“Spring is the time of plans and projects…”

DRESS: SheInside* | SHOES: Kmart Australia | JEWELLERY: Thrifted, gifted and China Red Bracelet* {available at Karrinyup Shopping Centre} | BAG: Gift | LIPSTICK: Maybelline Colour Sensational in Coral Crush | SUNGLASSES: Vintage

As Leo Tolstoy wrote in the literature classic Anna Karenina, Spring is the time of plans and projects. And that is the truth on my end right now. If you don’t follow me over on Instagram or Snapchat, you may not be aware that I am indeed an ambassador for the philanthropical fundraiser that is Frocktober 2016. Frocktober is all about raising much needed funds for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) whom do not receive government funding for research. The OCRF is Australia’s leading independent body dedicated to national ovarian cancer research. Their (and my) goal is to increase awareness of the need to raise vital research funds for the development of an early detection test that will save women’s lives.

Frocktober is all about having fun with fashion, and I love the lighthearted side of the project to raise funds for such a huge cause. The challenge is simple – don a frock for the 31 days of October, create a fundraising page and get all you know involved to get the dollars in for our ovaries! Can’t don a frock everyday? How about hosting a fundraiser (we are, more details coming soon)? All of the info on how to get involved can be found on the Frocktober website! 

So the blog will be a little fashion heavy over the month of Frocktober. I’ll be daily blogging (scary) my 31 outfits for the month, and I’ll also be sharing where my frocks are headed every day of October via Instagram Stories. I’ll share the donation link with you guys October 1.

Now onto today’s frock. I truly felt Spring in the air when I got dressed over the weekend. The sky was blue, the smell of freshly mowed grass was floating through the window and the birds were out. With a slight chill in the air I felt I needed something with a little length, but not too heavy. A shirt dress is the perfect in-between seasons dress, especially one with length like this beauty from SheInside (SheIn). The online store is a one stop for all the latest trends (and classic pieces) at very affordable prices.

I’ll be honest and say I don’t just own one shirt dress, my wardrobe is full of them! I love the versatility as they can be worn to work, dolled up for a night out or dressed down like I have today for a casual weekend brunch. What I love about the SheIn “Vertical Stripe Pocket Split Dress” are the top to toe buttons, creating options for the dress. I left a few buttons open at the bottom of the dress for movement, and the splits on the sides add another element. I recently wore this dress as a long shirt with jeans, and simply tied it up in a knot at the front, buttoning it to the collar. It’s a two in one! Plus if you’re a fan the dress is currently on sale for only $20!

When shopping with SheIn I went a size up from my regular size, as the international sizing is a little smaller than standard Australian sizing. Always check your measurements against the size guide when shopping online too – it’ll save the long winded returns process!

If you’re looking for more shirt dress inspo check out how some of my favourite Australian bloggers have styled their shirt dresses. Sonia at Sonia Styling has the shirt dress for work down here, Kiara at Lion In The Wild talks styling the “boyfriend shirt dress” here and Bron at Flat Bum Mum shares her tips for rocking a shirt dress here.

How do you wear your shirt dresses? Are you participating in Frocktober this year? Leave me a comment below so I can follow your journey.

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*SheIn dress kindly gifted as per my disclosure policy. All opinions are my own. China Red bracelet kindly gifted by Karrinyup Shopping Centre.