Shoes: Wittner
The moment I saw this adorable dress on the City Chic Facebook page I knew it was probably going to make it into my wardrobe. I loved the neckline, the colour, the print, and the shape.
In person the dress is everything I’d hoped and more. The fit’s absolutely perfect – I bought the XS, and it feels like it was made for me. Like my bunting dress it’s smocked at the back and is made of a fully lined cotton. As you can see – or not! – the spaghetti straps are placed at exactly the right place to conceal my bra straps, which means I don’t have to sacrifice comfort to submit myself to a strapless bra.
The skirt is full, and gathered, but doesn’t puff out too much over my hips, and as an added bonus there’s amazingly deep and functional pockets!
It’s a dress that makes me think of sand between my toes, picnic blankets, the smell of sunscreen, and licking ice-cream off my fingers. Throw a light cardigan over the top in the evenings, and you’re set for an evening out.
The blue will go well with my current passion for bright yellow accessories, but I also thought I could wear it with my DIY’d pink coral necklace, or belted with a red ribbon and some red ballet flats.
I do love the white piping around the neckline and the edges of the pockets. It’s an often overlooked detail that gives the dress the feel of quality and good workmanship.
I know some people aren’t big fans of the smocked back, but you might like to give this one a whirl – It doesn’t buckle or warp, as it’s just a small panel about two inches wide. Enough to give the bodice the ability to fit a variety of shapes, without having to resort to a stretch fabric.
And what a fabric! I was glad it was a slightly darker blue than the picture on the website suggested, because it’s a really punchy cobalt. The random scattering of birds is a nice change from the repetitive geometric prints usually seen. And it goes really nicely with the Pigeonhole earrings that I teamed it with today!
Earrings: Pigeonhole
Meanwhile! Once again I’ve been nominated as one of Navabi’s Best Curvy Blog of 2013, making me eligible for the opportunity to win a trip to London for the London Fashion Week.
If you’d like to vote for me again, I’d really appreciate it! The link is here
Gosh it looks lovely. I walked in and out of City Chic 3 times yesterday to look at this dress. Might have to try it on I think.
It’s so incredible beautiful! You look gorgous!
I’ve never commented on your blog before but feel moved to say that is a gorgeous dress and a gorgeous colour on you.
Recently I was able to pick up the bunting dress on sale. Think I will be getting this lovely frock as well. Fantastic fit and colour, as always you look lovely.
Oh look at you with your Southern Hemisphere summer dresses 🙁 Jealous!
You look great. And I love the earrings. Also the second picture you took. Very cheeky.
Every now and then City Chic bring out a dress that I just love and I always hear about it from you!
Fell in love with the Bunting dress and now the Seaside dress.
Also those earrings are divine.
Love your blog.
I do like this dress and as usual you look lovely in it
I love that it has pockets, does it wrinkle much ?
I have to say I love a smocked back most of the time it allows people with different shapes to fit in to a dress made of a no stretch material and still have the dress look like it was made for them. If a smocked back warps or buckles it is probably to small or too large. that being said I am not huge fan of smocking on already stretchy material.
I got so excited by your post and raced off to City Chic to check out all the purdy frocks. Talk about coming down to earth with a thud. As usual the plusser sizes are illfitting and with those silly spaghetti straps. boo. I got one anyway and am prepared to cut them some slack since at least the dresses are cotton and not horrible synthetic! You look fab in yours – hope I look as good in mine 🙂
Absolutely stunning dress….missing summer already in the UK!
I love a dress with pockets!!
Ps, you have a very adorable blog here!!
I like this one
That dress is so cute! I love a smocked back, personally. 🙂
Hi Lilli
Love the dress. Just bought one onsale myself. It’s gorgeous. Was just wondering what bra brand u use? I usually use Berli and the straps are slightly off. Would love a post on bras for busty girls.
Hi Elizabeth – with this one I’m actually wearing a bra with navy blue straps, but when I go strapless I usually wear a Berlei as well!