Well, I am nothing if not patient. You may recall me buying a dress from Madeleine, SEE HERE FOR A RECAP.
I wasn't totally convinced that I truly liked it but readers and The Photographer decided things for me and I kept the dress. My reticence was due to the colour. It looked blue in the photos but IRL it had a hint of purple in it. And as I'm an old-fashioned matchy-matchy girl who likes to have at least one item that matches a new purchase, I do believe that was what had been holding me back in the decision process. I realised it would be difficult to match.
And it was.
The nearest I got was a kimono, but that went technical on me - when I unpacked it and realised it had a design fault. It needed ironing. So I haven't worn it.
Hey, don't judge me - there's more to life than spending time ironing a kimono that will just crease again within five minutes of wear.
So I put the search on back burner after my epic kimono fail.
Then whilst on holiday I chanced upon a cardi in M&S which had a hint of purple in its blue and I was 99.999% sure it was the same colour as the dress back home. So I pounced. You've already seen it a few times on the blog, because, well, I love it.
I checked the label of the cardi and it announced as "ultra violet". Well duh! It was only the Pantone colour of the Year! And of course the clever people at Madeleine would have chosen that colour for my dress. So yes, it's a match folks!
I'd been saving the dress for something special and now that I was all matchy-matchy it was queued up for a date night on Tuesday. The date night was deferred. Yes, that went technical on me too, to be explained in another post. I got to wear it finally on Friday night when TP took me out to dinner.
I kept the accessories simple, with just one silver leaf pendant and a silver bangle, and followed the theme through to the sandals, jewelled pewter sandals from M&S.
As we left the restaurant and strolled around the pretty coast, I slipped on the cardi to proudly show you its matchiness. It's like a suit!
And here you can see how fanatic I am about matchy-matchy - I arranged the sky to match too!
As you will note, the dress looked blue in my old post.
And here's the shot from the Madeline website.
A Top Tip
Madeleine clothes are beautifully made and stylish but usually way above my pay grade. When I flip though their glossy catalogues I imagine myself having the sort of clothes budget befitting of a lady spending her winters on the yacht down in Puerto Banus.
So normally the clothes are prohibitively expensive. But I have spotted deviation in their pricing - they create cute little beach dresses which are just within my range, so over the years I've bought a few pretty beach dresses from a brand that I love but can't normally afford. That's how I get my Madeleine fix! Sneaky eh?
And thus, dear reader, when you find a brand you love but your pennies don't stretch to actually purchasing any goodies, look at other parts of the range that may be more affordable.
And now it's your turn. Do you not rest until you find the perfect match for a dress, skirt, trousers?
Or are you a trendy non matchy matchy gal who finds the idea of my matchy cardi search a total waste of time?!
Please tell me about your views on matchiness or just pop in to have a chat !
Oh and don't forget, follow me or subscribe is good too.
Please tell me about your views on matchiness or just pop in to have a chat !
Oh and don't forget, follow me or subscribe is good too.
A la perchoine.
The colour was made for you Mary! It looks gorgeous on too. I haven't looked at the Madeline brand for a while but I'm popping over now to look at the beach wear. Great idea! xx
ReplyDeleteOh you are too sweet, Laurie! Yes, do check out the site, there's some beauts there. I get occasional styling ideas there too. Hugs, x.
DeletePOP goes the color!! WOWZER, this dress is so you Mary, sleek, classy and brilliant in hue and cut!! LOVE this whole look on you, bet photographer did too!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, baby! Thanks for all the flattering words, a great way to start a gal's day! Yup, just checked with TP and he likes the dress and is feeling smug that he got me to keep it. Hugs my pretty, x.
DeleteI love your dress, the color is beautiful and the simplicity of the design seems great.
ReplyDeleteAw thanks J-M, thanks for your kindness, it was a perfect dress for the lovely evening. Hugs, x.
DeleteHow stunning you look in that gorgeous beach dress my dear, and how clever to find that cardi! That colour suits you beautifully so why not go the whole hog with a suit? I would have gone with a mango or lemon shade myself, but that's cos I don't do a lot of matchy matchy.
ReplyDeleteHave a fab week!
Anna x
Thanks, my dear. You and I are polar opposites when it comes to colour eh!! And you know, if I get a few spare minutes this summer I'll try to style the dress with your colour pairing panache! Watch this space. Hugs my lovely, x.
DeleteI like a bit of matchy matchy. I wasn't happy until my lilac collection had been augmented with a bag and some shoes, as well as a coat I have only wore once (sigh) - so far - and 2 jumpers. It was a bit disappointing that the retailers didn't have more of the colour of the year. I like ultra violet but only saw it in John Lewis a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteOh you and I are so similar Gail! My little bird-brain head doesn't rest until I have a little suite of colour going on. You're right, the cardi was the first high street UV I found then the label made me realise why my dress had been so difficult to match ... the shops didn't have it! Have a super day, x.
DeleteI cannot believe we saved you from making such an epic mistake. That dress is so fabulous on you. I love it even without the completer piece! That is your color my friend, perfect for a date night with TP! And who knew you had the kind of connections to even make the sky match? Now, that is impressive!
ReplyDeletexo,
Kellyann
Thanks to you and all those insightful ladies, I now have a dress I love! Love "Completer Piece" too, must throw that into conversation. Yeah, glad you're impressed with my connections - I'm the reason we have lots of grey skies too, matchy-matchy all the way, baby! Have a amazeballs day, x.
DeleteMary, I adore this color on you!!! That dress is wonderful and the fact the design flaw in the kimono was that it had to be ironed, cracked me up! XOXO
ReplyDeleteAw thanks, Lisa. Sadly, the ironing story is for real, I've had things hanging in my wardrobe for years that eventually get thrown out "because otherwise I'll have to iron it". I do the scrunch test in shops but internet shopping is hit and miss, sadly. Have a wonderful day, x.
DeleteThanks for popping in, and thanks for your kind words. Warning, the clothes are pricey but brochures and site are a delightful experience! I'll check out your blog soon, I love discovering new ladies to read. Have a nice day, x.
ReplyDeleteMary, one question for you. What is this thing you can an "iron"?
ReplyDeleteKidding, kidding! i so agree though, I try to choose pieces you don't need to iron or there is minimal ironing involved. ( with the exception of linen, where I just learn to live with the creases)
This color is so fabulous on you. I love the dress and the silver accessories are the perfect touch- i wonder if the brand ships to US.
i also love how you buy beach dresses, very smart!
thanks for linking!
jess xx
www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
So funny, Jess! The thing of which I talk is best avoided. Yes, that's the thing I love with linen, I can just shrug my shoulders resignedly and say "It's linen, what can you do?!".
DeleteIt's a German brand so I'm sure they deliver to the US. Pricey though.
Thanks for popping in with your nice comments and thanks for hosting, hugs x.
The cut of your dress is so pretty and flattering, no wonder it was a keeper!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim, so sweet of you, I nearly returned it too!
DeleteHave a lovely week, x.
My mom is exactly like that to match things. I've been trying hard (and I mean really hard) to push her out of that box and experiment with some contrasting pieces.
ReplyDeleteFor example I think this dress would look fabulous with a pink jacket/cardigan or even grey. And prints would look nice with it too, in my opinion!!
I'm glad you kept it because it's so lovely on you!!
XOXO
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
Oh Jodie, you've got a fight on your hands with me and your mum - Matchy is hardwired into anyone over 60! I did finally wear the dress this weekend as it was intended ... on the beach and bare footed! Hugs to you and your lovely ladies, x.
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