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.
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.
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…
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 Style, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Garay Treasures, High Latitude Style, Sydney Fashion Hunter, The Pleated Poppy, Style Elixir, Get Your Pretty On, Happiness at Mid-Life, A Labour of Life, Doused in Pink, Curly Crafty Mom, Fashion Should Be Fun, Rachel the Hat, Sincerely Jenna Marie, More Pieces of Me, Color and Grace, The Wardrobe Stylist, Not Dressed As Lamb, Style Nudge, Coco et La Vie en Rose, Fashionably Employed,The Fabulous Journey, Living on Cloud Nine, A Well Styled Life, Elegance and Mommyhood. Posh Classy Mom, Nancy’s Fashion Style, Sheela Writes, Shelbee on the Edge Over 50 Feeling 40 A Pocketful of Polka Dots
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
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.
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!
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…
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
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.
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
Thanks, Abigail. I guess I have the body for a 'vintage' dress: I need a nipped in waist in my dresses.
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/
Thanks, Jacqueline. Your pain of losing your mum is still raw, I would imagine.I made a whole series of posts on my mother's style, as a tribute: https://www.elegance-revisited.com/search/label/Ritva
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
Thanks, Kathrine. This really is a dream dress, everything i could wish for.
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
Thanks, Mica. They had the most amazing items made of cork! Bags, shoes, umbrellas, hats…
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.
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.
Fantastic post, I very like it :)new posthttps://www.instagram.com/ilijac/http://mensfashionobsession.blogspot.rs/
Thank you.
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
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…
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
Thanks, Shelbee! You're so sweet! Yes, movie star, I like that…
Such a great chambray dress! You look so beautiful! xx, Elisewww.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com
Thank you, Elise.