‘Resort Looks’: Retro

shirtdress

These photos make me miss Madeira…

It was a short holiday, but I still have a few outfits to show you. That being said, this one must be one of my favourites. And I’m not just talking about the outfits I wore on that trip. No, this must be one of my all-time favourite outfits.

Sure, you’ve seen the dress before, twice (see HERE and HERE). So what, I wouldn’t be much of  a personal style blogger if I couldn’t come up with more than a few outfits around the same dress. Besides, it’s probably my favourite dress, at the moment at least. And it travels well. Which is how it ended up with me on that holiday…

So, what makes this one of my favourite outfits?

The shirt dress has a bit of a retro vibe, for sure. But rather than the 50’s, this dress reminds me of the 70’s, and the outfits my mother used to wear… And this outfit is an homage to her. Why? Well, I was in Madeira over Christmas, and that time of year always reminds me of her. You see, New Year’s Day would have been her 75th birthday, had she she not died on Christmas Day 20 years ago…

Anyway, my mother’s influence on my style has been quite significant. In  fact, for me, she is the style icon that epitomises the 70’s smart casual more than anyone else. However, I’m not trying to copy her style. I’m very different from her, in just about every possible way. In fact, if there wasn’t such an obvious family resemblance, I would think I must have been switched at birth… But that’s a different story, I’m digressing here a bit. What I wanted to say is that my style has always been far more eclectic and flamboyant than hers. That’s why this is an homage and not a reproduction: this is me, picking and choosing influences and using them to suit my own purposes.

over 50 blogger

Kate Spade bag

Take a look at the belt, isn’t it just fabulously retro? So 70’s?  And it’s made of cork. Yes, cork: the same stuff used in wine bottles. The belt is my souvenir from Madeira, I found it in a little shop selling locally sourced products.

Madeira

Most souvenir shops are a bit tacky, full of crap that nobody needs. And I avoid them like the plague. Seriously, I can’t even stand all the crap cluttering every nook and cranny of my own home, why would I want to get more?

But this shop is different: it’s a design shop. There are incredibly cool bags, shoes, hats, umbrellas etc., all made of cork. Who knew cork was so versatile?

But, as far as fashion goes, this is it. I’ve been to Madeira enough many times to say forget fashion shopping. With the exception of a few fast fashion brands and some incredibly tacky polyester dresses by local designers there’s not much on offer. Which is a pity, really, as there’s such a rich tradition of craftmanship on the island. There are absolutely fantastic furniture and design shops. And Madeira lace is of course world-famous. But somehow that beautiful lace does not translate into cutting edge fashion…

retro style

shirtdress

Outfit details:

dress: Phase Eight / bag: KateSpade / scarf: Marja Kurki /

shoes: Clarks / sunglasses: Marc Jacobs /  belt:
location: Casino da Madeira

Do you ever buy souvenirs?

Tiina

Linking up with:

Not Dead Yet StyleElegantly Dressed and StylishGaray TreasuresHigh Latitude StyleSydney Fashion HunterThe Pleated PoppyStyle ElixirGet Your Pretty OnHappiness at Mid-LifeA Labour of LifeDoused in PinkCurly Crafty MomFashion Should Be FunRachel the HatSincerely Jenna MarieMore Pieces of MeColor and GraceThe Wardrobe StylistNot Dressed As LambStyle NudgeCoco et La Vie en RoseFashionably Employed,The Fabulous JourneyLiving on Cloud NineA Well Styled LifeElegance and MommyhoodPosh Classy MomNancy’s Fashion StyleSheela WritesShelbee on the Edge Over 50 Feeling 40 A Pocketful of Polka Dots

24 Comments

  1. No Fear of Fashion
    15 January 2017 / 7:32 am

    Great backgrounds for these photos. Ron would have loved i. You have styled your dress very well. The belt is a great addition. Your mother would have been proud. Is the fact she died on Christmas Day the reason you go on holiday to Madeira at that time? Or just coincidence?The bag has my special interest.. so cool.Greetje

    • Tiina L
      18 January 2017 / 11:34 am

      Thanks, Greetje. There was certainly no shortage of great backdrops for photos in Madeira. We originally went to Madeira for our honeymoon (we got married a few days before Christmas), and we loved it, and it's warm and nice in winter. that's why we keep going back.

  2. Nancy's Fashion Style
    15 January 2017 / 8:12 am

    What a pretty picture with the stairs! The dress looks so good on you, the lenght, the color, the design, I think it s all YOU!

    • Tiina L
      18 January 2017 / 11:35 am

      Thanks, Nancy! The stairs were impressive! Well, the whole building was, of course… And yes, the dress looks pretty good on me, even if I say so myself. It's not very often that I'm so happy with the clothes I buy. In fact, it hardly ever happens…

  3. Patti
    16 January 2017 / 12:27 am

    Love this dress and how you have given it more meaning – sorry your mom died so young! You look wonderful here and thanks for linking, xo-Pattihttp://notdeadyetstyle.com

    • Tiina L
      18 January 2017 / 11:36 am

      Thanks, Patti! Yes, my mom died quite young… she was only a few years older than I am now, that's something to think about.

  4. Abigail Castro
    16 January 2017 / 6:24 am

    How lovely is this dress on you? Totally love the vintage feel and the fact that it looks so stylish AND comfortable!Abby of Life in the Fash Lane

    • Tiina L
      18 January 2017 / 11:37 am

      Thanks, Abigail. I guess I have the body for a 'vintage' dress: I need a nipped in waist in my dresses.

  5. Petite Silver Vixen
    16 January 2017 / 10:15 pm

    That belt is a great find and perfect with the dress. And the scarf around the bag also gives great visual interest. The dress really is fabulous on you. Isn't it great when you find a piece like that. I'd like to go to Madeira one day. Sounds like a lovely place to holiday.Like you, my style is influenced by my Mum. It's hard not having them with us any more but I like to think that they live on in us and through the things we do.http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/

  6. Kathrine Eldridge
    17 January 2017 / 11:44 am

    What a chic and classic dress! I love the retro vibe in this look. Dying over that bag with the added scarf. :)http://www.kathrineeldridge.com

    • Tiina L
      18 January 2017 / 11:41 am

      Thanks, Kathrine. This really is a dream dress, everything i could wish for.

  7. Mica T
    17 January 2017 / 12:44 pm

    It must have been so hard losing your mum but it's great that you can get some fashion inspiration from her! :)I like your denim vest, the cork belt is a nice but different texture to pair with it :)Hope you are having a lovely start to the week :)Away From The Blue Blog

    • Tiina L
      18 January 2017 / 11:42 am

      Thanks, Mica. They had the most amazing items made of cork! Bags, shoes, umbrellas, hats…

  8. Jill James
    17 January 2017 / 11:51 pm

    Tiina, this denim dress with its hint of a 70s vibe is such a classic but you have made the style your own with your styling. The cork belt a great touch, I remember seeing cork products of all sorts in Portugal and had no idea of its versatility. Lovely photos of your time in Madeira. Sorry you lost your Mother at such an early age , her influence continues.

    • Tiina L
      18 January 2017 / 11:44 am

      Thanks, Jill. I've always loved the classic 70's style, maybe it's my mother's influence.Yes, cork seems an incredibly versatile (and durable) material, and they have talented designers who use it instead of leather or fabric, too.

  9. Ilija Cvetkov
    18 January 2017 / 5:09 pm

    Fantastic post, I very like it :)new posthttps://www.instagram.com/ilijac/http://mensfashionobsession.blogspot.rs/

    • Tiina L
      23 January 2017 / 4:18 pm

      Thank you.

  10. Jessica Jannenga
    20 January 2017 / 5:07 pm

    Hi TiinaThis is a lovely dress on you! Love the fit and style and retro appeal. I have to say, love your blog update and your tag line, Love it! That belt is very cool and unique and that is what I look for in souveniers. If I do buy them its art or something that will remind me of the place I visited, like jewelry I bought in Taos. Love the scarf with your bag too!thanks for linking with turning heads tuesdayjess xxhttp://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    • Tiina L
      23 January 2017 / 4:20 pm

      Thanks, Jessica. I've been thinking about a template update for a long time, and there are a lot of tweaks still to be done…

  11. Shelbee On The Edge
    22 January 2017 / 1:32 pm

    Tiina, this is so fabulous! I am totally loving the retro vibe. The dress is right up my alley for sure. And the belt and flat shoes are the perfect accessories. Then add in the scarf on your bag and you look like a movie star! That is all. Just gorgeous. Thanks for linking up with me On the Edge.Shelbeewww.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Tiina L
      23 January 2017 / 4:20 pm

      Thanks, Shelbee! You're so sweet! Yes, movie star, I like that…

  12. Elise Von E
    24 January 2017 / 5:53 pm

    Such a great chambray dress! You look so beautiful! xx, Elisewww.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com

    • Tiina L
      26 January 2017 / 3:36 pm

      Thank you, Elise.

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