Dress: Asos
Cardigan: Cocolatte
Belt: Target
Shoes: Chie Mihara
Yesterday marked the end of an era for me. After over seven years in my first proper (i.e.: Grown-Up) job, I’ve said my goodbyes and on Monday I’ll be taking up a new challenge with a different publishing company.
It means that the last few weeks have been a whirlwind of winding up one job and preparing for the next, which is really my only excuse for being so lax with my regular blogging. Please forgive!
It’s not that I haven’t been shopping… just yesterday I made the most expensive purchase I’ve ever made in my life!
My outgoing job came with wheels but the new one doesn’t, so one of the many jobs that have been keeping me busy in the last month included having to buy my own car (gah!) and sorting out all the periphery commitments that go with having a car (double gah!).
It was exciting choosing the right vehicle, nerve-wracking applying for the loan that would finance it, and satisfying taking the first drive this afternoon with The Sophisticate.
Between paying off the most money I’ve ever owed in my life, and trying to save up for a wedding, the rest of this year is likely to be a lean one, so hopefully you won’t mind seeing a few more duplicated outfits on the blog!
Here’s one of the last pre-debt purchases that I made from Asos:
I’d been eyeing up this dress on the website for months: vacillating between deciding it was simplicity personified and I absolutely had to have it; then convincing myself that the elasticised waistband and pouffy top would spell doom and besides, it was overpriced.
What won me over in the end was seeing Stephenie from Le Blog De Big Beauty looking so radiant in the pastel blue Curve version of the dress. I’m not embarrassed to admit that made its way into my shopping cart pretty quickly after that!
I’ve even stolen how she wore it – imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? – but added the neutral cardigan that Fiona gifted me for my birthday because it is winter, after all.
Oh wow! You look amazing! I had been eyeing up the same dress on ASOS curve for months and just before I imposed my 6 month ban on dress buying I bought it! I plan to wear it on my 1st day in my new job role at work in a month’s time.
Its scary buying a car for the 1st time isn’t it? The husband and I bought our first car last summer but I wouldn’t be without it now!!
Great! You must put a pic up on your blog!
I have never seen this white version of the dress… I have the blue version, which I love, but I would have liked to see this one too ! It looks great on you 😉
Thanks Cecile! I really liked the blue, but thought the white might suit my skin tone better. I don’t actually have a lot in sky blue (wondering why now, actually!)
Love the dress! It looks nice and summery and yet still winter-appropriate with a nice warm cardi on to.
And for what it’s worth, I love seeing outfit duplicates and remixes. Pretty new frocks are all well and good, but it’s seeing how people re-use an older piece that I find really inspirational.
Yay, thanks Jinxie!
Lilly, you look incredible! I love how you’ve paired this color cardi with this simple, yet lovely dress. I can imagine how nerve-wracking it must be to incur in the purchase of a new car. I remember when I bought mine, I struggled with what to buy before I finally took the plunge. 🙂
Thanks Bella! The new car purchase was massively stressful, but I’ve been driving it for a few weeks now and it’s a pleasure to be behind the wheel of 🙂
Congrats on the new job! I just got a new one myself. It is a big life change. Love the dress, beautifully simple and classy.
Woo! That’s exciting! I hope you’re enjoying your new job as much as I’m enjoying mine 🙂
Lilli, the white ASOS dress looks fab on you. I love how you have styled it. I also have the white version (& last week bought the cashew version & am eagerly awaiting it’s arrival) but I’ve only ever worn my white dress with thick black tights & a black jacket for work…i now fully intend on stealing your look!!
Good luck for your first day in your new job!
I like that idea, Jo! Thanks for that!
Congrats on new job and new vehicle – enjoy!
Thankyou, Mitzi!
Fantastic look! I’ve had some down time (uni break) and read through the archives to see some beautiful fashion choices – but what I really came away with is how strong and authentic a person you are. You’re truly beautiful, because of the grace and truth-to-self you have inside, and your super blessed in the body ratio department. – your proportions are classically feminine, the emphasis is in all those places that made artists of old immortalise the ‘classical’ woman’s shape. (Plus you can squeeze into a 16, which makes me soooo jelly sometimes.. but not in a bad way – promise! -_-)
I personally know how hard it is to live fashionably while larger than size 16 on a tight budget – I am a remix -master- , but I also don’t mind rocking something that worked really well the first time. AND I sew some of my own pieces. I sure hope you make some moves into sewing more over the next few cash-strapped months. A crafted skirt can cheaply bring in the “it” colour of the season, rather than buying something at 4 times the cost. Anyhow – just a kind nudge and suggestion for the coming lean months.
Oh you’re lovely estherosita 🙂 Thanks so much for your comment, I’m so glad that you’re enjoying reading. I’m definitely going to try sewing a bit more. The new job I’ve just started has a lot of art/craft/design/DIY books so I’ll have no end of projects to try!
But of course you had to buy this dress
It would have been tragic if that belt and those ever so lovely shoes were not exposed for us all to see.
What a lovely outfit.
LOL, thanks for that!
I love love love your shoes….and am so envious that my wide tootsies just don’t fit into them!
Best of luck on your first day, what an awesome year you’re having! :o)
Thanks Kellytubbie! This year’s been INSANE! Lots of big exciting changes!
I love this dress so much and can’t find it anywhere on the ASOS website…am I too late?! Either way, you’re slaying this look. Love it.
Hi Amber – not at all!
It’s here in the regular size: http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Midi-Dress-With-Soft-Skirt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1552722&cid=8799&Rf-300=1946&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Cream
and here (on sale!) in Curve: http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Curve-Midi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1569678&SearchQuery=midi%20dress&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=-1&sort=-1&clr=Blue
Hope that helps 🙂
Good luck in your new job, hon!
Thanks Veronica! So far so good!
Oh, but what colour is your car and will it match your beautiful outfits!
It’s an amazing bluey-green kind of colour. It almost exactly the same colour as that new coat I bought earlier this year.
Congrats on the new job and the new car! How exciting! This outfit is stunning, so simple and elegant.
Thankyou, Katie 🙂