.. a 70s roll that is. Yes I've returned after my brief hiatus into trouser territory yesterday - back to the 70s with a vengeance bringing you the simplest of additions to your wardrobe.
SImple, yet effective and perfect for adding an instant injection of sartorial nostalgia.
May I present the skinny scarf.
Midi dress, check, knee high boots, check, trench, check (that's just today's outfit) and with the addition of a skinny scarf, you have a whole new looking outfit which works now and I promise you, you'll be well ahead of the game come September.
They also are the perfect lift to a plain (or print) tee and blazer - just another dimension which adds a little versatility to an outfit that you can then wear on repeat (except it will look a bit different). Plus - and here is their true magic - it hides a crepey neck. Ta dah! What more could you want?
You can also choose to spend a little or a lot. I'm going to start at the investment end of the scale.
This *might* be the one that has had my skinny scarf juices flowing...
Shark Baby Pink Super Skinny Scarf £85
If you'd prefer it without the Jaws feature...
Rockins Explosions Super Skinny Scarf £85
The other super option would be the limited edition Trixie Scarlet Red Skinny Scarf from Lily & Lionel £85
Or for the floral amongst you - double sided. For those of you who love a stripe.
Sabina Cornflower Blue Skinny Scarf from Lily & Lionel £125
And then there are the much more purse friendly versions and continuing the floral theme at ASOS.
ASOS Floral Print Skinny Scarf £8
ASOS 70s Printed Extra Long Skinny Scarf £6 Oh hello Missoni stylee.....
ASOS Chevron Skinny Scarf/Headband was £6 now £4 And that's an excellent point - you can easily wear these as headscarves.
ASOS Black Based Floral Skinny Scarf £6
And this is so wrong it's right. Although I'm such a clumsy oaf, I would end up strangling myself by getting this caught on something. Maybe for the less clutsy amongst us.
ASOS Ring Detail Skinny Scarf £10
And finishing with a classic plain option.
Black Skinny Scarf £3.99 from New Look
Today is an outfit that is screaming out for a skinny scarf. Although, to be fair, I should probably ease myself into this whole 70s vibe gently...
The boots though... the boots have been much admired today. And yes they have been sprayed within an inch of their life with Scotchguard. The heel is the perfect height (despite me not being able to get one of them on this morning - fine last night, this morning? WT?? Nope, couldn't get it on with a sock at all so I ended up wearing one sock). I did however managed 10 000 steps with not a hint of a blister.
Dress - Studio by Preen at Debenhams (all will be revealed tomorrow...)
Knee high boots in orange - Isabel Marant
Trench - Zara
Bag - Vintage from Margate
Lovely day working in London and then the usual rigmarole after school, compounded by the confusion of what day it is... Tomorrow is Friday. I am having a treat breakfast, catching up with the girls, followed by some research that needs doing and a shed loaf of work because tomorrow night - off to the Albert Hall. WHAT TO WEAR?!
But talk to me about the 70s.. are you a fan? I think maybe this is me getting my boho on without having to embrace any embroidery. FOMO has forced me to do it. That's my excuse, I'm sticking with it and shall be cracking out the wide leg flares before we know it.
Whilst the floral has crept up in the runnings as a rank outsider, there is only one horse in the print race.
A horse of the cat variety - that'll be good old leopard. I say print. To me it's actually a neutral. I adore it. I love it on its own, I think it's sublime with a stripe and I'd even team it with a floral. Throw it all on - the more the merrier.
It's a year round favourite and I've been wearing it now for years. I wear it for casual, I wear it to meetings, I wear it for photo shoots, I wear it for out in the evening - it genuinely is my favourite print bar none.
The husband? Yup, he's not *quite* as big a fan. I can usually hear him mutter "Corrie barmaid" or some such other twaddle, combined with obligatory eye roll. Stat.
Except... I think the worm may have turned.
"So how much do you hate this dress?" (that gives you an idea of the level of "compliment" usually dished out).
"Actually, I quite like it".
Shock. Horror. And he was serious. So there you go. FINALLY a dress in a leopard print that he actually likes. All the kudos to Lily & Lionel - this is the dress in question.
Kitty Neutral Leopard Print 70s Maxi Dress from Lily & Lionel £200
And here I am in mine...although I wasn't wearing this when he said he liked it - this is from a few weeks ago on a shoot I did with Lily & Lionel. He liked it when I wore it with a blazer (see below). The glasses wouldn't have done the outfit any favours in his eyes. The first time he saw them as I was leaving the house, his parting comment was "So when Elton calls, what time shall I tell him you're bringing his glasses back?". Yes, he's all the funny.
But it doesn't have to be a full on maxi.
There are always shirt options. These are perfect for Spring wear. Completely perfect to dress down with jeans and sneakers for during the day, wear for work teamed with classic black and for out in the evening, just fling on heels. And yes, I do always wear heels in the evening. Don't ask me why - it's my day to night Wonder Woman transformation. Think of it as a cape.
Animal Print Shirt from Topshop £36
Mink Pink Long Sleeve Leopard Print Top with Tie Back £55
You may want to wear a camisole under it, but it does make it that little bit dressier.
Ruffle Print Blouse from Mango was £29.99 now £19.99
I'm not going to lie to you - the majority of leopard love out there at the moment is in the swimwear department. And I shall be coming to that one day but definitely not right now (you've guessed it folks - no jetting off for us this Easter).
But this skirt from my beloved M&S is a definite winner. And perfect for those shorter amongst us who don't like a full length midi, this is the ideal length - on most it will probably sit mid calf which looks great with either flats or heels on most people, regardless of how tall you are.
Leopard Print A-line Skirt from M&S £35
Then we come on to jackets and this is where I may have overindulged over the years. But the joy about these is that they never got out of fashion. They never go out of fashion.
What I don't have though is a blue toned one. I know lots of people aren't a fan of the tan leopard colourway so this is a real find. Perfect with a white teen and jeans for Spring dressing. Navy or pale blue jumper and jeans or black trousers - ideal to take you into the Autumn. You could always wear this over an LBD or a LND (that's a little navy dress in case you hadn't guessed) for Occasion wear too.
Biba Leopard Print Jacquard Zip up Coat was £99 now £45
Accessories are always an option - the ultimate in reliability - the leopard scarf.
Animal Print Scarf from Mango £15.99
And I can't finish without mentioning footwear. My leopard crack of choice.
Amelia Studded Boots from Topshop £89 Oh how I adore these. Not even I can justify them though, so can someone please buy them vicariously.
These could tempt me back into heels on a daily basis. (Ok so I've tried to order them and they're out of stock in my size. That's just CRUEL).
Gina V Cut Flare Block Heels from Topshop £56
Leopard Print Closed Toe Mules from River Island were £48 now £20
Or the open toe block heel stud mules which are simply amazing, also River Island were £65 now £35
The perfect flats. Indulge your inner Audrey - black kickflare or plain cropped trews, black fitted tee or shirt and these. Ta dah! Your very own Roman Holiday. Ok so I'm not entirely sure Audrey indulged in a leopard ballet flat but if I bet she would have if she could have...
Leather Leopard from M&S £35
And a sturdier loafer/slipper style.
Leather Leopard Print Pumps from M&S £35
Of course my absolute favourite - the leopard print boot. The all year round staple.
Dune Oralie pointed toe mid heel ankle boots in pony skin were £120 now £60
And here I am, showcasing a little bit of of my leopard love.
This was from Saturday actually - a great afternoon with my three boys (two sons and a husband - I haven't gained a son) at Bluewater for a sushi supper. The only place we can go where all the family are in foodie heaven. And no - my small boys do not entertain anything remotely fishy. Thank the lord for chicken dishes.
70s Kitty Dress - Lily & Lionel
Ashcroft blazer - Me+Em
Superstar sneakers - Golden Goose
Black Tools Bag - Balenciaga
And today in the changeable weather. It was supposed to be 17 degrees today. It wasn't. This is the biker I bought from Zara in the sale for a complete steal. I totally forgot I had it and found it this morning - was like Christmas. However I soon remembered why I hadn't worn it as, lo and behold, it virtually cuts off the circulation to my lower arms. To say the sleeves are on the tight side, is somewhat of an understatement. I have the thinnest of lyocell tees on underneath. I may as well be naked or wearing a tissue. Makes no odds - the lack of blood to my hands still turned them a shade of blue.
Lyocell tee - & Other Stories
Midi skirt - M&S
Leopard jacket - Zara
Boots - Isabel Marant
Black Tools Bag - Balenciaga
So off to London tomorrow for meetings. It's allegedly going to be 21 degrees. Allegedly. This could spell outfit disaster...
Now talk to me about leopard - love or loathe it, fave pieces and can you ever have too much?
Ok so I'm clearly showing my age unashamedly, as I can't stay the word Star, without then launching into the Kiki Dee song. Admittedly I have little recollection of how it proceeds after that. Randomly I break into Bardo's One Step Further from 1982's Eurovision - a song which I can still recite every single word to.
Everything about that above paragraph is clearly wrong and an insight into my befuddled psyche (I spent the day with 30 children. Teachers - I have a new found respect for you) that you probably didn't need so let's get onto the good stuff.
Stars.
These, as a print, have been around for years.
I haven't been a buyer into this trend. At all. But never let it be said that eventually I don't turn up to the party. I've arrived. Which is highly appropriate seeing as I've spent all day today at Herstmonceux, which took over from Greenwich as the official Royal Observatory in 1957 (it's now a Science Centre). And so I have been spending the day learning about stars.
It's not that I've ever disliked stars - I have never had anything against them, but I've never found anything that has made me think - you must be mine. Well, apart from the Saint Laurent star sneakers but a) they were always out of stock and b) I always had something better to spend my money on but thank goodness for a) otherwise.....
Actually - saying that.. I do have something with a star on that I bought a couple of years ago. My Golden Goose trainers. HA! I don't feel so much of a party pooper now.
But something has opened the floodgates and the stars have caught and held my attention.
The way I've mastered stars? Scarves. I haven't really been wearing scarves that much this Winter, but I've worked out these are THE perfect Spring accessory. Now hugely unhelpfully, mine is actually from AW17, but there are lots of similar versions available for now.
In my beloved monochrome from Lily & Lionel. These scarves last forever. I have one that I bought from Whistles about five years ago and still use. The most exceptional quality and are classic, investment pieces.
Exclusive to Liberty's and Lily & Lionel. Moon & Star Monochrome Scarf, only four left. £140 (top tip - sign up to their email for a discount code)
Black cotton at Daniel for £24.99 - sign up for email again for a discount. It doesn't say, but it looks like gold and silver embroidered stars.
Embroidered navy version again from Daniel £24.99
Navy again with red at Tommy Hilfiger £32.99
Oversized Star Scarf in Cobalt Blue and Black by Owell & Austen Cashmere £80
Ideal for Spring with denim would be the white and light blue version, also £80
However for me - the perfect all year round combo would be black and white - £80 again.
Oh go on then, I'll show you the star sneakers. So subtle, I didn't even realise I had an actual star on mine.
Ok maybe not so subtle. They might have these in my size...
Saint Laurent Court Classic Star Sneakers in pale pink £380
But back to my favourites. Tried and tested.
Golden Goose Deluxe Brand Super Star low top leather sneakers £280
But then my new lust...green. I think I might be addicted to green. Khaki, forest green, with pink. I know I did it with red yesterday (pink and red) but honestly, my heart belong to pink and green. And these are sold out in my size. Law of Sod.
Super Star Sneakers £280
If you love the look of the Golden Goose but don't like the lived in look ("Mum, did you get those from a charity shop?" Still quote of the year when I got my first pair. From the, then 10yr old. All the eye rolling from me, obvs) then hush have come up with the perfect option.
Greenwich Trainers from hush £139 And don't forget your 10% off with the code S17PREVIEW.
Majestic Star Trainers from hush £165
But it doesn't have to be super expensive, although I will say, where last year there were loads, this year I've been able to find not very many at all.
Pull & Bear Leather Look Star Trainer £25.99
In faux pink suede - also £25.99
So are you already one of those fully paid up members of Stars Anonymous, or are you are a new kid on the block like me?
You will note I haven't gone down the clothing route. Weaning myself in gently with the scarf (and the trainers). Let's see where this goes.
Today, in the scarf. Which I threw into my bag as an afterthought. As I thought our school trip was indoors. That'll teach me not to ask where exactly we're going (I did know vaguely, just hadn't bothered to read any of the fine print ie the letter. Oops). Turns out a) it was mostly outdoors and even the indoor bits were freezing, as the temp of an observatory has to be cold (who knew?) and b) Spring took a leave of absence and it was cold again. I had also neglected to check the weather forecast and had dressed according to yesterday's temperatures. This was an error on my part.
Thank the lord for the scarf.
Blush and black scarf - Lily & Lionel
Grey jumper - Bella Freud
Grey blazer - Me+Em
Black coated Mayfair skinnies - Boden
White glitter copeland sneakers - Air & Grace
Grab bag - Gucci
I still feel sick from the coach journey (an hour and ten minutes winding your way through country roads) and so means I don't even need a glass of wine. Shock. Actually had the most wonderful of days - all thirty children (even mine) were amazing and it was a real pleasure to spend time with them. And did you know that Newton invented those little ridges we still have today on coin? I shall spend forever waiting for that question in a pub quiz.
Tomorrow, I have another Spring special to bring you (which will work perfectly with your trainers and scarves). Just in time for the weather to change at the weekend...
Coming up over the next three days (unless I decide I've got something that I simply have to write about - which is a high possibility), I've got three B's.
All perfect for Spring and all three you will either love or hate. I have to say, thinking about it now, I'm not a massive adopter of any of them but they're definitely things I do flirt with. I do find that an item of which there aren't many in your wardrobe - just the addition of one new thing can be the ideal injection of interest to transform outfits that you're bored of wearing.
I'm pretty sure I'm not alone at this time of year (when blimey, we all need a bit of cheering up) when you look at your wardrobe, that you've been wearing since way back before Christmas (and doesn't that seem like a lifetime ago already?) and think, ugh.
So one of these might be exactly what you need to transform your outfits.
First up. Blush.
We're talking a colour today. A colour I own nothing in. Oh actually I do - I have a dress. A wonderful, impossibly impractical, maxi dress from H&M that I bought at the tail end of the Summer and have worn once. But I absolutely will be wearing it in the Summer. Which therefore makes the purchase of this dress, which I tried on a month ago and can't stop thinking about, completely ridiculous. Not withstanding the fact that a) it's very expensive and b) it's dry clean only and whilst we're here, c) because it's dry clean only I wouldn't wear it every day. Were I able to fling it in the machine, I would happily throw a denim jacket and trainers on with this.
See by Chloe Ruffle trimmed crepon maxi dress £345
And here I am in it. LOVE. Can someone I know please have a big occasion this year so I can wear it? I have diddly squat of this level of importance dress wise in the diary. I even have the perfect shoes to go with it (the pom pom suede strappy Zara sandals that also are perfect with the other blush H&M maxi dress but I'm trying not to remember that).
I showed the husband. "Why are you dressed like a Pierrot?" (he had four sisters growing up in the 70s/80s...). I don't know why I bother.
So whilst one would be forgiven for thinking this blog is merely a (pathetic) attempt at the justification of aforementioned dress (and you would be right), I seem to be coming across nothing but blush.
This yesterday in Warehouse, for example.
Frill Sweat £39 from Warehouse
I found similar at H&M.
Sweatshirt with frills £29,99 from H&M
And if you think you can't get away from the blush, you definitely can't get away from the frills. Frills are everywhere. Kill two trends with one stone with these in a frilly blush combo. (try saying that after a couple of glasses of wine).
Frilled Merino Wool Knit from & Other Stories £55
Turning down the frill volume now at M&S and just a bit of sleeve action (not a jumper for washing up in).
Funnel Neck Flute Sleeve Jumper £35
And slightly more in my comfort zone.
Boucle Crew Jumper from Warehouse £32
This looks so much better on. I sized up to a 12 (I don't know why I keep saying that. I basically am a 12. Except that sometimes I'm a 10. Anyone else different sizes in different shops? And even different sizes in the same shop?).
On proof reading this article, I really, really, REALLY like this. And I like it with the skirt (that I obviously did purchase). Black biker (there's a black border around the bottom of the skirt) and black ankle boots? Warehouse are having a storming season by the looks of things. I need to explore in more detail..
Moving on to blouse territory. This is THE blouse from the lace blog the other day. The one I have in black.
Blush Victoriana Lacey Blouse from Monsoon £59
New season at Me+Em. And this just cements how amazing it looks paired with black.
Pleat Cuff Detail Shirt from Me+Em £165
Final reductions in the Me+Em sale (go forth and lose an hour of your evening over there...)
Lace Bib Jersey Shirt from Me+Em was £99 now £29
Lace bib front again, this time at M&S £25
Silk Box Blouse in blush and white was £165 now £66
But don't think you can get away from the frills in blouse form - oh no. This one. All the Chloe, none of the M&S. Absolutely divine. I saw it in Marble Arch when I was charging through last week and didn't have time to try it on. But on the upside, my white one arrived and I absolutely rooting, tooting LOVE it. Will be wearing out for dinner tomorrow night.
Long Sleeve Ruffle Blouse from M&S £25
Silk frill blouse at H&M £49.99
Or ease yourself in gently. Obviously with this weather, the most sensible purchase.
Wool Scarf from Warehouse £39
And finishing with footwear. The joys of spending way too long on Instagram. Scrolling through this morning, stumbled upon a Clarks ad (I don't even think I follow Clarks - pretty sure it was a sponsored ad which I never think works but what do you know - this time it did) with a pair of pretty darn gorgeous nude (blush to you and me) shoes.
In true Clarks reliable and practical style, these come in two different heel heights. Perfect. So they don't look *that* special in these photos but I promise you, they looked completely divine on their glossy ad shot. Definitely worth hunting down if they float your boat.
Grace Isabella Leather Shoes £70
Or higher with the Grace Eva £70
Finishing with something that is simply divine. I also think I'm going to have to try these jeans. I've tried them before but they're slightly altered the cut and this is a new wash. They look beyond perfect for Spring. I could also easily make excellent use of this jacket but I'm just going to throw it in here that I have spied, in their Spring lookbook, a tan suede biker jacket. Just leaving that there...
We are trying to persuade Mandy, the owner of hush, to make this in a grey or navy for next season. How epic would that be? Absolutely adore this shape (and colour).
Austen Leather Jacket from hush £280 I do know that they aren't many of these, so if you are thinking about it - don't hang around as they will sell out.
And here I am. In my usual uniform of black and navy. Embracing all the colour. Not. Except for a hint of red on my leopard print boots (which count as a neutral).
Black and white stripe jumper - Me+Em
Black Coated skinnies - New Look
Navy Shearling gilet - Helmut Lang
Leopard print boots - Isabel Marant
Half moon bag - APC
Lovely treat today, with the husband being at home, I took him to lunch. His first outing for a whole week, bless him. I could happily have stayed there all afternoon but no rest for the wicked with picking up the children and the supermarket. Oh all the glamour...
Tomorrow night though, off out for the first time this year (I think.. can't be? Think it is though). Slightly more excited than I should be... Will I be wearing my blush dress? Tempted but I think I'm going to go for the frills instead. In white though. One step at a time for me and all the new fashions. Interestingly (and I probably should have brought this up earlier as opposed to just flinging it in at the end as an after thought), when it comes to embracing new trends, I definitely find it easier to add just one at a time. So yes, I'm dipping my toe in the water with frills. But I'm sticking to white. Not that blush pink is reinventing the wheel by any stretch of the imagination but if it's a colour that's out of your comfort zone, personally, I stick to either a new trend or a new colour. Just slightly less scary than trying both at once. Baby steps. In my experience, the rule of thumb is that I'm more like to wear it that way.
But then rules are made to be broken...
