Friday 26 April 2019

30 Ways To Wear: Zara Navy Printed Shift Dress

I'm thrilled I've hit 30 wears with this dress so I can finally dedicate a post to it! An impulse buy from Zara during a trip to Sydney, before we had a Zara here in Brisbane. This dress is something I love wearing.


30 Ways To Wear: Navy Shift Dress


30 ways to wear #30wears challenge: Navy Zara printed tunic shift dress


Cost Per Wear

I can't calculate cost per wear with this dress sadly as I forget how much it cost. I did buy it back in September 2012! It's taken me around 6 and a half years to hit 30 wears with it, despite really wanting to hit 30 wears back in 2018, as it's not the best length for days with toddlers. If you're running around and bending over and picking things and children up the tunic style can feel a little short. Of course there are some ways I can work around that, that I've shown below.

Another factor affecting the cost per wear calculation is that I actually managed to tear this dress a few years ago. I had to have it repaired, so that cost would factor in as well. I can't remember how much that cost though either! 😂



30 Ways To Wear A Navy Shift Dress: Video Style







Navy Shift Dress With A Pop Of Colour


4 ways to wear a navy printed tunic dress with a pop of colour | awayfromblue

I'm all for adding a little extra colour to an outfit with accessories. And this navy dress is the perfect neutral piece to really let the bright accessories pop! A necklace, bag or jacket, all look great with the neutral navy backdrop. I like red with the navy, but green works well too.


Belting a Printed Shift Dress


3 outfit ideas with a printed shift dress belted | away from the blue

This is probably one of the simplest ways to change up a dress, just add a belt! It's a nice way to make an old favourite feel a little fresher, just by adding another accessory.


Tunic Dress Worn As A Top


5 ways to wear a navy printed shift dress as a top work and casual | away from blue

As mentioned above, this tunic length can feel a little short some days. The longer sleeves and modest neckline mean this top is great for the office, just too short to meet the dress code guidelines. Adding a pencil skirt over the top solves that problem and instantly creates a professional outfit from a casual dress. It works well for stay at home mum days by tucking the tunic into some shorts too!


Navy Printed Shift Dress With More Blue


3 ways to wear a navy printed shift dress with blue accessories monochromatic style | awayfromblue

It's no secret blue is my favourite colour - I love wearing every shade of it! A neutral navy shift dress is a great excuse for me to add more blue to my outfit - even if the shades don't match, the blue on blue colour combination is one I really enjoy wearing. Denim jackets, or blue bags, anything goes!


Shift Dress With Ankle Boots


outfit ideas navy shift dress and ankle boots awayfromtheblue

A dress and ankle boots is a great way to extend the life of your summer dresses into spring and Autumn - it's a classic combo and one that works so well with a shift dress like this.


Printed Tunic Dress With Converse


navy printed tunic dress and converse worn 3 ways | away from the blue

Of course if boots aren't your thing, a dress and Converse works well too! They are a really practical choice for mum life and like the boots above it's a combination I wear in spring and autumn quite  a bit.


Shift Dress In Winter


how to layer up a summer shift dress for winter 4 outfit ideas | awayfromtheblue

You can extend the life of your favourite summer dresses by wearing them in winter too! With a cosy pair of tights or leggings underneath, and a few more winter layers. This is a great option for running around with the kids too, you aren't as worried about the tunic length if you have a pair of leggings underneath.


Printed Shift Dress In Pregnancy


4 ways to wear a printed shift dress in pregnancy | away from the blue

This dress was the best in all trimesters! It was simple and fuss free and as you can see the print is great at hiding a baby bump for the early second trimester. It was nice and light to wear when pregnant in heatwaves. Although it did get a little short in the third trimester with the bump pulling it up, nothing a pair of leggings couldn't fix!




Where To Buy Navy Printed Shift Dresses Under $50:








Similar Posts In The 30 Wears Series:


You can see all the times I've worn this dress in my archives, or browse the 30 wears series too.


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Wednesday 24 April 2019

Striped Tee Dresses & Bright Bags For A Pop of Colour

Sharing two simple striped tee dresses, and the last long hair outfit photo! I donated my hair back at the end of March, I've just been so behind with photos. Since I wait until I have some outfits that make sense to post together, these outfits were worn a little while apart, one with long hair and one outfit with short hair!

What I wore:

 All About Eve striped black tee dress with contrast sleeves purple mini MAB crossbody bag | awayfromblue

Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum | awayfromtheblue

awayfromblue Instagram | all about eve striped black tee dress contrast sleeves pink and purple accessories
Necklace: Kmart rose gold and pink beaded necklace
DressAll About Eve striped black tee dress
ShoesBalenciaga studded sandals in sorbet RGGH
BagRebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum (on sale!)

Why I wore it:

Simple tee dress for a busy day. Every time I wear this dress I'm so glad my sister didn't want it any more! I like wearing it with purple, I've done that before. It's a nice touch of colour with the black. Decided to add in some pink accessories too, I think these Balenciaga studded sandals and the rose gold necklace pair nicely with the purple mini MAB tote bag, even though they are both different shades of pink.

Took the boys out to our favourite playground in the morning, then had a couple of errands to run before sneakily managing to buy a birthday present without the birthday boy noticing!


Last worn: All About Eve striped tee dress, rose gold necklace, studded Balenciaga sandals, Rebecca Minkoff purple mini MAB tote bag.

Other ways to wearAll About Eve striped tee dress and brown bag, studded Balenciaga sandals and shorts, Rebecca Minkoff purple mini MAB tote bag worn 30 ways.

Perfect for pregnancystudded Balenciaga sandals in second trimester, Rebecca Minkoff purple mini MAB tote bag in third trimester.


Donating My Hair Vlog








What I wore:

Cotton On 'Tina' white striped tee dress  in autumn with leggings pink magenta balenciaga day bag | away from blue

Necklace: navy and silver circle pendant tassel necklace
DressCotton On 'Tina' white striped tee dress in Lissy black / Gardenia
Leggings: Cotton on black 3/4 length leggings
ShoesNovo Tawny rose gold sandals
BagBalenciaga Day bag in 2005 magenta

Why I wore it:

A little bit more autumn-like with this outfit! I added some leggings to combat the cool morning and also as I worried this dress might be a little too short for a trip to the playground and rhyme time at the local library with the boys.

It was also my first attempt to curl my shorter hair. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it could have been a lot better! I think I will wait until it grows a bit more before I try again. As a graduated bob, the back is just too short to hold a proper curl.

Unhappiness with my hair aside, I did like this outfit - the leggings were a good choice for in the library sitting down on the ground with the boys. I think the Balenciaga day bag is such a fun pop of colour with the black and white stripes too.


Last worn: black and white striped tee dress, leggings, navy tassel necklace, rose gold sandals, Balenciaga magenta day bag.

Other ways to wearblack and white striped tee dress without leggings, leggings and Aztec print dress, rose gold sandals and shorts, Balenciaga magenta day bag and maxi dress.

Perfect for pregnancyleggings in third trimester, Balenciaga magenta day bag in third trimester.



Striped Tee Dress Under $50:




I have included some Cotton On ones that are the same style as the one I'm wearing above - it's available in a range of prints!

How You Can Wear It:

A striped tee dress is a wardrobe basic, and a classic black and white one like the ones above works so well with bold colourful accessories. Pink and purple bags really pop with black and white outfits.


Linking up with Fashion Files, Chic and Stylish, Red Carpet Link Up, Fancy Friday, Flashback Fashion.



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Monday 22 April 2019

Weekday Wear Linkup! Wearing Dresses As Tops With Pencil Skirts

Scroll down for another Weekday Wear linkup, and to see how I've layered up two printed shift dresses for the office by throwing a pencil skirt over them. (Plus the first photos of my new shorter haircut are on the blog at last! I donated 38 cm of it recently!)

What I wore:


navy shift dress worn as a top with pink balenciaga day bag pencil skirt | awayfromblue

navy and black with Balenciaga Day bag in 2005 magenta | awayfromtheblue

awayfromtheblue Instagram | navy shift dress worn as a top layered under a black pencil skirt autumn office style
Earrings: gold pendant chandelier earrings
Necklace: Lovisa mixed texture beaded necklace
Dress: Zara printed bib front tunic dress
SkirtJeanswest zip detail ponte pencil skirt
ShoesWalnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in silver)
BagBalenciaga Day bag in 2005 magenta

Why I wore it:

This navy printed shift dress was an impulse Zara buy when I was visiting Sydney a few years ago (before we got our own Zara in Brisbane!). This is not the first time I've worn it as a top, but it is the 30th time I've worn it. I'll need to do a 30 ways to wear post with it soon!

I wanted something professional enough to wear in the office but also easy enough to change up for a rare date night out with hubby to see a comedian at the powerhouse. I got him tickets as a Christmas present. It was super easy to make this outfit go from day to night just by taking off the pencil skirt, perfect for dinner and drinks after work before the show.

The magenta Balenciaga day bag was big enough to carry everything I needed and was a fun pop against the navy and black.


Last worn: gold earrings, navy printed shift dress, gold bead necklace, black pencil skirt, black ballet flats, Balenciaga magenta day bag.

Other ways to wearnavy printed shift dress and ankle boots, black pencil skirt in monochrome outfit, black ballet flats and wrap dress, Balenciaga magenta day bag for travel.

Perfect for pregnancynavy printed shift dress in second trimester, black pencil skirt in first trimester, black ballet flats in third trimester, Balenciaga magenta day bag in third trimester.



What's In My Bag: Balenciaga Magenta Day










What I wore:

geometric print shift dress worn as top with black pencil skirt magenta balenciaga day bag autumn office style | away from blue

classic RH Balenciaga Day bag in 2005 magenta worn on shoulder | away from the blue

awayfromblue instagram | shift dress layered under pencil skirt easy office outfit with pink Balenciaga bag
Necklace: Kmart rose gold and pink beaded necklace
DressJeanswest Nikki printed shirt dress
SkirtJeanswest black ponte pencil skirt
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs logo plaque flats in camel
BagBalenciaga Day bag in 2005 magenta

Why I wore it:

Making the most of my outfit formulas and wearing a similar outfit again! I really like this shift dress but it's been neglected in my wardrobe as I felt it was a little too short for life with kids. It made me smile through the day when I had to keep pulling the skirt down as I was worried the dress was too long and peeking out the bottom! The dipped hem at the back helped with that. I will definitely need to start wearing this dress more. Last time I wore it was back in 2017!

The geometric print on this dress has tiny little pastel pink shapes, a very different shade from the bright magenta Balenciaga day bag, but I think they worked well together and I really liked this combination, just as much as I did the previous times I've worn it!


Last worn: geometric print shirt dress, blush and rose gold necklace, black pencil skirt, camel ballet flats, Balenciaga magenta day bag (above).

Other ways to weargeometric print shirt dress and tights, black pencil skirt and summer tank, camel ballet flats and jeans, Balenciaga magenta day bag and denim shorts.

Perfect for pregnancyblack pencil skirt in second trimester, camel ballet flats in third trimester, Balenciaga magenta day bag in third trimester.


Printed Shirt Dresses Under $50:




How You Can Wear It:

A too short dress can still be worn to the office if you cover it up with a pencil skirt. Using this trick can turn any dress into a top! This works particularly well for longer sleeved shirt dresses, as they just look like pretty blouses, and you instantly have a more formal office outfit just by adding the skirt.




Weekday Wear Linkup #15


Welcome to the Weekday Wear linkup! A linkup for you to share your weekday outfits - whether that is office wear or stay at home mum wear - if you wore it on a weekday, you can link it up!

Guidelines:
1. Please link to a specific outfit post, not your blog homepage.
2. Link back to this post so others can find the link up.
3. Follow your host Away From The Blue on BloglovinInstagramTwitterFacebook or YouTube.
4. Add up to two posts and be sure to visit and comment on as many other posts as possible to get some weekday outfit inspiration!
Optional: tweet the post you linked up with the hashtag #weekdayWearLinkUp so I can retweet!





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Linking up with Modest Monday, On Mondays We Link Up, Trend Spin, Turning Heads, Style Sessions, Confident Twosday, On The Daily Express.


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