Friday 4 September 2015

Different Ways to Wear Too Short Shift Dresses - When Online Orders Are Shorter Than Expected!

First wearing of my new Balenciaga bag! As expected, I love it just as much as my blue one. Also my first attempts at wearing some too-short dresses.

Choies gave me the chance to order this striped dress for free, and they also threw in another dress as a gift. I was between sizes so went with my usual 'order a size larger to be safe', and also because I thought the extra length would be good. Being petite, I find that sometimes things that look short on the models are actually an okay length on me, but there is no harm in having an extra centimetre or two.

Both dresses arrived, and are lovely, but as I shared on instagram, they are much too short! So I've had to come up with other ways to wear them. Thought this post might be helpful for others who have received too-short dresses they can't return or that aren't worth the cost of returning. It's also a good reminder to check the length measurements before ordering something and not just the bust and waist!

What I wore:

Away From Blue Balenciaga 2009 Automne RH classic day bag

Choies white navy tile print short dress for winter cardi ankle boots tights
JacketJeanswest brown marle waterfall cardigan
Dress: Choies white tile print shift dress (C/O)
ShoesAsos airtime leather Chelsea boots in tan
Bracelets: the usual
Bag: Balenciaga truffle RH classic day bag (new purchase)

Why I wore it:

I thought I'd try wear tights with this to make myself a little more comfortable with the short length, but I really wasn't comfortable in this at all! I think I should have picked a longer cardigan, that had the length in the back I felt the dress was missing whenever I bent down to pick up toddler T.

I've also mentioned in the past that I can't wear tights with the compression bandage I have for my injured knee. It's designed to keep the muscles warm, so I have to wear it under clothing so it's right next to my skin and it gets a bit warm through the day. When I add tights, it's just much too hot. I thought this day would be okay though as it was cold and rainy....nope. My knee got so hot so quickly. I couldn't wait to take this off! A bit of an outfit fail all round.

How would you wear this dress differently? I was thinking maybe as a bikini cover up for the beach...


Last worn: brown cardi, tan ankle boots. First time I've worn the bag and the dress.

Other ways to wearbrown cardi and skinny jeans, ankle boots and skinny jeans, blue Balenciga day bag and a summer dress.


More shift dresses under $50:







What I wore:

Choies monochrome stripe shift dress belted as tunic over flared jeans purple cardi

Stripe tunic purple cardi Balenciaga 2009 Automne RH classic day bag
CardiganJeanswest Dana drape knit cardi in boysenberry
NecklaceHappiness Boutique turquoise and coral pendant necklace (C/O)
Dress (worn as top): Choies monochrome stripe shift dress (C/O)
JeansJeanswest 'spoylt' flared jeans
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs logo plaque flats in camel
Bag: Balenciaga truffle RH classic day bag

Why I wore it:

After the outfit fail the day before, I knew I'd need a bit more coverage with this dress! While it does have the right length in the back and even in the front, it has curved hems so it comes up short on the hips. I belted it like a tunic over jeans. It would look better with skinny jeans, but I can't squeeze the knee bandage under them.

I really liked this outfit though! I felt happy and comfortable all day. I really like the way the dress looks belted, and I wasn't worrying about what it looked like from behind every time I bent down as I had jeans on underneath. It's a really comfortable cotton, which helps as it feels good to wear. I'm thinking this would look nice worn as a top and tucked under a skirt too...I can see lots of other ways to wear this dress. Definitely a winner, even if I don't wear it as a dress as it was intended!


Last worn: purple cardi, flared jeans, ballet flats, Balenciaga day bag (above). First time I've worn the dress.

Other ways to wearpurple cardi and a maxi dress, flared jeans and heels, ballet flats and a wrap dress, blue Balenciaga day bag and stripes.


One last thing before I finish today's post: this Sunday is Father's Day in Australia, so I hope everyone has a lovely weekend with their family. Jeanswest were kind enough to send me this beautiful Malrvern check shirt for DH, and as baby T has a cute little shirt from Jeanswest to wear also, I know there will be one very fashionable and adorable duo this Sunday! I'll try get a photo of them together and share it on instagram@awayfromblue.



The 30% off Jeanswest sale that I mentioned in my last post has been extended this weekend! So if you're looking for something for yourself or even a last minute gift for Father's Day, the sale is now on in store too as well as online.


Linking up with Fab Favourites, Friday Favourites, Passion For Fashion, Flashback Fashion, Favourite FashionFashion Friday, The Ultimate Rabbit HoleHello Monday today.



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Wednesday 2 September 2015

Printed Maxi Skirts and Colourful Tops, Jeanswest Sale

First up, Jeanswest have a 30% off sale online right now. It includes everything, even all their new spring stock, which I love as it features blue pretty heavily! If you're looking for a pretty update to your wardrobe, check out the sale.


It's only for a limited time, so if you've got your eye on anything I suggest snapping it up quickly! The sale includes menswear too if you're looking for a little last minute something for Father's Day this weekend.



As for what I've been wearing, more maxi skirt outfits! They really are the best option for keeping me warm and still allowing me to wear my knee brace. Which I'm hopeful I'll be able to go without soon. I'm making great progress with the physio working up to getting the full range of movement in my knee again.

What I wore:

blue marle knit jumper navy white stripe maxi skirt LV neverfull bag

Louis Vuitton MM damier azur neverfull
Jumper: thrifted Valleygirl blue knit jumper
SkirtAT by Atmos&Here Mars striped maxi skirt
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs studded mouse flats in grey
BagLouis Vuitton MM damier azur neverfull

Why I wore it:

No jacket! It's officially spring, and this was taken in the last weeks of winter. I'm trying to make an effort to get a last wear out of some of my winter pieces before they are packed away. I did think about wearing a scarf with this also, and in the early morning it would have come in useful, but defintely wasn't needed in the heat of the day - I ended up rolling up the sleeves from the jumper as it heated up.

I was just working from home with a short break in the afternoon to go get a scan and find out how much damage I'd done to my knee. I'd thought of wearing this skirt as it as the slit up the side, for easy knee access, but the slit is on the other side! I ended up wearing it anyway. It was easy enough to roll up to let the lady look at my knee.


Last worn: blue jumper, striped maxi skirt, studded mouse flats, Louis Vuitton neverfull.

Other ways to wearblue jumper in the office, striped maxi skirt in summer, mouse flats and print mixing, Louis Vuitton neverfull with shorts.


More printed maxi skirts under $30:






What I wore:

black cardigan red tee tribal Aztec print maxi skirt striped mini MAC bag

Rebecca Minkoff striped coated canvas mini MAC in berry stripe
SunniesRayban new Wayfarers
Jacket: Cotton On black knit wrap cardigan
NecklaceHouse of Harlow sunburst necklace in silver and grey
TeeZalora Basics maroon stepped t-shirt
Skirt: Izabel London Aztec print maxi skirt (C/O)
ShoesWalnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats
BagRebecca Minkoff striped coated canvas mini MAC in berry stripe

Why I wore it:

I felt amazing in this outfit, even if it does look a little odd in the photo. Should have tucked the tee in, so it didn't overwhelm my frame and make my already short legs look really stumpy! I had looked in the mirror that morning and decided it looked okay to leave it loose, a nice relaxed outfit for playgroup with the toddler.

I got this tee and skirt around the same time, so I'd been wanting to wear them together for a while. While it's not the best photo, and seeing it made me wish I'd tucked the top in, I enjoyed wearing it.


Last worn: Ray-Ban Wayfarersblack cardi, red tee, printed maxi skirt, black ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff canvas stripe mini MAC.

Other ways to wearblack cardi and skinny jeans, red tee and skinny jeans, neutral outfit and bright bag with a printed maxi skirt, ballet flats in the office, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC with jeans.

Linking up with Pleated Poppy, Style Me Weekly, Oh Hey Girl, Trendy Wednesday, Thursday Fashion Files, Throwback Thursday, Fun Fashion Friday, Weekend Link Up, Casual Friday.



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