First Birthday Party Outfits: Maxi Dresses - Layered Up For Winter

The other week, we had a busy weekend with a couple of first birthday parties to attend for baby T's friends, so I went with my trusty maxi dresses. They always seem to fit any dress-code. And they are easy to wash after the inevitable food-covered baby hands start grabbing at them. Maxi dresses are perfect first birthday party wear!

As it's winter here in Brisbane (and late autumn when I took these pictures) I had to layer up a little. It is possible to wear maxi skirts and dresses year round (and I've shown a few times when I've worn maxi dresses in winter), you just need to wear a little more than you would in summer. It helps if you have snow-free winters like we do here.

What I wore:

Cardigan: Jeanswest Dana drape knit cardi in Boysenberry

Necklace: Tai gold alphabet necklace
Dress: Jeanswest 'Sierra' embellished black maxi dress (on sale!)
Belt: Kmart thin black glitter belt
Shoes: Wittner 'Bolla' black bow detail flats
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Love cross body bag in grey

Why I wore it:

I wore this to a little girl's first birthday party. I shared a picture of the party decor on instagram, as it was done so well, got me thinking about baby T's upcoming party! Her mum had spent a long time planning and had some of her friends help out to create a beautiful party, it was really fun.

Thought the glittery belt and the embroidered neckline of this black maxi dress made it a little dressed up for the occasion, and as well as meeting the 'sparkle' style challenge for the day, it was good for both playing on the floor with baby and standing around chatting to the adults. As much as I wanted to wear sandals, it was a little chilly so closed in ballet flats were the best option.

I've worn the belted cardigan over a maxi dress combination before, here with the same cardi and here and here over a baby bump. I really like it!


Last worn: purple cardigan, Jeanswest black maxi dress, glitter belt, black ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff Love bag.

Other ways to wear: purple cardigan with leopard print skinny jeans, black maxi dress with studded accessories, glitter belt over a baby bump, black ballet flats with printed skinny jeans, Rebecca Minkoff Love bag with printed shorts.

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What I wore:

Sunnies: Rayban new Wayfarers

Jacket: Bubblegum denim jacket
Scarf: Cotton On fuchsia pashmina
Dress: Thrifted JayJays teal paisley print maxi dress (new purchase)
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs studded mouse flats in grey
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Love cross body bag in grey

Why I wore it:

I shared a little bit about this maxi dress in my monthly purchases video. I got it from the local op-shop (thrift store) in the 'fill a bag for $2' sale. It looked familiar and it also looked like it was my size and in great condition, so into the bag it went. It was when I got it home and tried it and everything else on for the first time that I realised...I used to have a very similar dress when I was younger! Still haven't found a photo of me in the black version though.

I wore a denim jacket with this as I always used to think it was the coolest item of clothing ever when I was younger, to meet the 'hello cool' style challenge for the day. I needed a little more than just the denim jacket with this though as the first birthday party we were attending was outdoors. In the end I settled on the pink scarf, after trying on a few. I thought it looked nice with the teal and it matches the pink in the print well.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, denim jacket, pink pashmina, studded mouse flats, Rebecca Minkoff love cross body bag (above). First time I've worn the dress as it is a new purchase.

Other ways to wear: denim jacket in summer, pink pashmina with a brown outfit, studded mouse flats with skinny pants, another blue printed maxi dress in summer, Rebecca Minkoff Love bag with denim.

Linking up with Shoe and Tell, Let It Shine, Style To Inspire, Modest Monday, Mix it Monday, More Pieces of Me, Daily Express, Bless Your Heart, Reasons to Dress, Turning Heads, Confident Twosday, Because Shanna Said So, Whatcha Wearing Wednesday, Fun Fashion Friday, Third Thursday Threads today.

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Dresses, Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere Bag in Damier Ebene

Although it's June, I'm still a bit behind with blogging what I wear and so I'm still sharing what I wore for the May Fox in flats style dare in autumn. Grouped these two outfits together to share as it's two different dresses layered up slightly for autumn, with my Louis Vuitton damier speedy bandouliere bag.

What I wore:

Sunnies: Rayban new Wayfarers

Scarf: Marc by Marc Jacobs Stargazer scarf in aquamarine (on sale!)
Dress: Atmos&Here Polly navy polka dot shirt dress
Shoes: Asos Cleo leather boots in tan
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere (with Coach feather bag charm)

Why I wore it:

The style challenge for the day was 'crazy sexy', and much like the 'vamp vixen' challenge, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to come up with an outfit. I'd thought I might wear this dress again, as I've been wanting to wear it to meet my goal of wearing things twice in a month after I buy them, but it hadn't really fitted easily into any challenge prompts. I figured dresses are sexy...so wore this! Bundled up with the scarf and boots to keep cosy as I popped out to the chemist. Baby T and I were feeling a little under the weather, the cold we'd been getting over came back with a vengeance so we needed to pick something up for us both.

It's the second time I've worn this dress, so my purchase review:

I really like this dress! I'm so pleased I bought it. I saw it online at full price and added it to my wishlist, and saw it popping up on instagram worn by a couple of people and just waited until there was a sale to justify buying it. Luckily The Iconic frequently has sales (there's one on right now...) so I was only waiting a few weeks. It's going to be so easy to layer up with in winter and as I can wear it with the sleeves rolled up like I have here I can see it being worn in spring as well, even if it isn't the most breathable fabric for summer. Really happy with this purchase!


Last worn: Marc by Marc Jacobs scarf, polka dot shirt dress, Asos leather boots, Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere 30.

Other ways to wear: blue galaxy print scarf with red dress, shirt dress with Converse, leather boots and skinny jeans in winter, LV speedy bag with denim shorts.

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What I wore:

Cardigan: Jeanswest brown marle waterfall cardi
Necklace: Tai gold alphabet necklace layered with Roie Designs long freshwater pearl necklace with tassel
Dress: Three Dots stripe maxi dress
Shoes: Asos 'five star' leather sandals
Bag: Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene 30 speedy bandouliere (with Coach feather bag charm)

Why I wore it:

Unbelievably, this is the first time I've worn this cardigan on the blog. It's actually one of my favourites! It's been worn a lot in the office and for keeping cosy at home, but I don't wear it out often so it's never been in an outfit picture before. As I mentioned before, I'm making more of an effort to wear my cardigans lately, inspired by some other bloggers. They have the benefit of being just cosy enough for the mild Queensland autumn weather, and easy for life with baby. I can babywear in them as they don't have jaggy zips, and I don't have to worry about them getting dirty or covered in baby's food, I can just throw them in the wash.

The style dare for the day was 'elegant'. I was working from home and doing the day care pick up so I wanted to be more comfortable than elegant! I decided to wear all these things because they sound elegant. A floor-length gown, pearl necklace and Louis Vuitton accessories...AKA a maxi dress, boho necklace and a LV speedy bag topped off with a cosy cardi. I much prefer comfortable elegance over black tie elegance any day!


Last worn: striped maxi dress, leather sandals, LV speedy bandouliere (above). First time I've shown the cardigan on the blog.

Other ways to wear: striped maxi dress with a second trimester baby bump, sandals and denim shorts for summer, LV speedy bandouliere with black skirts.

Linking up with Fab Favourites, Passion For Fashion, Feature Friday, Fashion Friday today.

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