A Layering Formula to Fulfill All Your Weekend Away Weather Needs #iwillwearwhatilike

This is, if I say so myself, one of those “clever” outfits that I came up with. Practical: yes. On the dull side: noooo.

The post title is a bit of a mouthful, but what I was trying to describe was two outfits that I wore to London last week. I was there for two days, and it was predicted to be warm and sunny one day, and cool and cloudy (possibly rainy) the second. To have to take a complete change of clothes for the second day is a bit of a pain in the _ _ _ _, to be honest. I chose something that could be adapted from one day to the next with a little clever layering to suit both weather days, WITHOUT the need for a second complete outfit.

Clear as mud now, eh?!

The key piece in this outfit – and something that I’ve found is great for layering – is the asymmetric hem wrap dress. Mine is AW18, and you might remember I wore it last on the blog in November with trousers underneath. Although the asymmetric hem can be a bit of a pain if you’re not into showing off your legs like me, it actually benefits from layering. Last time trousers, this time a pleated maxi skirt. Both options cover everything you want to cover AND saves any blushes if/when the dress pops open… it happens!

 

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). Any items listed as* were gifted within the last 12 months.

 

SHOP THE LOOK:

Unfortunately I didn’t have time to photograph the first outfit (that I wore on the first, warmer day), but it consisted the same yellow coat (see this alternative) with the maxi skirt and a loose, patterned blouse and black ghillie lace-up shoes. I also took just one bag: a smart red leather backpack. So no wrap dress – it was too warm for that extra layer. I only wore the jacket in the morning to travel up on the train and in the evening once the sun had gone down, so the outfit was pretty much completely different to what you see here.

The next day was cooler and cloudier with a bit of drizzle. I was attending a brunch event in the morning (and would you believe it, the theme was Vitamin C/oranges so I was RIGHT on brand) and went to the V&A Museum in the afternoon with Lisa AKA The Sequinist to see the Christian Dior exhibition.

(I won’t say too much about that as I’ll get lost in my dreamy thoughts about how incredible was, but suffice to say it was worth EVERY penny of the annual membership I bought especially for it. Amazing doesn’t even BEGIN to cover it…!)

So for this second day I kept on the jacket and skirt, then simply layered a long sleeve t-shirt and the wrap dress over the top and switched the shoes for a pair of comfy red slingbacks (similar) that I could walk around in all day. The red shoes and red backpack might be a bit matchy-matchy, but I think there are enough colours going on for that not to look too twee.

 

 

The only thing I might do differently is the striped t-shirt: it’s not actually purple – it’s red and navy striped. I thought red would tie in but now I see the photos it looks purple. I’d probably switch that for a black top to match the sash or perhaps dark green to pick out the green in the dress. That’s why I always say trust the camera, not the mirror.

I’ve selected a few asymmetric dresses (scroll down) that you may want to consider if you want to do something similar. I love the layered look of the mismatching hems – I hope it was good enough for Monsieur Dior…! ; -)

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 I TEMPTED YOU TO TRY LAYERING WITH ASYMMETRIC HEMLINES? HAVE YOU SEEN THE DIOR EXHIBITION YOURSELF (WHAT DID YOU THINK)? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS!

Dress: Asos (love this one)
Jacket: F&F Clothing (instore only), similar
Skirt: JD Williams (similar – you might also like this one and this one)
Top: Old, unknown (similar in navy stripe, similar in yellow stripe)
Shoes: Marks & Spencer (similar)
Sunglasses: Oliver Bonas
Bag: Asos (similar)
Hair clips: Asos

 

OTHER ASYMMETRIC WRAP DRESSES 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!
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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…)!