It’s a funny time of year: the weather is often hot and sunny, but we’re already looking towards autumn and winter… do we still wear summer dresses? More to the point, do we still wear WHITE summer dresses?
Aaaaaaas you can probably guess by the title of this blog post (and its weekly hashtag), it may be September but #iwillwearwhatilike. So if that means wearing a full-on summer dress in autumn, or wearing white after Labor Day (or any of those other crazy rules that have infiltrated into our psyche), then so be it. Rules are made to be broken. But when it concerns a dress that makes you feel like you’re channelling your inner Marilyn Monroe, then every rule in the book definitely goes out the window.
Dresses like this that are meant to be worn at ANY time!
This is my favourite style of dress (as you can see here, here and here) – a fit n flare silhouette. And this one is a brand new white 1950s style dress that just SCREAMED Monroe to me. But look carefully and the details are what makes this dress so beautiful…
SHOP THE LOOK:
From the wide neckline to the stiff collar, to the ruching at the bust and on the shoulders and the wrap-over waist, this dress has it all. It was very kindly gifted to me by Karen Millen as part of an Instagram campaign I’m working on (details to be revealed on that next week ish), but as I wore the dress over the weekend I photographed it for this week’s #iwillwearwhatilike as well.
There’s no doubt it’s a little on the boobilicious side – I’ve spoken before about being a modest dresser and how I tend NEVER to get my cleavage out (apart from that one momentous time…!) – but when a dress is this fabulous you just gotta put on your most structured bra, pull your shoulders back and OWN IT.
There’s no hiding larger-than-average boobies in a dress like this; you shouldn’t try to draw attention away from them (you can try but there ain’t no point)!!
Styling-wise all I had to do was put on my brightest orange heels, add a small embroidered clutch (if you like mine, you’ll love this one) and don the obligatory sunnies. This dress demanded (yes, DEMANDED!) heels and twirling. If we have an Indian summer (fingers crossed) I’m going to make sure I get at least one more wear out of it, then save it carefully for next year when I’ll be overjoyed to see it again. It’s all the most flattering things a dress can be wrapped up into one beautiful silhouette.
PLUS IT HAS POCKETS. Say no more.
Can you tell I felt a teeny tiny bit smug about my late summer find…?!
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 PERSON/CELEBRITY/HOLLYWOOD STAR DO YOU LOOK TO AS BEING YOUR BENCHMARK OF STYLE? COMMENT BELOW…!
Like this post? You might also like…
– White 1940s-Style Vintage Dress and Lots of Red Tassels
– Christmas Day Outfit: Red Lace Midi Dress (Perfect for Curves!)
– My Birthday Outfit of a Red Ombré Shirt Dress
Disclosure: I was gifted the dress for a future campaign but was not compensated for or commissioned to write this blog post (click here for my full 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.
Dress: Karen Millen c/o
Shoes: Aldo (similar)
Bag: Accessorize (you might like this one)
Earrings: Karen Millen c/o
Watch: Henry London c/o
Sunglasses: Mango (similar)
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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 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) Fake Fabulous | Librarian for Life and Style | Style Splash
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…?
amazing photos you looking so beautiful 🙂
xoxo
Author
Olivia thank you!!
Love this outfit Catherine – the white looks fabulous on you! You look so beautiful!
xo -Trina
Author
Aww Trina you’re a love, thank you so much x
Beautiful, Catherine! Love the bust rouches, and the length and volume of the skirt – it looks like it isn’t even DEMANDING a can-can petticoat (I’m old, you’ll have to look that one up!). Your smugness is warranted. Hugs, x.
Author
Oh I know exactly what you mean by a can-can petticoat Mary!! 😉 Yep, the skirt has so much fabric in it that it does the fullness thing all by itself which is fab…! Thank you so much x
You look absolutely gorgeous!!
Sadly, for some reason I have never ever looked good in white not even when I’ve had a tan.
Oh no maybe once back in the ’80s with a fitted white dress that had ra ra frills. I was on holiday in Turkey. That’s the ONLY once. 😉
I love love love all of your photo shoots xoxo
Author
Oh wow remember ra ra skirts Sharon?!! ALL the girls wore them to discos when I was at school…!!
And thank you, so glad you loved the pics and the dress! x
Very English Rose, Catherine. So lovely. So You. I could “see” you in so many situations dressed like that. Why have so many of us forgotten how to be as feminine as this?
Author
I do have my feminine moments, Ratnamurti… but I’m just as likely to be in dungarees the next day – today in wearing a boiler suit for example (more because of the cold than anything)! Thank you x
You look wonderful dear Catherine. And the hair is just fabulous. Marilyn must have been a really fascinating person.
Every time I am in New York staying at the same hotel I will be passing by the Leo Strassburg theater where she used to take acting lessons. So magical. One stage is named after her.
Love the red and white in your picture, too. Thanks for hosting.
Author
I was always fascinated by MM as a kid, Sabina… how fabulous that you go past the Lee Strasberg theater! And thank you xx
Looking absolutely gorgeous, Catherine!!!
Sending love from Napa!
Paulina | SHENSKA
Author
Aww Paulina thank you 😀
Catherine, this is SO beautiful! What an absolutely stunning dress!
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
Author
Heidi thank you!! It sure is one of those special dresses…!
This dress is beautiful on you. The shoes add the perfect touch of color to the look.
Xx, Nailil
Author
Nailil thank you – I love the bright orange heels with it too x
I forgot about that white rule, whew! This is a stunning style and you wear it well. The orange shoes are the perfect fun accent. Thanks for the linkup!
Author
Hehe it’s a silly rule, isn’t it Melanie?!! Thanks my lovely x
It’s so unusual to see a full on white dress like this – kind of old school glam! Love how you styled it! xx
Author
Maria thank you! You’re right, you don’t often see all white dresses, let’s change that!! 😉
I love the Karen Millen brand! This dress looks amazing on you Catherine. I love the cinched in waist. xx
Author
I love them too, Laurie, and thank you! x
Very cute dress, works beautifully with your shoes and bag. Thanks for hosting. Jacqui Mummabstylish
Author
Thank you Jacqui xx 😀
You look beautiful in that dress and you have styled it so well, your bag is gorgeous and the red shoes are a great idea Okay off to their website
Author
Hehe don’t blame me if your wallet gets a hammering, Tracy!! 😉 Thank you my lovely x
Wowsers Catherine! I love the old school glamour of this dress, you look amazing! Thanks so much for featuring me!
Emma xxx
Author
Awww thanks so much lovely Emma (you looked stunning in that gorgeous yellow btw)! x
stunning summer glam babe
Author
eeeeee thanks Sarah xx
The dress is fabulous on you – the wrap waist makes you look slender AND luscious! This was inspiring, as I am PURPOSELY wearing a white skirt and tank with a toile blazer today, to thumb my nose at the no-white-after-Labor-Day rule (it’s the first weekend in September, y’all). And it’s 91 degrees here, so my summer duds are staying out for a LONG time, methinks! Keep up the great work!
Author
Actually the no white after Labor Day day thing makes no sense seeing as it’s a US “rule”, Mary – so many states stay so hot for ages?!! If it were the UK then yes I’d get it, we’ve already got a drop in temperature here. Thankfully the main part of the day can still be very warm indeed so my white dress may still be put to use at least once more! Anyway thank you for the lovely compliment…!
You look gorgeous in white Catherine and I love the flash of tangerine!
Enjoyed seeing a glimpse of your new neighbourhood 😉 More please xx
Author
Aww MT thank you – the house behind is one of my neighbours’ houses, so ours is pretty much the same. More will follow! x
So cute, love the way you styled this all white ensemble w/ a touch of color!
Xx
Joi
Author
thanks lovely Joi x
That dress is just stunning on you! And the heels are perfect. I’m certainly still wearing summer dresses – I just keep a little cardi rolled up in my bag!
Thank you for hosting the link up 🙂
Best wishes
Helen
Author
We’re definitely into cardi territory, aren’t we Helen 😉 Thank you hon! x
You look stunning by the way, and this dress is definitely a ‘if you’ve got it, flaunt it’ dress! Hope you get loads more wear out of it, before the leaves fall.
I suppose being British, I don’t really get the not wearing white after labor day (when is that again?). I’m in off white trousers right now, and plan to wear them over the coming weeks. We’re just in to autumn, but winter white is definately on the cards too!
Author
No I don’t get the no white after Labor Day thing either, Sarah – I just hear it so much in the blogosphere that’s it’s almost become a thing here too! Thank you for the lovely compliment x
Such a beautiful, classic dress, and how fun are those heels?! That portrait collar is STUNNING on you! <3
Author
Thanks Jen – the collar really makes it, doesn’t it 🙂
Very very feminine! I am so glad you didn t wear nude shoes with it! These are perfect!
Author
Thanks Nancy – you know me and colour…!! 😉
You look sexylicious, boobylicious, hairlicious, babelicious. I could go on!!!! This is one of my favourite summer outfits Mrs Summers. You look divine xxxxx
Author
Hehe I’ll take all those descriptions, Liz!!!!!!!!! 😀 Thank you so much my lovely xx
Absolute stunner, Catherine! I love the details and it is tremendously figure flattering! The perfect dress and you styled it so beautifully. Hope you have continued warm weather so you can wear it again! – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Author
Aww thanks Amy – it’s my favourite silhouette of dress 😀
I almost think white dresses are more elegant than the black ones!! I mean, heck, that’s why you choose a white gown for your wedding, right??
And the orange shoes are my kind of fun!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Author
Good point, Jodie! Thank you hon x