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Spring always feels like a brand new chapter, the days get longer, the light changes, the sun rises higher, and it's time for a spring clean, a wardrobe detox and maybe a little style inspiration too? And this spring I’m taking a few style notes from Elinor Dashwood in Sense & Sensibility - quietly confident, timeless, and proof that simplicity works. I’m excited to let winter go and I've chosen a cream polka dot dress and a classic rafia handbag for a spring style post. It's an outfit Elinor would approve of (nothing fussy but still very wearable). And because the new season deserves a fresh start, my Kindle is coming with me on my outings, for in-between quiet moments, in a coffee shop, stealing ten minutes of calm in the sunshine, or just choosing to slow down with a cup of tea in my garden. Here's my spring style story ... what's yours? This blog post is sponsored by Very.  Styling my spring dress - I love this little 'secret' garden in Marlow! Chapter 1: The outfit that does the work for youI adore a shirt dress (I wore one for my daughter's graduation from Norland College and I have a few favourites in my wardrobe). It has structure, it skims rather than clings, and it is a classic that will last and last. I'm wearing a cream and brown polka dot shirt dress from a selection of spring dresses at Very. This one feels both simple and interesting with the print adding personality but the neutral palette keeping classic. It's such a versatile dress, button it up, add a belt, leave the collar open for a relaxed feel or layer it with a lightweight trench coat or a cropped jacket over the top when it is too cool to go without (see my quick snap further down)! This dress is a cotton mix, with a dropped waist detail, a midaxi length that suits my petite height and long sleeves with statement cuffs. And it has the all important pockets! Polka dots are having a real moment in spring style right now, it's the print that keeps coming back! A polka dot dress is always timeless and creates an easy 'put-together' look without needing to add much more. It's a simple colour palette that suits everyone. Chapter 2: Rafia bag for instant spring styleMy favourite part of spring dressing is how quickly you can make an outfit feel seasonal with just one detail. The rafia handbag is one of those accessories that immediately feels new and spring like. It adds texture and warmth without overpowering the neutral look of my outfit, it keeps everything wearable and effortless. I always love a straw or rafia bag once the sun starts appearing, and the grab bag style means the line of my dress isn't ruined and it is big enough for my Kindle and other essentials!  The perfect 'Jane Austen' style backdrop for my new dress! Chapter 3: Kindle eReader, perfect and portableMy new Kindle in this pretty matcha green is part of the story, it's lightweight and fits perfectly into my handbag. Since investing in a Kindle a number of years ago, I'm back to reading being part of my daily ritual and it makes in-between moments much more realistic, not just bedtime reading. I can carry my Kindle with me (for train travel, airports, beach days, a few minutes on a park bench, waiting for coffee or a friend to arrive). Having my Kindle with me makes it so easy to have my current book to hand wherever I am, without lugging a heavy book around. And the 'matcha' feels like such a perfect spring detail in itself. And when I go on holiday, I can save room in my case for extra dresses and shoes because I'm not packing books. Chapter 4: Minimalist main character energyMinimalist style can often get misinterpreted as 'boring' but it also represents confidence and knowing what works for you, some days a simple outfit is exactly what I need. Elinor Dashwood is a great reminder that you don’t have to be loud to be the main character. (this is so me)! A well-chosen dress, a classic bag, and small daily rituals that makes you feel comfortable and happy (like reading a chapter in the sunshine) that’s a spring reset I can relate to! If you fancy a wardrobe refresh but don’t want to chase trends - choose one great spring dress, style it in a way that feels true to you, and build your own 'new chapter' moments into the day. Because you really can be the main character. “Sometimes one is guided by what they say of themselves, and very frequently by what other people say of them, without giving oneself time to deliberate and judge." -Elinor Dashwood” ― Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility  A few quiet moments reading my Kindle and making the most of the spring sunshine Outfit ideas and easy ways to wear a polka dot dressI'm wearing flat espadrille style sandals in gold which complement the dress perfectly and work so well with the rafia handbag, you could also wear flat tan sandals or white trainers for a daytime look or ballet flats for a more classic style. If you still need a coat (and it is early spring afterall) then a trench coat, a denim jacket or a blazer would be perfect. Take a look at how I styled the same polka dot dress for cooler days below! And don't forget the finishing touches, keep jewellery simple like small hoop earrings or a fine gold chain. I would also style this polka dot dress with a pop of colour and a brown bag will work well or my red crossbody bag.  My dress, handbag and Kindle are available to purchase at Very I loved wearing this outfit over such a beautiful spring weekend, I met my daughter in Marlow (this really is the most peaceful little 'secret' garden) and the Georgian backdrop of Marlow Place made it feel straight out of a Jane Austen novel, the kind of spring afternoon where you’re simply ‘taking the air’, enjoying the sunshine, and losing yourself in a few quiet pages. No traffic noise, no modern buildings, just calm (and no one else around), until we stepped back onto the busy high street. A little reminder that you don’t need a dramatic reinvention to start a new chapter sometimes it’s as simple as a favourite dress, a sunny spot in the park, and a few pages of of a good book, that brings the peace you need.. You can explore all the new in spring dresses at Very here! Enjoy the sunshine and let me know what's on your spring style wishlist! Love from Michelle xx Disclaimer: this post is sponsored by Very, I was gifted products for the purpose of this review, all opinions and words are my own.  Styling the same dress for a cooler day - cream boots, handbag and a trench coat - it looks so fresh and 'ladies who lunch' ready!
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