I’m back in summer dresses again, this time with a summer classic of blue and white stripe cotton.
Last week I broke my run of five summer dresses in a row with a pair of palm print culottes, but as promised this week it’s back to celebrating the stunning English summer we’re having with all the dresses, otherwise known as The Best Opportunity to Continually Wear Summer Dresses I Can Ever Remember.
I bought this dress from Mango – and not that I’m a creature of habit or anything and PLEASE don’t judge me, but yes – this is another stripe dress. A fourth, if anyone’s counting (see 1, 2 and 3 for proof)! But when your summer wardrobe – in its entirety – doesn’t fit you anymore then you have to bite the bullet and buy some new things. Unfortunately there have been so many fabulous dresses around this season that I’ve gone a bit dress-buying crazy. But I need to feel good about myself when nothing fits, and there’s no point getting depressed about it. I’m more likely to feel incentivised to get up and DO something about it when I’m feeling positive, so that’s my justification right there. (Did I convince you?! ๐ Did I convince myself, more to the point…)
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* were gifted.
This was one of those dresses that, when it arrived, made me go, Ohhhh when I tried it on…
Shop the look:
… because it’s pretty see-through.
The fabric is a semi-sheer cotton, and whilst I adore blue and white stripes in the summer AND the wrap style AND the puffy sleeves AND the lace panel, I did think it was far too see-through to wear by itself. I decided to wear a nude slip underneath to save my blushes… good job I did as the wrap wasn’t all that secure at the hem! Next time I might wear it with a pale blue slip – I have one that came with a blue Hobbs eyelet dress but I’d lent that to my niece the day I wore this. The blue one might work a treat, we shall see.
I’ve also succumbed to the straw bag trend and bought a very plain one from Amazon. I haven’t yet tied a scarf or added pom poms or something similar to it, but I will; it needs a little accessorisation. Due to packing for the house move I have limited accessories – many of my things are already in boxes. I didn’t think that I’d be needing neck scarves for the very specific reason of tying one to a straw bag…!
And finally: check out that STUNNER of a blue Swarovski crystal ring*. It was gifted to me by my wonderful friend Lisa (AKA The Sequinist) and although I’ve had it ages and worn it several times I haven’t really featured it on the blog. I chopped off my long nails a year ago to get them back to a good condition, and finally they’re long and healthy again… I didn’t want to feature them in a mega close up before now because that ring demands great nails.
Next week: Another summer dress. I’m doing well thanks to the continuing hot weather, though it’s very hard to write posts quickly while you’re melting (sorry for the delay publishing this) AND trying to secure a house move.
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!
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE ULTIMATE SUMMER FABRIC – BLUE AND WHITE STRIPES OR GINGHAM? COMMENT BELOW…
Dress: Mango (on sale! worn with a nude slip underneath)
Sandals: Marks & Spencer (I love these)
Bag: Amazon (similar)
Earrings: Accessorize (similar)
Ring: The Sequinist*
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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!
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Featured favourites (it’s all about summer dresses this week)
My favourite outfits from last week’s link up:
(L-R) Claire Justine | In My Joi | High Latitude Style
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Dear Catherine. What you seem to have with stripes and dresses, I seem to have with flowers and dresses. I just keep buying and showing them… I love that this summer is so, well, summer, so we can all wear lots and lots of dresses. What I especially love about the one you are wearing here is the lace detail. It makes the dress more elegant, while at the same time it stays the comfortable and easy to wear dress it seems to be. A great choice. Love, Lieske
Very pensive, feminine, flattering, and quite romantic. A winner on you, Catherine
I love this dress Catherine and your hair!!!!! I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, it’s such a stunning colour. I’m yet to get a straw bag but I know I’ll cave ๐
Steph
http://www.pricelesslifeofmine.com
Oh wow, the whole outfit is perfection-I can’t believe you have so many striped dresses-although I’m exactly the same with polka dots. I’m obsessed. You look so stunning (as always) and those orange shoes and straw clutch are EVERYTHING. Have you ever thought about styling people. You would be amazing xxx
Such a pretty striped dress. And it looks so fab on you!
xo,
Janise
OMG C what a beautiful dress!!! I love the details… the lace, the wrap, even the sheer floaty fabric looks like a summer dream! And the ring is a real unexpected touch with it, but works perfectly. I have the same ring and really love it! Your photos and that golden light are breathtaking; you look fantastic. xxx
Gorgeous dress, Catherine! I find that I am very often using liners or slips from other dresses to make sheer ones wearable. In any event, it is a marvelous dress. I love that you chose orange shoes. And that ring is simply stunning and so much fun!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Well, you know I love a dress! This one ticks so many boxes Catherine and you look beautiful in it. Such a stunning ring too. I agree that you’re better off feeling good about yourself than being overly harsh, although you look absolutely gorgeous anyway. Your hair has grown so much too. I think that every time I see you! Now…you go and get packing! Good luck with the house move to you both xxxxxxx
Simply gorgeous! I love those lace inserts too. Perfect for an English summer ๐
Suzy xx
http://www.suzyturner.com
A very nice cotton striped dress and the color match with the sandals is perfect! Lovely day xx
I agree, blue and white fine striped fabrics are gorgeous in summer dresses! The orange sandals go brilliantly with it! Have a great week Catherine xxx
That’s a beautiful dress with lovely lace detailing and with the summer we’re having it’s Ok, I think, to be sheer! Also interesting to see a dress like that with sleeves – that’s so good. You look totally great in it!
I love that lace detailing!
First of all let me say how much I love you in blue. Secondly, I’m also a massive fan of stripes. O.K who isn’t? ๐ Third how fab are those shoes!!!!
You’ve gotta be happy with this outfit from head to toe my friend? xx
I don’t think you can ever have too many striped dresses or tops, I am obsessed with them because they are always in style. Love the lace detail on yours, beautiful Catherine.
Cherie
STYLE NUDGE
Thanks for hosting, I think you’re outfit is just right for summer, and it doesn’t even matter if you’ve got others like it – as they say if it ain’t broken don’t fix it! Jacqui Mummabstylish
Lovely post & that dress is so pretty. I think you have a fabulous figure, but if you don’t feel comfortable in body it can affect how you see yourself. I am probably a couple of sizes up from you and now a stone heavier than last summer ! I have bought a few things to update and eke out what fits from last year !! Strange though with the heatwave I have started to eat slightly less…..hope it continues !!
Fingers crossed you get a moving date soon, these people have no conception of the frustration they cause by what seems like endless paper shuffling !!!
Love the dress! The lace detail is really eye-catching xx
Author
Thank you Laurie… the lace was what sold it to me ๐ x
I love this dress – so perfect for this heatwave we’re having x
Author
Thanks Rosie – it’s so lovely to wear a cool cotton dress!
All of your shirtdresses are completely differentโI totally understand! ๐ Also, I love your red platform shoes!
Cheryl Shops
Author
Thank you Cheryl – it’s getting an obsession…! ๐
The dress and bag are beautiful, but the shoes are really what takes the cake for me! They are gorgeous!
Author
Thanks Justina – they’re about three years old but I still love them…!
Love this look Catherine!! I have orange sandals on my ‘To Buy’ list, these are so perfect!!
P.S. Thanks so much for featuring me this week ๐
Xx
Joi
Author
Pleasure, Joi! Thank you – and yes, get yourself some orange sandals now!!
I see nothing wrong with a bevy of striped dresses….it’s a good thing through and through!!
XOXO
Jodie
Author
I don’t feel so bad now, thanks Jodie (hehe) ๐ x
That ring is amazing! It looks like your hair is getting thicker and longer every week! It’s beautiful!
Author
My hair has always been fast growing, Nancy – I’m so pleased because I WANT it to grow!! Thank you ๐ x
You look stunning and truly do not look like you need to lose any weight ! I’ve never commented before but don’t be hard on yourself lovely, I agree that we all know when we need to up the exercise etc but you look amazing! Helen xxx
Author
Thank you Helen – I’m simply dressing to flatter what I want to show off and hide what I don’t – but I’ve put on too much weight to be healthy and need to shift it otherwise my health will really start to suffer. I purposely dress so the weight gain isn’t noticeable… believe me you’d see it if I were to try and squeeze into things I wore on the blog a couple of years ago!! But thank you, I appreciate the lovely compliment x
I like the dress (I have many blue and white garments) and it suits you. Love that you combined the dress with orange platform sandals. Lisaโs ring is stunning.
Greetje
Author
Thank you Greetje – blue and orange is a winner isn’t it ๐ x
What a beautiful outfit Catherine, your dress is lovely. Love the back lacy detail on your dress. Your ring is stunning too ๐
Thank you so much for the feature. I love writing style posts but lack in confidence with popping weight on and it is such a lovely surprise to be featured by you, as I always love reading the posts you feature.
Thank you so much, have a lovely week ๐
Author
I don’t feel particularly confident either right now, Claire… but finding things that fit and flatter have made all the difference to feeling better and more positive! Glad you like the feature, thank you hon x
Wow! The ring is a real show stopper! I love this look on you. How long your hair suddenly looks!
Author
It’s a beauty, isn’t it Gail?! And thank you x