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It's Not What You Wear. It's How You Wear It….

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12 Days of Christmas: Day 4
December 8, 2011
12 Days of Christmas: Day 6
December 10, 2011

It's Not What You Wear. It's How You Wear It….

December 9, 2011
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That’s been my mantra for years!

So when I got an email from George  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! 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.

❤ Blouse/Dress - George at Asda ❤ Skirt - M&S via a Charity Shop ❤ Brooch - Vintage ❤
❤ Boots- Stylist Pick ❤ Earrings - Notorious Kitsch ❤

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!

 

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55 Comments

  1. Michelle says:
    December 9, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    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 🙂

  2. Fi Phillips says:
    December 9, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    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.

  3. Lucy says:
    December 9, 2011 at 12:57 pm

    Not mad keen on the dress, but love your ideas for dressing it up 🙂

  4. Kate Collison says:
    December 9, 2011 at 1:08 pm

    You can’t beat a bit of glitter – ever!

  5. Chantelle says:
    December 9, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    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!

  6. Claire Barker says:
    December 9, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    I like the boots and I agree with you that the in second picture you do look victorian.

  7. Wendy Buchta says:
    December 9, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    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).

  8. Miss Peelpants says:
    December 9, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    Oooh, I like that both ways. I’m all for that kind of mixing up, since my style veers from “don’t 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… 😉

  9. Roxie Roulette says:
    December 9, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    As a 6′ gal most highstreet dresses are unwearbly short but I love the idea of turning them into blouses! Ingenius!

  10. Louise says:
    December 9, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    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

  11. luxiehoney says:
    December 9, 2011 at 2:50 pm

    Hmmm yes, v pretty but very short! xxx

  12. Tracey says:
    December 9, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    That is a gorgeous dress and a great illustration of how versatile clothes can be

  13. Emma Hollands says:
    December 9, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    What’s Christmas without a bit of sparkle?! Brilliant accesorising by the way! xx

  14. Missy Vintage says:
    December 9, 2011 at 3:57 pm

    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 £18 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.

  15. Perdita says:
    December 9, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    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! 🙂

  16. Bunny Moreno says:
    December 9, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    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

  17. Rebecca Murphy says:
    December 9, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    Give me a ring sometime!

    Becky
    x

  18. Glamour_ologist says:
    December 9, 2011 at 8:25 pm

    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.

  19. Erica Price says:
    December 9, 2011 at 8:38 pm

    Love that lace

  20. olivia kirby says:
    December 9, 2011 at 8:57 pm

    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

  21. Nessbow says:
    December 9, 2011 at 9:21 pm

    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.

  22. Karen Jones says:
    December 9, 2011 at 9:58 pm

    Think every look is fab!

  23. Naomi says:
    December 9, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    Personally, I love it with the long skirt, you look like a happy edwardian ice skater!

  24. For Those About To Shop says:
    December 9, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    I love that white eyelet: so feminine and classic

  25. LandGirl1980 says:
    December 9, 2011 at 10:46 pm

    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.

  26. Kelly Garrett says:
    December 10, 2011 at 12:01 am

    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.. 🙂

  27. Clementina says:
    December 10, 2011 at 9:29 am

    I could wear it with a good pair of jeans 🙂

  28. Ali Bunn says:
    December 10, 2011 at 10:03 am

    I always find that George/Primark clothes are fine when you first get them but look rubbish after a couple of washes! x

  29. Rebecca John says:
    December 11, 2011 at 5:00 am

    Great article

  30. Michelle Williams says:
    December 11, 2011 at 10:31 am

    Please enter me

  31. Julie Booth says:
    December 11, 2011 at 11:39 am

    That’s a great idea. I love your look!!

  32. Julie Picton says:
    December 11, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    This is so Christmassy!! Love it

  33. Joanne B says:
    December 11, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    What a cute ring!

  34. Patricia Martin says:
    December 11, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    seem to have mixed reviews for this one!

  35. claire constable says:
    December 11, 2011 at 7:51 pm

    I much prefer that dress as a blouse

  36. Katie Skeoch says:
    December 11, 2011 at 9:08 pm

    Got myself a fab lambskin coat from the charity shop last week, £15 bargain!! Loving the ring x

  37. Sara Hook says:
    December 11, 2011 at 10:17 pm

    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!

  38. jacqui Mcloughlin says:
    December 11, 2011 at 11:32 pm

    sooooo cute!

  39. Molly Louise says:
    December 12, 2011 at 12:20 am

    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 🙂
    P.S. I like the smiley you best!

  40. Helen says:
    December 12, 2011 at 9:42 am

    Because who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle!

  41. carrie says:
    December 13, 2011 at 10:15 am

    glitter glitter glitter

  42. Hannah says:
    December 13, 2011 at 10:42 am

    please enter me today 🙂

  43. Louise says:
    December 13, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    You’ve got some great styling tips. I might try converting too short dresses into tops!

  44. Lauren says:
    December 13, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    Wow, short but really cute!

  45. Sarah Armstrong says:
    December 13, 2011 at 4:29 pm

    very Victorian school mistress… but a kind one, not stern!

  46. Mary says:
    December 13, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    I love the ring! And your white dress is so cute!

  47. missmatilda says:
    December 13, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    Love the dress with a skirt, must admit you look fab in it both ways!! xx

  48. Natalie says:
    December 13, 2011 at 10:55 pm

    Gotta have a sparkly ring for Christmas!

  49. Emma Lowe says:
    December 14, 2011 at 10:45 pm

    love the look in your pictures

  50. Eliza says:
    December 15, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    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.

  51. Alix Bell says:
    December 15, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    Prize looks great! (: x

  52. HELEN CRUSE says:
    December 15, 2011 at 11:32 pm

    I love this look….

    so very elegant!

  53. Laura Carroll says:
    December 16, 2011 at 5:29 am

    Ooh… it looks good in all the ways but I do really like it just as a dress too! 🙂

  54. Tegan Faulkner says:
    December 16, 2011 at 11:27 am

    Love the ring. Hope I win!

  55. Embo Parko says:
    December 16, 2011 at 11:27 am

    I really love this ring, like, a lot a LOT!!!

About Me

Gemma
Incurable cancer, cocktails & fitness. Size Inclusive Personal Trainer, red lipstick wearer, cocktail drinker. Multiple Myeloma June 2021. Norwich, UK
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These photos were kind of a big deal for me. ad. LET’S RUN! It’s been a year. Just a photo dump from our birthday trip to @elmleynature Our trip to @elmleynature deserves a proper grid spot, and I’ll share more photos soon. Pugs. Great for cuddles, terrible guard dogs. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! Do you ever go out on your own? Happy Easter Chickadees!

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