Coral Flamingos

Sometimes I love to return to past outfits and wear them exactly the way I did before. Sometimes it's nice to be able to recreate outfits I love, instead of constantly looking for new ways to wear them. Why fix something that ain't broke?

Today's outfit is one I've recreated a few times since I first wore it and gave it its blog debut in 2012. Wait a minute- has it really been two years since this outfit post?! Woah! It was the first or one of the very first times I showed my face on the blog, and I was absolutely terrified! I've no idea where those two years have gone, but I still love the dress and outfit I am about to show you!

Two years ago, I bought this flamingo print dress in two colours from Dorothy Perkins because I fell head over heels in love with the print; I'm a sucker for flamingo prints, and I just couldn't resist them. The other dress is exactly the same style, except it's cream with a navy flamingo print.

To this day, I still think they were both great purchases, even though the cut is a bit weird. The waist is too high up and as a result, it's a little odd-fitting around the boobs. (Yet still baggy, as usual). I wasn't the only person who found the fit to be less than perfect and I can only conclude that a mistake was made in production. If the waist was an inch or two further down it would be better but it never bothered me enough to return the dresses. I love(d) them too much. 

That said, I definitely don't wear these dresses as often as I should and need to make an effort to wear them more often. I tend to save this one for beautiful hot summer days, because it's so summery!

This dress is pale blue with a pattern of bold coral flamingos all over it, and the swishiest circle skirt. I always have to play with it whenever I wear it! The five year old in me just longs to twirl! I like to dress it with coral and turquoise pieces, and always seem to gravitate to my coral Lovedrobe shrug, a turquoise patent belt from Dorothy Perkins, and a very old pair of coral peep toe sandals from Evans. I like the way they all look together. I'd usually wear it with my flamingo locket which has a pearl chain, but it's needs repairing, and I have an old turquoise bangle that goes perfectly with it. This time, I decided to mix it up just a little and added my seaside themed charm bracelet from Abilu Creations, a lilac macaron ring from And Mary, and my coral saddle bag from Accessorize. I'm sorry to tell you everything I'm wearing is old. 

I've probably had these sandals for at least eight years, if not a decade. They're still in pristine condition because I've not given them regular wear, but I still love 'em all these years later. 

Here's a closer look at the pattern, and my coral shrug. The flamingo print is one of the best flamingo prints I've ever seen; I think it's absolutely perfect. The shrug is a little baggy, but it's got the cutest scalloped edging and the colour is so summery.

I bought this charm bracelet in Camden Lock Market several years ago, from an independent brand called Abilu Creations. I have a few of their unique accessories, which are all made by hand using cute and quirky charms (many of which are vintage), and are finished with their signature guitar plectrum. This particular bracelet is sea side themed, and there are some great charms on it including a lighthouse, starfish, fish, and shells. I assume they still have a stall just outside the indoor Lock Market in Camden (which is just over the canal), but it's been a few years since my last visit there. They also have a website now, which is well worth a browse! 

My macaron ring is by a brand called And Mary, which I bought off ASOS last year. It's on an adjustable band, and isn't it just the cutest ring you've ever seen?!

My coral saddle bag is by Accessorize, and is another purchase from 2012. I love to wear it with my favourite summer outfits, because it's so bright and cheerful.

Outfit Details

Dress-Dorothy Perkins // Shrug- Lovedrobe (similar) (similar)  // Shoes-Evans // 

Bag-Accessorize (similar) (similar) // Ring-And Mary (similar) // 

Bracelet-Abilu Creations (similar) // Belt-Dorothy Perkins

I will never be one of those people who wears everything just once before moving on to the next one. I love to wear my favourite pieces over and over again until they fall apart, and always shop with the intention of getting lots of wear out of my purchases. I can't afford to buy a new outfit for every day of the year, and to be honest, even if I could, I doubt I'd want to. I enjoy revisiting old favourites from the collections I've built up over the years and some of them, like this ensemble, have the power to make me feel happy time and time again. And that to me is a sure sign of a great outfit!

Do you wear some of your outfits again and again, or do you prefer to move on and never look back?