It's Special Outfit Hunt time.

I love a challenge.  Well, ish.  I love randomly to think about clothes, until I cock it up.  Which of course only happens when it's a really really special occasion.  And next Friday I have one of those.  Ok so it's not a wedding or anything of *that* significance but it's my bessie mate's birthday and we're off to the Chiltern Firehouse for lunch.  

I will fess up that until a couple of months ago I was totally unaware of the Chiltern Firehouse (country bumpkin that I appear to have turned into).  It is allegedly the coolest place to be in London town and impossible to book a table (ok so that is in the evenings and we apparently have scored a lunchtime table).  

After much wrangling with childcare issues, we are all set to go.  But what does one wear?  This place is by all accounts so trendy it's painful.  Now we do want to dress up (as much as one can get dressed up for lunch) but where do you draw the line between hitting the right mark and not looking like "saddo mum from the country gone to the Big City for lunch". 

Oh and what is the weather going to be like?  It could be Winter and then some come next Friday.... 

GAH. Sooooooooooooooooooo let's start at the very beginning.  Comfort zone.  

Skinnies, blouse and a blazer.  Or maybe even some other sort of coat.  And maybe some new skinnies - I love my coated ones- as I mentioned last time, I am perhaps in need of new ones after my exercise regime bit the dust.  

But one can never have too many blouses.  I have even got used to the word and it doesn't make me feel 90 when I say it.  They are amazing.  They work so so well with jeans, a blazer and trainers for the day.  Throw on with a skirt for work.  They look just as good tucked into a pair of capri pants for the weekend.  I have my new Stella McCartney skinny flares to get out again very shortly with a fitted blazer and hey ho, blouse tucked in. 

They cover so so many bases and really are a great wardrobe investment piece for every day dress down, work or nights out. 

I had a bit of a trying on session this week and did find some favourites.  There were also some that I had seen in mags and previously instore that I couldn't find but will hope to try on this week. 

And starting with one that I have had my eye on for ages.  Of course couldn't find it instore at all but it looks amazing and would be fab with distressed boyfriend jeans, smart skinnies, leather skirt of any shape or capri pants.  Simply adore.

Somerset by Alice Temperley Silk Deco Trim top in cream £99

I did however manage to try on some print ones from Alice Temperley.  These I tried on a 12 as I prefer a looser look in a blouse (and Alice Temperley does come up small.  Very small...!)  

Somerset by Alice Temperley Kimono Print Blouse in Cream £89



Somerset by Alice Temperley Kimono blouse in black £79 - this is a different fabric from the above blouse (which is £10 more expensive)  This one is viscose - I have to say I prefer the feel of this fabric, it is still drapey but feels slightly more substantial than the above one.  Plus this has tiny tiny puffed shoulders - a pretty detail which the above one in white didn't seem to have.  Of course it could be that they are the same but with the stiffer viscose, they're more noticeable?  Either way I prefer the black (even though I think I thought it was navy... I remember thinking it was a very dark navy but edged in black.)                       



Moving onto some more neutral blouses - always very useful and ideal for adding some statement jewellery.  Or some print shoes or a bag - I have my love of leopard print to indulge after all.   These would look fab with jeans or black trousers/skirt and leopard print shoes.... Camel coat maybe?

Damsel in Dress Signature Blouse in cream £89



John Lewis Capsule Collection Nehru Collar blouse in mink £59  This is more of a grey than a mink in the flesh - I'm not sure this colour is great on me - it just doesn't work really but it IS such a lovely interesting neutral I was rather gutted.  



Collection by John Lewis Mariella braided blouse in vanilla £45  This is the most gorgeous neutral, pretty yet clean and simple blouse in a fantastically flattering shade of creamy nude.  Perfect for every occasion.  School run, work, dinner party, done. 

Would be much better had I worn a flesh coloured bra and not a white one.  Anyone would think I hadn't watched all 20 seasons of America's Next Top Model and knew that you ALWAYS should wear nude underwear.  Tyra would be livid.





Ivory Lace Panel Blouse £79 from Mint Velvet Don't forget the discount from MV - 15% off with the code AW14MV15






Although I have to say I think I would prefer the nude version without the lace detail that I didn't see instore.

Nude Tie Neck Longline Blouse from Mint Velvet £69 pre discount




Nikki Zip front blouse £79  Love the print of this with plain black trousers or a dark skinny denim jean.  



Sleeveless blouses now - right, this is an option.  There are always those nights you go out somewhere where you know it's going to be ridiculously warm.  And surely I can't be the only one who's made the mistake of wearing a rather flimsy vest underneath a blazer/jacket with the intention of the whole ensemble being "the outfit", only to have to end up sitting there in virtually your underwear or risk boiling to death.  

These two tops however, would be no issue at all.   Both over skinny black coated or leather trousers would be perfect.  And if it's still vaguely warm come next week, I may well be wanting shorter sleeves.

Graphite Tux Tunic £79






Marnie Print Cowl Tunic £79  A beautiful print.





Another short sleeved version at Wishbone.  A gorgeous colour with Christmas coming up - cranberry.  Looks great with jeans dressed down as styled here, but I think would work as well in the evening with a pencil skirt, skinnies or even culottes (fear not, I will explore these shortly) 

Wishbone Lexi Top £65






Bold colour also at Jaeger.  Love this.  The price is frightening, I'll be honest but it would be super wearable and the quality is just amazing. 

Silk Satin V Neck Tunic blouse from Jaeger in True Blue £150



I've seen this at Matches as well and I don't know why, it's not really me, but there is something I really love about the colour and the print.  Oh and the flattering slight flaring from under the bust (no more sit ups for me, thank you very much)  I'd probably wear it with a button or two undone.
Weekend by MaxMara Tartan floral top in Ultramarine £115




But staying with a print top, my fave of the day came from Wishbone.  The fabric of this is gorgeous - a lovely heavy viscose that drapes beautifully and would crease minimally.  It's actually a fake blouse - the buttons are only at the top not going all the way down the front of the blouse, so it's more of a tunic.  Love the styling here from Wishbone with a more casual edge but I think it looks great with a blazer and would look fab with stack heel boots. 

Now it does say dry clean only but it's 100% viscose so I cannot remotely see why you couldn't handwash it but do NOT quote me on that. 

Love the detailing at the side which means it's super flattering worn untucked but still, from the model pic, you can see it looks great tucked in.  This is a 10 that I'm trying on - it is snug but I don't think I'd want it any bigger - a perfect fit truth be told.

Wishbone Gracie Geo Blouse multi £85








So come on then - thoughts?  What would your favourite be?  

I also have other ideas and I think I might explore other options.  Dare I step out of my usual London comfort zone?  GASP. 

Finishing with outfits from the last couple of days.  Friday was bonkers.  Two coffee mornings followed by supermarket and cooking fest as I had the 6yr old's birthday party after the school run - 17 small boys back for tea and then out to the huge gaming lorry that pitched up on the drive where they spent 90 minutes on driving games, Fifa howsyourfather, Minecraft etc.   

15 minutes after they all left, some of the girls bombed over for drinks before we went out for a rather large night out followed by yet more drinks back at mine till silly o'clock.  This was neither big nor clever.  I may have felt a bit more than delicate on Saturday morning.