Archive for April 2016

Home Archive for April 2016

And unearthing another favourite....

....from the back of the wardrobe.

So as well as rediscovering all my denim (I may have decided to DIY some jeans this morning and I may have ruined them... ugh), as a consequence, I am now all over my old navy. It's something I never get rid of as I come back to it every Spring/Summer.

Navy is the perfect addition to blue denim and whilst I am the world's biggest fan of black, I do feel that navy occasionally wins over (occasionally...).

And my must have, go to, number one item at the moment is.... drum roll... (not entirely sure as it's really not that exciting...) a navy blazer.

Well, I say it's not exciting but it's something that you will have for years and years and I think you'll find it more useful than you perhaps thought. Yes, it's perfect for work but it also is ideal for everyday Spring or Summer wear. Throw over a thin jumper and jeans, a shirt (and jeans), any old tee (and jeans) and of course, a breton (with... yes jeans).

But also... with a skirt....yes, I am embracing the midi with a blazer. Which, I discovered from my outfit yesterday, actually works. (well, I think it does anyway).

I do love a good statement jacket and yes, they do last the test of time in my experience, but if you're thinking of adding a couple of "disgraceful" pieces to your wardrobe - something more on trend that you possibly won't stick around forever (pleated midi skirt - are your ears burning?), then teaming it with a classic piece ie a navy blazer, somehow, I find, works.

I have a couple of versions (honestly, they just work every season in every guise) but my favourite is definitely from Me+Em. Alas, mine is from last year and they don't have it anymore but they have very similar. The quality of Me+Em blazers (as with everything from there) is extraordinary - think Joseph quality for less than half the price. And and and and if you use the code 15YOU - 15% off (not sale items).

Belt Detail Longline Jacket in navy from Me+Em £198

But in the sale at Me+Em is even better. Love this with the gold buttons - fitted like mine.

Gold Button Blazer was £185 now £92

Then of course, blazer number two in my repertoire is the new Ada from M&S. Now this has been a complete surprise to me. I thought I'd live in the trousers and wear the blazer occasionally. Well, I've had it for just over a week and I think I've worn it three times? It's so unbelievably useful and randomly flattering.

The Ada Blazer £49.50 It would also be amazing over a shift Summer dress as well. Just add sneakers or loafers. Tis the perfect lightweight blazer for warmer weather, believe me. Oh and size down.

Whilst we're talking about M&S - over the years I've tried lots on from there and they are amazing if you are larger of bust. The majority of them don't work on me at all. Way too much fabric in the darts at the front which is supposed to be filled with gorgeous bosom. Which I don't have.

Love the fabric of this one - Pique Blazer £65 from M&S and there's £10 off with a special offer online...

And two fitted classic versions at great prices..

One shorter:- 1 Button Angle Seam Short Blazer from M&S £39.50

And a longer one, which they handily call exactly the same thing as the one above, except clearly it isn't (oh Marks.....).

On the upside, their blazers are really really good for the money.

1 Button Angle Seam Short Jacket £49.50 (with £5 off.... at till. Lots of offers at M&S at the mo.)

Another great one button version at hush. I have worn my black blazer from hush weekly for the past year or so - goes with pretty much everything and the similar (but slightly shorter) midnight jacket would be just as versatile.

hush Georgia Jacket £65

Speaking of more casual jackets, Whistles do an amazing jersey blazer in black called the Molly, which I was looking for in the navy. Which they don't do. But Joules do one called the Mollie... and it's remarkably similar.. (although I haven't seen in the flesh...)

And it currently has 20% off at John Lewis - Joules Mollie Jersey Blazer was £74.95 now £59.96

But if we're talking investment, then my one investment recommendation from the high street would be Reiss. This is the most gorgeous jacket - slightly textured which immediately eliminates any worky suit connotations, yet it's still easily smart enough to wear to work.

Reiss Issak Blazer £195 - more sizes available at John Lewis.

To be honest, I was quite surprised at how few there were on the high street. I suppose had I ventured into Hobbs etc I may have discovered more but then you're paying so much money for something that really isn't that much better than the ones from M&S. To be fair, the Reiss one is a cut above and has that modern edge that I personally don't find at Hobbs any more.

And here I am yesterday in aforementioned outfit. My favourite in ages. Have also rediscovered my love for these boots...

Navy jumper - Topshop

Navy blazer - Me+Em

Pleated ankle grazer (midi on me) skirt - Me+Em

Buckle boots - Toga Pulla

Haworth bag - Village England

Are you a fan of the navy blazer? I'm planning on getting more wear out of mine this year (my collection of them), as navy, black and denim or khaki is currently becoming my favourite look.

So I may be back over the weekend... I may not... I'm off to Somerset or Dorset or somewhere on a Rugby Tour. Frankly, the less said about this at the moment, the better. Currently packing enough crud to see us through the next month. We're going till Sunday. I will need shopping therapy when I get back....

The Must Have Top

Part one. Obviously this is part of a series called Must Have Tops... because this isn't about a stripey top and if there is any top that's essential in my book, it's a striped one. Ergo there needs to be a series of blogs (one to include the stripey love of my life).

But to be honest (and I hate to admit it as I won't hear a thing said against any form of Breton... be it real or a mere stripey contender), I think this may win on a "covers all bases" argument.

I am thinking the Summer version of our must have Winter Black Blouse/Top/Thingy.

A white one.

Or cream, or off white, or whatever shade of non colour that's opposite to black that you'd like to pick.

A top that you can throw on with jeans, even with joggers and a biker jacket but that works just as well with a pair of smart black trousers, midi skirt, pencil skirt, culottes - you name the bottom for the smart occasion - this top does the job for you.

Does it exist? Err hope so.

Ok so I'm going to let you into a secret. People ask me often about how I come up with content for the blog. Essentially, my brain is full of a big bunch of (what may well be to some) rubbish (but to me is extraordinarily interesting....!). That pretty much has no filter. I think about *stuff* all the time (don't we all?) but have a habit (a bad one) of getting fixated on an item that I MUST HAVE. At that moment in time.

Sometimes I buy it, sometimes I don't (already moved on to the next thing). Often I buy it and it sits in a bag in my wardrobe for three weeks and I return it (looking at you Alexa Chung mac which is going back - although I would happily wear the Ada suit every day).

However I always blog about it.

And some things I get in my head and I've no idea whether or not I can find exactly what I'm looking for (black Audrey Trews for example).

Other times, I know exactly what I want to buy - the very specific item that has been milling around in my the depths of my madness for weeks and I suddenly have to have it. And I then write a blog to justify purchase of said item. Which is normally expensive (law of sod). However what usually happens is said item is usually sold as I am such a procrastinator and so have to find an alternative.

TA DAH!!! And there in lies the fodder for the blog.

So today - it's the turn of the white top which falls into the category of "I know exactly what I want but don't really want to spend that much money and I bet it's sold out anyway so I need to find another option".

Here is the Perfect Top. Which - every time I have gone out recently and have got dressed - have thought - *that* top would be ideal with this outfit...

Self Portrait Flounced Ruffle Sleeve Daisy Top £180

And guess what... I am obviously part Jedi. It's SOLD OUT. Quelle surprise. Ugh.

But I am not to be deterred (and am now like the proverbial dog with a bone) and since there are loads of tributes to Self Portrait on the high street - surely I'll be able to find something... you'd think...

I'm going in.

Vaguely similar but as useful at Karen Millen. Love this.

Floral Lace Jumper £110 Although they do seem to have more sizes at Selfridges

More lace at The White Company and who doesn't love a sale? This is very very sweet.

The White Company Collar Detail Floral Lace Blouse was £98 now £39.20

Leaf Lace Top from Warehouse and so far, this is my top option. And there is currently 20% off with the code TREAT20. Which makes it a very sensible choice in my book...

Leaf Lace Top £39 pre discount

But there are also some great options in the sale at Warehouse (the 20% is only off full items).

High neck lace top from Warehouse was £45 now £25

I have to say I think it might be better untucked but this gives you an idea of how the arms would work so well in cooler and warmer temperatures. LOVE this. Almost rather pleased that the SP one is sold out...

And have just found a better pic on ASOS in fact, where it's not reduced yet (and sold out in most sizes). This looks like a similar shape to my H&M sequin one which was an amazing outfit teamed over black leather leggings.

But perhaps my favourite from Warehouse is this one. No it's not the most summery but as it's been snowing this week, I think we can safely say, sod the warm weather and indulge in one of these. Soft distressed denim, boucle cropped jacket, this and gold granny shoes. Outfit perfection. Now I am really pleased the SP one isn't in stock as this for £25 will be in your wardrobe for years.

Broderie Lace Top was £49 now £25

A punchy styling choice here from Mango. I'm going to suggest that you perhaps wear a cami underneath. Just a thought... However with a cami, I think this could be amazing. It doesn't have to be a cream cami - I'd probably go for a nude. Of course you could throw caution to the wind and opt for a colour or even a black...

Openwork peplum blouse from Mango £49.99

Cotton lace mix from Isabel Marant Etoile.

Isabel Marant Etoile Mayra Cotton Lace Top £130

Sleeveless at Topshop and not full on lace which would work perfectly with a more pared back look as well as lending itself well to a boho vibe.

Lace Poet Style Top from Topshop £36

Moving into ruffles. Now did I say I wasn't going to do ruffles? Hear that chomping sound? That'll be me eating my hat. Ruffle me up with this one.

Ruffled Blouse from Karen Millen £115 Love the idea of this with faded jeans, black stilettos and a blazer. Or those rather lovely gold granny heels from Topshop?

And another sale bargain from Warehouse. Good thing about this one, is that you can undo the top button and tie to give it a slightly looser, more relaxed feel.

Jacquard Ruffle Front Blouse was £45 now £25

If lace or ruffles aren't your thing, but I've managed to persuade you that a cream top is a must have for your Spring repertoire then these may be more up your street. I completely appreciate that if you are more endowed in the chest department, then the ones above may not be your bag. I am definitely going to be looking at a more classic summer blouse shortly but in the meantime, these are incredibly versatile to dress up or dress down.

20% off at All Saints and fear not, I will be doing my round up of my best picks shortly.

But in the meantime, as off white tops go, this one would work on so many different occasions. It says dry clean but it's polyester and silk so I would definitely handwash.

Abi Sleeve Top £118

Or a sleeveless version also with 20% off...

Abi Top in chalk £108

Are you a fan of the classic white blouse/shirt/top thingy (technical term) for Spring/Summer? I have to say I usually skip straight from jumper to tee and am very light on the blouse front. Do you have a favourite or do you have one on your wishlist? I do have a feeling I have a lace one somewhere... maybe in my "not sure if I want to keep them or not" suitcase of clothes in the loft.....

In the meantime, back to freezing temps (literally) and I am layering up again.

White layering shirt - Me+Em
Grey cashmere jumper with rainbow cuffs - Wyse London
Vintage distressed Baxter jeans - Topshop
Navy coat - H&M
Red Soho Disco bag - Gucci
Superstar sneakers - Golden Goose

Interesting day today of achieving pretty much squat, despite the best laid plans. Car needed four new tyres (sob), cancelled Athletics club meant meltdown but managed to take the two boys swimming outside in a rare hour of sunshine (and it was actually warm...). Not entirely sure where the day went but tomorrow, looking forward to a long dog walk first thing and then packing for our weekend away. Which sounds vaguely glamourous. HA. A caravan for a rugby weekend. Still in denial.... If I gloss over it, maybe it will pass in a lightening flash...

Random time

Ok so we've done the statement shoes.

We're going back (this is the Royal We by the way... oops), I've decided to all things graceful - classic jeans, loafers, granny shoes even. But that doesn't mean graceful has to be dull.

I was looking at my wardrobe the other day and the one thing that I wear year in, year out, is a jacket. A short fitted jacket. And do you know what - some of them are slightly way out there. On the random side. The correct fashion term is, I believe "statement" jacket but let's be frank - often they're just random.

There is no rhyme nor reason to them - some will love, others will hate. But there is nothing like a jacket that's that little bit different to turn a boring outfit into your favourite. And curiously they seem to be timeless. I think so long as you buy them in a classic shape and you find the print or colours completely aesthetically pleasing, you will have it for years.

They are also the perfect addition to a minimalist wardrobe to give you a different look without having to head down the full on boho route.

And it was an email that I got from JCrew with this picture, slap bang in the middle of it, that made me think - hell yes, now that's got my name all over it. Surely I can squeeze another one in this season - to add to my collection?

Fringy tweed jacket from JCrew $198 with 30% off using the code SCORE. Or, if you're in the UK, you could have paid £198 except that it's sold out. If you could see my face right now... HOW much cheaper stateside?

Actually I've gone in to look again and it's back in stock in the UK... £198. I have to say I love this and I mean love love love this.

I'm not going to lie - I wouldn't be teaming it with shorts. But this style with a black or white tee, pair of beat up jeans and my new gold shoes for a casual night out is my perfect perfect outfit.

Now it may seem that some of these I've featured have a certain bohemian vibe to them - they're certainly not the first things that spring to mind when you think "minimalist". But that's not to say they cant' be eminently useful in a more pared back Summer wardrobe.

And if you still need convincing - happily Net A Porter have done the styling work for me. This is exactly what I had in mind. Down to the shoes (which I will come back to - I have minimalist Summer sandals up my sleeve too, fear not).

Etoile Isabel Marant Elmer Reversible jacket £220 The joy of looking at a Marant jacket is that it doesn't make the JCrew one seem quite so expensive... especially if I squint and think it's a Chanel one... (am I convincing anyone? Suddenly JCrew prices, even the £ conversion seems like a bargain if we can pass it off as Chanel).

However this one is reversible so you know what I'm going to say don't you... mais oui - two jackets for the price of one... kerching.

Adore this look. Exactly exactly exactly what I had in mind (I even already have a red bag..!)

Tributes at Monsoon (although to be fair to them, they've been churning these out for as long as I can remember... certainly pre Marant, that's for sure) at a lot less. Although, it's not reversible...

Waltzing Jacket from Monsoon £89 This with faded denim...

Or the Enya Embroidered Jacket £89

If you are thinking about a bomber jacket but aren't quite there with it, this may work for you... It's not gathered at the bottom so is boxier, which I think is potentially more flattering. But there's definitely still a hint of a bomber there... For me - this would be the perfect finishing touch to a pair of khakis, white tee and sneakers (or loafers...!). Or all that talk of jeans... well this is the perfect print and colour palette to go with any shade of blue denim. Add a black, white, grey, khaki or yellow tee and this jacket will take you through the whole Spring/Summer. What about over a maxi dress? I could go on....

Jacquard cotton jacket from Mango was £49.99 now £34.99 As if we needed another reason to look at jackets - all short jackets at Mango have 30% off for a period of time.

Print again and this time in a metallic printed linen. And blazer style...

Metallic Printed Linen Blazer from Majestic was £216 now £99.36 I would happily wear this look every single day.

Full on colour at Topshop. They also have a matching skirt to this (well - to the young and lithe of leg it may be a skirt.. to me - it would be a belt. And to wear together would be plain wrong diddly at 43). On its own though? Hell yeah.

Embroidered Jacquard Jacket £55

Mono Quilted Jacket from Warehouse £79 AND - 20% off at everything at Warehouse at the moment with the code TREAT20.

And another monochrome version at New Look. Again - team with all black or good old jeans and let the jacket do the talking.

New Look Tassel Trim Edge to Edge Jacket £34.99

So now I have an interesting concept - statement with no colour. For something to stand out, it doesn't necessarily have to include lots of colours, it can do its talking via texture or embellishment.

Starting with a twist on denim. Quilted like the longer Warehouse one above.

Maddie quilted denim jacket from Monsoon £69.00 Fair play to you Monsoon, this one is pretty darn fabulous.

And more 30% off bargains at Mango. I was going to keep this for a military blog I was considering but I think it deserves its place here.

Double breasted jacket in black was £79.99 now £59.99 Would buy this in a heartbeat if I didn't already have a gold button version.

And this which is pure perfection. I think this would be the ideal update on a denim jacket.

Textured cotton blend jacket was £59.99 now £39.99

Boho to wear every day that isn't so boho after all.

Textured Cotton Blend Jacket from Mango was £79.99 now £59.99

And again, how to wear it - a pared look with not a hint of boho. For me - this is much more Zadig et Voltaire than it is Mango. Personally, I would prefer my trousers to be slightly looser - well, they'd have to be slightly looser otherwise I would have spillages of my love handles from every angle of the jeans.

Or the red. Oh simply simply love...

So today, alas it wasn't so much statement jacket weather (I am looking forward to cracking my old ones out) as full on statement coat. Random, like I say. But one of my favourite buys from the Winter, a good old M&S bargain.

Black and white breton tunic - H&M
Black waxed skinnies - Boden
Leopard fur coat - Per Una at M&S
Red Loafers - Gucci
Haworth bag - Village England

Random jacket fan are you? I simply love their versatility and, I think, timeless quality to them. One of mine I bought from Wallis 11 years ago and yup, still wear it every single year.

Tomorrow I will be discussing the best snow jackets to buy to be prepared this weekend. Kill. Me. Now.

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And unearthing another favourite....

The Must Have Top

Random time