A Lightweight Chambray Dress Perfect for Summer #iwillwearwhatilike

I’m wearing yet another summer dress: I’m doing well with my promise [to myself] to wear dresses all summer long…!

So that’s five skirts or dresses in a row now, which I think is a new record here on Not Dressed As Lamb. In the past I’ve managed two, and possibly three, dresses in a row, but NEVER five. We’re still blessed with glorious weather and it’s set to get even hotter this week, so I’m a happy bunny. Bring on more dresses, I say!

The dress I’m wearing today was kindly gifted to me from Oasis, and it’s a simple blue-grey lightweight chambray dress. With stripes. And to those of you thinking, What – ANOTHER striped dress, Catherine?! I say, to be fair it’s very different from the black and white striped dress from last week and the blue, white and black striped dress from a couple of weeks before… Oh, who am I kidding: I’m addicted to striped dresses right now, and I’m not ashamed to admit it!

SHOP THE LOOK:

Although I’ve worn red shoes again this week I can safely say this is an entirely different look and feel to last week’s black stripes and leopard print look. That one was moody with its dark, mixed patterns – this one is lighter, fresher, sunnier. The weather in these photos reflect that: We could only shoot in the middle of the day which usually I would NEVER, EVER recommend. Midsummer and the middle of the day means the harshest, most unflattering shadows and blasted out highlights where the sun hits.

Normally we go for the golden hour (the hour before sunset) whenever we can – the light during that time is glorious and makes you look glowy and soft.

HOWEVER, there are two way to vastly improve photos that have to be taken at this harsh time of day, i.e. when you don’t have the luxury of shooting later on. You can either 1) Stand in the shade and shoot there (no harsh shadows but still lots of light!), or 2) Shoot INTO the sun. If you don’t believe me, check out my post explaining how to shoot outfit photos in bright sunlight – there are lots of examples there (and a few exceptions explained)!

 

This dress is one of those hardworking dresses that’ll see me through summer without much thought – a real throw-it-on number. As it comes with a matching belt all it really needs are shoes, but you’ve got lots of options with your accessories to style it differently each time. A change of belt, different sunglasses or hats (I adore my cream Panama hat which is an ESSENTIAL for summer, not just for style reasons but for sun safe reasons), jewellery – you can even layer blouses underneath and have the collar poking out. Or wear a collar accessory like I did with my black and white gingham dress to give it an entirely different feel.

So many options for such a simple dress… me likey.

(By the way, if you were expecting a post last Friday for the #SaturdayShareLinkUp and wondered where it went, I’m afraid I simply didn’t have time to get the post out. House moving is taking up so much time at the moment, so until we have actually moved, blog posts may not be quite as regular as I’d like… Monday’s #iwillwearwhatilike will always go out, however, so fear not!)

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!

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE GO-TO SUMMER DRESS THAT TAKES ALMOST NO STYLING AT ALL? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS…!

Like this post? You might also like…

– Black and White Gingham Dress With Pearl Collar

Dress: Oasis c/o
Espadrilles: Asos (similar)
Hat: Hats & Caps
Bag: Yosa c/o (I like this one)
Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs (I like these UK ones and these US ones)
Bracelet: What Lizzy Loves c/o
Necklace set: Asos (I like this one)

 

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

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 around 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!

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!

Want to receive an email reminder for the next link up?

Please note that due to the new GDPR laws I’m unable to send an email reminder unless you subscribe to the mailing list of your own accord. CLICK HERE if you wish to be sent an email with a reminder to link up to the #iwillwearwhatilike link up as soon as it’s live!

Featured favourites

My favourite outfits from last week’s link up:
(L-R) Passionfruit, Paws and Peonies | Shelbee on the Edge | Badass Baby Boomer

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

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means if you click through and buy I may receive a small commission at no cost to you (click here for my full disclosure). Items listed as c/o were gifted…