I wore this back when the weather was… let’s say just a LITTLE cooler than it has been this last week.
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Since then we’ve had the hottest day this year so far, and right now it’s back to being cooler again (are you keeping up?!). However, I don’t think I’ll be needing to layer my new (yes, I treated myself) green polka dot dress from Roman Originals with a roll neck and biker jacket again anytime soon, but British weather being the way it is, never say never.
And I’ll address the whole yawn-fest that is a maxi dress and trainers: I know, I know, it’s been done to death. But sometimes I stop and think about how what we see on the internet and social media (with regards to style and what’s “in”) is VERY different to what we see in real life. Or at least, what I see IRL.
So maybe every woman and her dog are wearing a maxi dress and trainers on Instagram? Round my way they’re not. In fact, if they’re wearing anything more exciting than leggings and a black jacket/t-shirt, then it comes as a bit of a surprise to be honest.
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On this day I REALLY wanted to wear my new dress. I layered it to keep out the chill. (Oh, how funny that sounds when we had 31℃/88°F in the shade here on Thursday.) I had a few errands to run, including walking the dog. The most obvious choice of footwear for me was, most definitely, [rose gold] trainers*.
I didn’t really care about the done-to-death-on-Instagram look that is maxi dress and trainers. I was comfortable, I loved my new dress (hides a multitude of lockdown-induced food babies, god knows how many I’m hiding in there) and I got Keith to take some pictures in case I decided to put them on the blog.
And here they are.
Read on below for a bit of info about where I’ve been (to explain the longest gap ever from posting) and a very important, new page on the blog.
SHOP THE LOOK:
Where I’ve been
I last published a post on 31 May – I’ve NEVER gone that long without posting. Basically, I needed a break. Lots of things have been happening (some good, some not so good) but I made an unconscious decision to take a step back and release myself from the chains of getting posts out every week.
Lockdown does funny things to you – I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks that! – and I’ve had the breather I needed.
An epidemic followed by a race revolution has done untold things to our society and the way we live, work and think. It’s also not a temporary, fleeting thing. Together with some personal stuff I think that’s why I reached out for the pause button, to give me time to reflect, think and recharge.
And with that, I hope you’ll take the time to read my new Diversity and Equality statement page I now have as a permanent fixture here on the blog (scroll to the end for a quick explanation as to why I have this, though hopefully it’s obvious).
Thanks so much for reading, hope you’re all well and looking after yourselves…!
Stay safe XOXO
P.S. One year ago today we lost our beautiful lurcher Riley. It’s been a tough 12 months, but Suki the greyhound has provided us with SO much love, and she was just what we needed when our hearts were so broken. To give a home to a doggy that would otherwise still be in the rescue centre (as lovely as the rescue centre and the people there are, ALL abandoned doggies need a home of their own) has been the most wonderfully rewarding thing ever. Without having adopted Riley, we wouldn’t now have darling Suki ♡
You can read my tribute to Riley here
#AdoptDontShop
Here’s me before I went outside and realised it was too cold to go without a layer underneath…!
Dress: Roman Originals
Roll neck: Asos (similar)
Trainers: JD Williams*
Jacket: JD Williams (you might like this blush one)
Headband: Asos (similar)
Earrings: Accessorize (love these)
Bag: Marks & Spencer (similar)
My new diversity and equality statement
It’s taken me a few weeks to hit publish on this, but I’ve finally written my Diversity and Equality statement that I will be directing all brand partners towards (if I ever get any work coming in that is…)
I think it’s also important that my readers take a minute to have a read of it, especially if they’re content creators too (or even freelancers or business owners themselves), as there are some things in there that they could take away for their own use – for example, insisting on working with brands who are actively anti-racist and producing diverse campaigns. It also explains my zero-tolerance policy when it comes to comments.
All extremely important topics, and all worthy of a permanent page and not just a post that will get lost within the blog in time.
Wow! Wonderfull dress <3 That print is so nice!
Lovely to know Suki is bringing you joy and comfort after losing Riley. Love your heartfelt diversity statement❤️ Also I hear you on the maxi dress and trainers, I love the look! It’s true though, what one sees on Instagram doesn’t necessarily reflect real life…I’ve enjoyed living in track bottoms and trainers during lockdown, and most of the other women and men I cross paths with when out and about in my local area are similarly dressed!
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Valerie thank you, great to know I have your support! I’ve mostly been living in loungewear or sportswear too, don’t worry 😉
Brilliant outfit and even more brilliant statement, Catherine! Just more reasons to adore you and your blog space. It is great to see you back! I am just returning from a short break myself but feel I need another longer one…coming soon, I suppose.
Shelbee
Author
Oh Shelbee I’m really grateful, thanks so much. I think the breaks in between may get shorter but I still need to take them between blog posts it seems…!
Fantastic statement, Catherine. Good on you, such a lovely caring soul. Anyone who has lived under the dogma of racism, has stories to tell. I do too, although no where near as major nor cruel as most. Mine really, you could say, are nothing. I went offline recently. I wrote posts and didn’t publish them, because they were just so trivial compared to black lives matter. I just couldn’t get past this. I might be able to next week……..
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I think we have to remember that everyone still wants the normality in our lives with reading about other topics, Ratnamurti: no matter how seemingly trivial! It’s perfectly okay to educate ourselves about serious topics at the same time as having a breather with clothes and beauty or whatever. Or to write about personal subjects. There is ALWAYS someone who will be grateful for what you have written, do remember that! Thank you xx
Have missed you! Well aware of all the crazy feelings of what is happening in the world especially the United States. Time for change, but darn it everything at once? Well it’s all very important and we as a nation and with the worlds people to help are put to task to make monumental change. Let go for it.
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It does feel like everything all at once, doesn’t it Kelly…?!! The current situation with Covid and BLM seems to bring out both the best AND the worst in people. Sorts the wheat from the chaff, as my mother says – at least we know who the good guys (and the bad guys) are 🙁
So glad to have you back, Catherine! I’ve missed your posts and your lovely kind persona. I’ve always been impressed with your commitment to diversity in fashion, and your statement is a further and needed step in that direction. You have been a big inspiration to me in starting a blog (finally), and I’ve appreciated all the free advice you’ve been so generous with to us all. I wish you happy resolution to whatever personal and professional challenges you’re grappling with, and hope we will always have your creative, wise and positive voice in this arena to learn from and enjoy.
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Thanks so much Mary Katherine! Such kind words, I always appreciate your lovely comments. Much appreciated xx
I have been wearing maxi dresses and sneakers for years. In fact, I remember a long black jersey dress with white plimsols way back in the 90s. I shall continue to wear sneakers/trainers for the foreseeable future whether they are fashionable or not because they are the only shoes that I find really comfortable due to arthritis in my feet. Luckily at the moment, I can tick most boxes comfort and style.
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Actually I wore the same long dresses with massive chunky Spice Girl trainers come to think of it, Josephine!!!! I’d forgotten 😉
I really like your diversity statement. I myself have started a new line of posts on my blog entitled Activism. I am not well enough to join protests, but I write well enough to formulate letters to politicians asking for change. I will be encouraging my readers who feel intimidated about writing to elected officials to simply copy my letter; they will only need to fill in their local officials.
Your green dress is lovely!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Author
That’s really kind of you Michelle – thank you. I’m hoping it’ll encourage others to do the same – everyone taking *some* sort of action will make a huge difference! x
Very glad to see you back again. Also thankful to see you thinking about how to take steps to be anti racist. It’s essential and we all need to do better.
I love dresses. I love sneakers. It’s one of the best tends out there imho.
Hope to read another repost soon!
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Sue thank you ever so much – you’re right, we do all need to do better. I hope real change will happen, I’m very confident it will 🙂
Of course I haven’t been out of the house. So I have no idea if your look is all over the place. I also must follow the wrong people. I only know one IG er sho wears a maxi dress with trainers. I had no idea it was a thing. But now thank goodness I know. But over here in Los Angeles, I’ll let you know when I can see more than one person at a time. Good to have you back. We all need bits of time away. No one has any idea how much work is involved with maintaining and writing a blog. Welcome back.
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I think it’d be a bit different in LA, Sandra! An on/off hot/cold summer in the UK does funny things to people, lol 😉
And thank you, I appreciate the kind words xx
oh my, don’t worry about cliches! you do you! your style is darling…can you believe that style has not even come to my are yet? i’ve seen it all over europe, and NY of course, but not in casual California—when i say ‘have seen’, it means via social media… i used to dress that way back in the 90’s….actually you are inspiring me to pair trainers with one of my pouf sleeved blouses and shorts!
xo eva
Author
Hehe thanks Eva – you’re the second person to have reminded me that I too wore the same look in the 90s, albeit with long, TIGHT “tube” dresses and Spice Girl chunky trainers, gawd 😀
So agree with everything Catherine !
Also about the maxi/midi with trainers look. I love it and you look great in that dress.
I don’t see many people up here wearing the look either, I am semi rural though and live in a little market town……its great though as you can wear what you want ( well I do any way lol !!!) where I live and nobody even gives you a second glance. One Sunday it was cold in the gift shop and I wore slim trousers under my maxi dress with ankle boots
Author
I live in exactly the same sort of place, Karen! And I too sneak in leggings under my maxi dresses and skirts when it’s cold, lol 😀
Thank you hun x
That is a very clear statement you’ve written. But then again you never seem to be lost for some deeper layered thoughts. (I don’t know if I said that correctly) But I do hope to see more of your posts again because I think they are inspiring and you often got me thinking and learning!
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Nancy thank you! Yes that made perfect sense 🙂
Welcome back Catherine, it is so very good to have you back again!! I’d like to say that I’m so proud of your reflections and actions for equality and diversity but saying it in a comment like this might make me sound a bit condescending though I definitely don’t intend it that way. You’re a grownup woman and I’m proud to be your follower on social media
Author
Thank you Christina (and not condescending at all, don’t worry)! I really appreciate the support and kind comments xx
Ah, the gap between the real world and Instagram. 🙂 “Everyone is wearing this!” they say, but I look at work, or little town, or the nearby big city, and it’s so much more diverse. It’s it okay to say ‘you do you’ and just enjoy a look you like? Talking of diverse, FWIW I thought your diversity statement is an awesome idea.
PS: Sorry to hear about the loss of your pet. They’re such a part of our lives. Oh and please do adopt! Greyhounds are such lovely, gentle hounds. Well, unless you’re a squirrel. 🙂
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Haha it’s so different IRL, isn’t it Lynn… sometimes I quite like the fact that I see something everywhere on IG [that I like] and can wear it at home and outside without looking like everyone else. But then I don’t share EVERYTHING on social so can “get away” with it!!
And thank you, re. Riley. It’s been a very sad year to think about losing him, but Suki has brought us such joy that overall it’s been wonderful. Without having had – and loved – Riley we wouldn’t have Suki in our lives and she wouldn’t have us. Couldn’t be happier 🙂