The Olympics are currently still in full swing, but I have just returned from my trip to London. I had a very busy week full of wonderful Olympic events and taking in the spectacular sites. And I wore this new dress that I picked up in The Netherlands, which someone on Facebook actually mistook for pants. But here are some better pictures of the dress and some impressions of London.
You can’t see it on this picture, but the dress has a jersey top part and a cotton rippled fabric at the bottom. It reminded me of Issy Miyake’s clothes and of Japanese style in particular. It’s not so clear to see on these pictures but it gives the whole dress a rippled effect. What I like about this particular fabric is that it will keep the rippled effect as it is sown into the fabric.
You will notice that it has quite an unusual shape as well and you can argue that it is not the most flattering shape either. This dress and a red one (not shown yet) actually inspired my article on whether or not you always should choose flattering shapes or not. With this dress I took a risk. I like clothes that are different and I believe it is still flattering enough. Although I understand that this dress may not be for everyone.
In Singapore I may be able to wear it on its own, but I actually like to wear this with a top. This is a wrapround top that can be tied with buttons at the top of each arm. This time I only fastened one and let the other hang lose. Since the top also comes with an attached belt, there are endless opportunities to wear this top, so I’m sure you will see more of it!
As for the shoes, please don’t notice them. Shoes are always a compromise on travels. They just needed to be comfortable so I could walk great distances in them! Since I don’t really own any good ‘closed’ shoes anymore, these were the only ones that were walkable. However, I did buy some great alternative more elegant ‘closed’ shoes that I can use in Singapore as well. More on that later. Oh and since you’re busy ignoring, please do the same with the hair….
On the street I met this delightful couple. Don’t they just look fabulous? What a way to light up the London streets!
I also came across this unique old-time 1-person car. That called for a photo shoot of course!
I even got to speak to the rightful owner. He and his wife each own their own and just cruise the streets of London with them. Not sure anymore what they were called!
That evening we also visited BT London Life in Hyde Park. On this photo here you can actually see Golden pair Torvill & Dean who won the 1984 Olympics with their amazing ice skating performance on the music of The Bolero. Can you still remember that?
We enjoyed some amazing music on the stage that night, as well as some highlights of the sports of that day. Great fun!
For now, what do you think of my unusual dress and are you enjoying the Olympics?
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I really enjoyed seeing the dress. It is very interesting and definitely worth wearing. It looks great on you. It has a very Miyake vibe. What a fun outfit to wear in London. Thank you for sharing the London photos with us. I’d love to go there someday.
Thanks Debbi. I hope you do get the chance to go some time!
that’s a very interesting dress! and being at the Olympics must have been amazing…
Thanks Stephanie. It was..
love that skirt
Xo Megan
Thanks Megan!
I like the skirt on the dress, but I’m wondering HOW it maintains it’s shape. Have never seen a one-person car before!
Thanks Terri. I will try and feature the dress again in a future article and then show it as the whole dress and how it is constructed…
Vibrant photos! How exciting to be a part of this event in London. I absolutely love the skirt and it would be something I would wear. So unusual and I think it’s very flattering on you. Looking forward to the red one that you described.
Thanks Judith. Waiting for the right event, as the red dress is a lot chicer….
So exciting that you are there!
It certainly was!
Everyone else has said it already. You have really pulled this look off and I love it with the white jacket. I’d love to see it with a Japanese style shoe, just to see the difference it would make. As for my pear shape, I’d stay well clear of this style, just because of the bulk around the saddle bag area, but you look great in it, as you do in everything you choose to wear.
I wonder if it is because you are so slim that you can wear any style you like. What do you think? I’d love to hear your views on that.
Yet again, well done Sylvia.
xxAileen
Thanks Aileen. I think it helps if you’re not too short for this dress. I don’t think you necessarily need to be slim. Many rectangles, inverted triangles and hourglass types could wear it. However, even pears could pull it off. The width of the dress starts below the hips so it may actually balance out the area. It all depends on your specific body shape I guess. It’s probably different for each person. In the shop I actually wore if with a belt, which I think is even nicer. It’s nice to accentuate the smallest part and then have the wide with at the bottom.
And that is what I am missing, the accent of your smallest part. But I am sure you are going to show the dress to us again in a different way.
I got dressed without a full length mirror. Not that easy to get it perfectly right then!
Great photos Sylvia, and I love your asymmetric skirt today!
Thank you Joni!
Taking risks with your style is way more interesting than always playing it safe!
Thanks Kim. I think so too!
That skirt is impressive not all women could wear it. The couple made me smile they have a very great sense of fashion and the smile is awesome too. Thanks for sharing!
Kim,USA
Thanks Kim. Don’t they just make you happy??
Not a dress I would wear on it’s own. I think you work around the unflattering aspect nicely.
For me generally, if I like something unflattering, and get it free or almost-free, I’ll wear it and work around it as you have done. If I like it but it’s expensive and not flattering on it’s own, I generally pass. Once in a while I’ll buy it and re-make it to work for me.
I wonder if I would wear the dress on its own. Perhaps with some really special jewelry. I will have to see. It’s a risk for sure, but as you say, worth taking when it’s not too expensive.
Ah, yes, jewelry can often be the solution. Almost anything can work with the right piece of jewelry.
The dress looks really japanese. I have 3 different dresses from the label Ischiko. I think I bought them 15 years ago. I can still wear them, and people compliment me for it. They never get out of fashion, the quality is excellent and you never get boared with them because they are so special. I wish you the same with your dress.
Thanks Marianne. I hope so too!
I thought of Japanese designers when I saw your dress, Sylvia – it is unusual and I really like it! You like to take a fashion risk and that makes your wardrobe oh-so-fun! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday and have a great day.
Thanks Patti. Yes, I like to take fashion risks, in combination with having some great basics!
Glad you are enjoying your trip to London. The atmosphere with the Olympics is amazing at the moment and we have some sunshine at last.
We had a great time in London. Only rained once! It is amazing how friendly everyone always is during the Olympic games. I experienced it in Sydney and now in London as well. It really is the Olympic spirit!
Great photos. I think I like the dress but would love to see it with other shoes. Also the top is lovely and as you say, versatile.
Combining the two does not show their full potential I think. Love to see them when you have your whole wardrobe to choose from again.
Yes definitely other shoes! We’ll see how it goes with my other clothes…
I do think this dress looks good on you, despite the unusual shape. Love the pic with someone in the phone booth 🙂
Haha it was quite funny. He stepped in just as we were getting ready to take some photoss! It’s amazing they still get used in this digital phone age….