A Rainbow Graphic Print Maxi Dress Styled the 90s Way #iwillwearwhatilike

Okay, so this is a trend which has come back that – like chokers and roll necks – I swore I wouldn’t wear again. Wearing a strappy maxi dress over a t-shirt just SCREAMS nineties to me, but look what I wore over the weekend when we went to see the Parathletics at the Olympic stadium… classic 90s!

I think what’s made the difference, however, and brought it somewhat up to date is the pattern of the maxi dress. This rainbow graphic print makes it nothing like the small-floral-on-a-black-background prints I wore so much circa 1993 (with those folded brim denim hats, remember them?! If those come back with a flower pinning up the brim I’ll probably kill myself).

Anyway I got this Warehouse maxi dress in the sale at Asos after a recommendation by Lisa AKA The Sequinist – she was right when she said it was a great hot weather dress (she featured lots of maxi dress picks in that post so do check them out). I’d ordered it just at the end of last week and barely had time to try it on before I was due to pack an overnight bag to stay in London, but it fitted perfectly and I loved the pattern so into my weekend bag it went.

I took my fave white t-shirt from Yunion T (sellers of the best plain white t-shirts ever) and a few other white tops with me as I knew I didn’t want to wear it with nothing underneath. When we go away and we’re driving – as opposed to me working away and having to go on the train carrying a case – I tend to go nuts and pack three or four of everything. So three white t-shirts it was. I had the 90s in my head when I pictured the t-shirt and maxi dress together but somehow – SOMEHOW(?!) it worked.

What made the difference was the addition of the belt. I know it’s much more “now” to leave ’em loose, but I know on me it just looks a little better with some waist definition. It’s one of my best features, I might as well make the most of it, eh?

The other standout item of this outfit is the striking backpack which I was gifted by Beara Beara, a luxury leather bags brand – I chose the Koey backpack and it’s made from 100% real leather. This bag is absolutely rock hard SOLID and the quality is out of this world. But what really sold it to me was the antique brass plaque and the fact that they offered me embossing – I forgot to take a photo of it (*rolls eyes*) but I had my initials put on the bag just under the flap.

 

SHOP THE LOOK:

 

Their site has a huge collection of bags to choose from and I deliberated for ages over whether to get the embossed tan backpack (looks like those beautiful leather bags you get in abundance from leather goods shops when on holiday in the Med) or the Koey crossbody bag (that also has the antique brass plaque). I decided I have enough crossbody bags already and I thought the boxy shape of the Koey backpack with the plaque was far more striking. It fitted everything I needed for our day out (more on that that in a bit) really neatly – and oh my god I need to use backpacks more often! It is SO nice to walk around with your hands free and stop shoulder ache or shopper’s elbow, especially when you’re doing a lot of walking.

(If you’re interested in investing in this fabulous brand, Beara Beara are offering an investment opportunity from as little as £100 in their CrowdCube campaign – but hurry as it ends soon!)

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Talking of a lot of walking, these pictures were taken at the Olympic Park in London where we went to see the World Parathletics Championships in the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. When the 2012 Olympics were on I desperately tried to get athletics tickets but to no avail – the atmosphere in the stadium looked electric watching it on TV. I can tell you the Parathletics did not disappoint AT ALL: One thing the British do really well is cheering on everyone from everywhere to do well. Of course the Brits get an even louder cheer, if that were possible. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.

(If you’re in London this week I’d thoroughly recommend you get tickets – there are still lots left and they are SO reasonably priced, I think a whole family can see a session for about £30 I read…!)

So 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!

HAVE YOU DARED TO LAYER YOUR STRAPPY DRESSES OVER T-SHIRTS 90s STYLE LIKE ME YET? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS OR TWEET ME @NOTLAMB!

Dress: Warehouse at Asos
T-shirt: Yunion-T c/o (similar)
Espadrilles: F&F Clothing (similar)
Earrings: Amazon (similar – US link)
Bracelets: Finesse / John Lewis
Backpack: BearaBeara c/o

 

OTHER BEARA BEARA BAGS YOU MIGHT LIKE:

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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 about 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

My favourite outfits from last week’s link up:

(L-R) In My Joi | What Lizzy Loves | The Daily Lace

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!

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

Disclosure: I was gifted the backpack by Beara Beara but was not compensated for writing this post (click here for my full disclosure). This post may contain some affiliate links which means if you click through and buy I may receive a small commission. All content is original, however, and opinions are my own and 100% honest.