This blog post contains affiliate links

And no it's NOT leopard print.  As she's well and truly trashed that look for me for the foreseeable future.  Which is an absolute crying shame, seeing as it was the BEST neutral out there.  

But fear not.  There's another awesome print alternative that works just as well as a neutral and you won't get any Bet Lynch/Pat Butcher snide comments from the husband.  

Step forward the humble stripe.  So I call it the Breton stripe although that should be a specific number by all accounts according to those that are true to the word Breton but who has time for all that malarkey. 

These work with every print.  Believe me.  Navy and cream will pretty much work with every colour (I'm sure there are exceptions to this rule but right now, I can't think of one. However I do have lockdown brain so chances of me being wrong are very high).  It's the best clash ever as it's not "really" a clash.  Admittedly my husband doesn't agree with me but he knows NOTHING!

Breton stripe to me is an even stripe in a cream and navy but I will allow black (as I have zero allegiance to the original Breton tribe - I am a renegade pioneer of the new style Breton stripe.. come and join me on my journey). 

I'm also going against the grain even further by not talking about a jersey top. 

I want a knit.  This is old school blogging for me.  Fixating on one specific item and then spending hours researching until I find the exact thing I'm looking for.  Which hopefully doesn't cost a billionty pounds but usually does.  And then spending further hours finding one at a more reasonable price. 

Starting with one we might find hard to beat at Arket. 

Cotton crew neck jumper from Arket £45



Although it's not navy navy by the looks of things... but actually it's a pretty fab shade and ideal if you're not sure about navy with black.  

This however is up there with almost being perfect bar the price.

Cordelia Breton Stripe Merino Wool Blend Sweater from APC at Matches £165 BUT with 20% off for a limited time off limited products with the code SPRING20.



But staying with all things French, oh THANK YOU La Redoute (where else?!)

Organic cotton breton striped jumper from La Redoute £32



Which they also do in a plus size - again £32



Breton Striped Cotton Mix Jumper from La Redoute £26




Brave Soul yacht button shoulder knit was £25.99 now £16





JDY Ebba long sleeve knit top was £16 now £14




Another great version with a slash neck at The White Company

Cotton rich breton jumper from The White Company £89



Magoero linen/cotton jumper from La Redoute £68



Lighter blue and linen again at The White Company

Linen-rich stripe jumper from The White Company £79



Thinner stripes in cashmere in the sale. 

The White Company Striped Cashmere Jumper at Selfridges was £159 now £95.40



And in cotton at Me+Em with 25% off. 

Feminine Cotton Knit Breton Jumper from Me+Em £150 with 25% off with the code THANKYOU25



Chunky knit now (this one I love with the idea of faded, distressed jeans and sandals for Spring/Summer days - in this country - seeing as we're hardly likely to be going anywhere...). 

Chunky knit striped breton jumper at La Redoute was £55 now £24.75



Another chunky option again at La Redoute from Only.  A more feminine touch with the knit...

Cotton mix breton striped chunky jumper from Only £30



I think this one has the addition of a metallic neckline.  Perfect shape for those who prefer a boxy style.  Ideal for those who are apple shaped - hides a multitude of sins around the middle. 

Brora Merino Wool Striped Jumper in Ink and White £119.20



LOVE the addition of a ruffle lace neck from Warehouse at John Lewis. 

Warehouse Stripe Lace Ruffle Neck Jumper was £42 now £25




And then reverse stripe versions.  I'm not going to lie - I actually definitely prefer the original colourway.  BUT I know that some people prefer more navy. 

John Lewis & Partners Stripe Breton Jumper £45



Organic cotton from Esprit at Le Redoute £38



A variation on the theme now and a v neck hoodie.  Reverse stripe. 

Striped V-neck hoodie from Gap was £39.95 now £19.98



Another reverse V neck at The White Company in the sale (limited sizes only). 

Reverse breton V-neck jumper at The White Company was £69 now £34.50



And a chunky version - reverse of the one above from Only at La Redoute again £30



Having said that, this one from APC I could definitely give a home to and wear often. 

Cordelia Breton stripe merino wool-blend jumper from APC at Matches £165 but with 20% off using SPRING20.


\
But this one is almost the same and a fraction of the price. 

Organic cotton breton striped jumper from La Redoute £32



So there is no photo today as I don't own one of these.  On the wish list for sure.  And during this research I found loads of other amazing options in different colours.  Coming tomorrow! 

Ok so this only works if you're a child of the '70s.  When the Summers were a billionty years long.  They were warm, check, we had pretty much not a lot to do, check and had to get permission from our parents (now read government) to do anything.  Oh and parents cut their childrens' hair (see Insta Stories for a holy show of '70s hair cuts.  It's genius and thank you thank you to everyone who has contributed. 

And in the spirit of all things '70s, I'm bringing back the fashion.  So I have the wide leg jeans in the research pit but in the meantime, I was stunned by all the incredible frocks on the pics. 

So let's go a dress hunting. 

It was this one which first gave me the idea - found at Mango.

Printed long dress from Mango £49.99



Pitching in with my favourite second time round.  I LOVE this one.  Seriously seriously love it.  You could wear it for just bombing around the house at home, it will be perfect for a party (and BOY will you be wanting a dress for a party when this is all over...), plus you'll have it for years to come. 

Free People Getaway floral cotton midi dress £150



Smock style again at Max Studio exclusively at John Lewis. 

Max Studio Floral Square Neck Smocked Maxi Dress £80



Sticking with the florals and everything Laura Ashley inspired... 

YAS Florals Original Cotton Maxi Dress in Floral Print £80



Pretty much anything with shirring is position A when it comes to the '70s.  Stat.

Shirred waist check, multicoloured embroidery, check. 

ASOS DESIGN embroidered dress £55




Ashleigh Daisy Print Shirred Dress from Monsoon was £60 now £42




Wasn't everything bright orange in the 70s? Ok it was mostly furniture by my reckoning but I'm good for tangerine wallpaper or cushions right now so let's bring back the feeling in a dress. 

Midi Shirt Dress from Mango £69.99





Is gingham 70s?  It seems to me if it isn't it should be... 

Checked Cotton Dress from Mango £49.99



Another in the sale at Topshop at Selfridges (free delivery...!). 

Topshop Gingham Dress now £20



This one most definitely - check and shirring - CHECK!

Red Check Shirred Midi Dress from Topshop £45



And the blue version which is in the sale again at Topshop now £20



Ok I'm running with this check theme.

Check Ankle Dress by YAS at Topshop £75



Staying with the 70s style tie shoulders.  

Max Studio Tie Shoulders £75



Smocked again at Me+Em 

Smocked Summer dress in black £95 25% off with THANKYOU25



And in the white again £95 from Me+Em pre 25% discount.



And a blow the budget one at Ganni.

Checked shirred smock dress from Ganni at Selfridges £215



Tie shoulder maxi in the sale at Free People.

Free People Tangier Dress in Rose was £148 now £95



And then some big prints.  Big, bold and if it's a kaftan as well?  Yup, that fits the bill.  Ok so I don't know why I think kaftans are 70s esque, are they?  I think they are... and what the hell, it's a cool frock anyway.

John Lewis & Partners Martinique Tiered Maxi Dress £69



And I don't even have a photo of me in a 70s style dress this week.  Can you believe it?  But I do have a skirt - a seersucker skirt - actual vintage.  We WILL be able to trawl vintage shops again once this is all over... 




Skirt - Vintage 
Tee - H&M (Current)
Jacket - Maje (ss19)
Trainers - Golden Goose from Black White Denim

What this blog post has got me to thinking about are LockDown Dresses.  Smocks.  Inspired by the orange tent above and a dress I'm wearing as I'm typing this - a full on no shape, deliciously comfortable, fabulously cool (as in not hot not as in trendy...), midi dress.  Throw on.  Done.  I will be back...

...yes it's the good old slogan tee.  These aren't for everyone.  To some, they are the epitome of naff, dare I say even mutton?  I am not a paid up subscriber to this school of thought.  At all.

I love them, literally adore them.  I do think it depends how you wear them but for me - if you generally favour a more classic vibe to your clothes, then these add the perfect juxtaposition of yoof.  There's no other way to say it, they can transform a work suit to a weekend, cool (sorry for the naffest of words) and laid back look. 

Un-Queen Mum your loafers, brogues, ballet flats, chunky heel tassel style footwear, or any other style shoe that could fall into the "prim" category.  A pair of distressed, loose jeans, slogan tee and top and tail your outfit with a classic - granny footwear of your choice and a blazer and you're set.  A modern twist on a more traditional outfit. 

Alternatively I love them teamed with a super feminine skirt.  Pretty and voluminous with a modern, more androgynous style tee creates the perfect combo.  Denim jacket, biker or tweed cropped blazer finishes the look of perfectly.  For footwear, I would go with trainers or a chunky sandal or boot, weather depending.  

Budget wise, there is absolutely something for everyone, ditto shape, ditto how funky you want to go.  All out rock chick or something a little less mid life crisis inducing (for the record, I am band tee ALL the way - I like to wear my mid life confusion with pride.  And I don't see it as that by the way, I see it as just living and not giving two hoots....)

So let's start.  

Classic monochrome at IKKS (very well known French shop in France!) at La Redoute and I LOVE this neckline.  Unusual for a tee like this and whilst it's not the cheapest, you will have this for years and years.  For me, it also would absolutely work as a night out top which means cost per wear, it will pay for itself in no time. 

Printed cotton t-shirt with v neck from IKKS at La Redoute £55



Off white again at IKKS at La Redoute £55



Classic black and white at hush £35 




And my other favourite t-shirt brand from French Company MKT Studio.

MKT Studio Joplin T-shirt £45 from boutique Lulu & M 



Ok now hold onto your hats here but this is a cropped tee.  Have I lost my mind and am advocating swanning around with your midriff bare?  Hmmm not exactly (ie no).  But with so many very high waisted jeans and trousers around at the mo, this would actually work and be pretty useful.  They also do this in petite and tall.

Cream Kyoto t-shirt from Topshop £12



This one is very much up there with my favourites - again it would be simply perfect with all black - with shades of cream with navy or with khaki.

Hello Sunshine Tee from hush £35




Dare I say this is rather appropriate...?! 

Cotton mix slogan t-shirt from Vero Moda at La Redoute £12



Round neck t-shirt with short sleeves from Vanessa Seward at La Redoute £30


White again in the sale at ASOS. 

Blend She Uzma Love slogan tee was £18 now £15



White with a lipstick from New Look £8.99 (see below for special offer) 




More lips at H&M 

Velvet Underground tee from H&M £12.99



And another that's in the offer from New Look - white with leopard lips.  LOVE this.  Perfect with camel, with black, with whites.  £8.99




White La Pomme tee from H&M (I have this one, it's v good...) £9.99



White Coca Cola also at H&M £9.99



If white isn't your colour, there's always cream.  And I have to say, I am and always have been a huge fan of hush tees.

Flock Cotton Tee from hush £35




And the other colour I love as a base - let's just guess, yes that will be black.

A classic black and white at New Look £8.99


LOVE the Nirvana one from New Look £14.99 BUT if you buy two that are marked 2 for £16 this works out to be an utter bargain (this one is in the offer so you can get another tee - the one above for example for £1.01!!!) 



Or this one again from New Look - black with leopard lips £8.99




Black Roar Tiger T-shirt from Topshop £15.99



Upping the budget now but again, it's in the sale and again, I would wear this for out out.. when there is such a thing as out out and there WILL be... 

Alice & Olivia Jeans Shira Band Tee was £95 now £65



Black and metallic at hush. 

Triple Manana Tee £35




Grey is also a great neutral.. probably better with an all black suit.  Add white trainers - sublime look. 

Graphic tee from Hollister was £17 now £6.80 I can personally confirm that Hollister tees are all sorts of superb.  I inherited a couple from a much younger daughter.



Grey with leopard lips from New Look £8.99 - I actually think I prefer this one to the black one.



BUT I absolutely love this one.  

Grey ACDC tee from H&M £12.99



Dark grey Hello Kitty.  This is so wrong it's RIGHT.  £12.99



And for those who like to mix it up with a bit of colour... 

Red at Topshop (yes, this is more fitted but would be perfect with a voluminous skirt or wide leg trousers - for me, it's all about the proportions.  Think about making sure your proportions work - so something more fitted on the top half with more volume on the bottom or vice versa).

Red Freedom Ringer Tee from Topshop £12



Red again from Alice & Olivia so not cheap but in the sale. 

Alice & Olivia Jeans Cicely Graphic T-shirt in red was £89 now £65




Bowie Print Crew Neck Tee from La Redoute was £20 now £12



Yellow with a lower scoop neck at ASOS 

Blend She slogan tee was £17.99 now £14



Yellow and pink at hush £35




A more yolky yellow (sounds hideous but it's a great great shade) again at hush. 

Sunrise Tee from hush £35



Grey and yellow at ASOS.

Blend She Umay rush slogan tee was £15 now £12



And then there are the old school branded numbers.  The '80s and early '90s called and they want their tees back. 

White Logo T-shirt by Wrangler from Topshop was £20 now £16



Green Trefoil Tee by adidas at Topshop £22



And here I am in one of my very favourites... to be worn on repeat from now until Winter.



Tee - MKT Studio (gift 3yrs ago)
Jeans - LF Markey X LabelMix (from paid partnership aw19)
Sandals - Birkenstock X Proenza Schouler from Net a Porter (ss20)
Bag - APC from Coggles (5yrs ago)
Jacket - Vintage Windsmoor from The Thorpeness Emporium bought ss20

Hopefully everyone is hanging in there.  The wide leg jeans I've been wearing have been really popular so I'll be seeing if I can find some more of them!  And shirt dresses.  There's method in my madness, believe me...