Retro Floral Autumn Blossom Dress & Spread The Kindness Link Up On the Edge #774
Do you remember my burnt ochre dress from last summer? The dress that I loved so much I initially bought it in three different patterns/colors…the solid burnt ochre one, the black Batik Suns printed one, and this Retro Floral Autumn Blossom printed one. In fact, these dresses are so comfortable and so flattering that I have since added two more like it…a solid black one and my most recent addition called Bella Jaco Deep Black.
But let’s talk about this whimsical retro floral print that I found completely irresistible. The vintage vibe of this bright orange and pink floral pattern really appealed to my old hippie soul so naturally I needed to have it. Although I purchased this dress last summer, it was near the end of the season and I never had the opportunity to wear it until this summer. And this summer saw me wearing this dress on at least half a dozen occasions.
With my vast collection of kimonos and robes, I had a variety of choices when it came to selecting a topper for this pretty dress. My orange kimono robe looks really cute with it. I could also pair it with a light pink or a bright pink kimono, an ivory robe, or even a solid black lace topper. They all work splendidly, giving this bold print many options for toppers.
For this particular styling of my Retro Floral Autumn Blossom dress, I decided to try a fun mix of floral prints with a new black lace maxi kimono in Trompe Loeil Floral Deep Black. I loved this lacy kimono so much that I also bought it in Soft Vintage Roses Whisper White. I am planning to share the white one on Monday for our next Style Imitating Art challenge.
This double floral pairing allowed me to keep my accessories simple with orange crochet flea market earrings, my Shelbee mala beads, my ivory horn necklace, and a quartz pendant. I used black to bookend my outfit with my black rope sandals and my black straw boater hat.
While this dress didn’t get to make an appearance during its first season of life, I have definitely made up for it this summer by wearing this exact combination at least four times in the last four months.
I had Ralph at the dentist this week and his hygienist complimented the outfit I was wearing. She followed up by asking me if I ever wore the same outfit twice. This made me chuckle because I do like to change up my outfits and not repeat the same exact combinations. I certainly have enough clothing and accessories to never repeat an outfit probably for the rest of my life! But when I land on a combination that I really love, I tend to wear it over and over again for a few weeks before moving on to the next thing.
This outfit was definitely a winner in my personal style book so I am certain it will be in my wardrobe rotation for a long time.
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When you find something you love, do you buy multiples of it in different colors and prints? Do you repeat your favorite outfits over and over again or do you prefer the variety of switching things up with each styling?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
22 Comments
Steph@Crazylittlelovebirds
Shelbee, thank you for hosting. Your retro floral autumn dress is adorable. I love the floral design and how flowy it is! Have a great weekend.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Steph! I really appreciate that. I hope you have a lovely weekend as well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
I love how the outfit just screams Fall. I am so ready for the Fall weather, but Summer is holding on strong to PA. I hope that you have a lovely weekend!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jennifer! This is the best season right now when the temperatures are perfect! Summer is holding on in northern NY as well which has us bracing ourselves for the winter. If it stays warm too long, the lake can’t freeze and then we get hammered with lake effect snow. It is the price we pay for a beautiful summer and fall! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sally in St Paul
I love the moodiness that adding the black pieces brings to this dress – it’s actually perfect for the slow transition from summer to fall as well.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Sally! At first, I wasn’t sure how the stark contrast between the black and bright colors would look but I ended up really loving the drama of it. It is a nice color palette for the transitional season, too. Have a lovely weekend, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Di
So pretty, Shelbee! Love the mixed florals and lace of your outfit, today. It’s perfect for an early fall day. Enjoy your weekend, and thanks so much for sharing, and hosting the link up!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Di! I need to figure out some creative ways to transition my favorite summer dresses into fall and winter. Or better yet, I need to figure out a way to make summer last all year!
xoxo
Shelbee
joanne
I’m like that too; once I find a combination I like I tend to wear it at least a few times pretty close together and then sem to set it aside for while… sometimes to never pair those two things together again. Others I find I am pleasently surprised to “discover” again after forgetting about said outfit. Your dress is reallly lovely.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Joanne! I do sometimes think it’s a shame that I forget about some outfit combinations that I really loved when I wore them the first time. I have so many outfits that I love and so many more that I can create that I just keep making new combinations and leaving the old ones behind. At least I have thousands upon thousands of photos of myself to remember the outfits I have created! LOL
xoxo
Shelbee
Your True Self
Hi, Shelbee – That kimono duster is awesome and I love the two prints together! I never liked wearing the same things than once, but since Covid relaxed fashion I actually have been gravitating toward my most comfortable things over again and wearing a tunic & leggings formula to work from home. So I am reaching for the same things a lot only in slightly different combinations, often adding a unique touch with accessories. Like you, I have so many clothes that I don’t have to wear the same thing twice but most days it’s just an easy way of living. Thanks for sharing your authentic hippie soul – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Angie, thank you for this lovely comment. Sometimes, I think it’s a shame that I don’t repeat outfits more often. I have so many combinations that I love, but then I get so excited to create even more combinations that I love that I rarely return to old ones. I think that’s why I take soooo many photographs of myself in these outfits. It sort of memorializes the whole look for me. And I really do approach the creation of each outfit as if I were creating art. So why not capture my art in all its movement! Keep shining bright, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
nicole orriens
I love this kind of romantic dress, but how do you walk in them? I can’t do these long flowy dresses because I keep tripping over them.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my gosh, Nicole, I trip over them all the time! When I am at home, I usually tie a giant knot in the bottom of the skirt so I don’t trip going up and down the stairs. Otherwise, I need to have a free hand to lift my skirt hem up while I’m on the stairs. But that always makes me feel very romantic and feminine like I’m attending a 19th century ball in a huge gown and bustle. And I quite like that feeling!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
Those dresses are gorgeous! Such a pity summer is almost over isn’t it. I wear a outfit on repeat all the time, almost never change things up. Sounds pretty boring as I’m writing it down lol. Luckily my personality makes up for it, even harder lol!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Nancy! I have been trying to figure out ways to transition my summer dresses into fall with tights and long cardigans or something. But I always find dresses impractical in winter even when I am all layered up. I want it to stay summer forever! Also, neither you nor your style are boring, my friend. Your personality is one of my favorites!
xoxo
Shelbee
Gail Is This Mutton
I’m a great believer in buying multiple versions of a good piece!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Me, too, Gail! I have always been that way! I think I have about 20 different colors of the same tee shirt. And lots of dresses and leggings in multiples, too.
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
Shelbee, I love that print! It is soooooo something I would have worn in the 70s (or was it the 80s)! I just love it, and I honestly think I had a dress or skirt with a print very similar to it. Your duster is absolutely perfect with it. It adds that bit of femininity yet edginess as well as being just gorgeous! Thanks, my friend, for the link up!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, Marsha, thanks so much, my friend. I basically love all things that have a vintage vibe. The bold prints from the 70s and 80s were the best!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy Turner
What a gorgeous combination, Shelbee! I love the two prints together—and that bit if lace is the cherry on top of teh cake! LOVE THIS!!!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Suzy! I was really pleased with this fun mix of floral prints. And the lacy bits really captured my heart! So I bought it in two colors!
xoxo
Shelbee