Eastern inspired...

Getting hold of this dress was darn near impossible,I first saw it at the New Look press day almost a year ago and fell in love but despite stalking the New Look website fr months I couldn't find it. I knew they had put it into production because it was featured in nearly every magazine I read and I WANTED IT. Luckily, Mark managed to get hold of it and I very happily unwrapped it on Christmas Day

Dress:New Look, shoes: Hobbs
 One detail I really loved about it was the fact it was backless but I hadn't really thought about how practical this would be for 'real life' and as stick on bras DID NOT WORK (I'm looking at you Primark!) I had to do the next best thing and wear a pretty bra instead...


 The high neckline and satiny fabric reminded me of traditional oriental clothing, especially with the bird print and the little details really reinforced this...


Gorgeous covered buttons...

The fitted shape ensure that this is extremely flattering, especially on a curvier figure...


 I went for peachy make-up to match the gorgeous bird print [Do you see what I mean about the photos looking much softer with this camera?]


I really loved this dress but I don't know if I have made it look too formal, would it look better a bit more scruffed up? If I was less precious about it?

How would you style this? How do you solve the problem of  making backless dresses wearable?
 
P.S. I received a comment which informed me that Oriental is in fact a racist term which I was TOTALLY unaware of when I wrote this so I have changed the title of the post. I am utterly mortified that I could have offended anyone and I apologise if I did.

13 comments

Kelly said...

I really like this dress and the shoes just finish the outfit off :)

Unknown said...

Love the print on the dress, and agree I too am obsessed with oriental style, so pretty.
x

Bonny said...

You look fantastic in this dress! I am not brave enough to wear backless tops or dresses, but they do look lovely :-)

Niki said...

It looks gorgeous on you! I think it works for dressy and casual. I'd add strapless black cropped-top underneath, a thin leather belt and leather jacket to dress it down. X

Lizzy said...

Oh wow, I just adore the print on this dress! And it looks perfect on you. Something like a lace t-shirt underneath might be a good alternative for when you don't want to go full backless maybe?

I know what you mean about SLR pictures, they do have a softer quality to them - I get so sad if I have to use a compact for my outfit pictures instead! xx

Sherin said...

I love this dress on you. The print and style of the dress is perfect.

Caroline said...

This dress is gorgeous, I love the oriental style and the bird print :) The pink shoes go perfectly with it!

Caroline x
Caroline's Catwalk

Anonymous said...

i don't want to seem rude (hence anonymous!) but oriental is actually a racist term :S it's far less offensive to just say eastern, or chinese if that is what you mean. sorry, just thought i should give you a heads up because i'm sure you wouldn't say it if you knew x

daisychain said...

I LOVE that dress, and with those shoesssssssss *swoon*

LillianZahra said...

Love this dress, it's so pretty! I tend to just embrace backless dresses and wear a pretty bra. It is annoying when I find dresses that from the front look work-appropriate and then turn out to be backless though! x

Peacock's Hat said...

Oh Maria this looks so lovely on you! Isn't it great when you find a dress that fits you in all the right places? I'd probably myself just wear a vest underneath it, not one with a whole back, but like a camisole if you know what I mean? One that only comes so far up your back! So then you'd cover the bra but still have some of your back on show.

Intrinsically Florrie said...

I was going to tell you what a lovely dress it was, then I got distracted by those perfect shoes!!! =O

Anyway back to the dress... it's beautiful and you look gorgeous in it. I love all the little details.

Florrie x

Sam said...

Love the dress! Especially with the keyhole detail!

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