36 In Style

The Eyes Have It sequin dress

LisaEyesDress1

This evil eye dress by Australian brand Discount Universe is one of my new favourite purchases.  I can tell you, I feel much more at home in this than in the jeans and a white shirt from my previous post!  With every wear, this dress teaches me a little lesson about something I call PPW, or ‘Pleasure Per Wear.’  We all know about evaluating our clothing purchases on a CPW or ‘Cost Per Wear’ basis which is all very prudent and sensible, but what about pleasure?  Isn’t the whole point of wearing clothes to preserve our modesty (giving side eye to the Kardashians) and to bring us pleasure?  It certainly gives me pleasure to express myself and  wear something that I enjoy almost to the point of glee.

evil eye dress sequin

Here’s the story behind the dress.  Once upon a time (last January to be precise) my friend Mithra of The Bubble Joy, one of my favourite blogs, wrote a post about a conference she attended where the keynote speaker wore this dress.  I knew from the moment I laid eyes on it (ha ha, sorry, the dress is a walking pun) that I HAD to have it.  I contacted Discount Universe, who cheerily informed me, ‘No sorry, this dress is *discontinued now.  We’d have to do a special production run for you after our current season, so it might cost more.’  I coolly replied (ok excitedly, not coolly at all) ‘FINE! JUST MAKE ME THAT DRESS!’  A full six months later, the dress arrived in the post.  I opened the package, slipped on the dress, realised it was too big, and have been wearing it anyway because I love it.  I may make a few alterations to it, but for now, I’m simply enjoying the hell out of it.  In winter, I plan on wearing it over a high-necked sheath dress with tights, a long blazer, and boots.  I’ve worn it with some block-heeled Mary Janes to run around town and to attend a Vogue event.  Here I wore it over a slip dress with my trusty glittery heels and a faux-snakeskin clutch… but to be honest the the lower block heel works better with it than these do.

sequin evil eye discount universe

If I’m wearing my stylist hat, here’s what is technically ‘wrong’ with the dress:  The sleeves are not a flattering shape or length on me, so I’ll probably have them removed or altered eventually.  The dress length is also a few inches too long for me, but I can live with that.  The non-structured loose shape also isn’t my most flattering, but I can have it taken in a little.  Whatever.  Je ne care pas.  As you know, I am a huge proponent of ignoring and flouting rules where style is concerned.  I adore the dress.  It has sparkly sequins.  It is unique.  I can wear it nearly year round.   Most importantly, I take pleasure in the jolly mood it puts me in.  Also, I love clothes that don’t have an identifiable ‘moment’ in fashion, like culottes or off the shoulder tops.  I can wear this five years from now and it won’t look dated (Bonkers, maybe. Dated, no).

The Pleasure Per Wear is very strong in this one.  So despite all the reasons to say No to the dress, the Eyes have it.  Have you got a feel-good item of clothing that should be a No but is a great big Yes?

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sequins dress cropped

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London always provides such a feast for the eyes; this mews in Notting Hill seemed like the perfect monochrome backdrop for this dress.  I love the London landmarks featured in the mural, especially One Canada Square (the building on the right with the pointy top) where I can almost see the exact window where I used to work in my finance days!

*Edited to add – the dress is now back in stock on the Discount Universe website! Thank you to reader Lisa for seeing it was available again.

 

Linking up to: honest mum, eleganceandmommyhood, highlatitudestyle, fashionshouldbefun, notdeadyetstyle, style nudge, notdressedaslamb

 

 

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36 Comments

  • Reply
    One Messy Mama
    July 28, 2016 at 1:24 AM

    A very bold look! Good job on pulling it off. Love the London Scenery too! #brillblogposts

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 28, 2016 at 1:26 AM

      Thanks so much! xx

  • Reply
    Ada
    July 28, 2016 at 3:15 PM

    What a fun and unique sequined dress Lisa. Never seen (no pun intended) anything like it. Despite having bold eyes, it is eclectic and still very classy and yiu wear it so well.

    Welcome by and linkup with me on a new Thursday Moda today. I miss having you linkup with me. =) Thanks and have a great day and weekend!

    http://eleganceandmommyhood.blogspot.com/2016/07/thursday-moda-22-and-throwback-thursday.html

    Ada. =)

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 28, 2016 at 4:52 PM

      Thanks so much, Ada! xx

  • Reply
    No Fear of Fashion
    July 28, 2016 at 6:26 PM

    You are so right that this dress is unique and timeless. I agree that such a dress brings nothing but joy. Even though you break rules etc, I think you might even enjoy it even more if you have the slight alterations made. Taking the sleeves off… Hmm don’t know. Perhaps taken in?
    Beautiful dress. Great photos. Beautiful backgound.
    Greetje

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 28, 2016 at 7:06 PM

      Thank you so much, Greetje. I’ll see what my alterations person can do on the sleeves. I hate to lose an eye or two (!!!) on the sleeves, so we’ll see what can be done. xx

  • Reply
    Michelle
    July 28, 2016 at 6:28 PM

    PPW – I love that Lisa! Can I steal it? This dress is so you I totally get where you’re coming from. Although it currently isn’t the perfect cut, it soon will be yet it’ll retain the magic & continue to pleasure you forever & a day 😉
    Btw I adore these shoes with it, curious to see the block heels that you say are better.
    xxx

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 28, 2016 at 7:04 PM

      You are free to steal PPW, Michelle! Thanks so much; I’ll work a little alterations magic on it and will love it even more. The block heels are lower and little less try hard, I think, but for evening these heels are a good choice. xx

  • Reply
    Yvadney @ Style After Nine
    July 28, 2016 at 9:00 PM

    I absolutely love this dress and you have totally slayed it! Stunning, keep on enjoying it (i’d even rock it with a pair of sneakers) and brilliant photography too! Yvadney x Style After Nine #MumsThatSlay

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 28, 2016 at 9:53 PM

      Thank you so much, Yvadney! That’s so kind of you to say. You’re SO right about the sneakers. xx

  • Reply
    nicole
    July 29, 2016 at 5:33 AM

    Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. Cool dress

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 29, 2016 at 1:40 PM

      Thank you, Nicole! xx

  • Reply
    Mithra Ballesteros
    July 29, 2016 at 5:45 AM

    Stunning! As eye-opening as Cleopatra on her barge! Giving new meaning to the phrase “see and be seen”. If you do shorten it a little, it would be fun over leggings, oui? Oh, and a big hearty thank you for the shout out as well.

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 29, 2016 at 1:40 PM

      Thanks so much Mithra! I so enjoy your blog; it is the Friday treat I look forward to every week. xx

  • Reply
    Anna Marcus
    July 29, 2016 at 7:31 AM

    Even without any alterations this dress is gorgeous. Love the eyes
    https://lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com.au/

    • Reply
      Lisa
      July 29, 2016 at 1:39 PM

      Thanks so much, Anna! xx

  • Reply
    pao
    July 31, 2016 at 10:42 PM

    I love that dress too! Don’t do a thing with it. It looks perfect on you as is. Fitted clothes are way over-rated. Something as eye-catching as that needs to feel free enough to express it self.

    • Reply
      Lisa
      August 1, 2016 at 3:00 AM

      Thanks so much, Pao! I’m so pleased you like it. xx

  • Reply
    Little Red
    July 31, 2016 at 10:57 PM

    It’s rather hypnotic. I can’t stop looking at it.

    • Reply
      Lisa
      August 1, 2016 at 2:59 AM

      Haha, me too Little Red! xx

  • Reply
    Patti
    July 31, 2016 at 11:24 PM

    I love the Pleasure per Wear index! And this dress is just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing, xo
    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      August 1, 2016 at 2:58 AM

      Glad you like! Thanks so much, Patti! xx

  • Reply
    Lisa
    August 1, 2016 at 6:32 PM

    The dress is still for sale on the website.

    • Reply
      Lisa
      August 2, 2016 at 1:55 AM

      Wow! So it is! That’s new. Thanks for the heads up, Lisa! xx

  • Reply
    Lilith
    August 2, 2016 at 7:55 AM

    The outfit is very fashion, and i can buy one for my mom

    • Reply
      Lisa
      August 2, 2016 at 9:39 PM

      Thanks Lilith!

  • Reply
    Emma Peach
    August 3, 2016 at 4:47 PM

    I absolutely adore the dress Lisa! You look amazing in it! I clicked through to Discount Universe and I think I may be hooked on all the sequinned glittery loveliness!

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

    • Reply
      Lisa
      August 4, 2016 at 1:08 AM

      Thanks so much, Emma! Go buy some sequinned goodness! xx

  • Reply
    jess jannenga
    August 5, 2016 at 2:51 AM

    I’m finally catching up on some blogs after the 2 week vacation, whew! Lisa, this dress is so cool edgy, perfect on you. “Eye” can “see” why you love it! All of the sequins, the black with light blue and just the fact that you can stare at someone without them really knowing it! ha! Gorgeous shoes as well, and the blue tint of you sunnies are a perfect match! Loved the story of buying the dress.
    Enjoy the weekend!
    jess xx
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      August 5, 2016 at 9:41 PM

      Thank you so much, Jess. I’m glad you like it as much as I do! 😀 xx

  • Reply
    Catherine, Not Dressed As Lamb
    August 8, 2016 at 6:31 PM

    HYPERVENTILATING OVER HERE…!!!!!!!!!! 😉 Having seen it IRL when you first got it, I can now say it looks even better on, Lisa – that dress was made for wearing!! Even if you didn’t get it altered it looks pretty darn incredible, and I think it’d be a shame to lose any part of the eyes… But oh my what a dress. Dress of the year, I’d say 🙂

    THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT WITH THE WORLD (yes, shouting was necessary)!

    Catherine x

    • Reply
      Lisa
      August 17, 2016 at 8:54 PM

      Oh, thank you so much, Catherine! LOL! I do remember racing downstairs to show it to you when I got it. I’ll try it with a few winter looks and see if I want to alter it or not. I agree, it is a pity to lose the eyes on the sleeves. xx

  • Reply
    1010ParkPlace
    November 2, 2016 at 1:43 AM

    Bonkers maybe. Dated no…. Pleasure per wear. We’re kindred spirits when it comes to both of these and sequins as well. What is it about these flat little shiny discs that makes us go bonkers for them? Brenda

    • Reply
      Lisa
      November 2, 2016 at 9:19 AM

      I’m so glad you like it, Brenda! Sequins make nearly everything better, so I’m sure that is why we are drawn to them 🙂 xx

  • Reply
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