Et Voila.
I know, I know - approaching 43 and navy is a much more flattering shade for, I'll be frank, knackered skin. I know that you know that, yet there is an army amongst us who pretends not to hear (or not to be that old) and is still wedded to all things black. And sign me up as a recruit, for this is definitely the camp I'm in.
I love black. I absolutely adore it. I could pretty much wear it every day and if you asked me to leave just one colour in my wardrobe, without a moment's hesitation, I would say black.
And thank goodness there are many soldiers in my tribe and it still makes it as one of Selfridges top ten must haves for a capsule wardrobe - black trousers.
The best thing is - pretty much anything goes. I can't think of a shape of trouser that you couldn't wear in this day and age (god how old do I sound?) Ok maybe not a pedal pusher.. (darn pedal pushers. All I wanted when I was 10 was a pair of red pedal pushers from Etam. "Oh don't worry", said my mum.. "I'll make some". Dear. God. I was scarred for years. Finally managed to laugh about it at about 18... Maybe she was just being canny though as from the age of 14, I had both a Saturday and a Sunday job so I could buy my own clothes!)
I love black. I absolutely adore it. I could pretty much wear it every day and if you asked me to leave just one colour in my wardrobe, without a moment's hesitation, I would say black.
And thank goodness there are many soldiers in my tribe and it still makes it as one of Selfridges top ten must haves for a capsule wardrobe - black trousers.
The best thing is - pretty much anything goes. I can't think of a shape of trouser that you couldn't wear in this day and age (god how old do I sound?) Ok maybe not a pedal pusher.. (darn pedal pushers. All I wanted when I was 10 was a pair of red pedal pushers from Etam. "Oh don't worry", said my mum.. "I'll make some". Dear. God. I was scarred for years. Finally managed to laugh about it at about 18... Maybe she was just being canny though as from the age of 14, I had both a Saturday and a Sunday job so I could buy my own clothes!)
The article says that black trousers are part of the ideal work uniform and work wise, well that clearly depends on what you do. If you work in a more media based environment then you have a lot more flexibility with your look. Whereas I know if you live in the corporate world, there is still very much an expectation of a (marginal) variation on the suited and booted. In which case, I'm going for leather culottes possibly being a no no.
So let's start with a black trouser that is still very much on trend (and clearly not with the sandals pictured..) but with court shoes and a blouse, these would work perfectly for work and take you out to play as well. (assuming you are five. I should rephrase that to "out to get lashed")
Renee Wide Leg Cropped Trouser from Whistles £95 I have tried these and loved them. Absolutely loved them, but personally thought the Me+Em ones (which are sold out in black bar titchy tiny sizes) were more wearable for me.
Lo and behold, a more cost effective pair..
Formal Culottes from M&S Limited Edition £35
And then moving onto trousers which I have worn again and again and again and will live in come the warmer weather. A total steal at this price (I actually have the navy though and the black wide leg cropped).
Now when I worked a gazillion years ago - my go to trousers were all from Joseph. They were all that fabulously flattering gaberdine fabric (which you were supposed to dry clean but I always washed) and they were the most versatile trousers I've ever had.
Me+Em have recreated the perfect pair in a variety of shapes.
But I have to say I love the zip bottom trousers. I have a pair of Boden cropped skinny jeans which have a zip and they give such a different silhouette which for me, makes the proportions very flattering.
Similar version at The White Company in the sale at Selfridges (sold out online at TWC). Again - these scream Joseph to me without the Joseph price tag.
However a lot of us can be a little bit more adventurous with our choice of shape. Or even if you do have a corporate look for work, then these may be your perfect options for weekends or nights out.
The paperbag trews from M&S, I love. With a tee tucked in, biker jacket and sneakers for the Spring (yes I am surreptitiously ignoring the fact it's currently -2 degrees outside).
Tapered leg paperbag Trousers from Autograph at M&S £39.50. These also come in different lengths which is ideal for those of us who aren't a standard height.
The paperbag trews from M&S, I love. With a tee tucked in, biker jacket and sneakers for the Spring (yes I am surreptitiously ignoring the fact it's currently -2 degrees outside).
Tapered leg paperbag Trousers from Autograph at M&S £39.50. These also come in different lengths which is ideal for those of us who aren't a standard height.
And now for my find of the week. I am OVER the moon with these and literally threw in them into my basket to make it free next day delivery (and I know I'm not the only person who does that....)
Black leather look culottes from River Island were £38 now £10 They're not going to be for everyone but I am completely loving them. Also with sneakers (I can hear a lot of you vomming a bit in your mouths from here...) With a classic merino or cashmere jumper, long double faced coat or even longline blazer, I think this will be a great look as soon the temp climbs to above 5 degrees.
So you can have the ones above for ten of your English pounds.. or you can have the Whistles version for a few more... a mere three hundred and eighty five of them...
Olive Leather Trousers from Whistles £395
Then of course we have the new shape of the season - the cropped kick flare. Now I have actually been after a pair of these for years and years and years. To me, they are the ultimate Audrey/Grace Kelly trousers. They're not really a new shape at all, I think it's just the way they're being presented - with ankle boots at the moment - that makes them look so "new".
But the ones I ordered and am toying with keeping are the crop flare jeans. I've said it before - if you haven't tried the jeans from River Island, then you absolutely must. One of the best fitting jeans I've come across, especially for the money.
These are no exception. But for me - I'm pondering whether they're ever so slightly too short.. But.. for £12 and a pretty much perfect fit at the waist, hips and through the thighs, I think as soon as the weather warms up a bit, an inch too short, with sneakers or a more classic flat, isn't going to matter in the slightest. This is less than a bottle of wine (well - wine that the husband buys... my tastes aren't nearly as sophisticated).
Please excuse the (I would say snow white but that implies something vaguely ethereally elegant and mind are more like plucked dead chicken) white legs. This is nothing that a slap on of fake tan can't fix (and yes, before anyone asks, of course I will merely be doing the small bit you can see. Lazy is my middle name).
I do plan on wearing them with the chelsea boots pictured above, which does give a much more modern look, but a classic pair of pumps can't be beaten.
So the pics really aren't the best at all (although I'm quite liking how my new floor looks and it has reminded me I need to paint the mirror. Small children were in the shower and screaming that they were "ready" for their weekly nit comb that I do regularly as I am nit phobic. All the glamour chez moi this evening) but in an outfit, I think both pairs are going to fit very neatly into my wardrobe. For the princely sum of £22 for BOTH pairs. That can't be beaten.... A longline tee, blazer, bit of fake tan and these will be fabulous for every day wear.
I can honestly say that there isn't one pair of my black trousers that I don't wear regularly. In fact, all year round. Actually I tell a lie. I have a pair of Cos coated jeans that cut off the circulation to my legs so I tend to swerve them.
These ones I'm wearing today are from 2nd Day and once upon a time were coated. Not so coated any more but they are the most amazing fit, super comfortable and are now in their fourth year I reckon? Perfect day wear for throwing on with a jumper (and thank the lord for cashmere...) and one of my sales bargains (I think I only got a couple of things in the sale actually, this being one of them from M&S). With last year's favourite biker boots.
Black cashmere polo neck - Cocoa Cashmere
Black skinny jeans - 2nd Day
Caitlyn biker boots - Seven Boot Lane
Leopard print coat - Marks and Spencers
Brown wrist warmers - TK Maxx
Oversized black scarf - Mint Velvet
Red Soho Disco bag - Gucci
So are you a member of my "black can't be beaten" tribe? I have to say, whilst I do love all black, I do think this Spring, I'm going to start breaking it up a bit more with shades of charcoal and pale grey. Not to mention, mixing it with navy.... So many options. And so many more black trouser out there to explore.
Need to get my thinking cap on as to what I shall be wearing next week for my Big Week. Trip to Soho Farmhouse (WITHOUT KIDS) with the husband and then a big girl's lunch at The Hamyard hotel on Friday. Let the outfit planning commence...
I have just got the RI cropped kick flare jeans and so happy with the fit and look (and price) I've ordered a pair in black.
ReplyDeleteSue
I should probably get the denim pair as well otherwise I'll no doubt "kick" myself (god I'm sorry, I should go to bed..!)
DeleteThank you so so much for this post. Blogs tend to be about very casual clothes, but for those of us that go out to work it's nice to have a blog that gives us ideas!! Great xx
ReplyDeleteYou're more than welcome! xx
DeleteI've always thought that if I was going to do a fashion blog I'd have to call it "I Love It, Does It Come in Black?" Though this year I've gone a little crazy and added some gray, aka Light Black. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha! Yes! So so with you there. xx
DeleteBut black is not unflattering in trousers, it's only right next to your face. Easily cured by a different shade top underneath or scarf etc.
ReplyDeleteLove the trousers, I definitely have a black trouser hole in my wardrobe. My New Look skinnies are now no longer coated :(.
This is true.. but some people just prefer to swerve it altogether. I know a fair few people who literally never wear it!
DeletePersonally though, I would say you can never have too many black trousers... Are your NL Skinnies from this year? I have to say, my two pairs have done really well. I'll probably get another year out of them (I won't be wearing them for best best, but for every day they're fine) That's why I bought two pairs as I knew how often I'd be wearing them!
Oh I have absolutely no willpower- at least not when it comes to £12 jeans! Have ordered both the black and blue denim pairs and hoping they fit true to size?? (It wouldn't be worth it for me to send back...)
ReplyDeleteBtw the leather-look culottes look fab on you but unfortunately they are all sold out. :-(
It would be rude not to try them for that price, wouldn't it? And yes, they are absolutely true to size - perfectly so, I'd say....
DeleteThat's such a shame about the culottes.. I won't tell you how gorgeous they are then...!
Darn, clicked buy too quickly! Just went back and saw the most perfect leopard print ankle boots from River Island! (Not on sale but RI prices so not bad at £65). Resisting...resisting..
ReplyDeletehttp://www.riverisland.com/women/shoes--boots/ankle-boots/brown-leopard-print-block-heel-boots-670570
NOOOO!! I'll be back later with a 25% off code.. not that you still want them of course...
DeleteJust ordered the RI cropped kick flare jeans and jersey trousers. I have a feeling they may not be as cropped on me as I'm short but for £22 for both pairs I'm going to try them! Delivery to my local store, pick up on Saturday .... (Btw I returned the FCUK coat as I just wasn't sure, I loved it, but it was too big so I took your advice and returned. All other sizes now sold out in the Camel and the grey)
ReplyDeleteDo you know what - you did the right thing with the coat. If you weren't sure, it wasn't right. BEen there, done that, got a whole load of shite I never wear as it wasn't *quite* what I was looking for. Really hope the trews aren't too long on you! Mine are very short!! (definitely one for warmer days....)
DeleteLet's hope warmer days are not too far off! Still want a camel coat and I've managed to snaffle the ASOS Cocoon coat for £25... Ordered today when my size came back in stock, hoping it's great
Deleteoh yes!!
DeleteI was just wondering, Did you find the RI crop trousers true to size? I'm a 10 but if they fir at all small I'd order a 12..
ReplyDeleteLove the blog.
I think they are completely true to size. I'm a size 10 on bottoms in Zara, Boden, a 28 in Topshop (27 in proper jeans elsewhere..) definitely a 10 and they fit perfectly. I wouldn't size up. xxx
DeleteThanks Kat, I'm so tiny and shorty legged that cropped may well be full length on me! I've ordered black and blue denim and the jersey ones! I hope the forecasts are right about cropped kick flare being the new jean style....I love your blog and you always make me chuckle ;-) xx
ReplyDeleteThey most definitely are - such a classic, elegant style that is perfect for emulating all things Parisian! Bring on the flats!! (and thank you xx)
DeleteGod I love black! If I'm ever having a "I feel like pap" day, I wear all black because it just makes me feel like I've actually made an effort & there's something that looks so classy about it.
ReplyDeleteNow, paper bag trousers.......I love the look of them & think/hope they must be flattering on a slightly larger tum. Or is it the total opposite, will they make a large tum look even bigger? X
YES YES YES! You are so right. I feel I'm channelling my inner Audrey... (ha ha ha)
DeleteHmmm now I'm not sure that paper bag trouser would be that flattering on a slight tum. I think you're better off with a flat fronted, side zip pair with a top that skims over the top. I fear with paper bag trousers the top needs to be tucked in and it could just accentuate, under the tied belt, the area that you don't want accentuating. However I'd try them on and see for yourself but that would probably be my reticence (if that makes sense?!)
I would say you can wear leather culottes in a corporate environment, as the assistant FD in a large corporate organisation my black leather culottes are one of work wardrobe staples! X
ReplyDeleteYou go , sounds amazing! I know lots who wouldn't but I guess it's how you feel comfortable . Personally I completely agree and think they would rock but understand that some prefer a more classic look for work. (I would SO be wearing these!)
DeleteSo funny to see you in the River Island Faux Leather Culottes - I ordered those and loved them but then saw the bum, there is too much material so it doesnt lie flat. So upset but dont want to spend over £300 on the Whistles ones.
ReplyDelete