty and perfect for you. Lovely styling with the black.
    I will link back to you next Sunday dear.
    Greetje

  5. 1 February 2017 / 1:47 am

    Catherine you look amazing. I love that orange color on you and I am really liking the color of your hair right now! No matter what color it is, you are always beautiful. Your dress looks perfect for the occasion. Glad your dad is okay. Lovely photo of their wedding day. Thanks for sharing. – Amy
    http://stylingrannymama.com/

  6. 1 February 2017 / 1:46 am

    This is a perfect dress, love it so much.

  7. 31 January 2017 / 3:11 pm

    Style ABSOLUTELY runs in your family, dearest Catherine…your mom was stunning in her white velvet wedding gown (she designed that herself? Wow!) and your dad's the definition of a dapper groom!! And YOU look totally party-perfect in this pleated, vibrant orange dress with the matching lippy!! P.S. The "incident" with your dad totally reminds me of Robin's and my wedding…where one of our senior guests danced too much, got dizzy, and fell against a chair, splitting his ear in half and also necessitating at trip to the hospital!! As long as your dad is alright, it certainly makes for some unforgettable memories!! ;D

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com

  8. 31 January 2017 / 1:47 pm

    Catherine, all of this is so fabulous (except the part where your dad took a spill. But I am glad he is okay). Your dress. Your mother's wedding dress. The cliche balloons. All of it…just fabulous! Thank you for sharing it!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

  9. 31 January 2017 / 8:55 am

    oh wow, well, where to start!
    Firstly congrats to your mum and dad! How absolutely magnificent they both look on their wedding day. That dress*insert heart-eyed emoji x10!!*
    And how wonderful and smiley you look here. You have such a beautiful smile, it realy does radiate through all these photos. The dress is, of course, beautiful and like it was made for you!
    Thanks so much for sharing and hosting.
    Rxx

  10. 31 January 2017 / 8:52 am

    Congratulations to your lovely parents. I can see where you got the looks and the style genes from 🙂 And that orange dress is amazing. Have a great week. Sabina

  11. 30 January 2017 / 11:40 pm

    60 years is just incredible! You are very lucky. And you look stunning in this bold dress. Such a flattering cut and silhouette on you!

    Heidi || Wishes & Reality

  12. 30 January 2017 / 9:55 pm

    And now we know where your stunning smile comes from! I do love seeing you in orange, it's a colour I can't wear myself so I enjoy it vicariously through you 🙂

  13. 30 January 2017 / 7:52 pm

    You look fab in that dress Catherine – it's a great shape, and orange too which is a winner in my book! Your mum looks perfect too in her wedding dress. I love the idea of white velvet – she must have been a bit of a trend setter in her time. 60 years together is pretty epic. You're very lucky! And your dad was lucky not to damage himself any more than he did. Glad you all had a wonderful time x
    Anna
    http://www.annasislandstyle.com

  14. 30 January 2017 / 6:35 pm

    I love the dress so much. The pleats are gorgeous and the colour really suits you. Your poor, poor dad- thank goodness he is so fit and well. Thank you for hosting the link-up and please pass on my congratulations to your parents, love Liz xxx http://www.whatlizzyloves.com xxxx

  15. 30 January 2017 / 5:58 pm

    Aww you look so happy in these photos! I hope your Dad is recovering nicely 🙂
    Helen x

    whenIgrowupblog.com

  16. 30 January 2017 / 5:37 pm

    First I have to comment on your wonderful parents' wedding photo, C. What a beautiful couple! All the very best to your dad after his accident…
    I love your dress, such a beautiful and happy colour for this lovely occasion!

    xx
    Annette | Lady of Style

  17. 30 January 2017 / 5:26 pm

    Congrats to your parents! What a chic couple, it's a lovely photo. You're looking swish yourself, super dress xx

  18. 30 January 2017 / 5:16 pm

    Great outfit – I adore orange. The powerful simplicity of this appeals to me. And your photos, sigh, they are truly beautiful. Thanks for the tip about the balloons. Hahaha. I'm very relieved that your father was not seriously injured and could carry on later. Whew. Absolute congratulations to your parents. Their wedding photos is brilliant. Your mum, what a brilliant seamstress, I love the idea of a velvet dress.

  19. 30 January 2017 / 5:08 pm

    Oh my how breathtakingly beautiful your parents are in this wedding photo Catherine! You Mum is the epitome of Movie Star Elegance & that dress, velvet wow! Talented & beautiful, you must be so proud?
    A thought gave me chills when I saw the writing on the balloons you're holding. You can re-use this photo for your 60th wedding anniversary! Imagine that? Wouldn't it be awesome?
    MTx

  20. 30 January 2017 / 4:50 pm

    Such a pretty dress! Love this!

  21. 30 January 2017 / 4:16 pm

    Orange is definitely your colour! The photo of your parents' wedding is lovely, your mum's dress is so elegant. I can see that you look a lot like her. Wishing your dad a speedy recovery after his fall.

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

  22. 30 January 2017 / 4:13 pm

    You look absolutely beautiful, Catherine. And so happy! It's wonderful that your parents are celebrating such a marvellous wedding anniversary, and I must say they looked fabulous on their wedding day. Your Mum's dress is to die for!! So sort to hear of you'r Dad's fall though. I bet that scared the life out of you all!
    Hugs
    Suzy xx
    http://www.suzyturner.com

  23. 30 January 2017 / 4:10 pm

    What a lovely wedding photo. Your mum did a great job on the dress, I think a lot of people sewed their own then. My parents married 4 1/2 years after yours and mum did her own dress too. Shorter than your mum's, but just a stylishly simple. I wish I'd learnt her sewing skills.
    Glad to hear that your dad's on the mend and that it didn't ruin the festivities. Did they get a telegram from the Queen?

  24. 30 January 2017 / 4:06 pm

    Ain't nobody can wear orange as well as you do, Mizz C. NOBODY! That dress is divine on you, and I have to admit to loving the balloons!

    The photo of your parents is gorgeous; I can see both of them in your facial features. xxx

    • 31 January 2017 / 5:23 pm

      Lisa thank you!!!! Good job I'm loving orange, ain't it…! 😉

  25. 30 January 2017 / 4:00 pm

    Dear Catherine how fotunate to have bth your parents alive and well, and celebrating 60 years together, wowwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
    Fedinitely worth wearing red.
    Wish them all the best and if possible another 60 years
    Much love
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

    • 31 January 2017 / 5:12 pm

      I'm not sure they'll manage another 60, Sacramento(!!!!!!) – thank you my lovely x

  26. 30 January 2017 / 3:44 pm

    Mum's stealing the show here! What a perfect dress. I too am loving this colour your'e wearing Catherine though. One of the great Pantone colours for this year, set off beautifully with the necklace. xx
    http://www.vanityandmestyle.com

    • 31 January 2017 / 5:11 pm

      hehe she is rather, isn't she Laurie ;)) thanks hon x

    • 31 January 2017 / 5:11 pm

      Thank you Yvonne, yep they do give us scares now and then (!!) but we had a great weekend x

  27. 30 January 2017 / 3:31 pm

    Congrats to your parents! I love your dress, the color is wow! You look lovely. Peace! Cheryl Tucker

  28. 30 January 2017 / 3:20 pm

    So pretty!! Glad your Dad is ok!
    Jaymie

  29. 30 January 2017 / 3:20 pm

    Wow…your mum made her wedding dress?? How amazing is that? What a fabulous photo of the two of them…I'm glad your dad is doing okay!
    You look wonderful, Catherine! I love how you went with a boatload of color!
    jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • 31 January 2017 / 5:09 pm

      I think a lot of people made their own dresses in those days, Jodie, so probably not that unusual (she made mine for my first wedding in the 90s)! Thanks sweetie x

  30. 30 January 2017 / 3:17 pm

    You look fabulous in your party dress, Catherine! And I love your parents' wedding photo – a super stylish couple indeed! Sorry you father fell! I'm glad you is doing alright, but I can imagine the scare it gave everyone…

    Thanks for the link up & have a wonderful week!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

    • 31 January 2017 / 5:08 pm

      It was a bit of a scare, Andrea, but he's on the road to recovery now..! Thanks hon x

  31. 30 January 2017 / 3:15 pm

    Gorgeous dress on your Mom. I made my wedding dress too but it wasn't as chic as your Moms.

    • 31 January 2017 / 5:07 pm

      Thanks Teresa – I think because it's so simple that's why it's so wonderful…!

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