Seems strange to bring you a glorious summer outfit when it’s cold and pouring with rain outside…!
I’m sure we’ll see the sun again eventually here in the UK, but for now I just want to revel in the outfit that I wore a couple of weeks ago when we were having some warm temperatures and beautiful, sunny evenings.
I featured this beach dress* – that’s NOT been worn as a beach dress but rather for daytime or dinner – on my Insta feed but it seemed too good not to be featured here as well. Plus, I just got back from the same detox retreat I went to back in September and as part of my new overhauled lifestyle and routine I’m not working myself into the ground. A photo shoot straight after getting back is too much pressure. I’m all about the work-life balance right now!
Disclosure: I was gifted these pieces by Land’s End for a paid Instagram post but was not paid for writing or obliged to write this blog post (click here for my full disclosure). It contains some affiliate links which means if you click through and buy I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Any items listed as* were gifted within the last 12 months.
SHOP THE LOOK:
As we’re not doing a beach holiday this year (and we haven’t for a few years, we won’t all the time we don’t want to leave Riley with anyone for longer than a day or two) then it seemed a bit counterintuitive to get a beach dress. But I loved the wrap over top and the coral colour so much that I couldn’t resist… I just needed to style it for when I’d wear it: daytime, lunch, dinner, an evening out.
I found the quickest way to get that smarter, daytime/evening look was the addition of a long waistcoat. (I guess it’s my spring-to-summer transition from wearing a longline blazer.) Take said longline blazer, chop off the sleeves [for goodness sake don’t ACTUALLY do this!], make it white and there you have a summer version. I love the mahoosive lapels on this one – with those gold buttons it has a touch of the nautical about it as well. The maxi dress/longline waistcoat combo just seems to work.
The less-beachy-more-smart casual look also comes via the accessories: smart Panama hat, statement earrings and a good quality canvas tote bag* (which Land’s End kindly embroidered with my name for me). I’ve wanted a monogrammed bag for aaaaaaaages, but I only have two initials and I feel monogramming needs three.
I thought about having “LAMB” on it, but that would confuse those who think my name is ‘Catherine Lamb’ even further…
DO YOU WEAR YOUR BEACH DRESSES AS DAYTIME WEAR? HOW DO YOU STYLE THEM? COMMENT BELOW…!
P.S. 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!
Dress: Land’s End [gifted]
Waistcoat: Amazon
Bag: Land’s End [gifted]
Shoes: Office
Hat: Village Hats (similar)
Sunglasses: Borrowed from Keith (similar)
Earrings: Amazon (similar)
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That’s a great way to style a beach dress for a smart casual look! I love the waistcoat and hat. Looks like we’re getting beach weather over the weekend, although I’ll be sitting on a train on the hottest day! Thanks for joining in the link up!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Author
Thank you Emma – but oh no to the train journey!! NOT the way you want to spend the hottest day of the year so far, is it…?!!
Hi Catherine,
I know busy! I see this dress as much more than beach too and it looks lovely on you. I love the coral color and orange, one of my favorites. The waistcoast really makes it unique as well. I love dresses in the Summer!
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Author
Thanks Jess! Yes, blogging makes for a very busy life, doesn’t it 😉
I love layering a vest for summer!
Sincerely, Jennie
Author
As do I, Jennie! x
I love when an outfit piece is so versatile. Great style of maxi, i just love it. Thanks for sharing and hosting. Jacqui Mummabstylish
Author
I love this style of maxi too, Jacqui (it’s the wrap top that makes it for me). Thank you hon! x
A big thank you for joining me on the #chicandstylish #linkup – much appreciate your support. xx Mwahh. x
Such a pretty dress!
Author
Amy thank you! x
What a fantastic pairing, Catherine! I never would have thought to pair the long structured vest over the flowing beachy dress, but it works wonderfully. I have a few vests like this one and may have to give this styling a trick a try!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Author
Thanks Shelbee – I think I just wished for my longline blazers but it was too warm (at the time, not now!!)…
If it makes you feel any better, it’s been in the 90s in San Francisco and no one has air-conditioning. I would gladly trade weather with you!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
Author
Haha no that’s probably the worst thing you could say to me, Cheryl…!! 😉 I LOVE the heat and we don’t have AC anywhere in the UK (apart from some shops and offices). I was BITTERLY cold yesterday – I wore gloves on our dog walk and yet my hands were still frozen!!!!! I’ll trade you any day, how about now?!!
love how you styled that dress. it is perfect
Author
Thanks so much, Stephanie! x
Catherine, you styled that perfectly as a cute casual look! I bought pieces from Lands End in the same color and pattern–a knee-length dress or cover-up and swimsuit–and love it!
xx Darlene
Author
Darlene thank you! The pattern and colour are fabulous, aren’t they x
I didn’t realize Lands’ End had such pretty beach dresses. I love the long vest over it–I’d like to find one of those myself!
Author
I didn’t know either, Kimberly! I’m so glad I found this one x
This is a gorgeous colour for you Catherine 🙂
Please can we have that lovely weather back again!! We’ve discovered the south Dorset and Devon coast isn’t as far away as we thought – I know it’s not the same, but perhaps you and Riley can enjoy some beach days rather than beach holidays! Our dog LOVES the beach and flops down and rolls in the sand the second he steps onto it!
Helen x
Author
Thank you Helen – and YES to the warm weather, where has it gone?!!!!
It’s really hard to get Riley in the car right now, and he doesn’t enjoy long journeys… makes taking him anywhere really hard unfortunately. He loves home and his bed too much!
Oh poor Riley – give him a little fuss from me! x
Author
awww thanks Helen… we just take each day as it comes! Fuss has been made xxxxx
I love that orange dress, Catherine. That colour on you is fantastic. Especially with the crisp white. Yum.
Author
Thank you Sue – I think the coral/orange with the white is yum too! 😉
I have worn beach dresses for other wear before. Why not? I love how you have styled with a waistcoat. I have one on my wishlist because I love this way to wear xx
Author
I think as long as the fabric isn’t see-through there’s no reason not to wear beach dresses throughout the summer, is there Laurie…? Thank you my lovely x
Love the look and who needs a beach anyway. I totally understand why you would not want to leave him for anytime, such a sweet pup and time spent with is what is needed more. Looks great with the vest over top
Author
Aww you’re quite right Linda – he loves his home and he loves being with us so we don’t feel like we’re missing out on anything at all. Thank you sweetheart x
What beautiful photos, Catherine. You certainly had gorgeous light and sunshine when you took them. I’ve been reading the news today and seeing that most of southern England in flooding! I hope you guys are ok!
Hugs
Suzy xx
Author
Thank you, Suzy – we’re really lucky that the sun hits our driveway so beautifully in the evening!
Luckily we live high enough not to be affected, but the water is running everywhere…!! Can’t believe it’s June 🙁
Mm, you make vests look very stylish.
Author
thank you Nancy…!
Now that’s the best way to make items so versatile, Catherine…I love it.
XOOX
Jodie
Author
Aww thanks Jodie 😀
Perfect on you, C but of course, it is orange!!
Beautiful light as well. I hope there will be many lovely summer evenings for you!
xx Annette
Author
Haha no it’s not orange, Annette – it’s CORAL! There’s a big difference! 😉 LOL
Thank you x
Your white slip on sandals are to die for. I want them haha!
Grace Liang
Author
I thought they’d be a real “love em or hate them” pair of shoes Grace, but it seems most people love them! Thank you!
Fantastic light in those pics! Good multi tasking for a beach dress. Currently on a beach hol in Greece and not looking forward to the UK weather tomorrow!
Author
Thanks Gail – the golden hour really was golden that evening! Hope you’ve had a wonderful time in Greece… I’m very envious!