Red alert

It's that time again when I get the pleasure of perusing all things perfect in M&S.

And this month, it was tricky to decide what to focus on, as I pretty much wanted all of it.  But in the end, it was the plethora of red that sold it to me. 

Red, red and more red. Mixing it up, wearing it together, go clashing, keep it classic, return to the on trend '80s by teaming it with black and grey.  All the rules have been broken this season.  

Red is the colour that, this season, you really can't live without.  And the best thing about the rule book having been thrown out of the window is that it offers up so much more versatility.  No longer do you have to worry about it only working in certain outfits - you can wear it with everything and anything.

Or at the same time, if you're really not comfortable in head to foot scarlet - you could just throw a hint in for a nod to the seasonal favourite.  Pick a jumper, trousers, blouse, blazer or coat and just add it in to your wardrobe.  Red works with so many colours.  All the neutrals obviously, but it also looks amazing with green, love it with khaki, clash with orange, purple or pink.

And this month, I've added an extra element in (was tempted for a millisecond to call it "an extra je ne sais quoi" but realised I sounded like a tool) - over on Insta stories you can see some changing rooms videos.  *Hopefully* this all works but with technology not being my strongest point, let's all not hold out breath.  It should give you an option though to see the clothes in action.  Walkies and talkies. (on Instagram, @doesmybumlook40)

First up, I'm starting with my favourite option. The red suit. 

Straight Leg Trousers from Autograph £45  Size wise, I took the 12.  The 10 did fit but they were slightly spray on.  Which wasn't the look I was going for.  I wanted them looser.

Autograph Single Breasted 2 Button Blazer £69  I took a 10 in this - the 8 also fitted, so I do think this is on the large side.



Leather Stiletto Heel Toe Cap Ankle Boots £79 from Autograph  One thing I would say about M&S shoe sizing is to always size down.  If you are a 40 for example and always take a 7, I find that they are enormous in M&S and always need a 6.5 or even a 6.  



And then you can add in what you'd like as a top. 

Now this does look as if the writing is white but in reality, it's a silvery grey.  It's not glitter glitter but there is a definite slight metallic edge to it.  Perfect for the Christmas jumper that won't have you edging into Noel Edmonds territory (I don't know why I think Noel Edmonds always wears a full on Christmas jumper...he would though, wouldn't he?  With matching head attire...)

Je Suis Belle Jumper £27.50



 I did say I was going to explore red on red on red and so here we have it. 



Of course you can then change it up - and I have to say, this is the look that I prefer. 

Hot Pink Cashmere Jumper from Autograph £89  Rather randomly, this only seems to come in every other size - so 8, 12, 16, 20... I will say that I picked up the 12 and it could definitely be a large 10.  Ergo I would assume that the 8 would be a small 10.  Clear as mud?  The pictures also don't do this justice.  The colour is simply the most perfect pink (so long as you love bright pink...).



Look how happy I am with it!



I then did team it with a grey coat which is over on Insta stories, which I rather foolishly didn't take a photograph of.  And I swapped out the boots for white trainers. 

This is the coat that I'm wearing - it's the one I had on yesterday (and the one on Stories) and is SUPERB.  Absolutely superb.

Wool Blend Textured Coat from Limited Collection £69  The 10 is a perfect 10 I would say.  What you also can't see is that it has a dark red lining under the collar and around the button holes.  I have had so many messages about this coat - it really does look a LOT more expensive than the sub £70 price tag.



Then it was another change.  Swapping out the blazer for a red coat.  Which threw me as I really hadn't expected to completely fall in love with it.  I also REALLY wish I had bought this jumper but will definitely be picking it up today.  I hadn't realised it was only £25.  Again the price belies the quality and styling.  More images of me in it with just the trousers over on Insta stories - clearly I got rather confused and again neglected to pap without the coat.   But you can see the jumper in all its glory over on Insta.

Colour Block Funnel Neck Jumper £25 I sized up to the Large as I wanted it on the larger side and have gorilla arms.  You should also check out the blue and white version.  A.Mazing.



Longline Coat £89  Again I'm wearing the 10 which is perfect.  What you can't see is that the texture isn't a classic wool style coat, it almost has a felty (clearly a word I've just made up), boiled wool feel.  Which gives it a really modern and more luxe edge.  



Lace up Star Trainers £29.50







Ruffle Neck Round Neck Blouse £29.50 This is again in a 10 and a note here is that the fabric has a lovely soft, almost linen feel to it, as opposed to being a silky blouse which I would personally have expected. 



And this time - a pair of lower, red suede boots.

Wide Fit Suede Kitten Ankle Boots £69 - for me, even with narrow feet, the wide fit is fine, just size down (I go from my usual 40 and take an M&S 6).






A skirt with a hint of red to it.  Perfect for trying in with all your red pieces.   With the red leather heeled boots.  And I can't find the skirt online.  SO sorry - as soon as it does come onto the website, I will add it.  I will also say it comes up true to size - this is a 12 and is too big on the waist (something I never usually get to say) so take your normal size.




And just a couple of other options which I found, in case you want an alternative to the tops above.

Autograph Lace Round Neck 3/4 Sleeve Shell Top £49



Wool Rich Funnel Neck £25




Then some extra pictures of how you can mix and match some of the red gems into your own wardrobe.  This is the outfit I had on yesterday - so red tee, leather leggings and white trainers.  



Using the jacket on its own with my outfit.  Definitely a versatile one to have in the wardrobe.



Sneaking in with the red leather boots.



But what did I buy in the end?  

I did get the whole suit as I think it will be super useful to wear as a suit and as separates.  However I couldn't leave the coat, and this pink jumper will be so so useful - they both came home with me too.  I'm also going back for the colourblock jumper (it's navy by the way - not black).



Red coat - M&S above
Hot Pink Jumper - M&S above 
Red Trousers - M&S above
Trainers - My Fashion Tribu
Red Soho Disco bag - Gucci

What I will also do is have a look at some pink things that we can wear alongside all our red.  And I haven't forgotten green.. or navy shoes.  Any other colour I should be looking at?  I'm frantically packing for leaving on Friday - yes I will be doing some blogs that are holiday related but still useful for every day back here.  In the dark.  And rain.  Ergo we will need some cheering up  - especially as it's half term and some of you crazy fools are doing that no drinking in October thing.  ALL THE RESPECT! 

Would love to know your thoughts on red.  Love it or hate it?  Wear it as a nod to colour or are you head to toe Mrs Santa?  Have I managed to convert anyone?!  Would also love to know what you think of the matching Insta stories to the blog.