A Bird on the Cardigan is Worth Two on the Dress

Lately I've been having a mini clear out of unwanted things to earn myself a little extra cash, and this dress very nearly went in the eBay pile.

I bought it around the time I started this blog, a good year and a half ago, and although I loved it at the time, I convinced myself it wasn't all that great. I think that was because the fabric is that thin, satin-like polyester which I'm not a huge fan of. So, the dress had been unworn and unloved in my wardrobe for over a year.

When I selected it from my wardrobe with a handful of other clothes destined for eBay, I then tried it on again, to be sure. I always make sure. And... well, as I stood in front of the mirror, I decided it was actually quite pretty on, and wondered why I'd allowed it to go unworn for so long. I saved it from the adoption process before it was too late, and decided to wear it a few days ago...

And it even made it in to the garden for a photo shoot!

Although, I couldn't have chosen a worse day for taking photos. It was extremely blustery outside, and I spent most of the time trying to hold down my dress with my hair across my face! I took about sixty photos, and only a handful were half-decent and didn't involve me flashing.

The dress is a royal blue midi-length tea dress with foliage and garden birds across it and I came from Dorothy Perkins. I think they also had this dress in a pale blue, but the bold cobalt won me over- it's one of my favourite colours. I love the long midi length, which is a couple of inches below the knee on me; dressing in it makes me feel so lady-like. The only thing I really don't get about this dress is why it has ruffles running from the bust down to the waist band. They look awful, and really do nothing for my figure. It would be so much prettier without them.

Isn't the print pretty?

I dressed it with a mint green cardigan, to match the mint foliage of the dress, and wore black opaque tights as it was so chilly. I'm now thinking grey tights would have looked better. 

I just slipped on my studded slippers to go outside, but it would look so much prettier with a pair of cobalt or mint heels.

I also accessorized with two Cath Kidston brooches of a blue tit and a chaffinch (I think), to continue on the print of the dress. The blue tit was having a conversation with one of the dress birds! 

And to coordinate even more, I wore my mint green floral ring which is made of jade.

Outfit Details

Dress-Dorothy Perkins // Cardigan-New Look // Tights-Evans // Slippers-New Look // 

Brooches-Cath Kidston // Ring-Local Shop