Can a short woman wear a long, loose dress with a large pattern?
Well, of course she can. Whether she looks fantastic or ridiculous is a different matter. And, to some extent at least, a matter of taste, or styling
I know it’s a bit risky for someone my size and shape to wear what’s basically an enormous shapeless sack, but I’m trying to pass it off as Bohemian Chic anyway. And you’d better get used to it, too, as this is what my ‘climate change wardrobe‘ looks like.
I collect big, loose dresses like this one. They may not be the most flattering style for someone my size and shape, but they are the only thing I want to wear when it gets too hot (that’s why I call them my ‘climate change wardrobe‘). For the record, anything above 25°C ( 77°F) is ‘too hot’ for me.
Anyway, I bought this dress at the Marimekko outlet sale last autumn, and I wore it to a Christmas Eve dinner at our hotel in Madeira.
You see, I don’t have any clothes that would be even remotely ‘formal’, or ‘festive’. And I would never buy anything for just one occasion, so whenever I have to ‘dress up’, I need to improvise.
So, I thought that if I accessorise the dress with pearl earrings, a fun evening bag, and nice shoes, this outfit could pass as a sort of 60’s style Bohemian beach party dress… Or maybe I’m mistaken and it just looks like something I would sleep in… I can’t decide, what do you think?
Outfit details:
dress: Marimekko / clutch bag: Minna Parikka (old) /
shoes: Clarks (old) / sunglasses: Nina Ricci
location: hotel Quinta da Casa Branca (Funchal, Madeira)
Tiina
Do you have a ‘climate change wardrobe’?
Linking up with:
Not Dead Yet Style, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, High Latitude Style, Style Elixir, A Labour of Life, Curly Crafty Mom, Fashion Should Be Fun, Color and Grace, The Wardrobe Stylist, Not Dressed As Lamb, Style Nudge, Living on Cloud Nine, A Well Styled Life, Elegance and Mommyhood. Posh Classy Mom, Nancy’s Fashion Style, Shelbee on the Edge, A Pocketful of Polka Dots Style Splash, The Fashionista Momma, Tina’s Pink Friday, Away from the Blue, Mummabstylish , Living on Cloud Nine, Mutton Years Style and I
woww, you look fabulous and I’m totally in love with your dress, its magnificent floral pattern and its lovely colors!. Your accessorizing is brilliant too!. You look really chic and elegant with a summery vibe, which is perfect for a fancy dinner at Madeira. So cool!.
I think that rules are made to be broken in style!. So I wear large patterns and motives (and horizontal stripes ;D) which supposedly add visual volume to my already voluminous figure. And I’ve realised that they are not so unflattering as we’ve been told. You rock them totally, looking gorgeous!. And your proportions look perfect too, whatever your height.
So fabulous outfit!
besos
Author
Thanks! I saw this dress in he Marimekko outlet catalog, and I knew I had to have it. Mainly because I love the colours. And I thought it wold be great on a hot summer day.
And yes, size and shape should not dictate what we wear. I think it’s also a matter of personality. Some people can carry bold patterns, even if they’re short.
Lovely and it has pockets! It doesn’t look ‘formal, formal’ but it looks like you made an effort, your bag is great too. Nice to be able to wear a Summer dress in Winter too.
Author
Yes, pockets! I love dresses with pockets. Why would anyone even make dresses without pockets? I’ve never understood that.
Thanks, Flora.
It totally looks like one of those 60’s dresses. I love how you accessorized it and the colors are bold and beautiful! I can see how it would be great for summer time too.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Author
Thanks, Mireille. I’m hoping this will become one of my go-to pieces in summer. I really need to ‘climate change proof’ my wardrobe, the summers are getting so warm up here.
It does really look like a 60s dress or a fancy kaftan. You wore it so well! I love the rich tones too. xo
Author
Thanks, Nikki!
The dress is so good on you Tiina, the colours are gorgeous . Your accessories have made it more dressy. I have never been a fan of long, floaty dresses on me but with our hot Summer I can see the advantage. xx
Author
Thanks, Jill. I’ve avoided big, floaty dresses most of my life, too. It’s only the hot summers these past few years that have made me rethink my approach and give them a go and (= I just want to feel comfortable and wear something that barely touches my skin, never mind what it looks like).
Chic Elegance. Loving the purse, too!
Author
Thank you!
What do I think? I think I LOVE it! Tiina, this might be my favorite outfit of yours ever. I find the style quite flattering on you and the colors and the print are absolutely magnificent! Perfectly suited for a beach holiday event. And if you wanted to sleep in it, I bet it is crazy amounts of comfortable, too!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Author
Thanks! Yes, it’s quite comfortable. And kind of fun, too. It’s the kind of dress that would look fantastic on someone a head (or two) taller (and quite a bit slimmer) than me, but could easily overwhelm me, especially if not accessorised just right. But I know for a fact that during a summer heat wave, I will be wearing this, and whether it makes me look good or like a hippo in in muumuu makes no difference whatsoever…
I know it makes it no difference, but you absolutely do NOT look like a hippo in a muumuu. You look like an eccentric fashionista rocking the hell out of a fabulous dress!
Author
Thanks! You’re always so sweet!
I think if it makes you feel good, then you do it. I think we know that the “rules” are made to be broken. The dress is gorgeous and it look great on you. Plus, comfort (whether it’s from heat or from stuffing ourselves at special meals) is everything. And that bag is just gorgeous!
Ruth
https://voguefauxreal.com/2020/01/16
Author
Thanks, Ruth. Yes, comfort is everything, I agree.
It’s hard for a petite to wear a long dress, but you fully rock it. It’s so you and the clutch is the perfect so you accessory! The colors are adorable!
Author
Thanks, Nicole! Yes, long dresses can be tricky when you’re short. Especially dresses that are not just long but also loose-fit.
The colour palette was the main reason I wanted to get this dress: it’s perfect for me, and I haven’t seen these colours in shops for ages.
Such a gorgeous dress, and perfect for Madeira! My Dad was there over Christmas too – we’ve just booked to go back at the end of May…I can’t wait! Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Author
Thanks, Emma! Oh, I’m so envious, Madeira in spring must be wonderful, with everything in full bloom.
Those are your colors! I love it on you! The bold print and vibrant colors are eye catching! The bag is just so perfect with it! I enjoy wearing long flowy dresses when the weather gets warmer
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Author
Thanks, Jess! yes, these are my colours, absolutely. When I saw the dress I knew I had to have it. I’ve had the bag for a long time, and I was happy it goes with the dress so well. Can’t wait for summer to give this dress another go.
I love it! It does look Bohemian Chic. The dress drapes very nicely, and the bright color are just so cheerful and festive. You look fantastic!
Michelle, who also has a rather Bohemian style
http://mybijoulifeonline.com
Author
Thanks, Michelle! A bit of bold colour goes a long way, right?
Absolutely!
I think you look phenomenal – yes its a huge print and very striking but you have the perfect colour with enough contrast between your hair and your skin tone to really rock this. I also think that of course the shape works – it is a very simple shape with drape in fact the print works better than smaller/more fussy – lovely (and very jealous 🙂 )
Author
Thank you, Juliet, that is so sweet of you. It’s so rare to find something in ‘my colours’, so I had to snap this up as soon as I saw it. And you’re right: a bold print works better than something smaller. I think it’s also a question of personality; what we feel comfortable with.