It’s been a while since I’ve worn leopard print on the blog. Usually I wear it on either my top or bottom half, or work it into my outfit with accessories. Wearing it head to toe (or head to knee in this case!) can make quite a statement, but as the print in this shirt dress is quite muted it doesn’t look OTT. Leopard print is kind of a neutral anyway, right?
As the weather gradually warms up I’m looking for ways to adapt my wardrobe and move away from wearing jumpers every day. A shirt dress is a great transitional piece to have in your wardrobe because you can layer with it. In Winter you can wear it over a vest or thin roll neck with tights and boots. In warmer weather ditch the layers and just wear it with heels. I’ve seen other bloggers wear a shirt dress as a duster coat which also looks great..and means you get more wear out of it. I’m all for making my wardrobe work harder and getting my money’s worth from clothes.
I’m happy to have finally found a shirt dress that I feel good in. I have tried shirt dresses in the past without success; I find them tricky because they typically don’t accommodate curves. If they sit well on the waist, they’re too tight on the bust. Going up a size can make me look shapeless, and cinching in with a belt can create an unsightly puckered effect.
However, not being one to give up I didn’t hesitate to order this leopard print shirt dress when I saw it on sale for £15 at Debenhams. If I’d had the choice I’d have probably ordered a size 12 because it doesn’t have any stretch to it, but only a 10 was available. It is a bit tight across the bust but I can live with that by wearing it buttoned down with a vest underneath. I think creating a V neck is more flattering than buttoned up anyway. Plus it gives me the opportunity to show off my beautiful Aurora crystal necklace from Eternal Collection again (which is currently on sale for £28).
Unusually for me, I didn’t feel the need to add colour to the outfit – there’s enough going on with the leopard print, faux fur bag and wide brim hat to prevent it from being boring. I added an extra feline touch with the cat eye sunglasses.
SHOP THE LOOK
Dress: Mela London (from Debenhams) | hat and bag: Zara | boots: Red Herring (old, from Debenhams) | necklace: c/o Eternal Collection (first seen here) bracelet: Asos (old) | sunglasses: Joe’s (from TKMaxx) | ring: Pia | belt: Oasis (old)
Linking up with: #iwillwearwhatilike, Visible Monday, Shoe and Tell, Turning Heads Tuesday, Ageless Style, The Saturday Share, The Pleated Poppy, Wearable Wednesday, Style Me Wednesday, Style Swap Tuesdays, Midweek Inspirations, Good Hues-Day, Brilliant Blog Posts, Mix It Mondays, I Feel Pretty, Pretty and Primp, Hat Attack, Celebrating Style, Flashback Fashion Fridays, Spread the Kindness, Top of the World Style, Fancy Friday, Color and Grace, On Trend Tuesdays, Style Sessions, Fab Favorites, Weekend Wear, Up Down All-Around, Friday Faves, Thursday Fashion Files, The Weekly Style Edit, Fun Fashion Friday, Fabulous Friday, Spring Fever Fashion
*Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links meaning I may earn a small amount if you click on them, which goes towards the running costs of the blog.
You can never go wrong with a good shirtdress or leopard print! Your bag is so cute! Love this effortless look!
Jill
Doused In Pink
Thank you Jill! I do love leopard print 🙂
Such a cute bag! Love this dress!!
Jaymie
Thank you Jaymie!
I really love your dress and that’s a cute, cute bag! Thanks so much for hosting 🙂
Trina
http://www.tipsyheelz.com
Thank you Trina 🙂
The dress is a great find! It looks fantastic on you. Loving the bag and hat details too. For transitional dressing, I get the summer clothes down and start wearing them with cardis and jackets, weather permitting, and sheer rather than opaque tights (or leggings).
Gail
http://www.isthismutton.com
Thank you Gail! Layering Summer clothes is a good way of adapting for warmer weather. I find in Spring it can be really warm when the sun’s out but chilly when it clouds over.
I know what you mean about shirt dresses. That and the fact that many of them tend to be shorter—I wasn’t wearing mine much at first. Until I finally realized they could be unbuttoned and worn like a long cardigan! That was quite the AHA moment for me!!
I didn’t even realize your dress was a shirt dress—you’re right—it’s the perfect fit! And I love the decoration around your hat. Did it come that way or did you add it?
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks Jodie! The hat came with the coin trim on it…I bought it from Zara in Paris and liked it so much I went back for the camel version, only to find they’d all sold out! Luckily I found it online when I got home and had it delivered to my nearest store. Zara has some fab hats 🙂
Emma, I always have the same issues with shirt dresses and usually end up wearing them open as duster jackets! If I get them big enough to fit my bust, they are huge everywhere else. This dress is adorable! I love the head to knee leopard print. Especially in the blacks and grays, it is super chic! Really great look!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheeedge.com
Thank you Shelbee 🙂
This is so flattering on you Emma! I love the leopard shirtdress and boots! I know what you mean about them. I am bigger in the bust than I am my hips and waist and sometimes they dont fit well there. Love this!!
Have a great day!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thank you Jess xxx
I love that shirt-dress. The bold leopard pattern makes it perfect. Looks great with the hat!
Thanks Ada 🙂
Your so lucky to be able to wear hats! This one looks great on you. I do love a good leopard print too. Never dates.
Super stylish Emma xx
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
Thanks Laurie! I have this hat in camel too because it fits so well and doesn’t squash my hair too much 🙂
A midi day dress is a great season transitional piece, it should be the first one pulled out of the back of the closet for celebrating spring. Looks great with the hat!
Thank you Ieva!
Fab shirt dress, I bought one the other week, but unfortunately was the wrong size on the hanger! Love how yours looks, and nice to link up with you. x Jacqui
http://www.mummabstylish.com
Thank you Jacqui! Oh that’s so annoying when things are on the wrong hanger!
Shirt dresses can be tricky- but I love how you’ve style yours, especially the cute novelty bag 🙂
XO
– http://www.inmyjoi.blogspot.com
Thanks Joi! I do love novelty bags, especially if it involves faux fur or glitter 🙂
Your purse is so fun!
Thanks Johanna!
You did a wonderful job with this shirt dress, Emma. It fist you perfectly, highlights your body contour in in right places and is a great transitional piece
https://lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com.au/
Thanks so much Anna 🙂
Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. You are right about the shirt dresses. They are great for the transition season with a layering to of a T-shirt.
Thank you Nicole!
Hi Emma, love your blog and your gorgeous outfit. I recently styled a shirt dress over faux leather leggings, unfortunately shirt dress was on the wrong hanger! Resulting in being too big! Managed to return it to Debenhams, but they didn’t have a smaller size!
Well done with your bargain – super, stylish indeed. x
Jacqui
http://www.mummabstylish.com
Thanks Jacqui! Did you look online for a smaller size…or elsewhere if it’s not a Debenhams own line? I ordered a dress from Debenhams recently (I think it’s Jolie Moi label) but it was too small and the next size up wasn’t available. Luckily I found it at House of Fraser for the same price, so it’s worth looking at the other department stores xx
This is a fabulous look for you, Emma! I love all your accessories but the hat band is my favorite! Thanks for sharing your fantastic and fun style with Hat Attack!
Thank you so much Judith!
I know what you mean about the challenges of a shirtdress flattering your curves but you look fantastic in this one. The animal print is fabulous and I adore how you’ve styled it. Thank you for sharing this look on my Fine-Whatever link up.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Thank you Rena 🙂
I absolutely love this dress! It’s definitely something that would catch my eye in the shop – I’m a big fan of animal pint. And you’re so right about them bering versatile. I seriously need to get me something similar lol!
Suzy xx
http://www.suzyturner.com