It may sound like witchcraft, but believe me when I say you can make a monochrome look out of polka dots – it’s all in the colours you choose!
I wore this outfit a couple of weekends ago for an informal birthday party – held at a friend’s house and one that promised dancing round the living room (the adults all being in their 40s and relishing all the 70s, 80s and 90s hits we were playing… We have no shame). Therefore I wanted to wear something a little fun that also included comfy shoes for all day plus evening dancing.
The monochrome look was purely accidental, but if you look at the full-length photos you will see that the outfit looks pretty much the same colour from head to toe (squint a bit if you’re not quite getting it) – a plummy-burgundy red colour. What I didn’t realise was that the navy blouse with red polka dots (similar) looks like burgundy at a distance, and in fact the same burgundy of my go-to favourite peg trousers.
I love the three colours (that you can see in the close-up photo below of the blouse and trousers) together – add silver in the form of my fabulously-comfortable Finery two-tone slip ons and you have yourself one very easy-to-wear outfit. It was perfect for travelling the 2.5 hour journey to our friends’ house, perfect for lounging around and watching the rugby, and perfect for a spot of Dad dancing later on.
SHOP THE LOOK:
This Wednesday I’ll be featuring more shoes (well, boots) from Finery, in fact a whole outfit from the British brand. If you haven’t checked them out yet please do – they’re a young online-only brand with some very edgy but very wearable items, and the quality is second-to-none considering the reasonable prices.
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So all that’s left to say is 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!
ARE YOU ALWAYS INTO YOUR POLKA DOTS LIKE ME? COMMENT BELOW, OR TAKE IT TO TWITTER @NOTLAMB…
Blouse: Fever London c/o (similar – I love this one too) | Trousers: ASOS (old, similar) | Shoes: Finery c/o | Belt: TK Maxx (similar) | Sunglasses: Quay Australia (similar)
OTHER POLKA DOT BLOUSES TO TRY:
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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!
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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
My favourite outfits from last week’s link up:
(L-R) Style Nudge | The Sequinist | Wear Wag Repeat | Elegantly Dressed and Stylish | Rachel the Hat
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This is what I call a bloody great outfit. It looks simple but it isn't. What a fantastic find. And those shoes are such a good choice to wear with it. Wouldn't mind these shoes myself. Well, in fact the whole outfit, but that is greedy.
Greetje
This look is right up my street Catherine!
Dotty loveliness and peg-leg breeks (not that they really suit my shape, but I wear them anyway!).
PLUS, those fab traniers.
Perfect dressed-up-casual (is that a thing? It is now! :o))
XXX
Samantha
Fake Fabulous | Fashion & Style, over 40
I'm a sucker for polka dots! Always have been, so I absolutely LOVE your blouse. The shape is pretty much perfect too. I'm not normally a fan of peg leg trousers (they just don't seem to suit my shape) but these are gorgeous. I do love the waistband. And those shoes are perfect for a spot of dad dancing (I love that you called it that lol!!)
Suzy xx
http://www.suzyturner.com
what a gorgeous monochromatic look! My favourite piece is the trousers.. wowzers they are beautiful!
And thanks so much for featuring lil ol' me in your faves, that is super kind of you lovely lady!!!XXXX
super cute outfit! I love your top!!
I own a couple of polka dotted pieces, dearest Catherine…and now that I've seen this cute-and-cool monochrome outfit of yours, I think I need to wear mine just a little more often!! True to form, my dotted blouse and cardigan are both black and white…but I've got to say, I'm really feeling this navy/maroon combo, too; maroon is fast becoming my go-to colour when I want to step away from my beloved neutrals!! XOXO
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com
This look loooks so good on you! I love those shoes too!
Beckie xo // The Pale Tails
You are perfection in polka dots! Love this spring look!
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
Yes, I'm keen on polka dots too Catherine. I love your clever monchrome trick here, but most of all I totally adore those silver shoes. Looks like you pitched it perfectly for your outing – chic, stylish and comfortable too!
Thanks for the link up x
Anna
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
Whoa! That is a cool trick of the eye! What you don't mention is how fabulous that burgundy colour is with your hair… I love it! What beautiful light in these photos, and what creative styling. Love this, C! xx
This works so well, I love a three colour outfit – very nicely done. Jacqui
http://www.mummabstylish.com
I never thought about making a monochrome look with polka dots! I absolutely love that top and you sneakers.
Oh it is such a pretty blouse and the entire monochromatic look is perfection. I, of course, love all polka dots. And those shoes have left me in a swoon!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
I wore monochrome with polka Dots too last week! But I wore it in black, in color its very beautiful! Great look!
Blimey this is accidental? You're styling like a demon in your sleep woman! I love this outfit, actually it's one of my favourites of yours right now. It reminds me of the image of VB getting around at the moment – Same colour doing colour block though but yeah gorgeous xx
I love mixing patterns and textiles. Yesterday for the Mods vintage fair I mashed together a land girl polka dot dress, a biker jacket and rocker boots haha
I love those silver shoes – the navy toe cap is a fabulous detail….great for making feet look smaller, which is what I need! I have a short-sleeved navy and red polka dot top that I wear a lot in Summer 🙂
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Love the little bows on your sleeves, Catherine, a little touch of sass 🙂
Great polka dots! I like them too, but so far the only dots I have are on tights, and fairly small ones at that.
Monochrome with a twist, just as I like it.
Looking really lovely Catherine.
Much love, dear friend
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
Our brain does trick us from time to time doesn't it?! I had to look twice before I realised that yes, it's a navy top. I like those shoes, I'm surprised they're Finery actually – I remember when the brand launched my main impression was that the shoes were all really "fugly". I might have to look at the brand again if they've changed tack slightly!! Thanks for hosting. I'm in burgundy too this week, a bit of vintage suede. xx
Love this colour. It's been one of my favorites all year. Have you enjoyed the Rugby? I've been made a real Rugby widow these past few weekends! Have a great week Catherine x
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
Love the dots and the details with it! Have a great week. xo Sabina
Beautiful colour, beautiful light! And of course "our" silver shoes… Aren't they fabulous?
xx
Annette | Lady of Style
That's really fun that the polka dot blouse looks burgundy from a distance! I really like this outfit! The shoes are so cool, too!
Thanks for the link up & have a wonderful week!
Andrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
Amazing Look! Love that polka dotted shirt and those shoes!