Bare those legs...

...just a tad.  As it seems to be getting warmer (marginally.  I'm not going to say sunnier as that would be a lie.  More humid would be a horribly accurate description), I feel it's time I exposed a little more flesh. 

I've done the midi dress and the midi skirt but there is another option.  Culottes.  

Following on from my Topshop Boutique thread where I found the (marmite) caramel culottes, I thought it was worth exploring other options as these with ankle boots (my current fave thing to wear) along with a biker jacket (can you ever have too many? I may be surgically attached to mine), are going to be my number one look for the Autumn.  As well as now.  In our Swinter.  Named by one of my best friend's son.  The perfect description. 

Now someone somewhere (either in the comments here or on Instagram) the other day mentioned there being some great ones in Uniqlo. 

And they were not wrong.  I popped in today and was super impressed with the selection.  Not to mention the prices. 

Olive Wide Leg Trousers from Uniqlo now £14.90 were £24.90  Now the only problem is I simply cannot work out the sizing.  I know for a fact in store, the ones I tried on were a size 27 and a 28.  Yet the sizes start at 32 and go up to 42.  Which is sizing I've never come across.  I tried to have a look at their Sizing Chart but these sizes aren't even on there.  Errrr - anyone shed any light on this?

And in the beige



And here I am in the beige ones in a 28.  Which is the perfect size for a 10.  Alas I have zero idea what that correlates to in the sizes above.  Chocolate teapot I appreciate but if anyone can shed any light?



They are lovely but they are a light, crisp cotton and I was looking for something slightly more Autumnal.  Although looking at them again and seeing them on the pic above, I was a tool not to buy them.  Duh.

They do also have some other options but these were the ones that caught my eye which I didn't see in store.  LOVE these (as they'd be cropped on me...)

Woman Skirt Trousers in Pink £29.90 from Uniqlo



Especially in the dark green. 



The other place I remember trying on excellent ones but they were without pockets and frankly without pockets is not a good thing in my book. 

But they appeared to have amended that and aloha - we have pockets.

Classic Black at M&S - Wide leg culottes from Livia Firth and M&S est. 1884 £59.99



And another black pair from ASOS.  Love the styling here.  Good old ASOS.

ASOS Smart Tailored Culotte With Deep Pleat £30 (alas I can't comment on the pocket issue here..)


Wide crop trousers from Me+Em were £118 now £59  I have these in black and they are epic BUT they don't have pockets.. just warning you.  However they are super flattering and the best fabric. 



More in the sale at Me+Em.

Side Stripe Wide Cropped Trousers in navy were £118 now £82.60



And of course the ones I have in navy from M&S - The Adas at £39.99  I did try this look (below) on and in the mirror all I could think was, "the 80s are calling and they want their Lady Di tribute outfit back".  However with sneakers or ankle boots, these are amazing culottes.  Oh and I've also worn mine with my loafers and a biker.  I think so long as you add something that breaks the 80s spell, the outfit will work.



Now the ones I also have are leather look and I absolutely love.  Super wearable and the easiest to dress up or dress down and perfect to take you into Autumn.  Alternatively are just as useful in our "Summer".  Mine were the biggest bargain ever at £15 from River Island at the end of the A/W sale but there are some others out there. 

Oh and if you did need any persuasion to buy a pair of these, a quick peruse through the pre Fall collections shows that these are also big news for next season, so you'll definitely get your wear out of these.

Pale grey pair at ASOS. 

ASOS Leather Look Culottes £35




Or Suede at Florence and Fred for £24.  Yes that is suede for £24.. Were £80.



But I have to say I think I am going to be saving my money and invest in the M&S Autograph ones which I've had my eye on for a while now.  These are perfection in trousers, culottes, whatever you want to call them.  Perfect for now with a tee and a boucle jacket.   Into the Autumn these will be superb with ankle boots, roll neck jumpers and loose coats. 

Leather Wide Leg Cropped Trousers in Conker £199 (POCKETS!!)




More leather at Joseph in the sale at Matches with a whopping 80% off were £785 now £157



Black crepe top - Cos
Black faux leather culottes - River Island
Boots - QuattroRish
Patent leopard print bag - Tory Burch

And for Thursday when I went to London Zoo with 30 7yr olds.  Took 6 hours to get there and 2 hours to get back and I honestly haven't had as much fun in ages.  Who would have thought it?  The most delicious group of little people ever (mine obviously being the most delicious..!).  




Crepe sleeveless top - Zara
Jeans - Zara
Onyx biker jacket - hush
Cracked leather Stan Smiths - adidas
Haworth black bag - Village England 

For Friday when the sun came briefly out.. 



Faux leather pleated skirt - Banana Republic
Crepe sleeveless top - Zara
Boots - Quattrorish 
Half Moon Bag - APC

Impromptu night out on Friday night with friends for drinks and dinner to drown our sorrows.  Have had this blouse for ages and frankly, I couldn't be bothered to iron it.  I am *that* lazy.  Wish I'd made the effort now though.   Was also thinking it would be the best top to go with the Autograph leather culottes above....



Bardot style silk blouse - Warehouse
Phoebe Jeans - MiH
Black boucle jacket - Isabel Marant
Glove shoes - Balenciaga
Patent leopard print bag - Tory Burch

So apologies for having had a couple of days off.  Really busy week with the children so work had to take a back seat for a change.  Coming to the end of term is always super hard for our 9yr old who has Asperger's and ADHD.  We have done a stately home, a sports tournament, costume making for the End of Year Yr 6 Production, a school fair, swimming with friends, some voting and some commiserating with friends at the state of our country.  Which is all I'm going to say on the subject as everyone has their own agenda for voting and that's their prerogative and demographic right.  Although I will say that for forever I have thought it was perogative and had absolutely no idea that it was prerogative.  Considering I have been singing Bobby Brown's My PRerogative incorrectly for the past 28 yrs (yes it is 28 years old that song.  All weep with me) - I think that puts things into perspective.  And I thought, with my 3A's at A Level, that I was an intelligent one.  That's put me in my place for sure.

I will also continue to moan about the weather.  Seriously Summer?  SERIOUSLY?  As I take pictures of my daily outfits, I know for a fact that we have had less than five days of properly decent weather.  It is July next week.  That is as woeful as I can ever remember a season.  

Which means I have no idea at all what I will be blogging about tomorrow.  Seeing as for the foreseeable future on all weather apps (and yes, I have checked them all), the temperature doesn't nudge above 20 degrees.  Summer clothes anyone?

Ho hum.  I think we should start thinking about Autumn... what do we think?  Will we get a Summer at all?  Culottes suddenly seem like a very good idea.