I'm not sure I've done many of these this year. Those gems that you have in your wardrobe that you wear year in, year out. These may be something that only come out at Christmas (looking at you pussy bow silk blouse that I've worn for seven years) or a Summer must have.
For me, the latter is definitely a lacey, embroidered cream top. I bought mine when I was pregnant with my third baby who has just had his ninth birthday. I wore it back to front to a wedding with a huge pearl necklace thing (I promise it was lovely!), smart white capris and pearl and oyster silk heeled sandals from LK Bennett (that had also done a christening as well).
This has saved my outfit bacon on so, so many occasions. And led me to think that I don't have enough white, smart but also casual, tops in my wardrobe arsenal. These will work on so many levels. Tucked into skirts - they can transform a midi or maxi skirt from my oft worn dress down t-shirt style into something far dressier with heels. Throw on with jeans and sandals, my beloved cropped wide legs will be coming out soon and these are a fabulous alternative wear.
So starting with some that are on the more Summery side. And one I've found that is the most similar to mine.
There's also 20% off everything at Anthropologie at the minute with the code TWENTY.
Callie Ruffled Shell Top from Anthropologie £88
I absolutely love the lace on this one. It's boho whilst not being National Dress.
Lindy Popover Blouse in Ivory £98 from Anthropologie
And a similar version at ASOS.
ASOS Ruffle Blouse with Eyelet Detail and Lace Insert £30
Ruffled strap top from Mango £25.99
High neck and sleeveless at Monsoon in ivory.
Fifi High Neck Top £45
Round Neck Flamenco Sleeve Top from M&S £27.50
But in this time of bonkers weather - which actually goes all the way through to November (I remember going on holiday at the end of October last year wearing a Summer dress), we can be wearing these into the Autumn for sure.
Lace Balloon Sleeve Smock Top from Topshop £49
Ruffled Blond-lace Blouse from Mango £39.99
Embroidered Openwork Blouse from Mango £25.99
Something slightly more unusual now - oh hello lace sweatshirt. Two words you don't normally see together, but I love this. Perfect with my merry band of cream skirts. With jeans, with leather trousers.
Lace Cutwork Sweatshirt from Topshop £75
Swing style now - which actually is what mine is except that I've tucked it in.
Oyster Embroidered Swing Top from Mint Velvet £89
And then to one that I love.. I mean seriously love and think would be so so perfect with my plethora of cream skirts that I could make into a "dress". At the same time, it would look amazing with plain faded jeans. Yet again, I write a blog on a topic, to prove how fabulous and useful something is that I already own and I wind up buying another one. I just hope it's as voluminous on me and this model isn't actually a Borrower.
Eyelet Floral Print Smock Blouse from Topshop £49
And here I am in mine - from By Malene Birger a gazillion years ago. Off to a BBQ. Any excuse to wear something other than sweats.
Fringed Skirt - & Other Stories
Crochet top - By Malene Birger
Sandals - Isabel Marant
Bag - Studio 120 at Atterley
Tomorrow I am all about the footwear. And I'm going to break it to you gently, I do have a dress blog coming up. We haven't had one for AGES and are in that funny, in betweeny time with some new stock and some total sales steals. You have been warned...
So.
It's Blue Monday. Ugh. Obviously it's raining. Obviously it's cold.
But let's look on the bright side. Things can only look up from tomorrow. Apparently it is the most miserable day of the year today. So whilst I'm looking forward to the rest of the week, I am definitely looking forward to the weekend and my first night out this year (is it really?).
However it is January. And the weather is diabolical. Doesn't look like it's improving any towards the weekend, so the chances of me wanting to get dolled up (within reason) to the nines, is slim.
It's that time of year when you want to get dressed up but with not that much effort. Dare I say, a pair of trousers and a top is about as much as we can muster. Plus my health kick doesn't start till tomorrow (and it IS starting tomorrow..) so until then, the prospect of shoehorning myself into a fitted dress, does not appeal.
I'm going easy. Classic pair of trousers or jeans. And an out out top.
Except. I don't really have any. I have been an aficionado of dresses for so many months now, that tops of the going out variety are scant in my wardrobe. (file that under *things I never say*).
So when I was asked to write another article for The Pool on hidden gems on the high street (full article here) and happened upon a blouse which was a fabulous variation on a theme that I love (that is usually a LOT more expensive), it seemed like fate.
I've never made a secret for my love of all things Self Portrait, bar the price. So imagine my joy when I discovered the perfect lace top for a fraction of the price.
Best thing is you've got to size down in it as it's massive. Ok so that's not really the best thing about it at all, but it's certainly preferable to having to take the next size up.
Lacey Victoriana Blouse from Monsoon £59
If you did want to splash out, then there are some Self Portrait ones in the sale. But - as much as I am a massive SP fan - the Monsoon one, I actually prefer. You will have to buy a vest or something to go under it (ok I'm sure they probably don't advocate a "vest" and a cami is probably the more appropriate term, but I wore a vest with mine. A Primark vest that I've had for about 8 years. It owes me nothing. And clings to me like a sausage about to burst its skin BUT you can't see under the lace blouse I promise - the lace is actually a closer weave than it looks and you *could* get away with a black bra in the warmer months. Or a colour bra if you're adventurous. Which I'm not. Hence I wear my black, vacuum-u-pack vest).
Self Portrait Daisy Guipure Lace Top was £180 now £108
Or the Antoinette Guipure Lace Top from Self Portrait, again in the sale as £200 now £120
And yet another monochrome at Self Portriat.
Ruffle Trimmed Guipure Lace Blouse was £220 now £132
Black again in the sale at Ted Baker.
Dominia Lace Shirt was £129 now £60
If a shirt style is what you're after, then look no further than Warehouse. In the sale. You're welcome.
Lace Pyjama Shirt was £55 now £18
Moving onto cream now. For a start, they have the Monsoon version in cream (oops, it's ivory, sorry), which they did have last season too but sold out super quickly. But hurrah, they have more stock in. Have to say, it's the black which floats my out out boat though.
Monsoon Ivory Blouse £59 (I swear this is a vest...)
And then again, the Self Portrait options.
High neck and I have to say, again I completely prefer the Monsoon version for significantly less.
Cut out floral lace ruffled top £240
Lace up shoulder crepe blouse from Self Portrait was £220 now £154 I so want to love this but the lace up rivet thing is just a tad too Thandie Newton in Westworld for me.
Short sleeved at Samsoe & Samsoe. Adore. The Danes can do no wrong.
Samsoe & Samsoe Becks Short Sleeved Lace Top £85
High Neck at Vila (again - go the Danes).
Vila High Neck All Over Lace Top £38
If all over lace is too much for you, then this one from ASOS is a great option (no vest required).
ASOS Lace Insert Blouse with Deep Cuff & Tie £32
Different shades now - champagne and just a hint of lace from ASOS.
ASOS Satin Blouse with lace inserts £34
Or a new in from M&S which I certainly didn't see last week when I was doing the blog for them. As I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this. I would, in fact, say it looks the most expensive out of almost all of them and with a pair of jeans = pure perfection. I am going to hunt it out tomorrow.
Lace Yolk Printed Long Sleeve Blouse from M&S £25
So lace options a plenty. Hope you like the other high street bargains on The Pool article.
Here I am in the Monsoon top I bought (trying to explain to the husband that I have to buy product for journalistic reasons. Best. Justification. Ever).
Black lace blouse - Monsoon
Jeans - Zara
Wedge peep toe boots - RIck Owens
And today - in a whole load of grey. It's Blue Monday - the most miserable day of the year apparently. Seemed more appropriate to wear grey.
Grey jumper dress - hush
Burgundy leather leggings - hush
Grey double faced coat - Whistles
Hat - Penmayne
Grey Air Force Ones - Nike
Black half moon bag - APC
Tomorrow - something a little bit different coming. Something I NEVER tackle. But it's something I couldn't ignore any longer. And it fits really well into the "amazing value" category, so hopefully you'll like. I'm a convert.
I will also be covering more out out tops as, with my newly found love of jeans (well - my re-found love I should say) and black trousers a plenty, which I seem to be accruing by the week, for the next couple of months, I think this is going to be my new uniform. I appreciate lace isn't for everyone - or you may want to stock up on a couple of different styles, so fear not, there are more on the blog horizon.
Self Portrait. It's not that I meant Sarah Jessica Parker but couldn't be arsed to include the J.
Their dresses are pure perfection. Now yes they are a treat dress. You're not going to be swanning around on the school run in one of these (well... I'm not anyway but each to their own and all that).
But when an occasion calls for a dress - Self Portrait has come up trumps in the last couple of years. They're not cheap, that is very true. However when it comes to designer dresses, they really are not what one would expect to pay for top end dresses. They are a fraction of the cost, for example, to their counterparts on the 3rd floor at Selfridges.
And the quality is exceptional. Dare I say though, for me, the best bit is that they go in the washing machine. Yes, you heard that correctly - you can chuck them in the washer.
Why are they so useful? I find they strike the perfect balance between super dressy and "the need to be slightly dressed up". So I've worn mine to black tie occasions, I've also worn them out for lunch with the girls. Not to mention just out for dinner.
The one slight fly in the ointment is that they have become slightly ubiquitous. So what have they done? Well, they've upped the ante and have come up with a new style of lace, in new colourways. I have two and I'm not sure I can justify another one (obviously I'm going to give it a darn good go) but this is the number currently heading my wishlist.
Blue, black and peacock. See? Pure perfection.
Self Portrait Prairie Floral Midi Dress £300
Would you call this more or less versatile than the one above? Either way, it would cover so many "dress issues" that you may have in your wardrobe. Those occasions when you need a dress but you don't want to look like you're going to a wedding - you want something with a bit more (tries desperately not to think of a poncey fashion word and fails) sass? These dresses honestly fit the bill.
Self Portrait Fleur Lace Panel Dress £300
But there's a new brand I've found which alas, isn't that much cheaper but is definitely up there with being different. Unique to the point that you're not going to run into anyone else wearing one of these.
Perhaps slightly more demure than the original SP designs but that's not to say with the right pair of shoes - these couldn't be wardrobe favourites.
Navy Stripe Victoriana Midi Dress from Perseverance £285
Or a black short sleeved dress - Black Cable Lace Midi Dress from Perseverance £330
However fear not - the high street have come up trumps. And none do it better, for the money, than Warehouse. Cream at first thoughts, is a punchy colour for Autumn but in fact, I think it's a lovely change. The perfect neutral.
Lace Shirt Dress from Warehouse £99
Or in the light blue £99 I have to say, at first, I wasn't sure about this at all but then I remembered that pale blue and black is gorgeous. It's also lovely with navy. Unusual and both colours will happily see you all year round.
I like my dresses mostly with sleeves these days - primarily as I'm lazy as sin when it comes to applying fake tan and the less flesh there is in show, the better. But seeing as I wouldn't have to do my leg tannage here, this could easily work. Gorgeous, gorgeous dress.
Multi Lace Midi Dress from Warehouse £115
Midi again at Phase Eight. Now I know it's not somewhere I'd usually shop but I have to say, this dress is pretty special.
Phase Eight Anna Placement Lace Dress in Black £130
Clearly I cannot get enough of the midi love - more at John Lewis.
Somerset by Alice Temperley Lace and Spot Dress in Black £160
I know not everyone is a midi fan so fear not, there are shorter dresses around as well. And whilst I tend not to wear too many shorter dresses these days, with the cooler days around the corner - bring back the opaques. Or the good old skin colour tights. They are fabulous these days, I promise.
Long Sleeved at Boden £129 in the ivory
But also in a navy.
And speaking of navy - this is possibly my favourite from Next.
Navy Black Lace Detail Dress £75
The gems at Next don't stop there - this completely belies its price tag. The up close detailing is amazing.
Cream/Mustard Lace Dress from Next £70
And then there are the lace blouses...
Self Portrait Lace Detail Guipure Top £220
And in the cream.. again £220
Floral lace top also in ivory at Boden £89.50
And again, in super popular navy. Team with a black leather midi skirt or leather peg leg trousers or culottes.
However if you're looking for something a bit different, there's always green at Next. Adore this shade.
Green Lace Top from Next £34
Or the Ecru with a black edging to the collar. This for me, really gives it an edge.
However the bargain of the day is the one that I have from Warehouse. And now in the sale. Exceptional quality. It also comes up large.
Panelled Lace Top from Warehouse was £69 now £45
So is anyone else a Self Portrait fan? Or do you feel that it's overdone and you've moved onto something else. For me - as an early adopter, I am still very much loving mine and could easily buy the first one. Not to mention the blouses... oh the blouses... how useful?
Couple of pics from the last couple of days.
Feather tee - hush
Side stripe trousers - Me+Em
Leopard Print Coat - Fenn Wright and Manson
Red Soho Disco Bag - Gucci
Copeland trainers - Air & Grace
And for rugby on Sunday - all the exhausted.
Black vest - Zara
Khaki harems - hush
Safari jacket - hush
Black Flame slip ons - Seven Boot Lane
And then I managed to get changed yesterday as we had a late BBQ with friends after taking the children swimming.
Claudia dress - hush
Hat - Zara Men
Superstar sneakers - Golden Goose
Black Haworth bag - Village England
Smile beach bag - The Jacksons
Today all the sunshine. Whoop.
Silk dress - Sportmax Code
Black gladiator sandals - Forever 21
Black Haworth Bag - Village England
So tomorrow - seeing as it's going to be 31 degrees here, I've obviously got something fabulously Autumnal planned. Oops. But it's the one everyone's been waiting for... jumpers for skirts and culottes.
