Vintage Polka Dot Dress with Lace Collar

The latest vintage addition to my winter wardrobe.

I’m blaming the apparently never-ending Scottish winter, but it seems like time and again this season I’m reaching for the cosy comfort of knitwear over my usual feminine frocks. Maybe I’ve also been creating a subconscious divide between workwear – consisting of tailored dresses and smart jackets – and weekend wear, usually involving knits, collars and skirts. Surely I’m not the only one to have a  sartorially split personality? Slipping on an effortlessly smart dress in the morning gets me in the right frame of mind for my role, and my weekend ‘uniform’ likewise helps me to unwind.

So perhaps for both of these reasons, during the winter at least, the vintage elements of my wardrobe tend to take more of a backseat. In the summer, floaty vintage frocks are my style staple, but on grey wintry days it’s just so much easier to wrap up in knitwear. Most of my recent thrifting energy has been directed towards finding wee bits and bobs for our new flat rather than clothes too. It took my recent trip to Blondie Vintage to get me out of my retro dressing rut: it seemed to be stocked with an array of what my friend calls “Rosie dresses” (TM), and those that bridge the gap between work and weekend I was missing.

I could have come away with an entire wardrobe full of dresses, but I restricted myself to two purchases. I tried on numerous options, but I knew I had to pick something I honestly thought I’d wear again and again, that would be versatile and practical. I was instantly drawn to this lovely polka dot dress and its dark background means it escapes joining the cohort of aforementioned floaty floral frocks languishing in the wardrobe until our brief Scottish summer. I’ve already worn it on countless occasions and it’s so easy to dress up or down that I can see it being a key player in my day-to-day dressing for some time to come.

Of course I’d be lying if I didn’t say its gorgeous lace collar wasn’t calling my name from the hanger, but combined with the sophisticated cut and practical length, it’s everyday wearable rather than over the top girly. Not that there’s anything wrong with that – I’d say half of my wardrobe probably falls under that category – but practical everyday options are becoming increasingly important to me. My style is definitely changing; I tend to buy less and wear more and versatility is key. Detail and quality also play a key part in my purchasing decisions and I was drawn to the details on this dress, particularly the covered buttons and tie waist.

Dresses like this are so easy to wear as minimal styling is their friend, letting those lovely details do the talking. I paired my star buy with my tartan scarf, Next Crombie coat and Hilary Grant mittens to keep cosy (as well as my trusty M&S thermals underneath), my Cambridge Satchel, heeled ankle boots and a velvet ribbon. I also made a wee friend, who is my favourite accessory in this outfit…

Do you favour high street or vintage? What do you do to get out of a style rut?

What I’m wearing: vintage dress from Blondie Vintage; Next Crombie coat; Clarks Macay Holly ankle boots; oxblood Cambridge Satchel; mittens c/o Hilary Grant; tartan scarf – a Christmas present from my Mum last year.