Below you’ll find the text of my recent shop til you drop magazine feature and a visual snapshot of all the things I refer to within it. I know my messy collage of pics might be hard to follow but I guarantee if you like my style at all, if you click any link below you’ll come across something you love. Any questions at all feel free to contact me. Enjoy…
I only wear…
How would you go committing to just one colour, one shape or one designer? Meet four women who say sticking to a signature look is the best style decision they ever made.
“I only wear… smock dresses.” Gemma Louise May
Okay we’ve all done some light style stalking in our time, but what began as admiration for some baggy styled dresses borrowed from a girlfriend’s wardrobe has turned into Gemma Louise’s personal style obsession. She adds at least one to her epic collection every week and declares the mighty smock to be the one essential every wardrobe needs.
Above – A collection of the smock dresses i own – clockwise from top left – shilla evolution monochrome tee dress . boohoo evelyn border geo print slip dress . sass and bide dress ( not current season ) . one teaspoon pinkie in black from general pants . mink pink smock dress . ruby sees all watch your back dress . one teaspoon pinkie in navy ( not current season ) . top shop petite strap back slip dress . top shop denim shift dress . steele bembe black mesh dress . sass and bide dress ( not current season) . lola vs harper dreams pu cut out panel dress . lola vs harper darkness stripe dress.
“Whether you’re a size 8 or 14, smocks are universally flattering and easy to dress-up or down with your accessories.” Don’t get hung up on the basicness of the cut – a smock can be casual, turn sexy, go to work. The devil’s in the detail, explains Gemma Louise who finds a million different spins on a smock in Viktoria and Woods, Ruby Sees All and Lola vs Harper ( and posts them on her own site, myblondecloset.com ) .
Smocks I want to purchase this season amongst other items – country road boyfriend cardigan . finders keepers here comes the sun dress from the birdcage boutique . viktoria and woods smock dress . zara jumper . faddoul the label smock dress . alice mccall agra dress . faddoul dress and tilda leather jacket . viktoria and wood santiago jumper . country road boyfriend cardigan . h and m denim smock . three of something sabbatical dress . finders keepers dress from the birdcage boutique . c & m camilla and marc take a look dress from the iconic . zara jumper . vickoria and woods jumper.
“Only my boyfriend swears all my dresses are the same,” she laughs. “Look for different sleeve lengths, intricate detailing on necklines and hems, texture, fabric that gives you a crisp structure or loose flow.”
Another few new season pieces on my radar – zulu and zephyr sandstone jumper in marle . toi et moi une deux jumper . maurie and eve jumper . may the label jumper . zulu and zephyr drifter sweat dress in black . zulu and zephyr seascape dress . zara lace cami . mlm the label the villain smock dress . shilla sheer detail striped smock dress . bebe sydney rhythm swing dress . backstage clothing celia dress . zara oversized swing tee . scanlan and theodore crepe knit cylinder sweater . mlm the label vneck smock . zara dress . mlm the label stripe block mini tshirt dress.
This season, Gemma Louise is all about layering smocks with oversized knits and boyfriend cardigans, tie-dye and stripes. “We’re seeing a low v-neck style with lots of quilted detail, scuba fabrics and felt.”
A collection of shoes and bags I own.
An eclectic shoe and handbag collection gives each dress multiple personalities. She shortens the straps on her slouchy Alexander Wang cross-body to convert it into a handbag and suddenly a chambray dress is ready to go out late. She switches from Chanel ballet flats, to pumps, to animal print sandals, to converse sneakers – breathing new life into one dress in a matter of minutes. Because its so perfectly simple, the smock style works into any trend, especially sport-luxe, she says. “The rules of smock dressing are there are no rules!”
Feature from Shop til you Drop Magazine.
Text by Dilvin Yasa.
xx
photos are not my own | source as credited above