Thank God I’m a country girl … Ok, you got me, I’m not.
But if I am called upon to participate in some kind of themed dressing like I was over the weekend, I’m unlikely to head to a costume hire business.
No, I’ll look in my wardrobe.
So, I looked in my wardrobe and found a new addition winking back at me.
Get on down, Boom Shankar Betty denim dress* ($89), it’s your lucky day.
You’re going to a hoe down.
Now, when I first laid eyes on this particular dress in Boom Shankar’s autumn-winter 2012 lookbook, I thought, yes Betty could very much become a wardrobe bestie.
Let’s look at her on the model, shall we?
And now on me …
I’m wearing a size 14 but am usually a 16. It’s got a bit of volume (ie generous) so you can go down a size. It appears like there are only size 10 and 12 still available in Boom Shankar’s online store and Birdsnest has 8, 10 and 12. Contact Boom Shankar to see if any of its stockists around Australia might have it in a 14 or 16. UPDATE: Boom Shankar has just recieved a new shipment on Friday of sizes 8 through to 16
I wore this dress with the buttons buttoned right down. It just gives me a better neckline and enables a bit of layering underneath. I’ve used just a simple, white stretch tank. I also took the tie off because “waisting” anything on me best happens just under the girls. And the shape of this dress does that beautifully.
My nod to country-fying the dress for the party was a pair tan flat Country Road riding boots which I bought two – possibly three – winters ago. Whenever it was, they’ve had a good workout every winter since. Boots are an investment, as I tell Mr Styling You. Actually I tell Mr Styling You that about all my shoe and boot purchases 
Oh, and I did a small plait in my hair. That’s country enough, isn’t it?
Not so country but something I couldn’t leave home without was my Uberkate (Smash earrings and Uber Living Circles) and a liberal splash of orange. I’m very much in love with the scarf, which is from Bella Lido’s current collection.
Now, to be honest I wouldn’t need a barnyard-themed party to get me wearing Betty again … I’d wear this outfit, minus the plait, on any given day for a casual autumn alternative to jeans. When it cools down, I’ll add tights and a jacket or coat.
That’s the versatility of a denim dress. Right there.
Do you have a denim shirt dress in your wardrobe? Is this something that could work for your lifestyle and wardrobe personality?
Boom Shankar is a Queensland-based label and its designer Dui Cameron’s signature look is a unique blend of boho, ethic, retro and modern twists. Boom Dui has always supported a number of aid projects in India. You can read more here.
* I was gifted the Betty dress in accordance with my disclosure policy.
