I love these kinds of challenges - style one item multiple ways. Because that's how my wardrobe has to work - if I can't make three or four outfits out of one item, it doesn't make the cut. When Jenny at Hot Squash offered me a dress for this post (and a special discount code for School Gate Style readers - see below!), I chose a dove grey one. Grey is my favourite neutral - it just goes with everything and complements, rather than contrasts (as black does) other colours like pink, blue and yellow.
The style of dress is something I don't have in my wardrobe at the moment. A shorter, jersey, day dress. Perfect for the warmer weather, especially as it's made from the Hot Squash coolfresh fabric which keeps you cool when it's warm. The material is also great for packing as it's crease resistent and lightweight.
Here's the dress I chose as worn by the Hot Squash model.
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| Pleat Jersey Dress - Hot Squash |
It's going to be hard to follow that but hey, this blog is all about how these things look on a 5'6" pear shaped mum of 3 - not a blonde amazonian goddess :)
Look number 1 is the school gate look - denim jacket, flat pumps, scarf.
I'm nothing if not consistent :)
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| Cropped Denim Jacket - M&S SS12 (similar) Scarf - TK Maxx (AW12) Navy Pumps - Zalando |
Look number 2 is going outside my comfort zone a bit. Inspired by Katy Hill (whom I saw at Britmums), I decided to try the ankle boot with a dress look. And I liked it more than I thought I would! Also love how the grey and camel worked so well together:
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| White Vest - Primark Boots - Mango (AW12) Handbag - The Sac (old_) |
For Look 3, I wanted an smarter option to show how well this dress can go from day to night or from casual to the office. I added a statement necklace, black belt, heels & a cropped black jacket:
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| Necklace - School Gate Style Shop Jacket - Dunnes Stores (not that similar but would work well too) Black Leather Court Shoes - New Look (similar here) Elastic Belt worn with clasp at the back - New Look (similar here) |
Finally - Look 4 - it goes beautifully with my rainbow scarf....ok, I know this scarf matches LOTS but it does look particularly fab with this dress. Another casual day look that I'm going to enjoy wearing..
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| Scarf - old and not from my shop (sadly) White Vest - Primark Sandals - Boden (now down to £35!) Necklace - gifted |
As I mentioned above, the good news is that there is a Hot Squash discount code for School Gate Style readers. If you use DRESS at the checkout, you'll get 20% off. Sweet.
Thank you to Hot Squash for supplying me with this dress. I am wearing a size 10 in this dress. I would say the fit is pretty spot on. If you are between sizes and bigger in the bust, you should size up.
As always, I was not obliged or paid to blog about it and all views are my own.
What an absolutely gorgeous dress! You look great in it Avril - much better than the plastic model :) I am drooling over your necklace too - must visit your shop. X
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you Claire - that's so lovely of you to say. I'm LOVING your new denim dress on the blog today. Wish you lived closer to me with your sewing machine! Ax
DeleteWOW I love this kind of blog post! That dress is super versatile and you've shown it of far better than the model!
ReplyDeleteLooking great Avril!
Fiona
Thank you Fiona, you are so kind, Avx
DeleteLooks great each way you've styled but I think my favourite is the first one with the denim jacket :)
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Thank you Helen - going to try the denim jacket with the ankle boots today I think. Being v brave! ax
DeleteEvery look is great! What a fab dress x
ReplyDeleteWhat a great dress and clearly a very versatile one! Love all the ways you wore it!
ReplyDeletexo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
Lobe that type of thing too Avril and I love a wee challenge to mix things up a bit. Really like the ankle boots look on you. I know it's outside your comfort zone but you always get away with things outside your comfort zone when you try them! And I'm still drooling over that striped scarf, it would be a seriously hardworking scarf for me! X
ReplyDeleteThanks Trea - going to try the ankle boots today actually after reading all these lovely comments! Ax
DeleteMmmm tempted.................
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a dress that will be going places with you! With the ankle boots you could rock Glasto this weekend, or maybe just your local supermarket! Fabulous post!! xx
ReplyDeleteDefinitely love the 2nd look with the boots the most, it works so well together and on you! x
ReplyDeleteThe 4th look is my fave, the go with everything scarf and the lovely sandals are great. All other looks good too of course.
ReplyDeleteThank you - that scarf is my absolute favourite this summer...such a versatile one. Ax
DeleteI love the ankle boot & dress look too but I'm yet to try it! Its one of the things on my list! This is a great dress! Ax
ReplyDeleteGorgeous color dress - and I love all your accessories - I really need to learn from you and wear necklaces more often.
ReplyDeletedid I mention I have a necklace shop?? ;) x
DeleteI really like this with the ankle boots and stone necklace!
ReplyDeleteNic x
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My favorite is with the black belt and jacket. Love the posts you do with different options.
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