Wearing: Reko dress, Primark cardigan and brogues, Topshop tights, Stolen Thunder necklace, Matalan bag
On: Wednesday 22nd December
For: Anxiously watching the @HeathrowAirport Twitter feed for flight information (and working, I guess)
I call this my Christmas Dress. It’s by Reko and I bought it in Christmas 2008 from Lady Luck Rules OK. It’s the oldest thing in my wardrobe (which has the same level of turn over as a call centre) and I’ve only ever worn it at Christmas. It’s not a particularly Christmassy dress – it’s silky, strapless and leopard print. There’s no sparkle, it’s not red or green or velvet with gold buckles. But it is officially known as ‘The Christmas Dress’.
In 2010 I wore it with a chunky aran cardigan, thick tights and flat brogues. Here’s how I wore it in 2009:
Me and my bro on Christmas Day last year. I wore The Christmas Dress with a polo neck, thick tights and knee high socks. And in 2008?
What a ridiculous photo. I’m dancing to Sweet Child o’Mine in a cheesy bar in Leeds, a few days before Christmas. It was our girls’ Christmas night out and I wore the dress really simply, with black tights, heels and a chunky ring.
I find it really interesting to see how one piece can survive as style evolves – I dress completely differently now to how I did in 2008, and most of the clothes I loved back then have long since been sold on eBay or donated to charity/my sister’s wardrobe. But although my clothes have changed, the basic elements of my style remain. I still love dresses, layers and animal prints. I choose flats over heels. And chunky, quirky jewellery will always have a special place in my heart.
How has your style developed over the years?
What a beautiful dress, I’ve got a massive space in my heart for leopard print. I’m a lot more braver with style now. I’ve always loved “granny clothes” as my boyfriend puts it but never had the guts to wear what I really love. Now I dont give two hoots what people think and wear what I want even if I get funny stares or negative comments! I’m also no longer a “greebo” but still love my converse!
Sophie
X
Love that dress, really gorgeous.
I have that bag too 🙂 xx
Very VERY clever to put different spin on the same dress.
I am SOOO glad that’s your brother because it would be eerily spooky if it were your partner! And I like your ‘new’ hair!
Oh Jen, I love love love that dress! And you’ve worn it so uniquely each time. I think I need a xmas dress ASAP. x
That’s three totally different looks with one gorgeous dress — love it.
I love these style archives, it so interesting to see how items of clothing remain the same over the years but the way we style them completely changes. This dress is totally un-Christmasy but I do love a good leopard prints and t look great on you. I love with with the purple in 2009 and even with the black and white now it looks fab =) My style has definitely changed over the years but I’m still in the experimental stage trying to develop something that I can truly call me.
Hannah xx
What a great post….I loved seeing the blast from the past pics! And those socks from Christmas 2009 are adorable!
I’d say my style has evolved most rapidly since this summer when I discovered blogs. I made it my New Years Resolution 2010 to become more fashionable, but since the world of blogging I’ve ditched the fashion mags (they were getting rather expensive) and now get all my inspiration from fellow bloggers. This year I’ve discovered layering and a whole world of tights!
T x
It is festive and fun and that is all that matters 🙂 I had Sweet Child of Mine stuck in my head as I walked in the door this evening – I must have psychically known I was going to read this!
It’s a really pretty dress and I love all the ways you wore it. 2009 was my favourite, with the purple underneath.
Lovely dress, it’s not something you would necessarily think would be so versatile but you’ve made it look completely different each time!
I love the pic of you dancing.. so cute! My style has develop over the years into more girly and feminine style. I used to worry alot about street brands and made sure I stuck out in a crowd with bold clothes and strange clothes. Luckily that all ended before my blog 🙂
I the dress, leopard print is one of my favourite prints 🙂
I love pieces of clothing that last through many seasons of fashion as they’ve always got so many memories, mostly good!, associated with them!!
I love the idea of having a timeless item of clothing that you can let your style evolve around. I’m a bit fan of leopard print too. The contrast of the dress and chunky cardigan from this year’s look really works. x
i love that you wore a long sleeved top under a dressy dress! it makes it look more daywear than night, without being too under/overdressed! just lovely! i always wear this ratty jumper on christmas morning, i’ve worn it since i was about 14 without fail, and ONLY on xmas morning! its the only tradition at xmas i have!
Awesome outfit. All those different tones of brown in your shoes, satchel, and dress are great! You and your bro look so much alike! And that last photo made me laugh! 🙂 Great post!
love love love the last picture of you ,jen! i just adore seeing more natural and relaxed photographs of bloggers considering as we only usually ever see each other posing, hehe. the dress is lovely, it looks perfect with your primark cardigan! xx
How nice to see the 2008 photo – you look really different!
I loved the dress last year – I remember thinking that the berry tones worked surprisingly well with the leopard print. Love it teamed up with that gorgeous cardi this time though!
Leopard print is so timeless, I love all the ways you have worn this over the years. I’m still hopelessly in love with the cable knit cardi too x
Love that dress, i remember you wearing it last year.
Have a fab Christmas Jen xx
Aww these photos are lovely – esp the one of you and your bro – you look so similar!
Have a great christmas!
I absolutely adore the dress!!
I hope you have an absolutely amazing Christmas! xo
Love it! Missing a festive dress from my wardrobe. Have to say – you and your brother look so similar! Still loving the dark hair on you, looks fab xx
You’re brother looks like an incredibly cool person =)
Also, I liked your hair when it was blonde, and I kind of miss it, go back in the summer months yeah?
I also love how you’ve been able to make this dress so versatile and into so many different outfits. I adore doing that with clothes. It gives you a challenge.
Ahh that last photo is so funny! You look so different now. I love how you’ve restyled it as your style has changed.
I love the leopard print of this dress! And I love that you only wear it at Christmas AND that is an nontraditional print- it makes it that much more special!
You and your brother are spitting image of each other. Just like me an my brother -_-.
I was looking at old pictures the other day, of New Years. It’s nice to just take a step back and realise how far you’ve come in the past year. (:
My blog:
http://www.retrowhimsicality.blogspot.com
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