Another “Inspiration Monday” style challenge from the two birds blog and boutique. This go around, the lovely Marion Cotillard serves up some French style inspiration.
Date? July 15, 2012
What for? I wore a casual version of Marion Cotillard’s party dress to our local farmer’s market. It was also quite chilly and drizzly yesterday morning, so I added a cardigan, shorts, and flats. I’ve worn this polka-dotted dress a few different ways (see here and here), and this time, I turned the dress into a top by rolling it up a bit and securing it with a wide belt to change up the look. As you can see in the top pic, there’s a second layer of ruffles on the shoulders of this dress, which I don’t like because it feels too frilly and adds more emphasis to my shoulders. I really should just take the time and take off that second ruffle, but in the meantime, I prefer to layer something over this cute print dress. Laziness wins again. 
How do you feel about using dresses as tunics and layered over shorts or pants?
Details?
- Long shorts: Dockers via Kohls, years ago
- Ruffled dress: H&M, bought in Abu Dhabi, 2011
- Cardigan: Gap, years ago
- Flats: Kmart, years and years and years ago
- Wide belt: Kohls, 2009?
- Pearl drop earrings: Bridesmaid gift years ago
Related articles
- Love It or Hate It? Marion Cotillard’s Sleek Pompadour (bellasugar.com)
- Jennifer Lawrence & Marion Cotillard: Dior Darlings! (justjared.com)
- [TheGloss] Marion Cotillard Has Officially Arrived As Proven By Gracing The Cover Of 3 Magazines In August (thegloss.com)
- Celebrity Style: Marion Cotillard (fabsugar.com)
Love that belt! It looks really pretty with the polka dot top.
Thanks Jenny! My husband picked the belt from a couple of choices
what a great dress! i love wearing dresses as tunics…you can bring them over different seasons this way!
Thanks, I have found this dress to be really versatile!
I will continue to experiment with dresses as tunics, especially with fall coming up…
This is really cute! I love the tunic, it is so pretty!
Thanks so much Bethie! This was the same dress that Michelle Obama picked up a couple of years ago… it sold out immediately in the U.S. but there were still sizes available where I was living overseas.
I’m always intrigued when people turn dressed into tops or tunics because every time I try I feel like I’m creating a spare tire around my middle! Your interpretation is very cute, though! I especially like it with the cardigan.
Thanks Erin! I also prefer it with the cardigan layered over the top/dress — kind of breaks it up visually.
Jen you look so good! Love your take, as a matter of fact I have enjoyed your last 3. dawn suitcase vignettes xo
Thanks so much Dawn! I really enjoy the style challenges and seeing how you can adapt inspiration to your own wardrobe
love her dress and your top!
Xo Megan
Thanks Megan!
Hello Jen! You look really cute in this gorge dress! I totally do the layered look like that- it means you can wear pretty things when it is too cold (or windy!)
Hi Kezzie! Thanks so much for stopping by and for the compliment, as well
your outfit delights me! truly. i like how you managed to capture the inspiration in a completely, new to me, way.
Thanks Teddi!
I could have matched the inspiration look pretty closely by wearing the dress as a dress and adding some strappy espadrille wedges. But I figured, the idea is to take inspiration and adapt it to my real life — hence the casual version I wore in the drizzly rain 
I like this outfit and that belt really rocks!
Thanks Christine! I loooove this belt — you can see it in many posts on this blog. Maybe I should do an all-stars post…
Very cute! I love wearing tunics with leggings or skinny jeans! So comfy and easy in the fall and winter with boots and cardis.
Thanks CC. I admit, I’m pretty slow to the tunic/dresses over leggings/shorts/pants/whatever look. It does expand the possibilities of one’s wardrobe, which speaks to my practical side. And I like having my rear end covered, which speaks to my vanity.
Great inspiration! And I love the casual interpretation that you came up with! Thank you so much for linking up for our blog hop. We were happy to have you!
Thanks so much Sarah! So happy to be linking up with y’all
Great inspiration photo and I love the florals. Thanks so much for sharing on Monday Mingle.
Nicole
Thanks Nicole!
Love this outfit!! What a great everyday look. Marion is one of my favorite celebs – her style strikes me as elegant and yet easy at the same time. You look gorgeous!
Wow, thanks! I agree, Marion Cotillard has the mix down, looking chic and kind of laidback at the same time. Like she totally owns her look — she almost never lets what she’s wearing wear her.