That’s been my mantra for years!
So when I got an email from Georgeรย a few weeks ago saying they were running a campaign about “affordability and the possibility of achieving a look without having to go out of your way on budget” I actually decided to take part. I did once get asked by a cashier in M&S where on earth I bought my clothes from and the answer at that moment in time was all entirely High Street, so I’m a firm believer that it’s all in how you style things. Charity shops, the high street, supermarkets and vintage are all full of rich pickings if you have a bit of imagination.
George wanted me to pick a dress from their evening dresses section and style it up for Christmas or New Year. I’ve not bought clothes from George before, but Missy Vintage swears by them so I decided to give it a go!
I picked a white lace dress, that was shorter than I would normally order, but I had in my head that I’d do a little 1940s ice skater type look, maybe with a little scarf and hat and my fur trim boots.
Something a bit like this.
When the dress arrived, it was very nice but lent itself more to a bit of a 60s style look. It was also quite insanely short. I mean don’t bend over and pick anything up in public type short. I gave it a go, but I’ll be honest, if I’d seen it in store I wouldn’t have bought it at that length! I thought the red accessories made a nice festive touch!
However, it does make a very nice blouse!รย I also think if you had capri pants and ballet pumps in your wardrobe it would make a cute top with a bit of an Audrey Hepburn vibe. Quite versatile really.
Teamed with a longer skirt I think it looks very Victorian, I feel a bit like a school mistress.
I even attempted a stern look, but I’m not sure I’m very good at it, I’m far too smiley. So I just did a smiley one too.
รขยยค Blouse/Dress - George at Asdaรย รขยยค Skirt - M&S via a Charity Shopรย รขยยค Brooch - Vintageรย รขยยค รขยยค Boots- Stylist Pickรย รขยยค Earrings - Notorious Kitschรย รขยยค
As you can see, this outfit, like most of my outfits, is a mix of high street (Top and Boots), charity shop (Skirt), vintage (brooch) and reproduction (earrings) and I’m quite pleased with the “dress as top” thing, it’s made me look at some of the “dresses” I see on the High Street in a whole new way, and possibly expanded my wardrobe quite considerably. I might even go as far as hemming it so I could wear it as a blouse with trousers as well.
P.S. Can you believe it’s already Day 5 of the 12 Days of Christmas giveaway? Today I’m throwing this glittery and festive ring from Accessory Freaks into the stocking. Any comment on todays post will get you one entry into the draw to win the whole lot, and you can always go back to the original post, or follow the links at the top of the sidebar to get extra daily entries!
Comments
55 responses to “It's Not What You Wear. It's How You Wear It….”
Such a perfect illustration of how styling can radically change a piece of clothing. I wouldn’t have picked the dress at that length, but it looks quite ravishing as a blouse! Happy Christmas ๐
I don’t have the legs for short dresses and there do seem to be a lot of them in the shops at this time of year. This dress looks great as a blouse though.
Not mad keen on the dress, but love your ideas for dressing it up ๐
You can’t beat a bit of glitter – ever!
If only that dress was a little longer, I would have to wear over leggings/jeans or anything to protect my dignity! Another great article!
I like the boots and I agree with you that the in second picture you do look victorian.
Good dress as a blouse! I wouldnt go near it myself because of the length since I wouldnt think of using it as anything else (and I am really not the sort of woman who should pick up a pair of leggings).
Oooh, I like that both ways. I’m all for that kind of mixing up, since my style veers from “donรขโฌโขt bend over and pick anything up in public type short” Sixties dresses to Thirties knee lengths, right down to sweeping maxis. So I want pieces which will work all ways.
I’m struggling to find halfway decent plain black skirts though. I want a good, solid short Sixties one, a non-frumpy midi (but not pencil either, I have those) and a slinky maxi to go with all my various tops and tights. But can I find them? Doesn’t help that I hate high street shopping as an experience… ๐
As a 6′ gal most highstreet dresses are unwearbly short but I love the idea of turning them into blouses! Ingenius!
That is what irritates me about some high street brands, the length of skirt. That would have been such a beautiful dress given a few more inches, I’m 6ft tall, I have no chance! You styled it beautifully though. X
Hmmm yes, v pretty but very short! xxx
That is a gorgeous dress and a great illustration of how versatile clothes can be
What’s Christmas without a bit of sparkle?! Brilliant accesorising by the way! xx
It is a lovely dress, I’ve got some brilliant wardrobe staples from George, including a blue dress I once wore to a wedding and was asked which designer it was – hehe.It should only have been รยฃ18 but it was actually half price so it was an ultra bargain. Someone laughed when I told him what I was planning to wear – he scoffed that I couldn’t *possibly* wear a cheap dress. That showed him! It was so gorgeous that I bought one in black too.
I do love a bit of George; I find it good quality for the price and it often has retro and quirky designs. And I TOTALLY agree with your mantra…in fact one of my most stylish mates once said ‘I love that you get looks from so many different bargains!’- WIN! ๐
OMG I am a smiley person too-its so hard for me to be serious hehehe Super cute ring! Hope youre having fun with this giveaway!! xox
Give me a ring sometime!
Becky
x
It is a really lovely dress and really suits you – especially with the accessories.
Am a big fan of the high street – it can take a lot of digging around to find some gems but they are definitely out there. I haven’t had too much from George in the past (apart from some gorgeous PJ’s) but will certainly go and have a look now.
Love that lace
i love that dress, as a dress. my legs are my best feature (the rest ain’t up to much). i think you look real beaut. x x x
I think you just might be a bit too cheery to pull off the ‘stern schoolmarm’ look. That dress is fantastic. I’ve been looking for one like it for quite some time now.
Think every look is fab!
Personally, I love it with the long skirt, you look like a happy edwardian ice skater!
I love that white eyelet: so feminine and classic
I am firm believer in it’s not what you wear it’s how you wear it. I would not be able to dress the way I do without that mantra. I own very little “actual” vintage. Most of my stuff is second hand – but I do find some treasures on the high street. And I would buy a lot more if they could just make things a little longer. I have no desire to show the world my breakfast. And I am more than sure than no one want’s to see it!
A lot of retailers had all the shapes and prints right in the summer – but I would of had to wear the dresses with leggings for my confidence & modesty. It is a pet hate of mine. (could you tell? ha ha!)
I love dress this tucked in. And if someone of a 60’s dressing style wore it – it would look lovely jubbly with a pair of rocking boots.
Love the white lace skater girl look.. How does one skate in it though when they’re that short? Festive red shorts seem to be the only answer.. ๐
I could wear it with a good pair of jeans ๐
I always find that George/Primark clothes are fine when you first get them but look rubbish after a couple of washes! x
Great article
Please enter me
That’s a great idea. I love your look!!
This is so Christmassy!! Love it
What a cute ring!
seem to have mixed reviews for this one!
I much prefer that dress as a blouse
Got myself a fab lambskin coat from the charity shop last week, รยฃ15 bargain!! Loving the ring x
Love how you’ve styled this! Its made me too think how I can make things I’ve got look radically different via the styling of them….good thinking!
sooooo cute!
Looks fantastic as a blouse with the skirt you have chosen – would never have thought of it! Brilliant inspiration, as dress lengths at the moment are far too short for me ๐
P.S. I like the smiley you best!
Because who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle!
glitter glitter glitter
please enter me today ๐
You’ve got some great styling tips. I might try converting too short dresses into tops!
Wow, short but really cute!
very Victorian school mistress… but a kind one, not stern!
I love the ring! And your white dress is so cute!
Love the dress with a skirt, must admit you look fab in it both ways!! xx
Gotta have a sparkly ring for Christmas!
love the look in your pictures
I’m very tall, and as a few people have pointed out already this means that dresses from high street stores and supermarkets are usually very very short and unwearable. I like how you styled the dress as a top ‘though.
Prize looks great! (: x
I love this look….
so very elegant!
Ooh… it looks good in all the ways but I do really like it just as a dress too! ๐
Love the ring. Hope I win!
I really love this ring, like, a lot a LOT!!!