Saturday, November 12, 2016

Walking in a Winter Wonderland (Nicole)

News flash: I'm slightly Bernie Dexter-obsessed. (Well, this isn't so much a news flash as it is a confirmation of something that's probably pretty obvious from my love affair with the Kelly dress, the Chelsea cut, and this red gingham number.) I've had my eye on the Winter Wonderland print for ages, and had already decided that this was the year I'd finally nab it when Bernie released the Winter Wonderland Nicole dress. The timing couldn't have been more perfect: here in Chicago, the cooler weather seems to have finally settled in for the long haul, and I've been thinking about beefing up my winter wardrobe. I think we all know where this is going…

bernie dexter winter wonderland nicole
Wearing this dress feels a little bit like being inside one of those miniature Christmas villages: the really elaborate ones with tiny working lights on tiny lampposts, and fake snow on the roofs of all the buildings. In other words, I love this dress! This isn't a surprise to me, since the Nicole is basically my beloved Kelly with full-length sleeves and a regular waist seam instead of the inset waistband from the Kelly. The fit is very similar to my Kellys as well: I took my usual large in this dress, and it measures 19.5" flat from armpit to armpit and 15" at the waist.

The print is absolutely stunning and I am over the moon about the long sleeves, since they mean I can let the wonder of the print shine unobstructed by a cardigan. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about having the print on the sleeves, but after trying it on, looking in the mirror, and taking these photos, I'm glad I went with the Nicole over the sleeveless Veronique in this print. The pattern is perfectly positioned and aligned over the front seam, too!

bernie dexter winter wonderland print
#cottageboobs

Trying that cool-blogger pose: does it work?

As with all of the Bernies I own, this one is the perfect length and fullness for my Malco Modes Jennifer petticoat, which I'm wearing in these photos, but it also looks cute without a petticoat. The pockets are big enough for my iPhone 6 and the sleeves are roomy enough for my super-strong beefy arms without flapping in the wind.

While I'm not usually one to wear much blue, this print is so gorgeous and festive that I can't help but make an exception. It's really more the color of snow at twilight, you see, so it's not like I'm actually wearing blue. I'm wearing snow! That's better, right? Since the print is so detailed, I kept the styling super simple: the belt that came with the dress, my favorite old silvery flats, a red lip, and my most unobtrusive glasses let the dress be the star. When it gets really cold out, I'll throw on a pair of off-white tights and my new cognac riding boots, so my legs don't turn the same color as the dress!


If you're a Bernie Dexter fan who lives in a colder climate, like me, the Nicole dress is an absolute godsend. I'm so delighted to be able to wear this lovely print in a seasonally-appropriate style, especially since I know I'll be wearing it at Christmastime! My parents like to keep the thermostat around 62 degree (to create their very own winter wonderland, I suppose?) so these sleeves will come in handy!

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23 comments:

  1. Oh good lord I think I may need this dress now! I was on the fence but...DAMN GIRL! You look phenomenal and if it fits like the Kelly I am so sold. Sigh!

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    1. I'm so excited to do a twin day, and I'm #sorrynotsorry for being a bad influence. This dress is seriously incredible -- you're gonna love it!

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  2. The print on that dress is spectacular!! I wish I had it on a pair of pyjamas actually, it'd be perfect for Autumn/winter.

    www.thesundaymode.com

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    1. It really would make an adorable pajama set, especially in a cozy flannel! I'm so excited to wear it to the Christmas Market here in Chicago later in the month!

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  3. That dress looks amazing on you!! Perfect Christmastime dress!

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    1. Thank you, Bristol! I can't wait till the world outside matches my dress, so I can take snowy walks with Jeff again!

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  4. This dress is the most amazing thing I have ever seen!! Like ever!!

    http://ohduckydarling.com

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    1. Aw, thank you! I'm so mesmerized by the print, and so glad I'll be able to wear it during a Chicago winter!

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  5. I can't get over how truly magical this dress is! It's like Bernie Dexter herself took the essence of winter and made it wearable. I just want to keep looking at it!

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    1. This is the perfect description of this dress -- it really is winter in dress form! I've been doing plenty of just staring at it since I got it ;). I'm definitely going to wear it when I go to the Christkindlmarket in downtown later on in the month!

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    1. Thank you so much! I can't wait to wear it again and again.

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  7. Ohhhhhhhhhhh myyyyyy what an extravagant dress, I NEEEED it!! I actually adore it. X
    www.sopherina.co.uk

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    1. The print is so detailed and lovely up close -- these photos hardly do it justice! And what's better than a zip-front shirtdress? No risk of gaping!

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  8. This is the most GORGEOUS Christmas dress that I have ever seen! I wish that it was cold over Christmas here and that I could get a similar dress. There are no words for how stunning it is! And you look gorgeous in it!

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    1. Aww, thank you so much! I can't imagine being in a warm place for Christmas, but it would certainly make cooking Christmas dinner a lot easier. We use the grill because our family is too big to just use the oven and the stovetop, which means someone always has to cook in the snow.

      There's a sleeveless and short-sleeved version of this dress on Bernie Dexter's site, too!

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  9. Oh my gosh that print! This is making me so excited for Christmas. I want to buy a whole new outfit for it but my wardrobe is almost bursting with clothes :P

    Lizzie Bee // mysticthorn.com

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    1. Same here -- I've been on the edge of my seat waiting for Christmas songs/movies/everything since September, haha. My wardrobe is overflowing but I couldn't resist this one!

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  10. Oh my gosh.... YES YES YES, the print is stunning!
    Aleeha xXx
    http://www.halesaaw.com/

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    1. Thank you so much! I've had my eye on this print for ages and it's even better IRL than it was on the website!

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  11. Awww this dress is so cute! 😍❤️

    Wunmi | wunms.co.uk

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    1. Thank you so much! I'm pretty excited to wear it!

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  12. Looks absolutely perfect on you Emily! <3

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