Dresses make me happy. Orange patterned dresses make my heart sing.
As I write I have yet to wear this outfit – I’m planning to wear it to an event on Thursday. Hopefully the weather will hold out long enough for me to get away with just the dress and no layers… let’s not add roll necks, tights and boots to this beauty of a dress until the autumn proper, shall we?
So while I’m lamenting the end of (meteorological) summer and girding my loins for the ever-darkening onslaught that is autumn/winter, I thought I should give my new orange and black blur print dress a whirl. It’s VERY “transitional season”. It’ll also be great in the colder months. But by ‘eck I ain’t going near it around Halloween: I thought I’d give that one a miss.
I’ll get a couple of wears in pre-Halloween and then LOTS of wears post-Halloween, say, from 20 November onwards? Gives the shops (and Pinterest) enough time to get pumpkins and skulls out of their system. And now I’ve seen it in the photos, I really, really like this dress – I mean I REEEEEALLY like it.
Disclosure: This blog uses affiliate links (no cost to you). Full disclosure
SHOP THE LOOK:
.
The dress actually came with a matching fabric belt that loops inside and creates a drawstring waist. Its style on the website is described as “slouchy” – I’m currently in between sizes, went for the smaller size, and found it had PLENTY of room. (When they said slouchy, they MEANT slouchy.) However, in my unexplained need to take my (AW16?) tortoiseshell handbag (similar) out with me, I knew the outfit needed a touch of brown somewhere else just to tie in the whole black, orange AND brown thing I had going on (I never make it easy for myself). A quick rifle through my belts drawer and I found this two-tone belt in black and brown: perfect.
I’ve just got to thread the matching belt back into the dress after I’ve worn it else I risk losing it!
Funnily enough, I watched one of Trinny Woodall’s IGTV videos yesterday and she was going through her belt collection – I agree with her that a belt can absolutely make an outfit, hence why I have loads. Though not enough to stop me wanting to buy even more after finding loads of fabulous ones while I was searching for alternatives for you guys.
Yes, I NEED a mustard belt in my life! And a burnt orange one, and a stripey brown one, and a millennium pink one, and a… and a… ; -)
Finally: yes, I plan to keep those black mule sandals on all evening. They are the comfiest sandals in all the world – I wore them all day at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2017 on one of the hottest days of that year (weirdly for May). I’m so sorry they’re not current, but M&S make pretty comfy shoes so I reckon these black mule sandals would be a wise choice if you want something similar (the 118 reviews on their website confirm this). A fraction of the price of my Madeleine ones, as well.
Are you doing the transitional season dressing thing yet? Have you found a brand that sells heels you can walk in all day to recommend to everyone? 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: Asos
Heels: Madeleine (similar, also these)
Belt: Asos (LOVE this one, this one and this one)
Bag: Lotus (similar)
Headband: Asos
Locket: notonthehighstreet.com (read about it in last week’s post)
Necklaces: Asos
✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷
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! Also: by linking up you’re saying it’s okay for me to drop you an email to say the link up is open – you can unsubscribe at any time.
Hi Catherine,
You are looking awesome and the orange color suits on you. Just Amazing
Author
Thank you so much! 🙂
Oh my God, Catherine, I am UHBSESSED with this outfit, head to toe. I tried on a tiger-print blouse + skirt matchy set recently that is in the same colours as the dress you’re wearing here, but chickened out at the last minute – and now I’m wishing I had bought it. You look like you’re about to attend a Fashion Week show!
I love the styling here: the two-toned belt, the tortoiseshell bag, the mules, ahhh, perfection. I bought a waist belt a few weeks ago – my first proper waist belt in years, believe it or not – that I can’t wait to wear now.
xo, Liyana | The Good Weekender
Author
Ohhh thank you Liyana!! I can imagine you’d look incredible in these colours with your beautiful skin tone! x
Fabulous outfit Catherine! I’m belt mad too actually, Trinny is so right.
When we moved recently, I noticed my collection has grown even just in the 18 months we’ve lived in the U.S. YIKES!
I still dream of a Gucci belt in my future. Although not the Marmont, that every influencer and her dog has had for 3 years. I covet the whopping big bee buckle of course 😉
Author
I KNEW you’d love the bee belt, MT!! 😉 You so need one in your life…! Thanks mate x
Such a gorgeous outfit! I’m so envious that you can still wear sandals. I am in my boots now. That said, this outfit will be cracking with boots and a warm top underneath.
Author
Oh gosh no not boots already, Debbi?! It’s definitely a lot cooler here but I always need gloves before I need socks… somehow my hands get so much colder than my feet ever do! And thank you x
I wouldn’t have looked twice at that dress on the website yet on you it pops. That hair of yours is amazing xo
Author
Heehee I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame, Sharon!! 😉 thanks my lovely x
How perfect is that belt??? It’s brought everything together beautifully. You look fabulous Catherine. And yes, I’m already all over transitional dressing. I love autumn. Thank you for hosting lovely lady xxx
Author
Weird how it’s EXACTLY the right belt, isn’t it Liz?! Thank you my lovely xx
Catherine, this dress is stunning! I love these colors on you and the print is so gorgeous. That two toned belt really adds a special element to it, too. I never wear the matching belts to dresses, but I often incorporate them into the outfit in another way. As a scarf or I have used them as purse straps, too.
Shelbee
Author
Aww thank you lovely Shelbee – and good ideas about how to wear the matching belts!
Absolutely stunning dress! The belt looks fabulous with it. I was just thinking last week that I need a few more belts…I’ll be trawling the charity shops for some, and failing that looking on eBay 🙂
Emma xxx
Author
Thank you Emma – yes, I totally agree that we all need more belts in our lives!! 😉
That dress is absolutely ah-maze-ing!! I love it!!
Debbie
Author
Thanks Debbie – it’s a very unusual print, isn’t it 😀
OMG the colours!! Talk about gorgeous! And it looks perfect with your hair. Also, LOVE the added browns in the belt and the bag.
I’m still full-on summer wear as it’s still too hot here in the Algarve. Hopefully, it’ll break soon and I can at least put my jeans back on again lol!
Hugs
Suzy xx
Author
aww thanks Suzy… the brown seemed wrong at first but I love it with the black and orange! Enjoy the hot days while you can…!
Orange is a stunning color on you! I love this dress and your styling of it is just perfect with the belt and bag! Thanks for hosting and I hope you have a great week!
-Katie
Author
Thank you so much Katie x
Love the tones of this outfit – they suit your colouring so well. I do like that belt you have chosen, it goes perfectly. The bag completes the whole look.
Alison xx
Author
Thank you Alison, who’d have thought brown would go so well with orange and black, eh?!
I really like the mules. I am not surprised they are comfortable because I can somehow see it from the photos.
Author
Thanks Loree – they’re SUPREMELY comfy 😀
That dress goes so well with your hair. Such a beautiful color, great for fall.
Author
Aww thank you Julie! Yes, it will be perfect for the colder months (just not round Halloween)!! 😉
Orange is not my color—sorry! But I really like the tortoise shell handbag!
Author
Hmm then it’s a good job it’s me, not you, wearing it isn’t it Randi…?!
Wow, that dress is absolutely gorgeous! And it looks beautiful on you with your hair!! I’ve been doing some transitional outfits on the blog, but the weather here is finally becoming quite hot and will probably stay that way through November. Seasons have sure changed for us here! And yes, belts can make an amazing difference and I’m with you on adding some colorful ones for fall!
xx Darlene
Author
Thanks Darlene – I’m already missing our hot days so I’m envious!
Fabulous outfit, your dress matches your bag perfectly!!
Xx
Joi
Author
Thank you so much lovely Joi x
I much prefer the belt you have chosen Catherine. And the bag is the perfect finishing touch xx
Author
Thanks Laurie – amazing how a belt can make or break a dress, isn’t it…
Orange, a favourite colour! This dress has impact, in a good way. And I love the little accessory details on your wrist – just right. Thanks for hosting!
Author
Thanks Melanie! I’m actually wearing my Fitbit, I forgot to take it off… still, at least it goes with my black Tiffany bracelet!! 😉
This is truly a statement dress and I can see why you might not want to wear it around Halloween! It really suits you and paired with boots and a roll neck it will see you right trough to Spring. Thanks for sharing and hosting today. Happy Tuesday. Jacqui
Author
Hehe thanks Jacqui – yes, definitely one to avoid wearing round the end of October… 😉
HI Catherine
I love orange and orange tones like rust which is big this Fall. Love the contrasting belt here.
Great look!
jess xx
Author
Thanks Jess – I have to admit autumn is my favourite season in terms of colours, but as long as there are warmer temperatures!! I’ll never look forward to cooler days and the end of summer 🙁 (the joys of being a Brit I guess lol) x