I’ve worn this white midi dress several times since buying it last year: quite rightly so, as it’s my current Number One Favourite Dress I Own.
The reason for it being my favourite dress? The answer is very straightforward… I think it is the most flattering dress I have.
Finding your most flattering dress silhouette is like the holy grail of fashion. This was one of those dresses that as soon as I tried it own, I looked in the mirror and went WOW.
(And then straight after that I ran downstairs, made Keith shut his eyes and, telling him to ignore my unwashed hair and no makeup, stood squarely in front of him doing my best blogger pose, told him to open his eyes and then went TA-DAH! When I make him close his eyes he knows he has to say WOW… otherwise, divorce.)
Aaaaaanyway that’s not just because the dress itself is wonderful (who can resist that warm white colour, a gathered neckline or those puffy sleeves?), but because my woes about the extra pounds I was carrying didn’t matter one jot.
Once you find that dress – the one that makes you feel a million dollars no matter how you’re feeling about yourself and your appearance, DO NOT LET IT GO. Buy it in all colours if they’re available (mine sadly wasn’t). Look after it and treasure it, for it will bring you great joy when nothing else seems to work.
Disclosure: This post contains some 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).
SHOP THE LOOK:
There are a few reasons why I think this style suits me so well. Firstly, I am long waisted (long body, short legs). Therefore as well as needing* to cinch in my waist, it needs to be cinched in high to make my legs appear longer, so no drop waists for me.
*I say “needing” – no one really NEEDS to do anything when it comes to style. Do whatever the hell you like.
Secondly, the gathered neckline and loose fit flatters my big boobs (plus the neckline is simply divine anyway). Thirdly, the balloon sleeves are the right length to visually “shorten” my extra long arms.
Lastly, the skirt is loose enough to skim over my ample hips (I don’t want ANY clinging fabric to those beauties!) and the length stops right where I want it to – on the calf. Not too high up to make them seem bigger, and not too low to mess with the proportions of this dress, which just wouldn’t work as a maxi (and I love me a maxi dress). Together with a pair of mid-height pointed heels, my legs are flattered as much as they can be.
And right now, it takes A LOT to get me to show off any leg.
Oh, and I nearly forgot: pockets. Just, POCKETS!
So with ALL those things in mind, and ALL those features put together in one dress, I’ve found my holy grail of dress silhouettes. I still love me a full-skirted shirt dress, but this is another level. Every time I’ve worn it I’ve not had my trusty manservant Instagram Husband with me, so photo shoots have fallen by the wayside every time. I’ve worn it with slouchy knee high boots in the winter and with flattering pointed flats (like these) in the summer.
I actually bought the dress last June(!) – this one from Mango is the most similar (Mango has some of the best midi dresses anywhere IMO).
It was also what I wore for the Avon Perfect Nudes campaign (you can see it in the video here, or skip to the end past the photos).
The fashion scarf
Here I’ve shown you the way I’m going to style it the next time I wear it; now is the time to mention the AMAZING Karen Mabon fashion scarf, don’t you think?
It’s the one I featured in my Whatever happened to individuality in blogging post the other week… a loved one saw that I was gushing about it, and duly got it for me as a gift (they know who they are, thank you again you naughty person!). So I’m TOTALLY in love with it – the colours are divine and the pattern is, of course, absolutely fabulous (there’s no other description that can be used in this instance).
I also got myself some giant pearl hair clips as mentioned in my April Best of the Blogosphere roundup. I did wonder whether pearl hair accessories + white dress = too bridal, but that was why I added the bright scarf, a turquoise clutch and coral heels (all old/previously worn, see below for alternatives).
Adding some bold colour to a white dress is a good idea to avoid any wedding comparisons, though I didn’t this time and didn’t care. Still got told I looked like the bride ; -)
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 in my bi-monthly Women Who Wear What They Like post!
HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR DREAM DRESS SILHOUETTE? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS…!
Dress: Mango (this one is the most similar, I also like this one and this one)
Scarf: Karen Mabon (a personal gift)
Shoes: Asos (similar)
Clutch: Asos (similar)
Hairclips: Asos
OTHER WHITE MIDI DRESSES AND PINK/RED HEELS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
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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 Tuesday 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 prerequisite is that you’re wearing whatever you damn well like!
Click here to receive an email reminder for the next #iwillwearwhatilike link up as soon as it’s live!
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!
Click here to enter
PLEASE NOTE: This is for linking up WHAT YOU’VE BEEN WEARING ONLY. Non-outfit links will be removed and you might be blocked if you turn out to be a repeat “offender” (and no one wants that, do they…)!
I so love that dress. You look amazing in it. When you were describing your body shape, that sounds very similar to me. It fits and clings in all the right places. I did smile when you went to show your hubby. I do the same, but don’t always get the response I was hoping for!
Have a lovely weekend!!
Alison
xx
Author
Haha it sounds like you need to train him a bit, Alison!! 😉 Thank you hon x
that dress looks great on you! Love your hair clips too!
Author
aww thanks Stephanie x
The dress looks like it is smooth as silk: it is very pretty and fits you beautifully!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Author
It’s not silk but actually a very forgiving fabric, Mireille! Thank you 🙂
You are right. It is a lovely dress on you and the scarf is fabulous. Mind you, my eyes caught your shoes As well. Exactly my kind of shoes.
I think you wrote a very funny post. I enjoyed it. Especially the bit about Keith, his closed eyes and “divorce” if he doesn’t say wow haha.
Greetje
Author
Oh gosh thank you Greetje… you’ve met Keith so you know how “well behaved” he is, haha!!
Adore!!!
All of it, from the pearl clips and gathered sleeves to the perfect length hem and hot pink pumps!
Gorgeous you xxx
Author
Aww thanks mate – it did feel great on, I have to admit…!!
It is a beautiful dress!
Author
Thank you Amy! x
That is the perfect dress on you…it’s absolutely beautiful! And what a shame it didn’t come in other colors…
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
Author
I was quite upset about that fact, Debbie!! thank you hon x
You look glowing, young and gorgeous Catherine and your skin is to die for. Aaaaaaanyway, back to the dress. yes, it’s gorgeous on you and the pearl hair clips are so pretty. I love the scarf too! Thank you for hosting this fabulous link up xxx
Author
Thank you Lizzy lovely – I have a lot to thank the golden hour for where that’s concerned!!
You look so happy and gorgeous! It is a very special dress indeed, just lovely xx
Author
Aww thank you so much Porcelina…!
Catherine, you are SO right about the fit being the main thing. I, too, have a longer torso and short legs so these tips are very helpful. The drape of that dress is just beautiful and what makes it special. You look amazing in it!!
xx Darlene
Author
It’s taken me a while to realise it Darlene… I can now almost always tell what’s going to look good and what’s going to look bad on me before I’ve started putting something on!! Thank you thank you x
These PHOTOS Catherine! You look about 25. The dress is so elegant. The styling is SO Hollywood (maybe your previous post on Instagram Hollywood icons influenced you, hmmm?). Every detail tells a story of elegance. Love love love love love and love some more.
Author
OMG THANK YOU, Lisa!! I’ll take 25 😉
Beautiful dress. I really love all the white dresses and all white outfits that are trending right now.
Author
Thank you Julie – I do, too!!
This is lovely on you, Catherine. I always picture you as long and lean, like a graceful greyhound (no, I’m not confusing you with your canine “shadow”)
I couldn’t agree more on taking the time and trouble to find out what REALLY works on you and then seeking it out – and buying extras! At one point I think I had 3 sleeveless navy polka-dot dresses…
I also liked what you said about not “needing” to do this or that because of perceived figure “flaws” – but we all know some things look better than others! I avoided anything double-breasted like the plague for years because of big boobs. I’m still very selective, but it’s not a deal-breaker if everything else about it looks good.
Thanks for well thought-out content, and raising the professional standard of style blogs.
Author
Oh wow thanks Mary Katherine – long and lean is something I definitely do NOT feel at the moment, I have to work hard to find the right things to make me look that way though!!
Glad you like that “not needing to” thing – I’m always very aware of saying how you “need” to wear this or that when it comes to body shape. They’re guides only and all rules are made to be broken.
What lovely compliments, I appreciate them so much! Thank you!!!!!
Oh Wow! xx
Author
That’s the RIGHT reaction, Laurie!! 😉 Thank you, hehe
You beautiful lady. This is so elegant. I think I’ve found what works for my hourglass figure too. You look like you have long legs to me. You avon video is brilliant too by the way x
Author
Thank you Vicki!! I have reeeeeally short legs… goes to show how getting proportions right makes all the difference! x
A flattering dress is a game-changer for sure—a flattering anything, really! This post reminds me, I need to start looking for a new white dress for the summer!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
Author
I LOVE me a white dress for summer, Cheryl…!
Well you really can’t go wrong with a white dress – this is beautiful and looks just banging on you! Will now be looking for a similar dress I think Catherine. Have a super week Hun. Jacqui Mummabstylish
Author
Thanks Jacqui – I think a white dress would look gorgeous on you with your dark hair! x
And what about the lighting? Very beautiful that glow!
Author
Nancy thank you!! The golden hour did us proud that evening…!
I found my perfect dress fairly recently, midi, patterned, green/pink from Studio at Preen. It skims over the lumps and bumps and I love the colours. It’s so liberating to find your special dress. Just need the occasions to wear it!
Author
Ooooh I *think* I know the dress you mean, Gail… if not, I’ve maybe seen other pink and green dresses this year – they’re gorgeous!
It’s amazing how the right pieces can make us feel so much better about ourselves, Catherine. I am always a sucker for a white dress (I have 4…eeek), and this one is truly amazing on you.
I just adore the scarf to add some color to the outfit….and those shoes!!
XOOX
Jodie
Author
Thank you Jodie – I’m a sucker for a white dress too… I think this is also my fourth!! Or fifth, eek 😉