Corporate Style: Printed Dresses and Winter Layering

I wore these two dresses from my June buys together a couple of weeks ago, and I wanted to get around to wearing them a second time. I try wear everything I buy twice in a month after buying it, so that when I'm deciding what to keep  I'm keeping things I will actually wear and that I won't just leave unworn in my wardrobe. This time around, as it was a little colder, I layered up the dresses more.

What I wore:

Jacket: Barkins beige trench coat 

Scarf: Nali feather print pashmina scarf
Necklace: Tai gold alphabet necklace
Dress: Jeanswest Sadie silk printed shift dress
Pants: Jeanswest 'Fiona' skinny leg pant in shiraz
Shoes: Asos airtime leather Chelsea boots in tan
Bag: Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Fran bag with gold hardware in carob brown

Why I wore it:

This outfit was a hit on instagram, and in my bedroom mirror the night before when I was trying to think of something to wear to work. I like wearing dresses as tops, I've done it before a few times, and this seemed like such a good combination with the colours of the dress and the pants. Made it really cosy too!

The only downside to this outfit was that silk wrinkles, a lot. And with all the sitting down and getting up and re-arranging the dress...it never stayed tucked in perfectly. I ended up keeping the pashmina on at work to try hide most of the creases as by the end of the day I looked quite rumpled! I do want to try wearing this dress as a top again, but maybe with a pencil skirt layered over it so that I don't have to try and tuck it in perfectly each time.

Since it's the second time I've worn this dress, my purchase review:
I am so glad I bought this. It's a beautiful piece, although I am restricted a little with how I wear it and it will be work-only for a while as silk isn't the best material for a day at home with baby! This was an impulse buy, I certainly didn't need another dress, but I do like being able to add some different fabrics to my wardrobe and I have written many times about my love for printed dresses. It's a winner.


Last worn: camel trench coat, feather print pashmina, silk shift dress, burgundy skinny pants, tan ankle boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran bag.

Other ways to wear: camel trench coat with a printed dress, pashmina with a polka dot dress, silk shift dress and tights, burgundy and orange, ankle boots with a maxi skirt, Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran bag with a maxi skirt.

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More printed dresses for the office, under $50:

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What I wore:

Necklace: Tai gold alphabet necklace

Dress: Target Dannii Minogue Petites printed wrap dress
Tee: Valleygirl blue 3/4 sleeve tee
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs two tone flats in blush and black
Bracelets: the usual plus JORD black Fieldcrest wood watch (C/O)
Bag: Balenciaga RH classic city in 2010 sorbet

Why I wore it:

Last time I wore this dress, I spoke about how happy I was with the fit, but it was all hidden under the winter layers! I braved the cold without the scarf and trench to take a clearer picture, and to show off the layering tee I added. I didn't need the tee for modesty, I think it's quite a high neckline even though it's a wrap dress. I just thought the colours would go well together and it helped keep me that little bit warmer in the office.

As it's also the second time I've worn this, another purchase review:
I really like this dress! I'm glad I bought it (although I can't say I was pleased coming across it reduced even further recently!). I don't have many petite items, mainly Jeanswest and Asos, so it's nice to find another petite brand which does great work wear. I wish I had waited a little longer to buy it until after the final reductions, but I know I wouldn't have wanted to miss out on it.


Last worn: blue layering tee, geometric print faux wrap dress, Marc by Marc Jacobs flats, Balenciaga sorbet city bag.

Other ways to wear: blue layering tee on it's own, printed dress with turquoise scarf, two tone flats with a maxi dress, Balenciaga city bag and a baby bump.

Linking up with Modest Monday, Hello Monday, Mix It Monday, On Trend Tuesday, Real Mom Style, Turning Heads, Confident Twosday, Wardrobe Wednesday, Whatcha Wearing Wednesday, What I Wore today.

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