I swear, every year I seem to get hold of a dress that becomes the one that gets All The Compliments.
A couple of years ago it was the autumnal floral maxi dress, then last year it was the white Mango dress (though it didn’t appear on the blog till this year), and this year I think it’s going to be this gifted white embroidered dress*. When I tried it on I remember thinking, Oh yes this is a very nice dress, I’ll wear that this summer. And that was that.
What I didn’t bank on, as it so happened with the other dresses as well, was that in real life I would get so many compliments about the dress. And it wasn’t until I saw these pictures that I realised just HOW nice (and how flattering) it was.
It was the dress that crept up on me, you could say.
But not only did I receive lots of compliments about it, there was also one other weird thing that happened when I first wore it…
Disclosure: I was gifted this dress by JD Williams but was not obliged to feature it (click here for my full disclosure). The post contains 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:
I wore this dress last Wednesday when travelling to London for work: a photo shoot with JD Williams to produce some high summer collection content for their social media channels (I’ll share those images when I have them). Although it might be a BIT cheesy to “wear the brand” when attending an event or something else connected with them, it was the day before the UK’s hottest day ever, and this dress served the three functions of 1. Looking lovely, 2. Being loose enough to keep me cool, and 3. Not showing sweat, unlike the deep yellow cotton shirt dress I’d originally intended to wear.
(Eek, that yellow dress would have shown the sweat BIG TIME that day on the London Underground, otherwise known as Hell. I did a water patch test on it and the consensus was a big fat Nope.)
So I would have worn this JD Williams dress whether I’d been going to London merely for sightseeing or whether I’d been going to London to work with JD Williams. But you know what was really bizarre?
There were two models and two bloggers (me being one) at the shoot, and the outfits each of us were to wear had been put onto racks…
And this dress was on my rack. Yep, I’d worn a dress that had been specially picked out for me to model. And BOY did everyone comment on nice the dress was. I’ve worked with JD Williams a lot over the years, and it seems they always have one piece (usually a dress) on a shoot that has everyone fawning over it. And this time, this dress was it.
Looking at the photos now I can be more objective about it: I think it’s the cut under the boobs and the fabulous sleeve embroidery that sets it apart. On the shoot I wore it sans camisole (I had to keep checking my boobies weren’t hanging out), but IRL it’s a camisole all the way for me. Ideally I would have worn a red or green one but I have neither, so I plumped for this magenta one instead.
With so many low-cut tops, dresses and jumpsuits in the shops these days I think those of us with an ample cleavage need to either choose to flaunt it or minimise it, and I’m in the latter camp. I have this magenta one and the black/white cami I wore with the black jumpsuit a few weeks ago – I decided I needed lots in different colours. Thanks to a quick search on Amazon I found this set of 12 mock lace camisoles – I’m waiting to receive them and fingers crossed they’ll work with all sorts of low-cut things that (for me) need that extra little bit of modesty.
If you have the boobies and want to flaunt them, GO FOR IT. If, like me, you’d rather hide them a little then invest in some different coloured camis and how they could be your new BFFs. And finally, you might be interested to read my post about how to dress big boobs to make them look smaller, AKA Tips for Titanic Titties.
(I’m sorry, that alliteration just COULDN’T be resisted…!)
Do you have an item of clothing that seems to get you All The Compliments? Tell us all about it 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: JD Williams (gifted)
Camisole: Old (I’ve just bought this set of mock camisole tops)
Sandals: Steve Madden – also available in gold/white! – (similar)
Bag: Mango, old (I like this one)
Sunglasses: Oliver Bonas
OTHER STRIPED/EMBROIDERED WHITE DRESSES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
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These are some really great tips! Also loving your outfit of a white summer dress its just amazing. No wonder you keep getting compliments in this dress – you look freaking GORGEOUS in it!
Author
Aww Jo thank you so much!!
I love it! It accents your tiny waist (lucky you!). Your choices are always inspiring.
Author
Lollo thank you! I’m always drawn to dresses that go in at the waist…!
I can easily see why you love this dress , such a great style and so flattering. The touch of embroidery really makes it.Many thanks for hosting.
Author
Aww thank you Jill – the embroidery is so pretty isn’t it x
This is a very pretty dress Catherine and may I say you’re looking rather svelte my girl. Have you been drinking from the fountain of youth as well? Your hair and skin is glorious!
Author
Oh wow bless you MT – THANK YOU!! I’ve been a very good girl since getting back from the retreat in June as you know, hopefully my hard work is starting to pay off at last! I certainly feel better…
This really is a flattering dress. That high waistline is always flattering and I think it drapes well.
Author
Thanks Julie – I didn’t really appreciate the waistline at first but now seeing the pictures I can see how flattering it is! x
A fantastic dress and lovely material for the summer. I like the sound of the cami additions, will be telling my daughter about these! Thanks for sharing. Jacqui Mummabstylish
Author
Thank you Jacqui – yes I love the stripes and floral combo… couldn’t be more summery!
Ha – I love when that happens. You are clearly on the same style vibe as JD Williams. Yes, it’s a great dress! Thanks for the linkup.
Author
Thanks Melanie! I was so surprised when I saw the dress on the rack…!!
What a fun story about serendipity! How cute that you wore the dress they had picked for you to model! I love it. And it is a lovely dress. Perfectly suited to you. You look wonderful. And that bag has me in a swoon!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Author
You’re right – a perfect example of serendipity Shelbee (gawd how I love that word). Thank you my lovely! x
The dress is gorgeous but thanks for finding the mock camisoles! I’m ordering those! xx
Author
Thanks Laurie – yes aren’t the camis a great idea?! I hope they work…
That dress has my name all over it!!!!! It’s gorgeous Catherine. It really suits you and you have the perfect hourglass figure to showcase it. Thank you for hosting my lovely xxxx
Author
Aww thank you lovely Liz xx
No wonder you keep getting compliments in this dress – you look freaking GORGEOUS in it!! It really is a stunner of a dress, and I love the added little camisole beneath to spare your blushes. How perfect that JD Williams had already chosen that particular dress for you to wear for the shoot! Great minds think alike, right?!
Hope you’re having a lovely summer.
Hugs
Suzy xx
Author
Oh blimey, thanks Suzy (what a compliment)!!