Milk tray man

I do wonder sometimes if my obsession with black polo necks does stem from the 80's Milk Tray adverts where your James Bond style man, head to foot in black, would jet in from anywhere "all because the lady loves Milk Tray".  Oh the glamour.  I honestly used to think that those chocolates were the epitome of style.  

Snort. 

However clearly the association of elegance and the Milk Tray man has never left me as I'm still obsessed with a black polo neck.  They have been a classic part of my wardrobe for years, even though I have struggled to find ones that fit properly.  Hence I've obviously bought a gazillion of the flaming things that fit me badly..... 

Now I know what everyone who is vaguely amply sized in the breast department is going to say they can't wear these and to be honest, I'm a firm believer if you're not comfortable in something then there are loads of other options out there.  However I do know lots of people who are more generously proportioned who do wear them and do look fantastic - I think it depends on the shape of the jumper and what you put on the bottom!  But I appreciate that some are not for turning. 

For the pancake boobed amongst us though, they can be a no brainer.  And I live in them in the Winter. 

Starting with some oversized versions. Clearly this wasn't remotely what I was looking for but whilst I was there trying them on, it seemed foolish not to try every version I could find.  

Black Oversize polo knit from Mint Velvet £69



This over pleather leggings would be amazing.  A fabulous, hide the sins, cover up which has to be perfect for the holidays.  And yes, it has pockets.

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Oversized again at Kin by John Lewis - for every day throw on over skinny jeans I love this one.  It's on my sales agenda.  I also love it in the paler grey.  (which doesn't really fit the brief but it's still perfect) 

Kin by John Lewis Merino Roll Neck jumper £69





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And in the light grey marl 




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However for fitted ones, which is really what I was looking for to go with my leather skirt and pleather trousers, ditto boyfriend jeans, I tried on a fair few with some very specific musts.  Firstly, it had to have extra long sleeves.  Nothing worse than half mast things on your arms if you're tall (or any height for that matter).  It had to be long enough (to cover my expanding Christmas muffin.  No-one needs to get an eye full of that.  Ever.) 


If you are more petite then this one has the perfect proportions for you.  It's fitted but not vacuum packed on you.  I've bought this and sent it back as it was too short on every level for a tallie but if you're shorter, it would be perfect.

Favourite Roll Neck Jumper £49 from Boden.


This pic gives an indication of how fitted it is.   This looks great over a skirt - and we all know that skirts (or culottes for that matter) are notoriously difficult to team a top with.  It also does come in a host of colours if black isn't your thing (I also ordered it to try in the navy which is a gorgeously proper navy shade but yet again, it's too skimpy on my Gulliver sized frame)



Bargain of the day had to be this that I tried on.  Excellent generous proportions for a more reasonably priced brand but not quite big enough for giraffe arms me.
Phase Eight Rhea Roll neck jumper was £49 now £35








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However having bought so many cheaper ones over the years and thinking of how much wear I'm going to get out of it, I blew the budget.  I also am planning on wearing it for dinners and evenings out.  I am of a certain age.... where I do tend to start overheating after a sniff of wine so the fact this Jigsaw one is mostly silk means that it feels far less oppressive than a wool mix one.  Plus it does have that luxurious edge for a smart outfit as opposed to just wearing a jumper. 

Jigsaw Silk Cotton Polo Neck £79 (oh and I have the Large)




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They also do it in a charcoal which I adore. 



I am also ridiculously tempted to get the charcoal one from Jaeger - sleeveless and therefore perfect to be able to wear both the trousers and the skirt into the Spring... I tried this on at the beginning of the season and it was perfect but just too much at the original price. 

Jaeger Gostwyck Sleeveless Rollneck was £80 now £49




And here it is - in one of my fave outfits for ages for my Christmas Date lunch with The Husband in London last Thursday.   It goes to show how it just takes one jumper to fall back in love with something that you own.  In this case, it was my Whistles leather skirt which I just couldn't quite get to grips with, in finding a top that was perfect.  Call off the dogs. 

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Black roll neck jumper - Jigsaw
Black leather skirt - Whistles
Leopard print boots - M&S
Camel wrap coat - Zara

And as if the day wasn't perfect enough just spending it with The Husband, look who we bumped into outside The Beaumont hotel in Mayfair (we had been at The Colony Grill for a long long long lunch).......


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It wasn't his hat by the way, it was the hotel doorman's and obviously I thought it was a great idea to persuade him to wear it.  I'll be honest, my memory of the finer details are somewhat sketchy...... 

Tonight we're off to our Winter Ball which I organise.  Prays to the god of all things organisational wise that it all goes to plan.  Only 100 people that will be let down otherwise.  I'm sure it will be absolutely fine....... As for what I'm wearing - it's something I've had in my wardrobe for years.  I stuck to my word and didn't buy anything new.  Oh yes.  It's a miracle.  Plus no new shoes, no new bag and no new earrings.  No new anything.

It does leave me now pondering my Christmas Day outfit which I feel I can give proper consideration seeing as I didn't buy anything AT ALL new for tonight. *does new dress dance*.

Hope everyone has a fab weekend.  Rugby is cancelled for us in the morning so I have a date with a pile of bacon sandwiches, the X Factor finale and my laptop getting to grips with this Christmas Day outfit. 

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25 comentarios:

  1. I used to live in roll necks for years (hello, pancake boobs!), and have recently rediscovered their brilliance after abstaining for a while (Why?!?).

    I've just ordered two from La Redoute recently (one black, one navy), and they are the first thing I have bought and not sent back from there in ages. Lovely thin silky soft cotton, nice length, great fit, cheap as chips.

    Off to check out that sleeveless one...

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    1. I have to say I didn't wear them for a couple of years either but nope I've fully embraced them again. OOh and I'll have a look at La Redoute thank you x

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  2. I heart your leopard wedges so much, everytime I look at them! If you ever see anything similar please please blog! Lovely outfit and post

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    1. I too have searched and searched for nice looking leopard print ankle boots/wedges that are not too gaudy looking and not sky-scrapers that are difficult to walk in. If you could kindly do a blog on leopard wedges/booties that would be amazing. ps: love your m&s ones. x

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    2. I will see what I can do - they really are THE most useful things ever. xxx

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  3. Ooooh love that first Mint Velvet one - how does the sizing measure up? Always difficult to judge "oversized" anything on-line....

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    1. I went for more oversized - I think mine is a size 12 or 14.... but I am tall.

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  4. I love a polo neck, great for hiding a multitude of chins! Amazing how simple separates can combine to make such a fabulous outifit, you look fantastic. And meeting The Man Himself?? I'm not sure I could remain composed enough for a photograph, well done!

    Becky x

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  5. Love the mint velvet one. Hope it will go on sale after the holidays. Love the jigsaw one and your outfit for lunch. You have to get the sleeveless one too. I have one and wear it all the time. I am about to wear it out to a Christmas party tonight with a red skirt. Mine also has a coordinating cardigan that is really long and looks great too. You will not regret it. Happy Christmas!!

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    1. It should do - MV usually have great sales. I have to say I do love the collarless one. And the outfit sounds gorgeous with the red skirt x

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  6. Love your new wardrobe but from your pics I can't tell how your scaffold type as shelving works? Looks amazingly interesting? Any more info? Hope the ball went well xx

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    1. It's a wardrobe system from Ikea!! It's amazing. Two poles from ceiling to floor with shelves or rails suspended between the two. x

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    2. Fabulous! Need advice on wardrobe organising .....

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  7. Great pic of you and Stephen. Loving the black polo but I also like the oversized, longer one. I bought one very similar in Phase Eight it burgundy and it looks great with grey skinny jeans. Everyone's got sales on now - what are the January sales going to be like - interesting times.

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  8. I am a total fan of the all black polo neck look. I may just have been inspired for a night out next week - thanking you!

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    1. I had totally forgotten how useful they are!

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  9. That's a lovely outfit for lunch, the skirt length is perfect. Thank you for this blog xx

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  10. Love the Mint Velvet jumper and the Jigsaw polo, unfortunately the small sizes are sold out in the blackJigsaw polo..gutted! Kat, I have a similar height and physique to you, I recently tried this Reiss number and it is absolutely fab. I think you would also love it, if you see it it's worth a try.
    http://www.reiss.com/womens/womens-sale/isa/chalk/
    (Reiss Isa cable knit jumper in chalk) it's defo not worth 120 yo yo, lets hope it is reduced in the sales. x

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    1. Oh that jumper is gorgeous - is it a swing one? Love love that, I'll definitely be checking it out. And I have the Jigsaw one in the LARGE!! x

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  11. Being rather large of boobage, I *shouldn't* wear polo necks....but I do! But they have to be fairly fitted & longer in the body....which sucks because I adore the Mint Velvet one!

    Oh, and Mr Fry??? Lucky sod, I think he's amazing! X

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    1. He was amazing. And you've proved that I don't thikn it matters what size your boobage - it's the fit of the jumper that counts. x

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  12. What size Phase Eight and Kin polo necks are you wearing (which both look really good on you)?
    Thanks
    x

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