A perennial favourite

Or so it has become the last couple of seasons for me.  An absolute all year round must have.  Ok so clearly I'd rather be wearing a tee in May but who am I kidding?  There are only a handful of weeks in the year usually that you wouldn't get wear out of these.  And to be honest, these would still come in useful in the evening if you're sat outside for a BBQ or just with a glass of wine.

I'm talking about the thin knit jumper. 

These have become a complete staple part of my wardrobe and I realised the other day, just how useful I do find them.  They are perfect with pretty much every outfit and for every occasion.  I wear mine with jeans under a blazer (hence the beauty of the thin aspect of the knit), ditto under dungarees.  But you can also layer a shirt underneath as well.  They are the perfect tops to go with those tricky to accessorise, skirts and culottes. 

I have worn my black one twice now for a night out with my black leather midi skirt and once with black leather (hmm pleather) peg leg trousers - an absolutely perfect top for that just dressy enough look.  

Today, I've thrown the black one on again for a trip up to London to meet with the absolutely fantastic Me+Em for a mini street style photo shoot.   It was ideal for a smart casual look that, were I to have put heels on with, I would have happily worn out for dinner. 

Seeing as I have my little heart set on that suede M&S skirt next week (I can smell the disappointment already.  Who am I trying to kid?) and am still in the market for a pencil version, I do think that one would be well within their rights to say you can never have too many. 

So are there lots of options out there?  Well to start with, I can't recommend highly enough the Tommy Hilfiger one I bought a couple of months ago.  I have probably worn it about 8 times which means cost per wear, this is going to pay for itself in no time. 

(and if Tommy is good enough for Olivia Palermo......and her husband.... I may or may not be slightly obsessed with OP.... I shall save more of this for another day I think.) 

This is the one I have and absolutely love.  

Black Rabi Sweater £135 (size down - I took a size 8 as I didn't want it oversized and it's perfect.  Normally I look vacuum packed in anything on top in a size 8)  This is also available in a grey.
There is a special offer on at Tommy Hilfiger at the moment with 30% off selected items - unfortunately the one I bought isn't included but the cheaper to begin with Raeni is.  Plus they do a navy (midnight!) version which I love. 

Raeni Fine wool Sweater at Tommy Hilfiger in heather grey - was £85 now £59.50



And in midnight again now on offer at £59.50




I've also found another great option at Gap and today only, there is 40% off one item with the code TODAYGAP.  Go forth and shop. 

I could have this in every colour. 

Slub Crew Sweater from Gap £24.95 pre discount in blue cloud - also available in petite and tall




In the grey 





And the navy 



And the classic black 



Slightly shorter sleeves are also on offer at JCrew.  Now there are lots of different shades available but there are some bargains which I'm going to list here. 

Merino wool Tippi Sweater was £79 now £39.50



The heather silver is now £55 - another great colour for all year round. 




Still a round neck but slightly different with a stripe.  Personally I see these as neutrals and I can't think of any colour this wouldn't go with.  I'm also a big fan of a print with a stripe. 

Pure Linen Striped jumper from Autograph at M&S £39.50



If a crew neck isn't for you, then maybe a scoop neck will be more up your street and another great option at Autograph. 

Pure Linen Scoop Neck Jumper at Autograph in White £39.50





V neck on offer at Autograph at M&S in denim blue £45  (I'd probably size down in this as the whole point of these sweaters is that they are close but not tight fitting.... you'll know when you try it on.  If there is any iota of muffin cling - abort mission immediately.  And yes, I am salivating over those culottes - note made and blog coming shortly)


Or a boatneck offering and cheaper still but this time in viscose at Florence & Fred (aka Tesco...)  Love the colour of this.  It was recommended to me ages ago when I did a white jumper thread, I'm sure (well a white version which they don't sell anymore) 

F&F Boatneck sweater £10 



So finishing with my outfit from today where the jumper came in so useful.  Absolutely ideal under a lightweight blazer - a tee would have been too chilly.  Plus it hides a multitude of sins by not being too clingy. 

Would just like to point out that when I left the house this morning, it was absolutely glorious - amazing day shooting outside and the sun did try and shine.  And then, back to reality taking the kids to swimming (the day of glamour had totally ended by then, clearly), the heavens opened.  However the joy of having bare feet (and cheap leather sandals which appear to be bomb proof... a slight step down from the totally edible Givenchy gold sandals of which mine are a copy that I got to wear today.  Shoe.  Porn.  Cannot wait for the photos and to report back on all the goodies I got to try on.  And yes, I got to wear Givenchy sandals.....) 



Black Rabi Jumper - Tommy Hilfiger 
Black Tux blazer - Hush
Off white distressed boyfriend jeans - All Saints
Black patent oversized buckle sliders - Zara
Carker Handsfree bag - Anya Hindmarch

Now before I go, I have a favour to ask.  Fancy dress party next week for a lovely (she was clearly more lovely before she decided on a fancy dress theme.....) friend's 40th birthday. 

A character from the 80s.  HELP!  To say I'm not a fancy dress fan is a teensy tiny understatement.  But 80s is definitely up there with acceptable and I do love a challenge but I know that some of you will have some amazing ideas - especially for things that that I can get to wear again...... oooh is Dexy's Midnight Runners 80s??  An excuse to buy blue denim dungarees as well?   All ideas welcome PLEASE!!