Dress: Monsoon
Shoes: Shoe Buy
It was a very dear friend’s O-birthday a short while ago, and the theme was “formal”.
After moving so many times in the Year Of Sheer Awfulness (as 2013 shall henceforth be named) I culled my wardrobe down to essentials (sort of, anyway) and all of my “formal” type dresses were deemed “non-essential” and got donated or re-sold.
SO! Never one to pass up the opportunity to indulge in something I’ve had my eye on for a while, I decided to try and track down the Skylark sequin dress that I’d seen on Monsoon a couple of years ago, but never bought on account of not wanting to look like a giant mirror ball.
There’s probably not a lot of opportunities to wear an all-over sequin dress, even if the sequins are of a flattering matte silvery-gold type variety, rater than the blingy mirror-shine variety. I figured a “formal” dress code was probably my best bet.
Fortunately there’s still quite a few of these kicking around on eBay for a steal, so I snapped up one in what I was optimistically hoping would be my size.
Unfortunately the top half appeared to be about three sizes bigger than the bottom half, and though it fit perfectly at the waist and hips my – not insubstantial – bosoms failed to fill out the billowing bodice.
I don’t know if it’s a Monsoon fit issue (I’ve never had this problem with them before, but it’s been years since I bought from them) or an attempt to get some draping action going, but I decided I needed to have it taken it by a professional tailor.
When it came back I decided I quite loved it, and with the addition of some spangly jewellery and high heels I fit right in at the birthday party. In fact, the birthday girl and I inadvertently matched in a sequinned dresses (hers in an absolutely outstanding blue) and side buns.
The earrings that I wore were some cheapies from Colette Dinnigan’s collaboration with Lovisa. Sort of deco-esque, and the subdued bling suited the dress perfectly.
I pulled the rhinestone bracelets that I’d bought for – well, you know – out of storage as well and stacked them up. I love the look of several worn at once, and more is more right? They definitely won’t be going back into their boxes any time soon, they’re so gorgeous they deserve to see the light.
Lilli, this is the first time I feel like I want to contradict to any of your clothing ventures (which I otherwise love without a doubt!)
But sequin plus blingy earrings PLUS rhinestone bracelets (and three of them!) is too much for me.
BUT! Obviously, this is your blog, and I am sure you do not need anyone to judge you (noone does!)- so, what am i trying to say?
I still love your style. I agree, the rhinestone bracelets need to be worn more often, but I wouldnt dare combining them quite so blingyesque…
Sorry about this un-asked for piece of advice. I am sure other people disagree with me…
Trust me, Viviane – for this party it was subdued! We’re talking ball gowns here. And it was an evening event, so everything looked much less spangly in the moonlight 🙂
Okidoky, I guess I should have trusted you in the first place.
By the way, thumbs up for hair-do tutorials, this side-bun looks very promising! (I’ve had short hair all my life, so I’m a total hairstyle rookie!)
Wow!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress on you!!!!! Soooo flattering and so beautiful. Love your accessories too. But of all the things that I do love about this, I love the fact that you look the most happy you’ve looked since the Year of Sheer Awfulness 🙂
Thanks Brenda. I’m doing OK – good days and bad, as I’m sure you can imagine. I have amazing people around me, and a job I love, and an awesome cat, and a home I love coming home to, so life could definitely be worse! Counting my blessings, every day
Well I think you look beautiful and I’m loving the fact that you’re basically a walking sparkle! Any day that I’m wearing some form of glitter is a good day. Monsoon dresses are great although I’ve had sizing issues from there before. Good work on getting it from ebay though. Their dresses can be quite pricey 🙂
Suz @ http://prettyflorals.co.uk
Thanks Suz! Once upon a time they had stores in Australia – I’ve always loved their use of quality textiles, but yeah – they’re not cheap. You can always find heaps on eBay (unless you’re looking for something specific!)
BTW Lili, its snowing yet again where I live in Canada.
Brrrr! Stay warm, spring is definitely coming!
I love the triple sparkle! Very Great Gatsby! Will we see a double confetti outfit soon, too?
Oh, definitely! I’m waiting for a skirt I ordered to come, because I think it’ll look perfect with the blouse!
Totally disagree with the first comment – I think you look fantastic! Triple bling all the way!
LOL, thanks Jess. Next time maybe I’ll buy some glitter shoes, and go the whole hog!
Stunning! You are so beautiful!
That is all 🙂
Thank you, Mindy 🙂
Wow! Stunning!
Thank you, Cilla 🙂
I love, love, love this outfit! The dress is fabulous, the jewels are great, and the hair is tres chic. I understand that some think the outfit is too much, but I believe that mroe is more, and you are ROCKING that dress. Congrats, and sparkle on!
Thanks Naomi! It made me feel pretty special on the night 🙂
Gorgeous! The colour is great on you, I love the sparkle, and the side-bun suits you to perfection. Shame about the sizing problems – but at least Monsoon ships internationally now (I remember you mentioning in old posts that they didn’t at one time) 🙂
I was SO pleased when they announced the were going to, but ironically I haven’t bought anything from them since! Now I’m hoping for eShakti to join the party!
Pretty, pretty, pretty!
Pretty girl, pretty dress, pretty bracelets!
Aww, thanks Cindy <3
Stunning! You look stunning! The dress (after alteration) looks incredible and not too out there at all! Love the accessories! Am in love with this whole look! I think also cos the dress isn’t full length it works better too! Love!
Thanks Shell – yeah, I’ve seen few full-length sequin dresses out there lately, and they look AMAZING, but definitely not…. understated at all!
You do formal so well! I’m in love with every part of this outfit and I’m so glad you fixed up the dress because it looks stunning on you
Thanks Sabrina – me too. I wasn’t sure whether I’d do it when it arrived, but I’m glad I did. Now I just need some more excuses to wear it!
Love love love the look!
Thanks, Tiya!
You look gorgeous Lilli. Too much bling is never enough. (well that’s patently not true because then you would look like someone out of snog, marry, avoid) But in this instance I love all the contrasting bling.
Sensational.
LOL, thanks Bec. I had a housemate who was obsessed with Snog Marry Avoid! It always used to make me laugh when the girls ended up going back to their usual selves at the end.
Wow! Stunning! Gorgeous! You look amazing in that fabulous dress, Lilli & the bling is perfection. I love the triple rhinestone bracelets 🙂
And I so wish my hair could look half as lovely as yours! x
Thanks Jo! It’s a really easy hairstyle (I’m bad at any other kind).
It’ll be my next tutorial, I think!
I now have a bad case of hair, complexion, dress and rhinestone envy Lilli! You have great style. x
Aw, thank you Julia. It’s all about the lighting though – promise!
This is stunning, you’re the most beautiful disco ball of all! And I say that to be funny, the dress is amazing and look amazing in it!
LOL, thank you, Jamile!
You look stunning in this dress. I love all the bling, and I’m totally jealous that you found an occasion to wear sequins! Also, call me ignorant, but what’s an O-birthday? 🙂
It’s one of the big decade birthdays: like 30 or 40 or 50, and so on!
I obviously need to get invited to some more super-formal do’s, so I can get some more wear out of the frock!
you look good enough to eat! really fabulous!
LOL, thanks Mimi!
I think you need to make any excuse possible to wear this outfit as much as possible! You look GORGEOUS!! I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone look as stylish & beautiful in such a sparkly dress, & the bracelets & earrings are the sparkly cherries on top. LOVE THIS!!
I do like a bit of sparkle. Thank you so much, Molly 🙂
You look stunning!
Thank you <3
Lovely party frock! But it’s the perfectly rosy lipstick that stopped me mid scroll – where-o-where is it from?
Ah that’s the very excellent ColourStay Ultimate from Revlon, in “Regal Rose” 🙂
Gorgeous for a party. I love the piled rhinestone bracelets. Definitely reclaim them for more frequent rotation, perhaps not even only for a formal outfit. Two on one wrist could work with some of your day wear, methinks.
And, this might not be the “right” post to make this comment but I checked out your outfit pic for the Curvy Couture Roadshow on Danimezza’s blog and you look awesome. Her comment is spot on – wearing you remixed that gorgeous dress like a boss and you wear it with whimsy and glamor somehow at the same time. Brava!
Aw, thanks Amy.
I knew I wanted to save it for a special occasion. Try to reclaim it, and make some new good – uncomplicated – memories in the dress.
You look wonderful! I was reading your blog alot last year and then somehow life took me away – just came back and got caught up today. what a year – my heart goes out to you – you look (and evidently are) amazing, brave, stunning and strong. so happy to see you dressed up and ready for a wonderful evening 🙂 xxx
Thanks Janet. I’m pretty keen to never, EVER repeat last year. It seems like it was a pretty crap one for everyone, actually.
It’s nice to feel like I’ve got solid ground under my feet again though
Bling is my thing. Love that oufit.
You look stunning!!! I LOVE your bracelets!!!! Wear them often!!! 🙂
<3 Jules