The Floral Maxi

When I wear maxi dresses, I wear it with a side-split skirt so my legs don’t suffocate in the heat, and a bright display of floral colours, especially if I’m planning to dance the night away at a “Mexican Fiesta”!

I think there’s something quite romantic about wearing long, flowing maxi dresses, particularly if they are in floral prints and can be worn to compliment any summer/spring season. And this dress is no exception. Since my Formal at the end of last year, I’ve been intrigued by the many different cuts and styles of casual dresses, formal dresses, maxi’s, mini’s and basically anything that I can substitute with shorts for a more modest Sunday church look.

What I’ve been able to appreciate more recently, is just how easy it is to slip on a dress and be on my way, with there being less of a worry about matching a shirt with pants and shoes. Especially in the hotter seasons, wearing a flowing skirt rather than constricting pants is definitely an advantage for any person. And what I’ve come to like specifically, are dresses with slitted skirts that allow the fabric to easily move and create a refreshing air supply as you kick your legs forward.

Exhibit A: Take for instance this “Jarlo Millie High Neck Maxi Dress with Lace Insert” from ASOS which I wore for my Formal (the American equivalent of a Prom I would say). The light material, combined with the front slit, undoubtedly made it easier for me to dance in and move about, while at the same time allowing me to stay cool (by using one half of the skirt as a fan HEHE). I don’t know about you, but I’m sensing a recurring ‘floral flower’ theme happening here.

Exhibit B: If you are like me and love to dress a bit more fancy compared to your normal day-to-day wear (i.e. top and shorts), then a comfortable dress is definitely the way to go. What I liked about this particular maxi dress was that it had adjustable straps which could be fitted to my shape as well as a lovely fresh floral print complete with blue palm fronds and Hawaiian-esque flowers in a range of oranges and pinks.

There was also an included belt that I used to accentuate my waist and create a more fitted style. However this can also be removed and left as a loose fit dress as well. In addition, it also had a high split on the side of the dress which made walking that much more of a breeze.

All in all, I really thought that this maxi encapsulated a very easy-going summer-y vibe, perfect for this season. Not only are floral prints fun to wear, but they are a lot of fun to mix and match pieces with. I wore my dress with a denim jacket and my favourite open tan sandals. And of course a wide sunhat for sun protection!

Shine Bright Like a Sparkler

Courtesy of the aforementioned “Mexican Fiesta” at my friend’s 18th birthday party 🙂

Something Old, Something New

Some advice: if you ever find something buried deep in your mum’s or aunt’s closet, don’t pass it up. Dig it out, spray some perfume on it (sometimes closets smell) and TRY IT ON! I guarantee you will be thoroughly surprised with the results.

So I’ve recently started watching a TV show called, “The Vintage Clothes Show” where the host, Dawn O’Porter, meets individuals who only shop on the High Street (i.e. commercial shops/branded items). Dawn then attempts to change their view on vintage wear by showing them the unique factor and charming quality of pieces that can’t be found anywhere else. Almost all of these individuals start off with a distaste for vintage wear, seeing them as “old”, “smelly”, “daggy Grandma’s clothes”, or the most common belief, that “someone must have died in it”.

It’s amazing to see, as I watch on, the many different pieces Dawn has her clients try on. They are as much unique as they are timeless, representative of their respective fashion eras. In another segment, Dawn pays a visit to one of her clients and ‘raids’ the wardrobe of their mother/grandmother/aunt for some classic vintage pieces. At first glance, the pieces are too big and/or too daggy. But what does stand out, is the quality of a piece or the sentimental value it holds. Dawn then gets her Workshop Team to reinvent the vintage piece and bring it into the 21st Century.

The results are simply astounding and the clients are immediately overwhelmed with joy at the transformation of say, their grandmother’s super-shoulder-padded electric blue blazer, which has been brought in at the waist, shoulder pads removed and been turned into an amazing, and now wearable, 80s style jacket, perfect for a fancy night out.

Or take for instance, this Little Black Dress, which was initially too long and too plain for Alice’s taste. But after Dawn’s team reshapes it, lifts the hem and adds jewels from an old cardigan, Alice’s mother’s old vintage dress is turned into the perfect party dress.

BEFORE | Alice’s mum’s long and plain vintage LBD

AFTER | Metallic buttons are taken from an old cardigan and added to the neckline of the dress to create a more unique and eye-catching dress

AFTER | Alice’s “new” LBD brought in at the waist and hemmed higher for the ultimate reinvention of Alice’s mum’s vintage dress

Watching this show definitely inspired me to go through my own mother’s closet and through the numerous bags of clothes my aunt had given to me over the years. And as I did, I stumbled upon this little number.

On first impressions, it appeared to be a long, flowy top that once belonged to my aunt. It had an embroidered butterfly on the front with sequined detailing on the floral print. Immediately I thought it would make a lovely spring/summer time dress with its soft baby pink undertones and the bright pop of blues and oranges.

I was surprised to find that it was very light weight yet made to a very high quality. There was a bit of wear-and-tear with some sequins missing, but nothing too significantly damaged. Nothing a bit of sewing can’t fix!

I also like my dresses to have a bit of structure, so I added a teal blue belt at the waist to add shape to the dress (while also matching the flowers!) And voilà, I had reinvented an old a new summer dress that I could wear out and enjoy, rather then keeping it trapped in a bag.

For more of a modest look, I paired the dress with a mini blue cardigan and relaxed look tan-coloured sandals.

So next time you find something that belonged to your mother, or you find a top/dress that you didn’t know you had, don’t be afraid to bring it out and try it on! If it’s too loose, simply add a waisted belt to create a more flattering figure. If it’s too small to be a dress anymore, turn it into a top.

Because I am sure that there will be something just waiting to be reinvented and worn as a unique blast from the past!

Photos of Alice’s dress, courtesy of “The Lifestyle Channel“