Summer denim..with a difference
Sorry sorry sorry - darn real life and the doing of important things like being a mother (of children and a puppy) and having to sort out my garden (YAWN) plus a whole day of torture in Ikea (we didn't even have time for meatballs), which has meant that small things, like the matter of pretty things to wear, has had to take a back seat for the last couple of days.
How rude am I? Huge apologies, I am back, although this week things may be a bit patchy as I have a couple of mornings (which is essentially the majority of the day bar an hour before school run time) taken up with Autistic meetings and a whole day's football tournament. And trying to sort out the house (I have the contents of Ikea to singlehandedly build. Kill me now) and the food (not to mention wine) for the Big Day on Saturday (8yr old's First Holy Communion which will mean ziltch to anyone who isn't Catholic but to those in the know, you'll get it...) The fact it's currently due to be raining, I am not letting bother me.(much)
On the upside, I do have my outfit sorted - definitely (she says knowing full well she'll changer her mind) the Self Portrait dress which I am desperate to find an excuse to wear again. And the weather forecasts in this country are notoriously rubbish.
What I have thought about this week though, when pondering what to wear for both this and the party that I had yesterday is that, whilst it's sometimes a good idea to spend a lot on an outfit for a Special Occasion, the long and short of it is that often it's not the best value.
Don't get me wrong, I adore my Self Portrait dress and I don't regret buying it for one minute, but it did make me think that for those sparse occasions (sob) when we get to wear it - should we perhaps be spending our budget (whatever that may be) on clothes that we can utilise on a daily basis?
I had a good look at my wardrobe and back at the outfits that I've been wearing in the past month or so since it has warmed up and the common denominator is denim. Simply put, there is nothing else that comes close to being so versatile. Cost per wear, I think you'll find there's very little to beat it.
There's classic denim that we all have and I have plans for a kick flare blog tryonathon (once I can leave my delicious puppy for a couple of hours) but in the meantime, I've kept coming across denim with a difference.
So not your typical jeans, denim jacket or even denim skirt but denim that is still exceptionally wearable day in day out but is just that little bit different.
Denim with a twist I like to think. I will say that for me, the surprise hit of the season so far has been my off white boyfriend jeans that were a bargain from All Saints at Kildare Village but there are definitely other options that I'm keen to look at too.
Staying with jeans and some super versatile blue versions. I love a patch. I have some skinny ones from Mango last year which I regret to say are the worst fit ever (they just grow when you wear them. Thank god they were cheap in the sale and I do like them although flattering they are not)
My favourite blue boyfriend jeans are from ASOS and so I can highly recommend their denim.
ASOS Brady Slim Boyfriend Jeans in Patty Mid Wash with patches £38
Monki Ikomo Slim Girlfriend patch jeans £40
Denim and Supply by Ralph Lauren Patched Boyfriend Jeans £155
Printed patches from M&S....
Patchwork Girlfriend Cropped Jeans £39.50
Patch Cinch Back Boyfriend Jeans was £45 now £36
Clearly I have a thing about the blazer as well.....
Moving on from patches now but still not plain. Let your hems do the talking....
Cropped Girlfriend Denim Jeans from M&S £35
The next dress is a really useful dress.
ReplyDeleteIt honestly is one of the most useful dresses in my wardrobe. It's perfect for cooler days as it's so loose (but not baggy...) yet it's substantial enough not to be see through or clingy. It also doesn't crease and washes like a dream.Plus it was about £26 or something ridiculous. I am clearly now KICKING myself I didn't get the white and beige one as well. GAH!
DeleteI have the M&S cropped girlfriend jeans, they have just moved to pole position in my jeans collection, just love them, defo size down!
ReplyDeleteSue x
Bestfriendstyle
and jeans you get to size down in... what's not to love??!!
DeleteHuge victory to the sequin jeans - get them! Every time I see your De manta clutch, a little sob escapes - it is beyond stunning. Love your whole dinner outfit - the pony skin glads really make that skirt sing. Think your hair looks gorgeous curled - how did you do it? Tongs or ghds?
ReplyDeleteoh YAY! I think I'm definitely going to - totally adore them. I think that De Manta clutch is the most coveted bag I own. All my friends are desperate it - even when I bought it, it was the last one left in the country apparently (6 yrs ago - wasn't even that expensive - well it was, but for an Alexander McQueen bag) Has paid for itself time and time again. Hair - I use a wand. Takes 10 mins!
DeleteLove the trench coat. x
ReplyDeleteIt would be so so useful, wouldn't it??
DeleteLoving the denim wrap skirt Kat! Unfortunately I already have the m&s Aline denim skirt plus several pairs of culottes and Cropped jeans so won't be buying (for now!). Good luck for the Idea building xx
ReplyDeleteWow, you've got summer denim nailed!
DeleteNot to totally ignore the denim research (thank you, will look properly later!) but wanted to ask about ikea. We're currently in a total furniture funk, like we need a tonne of new stuff for our new bigger home, want to achieve that mix of traditional and modern but for some reason can't bring ourselves to go to ikea because it's all 'plastic shit', when I know this isn't true. We've just got into a funk. What types of thing did you buy? I need furniture inspiration. As in, does my bum look 40 standing next to this expedit unit? Ha!
ReplyDeleteI'll come back to you... but our house is a real mix of vintage and very modern. It's very black and white with some grey thrown in and I tend to prefer texture to lots of print. I LOVE Ikea - not all of it but it's great for bits to add in.
DeleteLoving the leather skirt outfit with those fabulous shoes!
ReplyDeleteThank you xxx
DeleteLove your last outfit & your hair looks amazing curled like that! Really like the ASOS skirt, gorgeous! X
ReplyDeleteThank you xxx
Delete'Next White Stone Summer Beach Shift Pocket Linen Blend Dress V-neck 10 - 18 Reg' if you search on EBAY, I found the dress BNWT £26.99 x
ReplyDeleteOMG I love you - am going to have a look as honestly I don't think I"ve found a better Summer dress x
DeleteAll 3 pairs of your sandals are amazing, love! So those sequin jeans...VICTORY. Get them!
ReplyDeleteThank you and YES they are so cool aren't they?!
DeleteLove the patch jeans. Fingers crossed for the weather on Saturday. Our daughter has her Holy Communion and we are doing the whole garden thing in preparations (major overhaul) and I am already panicking about what to wear!! Very interested to see what you finally decide upon on Saturday and how you style it!! Best of luck!!
ReplyDeleteIt's a mare isn't it... every time I say I'll be super organised. SNORT! Let's do a sun dance together xx
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ReplyDeleteSome great ideas here Kat. Just found this on ASOS too - reduced to £33! Sadly too short for my fat legs! http://www.asos.com/asos-white/asos-white-denim-printed-panelled-dress/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4724492&clr=Blue&SearchQuery=denim+dress&pgesize=36&pge=2&totalstyles=134&gridsize=3&gridrow=8&gridcolumn=1
ReplyDeleteHave had that on a blog before and have just put it on another one. ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT but yes I think it's v short. I've had an ASOS white dress before and it was arse flashing.
DeleteYou look sensational in that leather skirt - totally in love with that look
ReplyDeleteThank you darling xx
DeleteOoh I love jeans with patches! Have yet to add any to my wardrobe so this has given me some good inspiration. Not a fan of the glittery jeans though... Hope the communion goes well!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the search and thank you xxx
DeleteLove the patch jeans from Asos in the first pic - gorgeous. Lorraine x
ReplyDeleteAm a huge fan of ASOS jeans so I reckon they'd be marvellous x
DeleteGood luck for next week our was last year and my daughter took her dress off ten mins after Mass finished! I changed my mind on what to wear on the day to as it was cold! Looking forward to denim dress post just what I need for work/ children cross over. Lucy
ReplyDeleteI am on weather watch..... (denim dress post up now!)
DeleteI live in patch jeans in spring and summer. Blue denim is perfect for summer as it looks great against all the pretty tops, strappy sandals and summer jewellery.
ReplyDeleteI think I have various jeans, denim skirt, shirt, waistcoat and jacket! Not worn altogether, though. I picked up the M&S jeans the other day but put them back, very tempting... They had some lovely and very reasonable denim skirts too.
Yes I haven't quite mastered the denim skirt... must try shortly!
DeleteI like patch(ed) jeans, but do not like ripped or holey jeans. That means I cannot like the sequined jeans because they have rips. I just don't get the ripped jeans love. I spent a fair bit of money at a local drycleaners at one point taking my jeans to get patched by their seamstress. Patches and holes do not make sense to me.
ReplyDeleteI love the duster coat.
Each to their own! I love the fact it gives jeans as different look but totally appreciate they're not for everyone! The duster coat is fab, isn't it?
DeleteNumber 2 for us now, number 3 next year (maybe I'll be organised that time....)
ReplyDeleteForever21 sandals were absolutely fab. Comfy as anything and look as good as new having taken them off. And super comfy. For £15 I am OVER THE MOON!
Hi Kat - love love love your blog! Question: would you do one on 'going out tops' - such a gap in my wardrobe although appreciate it could be a bit of a broad subject. BTW my friend and I have coined 2 new phrases when assessing outfits: 'it's just not very Kat is it?', closely followed by 'Kat would approve'.
ReplyDeleteOh I LOVE THAT!! yes, I will do a post on going out tops, also thinking of doing "going out bottoms" too. Next couple of weeks xxx
DeleteYou look gorgeous with your hair curled Kat & I adore all of these outfits! I have to leave the conditioner in my girls hair or she ends up with dreadlocks!! No joke! x
ReplyDeleteYou could be eligible to get a free $350 Ikea Gift Card.
ReplyDelete