"". Transforming a Plain Dress with Accessories | Is This Mutton?

Fashion for the over 50s with books and beauty

Search This Blog

Sunday 29 April 2018

Transforming a Plain Dress with Accessories

How to use accessories to transform a dull outfit, in this case a plain navy shift dress, Over 40s blog Is This Mutton? adds fuchsia pink and blue and a cute sequinned bag.


This dress was featured in Nancy and Shelbee's Bad Buy Book. I had bought it for a particular presentation when I wanted to have gravitas and I wore it with hardly any accessories.  I used to be fairly minimal on the accessories front. But suggestions of adding a scarf and funky bag piqued my interest so I decided to try to brighten up a dull dress.
I was lucky to be able to choose a scarf from the fabulous range by Eternal Collection. Well known for their costume jewellery, did you know they now have scarves in many hues and patterns?  I love the colour fuchsia, and when I saw the scarf I knew it would look great paired with my Poetic Licence blue and pink shoes.

I wrote about my love of quirky shoes here. I also like patterned hosiery. Normally, by this time of year, most of us would have abandoned tights by now but with the weather so chilly, patterned opaque tights were fine. These are navy with pink spots.


Close up showing funky blue and pink patterned shoes by Poetic Licence worn with navy and pink spotted tights. From Is This Mutton?


If I hadn't worn the dress with the spotty tights, I would have worn sheer navy tights.  I find that with black and navy dresses, using tights the same colour elongates the legs.

The final touch was my sequinned circle cross-the-body bag. These are so useful and they don't look silly, like bum bags.  I use mine as a purse to carry money and my Oyster card  (my phone, being the S8 Plus, doesn't fit, grrr).

How to use accessories to transform a dull outfit, in this case a plain navy shift dress, Over 40s blog Is This Mutton? adds fuchsia pink and blue and a cute sequinned bag.


If you're wondering about the added interest above my head, that's the WiFi router and cushions for the outdoor chairs. And what looks like a cycle helmet. Oh, the perils of indoor photography!

ARE YOU MUTTONED UP?

Don't miss a post -  follow Is This Mutton? on Bloglovin or Feedspot. I post extra goodies (handbags and shoes) on the Is This Mutton? Facebook page. And check out the Is This Mutton? Pinterest boards, including boards on other bloggers in fab outfits plus beauty, jewellery, hairstyles and fashion picks. Is This Mutton? is also on Twitter.  
SHARE:

22 comments

  1. Oh that is kind of you to mention our serie! And now it is a good buy! You can now send in your submission for our new series, the theme is leopard! A Good Buy or a Good_ Bye! I hope you can join us!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I enjoy seeing your spunky, fun shoes. Didn't notice the tiny polka dots on your hose til I saw the up close photo of your shoes. Both pieces are great fun and had such personality to a basic blue dress. Very pretty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The dress looks a lot less sad now! Great to see you as always

      Delete
  3. Fabulous dress for every occasion and you cannot go wrong with a hot pink scarf!
    have a super week and dont work too hard!
    best ashley xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ashley - it's my last week before a holiday, so you know what that is like! But looking forward to chilling.

      Delete
  4. Fabulous look, Gail. So clever to add the spotted tights and pretty shoes to take the dress out of the boardroom. I love the opportunities this type dress brings. Hugs, x.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mary! To think I hardly ever dressed anything up!

      Delete
  5. I love these ideas! Fun shoes are the best. #AnythingGoes

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love the bright pink scarf!

    Gemma x
    www.jacquardflower.uk

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love it! A simple dress you can add glam to depending on your mood or event! #anythinggoes

    ReplyDelete
  8. Those shoes...divine and I love your scarf and attitude! Go girl. #anythinggoes

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is one stunning look. Lovely dress, really like it on you, and as for your shoes, they're amazing as usual!

    ReplyDelete
  10. First of all, your figure in that dress is AMAZING! I adore the sequin bag, and I share your opinion on bum bags... I'm SO not a fan. I didn't like them the first time around and I don't like them now, designer or not. The fuchsia scarf is super on you... that is one of my favourite colours. You wear it so well! I'm in love with the rainbow sheep at the top of your page... brilliant! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Too kind. I adore sheep so the blog header and title were a no-brainer.

      Delete
  11. Oh I do love your shoes and tights with that very plain dress. The scarf gives a lovely zing of colour and you look very elegant but funky,too!

    I've got really short legs so anything that lengthens them is good so I do the matching tights/shoes thing as well.

    Hopefully warmer weather is on the way....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do hope the warm weather is about to arrive and last - I'm starting a 200 mile walk across three national parks very soon! Squelch.

      Delete
  12. Looking absolutely fabulous!!! I love that circle bag, and am totally not a fan of bum bags (I think that's what you called it), LOL. Thanks for linking up with Continental Drift. It's great to get to know you.

    bosbodaciousblog.blogspot.ca

    ReplyDelete
  13. What amazing shoes!

    SSG xxx
    #continentaldrift

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Gail. Lovely outfit, love your shoes :) Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays, you are one of my featured blogs today. Pinned.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wowee! Love it and your shoes are a real statement! Thanks for joining the #linkup Hun. Jacqui Mummabstylish
    Hope you've joined the Giveaway Gail - fabulous prize. xx

    ReplyDelete

Blog Design Created by pipdig