How to Create a Monochrome Look With Polka Dots #iwillwearwhatilike

Easy-to-wear colours of plum and navy blue: Red and blue polka dot blouse plum peg leg trousers silver pointed toe slip trainers | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

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.

Easy-to-wear colours of plum and navy blue: Red and blue polka dot blouse plum peg leg trousers silver pointed toe slip trainers | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

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.

Don’t miss a single post

Enter your email address in the box below and you’ll be sent an email every time I publish a new post!


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

Easy-to-wear colours of plum and navy blue: Red and blue polka dot blouse plum peg leg trousers silver pointed toe slip trainers | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

Easy-to-wear colours of plum and navy blue: Red and blue polka dot blouse plum peg leg trousers silver pointed toe slip trainers | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Easy-to-wear colours of plum and navy blue: Red and blue polka dot blouse plum peg leg trousers silver pointed toe slip trainers | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Easy-to-wear colours of plum and navy blue: Red and blue polka dot blouse plum peg leg trousers silver pointed toe slip trainers | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Easy-to-wear colours of plum and navy blue: Red and blue polka dot blouse plum peg leg trousers silver pointed toe slip trainers | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
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:

 

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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!

RELATED  The Best Hat to Wear to a Summer Wedding

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 who believe in #iwillwearwhatilike

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

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

26 Comments

  1. 1 April 2017 / 6:49 am

    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

  2. 15 March 2017 / 9:31 am

    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

  3. 14 March 2017 / 3:12 pm

    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

  4. 14 March 2017 / 2:39 pm

    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

  5. 14 March 2017 / 2:38 pm

    super cute outfit! I love your top!!

  6. 14 March 2017 / 2:09 pm

    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

  7. 13 March 2017 / 9:20 pm

    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

  8. 13 March 2017 / 8:40 pm

    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

  9. 13 March 2017 / 8:10 pm

    I never thought about making a monochrome look with polka dots! I absolutely love that top and you sneakers.

  10. 13 March 2017 / 6:49 pm

    I wore monochrome with polka Dots too last week! But I wore it in black, in color its very beautiful! Great look!

  11. 13 March 2017 / 5:18 pm

    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

  12. 13 March 2017 / 4:57 pm

    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

  13. 13 March 2017 / 4:53 pm

    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

  14. 13 March 2017 / 4:32 pm

    Love the little bows on your sleeves, Catherine, a little touch of sass 🙂

  15. 13 March 2017 / 4:07 pm

    Great polka dots! I like them too, but so far the only dots I have are on tights, and fairly small ones at that.

  16. 13 March 2017 / 4:04 pm

    Monochrome with a twist, just as I like it.
    Looking really lovely Catherine.
    Much love, dear friend
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

  17. 13 March 2017 / 3:50 pm

    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

  18. 13 March 2017 / 3:50 pm

    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

  19. 13 March 2017 / 3:38 pm

    Love the dots and the details with it! Have a great week. xo Sabina

  20. 13 March 2017 / 3:38 pm

    Beautiful colour, beautiful light! And of course "our" silver shoes… Aren't they fabulous?

    xx
    Annette | Lady of Style

  21. 13 March 2017 / 3:09 pm

    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

  22. 13 March 2017 / 2:59 pm

    Amazing Look! Love that polka dotted shirt and those shoes!

DISCLOSURE: Items marked* are PR products (I never accept anything I wouldn’t choose for myself) and my opinions are 100% honest. I also use affiliate links where I may earn commission if you click through and buy, at no cost to you.