This blog post contains affiliate links

...seeing as it's here to stay for the time being at least.  The mood of the nation is heading into (being forced into?!) relaxed mode.  And what better way to celebrate not being able to go out with the purchase of something we will be able to wear day in and day out - the sweatshirt.  

So this isn't really a reinvention as such, more of a rediscovery and an easy segue from pure slobbism into something we can wear every day.  With a slight rejig of an outfit (ie maybe don't wear with tracksuit trousers that you wore when you were pregnant with your 12 yr old - just me?) suddenly these can be your go to dress down top to wear with jeans, wide leg trousers, maxi or midi skirts - you name it, you can wear it.  Throw on an oversized coat or a blazer for a slightly smarter look. 

I haven't gone down the hoody route - seeing as this is something for which there are a LOT of options, I'll do a WHOLE hoody one on its own.  Purely selfish of course, as if I look back at my wardrobe - these are one of the items that have lasted the test of time.  From throwing on over your jamas to do the school run, to grabbing to go to the gym, to wearing over leather leggings and a smarter jacket for... well - will we be allowed to leave the house by the end of the week?  If so, this is what you can be wearing.

Starting with a black and white theme - possibly the easiest way to start if you're not a fan of the larger logo.  These will fit in perfectly with all your neutral wardrobe favourites.

Black Phoenix Arizona Logo Sweatshirt from New Look £17.99

Deliciously perfect and in the sale from Moschino at ASOS.

Love Moschino Sweatshirt was £160 now £95

And a grey version - ideal for winter whites or with blacks... perfect with navy too.

Grey again with an embroidered motif in gold at H&M

Grey Mon Amour Sweatshirt from New Look was £16.99 now £8

I shouldn't love this one as much as I do and it's white would be a disaster for me as I am so messy and can't drink a cup of coffee without wearing half of it. BUT a high neck polo neck... oh.. hello...

Levi's High Neck Gardenia Sweatshirt from Urban Outfitters £75

Dark charcoal grey.

ASOS DESIGN ACDC print in charcoal £28

Grey.. now please don't panic about the cropped aspect.. it's actually pretty perfect with high waisted jeans.  NO MIDRIFF ON SHOW! 

Hollister graphic sweatshirt from ASOS £29

Levi's Peanuts Crew Neck Sweatshirt £60

And in yellow - again £60. I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!

Red is definitely one of my favourite colours for a top.

Claudie Pierlot Relaxed Fit Jersey Top £81

Red Chicago 98 Sweatshirt from New Look £17.99

LOVE this one from Whistles. 

Red C'est Chic Logo Sweatshirt £79

Oversized now and actually my absolute favourite one that I've had for years is from Missguided.  Don't laugh.  I know... BUT it's such a good sweatshirt that I've had for about 4yrs and haven't found a huge one as good.  This is what's on offer for this season. 

And a Rolling Stones one - also at H&M.

And a FABULOUS grey one with a vintage vibe... again at H&M

So so so many options but fear not, if a logo sweatshirt isn't for you, I have other winter warmer options coming soon.  Plain knits and their antithesis, the fairisle - all the print you could ever want in a jumper.  Not to mention bottoms to wear with them... 

This blog post contains affiliate/ad links

..the one that is making all the headlines this season is the check version.  These are EVERYWHERE.  You can't move without hitting a coat of the checked variety and there's pretty much one for everyone. 

These aren't, however, new to me (or many others I would think).  You will either love them or hate them BUT - I do think there is a version that you might like out there.  As when it comes to checks, the varieties are endless.  Bright checks, neutral checks, big checks, small checks, chunky coats, faux fur coats, trenches, jackets, belted or shirt style. 

The key to finding one that you love is - in my book - relatively simple. Identify the style that you like.  You will know what sort of style works for you - what's the style you wear most often and that goes with the majority of your wardrobe.  Or what sort of coat do you have a hole in your wardrobe, that a new checked coat would fill.

And then - the check itself.  You will know when you find a check that you love.  It will fill you will JOY.  You will look at it and you will utterly love it.   I have a few and they're the sort of check that you come back to, time and time and again.  When you look at it, the shades should make you happy.  That's it! It's as easy as that.  Yes, it also helps if it goes with the rest of your wardrobe but I'm going to hazard a guess that if you do genuinely love it, it will also work with the other things that you already have.  And if not - just keep the rest of your outfit very neutral.

Without further ado, let's see what is out there.

Starting with my favourites which are the longer ones...

This whilst being super striking is actually also very versatile and verging on a neutral.  Undoubtedly one that would last the test of time.

YAS tailored longline checked coat in camel with tie waist £160

ASOS DESIGN TALL Neon Maxi Coat was £95 now £61.75

ASOS DESIGN Neon Check Maxi Coat was £95 now £41.80

Two longer slightly lighter ones from Glamorous at Topshop.

Green Check Duster Coat at Topshop £85

Kin Utility Check Coat from John Lewis £169

Liquorish straight coat in navy and beige check was £130 now £78

ASOS DESIGN Curve Balloon Sleeve Check Coat was £75 now £54

This is a mid length one in the sale with over 60% off.  It's a Helen Berman coat at ASOS and interestingly, it's not perhaps the styling that I would pare with the coat... a plain white tee and jeans and this would be amazing on warmer Autumn days.  With a navy knit, jeans and trainers or chunky boots, ideal for cooler times that are a coming.

Helene Berman belted coat was £210 now £74

And then there are the shacket styles... 

Object longline shacket from ASOS £90

Wool-blend Coat at H&M £99.99

Boel Coat from Weekday £110

hush Marjo Check Jacket in Blue £169

Another belted version at In Wear in the sale at ASOS.

In Wear Silju Jacket was £180 now £120

Checked shacket at La Redoute in red and black £58

Check faux shearling coat from Stradivarius £59.99

Checked Boyfriend Shacket at La Redoute £48 with 35% off using the code AUTUMN

And a black and white classic trucker number from Warehouse on offer.  To add a more feminine edge, maybe wear over a black dress with knee high boots... or wide leather cropped trews, a black polo neck and black mules.

Check trucker jacket from Warehouse was £79 now £53.30

And I am sure there are more... I will be hunting them down and bringing them to you as soon as I find them.  That's not the end of the coats though but I shall be taking a break and bringing you the weekend's special that we find ourselves wearing during the week now - the sweatshirt!

 This blog post contains affiliate links.

... to find a raincoat that doesn't look like I bought it from Mountain Warehouse and am about to trek up Snowdonia?  

Very is the answer.  From a scant glance at lots of sites, it seems that you're not allowed to go out in inclement weather and look stylish.   To be fair, I guess that does guess depend on what you're actually looking for...some people do just want something that is innately practical.  And for that, it can pretty much be purely functional.  When it comes to that though, I do like it have a level of detailing on it... I love the parka style.  Of course, if you're looking for something to wear for smarter purposes than probably a trench is going to be more the style that would work.  With either a hood or you could wear a separate hat. 

But for the purposes of this blog post, we're going practical with a hint of style.  Ones that you could happily wear to walk the dog or do the school run with your pyjamas on underneath.  Or you easily team with leather or faux leather trousers, chunky boots and on oversized knit.  Ideal for walks to the pub, for working from home, nipping to the supermarket - let's face it - everyday lockdown life.

There are other waterproof parka options but these are all quite lightweight.  I haven't gone for any puffa coats - these could all be worn in the Spring or Autumn and could be layered with knitwear underneath for warmth.  I personally find the super thick ones too heavy but that's just my personal preference. 

Starting with a super option from Arket.

Oversized rain parka from Arket £135

... and it's now sold out in the black BUT they do have in the burgundy in all sizes.

Which they also do in a Curve.. again £60

And a shorter one in khaki with a parka style drawstring waist... 

They also have the parka style (which is sold out at the Rains site and pretty much most places!) in stock in all sizes at Collen & Clare.

Rains Fishtail Parka in the green (they also have it in black online) £109

Navy simplicity at Jigsaw.

Another option at Superdry - in two colours.  This comes with the addition of a zip in zip out gilet as well - ideal for when the weather gets colder. 

Superdry Long Sleeve Essentials Parka Coat was £139 now £70

And in the navy.. again now £70 from £139

An alternative version at Monki..

Lightweight full on functionality at M&S - ideal for slipping in your bag although we have lost all sense of super style here... WELL - I say that... BUT I think if you teamed it with all black and white trainers or monochrome with black chunky boots, this would definitely have a much more "cool" vibe to it...

And then finishing with THE PERFECT RAINCOAT.  If I didn't have my 

And here I am in the ASOS one (now sold out in the black but still available in the burgundy).

And next time.. it's time for the CHECK COATS!!