No-one's mentioned Starsky & Hutch

If we're talking 70s then how come no-one has mentioned the glory of knitwear?  Probably because it's not vaguely in vogue, but hell, if it's not, then why not?  It should be.

It's probably fair to say (if you haven't worked out by now...) that maybe half term has taken its toll more than I thought and I am starting, ever so slightly, to lose the plot. 

But no, I'm convinced that a heavy 70s style cardigan is something that we should all be embracing. 

Which is handy as I stumbled across one I LOVE in Zara.  I saw it a couple of weeks ago when I was on a Lowland boot mission and therefore not buying anything else at all ever.  Well, that didn't pan out, plus it's half term so surely a small treat wasn't out of the question. 

Zara multicoloured coat £69.99 



I fear that on me, there is a very fine line between urban chic and a bag lady who has lots of cats... the consensus on Instagram was divided (if you're not on Instagram you must must must - it's the most addictive thing I've come across in years.  That's perhaps not the best sales tactic ever on reflection, but do check it out.  I'm @doesmybumlook40 if you're looking for somewhere to start)

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It got me to thinking that heavy cardigans make perfect sense for Spring.  Last year I bought the boiled wool emerald green Zara coatigan (yes it's a pants word but it does what it says on the tin) which I have worn so much.  They are the ideal transitional cover up when you want to ditch the winter coat but still need something with a bit of warmth in it.   Yes I love my thinner coat jackets that I have a fair few of (all mid thigh - I have a thing about mid thigh.....) but these are a must for the more casual days when you need something a bit more snuggly. 

I like the 3/4 length sleeves - I think it balances out the heaviness of the knit and makes the proportions work.  And I love love the different colours in it - a corally red, a tan, a yellow, a cream and a blue.... all rather random but somehow it works.  It works beautifully.   

Similar to the Zara one in navy shades is the Apsley cardigan from Fat Face.  Another one with shorter sleeves

Fat Face Apsley Edge to Edge Cardigan in navy £58



More indigo at East - this one is pure 70s, absolutely love it.  Gorgeous texture in the knit and I love the sightly petrol edge to the blue.  To me, this looks much more Toast than East...

East Blanket Coatigan £99





Speaking of Toast, they have a blue one as well.  Significantly more than the East one but still a lovely investment that you could wear all year round. 

Home Space Dye Knit Coat from Toast £245


Print now - Aztec.  Personally I think I prefer the detail to be in the colour hence I'm veering towards keeping the Zara reddish one but the 70s were all about way out prints.  The shape of this would work really well with kick flares.  I can almost smell Chips.....

Oasis Aztec Cardigan £42



They also do a black and white version. 




Moving onto a more classic shape - alas we're leaving the 70s behind but it's perhaps worth it for this investment piece in your wardrobe.  This would work for every occasion - from jeans and sneakers, to the office, to out to dinner.  

LK Bennett Eden Open Front Cardigan in dark navy £195  This reminds me (even though it's not remotely similar... duh) of my black Ronit Zilkha knit coat which I wear all the time and have had for years and years and years.  Definitely one for wardrobe longevity.




This is the shape of my favourite Spring coats - in a chunky knit, what's not to love?  So useful - casual yet smart at the same time.  Don't forget the 20% off code till Monday - FEB15EM

Open front textured long cardigan from M&S £45




A similar textured knit from Oasis but in a lovely light colour that would work well with Winter neutrals but seems somehow less heavy than a darker shade. 

Oasis Waffle Cardigan £40



Another classic drape front shape from River Island. I tried this on and can definitely recommend it.  (I did have an oversized square jumper on in this pic, so probably not the best garment to layer it with.) 

Beige Draped Front Jersey Jacket £45 Interestingly it doesn't feel like a jersey - it definitely is more of a waffle knit.  In fact, I had trouble locating is as I was looking under knitwear.





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Monochrome now and reduced at John Lewis.  I would think this is reduced due to the horrific styling in the online pic, which is a surprise from them as they normally get it pretty much spot on.   I fear someone may be moonlighting from M&S.... 

This would be amazing with a white tea, boyfriend jeans and some white sneakers.  Or with a black polo neck, skinnies and some ankle boots.  Just not like they've got it (and what sort of posture has the model got?!)  Snap it up at this price though. 

John Lewis Capsule Collection Textured stripe long cardigan was £89 now £62




If you do prefer belted as some people do, this one is a great great bargain from M&S even before the 20% off. 

Open Waterfall Belted Cardigan £25 from M&S 





And finishing with a classic boyfriend style.  The sort that never goes out of fashion and when it does (which it never will..) it can become the ultimate, slob on the sofa over the jamas, item. 


ASOS Ultimate Chunky Cardigan £28



So there we have - my ideal cover ups for the next couple of months.  To me, they are very 70s, I shall be wearing mine with my kick flares and a polo neck and go on the hunt for Huggy Bear.  Has half term finally got the better of me?  Are you a cardigan fan?

Actually I have to say, as half term draws to an end, it really hasn't been that bad at all.  I did say I would report back on my Maths Factor experiment that we've been undertaking this week and I am totally sold.  There really isn't a downside to it as far as I can see. 

The boys have still been able allowed to play on computers which they see as the hugest treat ever but they've been doing something useful.  Both have really enjoyed Carol's videos - she really does have a knack of explaining Maths.  The 6 yr old will have finished half term knowing his 2, 5 and 10 times table.  Which personally I think is a much better achievement than having collected more coins than his brother in Crossy Road (which is surely just a reinvention of Frogger??) 

They've done between 30 mins and an hour a day after which they can knock themselves out on the xBox.  I have been able to get on with some work which means everyone is happy.  The smallest has also been doing it on his ipad and I love the fact it's exactly the same as the computer version and not an irritating mobile adaptation which is never quite as good.

Smug mummy alert....


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The £1 for the first month offer ends today (after which it's £9.99 per month).  I'm planning on getting them to continue with this after school each day - I think if we get into a routine, it can't be too hard.  Half an hour of maths and then half of hour of mind numblingly tedious Crossy Road sounds like a good compromise to me.  It certainly beats Spongebob. 

Has anyone else survived half term with brownie points due to Carol?  It's very rare that I sway from the fashion path but anything that enables me to spend more time surfing for fashion is a good thing in my book.

This afternoon we've got friends over for tea and we're about to bake Whoopie Pies.  I will report back.... I clearly have got rather too complacent with my "half term is going well" mood as I promised I would cook with my children.  Considering this is normally akin to the 10th circle of hell for me, the jury is out as to how this is going to go........  Pics will be on Instagram.  Of me sobbing into a glass of wine no doubt. 

Why do I have white jeans on when I'm baking??

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Black polo neck - Jigsaw
White jeans - Isabel Marant for H&M
White leather sneakers - Zara

Hope everyone else enjoys their last day of half term.  Can't believe it's gone so quickly!  Any exciting purchases to share??

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CONVERSATION

23 comentarios:

  1. Kat I think the Zara one looks stunning on you but then I doubt you could ever look like a woman with lots of cats x

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  2. I must've missed that photo on IG Kat, it looks amazing, why did you not get it?! ;).

    Glad to hear that your son has got on so well with the maths course, it does sound excellent I must say. My son has got a new SEN teacher at school & I don't know how she is teaching him, but the improvement he's made in the last fortnight is AMAZING, I'm so pleased for him! :) x

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    1. Oh I did totally get it! It's sat upstairs in a bag.... I am going to wear it tomorrow. Totally itching to get it on. That sounds amazing with your SEN teacher. My 8yr old has a specialist tutor who comes in to help him with his social skills. She has been a total saviour to our family (he's not remotely there yet, his Mind Blindness is exceptionally severe but he's built up such a great rapport with her.) x

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  3. I love sweater coats, but not cardigans. I like the Zara coat, the red is cheerful.

    I did purchase summer stuff to keep my mind off the sub-freezing temps here. I think you did a post on these and I was a staunch non-believer, but I bought culottes to try them out. And a couple of embroidered shift dresses (obsessed), slides and flat mules.

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    1. Oh fabulous! Jury is still out here... I need to try some more on. (and for the weather to warm up. ha ha ha)

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  4. I'm sorry but I think they are frumpy.

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    1. oh gosh not at all! Would be a dull world if we all liked the same thing!

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  5. I love that RI one! Keep seeing it on the mannequin instore and it's so nice in the grey.

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    1. It's absolutely gorgeous - total winner. x

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  6. Big yes to the zara coatigan - looks missoni-esque - buy immediately! Well I had been doing well this month with just £65 spent but did a search on shopstyle for hooded jackets and came across a gorgeous grey pleather hooded Rick Owens style jacket and three more hooded beauties all from Forever 21- hah I wish!! So have ordered the grey pleather, a cloth black and grey hooded blazer, a black and white leopard hooded thigh length coatigan and a mustard yellow hooded utility parka - can you tell I still push a buggy and have naturally curly hair that I straighten and therefore cannot get a drop of rain on - am obsessed with hoods but struggle to get stylish jackets for spring summer that aren't just parkas. Anyway we'll see but at £100 for all four I feel like I can't go wrong! Have a good weekend x

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    1. You're so right about the hood requirements!
      I no longer have to push a buggy but with two small ones holding each hand I can't hold an umbrella as well.
      Hooded coats please Kat!

      Lu xx

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    2. Oh they are the proverbial rocking horse poo. Leave it with me.....

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  8. Hi Kat, have you seen this: http://myfashionable40s.blogspot.co.uk/ It looks like the same cardigan Michelle is wearing and I loooove her styling!

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    1. Oh yes, I know Michelle! She's lovely. But it's a different cardigan. She got the much shorter one. This one is ridiculously long!

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  9. I actually had one in 1974. It was so acrylic, my hair would constantly stand on end when I was wearing it. It looked like I was permanently attached to a van der Graf generator. I bought a lovely cosy one from Indigo M&S, looks a bit Scandewegian. Xx

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  10. The zara cardigan is gorgeous! I have a couple of long, chunky cardigans that I struggle to wear in winter as they are too bulky and long to go under most of my coats. They definitely come into their own in autumn and spring. I love the oasis one too.

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    1. Yes, I definitely think they need to be worn as the outermost layer!

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  11. I am queen of the long, chunky cardigan. I love the Zara one but really cannot justify another one. I did buy a button-through denim skirt from M&S yesterday though. I want the flares too but they were sold out in my size. Serves me right for dithering when they first came in store!

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    1. AHA my friend has that skirt - it looks amazing on her. I've definitely got a denim skirt shaped blog up my sleeve. And BUGGER about the jeans. I nabbed a pair instore but they literally only had 3 pairs left and thank the lord one was in my size x

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    2. My little M&S in Brixton had them today so got them with the 20% discount! I'd only popped in for puff pastry... *punches air*

      I swear my Mum had a denim skirt just like mine in the seventies!

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