New Year, New Look

As I've said, time and time again recently, it's a tricky old time of year.  So when M&S asked me to choose my favourite pieces for "New Me", I decided to try a New Look instead. 

It's really hard to even think about Spring at the moment, with the imminent threat of snow (promise according to my children - dear every weather forecaster on tv, if it doesn't snow, you have two very disappointed little boys sat here.  I, on the other hand, could snog you for getting it - hopefully - wrong).

So instead of reinventing the wheel with an entirely new Spring look, I thought it would be a good idea to buy one new item that takes you slightly outside your comfort zone.  That will work with your existing but is something that you've never tried before.  A new shape of trouser, a different type of top or a new sort of skirt. 

Nothing too drastic, but just something a bit exciting.  (you can tell I don't get out much in January, can't you?!).  I am actually over the moon (like I say, it doesn't take much), as I've found a couple of things that I'm really looking forward to wearing now and into Spring that will just add a little difference to your look - so not a whole New You but hopefully a New Look.

Breaking you in gently now with something that I've been wearing for a while so - yes, first up, personally I'm cheating.  But I know they're something that others have been more reluctant to embrace, so I'm giving you an easy in here, as these are amazing. 

I've already worn mine yesterday, and they are a complete hit.  The crepe jogger.  

Sports luxe is going nowhere. But this Spring, it's easier to wear than ever.  And M&S have come up with the perfect trousers to ease you into a look you may have shied away from. 

These are definitely on the smarter edge of sportswear.   They are immaculately cut, come in three lengths and are a gazillion times cheaper and a hell of a lot more practical than the Equipment ones I've been eyeing up.  You could easily wear these to work - the cuffed bottom a l'Equipment - gives it that tailored edge that many don't have.  The fabric is also a flattering, quality feeling, heavy weight crepe that doesn't crease.  I wore them all day yesterday and they definitely passed the crease test.  

Drawstring Crepe Slim Leg Trousers in black £35




And here I am in the trousers which I am anticipating living in till it's time for shorts.  



Or - and we're pushing the boundaries here.. how about a grey check pair.  These would be so easily incorporated into a work wardrobe or dress down with a jumper and trainers. 

Checked Slim Leg Joggers £35.00






Then we have a large step outside of my comfort zone.  Wide leg in ochre.  Or as the 12yr old said "yellow trousers mum?", with a look that lead me to believe she wasn't 100% impressed.  Pah.  These are amazing.  They look so fabulous with black, with leopard print, with navy.  It's a colour that I don't think I've ever worn before.  But it goes with about 80% of my wardrobe which makes it an obvious addition.  The perfect leap of faith opportunity.

M&S Collection Belted Wide Leg Trousers in Ochre £35





If you've not tried wide leg trousers before, then perhaps starting with a smaller step out of your comfort zone might be an idea.  A pair which are easier to wear are a lower waist, more subtle colour in the form of the khaki wide leg trouseres from Autograph.

Autograph Single Pleated Wide Leg Trousers £45






However the winner for me bottoms wise for my New Look is in the form of a skirt.  And a tulle version no less.  So I have tried tulle in the past.  And looked the extra from the back row of dancers at the panto.  They haven't worked.  At.  All.  This however - oh hello, gorgeous pleated number which has made my Spring so far. 

Pleated tulle is genius.  It's a subtle variation on a theme but a step out of the ordinary.  Such an easy way to make the mundane just that little bit more fun.

Mesh A Line Skirt in Grey £35



So I'm going to go for dress down to begin with, but I shall absolutely be dressing this up for evenings with heels and a thin knit or blouse. 

And now tops.  For me - I'm going to stick my neck out and say that bottoms are a bigger challenge and a bigger pill to swallow when it comes to being brave. 

But if you're looking perhaps for something to go with your new bottoms or want to try a new top shape to ease you into the new season gently, then I've got a couple of ideas which are worth considering. 

First up - frills.  These are everywhere.  And I've shied away.  I don't do *pretty* very well and I've never quite managed to make the more ubiquitous frill blouses and jumpers that are out there work on me.  I love the look on other people but I've always veered towards the more pared back when it comes to tops.  I've got on board with lace and I dabble in print but the frill has eluded me. 

Which is why I'm going to give these a go.

Ruffle High Neck Long Sleeved £29.50 from Limited Collection



Absolutely love this. 


And 60s style now but with a frill cuff.  

Contrast Tipped High Neck Blouse by Autograph £39.50






Frilled cuff and collar again but I do think this is slightly easier to wear perhaps than the one above?  Less statement in a weird way seeing as this is print and the other is monochrome?  Maybe I mean more subtle.  Would look amazing with a pair of jeans and tan boots and a mustard coat (which I handily own....).  GORGEOUS blouse.  Totally out of my comfort zone but totally wearable.

Floral Print Sculptured Sleeve Blouse from Autograph £49.50



So which of the three do you think is the best option?  I keep changing my mind but am definitely veering towards the first.  Or maybe the print one.  Oh HELP!  Nope, definitely the white one.  Bought.

And I'm going to finish with a collection of blouses - boho inspired.  As well as the sports luxe trend which has now become a wardrobe staple, boho, thanks to the likes of Marant, Velvet by Graham and Spencer, Maje and Iro amongst many, has become a style that is here to stay. If you've always shied away from boho in the Summer, how about putting a toe in the water with a Spring blouse.

These would come into their own for any nights out you have.  When you look at your old clothes and want to weep but don't want to buy a whole new outfit - one of these Spring inspired blouses would be perfect with a pair of jeans and heels.  Or black trousers.  Into the warmer months, with cut offs (I'll leave it up to you and your legs to decide what length cut offs you want to go to) and sandals.  In the meantime though, I'd be wearing one of these with jeans, ankle boots and a biker or a loose blazer for weekend dress down. 

Pure Modal Embroidered Peasant Blouse £35






Love the idea of wearing now with leather (this mini skirt is also available by the way).

Floral Print Tassel Blouse from Indigo £29.50



The perfect throw on blouse. Layer with a thin polo underneath for cooler days.

Crepe Tassel Notch Neck Blouse from Indigo £19.50



Floral Print Ruffle Sleeve Blouse £29.50



Limited Edition Paisley Print Long Sleeve Blouse £29.50



Limited Edition Embroidered Notch Neck Blouse £35



But the best one I found I think, was the Long Sleeve Tassel Blouse at £29.50  Alas, you can't see the shirring detailing on the cuff.  Really gorgeous.  


I sized up to a 12.



It's so easy to tweak your look for the next month or so until we get completely into Spring mode with the addition of one or two new things.  What would be your choice? 

And yes, you've guessed it, the trousers are out again.  I only wish they did them in navy... 


Black 1970 Jumper - Bella Freud 
Crepe Joggers - M&S
Hat - Penmayne 
Coat - Warehouse
Susanna boots - Chloe
Black Mario bag - Jerome Dreyfuss

So I am sat here staring out at snow, which is getting heavier by the minute, the husband is trying to get home from having had an operation in London on both his feet and I can't get into town to pick him up as the traffic is so terrible because of the snow.  The children are torn between being ecstatic at the thought of a snow day and devastated as the Sky box appears to have broken.  I think I should just open wine, no?




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CONVERSATION

33 comentarios:

  1. The answer is always wine!
    I love that first embroidered blouse but not sure how well it would with boobs?
    I like wide leg trousers but always seem to have an issue that I have no hips or bum but unfortunately a belly. If it fits in my waist, they tend to drown my bum if that's possible?
    Hope the husband isn't too terrible a patient for you!
    Sarah x

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    1. No I know exactly what you mean about the wide leg trousers... I actually find looser trousers work better - the yellow ones are brilliant as they're very flowy so drape over the derriere... if that makes sense?! I also have no hips or bum and carry my weight around my middle so actually find it easier to wear the lower cut ones... Like the khaki ones above. IF not though, try the joggers - they are amazing!

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  2. Please get a job helping out M&S with their styling! Would never have looked at those grey check joggers in a million years, but they look completely different on you! Seriously tempted as a way of breaking away from jeans, jeans and more jeans.

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    1. Oh they would be perfect! And thank you. I"m also going to be putting together a blog on an alternative to skinny jeans which I hope might help?!

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  3. You look better in all of those things than the M&S models do. I like the idea of the trousers but I'm not sure about the draw string ties? I love the white blouse and the black one. I heard today that M&S had better than predicted sales on fashion in the last months of 2016. I can see why, they are definitely picking up on ladies wear.

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    1. Oh I love love love the drawstring waist For me - it makes them really up to date and just gives them a less "tapered slacks" look!!

      Oh and M&S have some absolutely gorgeous stuff coming through for the Spring/Summer!

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  4. Great Gosh Almighty - I would never have guessed at M&S in a million years! No wonder their pre-christmas clothing sales were up for the first time in ages. Totally agree with the posters above - you do these so much more justice than the M&S styling. Both pairs of crepe joggers, the skirt, the white ruffles and the black blouse are calling me, thanks to you. I did get the bell-sleeved sweater http://www.marksandspencer.com/funnel-neck-flute-sleeve-cropped-jumper/p/p22505635?prevPage=plp&pdpredirect and sized up for slouch - love it. Old Marks's is killing it right now!

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  5. Love the checked trousers!! I'm buying online as we don't have M&S here in Canada. I'm 5'7...should I get short or regular length :))

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    1. I've got the long on... but I do have really long legs. I think at 5ft7 I would get regular not short. Actually definitely not short!

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  6. Some lovely pieces, especially those you're modelling. I got 2 similar tops from M&S yesterday in their sale at 10.99 each! Love crepe joggers. I have a pair from Whistles that I've worn almost threadbare and have been looking for a replacement. These look perfect, thanks.
    Hope the husband gets home safe and sound without any pain!

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    1. He got home super quickly!! And fab steal from the sale. I am all saled out now - definitely all about the new season!

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  7. Love the black drawstring trousers...great look. Any feedback on sizing? Thanks, Anna

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    1. I think they come up on the ever so sightly large side. So this is a 10 that I'm wearing and it's definitely a large 10 (as I'm a large 10 and they're perfect!) Hope that helps! I'm also wearing the Long.. I'm always a 10 in M&S trousers but randomly, always a 12 in skirts!

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    2. I agree, those black trousers are generous. I'm a small 10 and they swamped me. Also wasn't keen on the front crease, but I always like a flat front, but it looked like it might iron out.

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    3. Oh now you see I love the front crease - I think it's the perfect juxtaposition between smart and casual. LOVE them! But yes, they do come up on the big side = that's for sure! However how lovely to be able to go down a size!

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  8. I love both the white and black blouses on you, the black one is probably my favorite, the sporty stripes tone down the frilly bits so it's not to full on girly. I echo your final comment about your joggers, in navy they'd have been bought by now! The grey check pair are a possible, but I wouldn't get so much wear out of them. I've never been good with colourful trousers, I try, but they never get the wear, so now I stick to what I know works.

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    1. It's lovely isn't it? I think though that I'd get more wear out of the white one I really don't have anything like that in my wardrobe at all - will work with so so so many things!

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  9. love the black joggers, have been looking for some. You said you'd love them in navy, so I highly recommend these Jaeger ones and they are £40 in the sale right now - I absolutely love them http://www.jaeger.co.uk/wool-tailored-jogger/731070W-75000-6.html?cgid=women-trousers - annoyingly they don't do these in black, so have ordered the black M&S ones you recommended!

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  10. Uniqlo is good for dressy joggers and a bit cheaper. That skirt is lovely but I must admit to refusing to go down the pleated skirt due to the thought of ironing it. I had one in the 80s and it was a pig. I had to pin the pleats so they would iron nicely and decided life is too short for this sort of FAFF. My current yen is for a frilly sweatshirt...

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    1. Oh this skirt wouldn't need ironing at all! Is a tulle so will (should) just come out of the machine as it went in...

      I lOVE uniqlo for knitwear and bretons (newly found discovery!) but haven't looked at trousers. Thanks for the tip!

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  11. Uniqlo is good for dressy joggers and a bit cheaper. That skirt is lovely but I must admit to refusing to go down the pleated skirt due to the thought of ironing it. I had one in the 80s and it was a pig. I had to pin the pleats so they would iron nicely and decided life is too short for this sort of FAFF. My current yen is for a frilly sweatshirt...

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  12. I'm always up for grey check trousers, they are one of my favourite types. I would have gone to those first. I love yellow and wear it all the time in dresses and tops but not yet in trousers. I may have to explore that option. My favourite shade for coloured trousers is always burgundy, goes with every neutral top ever


    https://retrocasual.wordpress.com

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    1. Ah now I have burgundy leather leggings but have to say, haven't considered buying any other sort of trousers! Interesting!

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  13. Kat - you haven't seen any nice ruffle skirts, have you? I might be insane, but I have a yen for a ra-ra skirt. Last worn by me in 1984. When I was 11. I realise it might not work though...

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    1. Hmmm no I haven't as I haven't looked. I have to say I did look last year - I was rather obsessed with an Erdem one and think I remember seeing similar at River Island. BUT this was lst year. I do know though that there are definitely some coming up at Designers of Debenhams. I'm sure I recall a check one from Preen and a floral one from Savannah Miller... shouldn't be that long before their new stock drops!

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  14. Love the white top and ordered the crepe joggers for my partner for Val day (she has long legs annoyingly) Love the idea of the tulle skirt but it would be too long on me and at 59 worry I would be a touch of 'whatever happened to baby jane' 'But y'are Blanche, y'are'

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  15. Thank you Kat. I got a Marks and Spencer voucher at Christmas and honestly thought I'd spend it on groceries or home wares...you have inspired me to try the white frill blouse and the black and white one. I definitely agree with the other comments, they need to employ different stylists, your styling looks a million times better than their models. Oh, your house in the snow...just beautiful! x

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    1. Well you are too kind, thank you so so much. You will love the blouses - perfect for so many occasions. Great price AND they go in the machine. WHOOP!

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  16. Don't the tapered joggers make one's arse look big (aka the "chicken drumstick leg" look)? They look marvellous on you, though.....

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    1. Hmmm I think it depends on what you wear them with and whether they fit you properly or not! Not forgetting the fabric.. if it's a fabric that clings - so a jersey or a knit for example- they wouldn't be as flattering as a crepe - like the M&S ones. They're also generously cut, which helps too. I would try them and see!

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