Every once in a while a classic hit comes along. An item of fashion that becomes an eternal style icon. Today our classic hit is the full-skirted dress. As you know, I am a girl with curves which is why there is always at least one of these classic hits in my wardrobe. It’s forever flattering of the female form and can look equally as lovely on a skinny or curvy frame.
The Full-Skirted Dress: I am absolutely in love with this full-skirted dress! It’s feminine, fun and flirty, and fantastic for summer. I found it in a little shop near here in Buninyong, called Lana-Rose. They have some lovely things with a hint of retro about them. In fact, I have another piece from there that will be making an appearance soon. Originally I was drawn to the bright orange flowers on the white background. You know I love orange but it’s the gorgeous fit of this classic shape that convinced me it needed to be mine! I love that the maker actually put in an underskirt/lining that helps give the skirt some shape and keeps it looking full. I’ve had these green shoes by Nine West for nearly 10 years and find that I mostly wear them with a classic full-skirted dress. The ankle ties seem to be perfect for this look.
Floral Fling Accessories: I tried to keep the accessories lady-like and simple but with a bit of personality to compliment but not take-away from the dress. Which is why I opted for the green shoes. You all know I have a couple of pair of fantastic, fiery orange heels but I thought they would steal a little WOW from the dress. I kept the jewelry simple, my big white watch, an orange bangle from a bright set of three, a vintage pearl bracelet from my mum, little vintage pearl drop earrings and a pearl and shell flower necklace the Fashion Mister bought me on our last trip to Hong Hong. I also opted for my op-shop find, the grey mesh handbag because I thought it worked well with the grey in the floral print of the dress.
If you wanted to wear this classic full-skirted dress in a more simple way, it would look just as lovely with ballet flats and/or a little cardigan.
This is the first in a series I will do on Classic Hits. What do you think? Is the full-skirted dress on your list of classic hits? Or is it a big miss? How would you style it?
**Thanks again to Abby for letting me use “The Lane Cafe” as a back drop for this photo shoot! **
Related articles
- FASHION: Top 10 Most Popular Trends of 2012 (openwidezine.com)
- 44 Vivacious Valentine’s Day Dresses – From Formal Red Gowns to Cute Red Skirts (TrendHunter.com) (trendhunter.com)
- Possible Variations on The Truffle Dress (skyturtle.net)
- Arrie Butterfly | What’s your skirt type? (thereinventshop.com)
- Fashion revisits its heritage (johnlewis.com)













January 23rd, 2013 at 00:10
I agree…you can’t go wrong with a full skirt! You look awesome – those colors have your name all over them. : )
January 23rd, 2013 at 06:48
Thanks Britt!
I’ve always been a fan of orange and am surprised that I picked something with yellow but it was the orange and white that got me.
Cheers,
Laura
January 23rd, 2013 at 00:13
I just bought Grazia magazine in Italy and it’s plenty of dresses like this for the next season! You are so trendy!
January 23rd, 2013 at 06:50
Thanks Bee!
Ladylike floral dresses ala Italy, thanks to D&G are supposed to be totally hot for Spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
I’m just lucky that it is still summer here so I can wear them now.
Cheers,
Laura
January 23rd, 2013 at 00:41
You are both…trendy AND awesome!
January 23rd, 2013 at 06:51
LOL!
Why Thank You!
That is a nice message to start the day with.
Cheers,
Laura
January 23rd, 2013 at 01:33
I love full skirted dresses! Your pictures are making me want to be in the warm sun.
January 23rd, 2013 at 06:51
Well you could always come around for a visit!
It’s plenty warm here.
Cheers,
Laura
January 23rd, 2013 at 01:42
very femenine dress. love the colors.
January 23rd, 2013 at 06:52
Thank you!
I fell in love with the colours the moment I saw it.
It’s just enough girlie for me.
Cheers,
Laura
January 23rd, 2013 at 02:31
Stunning dress! Classic lines, lovely pattern and vibrant colors.
Paula
stylist & lover of the classics
January 23rd, 2013 at 06:54
Thanks Paula,
It is a definite classic and a good place to start my look at classics.
Cheers,
Laura
from one classic to another
January 23rd, 2013 at 02:36
Beautiful and so feminine!
January 23rd, 2013 at 06:55
It is kind of girlie but I do love it anyway.
Plus it’s a good match for my body shape.
Cheers,
Laura
January 23rd, 2013 at 03:01
I like the idea of the classic hits – I enjoy looking good but hate following seasonal fashions… hence I have several full-skirted dresses in my closet!
January 23rd, 2013 at 06:56
Excellent!
It means you are already ahead of the season…because rumour has it, it’s going to be a big look!
Cheers,
Laura
January 23rd, 2013 at 03:07
Definitely the sort of style that never goes out of style
I absolutely love your version of the dress..beautiful
xo Natasha
January 23rd, 2013 at 06:57
Thanks Natasha!
It was one of those items you see across a crowded room and head straight to!
I need a million garden parties to wear it to though.
Cheers,
Laura
January 23rd, 2013 at 03:46
This dress looks brilliant on you! So old time movie star chic. x
January 23rd, 2013 at 06:58
I like that it has a bit of that vintage glam thing going on.
That’s probably what makes it such a classic.
Cheers,
Laura
xx
January 23rd, 2013 at 04:40
Classy little dress and you wear it so well!
January 23rd, 2013 at 06:59
Thank you!
It’s the cleavage, it totally sells the dress.
I may need to find a little white lace cami to wear under it next time.
Cheers,
Laura
January 23rd, 2013 at 05:28
*You look so chic in that dress, it’s very becoming on you. And you have great legs too. I too like to look feminine wearing dresses, however the length of that you’re wearing makes me a little self-conscious because I think my legs are big. Perhaps, I’ll have a sudden change and go out on the limb and purchase a dress that length. If I do, I’ll send you a pic. Thanks for sharing your narrative and photos.
~Signed
Middle-age woman
January 23rd, 2013 at 07:02
Thank you!
I hate my legs, they really are huge!
So if you think this dress looks good on me, you shouldn’t have to worry.
One of the benefits of the full skirt is that it does make your legs look slimmer just because of the proportions.
I’d love to see how you go if you find one you like!
Cheers,
Laura
January 23rd, 2013 at 07:28
I love your dress, Laura! You look beautiful!
January 23rd, 2013 at 13:38
Thanks Kate!
It’s a great dress. Very 1950′s and I love it.
Cheers,
Laura
January 23rd, 2013 at 08:49
Gorgeous, just gorgeous!
January 23rd, 2013 at 13:39
Thanks Caroline!
It is a lovely dress and so feminine.
I may need another!
Cheers,
Laura
January 23rd, 2013 at 10:04
Beautiful. Love the orange and the shoes. The silhouette is gorgeous. Wow.
January 23rd, 2013 at 13:41
Thanks Gail!
It’s such a feminine dress but I love it and the fact that they actually put an underskirt in it means they reallly cared about the silhouette.
I feel like I need a garden party to attend.
Cheers,
Laura
January 24th, 2013 at 10:12
Yes … garden tea party. That’s the perfect picture.
January 23rd, 2013 at 11:18
I love full skirted dresses. I have more of them than I know what to do with! I always love the ones Laura Ashley has and I can’t even go in that store without coming out with a new dress or skirt.
January 23rd, 2013 at 13:43
Me too!
Always have at least one in my wardrobe.
Remember my first one when I was 20. It was a taupe colour with big white polka dots.
It was summer and I was wearing it when I scored a boyfriend who was a pitcher for the Seattle Mariners…great summer.
Cheers,
Laura
January 23rd, 2013 at 18:54
LOVE this dress!
January 23rd, 2013 at 19:46
Thanks Mel!
It is too cute isn’t it?!
Perfect for summer.
The label is actually from the US but I found it at a small local boutique.
Cheers,
Laura
January 23rd, 2013 at 19:01
i had an identical dress like this in 1962 – and loved it then!!!
January 23rd, 2013 at 19:47
It’s such a classic Valerie.
I’m sure I have had one in my wardrobe pretty regularly since the late 60s.
Cheers,
Laura
January 24th, 2013 at 00:56
Ohhhhhhh, the colors of that dress!!!! I love everything about it!
January 24th, 2013 at 06:42
Thanks!
I’m in love with it too.
Orange and white are one of my favourite summer combos.
Cheers,
Laura
January 24th, 2013 at 01:54
You look fabulous Laura! I love floral dresses.
January 24th, 2013 at 06:43
Thanks Lori!
It’s a fantastic dress, just wearing it makes you feel good.
Which is half the battle.
Cheers,
Laura
January 24th, 2013 at 02:17
Such a pretty dress!! You look classic and summery
January 24th, 2013 at 06:44
Thanks Christy!
That’s the nice thing about wearing a classic.
Cheers,
Laura
January 24th, 2013 at 09:31
A flower among flowers. Your dress is terrific and your shoes are even more fabulous!
Enjoy the weather, miss Sunshine!
xoxo
Anne Touraine (Playing with Scarves)
January 24th, 2013 at 09:38
Thank you Anne!
I have hung on to those shoes and barely worn them so it’s nice to have a great dress to wear them with again.
Only thing missing from this look is a scarf.
Cheers,
Laura
xx
January 24th, 2013 at 11:07
I am in love with that dress! Those aren’t even my colors, but the pattern and fit are perfect. Lovely, lovely dress, Laura.
January 24th, 2013 at 15:03
Thanks Alys!
It is such a fantastic dress.
I like the colours even though yellow is not my thing but the orange and white ar great.
And yes, the fit is fantastic, a real classic.
Cheers,
Laura
February 4th, 2013 at 00:07
[...] I recently purchased from Lana-Rose, you may recall that is the same shop where I purchased the full-skirted dress. I love the panel down the front because it makes me look slimmer! And any girl would love that. [...]
February 10th, 2013 at 00:05
[...] who makes the best coffee in Ballarat. It’s also the spot where I did the photo shoot for Classic Hits – The Full-skirted Dress. After that photo shoot the Fashion Mister and I headed to The Lane Restaurant which is behind the [...]
February 22nd, 2013 at 00:07
[...] month, I introduced a series called “Classic Hits”, for this month’s installment of Classic Hits – The Chambray [...]
February 25th, 2013 at 00:08
[...] Full-skirted dress a classic hit [...]