Ladylike

Frocks and Frou FrouFrocks and Frou Frou Frocks and Frou FrouFrocks and Frou FrouDress: MichyLou

Shoes: Edward Meller

 What lovely weather Melbourne is enjoying for our long weekend! It’s definitely spring, which means it’s nearly time for frocks and bare legs, and I. Am. So. Ready. For it.

I did a recent overhaul of my wardrobe to make some room for some new additions, including this stunning new dress, which I ordered from Michy Lou on Etsy.

Michy Lou custom sizes to individual measurements, and I’ve always found her items fit beautifully. This peter pan collared dress is definitely no exception. The fitted bodice is snug without being too tight, and the sleeves are the perfect length and width. Often sleeved dresses – especially those with collars – make me look a bit boxy, because the shoulders sit too wide and the arms are too full. It just goes to show that there really is nothing better than wearing clothes that have been cut specifically for you… and with a US$80 price tag this frock isn’t just timeless, well-fitting, and carefully made; it’s also comparable, pricewise, to most off-the-rack items. (Bonus: you’re supporting an independent designer, not a massive corporation.)

It’s made of a rayon fabric that looks and feels like a linen, but doesn’t crush like one. The full skirt has side pockets, and it zips smoothly up the back. I love the wide neckline with the delicate peter pan collar. It gives the dress a bit of a retro vibe (plus it’ll give me a nice place to pin my collection of brooches!)

Frocks and Frou FrouI can’t see this particular dress in Michelle’s shop at the moment, but she does take custom orders – you just have to get in contact with her (I actually spotted this fabric on her Facebook page).

Outfoxed

Frocks and Frou Frou Frocks and Frou Frou Frocks and Frou Frou Frocks and Frou FrouCardigan: Dandyrions

Shirt: Trenery

Skirt: Modcloth

Boots: Ziera

I bought these brown leather ankle boots from Ziera last week to replace my old pair from ARA (which have finally succumbed after years of faithful service). They’re fabulously comfortable, and warm to boot (pun not intended) so with Melbourne’s weather as frigid and wet I’ve been building my outfit every day from the ground up.

Boots, tights, and my favourite Breathtaking Tiger Lilies skirt pair nicely with this spotty shirt from Trenery, but the real hero of the outfit is my remixed Fox Stole cardigan.

Frocks and Frou FrouThe cardigan is just a basic wool-cashmere blended cardi from Woolovers, prettied up with an adorable fox-stole applique from Lisa of Dandyrions. You can buy pre-made fox cardigans, sweaters or tees from Dandyrions, but if you’re not confident about size, are working to a budget, or are a bit crafty I’d recommend getting the applique loose and applying it yourself. You can read more about the process in my original post.

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