Bar-dot or Bar-don't?

Bardot top anyone?

So whilst I've decided this year that I am going for a more classic look as opposed to a boho love in - don't get me wrong, I adore it, I really really do, but it doesn't love me back quite so much.  The majority of what I'm being drawn to this season is a more pared back, cleaner look.  Yes ok so in my head it transforms me into all the Parisian Chic (all nod along...)

So these are Everywhere.  Therefore it will be super easy to snag a bargain one no?  No.  Not at all actually. 

What was I looking for? (always a big mistake to have in your head the picture of exactly what you want.  As that's never going to materialise....).  A simple, unfussy, unfrilly, plain (pretty much get the idea then?!), off the shoulder top in the scintillatingly shades of black or white. 

Ok but not clingy.  And not jersey as that is mostly clingy.  And not too expensive.  Easy eh?  
I had high hopes for my current love - Topshop but alas, they all seem to be on the cropped side...   Should have mentioned, cropped is definitely not on the wishlist.  I do though want it be to vaguely snug to the body whilst not being spray on and definitely not being any form of voluminous.   You can maybe see why I struggled with this?

I'm not even going to mention that I wanted to wear a jacket over it as well.  So the arms couldn't be too wide.   I was thinking of wearing it with looser trousers - so boyfriend jeans and cargos, which is why they couldn't be too blouson (now that's a FAB word) on top, as with volume on the bottom and volume above, there is the risk we all end up looking like potatoes.

I'm not sure why I started at Dotty P's.. (ooh I remember - found something on an FB pop up  that caught my eye,clicked on it and then spent the next half hour perusing a long forgotten favourite.  Ok so there are loads of things from DP's that I wouldn't wear but there are some real finds if you dig.  But you do have to dig.  Maybe I'll do a swifty blog on them shortly?)

In the meantime though, they did actually have a couple that I would definitely consider.  And without a shadow of a doubt look MUCH more expensive than their now £18 price tag.

Ivory Flare Sleeve Bardot Top from Dorothy Perkins was £24 now £18

Black Flare Sleeve Bardot Top from Dorothy Perkins was £24 now £18



Plain again at Mango although I fear this would be buster belly flashing on me...

Boat Neckline Top £29.99



Shorter sleeves in a stripe now.  For me - the jury is out on this... it almost sits between two camps... but actually with wide leg jeans, cropped or full length, this could be pretty cute.  Personally I think I'm trying to avoid the frill....

Pull&Bear Stripe Bardot top £15.99




Another stripe number from Vero Moda £10 and this definitely ticks the boxes with regards to simplicity... but do I want stripes??  If you definitely do then snap this one up for a tenner.  I'm hoping on the rest of us mere mortals it would be as unclingy as it is on her (one can dream... this had snuck in, even though it looks like jersey...).



Now I know I said no bouffant sleeves but I'm taking that back as this one from River Island delivers on every other level.  For me, this is the perfect holiday top (except for Disney.  I'm going to throw it out there that off the shoulder tops and roller coasters are possibly not a match made in heaven).  But with a pair of cut offs for the day - with a pair of skinnies for the evening, this is the ideal bardot vacation number. 

Black Bardot Top from River Island £25



Alternatively they have it in the blue.  A stunning shade for summer.   Now there is a print one as well but I have a pattern top blog up my sleeve which I'm saving it for.  In the meantime, this is a gorgeous shade.

Blue Bardot Top £25 from River Island 




I have to say - also from River Island - I would even consider a smidge of lace as it's so subtle (well, as subtle as a great big edging of lace can be....) 

Cream Lace Bardot Top from River Island £25



And also in the black.... 



And just because it's so so pretty and you can really see the detail in the pic - the coral.  Swoon.  This with faded denim.  Or white... Or khaki....

Coral Lace Bardot Top from River Island £25



But call off the dogs.  Earlier today - how timely? - a portion of my delivery from Warehouse arrived.  Randomly it came from lots of different stores in the UK as opposed to their warehouse (scuse the pun), and half of it hasn't actually been delivered as it's out of stock (cream lace blouse - weeps).  

This I honestly only put in *to try* as I was ordering anyway and thought it made no odds to the size of the delivery.  Well.  It's AMAZING.   I will pap tomorrow for Instagram as it needs an iron and I've been testing Noun Phrases and Fronted Adverbials, so didn't have time but believe me when I say it's perfect. 

Would be amazing with jeans, with smarter trews - not sure I'd wear it with a skirt personally - but perfect for culottes.  AND you can fit a jacket easily over it and it looks ace. 

Off Shoulder Top from Warehouse £45



The sleeves on this are ever so slightly different but it looks like another amazing option. 

Cotton Off The Shoulder Top £32 in navy from Warehouse 




Or the same blouse in a navy stripe again £32 from Warehouse 



Have you caved on the bardot top yet?  Have you gone all out for a more boho version or are you playing it safe like me with something more simple?  I have print summer tops coming up shortly, not to mention yet more summer options for our feet and good old dresses.

So here I am yesterday in the first of our super warm days - spent at the pool outdoors with the children as The Husband was working and then a late lunch outdoors en famille.  Yes, all black, but actually I wasn't too warm.  Top is a swing vest from last year which looked a lot better with the kick flares than this photo - honestly!  Came a cropper with the wind.



Black swing vest - Zara
Black kick flare jeans - River Island
Black leather Falcon espadrilles - Seven Boot Lane 
Grab bag - Gucci

And today - well I didn't think it was going to be as warm and it did cool off later in the day. 



Feather tee - hush
Black blazer - hush
Black boyfriend jeans - hush
Black leather Falcon espadrilles - Seven Boot Lane
Red Soho Disco Bag - Gucci

So I am off to struggle with trying to understand what a fronted adverbial as the 11yr old still wants me to test her for her SATS.  Poor poor poor thing - they are truly horrific.  The Husband is working away and the beloved little 9yr old is having a properly autistic day (he himself says "it's not a good day to be me today", god bless him, so I am putting them all to bed and then having a glass of wine whilst watching Game of Thrones (sorry husband - yes I am going to watch it without you....).