Doe a deer, a female deer... T a letter in tartan...

I am absolutely loving the tartan trend which is everywhere this Autumn, so when I saw this dungaree dress by Alice and You for ASOS, I knew I had to have it. The only problem was when I went back to buy one just a couple of days later, it had completely sold out of every size. I was disappointed to say the least, but I refused to believe that was that, and kept a regular watch over it from my saved list, and sure enough a couple of weeks later, one briefly reappeared in my size, and I snapped it up immediately. It arrived a couple of days ago, and I wasn't disappointed; it was instant love!

This dress is just amazing. That I can't state enough. I'm smitten with every last detail.

The navy, green, and red tartan is beautiful and so wintry. It may look a little like a kilt and school uniform mash up, but I love it just the same. My younger sister asked me if I got it off the set of the Sound of Music... but this is certainly not made from an old curtain! It's made from a thick cotton, which is both light-weight and warm, plus so soft to the touch. It has an elasticated waist and pockets in the skirt (yes, pockets! Pockets are essential!), and adjustable straps which cross over at the back. And as you can see, it's a couple of inches above the knee on me, and I'm roughly about 5'6'', so if you're taller it may be on the short side on you.

The style is so nineties, which I love, and I find that ironic since I would never have worn anything like it back then! I wouldn't have gone near it. I wouldn't wear dresses. I wouldn't wear skirts. I was such a tomboy, and was most commonly found in jeans and a t shirt, or Adidas poppers (and a t-shirt)! Oh, how times have changed! I wish I had embraced fashion at the time, but at least this dress reminds me of life back then, and I can make up for it now.

Before I'd even bought the dress, I was itching to try my woodland print top underneath it. I bought it from ASOS last winter, because I fell in love with the incredible woodland print of deer, foxes, rabbits, and squirrels. It's actually a soft peplum top, but it's a very relaxed fit, and I don't think it looks bulky underneath the skirt. I think it works well with the dress, and I'm happy I've found a new way to wear the top, as it doesn't get worn enough!

I also wore black opaque tights and my burgundy studded Simply Be ankle boots again, and avoided accessories as I think the look was complete without them.

The straps cross over at the back, and are fastened with a button on the inside of the skirt. There are two button holes on each strap, so they can be adjusted if necessary.

I've never posted photos of  myself from the back before. I'm not sure how I feel about this photo. Except I do feel like I should have my hair in milkmaid braids with tankards of frothy beer in my hands... twirling around on a mountainside singing 'high on the hill was a lonely goat herd...' Just me? Alright, then.

Just look at all those lovely little critters! Rabbits, and deer, foxes, and squirrels... isn't it adorable? There's actually a t-shirt with a pretty much identical print by New Look Inspire at the moment. I think it needs to come live with me!

I wore this outfit out to the supermarket, and the skirt rode up a little at the front as I walked. (Not a dress for thin tights if you're uncomfortable showing your thighs!) At first I felt a bit uncomfortable and kept trying to pull it down, but I soon thought 'oh, fuck it!' and just went with it. If people have a problem with my thighs then let them! Of course, nothing happened. I noticed no stares, I got no remarks of abuse...

I would never have had the confidence to wear a dress this short out of the house two years ago. Hell, even six months ago! I'm always surprised when I realise things like this! Blogging and being injured have completely transformed the way I see myself, and the way I think about things. My confidence, in lots of different forms, has risen about a million percent in the last two years, and I have you guys to thank for so much of that! So thank you for all your words of support and encouragement! I'm further along the road to self-acceptance than I ever thought was possible!

Outfit Details

Dress-Alice &You via ASOS // Top-ASOS Curve // Tights-Evans // Boots-Simply Be