Bar-dot or Bar-don't?

Bardot top anyone?

So whilst I've decided this year that I am going for a more classic look as opposed to a boho love in - don't get me wrong, I adore it, I really really do, but it doesn't love me back quite so much.  The majority of what I'm being drawn to this season is a more pared back, cleaner look.  Yes ok so in my head it transforms me into all the Parisian Chic (all nod along...)

So these are Everywhere.  Therefore it will be super easy to snag a bargain one no?  No.  Not at all actually. 

What was I looking for? (always a big mistake to have in your head the picture of exactly what you want.  As that's never going to materialise....).  A simple, unfussy, unfrilly, plain (pretty much get the idea then?!), off the shoulder top in the scintillatingly shades of black or white. 

Ok but not clingy.  And not jersey as that is mostly clingy.  And not too expensive.  Easy eh?  
I had high hopes for my current love - Topshop but alas, they all seem to be on the cropped side...   Should have mentioned, cropped is definitely not on the wishlist.  I do though want it be to vaguely snug to the body whilst not being spray on and definitely not being any form of voluminous.   You can maybe see why I struggled with this?

I'm not even going to mention that I wanted to wear a jacket over it as well.  So the arms couldn't be too wide.   I was thinking of wearing it with looser trousers - so boyfriend jeans and cargos, which is why they couldn't be too blouson (now that's a FAB word) on top, as with volume on the bottom and volume above, there is the risk we all end up looking like potatoes.

I'm not sure why I started at Dotty P's.. (ooh I remember - found something on an FB pop up  that caught my eye,clicked on it and then spent the next half hour perusing a long forgotten favourite.  Ok so there are loads of things from DP's that I wouldn't wear but there are some real finds if you dig.  But you do have to dig.  Maybe I'll do a swifty blog on them shortly?)

In the meantime though, they did actually have a couple that I would definitely consider.  And without a shadow of a doubt look MUCH more expensive than their now £18 price tag.

Ivory Flare Sleeve Bardot Top from Dorothy Perkins was £24 now £18



Black Flare Sleeve Bardot Top from Dorothy Perkins was £24 now £18



Plain again at Mango although I fear this would be buster belly flashing on me...

Boat Neckline Top £29.99



Shorter sleeves in a stripe now.  For me - the jury is out on this... it almost sits between two camps... but actually with wide leg jeans, cropped or full length, this could be pretty cute.  Personally I think I'm trying to avoid the frill....

Pull&Bear Stripe Bardot top £15.99




Another stripe number from Vero Moda £10 and this definitely ticks the boxes with regards to simplicity... but do I want stripes??  If you definitely do then snap this one up for a tenner.  I'm hoping on the rest of us mere mortals it would be as unclingy as it is on her (one can dream... this had snuck in, even though it looks like jersey...).



Now I know I said no bouffant sleeves but I'm taking that back as this one from River Island delivers on every other level.  For me, this is the perfect holiday top (except for Disney.  I'm going to throw it out there that off the shoulder tops and roller coasters are possibly not a match made in heaven).  But with a pair of cut offs for the day - with a pair of skinnies for the evening, this is the ideal bardot vacation number. 

Black Bardot Top from River Island £25



Alternatively they have it in the blue.  A stunning shade for summer.   Now there is a print one as well but I have a pattern top blog up my sleeve which I'm saving it for.  In the meantime, this is a gorgeous shade.

Blue Bardot Top £25 from River Island 




I have to say - also from River Island - I would even consider a smidge of lace as it's so subtle (well, as subtle as a great big edging of lace can be....) 

Cream Lace Bardot Top from River Island £25



And also in the black.... 



And just because it's so so pretty and you can really see the detail in the pic - the coral.  Swoon.  This with faded denim.  Or white... Or khaki....

Coral Lace Bardot Top from River Island £25



But call off the dogs.  Earlier today - how timely? - a portion of my delivery from Warehouse arrived.  Randomly it came from lots of different stores in the UK as opposed to their warehouse (scuse the pun), and half of it hasn't actually been delivered as it's out of stock (cream lace blouse - weeps).  

This I honestly only put in *to try* as I was ordering anyway and thought it made no odds to the size of the delivery.  Well.  It's AMAZING.   I will pap tomorrow for Instagram as it needs an iron and I've been testing Noun Phrases and Fronted Adverbials, so didn't have time but believe me when I say it's perfect. 

Would be amazing with jeans, with smarter trews - not sure I'd wear it with a skirt personally - but perfect for culottes.  AND you can fit a jacket easily over it and it looks ace. 

Off Shoulder Top from Warehouse £45



The sleeves on this are ever so slightly different but it looks like another amazing option. 

Cotton Off The Shoulder Top £32 in navy from Warehouse 




Or the same blouse in a navy stripe again £32 from Warehouse 



Have you caved on the bardot top yet?  Have you gone all out for a more boho version or are you playing it safe like me with something more simple?  I have print summer tops coming up shortly, not to mention yet more summer options for our feet and good old dresses.

So here I am yesterday in the first of our super warm days - spent at the pool outdoors with the children as The Husband was working and then a late lunch outdoors en famille.  Yes, all black, but actually I wasn't too warm.  Top is a swing vest from last year which looked a lot better with the kick flares than this photo - honestly!  Came a cropper with the wind.


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Black swing vest - Zara
Black kick flare jeans - River Island
Black leather Falcon espadrilles - Seven Boot Lane 
Grab bag - Gucci

And today - well I didn't think it was going to be as warm and it did cool off later in the day. 


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Feather tee - hush

Black blazer - hush
Black boyfriend jeans - hush
Black leather Falcon espadrilles - Seven Boot Lane
Red Soho Disco Bag - Gucci

So I am off to struggle with trying to understand what a fronted adverbial as the 11yr old still wants me to test her for her SATS.  Poor poor poor thing - they are truly horrific.  The Husband is working away and the beloved little 9yr old is having a properly autistic day (he himself says "it's not a good day to be me today", god bless him, so I am putting them all to bed and then having a glass of wine whilst watching Game of Thrones (sorry husband - yes I am going to watch it without you....).

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CONVERSATION

23 comentarios:

  1. Never quite been able to master off-shoulder tops - I have a big chest and broad shoulders, so there's nothing holding the girls up and I look twice as wide as I am, the way the top cuts across me. I am interested though in all the cold shoulder tops currently out there, as they would give a similar effect, albeit with a bit more coverage. Time to go for an explore and a try on, I think - don't suppose you have anything planned regarding cold shoulders? A lot of them seem clingy to me, and I'm after something a bit more skimming...

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    1. You read my mind.......!!!

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    2. Ja ja ja, please do a cold shoulder one. Am also still top heavy(nursing baby) and off the shoulder tops are just not a good look, never mind trying to fit into a strapless bra!? The horror! Adore them on you gorgeous slim waify gals but think perhaps a cold shoulder would be a nice alternative. Love your blog as always Kat.

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  2. Try grammar monster for all things fronted adverbial! X

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    1. That came to my rescue last night! Along with present perfect, past progressive etc etc etc. Brain. Fried.

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  3. Try grammar monster for all things fronted adverbial! X

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  4. Yes, yes pls do a cold shoulder post! While i love Bardot tops (and have two amazing more-sweater like ones for colder times, I find summer ones hard to carry off. Cold shoulder seems an easier to wear and more flattering trend but also harder to find. Would love any recommendations you might have! xx

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    1. Ah now you see I think it's easier in the Summer.... I'm too pale and get cold shoulders in the Winter!! Cold shoulders coming up (although I'm not going to lie... the jury is still out for me...!!)

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  5. I'm with the others on the boob front (pun intended), I'm not so broad shouldered, but the ones with ruffles would definitely add too much volume up top! I do wonder if there is an arm movement issue, not one to wear at the supermarket where what you want is on the top shelf! And there is the bra issue, there is no way I'd go without (hell freezing over sort of thing), and while I do own a strapless bra, I bought it to be able to use the straps that came with it in different ways.
    Cold shoulders is a definite alternative.
    Danish Pastry

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    1. Now I thought there would be but actually, in the warehouse one, it's pretty good. The arms are very separate if you see what I mean.. .that doesn't really make sense but it does if you try it on!!

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  6. Bad-don't here - can't do away with the boulder holder without risking damage to bystanders

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  7. Love your Espadrilles, do you have a discount code for Seqven Boot Lane by any chance please? Sorry to be so bold!!
    I really like them but have just bought some Jigsaw espadrilles so am struggling to justify another pair. A discount code may help the justification process!! Thanks

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    1. Literally putting a post together right now!

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    2. Thanks Kat, I've ordered them-oops!!

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    3. Oh SO pleased. You won't be disappointed - they are so so so buttery soft and comfortable. A great modern take on a classic xx

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  8. I really like Bardot tops, but there not for me, like the other ladies, my boobs are too big to go bra free & don't feel comfortable in strapless ones... But as for cold shoulders tops.... No, just NO!

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    1. Now you see I was totally with you on the cold shoulder tops... but I may have seen the light.. watch this space...!!

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  9. Love them, I recently purchased two colors of the same Free People top (white and chambray blue) that is a much cheaper dupe of the Tibi tunics. You can tuck it in or wear it out, very versatile. I also tried out a silk Theory top in navy but it ran small on top so I returned it. But it was a gorgeous top that ticked all your boxes. Except it's dry clean only.

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    1. Awwww now are the Tibi tunics the cold shoulder style ones (so actually have straps as well?) LOVE them but forget it if they're dry clean only!! Not for a summer top.. Although if they're pure silk and not a silk jersey, I'd handwash. (although a total bugger to iron!)

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    2. The Tibi and Free People tunics don't have straps or that flounce on top, very clean and minimalistic. They have adjustable ties at the sleeves, which is a great detail. The Free People 'Show Me Some Shoulder' blouses (that's the style name) are cotton poplin for the white and a true chambray cotton for the blue.

      The Theory top is 100% pure silk (not a jersey fabric) and also comes in black. It's called the 'Joscla' top.

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  10. Love the idea but know that a million 20 year olds will flounce past me this year looking better than me in it so will leave this one up to them - fancy a cold shoulder though (and it will be cold in the UK lets face it - blue shoulder more like) so waiting for your post before the credit card comes out.....

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