I've made a right pig's ear of this

This dressing for not quite Summer but a tad warmer than Spring.  When it can get cold in two nanoseconds.  Not to mention rain.  Anyone would think this was a new weather phenomenon, rather than it being essentially the majority of the Summer. 

We have hit that classic time of the season when I hold my hand up and say CONFUSED.  Spring, sorted - last couple of months, have been great and I've loved my clothes.  Have adored the discovery of the love'em or hate'em culottes.  Ditto jumpsuits.  Plus the fact that I've been able to haul out a load of old faithfuls from my wardrobe to accessorise these.  Oh and none of them were expensive so win win all round.  

And when it comes to super warm Summer days when all is needed is a pair of shorts and a loose top, then check check check.  I have an abundance of these to wear.  Bring it on. 

But for this inbetweeny, need to start getting the legs out to acclimatise them to get rid of their plucked chicken look, I am stuck.  I'm sure this isn't a problem many of you have.  I have discovered this year, as well as being their usual shade of blue, the blue legs seems to have taken on a dull grey tinge from their hibernation over the winter months.  Just marvellous.  If I were auditioning for the part of the Tinman's slightly cellulite ridden mother, I'd be a shoo-in.

I only seem to be able to wear suede or leather midi skirts and they are WAY too expensive to trot out on an average bombing around the house day in half term.  Plus they are too warm to wear during the day every day.  Perfect for Summer nights (I know people disagree but honestly, I've never found it that warm in the UK if you're outdoors regardless of how scorchio it gets during the day) 

But I digress - I need another option.  Something that covers my knees, as what I'm essentially looking to do is break my legs in gently, but not as long as even cropped trousers. 

Pedal pushers aren't an option it seems, so the obvious choice would be culottes. 

And I am so unbelievably late to the party with these.  Denim culottes.  So late in fact that - quelle surprise - that the ones I wanted have sold out.  God forbid I should have made my mind up in time to buy them.  Yes we're talking about the H&M ones which are a direct copy of the Rachel Comey Legion ones I said way back in February I absolutely loved. 

Oh no - classic *me* mistake in that I think about something for so long and convince myself I don't need them.  Only to realise I do need them - officially can't live without them but of course, after my extensive procrastination, they're no longer available.

These are the babies I finally decided I had to have.  from H&M and a tenth of the price of the Rachel Comey ones which had sold out anyway.  I am (I know I've said it before) a Tool.


Now, they do still do them in white, which I may well order (just as I need some more cushions....so it would be rude not to) but I had had my heart set on the blue denim.  

So maybe these will work?....  Wide legged jeans £39.99



They also do look quite long - though hopefully they'll be shorter on me as I have legs of a giraffe.  So obviously I went a hunting to see what else there is out there.  Ones that are perhaps shorter and will fill my "inbetweeny" need.

Dark Indigo Denim Culotte from Karen Millen £90




Moto Raw Hem Culottes from Topshop £38 Now the review says these are quite soft in their fabric which they didn't like, but to me, I think they'd drape better as opposed to being Lazytown stiff in their look.



But are those two above maybe too dark and heavy for the warmer weather?  Let's face it, yes.  So maybe these ones from ASOS in a lighter weight denim are better for what we're looking for today.  (can you see this is a running commentary of my thoughts on the matter?  One of the reasons I love writing this blog - not sure if you have noticed, but I do use it as a sounding board for my ramblings......) 

ASOS White Denim Culottes with side pleat £55 (no they're not white but the brand is ASOS White.  Just in case I was the only one who was mildly confused by that...) 



Other pale versions that might be better for Summer, I've found at JCrew.  The Husband is off to Florida tomorrow and I have done NO LIST.  Now I know I didn't find anything great to buy when I went to NY in January but I think we can blame it on the fact that I missed two days proper shopping with my girlfriend and the fact it was minus a gazillion degrees. 

Rayner wide-leg jeans from JCrew in crescent wash £138



And in white also JCrew £138 (although I have to say, I would prefer the H&M ones...)



I could of course make him go to Madewell... 

We can actually get hold of them from Shopbop - someone talk me through Shopbop - do you end up getting stung with taxes?

Madewell Wide Leg Culottes from Madwell $128 or £85 ish though Shopbop. Love these pockets. (and the shoes.  I have an ankle strap shoe fetish to explore)




Have to say these are rather gorgeous - another pic here.  I would definitely wear these in the A/W with ankle boots.  Also still available at Madewell online (do they ship to the UK? and no they don't have them at NAP where they do have some Madewell stock - at hugely inflated prices of course) 

Wide leg culottes $128 (yes same as above but different angle)




But top of the crop for me would be the Urban Renewal Vintage Re-made Denim Culottes for £55 from Urban Outfitters.  Surely these are the ideal cross between a skirt and shorts, I love the casual look to the fray edge and the patchwork effect denim but with the dart front smarter edge to the top. 




And then we have different colours (not in denim now, we're just talking culottes)  I'm currently having a slight mental block when it comes to these - I'm not going to lie.  I don't think a dark colour is going to work.  Too "worky" (absolutely ideal for work mind you, if we are going down that route) or just too smart looking.  The idea is that I'm after something for every day.  For dress down casual, for throwing on with a tee or a little jumper.  Like I said - a jeans alternative.  That isn't shorts.  Or a mini skirt. 

But a paler, more summery colour perhaps?  White isn't floating my boat.  Too clinical?  But a beige..?

Toast Felice Culottes £95  These are a double layer version.  Love the black tie. 





Or would it beyond the realms of sensible to buy a print pair.  Now here's an idea.   I know I've had these ones on before as part of a co-ord blog and they are in fact here with the matching top but I am really liking this for every day styling.  Super easy to wear and you can easily ring the changes for an evening out with different shoes.  Alternatively a more preppy day look could be ballet flats and a blazer.  I am all over these. 

Vila Stripe Culotte £22 Totally sold out at ASOS now but you can still buy at Next.  (and you can also get the matching shirt for £25)  



But CALL OFF THE DOGS - just had an email from Atterley Road with 50% off 50 Summer Essentials and the Vila Striped Culottes are included in them.  That's my mind made up for me!  Off to see if they have the shirt as well (otherwise I'll just order that from ASOS for delivery tomorrow. YEEE HAAAA.  We do of course know they're going to look pants, don't we.....?) 

Stripy Culotte was £25 now £12.50




There'a another very similar pair at New Look but I'm going in for the Vila ones I think.  (I know)

White Tie Waist Stripe Culottes £17.99





Ok I'm on a roll now at ASOS.  These are another great idea, especially if you don't have a khaki pair of bottoms in your arsenal. 

ASOS Drape Culottes with Utility Detail £38



And these look like they cost a lot more than £22.  A linen and viscose mix so ideally you will get the texture from linen with the functionality of viscose.  This colour would be ideal for flinging in to your Summer wardrobe to go with all your neutrals. (and leopard print, I love leopard with red) 

ASOS Linen Culottes in tomato £22




Alternatively this is a rather nifty idea from ASOS.  This I like.  This I like a Lot.  I love this so much I think I might have to order it. 

ASOS Jumpsuit with culotte and shirt detail £50 in navy.




So I've started this blog in a confused fashion but have managed, as I often do, with a plan.  Black and white striped sets are going to be purchased.  I can't wait to wear them now - suddenly in my head I have so so many options that they will work with.  White tees, grey tees (ooh I may have snagged an amazing T by Alexander Wang grey plain tee at TK Maxx last week when stocking up on doggie things), grey or black jumpers.  Right now I'm officially wondering how I lived without a pair of these.  

Speaking of Atterley Road, they also have all their Birkie Arizonas at half price too.  And lots of other goodies too.  Including the black dress I posted from the other day which clearly I'm going to have to try too.  Especially as there is free postage above £30.  Duh.  Plus free returns.  Oh happy happy half term online ordering.  Let the mayhem begin. 

Today's outfit.

Untitled


Grey Easy day Jumper - Boden
Black pleather A line skirt - Zara
Oversized buckle sliders - Zara 

Yes the legs are out, up close the tan is Bad.  But it was another day at home, homework for the children (yes you read that right.  CHECK ME OUT) and an afternoon of play dates.  Glass of wine tonight with The Husband as he's off to the US tomorrow for nearly a week.  Business class staying in a 5star hotel.  As I have half term at home with 3 children and a new puppy... Hmmmmm who's the winner here?  Well seeing as I have a laptop and am right now more in love with my puppy than I possibly could be with a baby, let the shopping begin.  So that'll be me. 

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CONVERSATION

30 comentarios:

  1. Ohhhh i have had the exact same thoughts.. Infact scheduled a full on culottes post for whilst im away to go live tomorrow!*great minds;)* i am finally coming round to the culottes idea and denim is where its at for me. However i am loving that culotte jumpsuit,combining two great trends together could only mean extra style points surely?!

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    1. i've ordered mine - the black and white ones after staying up till midnight for the Atterley Road website to come back online. GAH!

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  2. Glad to hear it's not just me that gives the other half a shopping list when he goes to the US for work! Love Madewell, especially their tshirts and sweatshirts. Not sure culottes are for me, but I do like the Karen Millen ones - the proportions just seem to work (on the model, anyway). But she's probably 6 inches taller than me!

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    1. Yes I have no list - nothing. This is going to be a disaster! I also have my eye on a Karen Millen A line skirt but somehow anything hovering on the knee skirt style does make me look like a librarian.....

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  3. So love the white JCrew ones but the Madewell ones are nice too. I am still praying for nice sunny weather so trying to convince myself I don't need these because it'll be too hot to wear them - aye, right! Lorraine x

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    1. Yeah, good luck with that one....!! Tbh if I wasn't so self conscious of my legs, I'd wear shorts all the time. (she says, knowing at 42 that's a BOLD statement..... not sure the supermarket is ready for my legs yet....)

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  4. Wasn't too sure on the culottes until you came up with the jumpsuit. Love it-but it's out of stock!!! I remember having culottes made in the late 70s in fine needle cord, when I was about 10 or 11!! Loved them so much but am definitely late to the party this time. Your puppy is absolutely adorable. Much better having fun her than a business trip!! Xx

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    1. oh you're kidding!! I had pedal pushers when I was 10. That my mum *made*. I looked like Hansel. They were bright red and horrific. We are absolutely in love with the puppy. Besotted is not the word!

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  5. I love your blog Kat ! You write so well, and your little puppy !. I do like the asos all in one. Just on slimming world , was getting to a 16, and now a 12. Very happy, though I still don't think I can " do " cullotes x

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    1. Oh thank you! And WELL DONE YOU! That is fantastic and I'm pretty sure you could absolutely do culottes if you fancied them! But you have the fashion world as your oyster now so congratulations and good luck xx

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  6. Hi Kat I did a full on culottes blog last week and the Urban Outfitters pair came out top for me. Since then I have been tempted (and caved!) By the M&S girlfriend Cropped Raw Edge jeans; they're v. similar to the H&M ones you feature. Recommend you give them a go xx

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    1. Ah now I've earmarked them for a summer jeans blog as they're more jeansy than culottes for me!! But they are absolutely gorgeous. I just want mine wider!!

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    2. Yep, agreed they are more a jean than a culotte that's how I justified them to myself! M&S have 20% off their Limited edition range at mo so it's a good time to buy xx

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  7. Not for little, stumpy-legged me! But I bet you'll look amazing in them, Kat, especially the gorgeous jumpsuit.

    If I remember rightly, you have to option through Shopbop to pay your taxes up-front, or you can take the risk. If you take the risk, you may or may not have to pay, depending upon whether Customs pick on your parcel. The thing to remember is that you won't have your taxes re-imbursed if you want to return the items you buy via the non-pre-paid route. I really wish it weren't such a pain in the bum - puts me off using Shopbop unless I'm pretty damn sure that I won't have to return anything!

    Good luck with your decision! :-)

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    1. All excellent info thank you so so much and considering I am Queen of Returns (I swear to god I return 90% of what I buy...) I'm not sure this is going to pan out for me. Ho hum...

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  8. Oh, yes. I think the denim ones are all really lovely with some seriously nice shoes in some of those photos too. I convinced myself I needed a light blue denim pair, quite short with frayed edges... then realised I have a midi denim skirt which does the same. Trying to convince myself I don't need denim culottes as well... Madewell stuff is soooo lovely, you definitely need to give your husband a list :).

    I am now going to look at Atterley Road, they have such nice stuff and their sales are usually really good.

    I showed my 9yr old a photo of your puppy, she keeps going on about how cute it is! We live in a townhouse with a tiny garden, not going to happen. I will just admire yours from afar.

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    1. Hmmm well I'm just going to say so long as you can take them for walks I don't think it matters how big your garden is.... just saying....!! And do definitely have a look at Atterley Road, the site crashed last night and by the time I got on, loads had sold out in my size. BOOOO. But I've done a good order I hope to be able to report back on. Including the striped Vila outfit and the black dress from the other day - for less than I would have paid just for the Vila outfit from elsewhere!

      I have to say I wasn't so impressed with Madewell when I went over in Jan BUT it was so so so SO cold and they had all their spring stock in. Plus I had a super grumpy husband with me who hates shopping. GAH!

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  9. Love the Madewell ones, I have never not been caught for tax buying from Shopbop, so now I pay tax upfront, works out a bit cheaper and at least I know what I'm paying from the start, does mean I have to be very sure what I am buying and love it, with awful exchange rate to euro I look everywhere else first. Nordstrom stock madewell too, they have culottes as well but they don't look as good on the model as on the Shopbop website, trying to figure out if they are the same ones as I really want them and my size is gone on Shopbop.

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    1. Nail. Head. I am a serial returner (have a dress coming today from Selfridges and am super scared as I haven't tried it on at all!) and the faff would be immense for me. I'd rather pay that little bit more and have ease of returns!

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  10. In today's outfit, you have forgotten to add:
    accessories: puppy.

    Culottes and flats don't work for ladies with chunky legs as they just cut you off at the chunky calf area.heels- much better.

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    1. I definitely think you need heels if you're shorter but I do think they look amazing with them. And yes, the puppy might be a permanent fixture. In. Love.

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  11. I tried the culottes a couple of months ago and they were promptly returned. Not a good look for short-legged ladies.

    Your puppy is ADORABLE!

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    1. Not even with heels? And yes, we are TOO in love with her!

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  12. Hi Kat
    Thanks so much for your wonderful and funny blog. I enjoy it hugely and have bought several of your recommendations, the most recent being the tile-print blue trousers from M&S. I love them! and would never have found them by myself! Enjoy the rest of half term!

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    1. Well this has truly made my day. Thank you so so so much and I hope you keep on enjoying it xxxx

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  13. These would look great on you - not culottes but Rachel Comey ish http://www.marksandspencer.com/raw-edge-girlfriend-denim-jeans/p/p60070606# xxx

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    1. They are on my list for a Summer Denim blog! BUT I am refusing to buy any more jeans. I have way way too many. I need different looks!! (but they are GORGEOUS definitely)

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  14. Anyone who buys any of these cullottes is a FASHION VICTIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!And yes I am remaining anonymous as you'd all lynch me. But honestly girl, save your money for something you look good in.

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    1. Well thank you for your opinion! Would be an exceptionally dull world if we all liked the same thing. I happen to think they look fab on lots of people - a real classic from the past bought back to life! And I think £12 on the ones from Atterley Road are probably worth a punt x

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  15. Aha, you are exactly right. Fooking high rise shit. Just can't do it - I look like Simon Cowell - it's as if it draws attention to my lack of waist and says LOOK HOW THICK HER WAIST IS! And what on earth do you wear on the top? Just too difficult. For that reason I may send the suede skirt back (after having rebought it a second time with the 20% off) I just don't feel comfortable with things tucked in.. Will have to accept defeat. And I am NOT buying the girlfriend jeans. I have enough jeans!! But I am loving the idea of cutting off wide legs... I have some I will never ever ever wear again from Zara - this may be the way forward.. (although they're super high waist as well but actually, if I've just cut a pair off.... I did have the perfect Whistles pair that I obviously threw away. TOOL!)

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