Retro Flower Print Dress + Style With a Smile Link Up

How’s your week going so far? We’re experiencing a heatwave here in the UK – something we don’t seem equipped to cope with! I managed to get the air con in my car regassed, which has made driving much more pleasant! I went to work in this dress yesterday in the sweltering sun…and when I left it was raining stair rods and thundering! Thankfully, I had flat sandals on so I was able to run to the car park with my denim jacket over my head. The journey home was hideous – it would have been easier in a canoe! My plans of taking photos after work were well and truly scuppered. So I put the dress on again today and took some with my tripod and clicker. Bright sunlight isn’t great for photos but it’s preferable to a monsoon!

This retro flower print dress is one of two that I ordered in the current sale

I think it’s fair to say I’m a little bit obsessed with the Joanie x Dawn O’Porter collection. This retro flower print dress is one of two that I ordered in the current sale. I already have two others (featured here and here). I find them a bit expensive full price, but you can snap up some bargains in the sales. Since my last purchase the sizing seems to have changed. My other two dresses are a size 8 – I had to size down to get a good fit on the waist, However, the 8 in this dress was way too small so I returned it for a 10. The cuffs are still a bit tight (I have this issue with lots of clothes, particularly vintage) but I’m wearing them unbuttoned, which doesn’t look obvious.

One of the things I love about this collection is the addition of pockets to the dresses. I like being able to carry my phone, cup of tea and water bottle at work. And they make posing for photos a bit easier too! The dress is nice and airy, and even though it’s a jersey fabric, it’s not thick, so I’m not overheating in it. The print contains my favourite colours: orange, green and yellow, so I could have chosen a bag in any of those. My green vegan leather bag was already to hand (so to speak) so that made up my mind. I do have this bag in orange too though so I may use that next time.

The hot and sunny weather is here to stay for a few more days yet, so I’ll be wearing floaty dresses to try to stay cool!