One of my best buys from this Summer

I give you the unexpected hit of my Summer wardrobe.... the off white boyfriend jean.  These have been the hugest surprise - I have loved them.  Mine are a distressed pair that I paid the ridiculous bargain price of £22 for from All Saints at Kildare Village back when we were on holiday in Ireland at Easter.

I did buy them on a whim but I have been surprised by how much I have worn them.  And I still will wear them into the Autumn with my sneakers (my Golden Goose haven't arrived yet...missed the postie today - I shall be going NOWHERE tomorrow) but I'm a big ankle boot fan - especially those of the flatter variety - and I have yet to master the looser jean with a flat ankle boot. 

It just looks wrong diddly on me.  A cross between a hillbilly and a binman.  It's simply not a good look.  

With flat ankle boots, I need skinnies.  Last year I couldn't get enough of the oversized jumper, skinnies and ankle boots.  This Autumn - with the host of blanket wraps and capes around, there is simply no excuse not to overdose on the same look - it would be simply rude not to.  (I have so many knitwear itches I need to scratch - you have been warned)

Dare I go so far as to say I think it's easier to wear white skinnies in the Winter than the Summer... ok so don't take my word for it, have a look at these pics. 

My thinking behind this is because normally, when we try and buy white skinny jeans, the fit is a mare.  Too tight on the bum, too see through, too sausage leg enducing - let's not even remind ourselves of what happens if you're not blessed with great knees and try a pair of super skinny Topshop white jeans with rips on the knees..... little Les Dawson faces spewing out of the rip is what happens.  Never seen that highlighted in Vogue as a must have wear, so we'll swerve them.   And let's not even start talking about the muffin.... thin tee and a muffin = all sorts of not very attractive or comfortable.

But seriously though, we can be slightly (albeit only slightly...) more forgiving with our fit if we're going to drown our top half in a chunky knit.

And there are a couple of bargains around (in the sale or just bargains to be had) which it's worth looking at trying if you're a white jean winter novice.

Admittedly these aren't a bargain in the truest sense of the word although they are a good reduction.  I'm not sure you need to spend this much but if you like a Marant jean.... and they are a slouchy skinny which may appeal to some.

Isabel Marant Etoile Toya slouch skinny jeans were £175 now £70



This is absolutely the perfect colour for me as opposed to white white - an off white.... one could even say (if one were a ponce... a mantel I wear with pride), a winter white.

The Briana high rise skinny jean by Alexa Chung for AG were £218 now £130  Again, not cheap but a great reduction and I have to say that AG jeans are an AMAZING fit.  The perfect balance of stretch - try them on and weep. (with joy.  Or not, at the price...)




I say winter white - also known as Ecru and one of the best places I found to buy skinnies this year during a huge trying on session was good old M&S. 

Absolutely love these - slightly distressed too.  

Ripped (I'd hardly go that far but hey) Jeggings from M&S £29.50  Seeing as the chance of me getting coffee on a white pair of jeans is exceptionally high, this is the sort of price point I'd prefer.



Another off white pair at ASOS.  The all important title of High "aka muffin encasing" Waist jeans.  Although the nearest the 14yr old model has ever been to a muffin will obviously be of the blueberry variety.  Three kids and a world of wine later and she won't be embracing those crop tops with nearly such aplomb.  Pah.  Chunky knits all round methinks.

I will say though, I have always been very impressed with ASOS denim.  As opposed to their own brand knitwear... mind you, I should take that back as I was over the moon with my huge blanket scarf that I got there last Winter.  That is definitely going to be a major player in my wardrobe this season.

ASOS Rivington High Waisted in off white Jeggings £28



A pair of my very reliable (and therefore favourite) coated jeggings which work like a dream under oversized jumpers are the Eden jeggings from Dorothy Perkins.  Best thing about them is that they are super comfy - essential for those blobby days we all have now and again.

Which they don't do in a coated off white version (there is a camel version that looks ever so slightly like half of Mr Tumnus' costume from a local Am-dram production of The Lion the witch and the wardrobe - not great), there is another pair - the Frankie legging that looks much better.  

Ecru Frankie Jeggings £22 An ideal starter price point from Dotty P's if you're not sure about these and are looking to just try them out.  Or miss your mouth with your coffee/wine as often as I do.  I'm sure I'm on my own with that though....




Now some of my favourite skinny jeans are from Boden and I think *inhales* that these are coated..... Perfect, simply perfect. 

Super skinny jeans in Pearl £69



Another pair at Boden which look equally as perfect and are definitely waxed (clue's in the title...) 

High Rise Super Skinny jeans from Boden £69  High rise again - what's not to love?



More coated versions are at another of my highly recommended "go to" places for skinnies - River Island, discovered this year.

Beige Skinny side zip leather look trousers £40 from River Island



White coated leather look Molly jeggings £45 from River Island 



So there's some food for thought.  Am I on my own with my planning of my A/W wardrobe in minute detail?  Must put together a proper wish list...... 

Finishing with outfit from today - didn't get round to doing one yesterday with the now 7yr old's family birthday party all afternoon.  Amazing time was had by all although feeling every so slightly shabby today, I must admit. (there may have been a trip to McDonald's at lunchtime today..... a treat for the kids of course.... and it would have been rude for me not to eat too......)  Even my hair looks hungover here....