I’ve been looking at my wardrobe in a completely different way recently. Spring fashion is lovely, but it’s never been my favourite season to dress for (I’m definitely a summer baby through and through, FYI) and the weather isn’t exactly giving at the moment either. I’ve taken to frantically scouring Pinterest for what-to-wear-right-now inspiration.
I typically forgo my beloved dresses in favour of jeans and knits when it’s cold, but with the evenings getting noticeably longer (bring on the clocks changing in two weeks), I decided it was time to end their hibernation.
With lots of talk about the death of the floral midi dress (I mean, I sorta get it), I looked to my wardrobe for dresses I could actually wear time and time again and in multiple ways.
The dress
I got this amazing By Alja Horvat dress earlier this year. The Slovenian illustrator and designer behind the brand has a love of 60s and 70s-inspired prints and I immediately fell for this maxi. BAH operates by a made-to-order model, reducing waste and limiting overstock, and it’s all made by a local seamstress near the designer’s Slovenian hometown.
I’ve been complimented every single time I’ve worn it. It’s a maxi length on my 5’2” frame, and it’s easy to throw on and look like you’ve made a big effort.
I’m a huge fan of re-wearing outfits–#ProudOutfitRepeater– and given the cost of living isn’t getting any easier, getting the best cost per wear (CPW) from your clothes really matters. CPW is usually worked out as the price of the item divided by the number of times you expect to wear it. Given that the average high street purchase is only worn seven times, I personally find calculating this really useful in helping me to buy less and buy better.
More chic maxi dresses
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Here are just a few ways I’ll be styling this stunning maxi dress over the next few months to make sure I’ve got my money’s worth…
Outfit 1
My go-to is wearing the dress on its own with a great pair of boots and chunky gold earrings. Simple, classic and incredibly chic. If you haven’t got a pair of black, square-toed, knee-high boots this season, this is your sign. They’re a wardrobe staple and a quality pair will last years.
Outfit 2
Another way I’m wearing my dress is with a black maxi skirt on top. I know, I know, but hear me out. Maxi skirts are the It buy of the season, and I love wearing pieces in an unconventional way to maximise on cost per wear. BAH has a version of this print in a top, too, which would look good with jeans or a maxi skirt.
Outfit 3
This dress is so statement that I love the idea of keeping everything else minimal, so I’ve also teamed this with a (secondhand) oversized leather blazer for a simple yet elevated off-duty look.
Outfit 4
My final outfit is for one for those gorgeous, sunny spring days where it’s warm in the day and breezy at night. I like layering chunky jumpers and light wool coats over maxi dresses for an interesting look that allows the print on the skirt of the dress to do the talking. Swap out this coat for a lightweight trench when the weather warms up and add a pop of colour with some tinted sunglasses.
£75
She can humblebrag about these sunnies all spring and summer long. With an oversized frame and classic tortoise print, they look pricier than the tag suggests.
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