One Designer Dress, Two Different Holiday Looks

Self-Portrait Black and White Dress: Formal Styling

It was love at first sight when I saw this Self-Portrait black and white lace dress. The fitted bodice and flared skirt, the graphic floral embroidery, the perfect midi length and the pockets. Everything about it makes me happy.

Self-Portrait is currently my favourite label. The clothes are romantic and feminine, yet womanly. A lot of Self-Portrait dresses have a short lining which makes the skirts semi-sheer and removes any hint of twee. I have a navy full-length one that I wore to an awards ceremony and a red midi that I wore on Christmas Eve and for Poppy’s 18th birthday.  Like this black and white dress, both have the characteristic short lining; so they’re sensual rather than sweet. This was an investment, so I intend to wear it as much as possible. I wore it twice in Calpe. The first was for dinner at Abiss Restaurant, a Michelin Guide formal restaurant and part of the Sol Y Mar hotel where we stayed. (We had the 8-course menu degustacion which was incredible. The views are spectacular too. If ever you visit Calpe, you must eat there).

I wore it with the Jimmy Choos I saved to but about seven years ago.  I’ve worn them countless times, so consequently they needed a little TLC;  the buckles were loose and the heels were scuffed. So I had them “serviced.” (A quick online search gave plenty of companies that repair designer shoes and handbags. I used Shoe Spa in London). I’m delighted with the result; they look almost as good as new. I know I could’ve bought a nice pair of new shoes with what the repairs cost, (just over £100), but like the dress, I bought them love and wear for decades. I’ve never seen a pair of shoes that I love more, so it made more sense to have them renovated, than to buy a new pair.

The Perfect Pair

What’s the perfect eyewear to go with this Self-Portrait black and white lace dress? An elegant black cat-eye style with “lace” detail of course! Anything with a print or pattern would be too busy and would detract from the beauty of the dress, whereas these sunglasses compliment it They’re chic, lightweight and very comfortable to wear.

They’re by French company Morel, and are available in the UK via Zuma Eyewear. You will find Morel in select independent opticians. (Contact @zumaeyewear via Instagram and mention What Lizzy Loves).

Self-Portrait Black and White Dress: Casual Styling

The second outing was much more casual: I wore the dress for supper in a beach café. This time I wore it with flat sandals, minimal make-up, tousled hair and a cute little basket bag that Ian bought for me while we were there.

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