Does my bum look 40 in this?

Showing posts with label denim jacket. Show all posts

Finally...

.. I *get* the denim jacket. I've always loved the look on other people, I've so wanted to love it on me but have always felt ever so slightly Rita, Sue and Bob Too with one on. And this was even a fitted one - don't get me started on an oversized one. Suffice to say, haven't got on board with that one but the small fitted versions (which aren't necessarily the on trend versions) are suddenly making all the sense.

Historically I've always felt they were very High Summer (which is a vaguely fashion way of saying "really warm") which meant that we had the sum total of about three days to wear them in the UK.

However suddenly - a scarf goes with them. I've got to grips with them over sweatshirts and jumpers. With wide leg trousers, with skirts, with dresses. Am I going to brave enough to don the Canadian Tuxedo aka double denim?! I will admit, the jury is out on that score but that's not to say a denim maxi hasn't crossed my mind as being a very nice thing to have... topped with a little cropped denim jacket? Suddenly, doesn't seem so utterly bonkers... (to my mind anyway).

So where have I had the most success with my denim jackets? One is from Red Herring at Debenhams that I bought 13yrs ago. And the other is one I got from Tu at Sainsburys last year. I know, right?!

I'm going to start with one that is a classic shape but a more faded finish...

Denim Jacket from hush £59

Classic at M&S £35

Cropped in darker denim at JBrand at The Outnet was £232 now £104

Starting with the slightly left field ones now...

This I wish I could shoehorn my self into an XS. The one I have from Red Herring is a similar shape and I am tempted to cut off the top of the collar and the hem to fray it? Should I? It owes me genuinely nothing now...

7 for All Mankind Jacket was £210 now £98 from The Outnet

Frayed again at Marques Almeida which makes me think - I could so customise mine?

Frayed denim jacket from The Outnet was £360 now £180

So THIS is almost identical to the one that I have got - mine's a slightly more distressed finish though (as above.. just saying...!).

Denim jacket with stand up collar from La Redoute £59 pre 25% off with the code SAVE25.

Epaulette detail at La Redoute - 25% off with the code SAVE25.

Fitted Cropped Denim Jacket £59

And in the bleached - again pre £59 off

Two tone at Dorothy Perkins with a Nosiy May Jacket now on offer. Was £45 now £25.31 (still full price everywhere else I've seen it for sale).

And again, as oversized as I could possibly go. This one is much more Toast to my mind than La Redoute. I think it looks very expensive!

Denim Jacket with patch pockets from La Redoute £49 (SAVE25% for 25% off).

Gingham pelmet on the hem at Anthropologie.

Pilcro Eyelet Denim Jacket £115

Jewel detail at Mango £39.99

Oui Studded Denim Jacket at John Lewis £199

But I have to say, I am rather partial to the ruffles on this one..

Ruffled Denim Jacket from La Redoute £55 with 25% off using the code SAVE25

So here I am... randomly not in my denim jackets (the weather has somewhat taken a turn for the worse...) in my biker jacket for two days. When content and real life don't quite coincide.. BUT I am confident in saying these will be the jacket of the season.

Leather biker - hush (gift 4yrs ago)
Sweatshirt - Topshop (ss17)
Skirt - Free People from ASOS (ss17)
Trainers - Ishikawa from Quattro RIsh (current)
Scarf - Lily & Lionel (gift aw16)
Bag - Jerome Dreyfuss (3yrs ago)

And last night for.. HARRY STYLES! Yes, despite being on holiday, thanks to the wonderful Columbia UK for giving me two tickets, the 13yr old and I did a 6hour round trip to the O2 to see the man himself in concert. Earning all the brownie points.. Top tip I discovered, if you're ever going to park at the O2, if you arrive before 7pm, the station carpark of North Greenwich Tube which is NEARER than most of the stadium carparks is £11, as opposed to £34. It's the same distance from the venue as carpark 2 and miles nearer than the rest. Loads of spaces (always apparently) and no need to prebook. TA DAH!

Tee - MKT Studio (gift current)
Skirt - Ganni (current)
Biker - hush (gift 4yrs ago)
Bag - Hill & Friends (gift current)
Boots - Maje from Bicester Village (aw16)

And so it was our last day! *weeps*. Back to reality tomorrow although I have one of my best friend's birthday dinner tomorrow night which I am so looking forward to... and I have a vintage dress I may well crack out for the occasion (that I bought here!). Tomorrow morning though, do come back as I have a skincare revelation.. so many people have asked me what I've been using on my skin for the past couple of weeks and is it something different and it is. It's a night cream I've been asked to review - results tomorrow. x

A capsule Summer wardrobe..

....which seems sort of ironic when it's not exactly the most Summery of days out there.

I'm also not feeling like the brightest button in the box today. Going out on a Monday night always seems like a good idea at the time. Not such a great idea on Tuesday...

It was all thanks to my hush family and having a look at their new A/W collection which is so incredibly amazing - can't wait to be able to show it to you. Think fabulous knitwear in both colour and texture (and slogans.. oh happy slogan days), amazing print dresses (one in particular has my name written all over it) and my favourite - new leather pieces (I'm going to say one word - GREEN. You have been warned).

In the meantime, as I am not functioning on all cylinders today and have to go back into London for a party tonight, and it is the start of the hush sale today, I thought I'd do a quick round up of what my favourite Summer pieces are. These are wearable now but, well you know me - most of them are very wearable into the Autumn as well.

I have been meaning to do a round up for ages as I haven't done one yet this evening and have done a couple of events, picking out my favourite pieces which will work perfectly for a summer capsule wardrobe and people have asked me what I did speak about.

So let's get cracking (she says, lying in bed typing with tea and toast - working from home does have some advantages... and I am dressed before anyone asks).

One Shoulder Top was £60 now £40

Now I know I'm not the hugest shorts fan but for holiday, these are superb. Dressy shorts (fear not, I would not personally team with heels) but with a pair of strappy flat sandals, these, with any top (but especially the above) would make the ideal day to night outfit.

Zoe Shorts were £40 now £25

These again are perfect for every day at home and away on hols.

Madison Culottes was £65 now £45

Another top that would be perfect with the above bottoms are a nude vest.

Perforated Vest was £49 now £30

For travelling in and for the usual fabulous reasons that I love a jumpsuit - the red version is perfect for the Summer. And if I were to mention Christmas, would anyone hate me?!

S/S Jumpsuit was £75 now £55 in red

And the must have holiday jacket - that of the denim variety.

Denim Jacket was £59 now £40

Talking of travelling, if a jacket is not your bag - a jumper is the next best alternative. Doubles up as a pillow and a blanket for a small child (don't know it till you've tried it..). I obviously favour the monochrome - invest wisely and your autumnal knitwear collection will be off to a great start.

Brooke Stripe Jumper was £79 now £60

Heart Jumper was £79 now £60

But finishing with a collection of my favourite Summer holiday pieces. Dresses. These are my go to holiday packing essentials. As I always say, I take a collection of these - they work from day to night, from breakfast to beach to drinks. Wear them on holiday on their own, wear them at home in the Summer with a denim jacket.

These aren't necessarily a Summer to Autumn purchase but what they will do is stand you in good stead year on year. Build up a collection as these are Summer staples that will last for eons.

Panel Maxi Dress was £55 now £35

And in the azure stripe.

And finishing with the dress version of the my must have summer top.

Hazel Dress was £75 now £50

BUT can I please apologise now if anything is exceptionally limited stock or sold out. Stuff DOES come back in and also they do sometimes add new sales stock. Please don't shoot the messenger (whose head still hurts).

I am such a rubbish blogger that, with a room full of other bloggers, I managed to forget to get anyone to take my photograph. Truly pathetic. I only had eyes for the wine (and the new jumpers which are to die for).

Here's what I was rocking about in today. In between the rain showers. Trying to juggle children after school - the 12yr old is in France and is coming back at 6.30, except she's just texted to say actually it might be 5pm or it might be 5.30pm. Which isn't remotely inconvenient (wtaf?!!!). And is cricket on or isn't it? The 10yr old with Asperger's isn't coping well with the lack of knowledge. I'm trying to work out whether I need the nanny to pick up from the French trip or whether I can manage it before London and be five minutes late or whether the husband (who has THANK THE LORD) worked from home (even though my cheeky snooze this afternoon was met with raised eyebrows - bite me - I'm a lightweight) and is supposed to be doing the cricket run, would be able to go and pick her up if cricket is cancelled because of rain. And the 8yr old has got his priorities right and is now very concerned that there will be no MacDonald's if there's no cricket. And it's only Tuesday.

Royal blue Breton - Me+Em
Jeanne jeans - MiH at Quattrorish
Navy Blazer - Alexa Chung at M&S
Black Shoes - Zara
Black Bag - Balenciaga

I am off out again this evening to a book launch party. The 12yr old is SPITTING chips with jealously as it's Louise Pentland's party (Sprinkle of Glitter? Ask your kids) and there should be loads of super cool You Tubers there. And me. She doesn't know whether to be massively impressed or mortified.. I will report back. Still have no idea what to wear as it's lashing rain here (so please please will someone from cricket email me soon!!).

It takes one smidge of sunshine...

... to turn me into a Summer wear junkie. This blog comes to you courtesy of a whim and a five minute swerve last week into.... Forever 2. It's not all about Forever21 - merely the inspo - and the inspo is... The Denim Jacket.

But then, following on from the revelation that is the maxi skirt, the denim jacket doesn't seem like such a foolish idea - even this early in the season. I do a blog on these, without fail, every year. They are a wardrobe perennial, like my beloved blazers. It doesn't matter how long you've had them for, they never go out of fashion.

However these are going that extra mile with regards to "pimp my denim jacket". And you're not all going to like them, but fear not, I have hunted down some more classic options too.

I had dashed into Forever21 on a trip to London last week, actually on an earring hunt (which turned up squat by the way). However I happened to spy these. And they looked good. They looked really really good. The denim is super quality - lovely and lived in, not that stiff, cardboard denim that most cheaper jeans and jackets are made from. These were probably slouchy and had that luxe feel to them. Ditto the actual embroidery. It's really quite impressive. For relatively peanuts compared to what you would pay in Selfridges (where I had just come from and where there is nothing - or at the very least, exceptionally little - under three figures in the Denim Studio).

This is what caught my eye.

Disclaimer:- I know that these are going to divide opinion massively.

Sequinned Leopard Jacket from Forever21 £24.00 So this one is darker than it looks here and is also more of a swing style jacket - it's not fitted in the body and definitely comes up big so size down a whole size.

Tragic picture as I had a pussy bow blouse on - not normal fare under a cropped denim jacket. It looked disastrous but I wanted to get an idea of sizing.

And I couldn't decide between the two of them - the photos of this online do not do it justice. At. All.

Tiger Graphic Denim Jacket £27 It's not this rather hideous bleached blue it looks here - it's a vintage style grey, blue denim, if that makes sense? It's fabulous. And very fitted. But the small is a easily a 10. It fitted me and I am the American footballer end of 10.

This is a truer sense of the shade of denim.

Another truly tragic photo. I was too lazy to walk to the changing rooms so just walked to the much less busy men's section to try it on and was surreptitiously being given (unsurprisingly) weird looks from the Sales Assistants.

And moving from the ridiculous, to the even more ridiculous. One that I'm torn between hating myself for even contemplating and scrabbling for the credit card. I have a feeling though that bling on leopard may win over Donald.

Patch Dark Denim Jacket from Mango £49.99

Again, this doesn't look quite so numpty in the flesh. Ok so maybe it does...

Perhaps easier to wear, also at Mango.

Beadwork Denim Jacket from Mango £35.99

Collarless and this time with full on fray at Marques' Almeida was £294 now £147

Dark denim with a very subtle dark embroidery detail from See by Chloe at The Outnet was £240 now £96

Mixing it up a bit at Mango.

Light Wash Denim Jacket from Mango £49.99

A boxy shirt shape now.

Carpenter Denim Jacket from hush £70

Moving onto the classics.

Dark Denim Jacket from Mango £35.99

And another classic version in a lighter shade.

Contemporary Denim Jacket from Forever 21 £23

And classic at Gap on offer.

1969 denim jacket from Gap was £54.95 now £32.97

Finishing with investment time. Seeing as these will last you year in, year out, it's not the most foolish thing to spend money on, thinking of cost per wear. Especially if you find one that's the perfect fit for you in your ideal shade of denim (and that's all down to personal preference). Now that I've discovered they will work super well over maxi skirts and tees.. not to mention midi and maxi dresses, there's not stopping me.

APC Brandy Denim Jacket from APC £190

And a slightly different shade at Madewell - The Classic Jean Denim Jacket £130 from Net A Porter

But my top pick (obviously the most expensive - *weeps*) has to be from my newly found favourite brand. From where I own nothing but I shall be following (and finding us great high street equivalents).

Button down denim jacket from Rockins £210 THIS.. THIS THIS THIS look is how I'm loving wearing it. With heels and a midi. Who would have thought? Looks superb.

Here I am yesterday, not in a denim jacket but in a sneak preview of tomorrow's blog and it's the third instalment in the maxi skirt outfit trilogy. Great day, speaking at the Sheerluxe Fashion Day in London. And then back to take the children out for pizza with my best friend and her kids. This may be my favourite outfit of the season so far.

Jeanne Jeans - MiH from Quattro Rish
Kolda Tee - Isabel Marant Etoile
Navy frock coat - Zara
Leopard Print Boots - Tabitha Simmons from The Cult & The Classic
Grab bag - Gucci

So break it to me gently. Denim jacket - well, you can't deny that they're a winner but have I lost my tiny mind with the slight (ok majorly in your face) embellishment? The fact I haven't been back to buy it does lead me to believe my passion for it may be waning but I wonder if as soon as the sun properly come out, will I regret not going for the bling? Is it just that I can't decide between the two of them? Hmmmmm, thoughts on denim jacket peeps? I know there are lots of fans out there and I know that most of you have had yours for years. Anyone up for a bit of pimp my jacket action?

Graffiti Chic

It's time for another "she's lost her marbles" blog. I don't do them too often (ok so that's probably subjective - clearly having a slightly woo time of it at the moment. Decided late last night as I had a surprise free day that a trip to Bicester, out of the blue, would be an excellent idea), but every now and again, there's a bonkers bit.

Ta Dah.

I've got my head around the biker jacket. It has fast become a classic in so many of our wardrobes. So surely it's time to up the ante and push the envelope a tad? Dare I mention a bit of embellishment.

So. One could perceive these as slightly "mid life crisis". And if I'm honest I'd possibly struggle to say you're wrong.

But on the other hand, they're a bit of fun. They're a spot of levity in a world that can often be very serious and rather dour. And do you know what, you only live once and it's hardly like you're dying your hair purple (although that doesn't sound like such a bad plan now that I write it down. But having just found my holy grail of hair dressers, I'm going to stick with what I know - bronde...).

Who says you can't wear on of these, just because you're not 15. We're not flashing flesh that may have seen better days, we're not offending anyone (bar your daughter, I may give you that).

My two favourites, if money were no object are the wonderful Laurie Lee which you can buy from her website and from Selfridges or Elizabeth Ilsley, which again you buy from their website or exclusively from Libertys.

Laurie Lee Leather Perfect Disaster Jacket £600 from Selfridges

But you don't have to spent THAT much. Leather for slightly less.

Reclaimed Vintage Leather Biker Jacket with Studs and Print from ASOS £225

However the bargain of the day has to be at ASOS - leather and print. Ok so it's hardly a bargain, as in the cost of a bottle of wine, but if you're not looking to sell a kidney...

ASOS Leather Biker Jacket £160

But hold your horses - faux leather at Forever21. And clever F21 - they've now taken to putting customer photos on their site, along with their model shot ones. Which are often a lot better. Proof if proof were needed. Love a bit of this shop. You need time, patience and imagination but it can definitely be worth having a trawl through to find some gems. The nearest one to me at Bluewater has shut (along with so many shops. And not a Cos or an & Other Stories in sight. Pah) and the one on Oxford Street (unless you go the minute it opens is really scary and on the daunting side) but it's worth considering if you're looking for something different (and cheap).

Faux Leather Moto Jacket £28 If you can take your eyes off her ridiculously enviable hair.

I'm throwing in a ringer as I can't work out whether I truly hate it or think it is beyond amazing. I will say I think it looks a lot more expensive than it is - although it could look like a pile of red velvet dung close up...

Oh and obviously we've moved on from bikers - I'm throwing caution to the wind and am including all back graffiti.

One Above Another Kimono in Velvet £50

Khaki... Love Story Graphic Jacket £27 from Forever 21

Camo at Forever 21. I have to say I don't hate this as much as I possibly should.

Rolling Stones Camo Jacket from Forever21 £30

And then there are the denim options. A much more reasonable way to try the trend and ideal for into Spring. Love this one from ASOS.

Only Embroidered Denim Jacket £50

Tiger Graphic Denim Jacket from Forever 21 £27

Full on graffiti at Topshop.

MOTO Graffiti Print Jacket £65

And the one that perhaps every mother should own?

Do Not Disturb Me Denim Jacket from Forever 21 £28 This has to be THE perfect Mother's Day present.

Actually this one is probably more appropriate for me...

Urban Renewal Vintage Customised Printed Back Trucker Jacket from Urban Outfitters £66

Right - so there you have them. All the random. I can pretty much guarantee that I won't go down that route. Although... I am still dreaming about the Elizabeth Ilsley navy one (I mean NAVY?!) I tried on in Liberty's that was clearly made for a 12yr old girl and was about a size 2. It clearly wasn't meant to be...

So come on - a bit of jacket embellishment or no way jose?

Here I am today in my super vanilla outfit. Very much back in my comfort zone. And yes. New Jeans. I am bringing you all the details tomorrow with the best that I manage to find when I go out and do some research.

Breton top - Joseph
Oversized trench - Zara
Jeanne jeans - MiH at Quattrorish
White trainers - Veja
Leopard print patent bag - Tory Burch

And if you are looking for something slightly less left field, my newest article for The Pool is up. The most wearable top that will take you from Spring into Summer and through to Autumn.

Tomorrow, I promise to bring you another Spring Staple and tackle that thorny subject - yes, jeans.

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Finally...

A capsule Summer wardrobe..

It takes one smidge of sunshine...

Graffiti Chic

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