If at first you don't succeed

..give up?  Ok so maybe not give up, but take a break perhaps?

So this blouse business.  I tried my (lovely but not yet worn) black Victoriana lace Monsoon blouse that I love.  And I just cannot get it work.  Essentially I am too tall.   It's too short in the arms for me, it's too big on the body and if I tuck it in to anything high waisted, I look like Humpty Dumpty.  I can't make it work. 

This is why I hate blouses.  This is why I've never bought them.  Oh except that I do occasionally buy them, but this is why I don't wear them.  They don't work on me.  I genuinely find them really difficult to wear.  My body isn't particularly long (in fact it's on the short side!) yet, so many of them won't stay tucked in.  And tucking them is uncomfortable.  Frankly, I'm too old to be uncomfortable.  Oh and they're always too short in the arms.  Although I do have the appendages of an orangutan, to be fair.

Which is why I was stomping around H&M yesterday, gazing at all the lovely frilly blouses that look awesome on other people and make me look like I'm a drag queen, when suddenly, a small item caught my eye.  

I say small.  Not really small at all.  Leather Dungarees. 

Yes, you read that right.  Leather Dungarees.  Now these aren't a complete revelation, I very nearly bought a pair last year from Topshop and chickened out.  Well this year I am manning up and I'm going in. 

Here I am in them.  Take a deep breath...


They are not going to be for everyone.  I showed them to the husband and asked whether he thought I could get away with leather dungarees.  Dead pan look from him.

"So basically you mean lederhosen?  Have you been drinking?".

Yes I'm going from the sublime (blouses) to the ridiculous (German 70's pornwear).

These are them below, on the left.  I can't do a link as they're not instore yet, as I found out last night when I couldn't stop thinking about them and went to order them. 

So obviously I had to go back to pick them up today (was already going to London with the husband for his hospital appointment.  Trains totally totally up the spout - derailed freight train, so a 25mins journey took 75 mins - but I managed to get him to the office (where he obviously had to have a flying visit) before legging it to Oxford Circus and making it back in time for the hospital appointment. 

No I didn't pick up the blouse.  Although obviously I was tempted.  But I know it wouldn't work for me.  The frills and the print - not the blouse itself.  I LOVED wearing my silk blouses (that came untucked in jeans or clung to my muffin like a piece of clingfilm) with my dungarees as they're naturally high waisted - slightly loose and ridiculously forgiving.  Seriously, they are the ultimate muffin case.



So I how do I plan on wearing mine?  I'm going back to what I now.  I'm sticking to what works.  And that's plain for me.  Personally - I can work with texture, I can work with different fabrics and I can work with different shapes.  But when I start to throw in print (apart from a dress - they are a breed apart), all the wheels fall off and I just feel wrong diddly.

Plain.  Black silk shirt, off white silk shirt, stripes (on repeat).   Clean lines (although I think my new M&S frill sleeve blouse in white will work perfectly) are what I am comfortable with.  Therefore they are what I shall wear.

Inspiration (code for *losing hours of your life*) always good to get from Pinterest.

And if they're good enough for Olivia Palermo...

From day....


...to night.  I have an off the shoulder white blouse - that I funnily enough never wear - from Warehouse that I bought last year which will be perfect tucked into these.  Which I might wear tomorrow actually.  Or maybe not considering it's going to be 4 degrees.



Even the detailing on this collar is a little too much for me with something so in your face (there's no other description for them really, is there?) but I love the shoes.  



With a striped shirt. 



I appreciate that leather dungarees may not be for everyone and at the moment, they're scant on the high street.  It could mean that I have peaked way too early and they're going to die a death and no bugger will be wearing them (likely) or I have peaked way too early and am ahead of the game (unlikely).  Either way, I'm going in.   I LOVE them.  But then I adore all my black faux leather (for £49.99 they're not real leather!) trousers and wear them a lot.  An awful lot actually, so these will suit me right down to the ground. 

They are a big ask though - in fact to some, dungarees are still a punchy move, but honestly they're becoming much more acceptable fare.  You know you want to try them... 

I personally think black is easier to wear then denim but that's not to say I don't have my eye on a denim pair for later in the season.

Denim Dungarees from H&M £29.99



Denim Dungarees in black from Boden £79.50  So easy to wear with a blush thin knit jumper.  Come on now, if Boden can do them and how easy to wear is this look?  For day wear, ballet flats or loafers. 



Fitted again and a great entry level at ASOS.

90s style Dungarees £42 (I don't recall wearing dungas in the 90s...)



Looser now at Monki.  I did try the black looser versions last year.  I looked like a nun on crack.  I've gone back to the fitted.  But that's not to say they don't look epic on other people. Pared back and effortlessly cool.  I just needed rosary beads.  I'm sticking with gestapo chic instead.

Monki Minimal Dungarees £35

Silk shirt love in at Mint Velvet.
Black Lux Denim Dungaree from Mint Velvet were £69 now £49




Moving onto the blue versions.

Denim Dungarees in blue from Boden £79.50



MOTO Clean Denim Dungarees from Topshop £49



Ganni Sunset Lyocell Dungarees were £160 now £45



And for the Summer?  I did have a pair of off white ones from H&M a couple of years ago actually but one of the buttons fell off.  And I lost it.  And it was rose gold and sort of made the dungas and without said button you couldn't do the shoulder straps up so it was nigh on useless.  I did like them though.  Gorgeous with camel.

ASOS Relaxed Dungarees in stone were £48 now £24




So come on... let's get going with the dunga chat.  Are you in or are you my husband?

I shall be wearing them tomorrow.  But today, for my trip to London with the husband to the hospital, it was slightly warmer and so I got the ankles out.  Wasn't cold in the slightest.  Is Spring finally around the corner?



Black Tattoo Me jumper - Donna Ida at Jaeger
Black Mom jeans in black - ASOS White
Copeland trainers in leopard - Air & Grace
Grab bag - Gucci
Mustard coat - Warehouse

Tomorrow - part one of the my birthday treats - off to Bicester.  Making most of the husband being at home.  Whoop.  Whoop.  I have nothing on my list.  Well apart from a belt and a black bag.  Which means I will come home with something that is neither a belt nor a black bag.  Guesses?  Maybe nothing...?!!

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CONVERSATION

35 comentarios:

  1. The leather ones are not for me, but I have the black Boden pair from about this time last year and they are great. (I bought the Whistles ones the previous year and wore them a lot, but the Boden pair are a much slimmer fit and more flattering.) Possibly just me, but I find they only really work with a bare ankle which it's just too cold for right now.

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    1. I agree - but as mine are on the cropped side, I can also wear with ankle boots! But my preference is trainers, for sure. Or a ballet flat, or a loafer!

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  2. I adore Dungarees, the husband hates them - but I adore them regardless - I have a blue denim baggier style and a pair of black very skinny fitted ones and love them both - would I be brave enough to wear them in leather - gosh I don't think so - but you totally will be able to :)

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    1. oh lordy, mine LOATHES them! I can't get to grips with the super skinny ones - I have to say though, the leather ones - the fit is a revelation. Perfection!

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  3. Thought you'd lost yo' mind when I read 'leather dungarees', but you've sold them to me. Almost literally. Bloody lush and I can NOT stop thinking about your M&S shirt and how gorgeous it would look with them. Trying desperately not to turn into your (short, dumpy) clone!

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  4. I love them on other people, but they just look wrong on me. I'm an apple shape, so from the side especially I look like a weeble. I think they look best on a straight-up-and-down figure, which sadly I don't have!

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  5. Adore dungarees! Perfect for hiding the mum tum and ensuring no knickers on display when bending over to scoop up toddler. It's a win win. Love the leather look ones, I am shopping around for a coated fitted pair as I love my coated jeans so much. So far no luck :(

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    1. Aren't they amazing? And speaking of toddlers - the leather ones are wipe down... just saying....

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  6. I'm not in your husbands lederhosen camp, but these aren't for me, they'd bulk me up too much around the boob area.
    That being said, I wish I could! Slimming column of colour, no muffin top on show, almost as easy as a dress to throw on in the morning, and easier than a jumpsuit as far as toilet visits are concerned.

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  7. I've seen those H&M faux leather dungarees in store. Might try them today as I have a couple of hours to kill on Oxford Street this afternoon. I already have dungas in black denim from H&M ages ago - don't you have those too?

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    1. YES! Two or three years old? Were something like £14.99 or £9.99? Epic.

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  8. Possibly a bridge too far for me! I did buy the gorgeous black asos tall denim ones (recommended by you a couple of years ago) but my lovely husband literally cries with laughter every time I attempt to wear them, or makes jokes about me having a painting and decorating job on the side. Worn with confidence (and on other people, yourself included) I think they look lovely - but I think I'll have to admit defeat with them generally!

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    1. My children ignore them but the husband always does a tiny eye roll and I can see him chomping back the comment.. bovered. I love them!

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  9. I'm with your husband, I'm afraid. I'm consciously trying not to buy clothes that I'll think "nah" in 6 months time. I admire your enthusiasm for them though, and I'm keen to see photos of how you'll make them work. Regarding blouses, I also am tall with a long body, and I find that anything with a small floral pattern makes me look like I'm wearing an armchair cover. I prefer abstract prints for my pattern, and only ever have them untucked, with just a front edge tucked in - so half in, half out. And I stick to certain brands that aren't economical with their fabric - Marella, Turnover, Comma etc.

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    1. I completely agree with you about things that you're not sure about. But things that I loved last year and still love this year - I think are worth an investment. Also things that you wear straight after you've bought them, have tops, shoes and jackets that make perfect outfits and you can think of at least three occasions when you want to wear them - winner!!

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  10. Love these on you Kat but as a small woman with boobs and not small thighs and bum, but a decent waist, dungarees are my kryptonite! I did buy some lightweight cullotte dungas over summer in a mad moment and never wore them, because as looking in the mirror swiftly reminded me, basically anything not nipped at the waist turns me into a barrel ! :-)

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  11. I have some navy, faux leather, culotte dungarees from Topshop (£7 in the sale last year)!!! I love em! They're quite big on me as I am technically a petite but I think they look good like this. My husband loves both boilersuits and dungarees (not sure why, best not to delve). Anyway I always get compliments. I tend to wear them with navy tops to give me a longer silhouette. I think the H&M dungareees blook great on you, Kat. Go for it. Who ever listens to husbands anyway??!

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    1. Oh I think it's so so fab that your husband loves them. Mine would love it if I lived in jeans, blazers and loafers.... But you're absolutely right. I don't listen to him generally at all!

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  12. Love my black denim dungars, not worn them for a while so thanks for reminding me that they're in the wardrobe. You'll rock the leather ones. Those Copeland trainers look great. I've just taken delivery of the Golden Goose leopard superstars. Beyond excited!!!

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    1. WOW! You lucky duck! I am now on the market for more dungarees!

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  13. I wore dungarees in the 90s. There is photographic evidence. The dungarees are definitely not the worst part. I was young enough not to feel inconvenienced by the semi strip for a pee. I think I feel too old for them now. I am tempted to try a pair. Although not sure I can cope with any more husband-children ridicule ;-) Also not sure they will encourage my get slenderer campaign I am waging in my head :D Was swithering over the M&S leopard trainers but now I've seen your Copeland ones... xx

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    1. All I remember from the 90s is going clubbing in a swimsuit and shorts. Dear. God. I clearly have blanked out the rest.

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  14. Look great on you, but probably not for me. Leather trousers, though.... oh, yeah. I think the only reason my blouses work is they look better unturned or only half-tucked. I have 2 peasant/smock style ones that I might half-tuck and a more boxy one that is not designed to tuck, but just hang. I'm quite straight up and down, so tucking in is not really my style.

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    1. Half tucked yes, but whilst other instagrammers look cool, I just look like I haven't had time to get dressed properly after going to the loo. Them's the breaks.

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  15. Definitely not for me but I'm sure they will look fabulous on you. I did like the pic worn with the black and white stripes shirt, looks really cool. Lx

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  16. OH MY GOD. Its an actual epiphany. The weird, I love them on a hanger but feel odd wearing them items in my wardrobe are ALL PATTERNED.

    Thank you! Although I really should have returned that jigsaw dress that got added to this group last week...

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    1. SEE??!!! For me, it's the same with tops that are frilled or over embellished. Look amazing on other people - oh I can emulate that - but oh no you can't. I Look just wrong diddly. Like a model in one of those "catalogues" that's been forced to wear something massively naff and you can smell her discomfort from the pages. I shall blog on this....

      BUT BUT BUT BUT - a dress - nope, I can do that. I LOVE a print dress. One thing, one print. Don't try and add anything to it.

      Same with shoes. Well - boots. Frills, laces, print, fur - you name it, I love it. But only on my feet.

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    2. Ok, I can rescue the dress. Total yes to the frills/ruffle issues too. Love your blog and insta feed by the way!

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    3. Thank you! I will just fling in an idea that I Love and have come to the conclusion they completely work and that's pussy bow blouses. The. Best. (but only plain... god forbid print. Can't, Compute. Would love to - but nope, just doesn't work!!)

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  17. Yes, it doesn't work tucked in and I don't know if I'd wear it enough untucked! I have the black pussy bow silk blouse which I would wear as much if not more and think I would always turn to instead of the lace one, if that makes sense? And the leopard trainers are AMAZING!

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