A schizophrenic dresser?

Is what I realise I perhaps am.  

My aim for this season was to find a style that I felt comfortable with.  A style that suited me, my lifestyle, my budget and made use of most of the clothes that were already in my wardrobe.  We're coming up to the end of the season (I know that sounds bonkers but come Boxing Day, if not before, the annual sweep out of all things wintery will begin and we'll be knee deep in sandals and pastels before you can finish a verse of Auld Lang Syne) and I'm not sure I've succeeded or not. 

My main inspiration this season has come from the wonderful Jenna Lyons at JCrew and I thank her kindly for her suggestion of borrowing clothes from the man in your life (or buying new ones) and embracing the shirt.  Having always struggled to wear shirts, this has been a real eye opener - the purchasing of men's shirts and opened up a whole new avenue of looks.  Plus I do think they're cheaper.  And a size Small is nearly always in stock.  This is a revelation. 

However to solely channel the look of one person would be dull to say the least.  And I'm also personally struggling at this time of year with the capri pants of which she is a huge advocator.  Fine for a night out (I was very pleased with my black blouse and pants outfit, teamed with leopard accessories) and great if you work.  But for the school run or bombing round the house in the near depths of winter - not the most practical of garments.  

With the aforementioned outfit, I also broke a sacred Jenna rule.  Put together the unexpected.  So my matchy shoes and bag would have had the bespectacled Ms Lyons breaking out in a cold sweat. 

But at the same time, I still love my matchy matchy.  Some days I want to be full on classic with not a hint of boho NY cool.  (not that I ever do that anyway - it's all in my head but it amuses and pleases this old bird). 

Which led me to fear for my schizophrenic dressing style.  Madness?  Actually I don't think so. 

Personal style is taking inspiration from a number of sources, people and places.  Whilst there are elements of Jenna's style that I love - the quirkiness, the masculine edge to it, the smartening up of super casual (ie verging on jamas) clothes - jeez she's even got me contemplating new sneakers.  And I don't mean anything Ash or wedge trainer related.  Hold on to your horses - I mean "trainers".  Things that I would normally only consider wearing to the gym.  This is a blog (aka a disaster) waiting to happen.

And so it makes sense to continue to search for inspiration from a number of sources as opposed to putting all your capri pants, shirts, sweaters and statement earrings in one basket. 

Leading me to my next port of fashion call.  I've always had full on admiration for a certain style that I think I could maybe take further ideas from.  I shall bore you with this another day but suffice to say, this blog has been inspired by a golden rule from my latest style crush. 

The question that apparently you always need to ask is:-

"Does it come in black?"

Can anyone guess where my inspiration is coming from?  I shall be back next time to explore more - am using it as a basis for the beginnings of my Sales Strategy which it's very nearly time to get thinking about. 

It may sound random to try and stick to certain styles but to my mind - it does help to manage a wardrobe.  If you group your clothes round a theme - if you buy clothes with outfits in mind, the element of wastage is hopefully less and you should end up with a host of ready made outfits to pick and choose from on a daily basis.  Plus you end up wearing individual items more often if they go with a variety of outfits that you can put together with very little thought.  Voila!  (this is of course in theory.... this doesn't include those little gems which are purchased a) at a certain time of the month, b) when drunk or c) because they were a complete bargain in the sale.  If you haven't been there then you are a superhuman.)

In the meantime though, something which I don't think you can never have enough of, are black tops.  I haven't done a jumper post in forever and yet I always seem to be in the market for a new one - and this time it must and shall be black.  Beyond useful.  At the moment, I wear mine with my leather skirt, over skinny jeans (of any colour), boyfriends (ditto), print jeans (again of any shade), coated & pleather trousers and my beloved harems.  Fabric wise, I've tried to avoid acrylic, even though I have to say I'm personally not a material snob - I've had some utterly rubbish pure cashmere and I've had some fabulous man made fibre jumpers (I have also had the reverse, I will admit!) 

So here we have my selection - I am still going to be ordering mine from Uniqlo (men's merino wool round necks) as my local store has stopped stocking them.  Something I said?

Starting with a classic shape that can be worn on its own or as a layering item.  Like a lot here, there are a wide array of colours you can also choose from - I was drawn to the pink (see??  The rule is BLACK and immediately I am not being flighty mcflighty and going off piste.) 

Cashmere Crew Neck from Boden £89.10

Soft knit Boat Neck Jumper from Jigsaw £69 cotton, viscose, nylon, angora & cashmere mix






Viyella Ella Back Button Jumper now an amazing £39.95 100% merino wool  It's black so it's all ok.  It's pure wool so it's all ok (merino wool is my fave wool - bobbles the least and washes the best in my humble opinion).  It's a great shape and it has buttons down the back so it's all ok.  It's from Viyella.  Moving on.  It's a bargain, so it's all ok again. 



Mint Velvet Zip Back Boxy Knitted Jumper £59  This is a slightly more casual version.  I would love this layered over a shirt or a longsleeved tee. 





ASOS Jumper with rollneck and keyhole back £30 100% viscose  I love the looseness of this and the detailing at the back just adds that little bit extra.  I think this would work as well on a night out as it would with jeans during the day.  Viscose, as I've mentioned before, is an amazing fabric. 




Ted Baker Oversized Rollneck Jumper with button cuffs £119  60% Cotton, 30% Viscose 10% Angora.  I am not the hugest Ted Baker fan but I absolutely LOVE this.  Am in the market for a replacement for my oversized Reiss jumper and this could fit the mould perfectly. 





Engraved button Angora blend sweater from Mango £39.99  Love the simplicity and the shape of this. 



For a plain roll neck in cashmere, M&S have a gorgeous one (which also comes in a plethora of colours if black isn't your thing) 

Pure Cashmere roll neck jumper £75



Silk Blend V neck jumper £79 from Jigsaw £79 






Finishing with the bargain of the day.  They also do this in a pale pink which would be perfect for the summer.  But I didn't tell you that as I am all about the black today...... (itching to order the pink but for no good reason other than it's pretty and it's a bargain.) 
F&F Supersoft Slash Neck Jumper £10 



And so there we have it.  I am inspired to have a good look tomorrow when I go shopping.  Actually again it was hard to find plain (and they're not all plain anyway - oops - plain wasn't on the rule list, it was just black.  In my defence) as it was with the LBDs (of which I have the Oasis and the ASOS ones on order - too excited.  They're so going to be pelmet length and hookertastic, aren't they?)

Here I am yesterday for a day en famille.   And yes, no make up.  Am really getting used to this straight hair malarkey it has to be said.