My Riviera Moment: Ivory Embroidery Anglaise Dress

Picture if you will, the bluest of skies, the calmest of seas and a sweeping bay as far as the eye can see.  I give you… drum roll please… the Promenade Des Anglaise, Nice.  The perfect setting for my Riviera Moment.  Isn’t it bluer, than blue?  Not for nothing is it called the Côte d’Azur – The Azure Coast.

If you own an embroidery anglaise dress may I suggest you book a flight, rapidement, to this coastal City where it can be shown off in its natural habitat.  If you don’t own an embroidery anglaise dress, why are you still reading?  Go forth and buy one and may I suggest you book a flight, rapidement, to this coastal City where it can be shown off in its natural habitat.

I’m rather ashamed to admit that I’ve had this sweet dress in my wardrobe for over 2 years.  I’m even more embarrassed to admit that it still had the price tag on (£29.99, before you ask).  *Hangs head in shame*.  I can only argue in my defence that it required the appropriate setting and as we didn’t visit the in-laws last summer, it had to patiently bide its time in my wardrobe.  But it’s the kind of dress that was happy to patiently bide its time because it knew that when it debuted, it was going to debut with a capital D.

It was a happy accident that I came to pair the jacket with the dress.  When I bought the jacket I hung it on the nearest hanger to hand in the wardrobe which had this dress on.  It was only when I was deciding on which dresses I might take on holiday that I pulled this one out.  Seeing them together made me think, um, they work rather well ensemble.

Subconcious brain quietly said.  ‘You’re very welcome’.

Being such an avid fan of textures, I like the bouclé effect against the delicate embroidery.  As the jacket is a pale blue, its texture gives it a lift against the ivory.  With a bold colour, I wouldn’t have needed a textured jacket; the pop of colour would’ve sufficed.   

With the dress being ivory, so many colours would have worked with it.  Hot pink, bright red, immediately spring to mind but as we were on holiday I was slightly limited by my luggage allowance!  Accessories had to go with multiple outfits.  I knew I was going to pack my silver bag and silver sandals so added this chic, silver belt to give a focal point at the waist.  My timing could not have been more perfect; I only spied the belt in TKMaxx about a week before the holiday.

The other accessories were kept simple with different shades of blue and silver. I’m drawn to semi-precious stones, especially lapiz lazuli.  The ring was a gift from my husband.  Funnily enough, bought on a previous trip to France.  The bracelets were made by an ex-colleague of mine.

The necklace must be nearly 15 years old now.  A much loved find, from when I was on holiday in Trento, Italy.
 
All the promenading was thirsty work.  A light, delicate rosé was the perfect apperitif.  Salut!

I wish I could say that I often wear white/ivory dresses with never a care in the world but this is not the case!  Oh boy, was I worried about even a speck of lunch landing on my pristine dress.  I’m very pleased to report not a speck landed.  Off camera, I grabbed every blinkin’ napkin I could find to cover every square inch of my dress!

It’s set in stone that I have to have Moules Mariniere when I visit the Côte d’Azur.  These were so tasty I couldn’t wait to eat them.  As you can see, I demolished the lot before I realised I hadn’t taken a photo of their steaming deliciousness.

After lunch, we strolled around the squares and streets soaking up the atmosphere and the architecture of Nice.

Dress from TKMaxx.
Here’s a gorgeous White Broderie Dress from Oliver Bonas
Belt from TKMaxx
Bouclé jacket from New Look via ebay
Silver Leaf Sandals from Bhs.  They’re sold out but they still have them in Black Leaf Sandals and Coral Leaf Sandals.
Straw Trilby Hat from New Look

If you could have a Riviera Moment, what would you wear?

Linking with Style Swap Tuesday / Thursday Threads  /  TARDIS Tuesday / Confident Tuesday  /  Turning Head Tuesday