Midlife Loves

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Midlife Loves

Forget The Daisy Dukes As This Year It's All About The Denim Dress

Well it is for me anyway, in fact ever since I chucked out a denim dress very similar in design to some of the ones I've picked out today, having decided that I was never going to wear it again, I've had a hole in my wardrobe that's needed to be filled & this spring I'm determined to fill it!

Why is it that with any wardrobe culling you generally throw away items that at the time you have no intention of EVER wearing again because you've either worn it to death & can't face ever wearing it again or because you think it's gone out of style never to return or that you are too old to wear said item only then a few weeks/months later to see someone of similar age/build rocking a very similar item of clothing that leaves you regretting said clear out.  And can you find anything similar - can you heck & that's despite trawling every shop/internet store out there!!!  Of course the items you hung onto telling yourself were 'useful' & you'd wear countless times have probably remained untouched in your wardrobe!  Of course this could just be me & needless to say this is exactly what happen with my last denim dress.  The fact that I must have got rid of said dress some 18 months/2 years ago & spent all last summer on the hunt for a replacement dress & to no avail says it all.

I have therefore decided that 2014 is the year that my denim dress hole is well & truly fixed & amazingly there are some great little numbers out there resulting in a denim dress dilemma.  

Now for me a denim dress is great for wearing in spring as well as the cooler days of summer for generally running around & everyday life.  It's warmer than a simple summer dress, you don't need to worry about it being see-through or creasing plus it can so easily be dressed up or down with different accessories.  Not to mention of course that it can be teamed with layers - a long sleeved Breton top worn underneath or a jumper or cardigan over the top & also for the cooler months some serious denier tights & a leather biker.  Making it in my view a hard little worker for any wardrobe & perfect for the cost per wear argument ;-)

As I mentioned earlier due to the gorgeous selection currently out there I'm having trouble deciding which dress to go for, so I thought I'd share the one's that have made it onto my shortlist & see what you thought.  Starting with this shirt dress from Diesel.  

I love the colour of the denim & how they've styled it with the ankle boots - not tried to rock a dress with ankle boots & socks yet but never say never!!  The only thing I worry about this dress is the poppers & sitting down & hearing a pop!  As you can bet if it's going to happen it's going to happen to me plus it won't be the top or last popper to pop either!! Obviously the chances of this happen are slim as long as I pick the right size to avoid disaster but still I've got that image in my head & you know that only means one thing!!!






Next up is this shirt dress from Next.  Now when I first showed this dress to hubby a.k.a. 'Gok' or so he likes to think (yeah right!!!) he said it looked like a dressing gown (Gok he ain't!!) but I can see this dress really working with another button undone at the neckline and with the sleeves rolled up & perhaps a different belt - tan or gold maybe?!






Moving away from the shirt dress & onto the smock style, which is very similar to the beauty I stupidly chucked, then I'm loving this colour block one from ASOS.  I love the two tones of denim although the lower back has me shivering at the thought, which could either be due to winter temperatures or the fact that I'm getting old or more realistically probably both!!






This next one from Dorothy Perkins is more fitted on the top half & would look great with a biker jacket or boyfriend style blazer teamed with ankle boots.






This next dress from Topshop seems like a good mix between the loose fitting of the ASOS dress & the more fitted styled one from Dorothy Perkins.  This would be so easy to wear with a long pendant & some stunning bracelets & sandals come the warmer months.






But I also love this Levi denim dress, a gorgeous shade of light denim, short sleeves & pockets too!!  Arghhhh decisions, decisions!!!!






This next denim dress from Oasis hardly even looks denim from the picture & would make a great dress for wearing to work, although I would soooo be tempted to swap the belt to a leopard print one ;-)






I also love this slightly fitted chambray number from GAP which has a great bit of detailing around the waist & a zip back.  I love the fact that it's that bit more elegant to what you would normally picture when you think of a denim dress & can see this looking so elegant with a pair of ballet pumps & ponte blazer.






Talking of elegant denim dresses than you'll be hard to beat this sleeveless one from Next.  Such a classic design that would look great dressed up with some statement pearls & a pair of heels & the length means that women of all ages could wear this even those like my Mum who believes her knees are not to be seen in public ever again!!  I think this would look gorgeous with a little fitted jacket.






Keeping with the longer length then this Boden dress is also perfect for women of all ages, fab for teaming with a pair of wedges for those of us that like a more chic understated style but I reckon it would also rock teamed with a pair of trainers & the right accessories too.






Back with a lighter denim & this short sleeved number from Topshop is perfect if you want a denim dress that you can simply just chuck on & go plus it has pockets too - perfect for slipping your phone into let alone a lippy too!






Now I really love this next dress from Joules, which if I'm honest I would never have thought to have looked at for denim dresses & it was only by chance that I stumbled across it.  I love this shade of denim & with three quarter length sleeves & a slightly loose fit design think it would look just gorgeous dressed up or down & would be perfect for spring not to mention summer.






This next dress from Topshop has a similar feel to the Joules dress although slightly less detailed & shorter.  I love the plainness & casual feel of this dress not to mention the fact that you could roll the sleeves up a bit to alter the length of sleeve dependent on the weather & look you're going for.  Plus it would look fab teamed with sandals or trainers.






Finally how about this maxi denim dress from Mango?  I don't think I've seen a maxi denim dress before, which may be due to my sheltered life & the fact that I don't get out much but I could see this looking simply stunning when teamed with some tan accessories.






So as I said at the beginning of this post there are definitely some stunning denim dresses out there, the question is which to choose?  Decisions, decisions!!!  But before I make my decision here's a quick round up of what I've been wearing since my last post.


Outfit One




Necklace - Banana Republic
Denim Overshirt - Zara
Crystal Bracelets - Handmade
Trousers - Zara
Ballet Pumps - Mint Velvet


Outfit Two




Necklace - Zara
Denim Shirt - Zara
Sweatshirt - Topshop
Bracelet - J Crew
Biker Jeans - H&M
Boots - Oasis


Outfit Three




Blazer - H&M
Necklace - Zara
Top - Next
Jeans - Massimo Dutti
Shoe Boots - Next


So what do you think, are you a lover of a denim dress?  What camp do you fall in, those that believe it's a great wardrobe staple or those that think once you reach a certain age you're too old to wear a denim dress again?

I'd love to hear what you think & if you are a fellow denim dress lover how you style yours.  Not to mention which dress you think I should go, I think I'm leaning toward the Topshop MOTO jumper dress but of course that could all change!!!

Back in a couple of days.

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28 comments

  1. My daughter picked one up from M&S for me today, although it will be a while before I wear it. Love the Joules one you featured Jane x

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    1. Thanks Sharron & looking forward to seeing you modelling the M&S one. If forecasts for the weekend are to be believed you never know you might be wearing it sooner than you think!!
      Jane xx

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  2. I'm also after a denim dress and have been for some time. I can even decide exactly what I want but I'm yet to find it! I'm having a wardrobe cull at the moment and I'm thinking very carefully before chucking things! Lynne x

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    1. Ooh what style are you after Lynne? Don't you just hate it when you've got something in mind & you can't find it.....it's sooooo frustrating!!! I'm tempted by a serious wardrobe cull but think I could end up chucking things out I later regret so putting it off for now!!
      Jane xx

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  3. Jane, there is a fabulous shirt style denim dress in Primark for £12!! So maybe you can scratch more than one itch with the Primarni shirt dress and the Topshop dress??! There are some gorgeous styles out there to be had!! Lovely picks xx

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    1. I will definitely be checking out the Primark one Michelle - thanks for the tip off :-)
      Jane xx

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  4. Mine is a shirt dress from boden - smart enough for work tomorrow. Good luck
    Hx

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    1. Yup you can't beat a shirt dress, although do you get any popping going on, or is it only me things like that happen to?!!!
      Jane xx

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  5. I love the Topshop ones, saw them when I went on my solo shopping trip. I Love love the mango maxi and could totally see you in that one! x ps great outfits as per normal, loving the pink sweatshirt and statement necklace.

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    1. Thanks Annmarie :-) I definitely think I'm leaning towards the Topshop dress....I may just have to click the button :-0
      Jane xx

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  6. Hi there! Great picks here and I love the Topshop ones best, I am definitely going to invest in a denim dress this year and for me I think I'd like to try a tunic style xx

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    1. Hi Sharon yes the Topshop ones are definitely my favourite too, something that can easily be thrown on with little thought! Although I'm now wondering if a pair of trainers/slip-ons might finish the look ;-0 Good luck with your search.
      Jane xx

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  7. I have one on order & can't wait for it to arrive! Spring needs to hurry on up! I love the Topshop ones & drop waists are big atm! It would look super cute on! I can't wait to see what you go for Jane! Ax

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    1. Thanks Andrea & I can't wait to see you in yours, I think Spring might just be putting in an appearance this weekend....fingers crossed!!
      Jane xx

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  8. I love the Asos colour block dress and Topshop one too. Lots to choose from xxx

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    1. That's the trouble isn't it Liz, I'm totally spoilt for choice!!
      Jane xx

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  9. Jane, I love the maxi Mango one, how gorgeous would it look on holiday? I also love the one your leaning towards - the topshop one - fab shape and versatile for all seasons. I love you in that pink sweatshirt and stunning necklace - so pretty! Fab pos! Vikki xx

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    1. It would look divine wouldn't it Vikki especially if teamed with some gold or tan accessories. Thanks for the compliment re outfit two have had the sweatshirt for a while & seeing as there was some blue skies the other day felt it was time to dig it out!!
      Jane xx

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  10. I have been on the hunt for the perfect denim dress since last Summer! I have tried on so many different styles, but none of them have been quite right! I do love the style of the paler wash Topshop one (but I want it in a darker wash but with short sleeves...not that I'm being fussy or anything!). You've picked some lovely ones Jane, the Joules one also looks lovely! x

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    1. Not sure if this is what you're looking for Sian but they do this dress in a darker denim http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/dresses-442/denim-t-shirt-dress-by-the-whitepepper-2678181?bi=201&ps=200
      Good luck with the search!
      Jane xx

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  11. I'm loving your outfits - especially number 2. What a great way to smarted up a jumper. The tweed blazer's great too. I recently invested in a denim tunic dress to replace a perfect one I put out a few years ago (WHY?!). Mind you - at £25 reduced from £60 I don't feel so bad! Going to be wearing it with boots and tights now and leggings and tan sandals in summer. Roll on summer! Jo x @joanneeallen http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Dickins+Jones+Denim+tunic+dress/D430808,default,pd.html

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    1. That's a fab dress Jo & what a complete steal. I think I need to order mine as like you say it would be great for layering up now & then shedding the layers as the temperatures rise :-)
      Jane xx

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  12. Great post Jane. I've been looking for a denim dress too - tried the shirt dress from Next that you featured but it was cut really badly on the shoulders (or maybe it was just me). Thanks to you reawakening my interest I'm going to try the Gap one that you've featured. Fingers crossed!

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    1. Thanks Nikki, I really hope you love the Gap one...let me know what you think.
      Jane xx

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  13. My daughter has the Top Shop Moto, it's lovely. Why oh why did I throw my denim dress away - it always happens. Guess I'll need to replace it lol. Great outfits Jane x

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    1. Thank Donna :-) Which Topshop one does your daughter have? I seem to throw away things I go to wear again & keep things I don't!!!! Good luck with the denim dress search....although could you just borrow your daughter's?!! ;-)
      Jane xx

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  14. So many styles and amazing dresses - I wouldn't know where to start choosing!
    Fiona
    avenue57.com

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    1. Lol that's no help Fiona!!! Although I seem to remember you've got a gorgeous one stashed in your wardrobe from last year.
      Jane xx

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