I’m writing this post in advance of Christmas Day in order to save myself time in terms of a photo shoot on the big day (always hard when it gets dark so incredibly early) as well as then editing and writing the post come Boxing Day. Hopefully I will have taken a very quick shot or two on the day and included them somewhere – this outfit was shot a while ago but it’s what I’m intending to wear on Christmas Day…
That’s only IF I haven’t eaten too many stollen bites and can actually get INTO the dress at all – right now I’m not holding out that much hope, lol!
(Regular visitors to the #iwillwearwhatilike linkup may have noticed that today is Tuesday and the link up usually goes out on a Monday – I’m sure you’ll let me have this one because who reads blogs on Christmas Day, amirite?)
SHOP THE LOOK:
First of all: this red lace dress is currently HALF PRICE so it’s an absolute bargain – I know a lot of people have been hankering after it since it featured on M&Co’s Instagram (when I took over their InstaStories for the day) and then briefly in my 21 Christmas party outfit ideas post (which you also need for New Year’s Eve)! It was one of those dresses that I really quite liked when I saw it online, liked it a lot more when I tried it on and then abso-f***ing-lutely LOVED when I saw the pictures… I’m a girl with very definite boobs and hips so if you have curves like me it may just be the right LRD (little red dress) for you too.
I didn’t want to be a cliché and wear black heels with it but I fancied pairing red with black, so instead I went for matching red heels (these are similar) that I wore to the UK Blog Awards this year to create a streamlined look, then added black with a diamante belt (size down if you don’t want to have to add holes!) and sparkly black clutch. So I managed to get this season’s on-trend black and red colour combo without resorting to black heels.
And what made even more of a statement? Adding the red pea coat as a cape.
When styling the outfit for M&Co I would ideally have liked a cape, but as they didn’t have a suitable one it was easily created with the red pea coat (a classic) by doing the obligatory fashion week thing of forgetting how a coat should be worn and declaring yourself too good for sleeves. But hey, your shoulders need protecting, okay…?!
Seriously though – a midi dress does present problems when it comes to what coat to wear. Get the length wrong and it could ruin your beautiful dress (I’m talking First World Problems of ruining your dress here… getting frostbite because it’s 10 below and you’ve decided to forgo sleeves in the name of fashion could possibly ruin your dress more). This draping-your-coat-over-your-shoulders thing is really only for a quick trip between car and door – it stops you from TOTALLY freezing yet looks stylish as you make your entrance to the party or event (fashionably late, of course).
I know one lovely reader left me a comment to say she bought this dress and belt as a result of seeing my outfit which is lovely to hear – if you want to do the same (ready-made outfit for New Year’s Eve right here, ladies!) then despite the awkward bank holiday days between Christmas and New Year you CAN get it on M&Co’s next day delivery if you hurry. And when the dress is half price that couple of quid extra for next day delivery (plus free returns) is SO worth it.
Do add your outfits to this week’s link up – and enjoy the rest of the Christmas break… I’ll be back on Thursday with a sneak peek at some SS18 collections (more transitional dressing than full-on summer, don’t worry)!
HOW WAS YOUR CHRISTMAS? AND DO YOU HAVE A LITTLE RED DRESS (OR ARE YOU NOW TEMPTED)? COMMENT BELOW!
Dress (currently HALF price!!) | Coat | Belt (on sale!) | Bag (on sale) all c/o M&Co
Heels: Marks & Spencer (similar)
Earrings: Amazon (I love these)
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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!
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!
… are having two weeks off for the Christmas break!
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!
Disclosure: I was gifted these pieces by M&Co and was paid to shoot photos for the Instagram takeover but was not compensated for or asked to write this post (click here for my full disclosure). This post contains 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.
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