Frocktober: Jeanswest Boho Maxi Dresses - New Summer Collection

When I was doing Frocktober, I was contacted by Jeanswest to have a look at their new boho summer collection. When I had the chance to pick a few pieces I knew dresses would be perfect, as I could wear and enjoy them right away. I was spoiled for choice too, the collection has some wonderful dresses! I picked two stunning maxi dresses that I hoped would fit the baby bump nicely.


I'm sharing these ahead of some of the other Frocktober outfits I wore as Jeanswest have a 40% off storewide sale on at the moment!

There are only a few days left of the sale, so hurry! Simply print or show the flyer on your smartphone in-store to get the discount. You can get the discount just by being a rewards member too and using your rewards card or signing into your account online - you can join for free online if you're not already a member.

What I wore:

Dress: Heather textured maxi dress in eggshell (C/O)

Shoes: Ikwetta 'Circles of life' sandals (C/O)
Bracelets: the usual plus statement cuff gifted from my bestie on other wrist
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum (new purchase)

Why I wore it:

Wanted to keep the accessories simple. This dress has a gorgeous tie detail at the neckline so I picked a bold statement cuff to wear instead of a necklace. the only downside to this dress is that it creases a little through the day - as you can see in the pics. But it was nice and breezy and comfortable for an early morning start and a day down the coast with toddler T and my sister. I think I can get a few more wears out of this as it accommodates the baby belly well, despite not being a maternity dress.

I wasn't too sure about the colour combination with the eggshell and plum together, but I was so excited to wear my new bag I went for it anyway. I really liked the pairing when I wore it.


Last worn: Ikwetta sandals. First time I've worn the bag and dress.

Other ways to wear: beaded sandals with a leopard print dress.

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Shop my pick of the best pieces from the Jeanswest summer Boho Collection:

(click the image to go directly to that piece, or use the text links below)

1: Heather textured maxi dress in eggshell | 2: Janis silk playsuit | 3: Donna crochet trim dress | 4: Tammy printed double layer top | 5: Gigi printed maxi dress

6: Skyler mixed print tank | 7: Briony tassel tie halter top | 8: Janis silk printed dress | 9: Dan mixed print top | 10: Talulah textured layered cami in eggshell

And everything is 40% off right now!

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What I wore:

Dress: Gigi printed maxi dress (mine is in shorter length, C/O)

Shoes: Ikwetta 'Circles of life' sandals (C/O)
Bracelets: the usual plus Roie Designs waxed leather cream howlite beaded wrap bracelet
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum (new purchase)

Why I wore it:

I asked for this dress a size larger than normal so it would fit the baby bump, as it has a hidden zipper. I did have to pull the fixed waist up a bit higher over the top of the bump though. I know I'll have more chances to wear this after baby arrives, even if I can't squeeze into it again as the bump grows. I'm still so glad I got this dress, it's beautiful and looks even better sans bump. It is a regular (non maternity) dress after all.

The purple bag worked so well with the pink and blue print of the dress, despite really liking my outfit the day before (above) I liked this one even more! This dress is definitely my favourite piece from the whole collection - even with all the wonderful blue printed tops and tanks. I like that it comes in a shorter length too, the Heather maxi dress above I'll need to get hemmed once I don't have the baby bump pulling the dress up.

The Donna crochet trim dress is another stand out piece in my opinion. I decided not to get it in the end because an entirely white dress, with being extra clumsy during pregnancy and looking after a toddler, isn't the best choice! Looks awesome in the promo video though, and even better in person. The body is lined too so it's not sheer, but it's a light (viscose cheesecloth) material so it's perfect for the summer heat.


Last worn: Ikwetta sandals (above), Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote (above).

Other ways to wear: beaded sandals and a printed maxi skirt.

Note: prices above are before the 40% discount. Sign into your rewards member account online to get the sale prices.

Some of the items in this post were given to me to review. As always, all opinions and outfits are my own.


Linking up with Turning Heads, Inspiring Bloggers, Style Sessions, Tuesday Fashion Party, Wardrobe Wednesday, Whatcha Wearing Wednesday, What I Wore, Pleated Poppy, Fresh Fashion, Style Me Wednesday, Oh Hey Girl, Momfluence, Throwback Thursday, Thursday Fashion Files, Weekend Linkup. 

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Frocktober 2015 Wrap-Up! #31Days31DifferentDresses Style Challenge

I managed to wear an incredible 32 different dresses in October in order to raise funds for Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, even with the developing baby bump meaning I outgrew a few dresses in my wardrobe.


Thank you to everyone who donated! I was amazed that despite my modest $200 goal in the beginning, I raised over $600 for the cause! Thank you so much.


I wanted to do #31Days31DifferentDresses to fundraise for research into ovarian cancer. One woman dies every 10 hours from ovarian cancer. There is no early detection test, so people are often diagnosed when it is too late and the cancer has spread. More research could develop an early detection test, change those statistics and will make a difference.

While my challenge is wrapped up and done and I'll probably be staying away from the dresses for a while and enjoying the rest of my wardrobe, I'll still be posting some more outfits from the month on the blog into November. I couldn't let Frocktober end without a final wrap-up and call for donations though!


Below are my #31Days31DifferentDresses outfits, with a bonus 32nd dress!

With this first set of dresses, I was still trying as best as I could to hide the baby bump in photos. It was unmissable in person though!

Outfit Posts:

1-2: Printed dresses and Marc By Marc Jacobs Bags

3-4: Weekend dresses and yellow Rebecca Minkoff swing bag

5-6: Planned and unplanned dresses: SAHM style and office wear

7-8: Botanical print and stripes and comparing online

In the second week of the challenge, I was beginning to feel a little frustrated with having nothing but dresses to wear, and a little concerned with how many dresses I was having to set aside as I'd outgrown them. I began to organise my little capsule wardrobe a bit better to make sure I'd have enough to wear for the month, which lead to me wearing some dresses I wasn't feeling comfortable or confident in, just because I wasn't sure I'd fit into them in a few days.

Outfit Posts:

9-10: Printed dresses and Balenciaga bags

11-12: Kimonos and blue dresses. My favourite outfits from the challenge!

13-14: Black and grey dresses with bright accessories

15-16: Blue printed dresses for work and weekend (and the first dress to leave my wardrobe)

By the third week I was outgrowing even more dresses and was glad I had so many roomy maxi dresses in my wardrobe! I was also very kindly given two beautiful new maxi dresses from Jeanswest which gave me some more options.

Outfit Posts:

17-18: Weekend dresses, sun hats, Rebecca Minkoff MAM bag

19-20: More blue printed dresses and Balenciaga Day bag

21-22: Casual and classy dress outfits

23-24: Jeanswest boho maxi dresses

The final stretch of the challenge! I'd saved a few favourite dresses for near the end, knowing I'd be feeling a bit large with the growing baby belly, and a little fed up by the lack of choice each day. Despite this, I even managed to wear an extra dress when I got changed for an evening out.

Outfit Posts:

25-26: Jeanswest black maxi dresses, purple Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote

27-28: Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran bag, dresses for the office and working from home

29-30: Blue printed dresses for work and weekend

31-32: Finishing Frocktober!

There was just one dress that I still fit into that hadn't been worn in my wardrobe, not counting the maternity dresses I hadn't pulled out yet and the dresses I had to quickly set aside as they didn't fit a second trimester baby bump. So yes, I do have a lot of dresses!


Thank you again to everyone who donated - through my fundraising page or other means. Your advice, outfit ideas and inspiration, kind comments, and of course donations encouraged me to keep going with the challenge.

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