44 In Style

Heat Wave Dressing in the City

blue pucci summer dress

We’ve had another heat wave in London this week, which is sartorial hell for me.  Trousers are out of the question.  Even SLEEVES are out of the question!  A dress is the coolest option… But, the dress has to be something I can sweat on and wash, not some delicate wafty silk number that I have to be precious about.  Cotton is compulsory. Here’s my other non-negotiable; I only wear dresses that don’t show bra straps.  I know I sound like an old lady, but I hate seeing bra straps sticking out.  Did Grace Kelly wear dresses with bra straps showing?  No.  If I am ever in a sartorial quandary, I think ‘WWGKD?’ (What Would Grace Kelly Do?).  If she would do it, I’m in.  If it would have given Grace pause, then perhaps it should give me pause as well. And I know she wouldn’t have worn a dress with bra straps sticking out.

My go-to, sweaty-weather, no-bra-showing dress is this cotton jersey blue and purple Pucci maxi dress  from several years ago.  The last Pucci dress I wore on the blog got mixed reviews on Instagram, and this one probably will too. I figured out why when I looked through the photos of this dress. In person it is very flattering on. The movement is good, and it clings just a little, but not too much. It is an easy dress; the waist is loose which is welcome on a hot day!  But because of the graphic print, from some angles it looks ok in a photo, and from others it doesn’t.  So I do kind of get why some people think Pucci is ‘unflattering’ on me.  You know what though?  I’m actually too sweaty and hot to care AT ALL.  I just want to get through the week until heatwave number 2, summer 2017 breaks.

Pucci-Dress-and-Whippet

Pucci, Pippa, and sunlight

On this particular swelteringly hot humid day in London, I took Pippa (my Whippet) to Chiswick House in search of some shade by the water.  Just have a look at this verdant scene on the grounds below.  One of the many reasons I adore London is that despite being urban, you can really feel like you’re in the middle of the countryside sometimes.  It makes up for the fact that nowhere has proper air-conditioning!

Summer at Chiswick House

Blue Summer Dress by Bridge

Blue Pucci dress and aviators

Purple Pucci Dress back

blue-pucci-dress-chiswick-house

I’ve found a handful of heatwave-appropriate dresses that meet my criteria–  cotton, comfortable, and don’t show bra straps.  Admittedly two of them I’d have to wear a strapless bra with, but still.  I even shopped my own post and bought the Rainbow Ikat dress from ASOS, and I’m wearing it right this minute!  🙂

 

Next week I’ll be posting from the Austrian Alps, so I’ll escape the city heat for a bit.  Being in a very rustic environment has its own sartorial challenges, but I’ll take those over sweat any day!  Have a lovely week, all xx

 

linking to: notdeadyetstyle, notdressedaslamb, stylesplash,

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44 Comments

  • Reply
    Mithra Ballesteros
    July 9, 2017 at 4:15 PM

    It’s a psychedelic curve fest on your blog today! You look fab. And your observations are as sharp and wicked as always. Keep the great content coming, Lisa. It’s why I never bore of your posts. (In fact, I need to study that ability of yours.)

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 9, 2017 at 8:31 PM

      It is a bit psychedelic with the Pucci print, isn’t it?! Thank you so much, Mithra. It always makes my heart soar to get a compliment on my content from one of my favourite blogs on the whole internet. Thank you again. xx

  • Reply
    RetroChicMama
    July 9, 2017 at 4:34 PM

    I am utterly bewildered hearing that some people disliked your previous Pucci dress. I get that Pucci is not to everyones taste but that it doesn’t suit you is utter nonsense! I loved it & I love this one too. What’s more I completely agree about the need for cool maxi dresses in the heat. Actually I haven’t bought a new one in quite a few years so I may just shop your post too 😉 Thanks for the gawjus selection hot Mama xx

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 9, 2017 at 8:28 PM

      I know, I’m full on Team Pucci, whether it is a crowd-pleaser or not. I love a maxi dress especially… perfect for hiding my white legs when I’m too hot and lazy to do the self-tanner thing. Thank you, my lovely xx

  • Reply
    simplementlui
    July 9, 2017 at 6:34 PM

    Great dress and pictures!

    https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2017/07/06/summer-queens/

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 9, 2017 at 8:25 PM

      Thank you! xx

  • Reply
    No Fear of Fashion
    July 9, 2017 at 7:09 PM

    I like you in Pucci. And I can imagine it is a lovely dress in hot weather. Didn’t know you had Pippa. I thought Riley was your only dog.
    You look like a lady and you look like a hot chick. Very difficult to pull both off.
    And I agree on the bra straps. Totally.
    Greetje

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 9, 2017 at 8:24 PM

      Pippa is the only dog now; Riley has made himself right at home at Catherine’s! And Haha, thank you for your compliment on being a lady and a hot chick; I can’t imagine a better compliment than THAT. xx

  • Reply
    Nancy
    July 9, 2017 at 7:26 PM

    Looks like a fantastic dress for a heat wave! I actually like Pucci??

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 9, 2017 at 8:22 PM

      Thanks Nancy! So do I! 🙂 xx

  • Reply
    LA CONTESSA
    July 9, 2017 at 8:53 PM

    PUCCI and YOU are ROCKING THE HEAT……..and that BLUE DO~DA on your FINGER STANDS OUT BIG TIME!!!!!!XX

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 9, 2017 at 9:04 PM

      Haha! Thank you, Elizabeth! My magpie friend, of COURSE you would notice the do-da on my finger 🙂 xx

  • Reply
    melissa
    July 9, 2017 at 10:11 PM

    Thank you for WWGKD. If there were a bracelet I wonder what it would look like? You are wearing Pucci, looking stunning- you have a dog named Pippa and next week you’ll be in the alps. Pretty much winning at life, I’d say. 🙂 Looking forward to the next post.
    ~Melissa
    https://freshairandfalselashes.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 10, 2017 at 9:47 PM

      Hahaha, I wonder what the bracelet would look like… Something in platinum?

      Next post will be from the Alps, so maybe we’ll be at the same altitude?! xx

  • Reply
    Abby@Midlifecrisisnut
    July 9, 2017 at 10:38 PM

    Looking absolutely gorgeous in your Pucci dress! Now that’s a chic way to beat the heat! Lots of love! xx Abby

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 10, 2017 at 9:42 PM

      Thank you so much, beautiful friend! I believe you’ve been having heat too? xx

  • Reply
    notdressedaslamb
    July 9, 2017 at 11:49 PM

    Oh now THAT’S a statement of a dress, Lisa – Pucci all the way, it’s amazing on you!!!!!!!! I’m with you on the thick straps on a dress to avoid bra straps showing, and I too always think WWGKW – all the time, lol!!

    Lovely seeing Pippa, I’ll show the pictures of her to Riley, if he ever wakes up 😉

    Catherine x
    http://notdressedaslamb.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 10, 2017 at 9:41 PM

      It is a statement, isn’t it? And it is so old, but I wear it every year, and still love it. Perfect on holidays too. Licks to Riley from Pippa! xx

  • Reply
    Little Red
    July 10, 2017 at 2:00 AM

    Pucci rocks and this one rocks hard!!! You look awesome in it. It’s hot weather clothing for a grown up. Too bad, you couldn’t be here in DC this weekend. Today’s weather is perfection.

    I totally agree about “WWGKD?” She’s definitely a role model for me even though physically she and I are completely different.

    And I think that ring needs it own close up!

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 10, 2017 at 9:35 PM

      Thank you so much, Little Red! I’d be happy anywhere cooler! I’m even sleeping in a chair in my son’s room because his room is the only one with air conditioning.

      Grace Kelly is the ideal, isn’t she? I adore that style.

      The ring is amazing; I’ll have it in the shop as soon as I can get some stock of it. It is one of my favourites. xx

  • Reply
    josep-maria
    July 10, 2017 at 7:13 AM

    What a wonderful dress! I love the stamping and as the kelin blue highlights on it. I love the design of the dress, the length and simplicity of the pattern, which fits your body beautifully. A beautiful outfit with clutch and sandals. A fantastic proposal, some very nice photos, and you modeling beautifully.

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 10, 2017 at 9:32 PM

      Thank you so much, Josep-Maria. You’re always so kind and observant. xx

  • Reply
    Suzy Turner
    July 10, 2017 at 10:57 AM

    I’m with Michelle on this one… you do look like a hot mama, Lisa! That dress is absolutely divine (as was the previous Pucci dress you wore). Anyone that says it’s unflattering on you clearly cannot see properly. It’s merely the print (and a fab print it is) which is part of the fun! Oh and I LOVE your beautiful pooch too. I’m very envious of you living in London and flying off to the Austrian Alps where it’s cool! Mind you, it’s very warm here in the Algarve at the minute but I’m curled up on the sofa with a hot water bottle due to damn period pains!!!!!
    Have a wonderful week, you gorgeous gal.
    Suzy xxx
    http://www.suzyturner.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 10, 2017 at 9:30 PM

      Awww, thank you SO much, Suzy. I feel hot, but hot as in sweaty, not hot as in minxy! I love Pucci too, but I can see that it doesn’t always photograph well. I adore Pucci prints, and they never ever date. Isn’t my pooch a beauty? She’s such a lovely girl.

      Sorry for those period pains; I don’t get those, but I feel for you! Lots of love to you. xx

      • Reply
        Suzy Turner
        July 10, 2017 at 9:32 PM

        Thanks Lisa! Much love right back at ya <3

  • Reply
    aconfederacyoflunches
    July 10, 2017 at 11:15 AM

    Great post! You look spectacular despite the heat. Blue is a great color on you! Grace Kelly would approve! ?

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 10, 2017 at 9:18 PM

      Thank you so much, lovely friend. Like you, I can’t wait until Autumn. The heat is killing me. xx

  • Reply
    Renia Jaz
    July 10, 2017 at 10:42 PM

    Lisa, you look stunning! Love this dress on you…so pretty!
    Beautiful photos! 🙂
    Kisses

    http://venswifestyle.wordpress.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 19, 2017 at 9:20 PM

      Thank you so much, Renia! xx

  • Reply
    Lisa
    July 10, 2017 at 11:33 PM

    Lisa,
    This dress is too cool! I like the contemporary pattern and this is definitely your color dear! You don’t look like the heat is killing you, but you do look like a HOT Momma in this dress!
    You are slaying the dress!

    XO

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 19, 2017 at 9:19 PM

      Thank you so much, my lovely friend. I’m so pleased you like this! xx

  • Reply
    Patti
    July 11, 2017 at 12:21 AM

    Gorgeous blue dress! thanks for linking up, xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 19, 2017 at 9:18 PM

      Thanks Patti! xx

  • Reply
    jacqui
    July 11, 2017 at 4:04 PM

    The colour of your dress is lovely, cooling just to look at! Maxi dresses are at their best when there’s a heatwave. Wearing mine as we ‘speak’. x Jacqui
    http://www.mummabstylish.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 19, 2017 at 9:16 PM

      Thank you, Miss Jacqui! Maxi dresses are the best in summer, for sure. xx

  • Reply
    thestylesplash
    July 12, 2017 at 6:13 PM

    Pucci definitely does suit you! You look fantastic, and not at all hot and sweaty. I agree with Little Red – we need a close up of that ring! Hope you have a wonderful holiday, thanks for linking up!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 19, 2017 at 9:15 PM

      Thank you, lovely Emma. I’ll put a close up shot of the ring on Insta soon. It is one of my current favourites (oh, who am I kidding, if it is sparkly, it is a firm favourite!). xx

  • Reply
    Michelle - The Barefaced Chic
    July 16, 2017 at 3:54 PM

    Utterly at a loss at to why some people would think Pucci does not suit you – you were made for it! And thank you for introducing me to WWGKD, love it!
    Michelle xx
    http://www.thebarefacedchic.co.uk

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 19, 2017 at 9:11 PM

      Haha, glad you like WWGKD babe! Thank you for appreciating the Pucci 🙂 xx

  • Reply
    Emerald
    July 16, 2017 at 8:53 PM

    Love that frock!! I’d love in in green. So true about London – on my cycle ride back from work in Glasgow there are parts I go through where you feel you’re outside the city.

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 19, 2017 at 9:08 PM

      Thank you, Emerald! I’m so grateful for the many wild places still available in London (and the foxes that come with them!). xx

  • Reply
    mikialamode.com
    July 19, 2017 at 1:57 AM

    I love this dress on you. Emilio Pucci has such standout prints. You can always tell when it’s Pucci. Love this color on you. I feel you on the sweatiness… dying here in Florida. It’s around 33 – 36 deg right now and then humidity on top of that. Cotton dresses are nice. I like anything with an open back and flows away from my body so that when the wind catches I feel the breeze. When it’s 34 in Toronto it doesn’t feel anything like this. August goes into 40s. FML. I’m doing photoshoots in the pool. lol

    ❤️

    Xo,
    Miki
    http://mikialamode.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 19, 2017 at 8:24 PM

      Miki, I don’t even see HOW you cope with Florida! At least you have lots and lots of air conditioning to escape to there… unlike here!

      Thank you so much, sweetie. I love me some Pucci too. xx

  • Reply
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