Wednesday 21 August 2013

What I Wore Wednesday: Henry Holland Striped Skater Dress

Summer is slowly but surely slipping away in Scotland. It is getting cooler. the sun has all but disappeared and the grey, rainy season has begun. It makes getting dressed in the morning harder because I don't want to get soaked but it also still isn't quite coat weather yet. Trying to plan an outfit that will go from work to night and factors in the weather is almost impossible. I basically always end up compromising on shoes. I'd love to wear heels but it isn't practical on slick cobbled streets when I'm accident prone so I tend to wear flip-flops on my commute and flats in the office. I'd love to be Carrie Bradshaw running in stilettos but it ain't gonna happen without me falling on my face.

I've gotten into the habit of window shopping online a lot lately. I tend to only shop at online shops with free shipping and with an actual physical store where I can return things if they don't fit. Since I have quite an exaggerated hourglass figure it isn't clear cut what size I am. I'd bought a few dresses from Debenhams sale (I love when they have free shipping!) but they didn't fit quite as I'd like so I returned them to the store. I was super sad as one was a cute striped Red Herring dress but I looked like a line backer as the stripes continued across the bust through to the sleeves. I did however find this Henry Holland striped dress on sale when I returned the others!
Commute


The Office


H! Henry Holland Striped Skater Dress-Debenhams
White Cardigan- Ann Taylor Loft
Black Leggings- Marks and Spencer
Black Studded Ballet Flats- New Look
Silver Heart Bracelet- Merci Maman
Black and Blonde Glasses- Vivienne Westwood

So you can see I wear a cardigan and flip flops (or gyms shoes if it's raining) on my way to work. Also I promise I had a pedicure and my toenails are painted; I have no idea why it looks like they aren't in that photo and I'd never ever ever have my toes out if they weren't painted. I love the full skater skirt and the pleats at the front on the H! dress. I've been trying to find a cute stripey dress all summer so I'm glad I've finally found one. Shopping online is definitely great now I'm working full-time and don't really have time to browse shops like I may have before.

I've just learned about a cool new extension from London fashion startup Shop Of Me that knows the instant something you've looked at goes on sale, sometimes before a retailer even announces they’re having a sale! How freaking cool does that sound? 

It uses your shopping cookies to then send you an email when any items you've browsed have gone on sale! How cool is that? It works in the US and UK with over 100 retailers so far! Just download the extension, enter your email,  window shop til you drop and get an email when what you like goes on sale. How easy is that?

Do you shop online or do you prefer to shop in store?



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58 comments:

Melaina25 said...

The outfit is adorable! I love how you transition from rain to work! And I don't blame you for not wanting to run around in stilettos in the rain!

Melaina25 said...

Pretty dress, black and white stripes are always chic!

Melaina25 said...

Cute dress! LOVE stripes! :)

Melaina25 said...

I love this dress and am still kicking myself for selling a black and white striped one I had at last year's Flea Market!

Melaina25 said...

LOVE that dress--you look great in it!

Melaina25 said...

Shop of Me sounds pretty awesome; I'm definitely going to check it out!
xo
Kym
bitty.and.bunny
Chicwish giveaway

Melaina25 said...

Oh I love this dress!! Stripes are always so chic and the cut is gorgeous, so feminine! Just beautiful!! Thank you for hosting this link up, I always enjoy participating :)


Lauren xx
www.stylelixir.com

Melaina25 said...

Thanks for hosting! I live in the city and can totally relate to having to compromise on shoes sometimes to accommodate for the weather or too much walking for heels. If you're interested, I'd love if you join my Ready for Work Link Up and share another outfit with your "practical, real life" shoes for the office. :) Thanks for sharing.

http://www.thirtiestwocents.com/2013/08/a-little-lace-getting-messy-ready-for.html

Melaina25 said...

Love that dress! I feel like those are best to wear with juggling little ones! Thanks for hosting this link up!!

Melaina25 said...

The cut of this dress is so pretty. I do a lot of online shopping too - it's just so much easier than having to bring the little ones along. I am with you, only shop at places that offer free shipping. I do not want to add more expense to my purchases.


Alice
www.happinessatmidlife.com

Melaina25 said...

just joined that site, thanks for the heads up! im quite stingy and like sale prices so really hope it helps me!! and tiy are lookin haawwt mama, love this dress in you. i do mostly online shopping too, prefer it this way :)xox

Melaina25 said...

Super cute dress and I really like the cut. It really suits you x

Melaina25 said...

Thanks! Let us know what you think - love your blog ;-)

Melaina25 said...

I only shop online if there is not duty and has to have an easy return policy.

Melaina25 said...

I hate that in between weather where you're not sure what to wear. I'm on my second outfit of the day! Ha! Love the HH stripes on you such a gorgeous dress x

Melaina25 said...

I am the exact same way. I'm an hourglass and so I run a wide array of sizes depending on the designer and cut of the dress. Ugh....so frustrating!

Tara
Penniless Socialite
Necklace Giveaway!

Melaina25 said...

You look fab and that extension sounds cool, off to download x

Melaina25 said...

Super cute dress! While I love online shopping, I have recently stopped. Even when there is an easy return policy, I tend to get stuck with a lot of items I probably would not have purchased if I had tried them on first.

Melaina25 said...

Such a lovely little dress! Perfect shape - looks great on you!

Melaina25 said...

I know right?

Melaina25 said...

I never know what size I'll be!

Melaina25 said...

It is just so gross up here right now!

Melaina25 said...

Easy returns and free shipping are my best friends :)

Melaina25 said...

I'm the same! I will pretty much only buy something if it is on sale :)

Melaina25 said...

Free shipping is the best :)

Melaina25 said...

Some of Glasgow's main streets get super slippy when wet!

Melaina25 said...

Thanks Lauren! I'm so glad I finally found stripes that work :)

Melaina25 said...

I know right? I tend to only shop sales right now so it is perfect!

Melaina25 said...

I don't think I've ever worn stripes but I'm embracing it :)

Melaina25 said...

I'd totally fall on my butt!

Melaina25 said...

This dress looks great on your gorgeous figure. I am having the same clothing issues as you in this funny in-between weather! x

Melaina25 said...

I actually love doing both! If I can't go to the mall, I check online for deals instead. :) Sometimes I find better deals online though especially when the item is on clearance plus free shipping. :) Love your look on that first photo...I'm surprised it didn't look that bad with a flip flops!

Melaina25 said...

I love that dress! Such a cute and flattering style. And I totally wore flip flops or some other kind of flat, comfortable shoe for my commute and then changed into appropriate "work shoes" when I was using the Metro (I now work from home).

Melaina25 said...

This striped dress is super flattering on you! Although I have a couple striped dresses and shirts in my closet already they are always the first thing my eye catches when I shop either online or in store! Can't get enough :)


Kamola
www.99boxesofshoes.com

Melaina25 said...

I hear you with how hard it is to find the right dress for an hourglass figure, I can fit in an about 3 sizes smaller for the waist but on top and on bottom the size is totally different. That's why I wear a lot of vintage, I find the proportions much more forgiving because they wore crinolines under their skirts and they had much freer sizing for the hips and those bullet bras from the 50's mean more room in the bust!

http://themakingofthemuse.blogspot.com/

Melaina25 said...

I love that idea of the shop that lets you know when something you've looked at goes on sale...brilliant! I'm gonna check them out! Thanks!

Andrea

Boho Bunnie

Melaina25 said...

I love that Skater Dress - so cute. Looks great with Leggings and you know how much I love to wear my leggings. I love anything with Black+White stripes.


Check out the outfit I linked up. Thanks. =)

Melaina25 said...

What a cute dress! I like that the sleeves and neckline are modest enough for work and most anything. I find that so many of my dresses have to be worn to work with a cardigan. I am also digging this WIWW linky party. This is my first day to participate. Fun!

Amy @ http://giftedgabber.blogspot.com/

Melaina25 said...

Easy transition-- cute dress!

Melaina25 said...

It's turning into the grey season which I hate!

Melaina25 said...

You should check out Shop of Me then!

Melaina25 said...

When I lived/worked in DC I had to walk to work in a tank top and my hair up b/c I'd be so sweaty by the time I got to work if I didn't! I'd throw on a work shirt once I got there and put on work shoes.

Melaina25 said...

Thanks!

Melaina25 said...

Great look, Melaina. Love the stripes.

Melaina25 said...

I am so in love with your striped Dress, what a cute and playfull Piece :-)
Ani. First time I am linking up with you, thank you! Following you now via GFC, would love to see you on my blog as well :-9
www.fleurani.blogspot.de

Melaina25 said...

Love the stripes on your dress and such a bummer about rainy season and cobblestones!! That dress would look amazing with some bright colored heels! ;)

Melaina25 said...

We've had a very mild summer here in Southern California and summer is barely starting. Stay safe walking around those slippery roads.


Alice
www.happinessatmidlife.com

Melaina25 said...

Wow, did I really miss a week? You are looking great in yet another stripped dress!

Melaina25 said...

You look beautiful! Stripes suit you so well! You are rocking them girlie! Thanks for the link up :)

Melaina25 said...

love the stripes :)

Melaina25 said...

ooh I love that dress. You're coming shopping with me soon lovely x

Melaina25 said...

Thank you!

Melaina25 said...

I know right? I love heels in theory but in practicality 9/10 they just don't work!

Melaina25 said...

I think mild summer in SoCal is scorching summer in Scotland :)

Melaina25 said...

Stripes are the best!

Melaina25 said...

Gotta love stripes!

Melaina25 said...

I'd love to! I love shopping :)

Melaina25 said...

That dress looks SO cute on you!!