Conjuring up an image of me wearing wellies and rolling around in mud is hardly brand appropriate. After all, when people comment on your ‘Princess dress style’ chances are the only backdrop that they are imagining you in is a castle of some sort. And while I certainly don’t live up to expectations- unless you like princesses that swear a lot and are socially awkward then be my guest haha- and live in a house share as opposed to a castle, I do tend to be a little extra when it comes to ‘dressing up’.
Maybe it’s because I never really got to dress up as a kid or that I found fashion at a relatively late age, but dresses, even at summer music festivals has always been part of my ‘wardrobe protocol’. And while it would be amusing to see me turn up in some convoluted ballgown, while everyone else is getting down and dirty in their Daisy Dukes , its safe to say, I would be far too scared to join in the antics and have a jolly good time. But here’s the thing, I think you know by now that i’m a little more on the overdressed side and whether that be me turning up to dinner in a beautiful midi dress or walking into a newsagent looking like an extra from The Great Gatsby, me and ‘casual’ are not what I would call friends. Even in my own personal love life, I have never been a fan of casual dating, so it should come as no surprise that my wardrobe is seriously lacking in the ‘casual clothing department’.
Floral Applique Tropical Print Dress From The Debenhams Casual Dress Range
Shop The Floral White Dress Look Below
So we have already established that me and casual are not friends. If anything we are strangers on the tube, looking each other up and down with disdain. Even when I have moved my sorry ass off the bed and wrangled my way into a super cool festival, chances are i’m still dressed up to the nines. In fact I think the most casual ‘festival’ look I wore was a choker body suit, a 60’s mini skirt and a pair of embroidered boots. Oh and did I forget to mention all the much needed accessories like a floppy hat, sunglasses, matching bag… you get my drift.
Thus naturally when Debenhams got in touch with me to pick dresses from their ‘casual dress’ range to wear to V Festival (headlined by Pink), I was both excited but also flummoxed. I pictured kaftans and ponchos, which made me shudder just thinking about it. Luckily the selection was anything but ‘casual’ and surprisingly there was not an eye sore to be found. From floral tea dresses which transported me back into the 50’s to striped midi dresses that would be perfect for beach resort wear, it seems like Debenhams had got the memo and ordered me a nice slice of what I like to call ‘extra-fied fashion’. Clearly they knew I was coming because there were three dresses just begging me to be chosen. And who can resist the call of glorious dresses, especially when you had extra wardrobes delivered to keep up with your shopping obsession?
Floral Mesh Bodycon Dress From Quiz At Debenhams
But here’s the thing; I realize that the title proclaims that I was ‘learning how to be casual’, but as the dresses below will show, they are anything but casual. So instead of saying ‘learning’ to be casual I probably should have renamed it as ‘Faded Spring’s Failed Attempt At Being Casual’ but that’s not as catchy and besides, who doesn’t love to dress up once in a while? Or you know everyday like me… But as usual I am rambling-shut up Ana- as a bona fide music festival fan, who has been to Glastonbury, Wireless, Download, House Festival, among others, V Festival was one key festival that I hadn’t ticked off my bucket list and as soon as I heard that my girl Anne Marie was performing,among Craig David, Sean Paul and Pink, I knew that I had to accept Debenhams invitation with false modesty.
Oh i’m one of your chosen bloggers? Oh what an absolute pleasure and surprise, I never saw this coming! Actually truth be told I jest but I actually was chosen after someone had dropped out, so thank you to whoever decided to pass up on an amazing opportunity to attend – with VIP tickets can I just add- because you missed out on a cracking music festival. You’re probably wondering whether I’m a little salty about being chosen as their ‘back up choice’- after all noone likes being the side chick- but truthfully it didn’t phase me and I was just happy that they wanted to work with little old me.
The dresses had been chosen and I was all decked out to the nines, looking like I had just escaped from a flower convention. The only question was which of the three dresses would encapsulate the ‘V Festival Spirit’ the most and while the striped tea dress and embroidered mesh bodycon was aesthetically pleasing, it was the Matthew Williamson floral embroidered tropical print dress, paired with a flower crown and matching accessories that won the battle to be chosen. Naturally the dresses were delighted and waited in my wardrobe, like a triplet of over excited school kids. But my stomach was in knots, as someone who has high levels of anxiety, I was worried about going to an all day ‘blogger event’ when I had been to events before and been excluded for no apparent reason.
Shop The Floral Bodycon Look Below
Casual Beach Midi Dress From Red Herring At Debenhams
Shop The Beach Midi Dress Look Below
From previous posts you know I can’t stand people that are fake, because I’d rather you be straight up and honest about not liking me than pretending to be my friend and then being a totally different person after. So imagine my delight, however when I found that my beautiful fellow veggie gal pal Mal was attending, alongside another blogger pal Hadas, who I had only spoken to online but was looking forward to meeting. And we had a wonderful day; from drinking mini bottles of rose wine, to dancing to Sean Paul’s ‘She Doesn’t mind’, its safe to say that we partied so hard that the beat didn’t even need to drop. Plus, check out my ladies blogs for their fabulous take on casual wear, including Mal’s very own HANDMADE flower crown and chain bag. Damn that gurl is talented! And how cute does Hadas look in her gingham checks? Oh and shout out to the beautiful Luna, who indulged me in my less than flawless dance moves. And what a lovely blogger she was too!
Stay Tuned Next Week For My Review Of The V-Festival Experience…
Are You More Of A Casual Or Dressed Up Type Gal/Boy? What Would You Wear To A Festival ?
*Disclaimer
Please note I was given gift cards to spend on Casual dresses of my choice alongside VIP V Festival tickets. This does not affect my post and all thoughts are my own.
Beautiful dress selection, casual but still within your usual style
I used to dress up for every occasion and I loved it, and I miss it as well. I think that I got lazy lately so casual became my best friend 🙂 I love these dresses, especially the floral one.
I ALWAYS worry about the dress code! Smart/casual is the most stressful phrase ever for me as I worry about being too smart or too casual! I think you nailed it with all of these looks, the floral dress is beautiful! I have recently fallen back in love with quiz!
When I was in my late 20s a friend and I went to every music festival we possibly could. Those were such fun day. I tell you what, there were lots of girls wearing pretty flowery dresses. See Ana, maybe we can entice you to the U.S. after all! (ps: My favorite look (above) is the white floral) x
I’m always more dressed up than causal so I’d find dressing for a festival difficult. I love the red herring dress you have on
If you are the queen of overdress, I am the queen of underdress!
The blue and white stripe dress look the most casual. But casual or not the other two are awesome outfits to wear at any festival and anywhere! Ahh I wish you could have included some photos from the festival! But what matters was that you had fun…and looked fearless as always!
Haha! I know but unfortunately the photos from the festival are not up to my high standards as they were taken on my phone. Plus street art looks much cooler anyway LOL. Thank you for your kind words though x
I prefer to go casual to festivals, like I did with Notting Hill Carnival recently. Comfort first!
I always adore your writing. You sell a story through your blog, it’s incredible!
I’m always proud to know you #risingstar
Love all the looks! You look great with the floral crown x
https://vanessaventuri.com
I really love that striped Beach dress. Off to check out Debenhams now as it would be perfect for my holiday!
Beautiful selection of dresses I’m definitely more of a casual dresser but do like to dress up and wear heels for time to time.
Great pictures as always and your outfits were pretty nice as well….
Such pretty looks!
I have to admit I wouldn’t know where to start with festival fashion, I think though perhaps for everyone it is a little bit different.
I love to dress up every chance I get! I wish festival culture had evolved toward this instead of the grunge aesthetic. These are some great picks.
I do love dresses especially the ones with print, however I hate wearing dresses when ts cold so restrict dresses to summer time only. Your dress sense is very iconic and really suits you.
I think these outfits are really lovely and suit you well. And if these are termed ‘casual’ then you really do lend yourself very well to them. My personal favorite would be the Floral Applique Tropical Print Dress From The Debenhams Casual Dress Range – it just looks so bright and cheerful while being quite elegant.
You look great in all of them, but I love the tropical print dress and the stripe dress is casual but cool and chic :)x
Hey even with being the backup choice, it’s good you took it in stride. You looked amazing– how was Pink? I am loving her more and more by the day.
I really like your dress choices, Ana. You always look good no matter what outfit you are in. I wish my body would look nice in clothes like that. Haha. Seriously though, the blue striped off shoulder dress was the most casual in my opinion. But if I would want to make a statement, I’d choose the one with the floral applique (the first photo). I am a casual dresser – jeans, tee or blouse, flats and I accessorize with bangles and bracelets. I like comfortable clothes, like the ones that don’t restrict movement. 🙂
I prefer dresses too! Your striped midi dress is so pretty and look fresh.
i love dresses and it shows that you can dress casual for a festival!
I love wearing casual dresses too! You also had an eye for good dresses. My favorite here is the Casual Beach Midi Dress From Red Herring, looks very comfortable to wear.
I love how fabulous you look in all of these looks Ana, everything seems to look great on you! I hope you had the best time and always dress so well I am jealous 🙂
Enjoy V festival! We do a lot of festivals and went to one today in wellies and denim but love the dresses you’ve picked. Especially the embroidered one with the flower crown x My mummy’s stomach gets in knots too at Bloggers events x
Okay, I guess I’m absolute opposite, I can never pull myself for dressing up, no matter how much I like it; I guess I’m just wired lazy. 😀 But casuals like these I’d love to have any day, especially that Beach Midi Dress. As always you look gorgeous in all the dresses and photographs, love reading your posts and I always look forward to reading them.
I like the midi dress that you wore here because I’m a fan of anything off-shoulder. I also love the bodycon dress with the matching flower headband. Both dresses are comfortable to wear and they look gorgeous on you.
The striped blue and white dress is the most casual thing I’ve seen you wear, yet it’s still so put together. I love your style no matter what you wear, truly. I think I tend to dress for the occasion, as it can be a bit of an “actors wardrobe” type fantasy! I also tend to think that I’m a down to earth girl, but I just can’t bear the thought of a muddy festival. Maybe if VIP is sitting room in a nice area away from all the mud and ruckus I would be hitting up festivals left and right! 😉
These options are gorgeous! I love the first two floral dresses, I’d wear them at a festival too!
I love off-shoulder dresses and I think about 98% of the time I am wearing dresses. I feel so comfortable in them and it is easy for me to accessorize with them. There was a time when I only wore pants, but that ship has sailed.
I had to chuckle at this, Ana, as even when you’re doing ‘casual’ you look far more put together than most people I know 🙂
Louise x
That striped dress is so cute and tbh that’s generally as casual as I get in Summer! I love the off the shoulder ruffles on that dress too! Debenhams always had great clothing, I bought so much from there!
Whatever you wear, you always look stunning! I could see you turning up at a festival with any of your beautiful outfits and some lovely waterproof boots! I definitely can’t picture you in ripped jeans, a baggy top and a pair of Converse 🙂
The outfits you have created look so beautiful – I especially love the beach mini dress form red herring looks lovely X
Hi lovely, thank you soo sooo much for all the kindness in this post! I’m sorry for being such a tit and not checking it out sooner, I know you understand the situation though! The festival was a great adventure and I was oh so happy indeed to have you by my side! Xx
I love the red herring dress This outfits you have created look so beautiful..
The tropical print dress looks absolutely gorgeous on you. I love the sleeves!
Ami xxx
I tend to be a casual type of girl at the moment. I love the stripey casual beach midi dress that looks great and my sort of dress.