Alice Catherine

I’ve discovered a new combination that I’m a little bit in love with recently – slip dresses worn with shirts tied up to create a waist. It’s the best way to make the most of that tent shaped slip at the back of your wardrobe (that one that you’ve been meaning to buy a belt for). They are both pieces that a lot of us have hanging in our wardrobes, and it’s been the perfect combination for beating the heat on those hot and humid days that leave us questioning whether or not we can wear swimwear to work…

I love this outfit because it just feels so effortless and simple, but it really looks like you’ve made a bit of an effort. It’s put-together without being try hard, and works really well with your favourite trainers for added comfort. I’m actually quite keen to see how I could dress this kind of look up for the evening time too – I’m thinking a satin slip, a structured strip shirt, and some strappy nineties style heels. Maybe even a little beaded bag for added nineties goodness – it seems to be everywhere at the moment doesn’t it? As a child of the nineties, I’m fully embracing it, so long as over-plucked eyebrows don’t become a thing again because I’ve just got mine back…

This dress is actually classed as sleepwear, something I didn’t realise until I was creating the links for this post. I’d never have guessed that it wasn’t a dress made with daytime in mind. I’ve always wanted to be the type of person that wears fancy attire to bed – there’s something very romantic about it…

I feel like nightwear worn as daywear is another nod to the Nineties – there’s something very Courtney Love about it. I love that periods in fashion like the Eighties and Nineties didn’t take themselves too seriously – tacky hair accessories, leopard print, shiny satin fabric in every colour of the rainbow. Whenever these trends come back around it encourages me to integrate them within my own style somehow – it stops me from becoming complacent with a pair of vintage jeans and a blouse, and inspires me to keep evolving in terms of the pieces I love… 

Don’t get me wrong, I think my personal style will always be quite classic, but I want to look back through the years and see little hints of trends that remind me of a certain period in time. Things like ‘ahh that was when everyone was obsessed with sunglasses that made us look like Power Rangers’… 

Fashion should always be fun – getting dressed is something small to look forward to each day, and I’d much rather have a wardrobe that keeps me on my toes! Again, this look isn’t groundbreaking from me, but it feels different enough to feel exciting, whilst still keeping in line with the foundations of my personal style. It’s classic but modern, it’s neutral and a little bit Nineties…

The monochrome checks work so well with the tan coloured vintage blouse – another Nan Nin vintage find that I’ve been wearing to death. Their website is just so well curated and completely sucks you in, I think I’m developing an unhealthy obsession. It’s just a joy when you find a place that has handpicked vintage pieces that are everything you look for and more, especially since I don’t always have the time to sit and look through endless pages on Etsy. Definitely check them out if you haven’t already, they pretty much add new stock to the site everyday too, very dangerous for my bank balance indeed… 

I hope you liked this look and it’s inspired you to play around with similar pieces in your own wardrobe. It’s the perfect outfit for a picnic in the park (apparently I’m already wearing the blanket)…

Photographs by Catherine Booty 

Dress – Skin (similar here)

Blouse – Nan Nin Vintage

Shoes – Veja

Bag – Etsy

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