Bright and Breezy

 Dress: eShakti

Shoes: Wittner

Aaaaaand we’re back to summer again.

I’ve lived in Melbourne for over eight years now, but I’m still not used to it’s ADHD approach to the seasons. A few days we were shivering and subjected to torrential rainstorms, and today was steamy and hot. Just the right weather to wear my OTHER eShakti purchase!

This dress is the one I bought INSTEAD of the Migratory Birds dress (as opposed to “as well as”, sigh) which should give you some idea of how much I liked it.

It’s breezy cotton with a flattering bustier-style bodice and a smocked back.

And look, Ma, POCKETS!

The graphic print fabric reminds me a little of my Monaco Dress  and is a tomatoey red that I tend to steer away from, but actually works better in this context than my more favoured deep red would.

I had a moment of concern that the bodice wouldn’t work with my big boobs, but of course, eShakti asks what cup size you wear during the ordering process, and presumably adjusts the fit accordingly. Irrespectively, the smocked back ensures a snug, but still comfortable fit.

I DID have a bit of trouble finding a bra that didn’t peek out at the corners where the bodice meets the shoulder straps – The neckline is wider than even my balconette bras. A pair of safety pins dealt with that issue though.

The thing that sold me on this dress though? The back.

I’m a sucker for a good feature back, and this has a corker; the dress fastens behind the neck with a little button, but the back isn’t secured to the bodice at all meaning that you get a flirty little peekaboo of skin.

Of course, the moment you do anything more strenuous than standing still the flaps widen, showing a goodly quantity of bra strap…

… but really, on hot 30+ degree days like today it’s the least of my worries.

22 thoughts on “Bright and Breezy

  1. I love it! I only have one dress with a neckline/straps like that, but it’s one of my favorites. The back is amazing for summer, too. Unfortunately that is not the season I am heading into myself… lol

  2. listening to the rain outside my study as I work on a uni project..Melbourne’s ADHD approach to weather!!
    So glad you wore this dress today, who knows how cold it is tomorrow 🙂

  3. That is one super cute dress! I, too, am mourning the missing-out-on of Migratory Birds. (Love your blog, by the way, I’ve been lurking around for ages, thought I’d finally comment.)

    1. Hi Kara! You never know, I suppose they might offer it again – that black wool dress with the scalloped hem disappeared for six months but has just appeared again (hurrah!) so I may have to order this time!

  4. Just found your blog….love your style.
    There isn’t anything else I can say. Can’t wait to keep your blog on my reading rotation.
    All the way from Canada, thanks!

  5. Love it! Did you do the custom sizing on this one? I’ve ordered 2 dresses in there standard sizings and they fit well and I’ve heard some dodgy things about the customized sizing (mostly too big) so I’m a little wary.

    Looks great on you!
    Thanks

  6. Gorg! I think I might bite the bullet and make a purchase from eShakti.

    P.S- have you bought bras from ASOS? I just bought a Freya one for a bargain price off there 🙂

  7. Lilli, the back of that dress is a show stopper! I love the contrasting colors as well! It’s starting to freeze where I am so your sundress is a welcome sight! 🙂

  8. Very sexy neckline on you. Great purchase.

    Im having the problem of standing in front of my cupboard moaning that I have nothing to wear, which always seems to coincide with summer in Melbourne. Might need to look at eShakti.

    1. Thanks Lauren 🙂 Don’t forget that eShakti takes AGES to post (first to the US from India, and then to Australia) so order up now if you want to wear it for summer 🙂

  9. Hi Lili

    I have been reading your blog for years…I love it.. But I urgently
    need your help!
    Am in melb for a couple more days looking for antique e-ring.
    Can you tell me any little places you guys went in your search?
    Thanks
    Tammy

    1. Hi Tammy!
      The Sophisticate bought my ring at The French Jewel Box in the Block Arcade, but he also recommends that you try the two antique jewellery shops on Little Collins Street (just near the corner of Elizabeth)
      And if you have access to a car, Armadale Antiques on High Street and the Camberwell Antique Centre are a gold mine!

  10. Oh it’s a lovely dress! I got 8 dresses from eShakti as my christmas present last year and not only was the shipping such a drama (expensive and involving me shipping them to a friend in the US who sent them on to me, but when he got home from mailing the package to me, there was ANOTHER one waiting at his doorstep meaning another lot of shipping fees), but the quality and fit of all of the dresses were so bad I haven’t been able to wear a single one of them. I have them all hanging up in the wardrobe of my spare bedroom and get sad every time I see them there.

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