The jumper alternative

The best way to dress down a more formal skirt or trousers?  

Sweatshirt.  These have come a long way in the past couple of years.  I will admit to eschewing these in favour of knits this A/W, but it only takes one gem to have me back in the room.  Somehow, these also seem lighter than their knit sister.  Is there something more Spring about them perhaps?  If we're looking for a justification, this seems as good a one as any.

This season, I'm not looking at the print or logo sweat - for me, that is now jumper territory.  I am talking plain.  With maybe a little bit something different.  Something that elevates it from a Fruit of the Loom job to something you could wear to work.  But fling on at the weekend with jeans.  Or even wear out with a pleated skirt (I am obsessed at the moment with a certain skirt I own) or something shiny on the bottom (this may also be something I have up my sleeve).  They're not the new top on the block by any stretch of the imagination but there are some new ones out there that it's definitely worth having a look at. 

Especially as there are reinventions of the classic every season and this Spring is no exception. 

And the best thing - they're not expensive.  Well.  They can be.  But they really needn't be. 

Proof is in the pudding though and this is the one that I've got.  

Now.  It's supposed to be oversized.  I didn't want it oversized - I wanted to wear it with skirts so that it would sit on my waist.  Which meant I got an 8.  The fabric of this is virtually identical to the Wildfox brushed cotton fabric (basically it's ever so slightly furry) for a fraction of the price.

Topshop Brushed Batwing Sweatshirt £24 in pink. It's a very very pale blush.  And a nude blush as opposed to a pinky blush, if that makes sense (pics of me in it below which hopefully are slightly better!).

If you size down, it becomes much more like this sort of shape - in fact, I was just looking to see on the Topshop site to see if they had it in a red (they don't by the way).  But they do have similar at & Other Stories. 

Boxy Sweatshirt in Red £39



In the Stone again at Topshop (same as the pink above but a different shade - as similar as it looks!) £24  As you can see from my pic below, I have a much smaller version. 


A grey version which is only £22.



And then there are greys.  These are set to be your staple top this Spring as they are simply neutral.  With a twist.  

Puffed Sleeves Sweatshirt from Mango £29.99



Tie Sleeve Blouson Sweat Top from Topshop £36






Sleeve detail again at & Other Stories - of the puff variety £45 (EARRING KLAXON..)


Bidder Forever Zip Detail Sweatshirt from Finery London £55


Grey velour at & Other Stories £45


Other classic neutrals that would be great for Spring - good old navy. 

Bidder Zip Detail Sweatshirt from Finery London £55



Super plain khaki at & Other Stories £39


Back to pink at Mango.  I love these sleeves so so so much.  With black or good old denim.  I would happily wear this with a kick ass pair of heels and jeans for an evening out. 

Ruffled Sleeves Sweatshirt £29.99


Super useful white.  Love this.  If you click on the link, you can see it has an asymmetric hem which is lower at the back.  This would work perfectly with harems (these white ones look like they're worth exploring in fact), with wide leg cropped trews, with pleated skirts.  Just adore.  Layer now with a thin polo neck. 

Oversize Cotton Sweatshirt from Mango £25.99


And finishing with black.  My beloved black. 

The cut of this looks so interesting.  From Mango's new collection.

Organic Cotton sweatshirt £29.99


More puff on the sleeves in black again at & Other Stories £45



Here I am in my pink brushed cotton Topshop one.



Brushed cotton sweatshirt in pink - Topshop
Pleated skirt in pink - M&S 
Tan suede biker - hush
Black Susanna boots - Chloe
Jodie bag - Chloe

And just like that, it's the weekend.  Which is perfect sweatshirt time.  Tomorrow morning, I am taking the 12yr old and her best friend to see La La Land.  I am not going to lie - I don't want to see it.  I KNOW I KNOW.  Frankly I think it looks horrific (and yes - before anyone mentions it, Dance Moms is my tv porn so yes, I am just plain weird and have exceptionally bad taste).  But I am so looking forward to spending time with her as she is beside herself with excitement.  I shall attempt to keep an open mind... (please, please tell me I'm not the only one who think it looks appalling.  From what I can gather, you either love it or hate it.  I am hoping to be super surprised...).   I will keep you informed! 

But in the meantime - talk me through your thoughts on sweatshirts.  Avid fan or dyed in the wool jumper devotee?  Have I persuaded you at all?  I probably should have mentioned they're rather amazing for layering.  Oops.  They are.  There you go. 

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CONVERSATION

41 comentarios:

  1. I love a good sweatshirt! Most of mine are logo type ones (including a bargain Marant one from Selfridges for 50 quid a few years ago!), but I do have a couple of plain ones. My favourite plain grey one was mega cheap in Gap last year - last one on the rack, a size too big, but that just made it pleasingly oversized! It has zips either side of the waist, which just lift it out of the ordinary. And it's so fuzzy and warm inside! Looks great over my Zara leopard pleated skirt.

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    1. Meant to say, I hate musicals and don't see the point of Ryan Gosling (why is he considered a looker?!). So you couldn't pay me to sit through La La Land...

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    2. So the irony of booking tickets is that I have Odeon points and my ticket was actually free. So I'm not paying! (although they're not paying me either and I did have to pay £16 for the two girls... hmmmm). So with you on Ryan Gosling. Someone told me his eyes were too close together. And you're welcome. As now, every time you look at RG, that is ALL you will see. Really close together eyes. I don't think I've ever seen anything with him in though.. Oh well - I am prepared to be totally bored for two hours. As someone did say to me "two hours of my life I'll never get back" Dear gads.

      Sweatshirt wise - v much liking the idea of zips at the side...

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  2. Am currently watching Lala Land. Brace yourself... Underwhelming.
    Jill x

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    1. Oh dear lord. I wish I could take my laptop in. I may just get up super early tomorrow morning and get some work done and catch up on my sleep in the cinema. That won't be remotely embarrassing for the 12yr old. Snort.

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  3. I love musicals, but La La Land is awful - I was so disappointed. It's just a bad film with some mediocre songs shoe-horned into it and a couple of random dance routines. Ideally, take a hip flask. Otherwise, good luck...

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  4. I hate musicals but loved La La Land - I found it a joyful antidote to the shit going down in the real world and my 13 yo, who accompanied me reluctantly, loved it more than I did!
    There are some beauties of sweatshirts here, the best probably coming from &Other Stories, although those zippered ones from Finery are very appealing...

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    1. AHA! You see this is what I wanted to hear. I'm hoping that it will secretly turn out to be a total amazing surprise. Like Trolls for example....

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  5. Got my eye on a navy sport lux version from baum und pfergarten, with striped cuffs and buttons at the shoulder. My only niggle is that I already have a navy sweatshirt, which has been worn loads, but not in the last year!
    As for Ryan Gosling, I totally agree, not swoonable if you ask me. And musicals don't really float my boat. They were saying on the radio that the musical is the most ridiculed film genre, I can't say I'm surprised.

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    1. I know exactly the one you mean - v v v Gucci. It's amazing and is sold out more places here! Honestly, the film isn't what I expected at all - definitely worth a look!

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  6. Thanks Kat some great suggestions here. Also found some at H&M so plan to update my wardrobe with a selection. Good luck with La La land personally I would rather go to the dentist than have to watch that so await your comments with interest!

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    1. H&M is always a good call! Honesty, it was much better than I thought it would be!

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  7. I quite liked la la land, but went with very low expectations! Am not a full on musical fan tho don't mind a few songs in a film...and that for me was where La La Land fell down...I didn't think either of them, particularly her, could sing. All kudos to Ryan Gosling for learning to play the piano for the film though...I was most impressed by that!

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    1. I actually didn't think they were that bad!! I quite liked the fact she clearly wasn't Ginger Rogers. He though is THE most amazing dancer isn't he? Just oozes IT! And I am so pleased that you told me he learned to play the piano - most impressive.

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  8. I quite liked la la land, but went with very low expectations! Am not a full on musical fan tho don't mind a few songs in a film...and that for me was where La La Land fell down...I didn't think either of them, particularly her, could sing. All kudos to Ryan Gosling for learning to play the piano for the film though...I was most impressed by that!

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  9. I started reading this with a "not for me" and then decided that there were lots of gorgeous sweatshirts! Great topshop ones and I really like the finery one with zips. I have a grey uniqlo knit one in the style of a sweatshirt and an oversized tunic top in denim blue sweatshirt fabric from toast which I wear loads. Lovely picks, as always and that blush and tan outfit looks lovely on you.

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  10. I wasn't sure about La La Land but ended up liking it - like the comment above, total escapism which is nice - but the plot is rubbish!

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    1. Oh now I quite liked the story (clearly I have very very low expectations!) Was much better than I thought it would be. Wasn't nearly as jazz hands as I had thought it would be (which was v v v handy!!)

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  11. I think you'll enjoy the cinematography and costumes in La La Land if nothing else. LA looks gorgeous and Emma Stone wears some very pretty clothes!

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  12. Sweatshirts. It was a bit hit and miss but then this year I found the one! Trying to find options to dress down a dramatic midi skirt, it's Louche its electric blue, padded detail, sits on the waist. Also comes in red and winter yellow. Used in layering (normally I'm bad at this) but does leave colour on things. Love all the ones in the blog am toying with pale pink. Hope La La Land converts you, the costumes are fantastic esp her dresses 👗👗. My husband does not like musicals, loved it and obsessed by soundtrack and that Ryan Gosling mastered the piano pieces just for the film. Oh and The Gosling thing does not work by looking at him in pics or even interviews it's him on the big screen, he just has that certain thing that screen presence. Bit like Di Caprio for me, leaves me cold in print electrified in celluloid!

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  13. Great post, I already have several sweatshirts but now I apparently 'NEED' several more....
    La La Land - yes, the plot & dialogue are a bit thin but it looks like a dream and Emma & Ryan are so adorable together. They ain't no Fred & Ginger but I do think they're both super-talented actors.
    (BTW - Have you never seen Crazy Stupid Love?? I so love that film. Might change your mind about the Gos.)
    Can't wait to hear your verdict!

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    1. Oh I LOVED it!! Wasn't nearly as "musical" as I thought it would be. Basically all the clips you see of it are all the musical bits there are pretty much. Was fabulous! And the chemistry between those two....

      Haven't seen Crazy Stupid Love - need to now!

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  14. Buying the ruffle-sleeve straight after this comment! But LOVED, LOVED, LOVED La La Land. RG is an angel in it - just the sweetest- and if the alternative universe ending doesn't give you leaky eyes, you are a better woman than I!

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    1. Sobbed. Why did no one tell me it was so sad!

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  15. Love this sweatshirt post and love that you are happy to downsize. I don't want to feel swamped. Found a Zoe Karssen one in Medium in TKMaxx, mega excited, but it was HUGE! I adored La La Land. Don't go for Ryan Gosling. Go for the Emma Stone and a bit of escapism from this mad world. Love your blog. X

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  16. And I second Crazy Stupid Love. In my top ten films.

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    1. Can't believe I've never heard of it!! Will look into it now x

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  17. Great (unusual )sweatshirts in Zara spotted this am in a grab and dash to Bluewater. La La Land is great if you just sit back and enjoy the clothes and the sound track. RG is an amazing musician, just hope that he's wearing sunnies when he asks you out :)

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    1. It was magical. And I just loved the fact there wasn't that much music in it!!

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  18. Hush and Boden do some fab sweatshirts, although not sure if I want everyone to know that secret! I have been wearing mine all winter over mostly dresses. Love your blog, from a 47 year old who thinks inside her head that she's younger....

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    1. Don't we all?!! Love hush sweatshirts, but have never looked at Boden ones...

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  19. Like the sweatshirts with sleeve details... adds somethin new!
    In black with jeans sounds great.

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  20. oh Kat.....you are a genius - just as I had spring wardrobe crisis about wtf to wear at weekends now and THEN - you post this ! you beauty you! Grey sweatshirts are the solution. Wahoo !
    Now as for the trash talk about Ryan - we'll have no more of that. He is a delightful human being. I love his smirk - as witnessed at the Oscars during Warren's senior moment. And on Graham Norton recently and just in general. I could watch him read the phonebook. Hope you enjoyed La La Land !!

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    1. YAY!! So pleased.

      and yes, saw RG on GN on catch up randomly on Friday. The one where he was talking about the talent show he was in with the twins?? Too funny!

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  21. I went to La La Land with zero expectations, came out loving it and having a thing for Ryan Gosling that I did not have at the start of the film!! Who knew? He's gorge and the movie was just lovely.
    Sweatshirts above all fab.. I must do a few mountain climbers (or burpees!) and start rockin' the sweatshirt, Jeans and heels combo again. Great post, Audrey x

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