Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Pretty Picnic

Lindy Bop Audrey dress in Red Gingham 003

I'm just going to say this now: Expect to see a lot of red dresses in the next few weeks!  I used to think red was a terrible color on me but I'm coming around.  Maybe it's because I'm feeling the holiday spirit?  I'm just happy to see more than a sea of blue in my closet!

I've always wanted a Lindy Bop Audrey dress and thanks to Amanda I now have one!  I had been eying this dress for a long time, it just so happened that Amanda was ready to let hers go.  I love that the fabric is lightweight and the skirt has lining.  Considering the great price, I think you get a lot for your money.  Now I want this dress in a few other prints...

Lindy Bop Audrey dress in Red Gingham 011

Lindy Bop Audrey dress in Red Gingham 017

Lindy Bop Audrey dress in Red Gingham 008

Lindy Bop Audrey dress in Red Gingham 031

Dress- Lindy Bop via Amanda
Cardigan- Forever 21(similar)
Petticoat- Unique Vintage (similar)
Shoes- Sidecca (exact)

Since a few people were interested, I'm going to go on a bit of a rant here.  I think it's funny when people point out when I wear something "different" (aka not something fifties inspired).  I feel like my style has broadened in the past year, mostly because I was getting the hang of styling my post baby body.  I was really insecure about my legs so longer skirts and dresses were an obvious choice.  Since these dresses fit into the mid century silhouette, a lot of people thought I was getting into the pinup lifestyle.  They couldn't be more wrong!

First off, I need to say that if you do fit into that lifestyle, more power to you!  I am in no way judging how you choose to live your life or dress your body.  It just doesn't fit right with my life.  I'd like to think that I can wear whatever the heck I want and not worry if I'm staying true to something other than myself.  If you don't know me in person, I'm very low maintenance.  I can't imagine taking more than 10-15 minutes on my hair or 20 minutes on my makeup.  I don't even style my hair everyday!  It seems like a lot of work that I just couldn't commit to because, well, I'm lazy!  You ladies with all the patience to make your hair and makeup flawless, I respect your commitment.  I wish I had a bit more of that.  But you know, that just isn't me.

Now that my body has returned to it's pre pregnancy shape, I'm feeling more confident and I'm breaking out some of those shorter dresses in the back of my closet.  If you've been following for years, you know that my style has gone through lots of changes.  I'd like to think my style is getting better with age.  I'm not in my twenties anymore so not all of my older clothes are appropriate (but you best believe I'll rock novelty prints until I'm dead).  So if you see an eclectic mix of styles, shapes, eras, etc from now on, know that it's just me being true to myself.  Plus, I think it makes me a little more interesting :).

Also, tomorrow is the last day to enter my Sourpuss Clothing dress giveaway!  If you haven't entered already, you can do so HERE!

xoxo

Ashley

15 comments:

  1. I think you should wear whatever the hell you want. I love coming here to see outfits I could never look as natural in as you do, and it's always something new and fun. I wish I could just come borrow your clothes (or at least try them on!)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Another home run, Ashley! So lovely! And yes, red is a fantastic colour on you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This dress looks great on you (so glad you were able to snag it from Amanda!), and as far as style, I tend to pull from a lot of different influences and styles, because frankly, I think it's more interesting and fun! I admire the dedication that full pin-up style requires, but dressing like that all the time is in no way practical for my life, either. I think the best part about fashion is being able to wear what makes you feel happy and confident. I think you and I are on the same wavelength (big surprise) :)

    xox Sammi

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the polka dot + plaid combo, and I don't think any color could look bad on you! I love this post because I totally feel ya on wearing things of different styles and not sticking with one category (not that there's anything wrong with that either!). I was just talking to my husband about this the other night- saying how I used to wish I could commit to one style but it always seemed like so much work, and now I appreciate the variety of dressing for my mood that day :) Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love this dress on you!! It's so adorable. And I like your rant! I think that's great you just dress however you want, and there is no reason for anyone to label it/pigeonhole you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. It seems crazy that people would respond negatively to you trying out different styles. I feel like style is really a process - it's always going to be evolving and shifting to better suit our lives, and it should. No one wants to feel pigeonholed.
    Love this look, though. Red is a stunning color on you, and I love the gingham and polka dots together. Your California blogging is definitely going to help me get through a long winter.

    ReplyDelete
  7. My own style tends to be pretty eclectic, though there are a few colors and styles I go back to again and again because I love them so much. And I love the picnic-esque print of this dress, it's just stunning on you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This dress is actually on my Christmas list! I've been wanting it for months now, but it's just one of those many things on my ever-growing wishlist that I can't justify buying myself. Hopefully I get it because it's so adorable! Red is a great color, and you wear it well. I think it's one of those colors that looks great on anyone and is always fun to work with. There are other prints I want of this dress too!

    Also, screw anyone else. Dress for yourself and for what makes YOU happy and feel good. No one else matters when it comes to style. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ah the internet, where people think they have the right to say anything they want about just about anything... Your style should be completely up to you and I really don't see why people feel the need to pigeon-hole. I don't even know where they'd start with me... And you always look fab so who cares - you're clearly doing something right! And I'm glad you've found the Lindy Bop love - some of their dresses are just so beautiful, and such good value for money! CC x

    ReplyDelete
  10. This was so interesting to read (partly because I'd never really thought your style was "pin-up" or that others had thought you were moving to that style. I guess maybe I thought the pin-up question was something that had come up with your new job or something....). While, like you, I think some people's commitment to pin-up or to vintage style is amazing and is fun to read about... it isn't the be all end all either and I enjoy your evolving style. Your looks always feel very you, very SoCaliBelle style, but there always seems to be experimenting in them, which I quite enjoy!

    On that note, this dress is darling on you! Lovely, lovely print and the dotted cardi compliments it well without any pattern feeling overpowering.

    ReplyDelete
  11. People are strange to assume that wearing clothing means you're into a certain lifestyle. It just reminds me of middle school and trying to shove labels on you.

    That dress is amazing on you and I really love your haircolor!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. You are a beautiful gal no matter what you wear! <3
    Hope you had a lovely thanksgiving <3

    Nydia

    ReplyDelete
  13. This dress is beautiful! I can't imagine anyone saying something negative about your style. Though I am guilty of commenting when you dress non-vintage as it seemed like you were transitioning into a vintage style. But I must say, I am glad that you aren't going full on vintage inspired style because with the exception of you and a few other girls, I kind of totally hate that style. I think most people are too short for the hemlines and it makes them look crazy, so I guess, while I love the way you used to dress, I always really appreciate how you nail the "retro/vintage" look. Basically do you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love your dress! You look amazing in red :). And I agree, wear whatever is you. I don't like conforming to one type of label, what makes each person unique is how they take a style and make it theirs. I've been experimenting with a lot of "vintage-inspired" and I admit I refer to my style as just that, but I also like to add my own touches, even if just in the details. Because of my shorter height I cannot pull off the true vintage/pinup look and even if I tried, it's just not me. I like to take a little from it, mix it with some modern and some girly! And I so agree that novelty prints on just about anything is an automatic win!

    xo, Serli
    www.lesoleilchic.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love your outfit darling :D
    And your hair is soooooo perfect <3

    http://callmemisslilsusie.blogspot.pt/

    With Love
    Miss Lil'Susie <3

    ReplyDelete

I read and appreciate every single comment!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...