Styling a Velvet Midi Dress to Take You From Desk to Dinner | Hobbs AW17

Desk to dinner outfit: One dress styled two ways | A Hobbs yellow ochre velvet midi dress with ruffles styled as office workwear and a date night outfit

I have another ways to wear post for you: Following Monday’s Breton tops I’m now styling up one dress two ways… A desk to dinner outfit, anyone?

This absolute beauty of a midi dress is my first velvet piece since the fabric came back into fashion after it was THE fabric to wear in the 90s. When it first made a reappearance a couple of years ago my initial reaction was Ewwww no… but as with all trends that come back, I usually end up liking them again – eventually.

My first thoughts though went to velvet in the very 90s colours of purple or dark green, and back then it was mostly crushed velvet (not a great combination, and hence my hesitation to warm to the trend). Neither of those colours “do it” for me now – so it wasn’t until I saw Michelle Tyler in a dream of a blush velvet dress that I started to warm to it – and now this velvet midi dress in a stunning yellow ochre colour has made me fall head over heels in love with the fabric all over again.

The dress was very kindly gifted to me by Hobbs as part of a self-generated campaign by the Over40Collective: Autumn is pretty much now upon us (let’s just forget our lousy summer, shall we?), and I’m ready to embrace it with open arms – despite being a die-hard summer lover. No point mourning over something we never had, eh?

I chose the dress (as opposed to a suit or shirt and trousers) because as someone who works from home now I don’t really need smart office wear as such – when I need to be smart for work activities it tends to be for meetings and such with brands. So for me a dress is the perfect desk-to-dinner piece.

 

Styling the dress for work

So as mentioned my day job is being a full-time blogger and my usual office “uniform” is jeans and t-shirt (not ALWAYS my pyjamas!) – however if you work in an office with a relaxed dress code or if you work in a creative environment I think this would actually be the perfect workwear outfit.

The yellow ochre velvet is a gorgeous rich colour so it didn’t need an awful lot of styling, but knee highs are the perfect type of footwear for midi dresses and skirts. You absolutely CANNOT go wrong with that combination of skirt length and boots – they’re made for each other in that fabulous 70s-style way. I tied in the burgundy colour with a burgundy belt: It’s an old trick but matching belt and shoes is a great way to tie your look in without going too matchy-matchy.

The finishing touch however was the leopard print scarf, the black in which meant a black bag was the right colour bag to go with this look (unusual for me, I know)! It’s the Mini KT Workbag from Jennifer Hamley that I last featured here – it’s a proper work bag that holds all your proper work stuff.

Desk to dinner outfit: One dress styled two ways | A Hobbs yellow ochre velvet midi dress with ruffles styled as office workwear and a date night outfit

SHOP THE LOOK:

 

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Desk to dinner outfit: One dress styled two ways | A Hobbs yellow ochre velvet midi dress with ruffles styled as office workwear and a date night outfit
Desk to dinner outfit: One dress styled two ways | A Hobbs yellow ochre velvet midi dress with ruffles styled as office workwear and a date night outfit
Desk to dinner outfit: One dress styled two ways | A Hobbs yellow ochre velvet midi dress with ruffles styled as office workwear and a date night outfit
Desk to dinner outfit: One dress styled two ways | A Hobbs yellow ochre velvet midi dress with ruffles styled as office workwear and a date night outfit

Dress: Hobbs c/o
Scarf: Asos (similar)
Boots: Asos (these burgundy boots come in different calf widths)
Belt: La Redoute (this is a great one)
Bag: Jennifer Hamley c/o

So that’s my workwear outfit – I thought I couldn’t love the dress anymore than I did already, but then I quickly switched it up for evening…

 

Restyling the dress for dinner

Seriously, how beautiful is this dress? I’m stunned that I’d love something velvet so much. I wanted to create a look for dinner or drinks that could quickly and easily be transformed from the daytime look. So often working women have these sorts of scenarios: Work or meetings in the daytime, drinks or dinner straight after. Very rarely do you have time to go home and change entirely, so this is a great way to switch it up for drinks and fun.

A dress will always look more dressy with heels, and I wore the ruby red Marks & Spencer heels I wore to the UK Blog Awards (you couldn’t really see them under my gown) which are, actually, supremely comfortable. But the award for Most Glam Accessory goes to the oversized fishnet tights – aren’t they just incredible? I don’t think the whole outfit would be anywhere near as exciting without them. Yes, you can add a pendant necklace and yes you can add a metallic clutch, but add statement fishnets and bright red heels and you’re onto a winner.

The tights are easy to wear under your boots during the day if you want to save time as no one will see them (I’d recommend wearing the smallest toe sock things underneath fishnets as your toes will STILL go through the toes of the tights), and you simply swap boots for heels, scarf for a necklace, remove the belt and swap work bag for a clutch. Easy.

So easy, in fact, I’m going to start looking at my midi dresses rather differently from now on to see what else can be worn for both work and play in this way! Shopping links below…

Desk to dinner outfit: One dress styled two ways | A Hobbs yellow ochre velvet midi dress with ruffles styled as office workwear and a date night outfit

SHOP THE LOOK:

 

Desk to dinner outfit: One dress styled two ways | A Hobbs yellow ochre velvet midi dress with ruffles styled as office workwear and a date night outfit
Desk to dinner outfit: One dress styled two ways | A Hobbs yellow ochre velvet midi dress with ruffles styled as office workwear and a date night outfit
Desk to dinner outfit: One dress styled two ways | A Hobbs yellow ochre velvet midi dress with ruffles styled as office workwear and a date night outfit
Desk to dinner outfit: One dress styled two ways | A Hobbs yellow ochre velvet midi dress with ruffles styled as office workwear and a date night outfit
Desk to dinner outfit: One dress styled two ways | A Hobbs yellow ochre velvet midi dress with ruffles styled as office workwear and a date night outfit
Desk to dinner outfit: One dress styled two ways | A Hobbs yellow ochre velvet midi dress with ruffles styled as office workwear and a date night outfit

Dress: Hobbs c/o
Necklace: Kendra Scott
Heels: Marks & Spencer
Tights: Asos
Clutch: House of Fraser (I LOVE this one)

 

The Over40Collective

I just want to say a huge thank you to the team at Hobbs for gifting these pieces and working with the Over40Collective – I think I speak on behalf of all seven of us when I say this was one of the best group campaigns we’ve worked on, and everyone is so pleased with their outfits! All the ladies in our group look incredible and have showcased Hobbs AW17 to perfection.

Do take the time to click through and see their outfits in full (they’ll all have shopping links included) to see how they’ve styled their Hobbs pieces to create desk to dinner outfits. It proves how different women can style pieces from the same brand and come up with completely different looks – this is what I LOVE about our group, we’re not at all not clones of each other 😊

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Over 40 fashion blogger Liz (What Lizzy Loves) in Hobbs AW17 Desk to Dinner outfit | A flared sleeve floral dress styled as office workwear and a date night outfit

Liz, What Lizzy Loves

Follow Liz on Instagram @whatlizzyloves

 

Over 40 fashion blogger Michelle - RetroChicMama - in Hobbs AW17 Desk to Dinner outfit | A navy blue trouser suit styled as office workwear and a date night outfit

Michelle, Michelle Tyler

Follow Michelle on Instagram @mt.sustainability

 

Over 40 fashion blogger Lisa (The Sequinist) in Hobbs AW17 Desk to Dinner outfit | An orange wrap coat styled as office workwear and a date night outfit

Lisa, The Sequinist

Follow Lisa on Instagram @thesequinist

 

Over 40 fashion blogger Annette (Lady of Style) in AW17 Desk to Dinner outfit | A black trouser suit styled as office workwear and a date night outfit

Annette, Lady of Style

Follow Annette on Instagram @theladyofstyle

 

Pin for later!

Desk to dinner outfit: One dress styled two ways | A Hobbs yellow ochre velvet midi dress with ruffles styled as office workwear and a date night outfit

WHICH WAS YOUR FAVOURITE LOOK OF THE TWO – DESK OR DINNER? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS OR TWEET ME @NOTLAMB!

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Disclosure: I was gifted this dress by Hobbs 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.

23 Comments

  1. 17 September 2017 / 10:22 pm

    This dress! The color and fabric are so beautiful, and you look gorgeous wearing it, C. Love those red heels too. Thanks for linking up, XO

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

  2. 16 September 2017 / 10:01 am

    Fab frock and I love the colour on you. And yes, all the other ladies look great too! 🙂

  3. 9 September 2017 / 9:50 am

    WAAAOOOUUUH ! what a lovely outfit altogeher ,with your hair colour ,it s beautiful , I love it very much and it s very refined you re splendid Bravo !!!!

  4. 7 September 2017 / 3:29 pm

    I love this, the colours together work perfectly X #brilliantblogposts

  5. 7 September 2017 / 1:46 pm

    Wow. Both these looks are fabulous. What a stunning dress and it suits you so well

  6. 7 September 2017 / 11:36 am

    What a stunning dress Catherine. I particularly like your dress for desk take on it x

  7. 6 September 2017 / 10:43 pm

    You are all so stunning and I adore your dress Catherine, I love the 70s vibes and you look ah-mazing! x

  8. 6 September 2017 / 10:19 pm

    Gorgeous dress, I love the colour. Both outfits are stunning but I particularly love the leopard print scarf and burgundy boots – and the fabulous Mini KT bag of course!

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

  9. 6 September 2017 / 10:07 pm

    Oh, very nice! The color is stunning on you. A velvet or velour dress is on my must-find list and yours is the style I'm looking for.

    Rena
    http://www.finewhateverblog.com

  10. 6 September 2017 / 8:30 pm

    This dress is stunning, a great shape and cut. The colour looks great on you, but would look terrible on me though. I love your hair by the way. The colour looks lovely. Pen x #KCACOLS

  11. 6 September 2017 / 7:42 pm

    You are the epitome of fall in these ensembles that are warm,cozy, classy and sexy for the season. This color sort of evokes warm carmel and is gorgeous with your hair. I'm also amazed at how happily it plays with red!!
    Velvet ix just one of those rich, creamy textural fabrics that's so hard to resist especially at this time of year and I'm looking forward to finding something as delightful as this! judegramith@gmail.com

  12. 6 September 2017 / 7:02 pm

    Wow!!!!! I love these looks so much Catherine. The ochre looks stunning on you. The fishnets look fab as do all of the style details actually. The shape shows off your beautiful hourglass shape too. You look sexy and classy in equal measures xxxx Love Liz xxx http://www.whatlizzyloves.com xxx

  13. 6 September 2017 / 6:07 pm

    OMG! I am totally in love with this dress. Both looks are great:). Renata

  14. 6 September 2017 / 5:57 pm

    This colour is absolute perfection on you with your hair… it was meant for you. I so wish it suited my white skin and blonde hair, but I don't think it would (sob!). I love both of your looks, but the leopard print scarf especially makes my heart race. In a million years, I would never have thought to put that with the dress, and I adore it.

    This was such a fun campaign, and as usual, it definitely highlights that we all have such completely different styles. xx

  15. 6 September 2017 / 5:37 pm

    Velvet is a great material and this dress shows off your pretty figure very well (without being tacky I mean).
    Greetje

  16. 6 September 2017 / 5:30 pm

    Sensational look! The colour and fit are great on you.Velvet is one of those fabrics where if you skimp on quality it shows. I adore Hobbs, and they've come up trumps with this gorgeous dress. I was gutted that this dress was over £200 (potential sales stalk though) but I've just remembered that I have a velvet dress somewhere in the mending pile, I'll have to dig it out! Xx

  17. 6 September 2017 / 5:26 pm

    Oh my gosh I am DYING for this dress! And it's PERFECT on you with your build and coloring…and those boots!!!

    Seriously coveting,
    Bettye
    https://fashionschlub.com

  18. 6 September 2017 / 5:07 pm

    It's truly a stunning dress!
    And I love the idea of socks under your fishnets? So are you still wearing them with the pumps? It's such a fabulous idea, but I'm not sure I have a pair that wouldn't show with my pumps? Unless you can point me in the right direction??
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  19. 6 September 2017 / 4:47 pm

    That dress is a knock out on you Catherine!
    Wow.
    Proving a fistful of fashion 'rules' to be a load of nonsense…. High necks and larger busts, fishnets over 40, velvet for daytime… blah blah blah.
    I love your daytime look with those long boots.
    A delicious colour combination.
    XXX
    Samantha
    Fake Fabulous | Style & Fun with Fashion, over 40

  20. 6 September 2017 / 4:20 pm

    Oh jeez, I love crushed velvet!!!!!! I'm into the look with the scarf and boots!!!

  21. 6 September 2017 / 3:54 pm

    Dreamy dress Catherine, you chose well mate 😉 I really love how it looks against your leopard scarf but then I adore the fishnets with red pumps too! Both have a totally different feel. You're right about us as a group being so different & I agree, that is what makes us unique. Not everyone will like each of our styles but that's the best part because there's hopefully something for all. By the way I didn't know my blush velvet dress changed your mind about wearing velvet! I'm glad because it suits you Prrrr. Beautiful images Keith & you're looking divine lady, well done you two xxx

  22. 6 September 2017 / 3:44 pm

    Really great look and the colour is bang on the Pantone trends for autumn! Have saved to Pinterest.

  23. 6 September 2017 / 3:00 pm

    I adore this dress on you Catherine! The shade looks amazing with your hair too. And all the other ladies look smokin… x

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