Does my bum look 40 in this?

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It is Top Gun 2 time this year...

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... and so surely there is no better time to consider the jacket trend that shows no signs of going anywhere - the oversized aviator.

Now. This isn't going to be for everyone. It's definitely a "look", a nod to a more androgynous style and if you're not used to wearing this shape of outerwear, you may need to rethink the proportions of your outfit. Or just skip this look altogether.

For me - I will say I prefer a nipped in waist - a more structured shape on the top half of my body with volume from the waist down. But that's not to say I don't love being able to hide under an oversized coat - especially when the weather turns nasty.

However I'm used to a longer coat - being 5ft 10, I do find with a large shorter coat, I can feel slightly lollipop-esque - perhaps not the look one aspire to. Having said that though, for a more practical, outdoor outfit, these do come into their own.

Over leather leggings, a huge knit, chunky boots - these are a chic alternative to a puffer or parka. I also team mine with jeans, knits and boots - ideal dog walking garb and perfect for coastal or country jaunts (by the way - it doesn't matter if I call it a walk or a jaunt - teenagers still say no way....).

And the joy is that now, there are some great sales bargains around. I bought mine two years ago from Monki at ASOS and it's still going strong. The other time I wear it is over pyjamas with ugg boots to drop the kids at school or the husband at the station (no I do NOT get out of the car... believe me - best outfit ever).

So first up - possibly my favourite at TopMan. Yes there is no reason why you shouldn't buy the men's versions of these (ok maybe not appropriate if you're of a more diminutive stature...). Oversized supreme - I would just take a size down from what you usually wear.

Brown Biker Shearling Jacket from TopMan was £95 now £39

Next up a black shearling version although I have to say, I do prefer the brown...

Black Shearling Aviator Jacket from Topman was £95 now £30

Another brown faux shearling sale (darker this time) oversized number, again available in the smaller sizes from the men's section at New Look.

Dark Brown Faux Shearling Aviator Jacket from New Look was £59.99 now £30

If you're looking for a classic black or brown then there are some lovely looking women's ones (mine is a female version). These aren't necessarily a bargain but they are definitely worth investing as they do last the test of time.

All the hearts for this one. Serious aviator love.

French Connection Filipa Faux Shearling Aviator Jacket £165

Oversized Aviator Jacket in brown from Warehouse was £89 now £60

Only aviator jacket in faux leather with contrast shearling from ASOS £75

There are other colours out there though - neutrals which might not fall under the classic banner but are definitely very versatile and will slot easily into most colour combos.

This one I utterly LOVE and would be my first choice.

Khaki faux fur trim puffer coat from River Island was £85 now £40

Another khaki version at Warehouse £90

A smaller khaki version which doesn't really fit into the whole oversized aspect but I'm chucking it in as I love it and it would work so so well over a fuller maxi or midi skirt or dress. Ideal for balancing out those proportions but that's, as I type, a whole new blog to address!

Sunshine Soul Khaki Teddy Aviator Jacket from New Look £60

A grey version of the above Warehouse version that's also in the sale and was £89 and is now £60. A much softer version that the darker numbers.

And if you're fancying some winter white - this is on sale at New Look - a modern looking cream version.

Cream coated leather look aviator jacket from New Look was £55 now £41.99

And finishing with another men's version from River Island

Borg lined aviator coat in tan from River Island at ASOS was £95 now £66.50

And here I am in mine which I've now had for three years and without fail, whenever I wear it, I am asked where it's from. It's the ideal jacket to wear on those chilly days when you want to layer large jumpers underneath - yes those jumpers which are the nemesis of pretty much any coat or jacket. THESE are the sorts of jackets that you need, if you wear these a lot.

I've also seen people layer them over a full outfit - they look amazing over a trouser suit for example.

Jacket - Monki 3yrs ago.
Coated skinnies - Boden 5yrs ago
Jumper - hush gift 5yrs ago
Boots - Zara aw19
Bag - APC from Forzieri sale ss19

So I have a LOT more up my sleeve for the coming weeks. Starting with inspiration from my old favourite - good Dr Nikki Alexander. I thought she was a bit off form in the first episode of this season's Silent Witness but she's back with a vengeance and a plethora of gorgeousness in the form of jeans, jackets and blouses.

How it is nearly mid October already?

Ok fess up - what did you do with September and the beginning of October? Seriously where did it go? HOW is it half term next week?!

Yes it's October and yes, we are in the thick of all things Autumn. Cosy, warm, but still light enough to wear on slightly warmer days. What is it about our psyche that says as soon as the clocks go back, all t-shirts and bare legs must be stowed away until Spring. When it usually snows...

And then we have October when this week it was over 20 degrees! Which means that ideally, if we want to add some new season gloriousness into out wardrobe, we should be looking at items that work well throughout the seasons.

Speaking of all things new season, there is a WHOLE host of fabulousness brand new in at hush, which coincides rather superbly for my October paid partnership edit with them.

First up - yes it's obviously a dress.. it's an AMAZING dress. It's a dress I will wear and wear and wear and wear. You can dress up or down and for those of you can't wear black... call off the dogs - it's navy. Which I would wear with black.

Soleste Dress £99

I sized up to a 12 in this as I wanted it to be looser on the waist for me as I am a giant... I also like the longer length but I would say take your usual size if you're not an Avatar.

Red Metallic Boots £185

Here I am in it with boots (also hush that I featured last time...) and my faithful black jacket from hush that is 5yrs old.

But speaking of navy... I can't remember if I mentioned this last time but jacket of navy dreams - come to mama... Actually I know I did but I'm just to carry on mentioning it as it's soooo good.

Onyx Leather Jacket in Midnight £295

And whilst we're on the topic of navy, I have a couple of cheeky navy jumpers that I tried on (which you can see in a walkie talkie stylee over in Instagram stories) which are quite superb.

Leopard Star Jumper in navy £99

And then another blue gem which I couldn't resist as it's so darn jolly. This colour just makes you smile. And Love Rules is also something I'm rather partial to as well.

Lennox Jumper £89

Then it's onto something that are actually quite tricky to find to purchase. Coated skinnies. My absolute go to for a casual outfit where a dress doesn't work. My absolute go to for a smart outfit when I don't want to wear a dress. My absolute go to Sunday rugby outfit with wellies or other big boots. Pretty much suitable for any occasion.

Now I will always tell you that hush sizing is on the generous side. Except for these. SIZE UP. Unless I tried on ones that were sized incorrectly (I so didn't) then these are diddy. I couldn't even get the 10 past my hips. The 12 though is perfect.

The Goldilocks of rise.. not too high, not too low and skinny without being spray on. Go forth and indulge. They're all sorts of awesome.

Coated Jeans £79

Speaking of awesome - anything Rock 'n Roll related. I love too much. This jumper I missed out on this year so have put my order in super early, despite the current warmer temperatures. I also sized up - not because it comes up small but because I am so tall and did want it to have that oversized look to it (without swamping me). The large is perfect.

Rock 'n Roll Jumper £139

You know I mentioned that I am rather obsessed with Rock N Roll? Oh hello tee. Fabulous with the above coated skinnies. I take a small in this.

Rock N Roll tee £35

But also fabulous with my most favourite trousers of all time (for casual...) - the hush harems. I have my original ones which I got 6yrs ago which are still going strong. I also have black which admittedly are a faded version of the blackl they once were but that's because I tumble dry them when you're not officially supposed to. But dare I say, they completely work with a vintage vibe to them.

These are identical to the ones I have had for years. I do wear a large - but could get away with a medium definitely - I like them to be very loose as you can tie the waist with the drawstring to suit yourself.

Harem Trousers in charcoal £55

There is also the Love jumper. If you don't have one of these - the best way to describe it is a hug in a jumper. Looks amazing with the coated skinnies and the harems.

Big Love Jumper £130

And here I am in the outfit that I wore today.

Whilst this photo was taken at the weekend, it's the exact same outfit I wore today. I have THE worst toothache in the world. Actually, that's not true, it's not THE most painful thing (that was earache - seriously it was worse than childbirth), but it's incredibly uncomfortable and necessitated a trip to the dentist (which was overdue....). And I have a gammy gum. So I now have antibiotics, I can't eat properly and so have spent all day feeling very sorry for myself. Whilst driving children around. BUT I have been super super comfy! (See stories over on Insta…)

This has been written as part of my paid monthly partnership with hush but all the views are my own unedited.

The perfect weekend away

Although admittedly, it wasn't a weekend, it was only a day and a night.. BUT I am definitely going to be going back for a weekend. With my husband. As a weekend away for us on our own is very, very much overdue.

Plus I didn't get nearly enough time to explore the stunning city of Cambridge. Where I have never actually been before. HOW?! How have I never been there? It is absolutely beautiful. Ok so admittedly, we were exceptionally lucky with the weather (yes 20degrees in October, you are most welcome). And the fact that we were taken there by the University Arms for a complimentary evening stay AND dressed by the wonderful Jigsaw clothing, funnily enough, did make it a ridiculously special experience.

The hotel is a well known venue in the centre of Cambridge. In THE most stunning location, in an architurally sublime building overlooking Parker's Piece. Which clearly needed some tender, loving care as the refurbishment cost £80m. And the results are superb. For a mobile tour of the hotel, do head over to Instagram and to my highlighted stories where there are a whole set of stories on the hotel, entitled Universtiy Arms.

Starting with the rooms. We were very lucky to be able to stay in a suite with a terrace and a view of perfection.

View from the bed - goes without saying, ridiculously comfortable super king bed. No I wasn't tempted to do any exercise watching people be very outdoorsy and athletic and fit. The bed was FAR too comfortable. Plus there was an electronic ceramic teapot. I KNOW, RIGHT?! Earl Grey has never tasted so good.

Bathroom of dreams. I will fess up and say I'm not a bath fan but even I was tempted with a tub like this. (I can confirm that the shower is one of those where you feel the need to stay for a good while longer than you normally would).

Decoration to inspire. There are loads more images over on my stories of the artwork but it is all incredible. I have come home and am ready to get handy with a hammer, some nails and a good google of amazing print sites (anyone care to share any they recommend, I'd be very grateful!)

Bar and restaurant amazing. This is the bar area - can also confirm that the cocktails make it well worth a visit.

Ridiculously fabulous food from Tristan Welch.

Dinner - starter of British Sushi (with wasabi horseradish) There was also the risotto from heaven - truffle and cheese and a home made burrata. Main course was roast suckling pig with crackling and braised fennel. I could pretty much eat it all every single day.

And next day - I just need to show you the hash browns at breakfast - think marginally smaller than a Rubik's Cube (and yes, for the record they were gluten free..!). These were an extra side that we ordered by the way. And yes, that is my black pudding on there too. Don't judge me. I LOVE black pudding.

Followed later on Friday by Afternoon Tea.

The one thing I did want to mention about the hotel is that it has the perfect essence of accessible elegance. Which is really really hard to find in a hotel. The Americans seem to be able to do it effortlessly, but I think it's hard to capture in the UK. Hotels that appeal to me in more feminine sense but are also "manly" enough for my husband. And ones that I feel I COULD take my children. It's a really hard thing to encapsulate but I would say that the University Arms ticks all those boxes.

Also must mention Cambridge. Oh you are beautiful. Now up there definitely with my favourite cities in the UK - in good company with Bath, Oxford, Edinburgh, Leeds and York.

Except it's not everywhere you can punt down a river.... for the record, I was NOT the one punting (there was also no cycling, seeing as how I am a sporting related nightmare). A lovely young student named Ben was out punter (I don't think that's the correct word...!). Full of information and a lovely young chap to boot. See what I mean about the sunshine?

And obviously.. what did I wear. So we were allowed to pick a small selection from the Jigsaw website - I chose only a couple of items as I already had some Jigsaw items from last year and earlier in the season which are still instore. RESULT. For me - the best outfits are usually those which are made from new and old.

Sport Luxe Wide Leg Crop Trousers from Jigsaw £98

Kodak Retina Tee £3

Premium Leather Jacket £400

Next outift.. now brace yourself. THERE ARE LEGS ON SHOW! I have had a faux leather skirt for years. So when I spied this one, it was a no brainer to try it. The A line shape makes it so much more wearable than a straight cut mini. Super flattering - genuinely do try it. This is a 12 - I am thick of middle and also I do like to wear it slightly lower on the hips as opposed to at my waist like is it here. Partly as I find it more comfortable but also so that it does hang longer too - at 5ft10, I have more leg to cover with most.

Mini Pleat Front Leather Skirt £150

Jumper Donegal Slouchy Polo £130

I also feel a special mention should be given to these boots. Which are insane. In a good way. In a very good way. In a "insane in the way my kids use it"... SORRY, that's rubbish isn't it? (I won't say "my bad" as that does make me want to vomit every so slightly into my own mouth).

Ok let's start again - these boots are good . They're VERY good. Better? They are the boots that I have been looking for in forever. To throw on for every day with dresses and skinny jeans and not skinny jeans and skirts and with pretty much everything and anything.

Including mini skirts. Again - just roll forward a week or so and add opaque tights and a coat and the perfect Autumn outfit for not summer days (although I am loving the weather at the moment, it does have to be said).

They also do them in a navy mock croc online.

Haru Flat Cowboy Boots £165

And speaking of loving the weather, it meant that for the Friday when we left, I had to change as I was rather warm in the jumper and boots. Swapped the jumper and boots for....the tee (another tee from the Kodak range which I've had for a while now - I have to keep my eye on them as the 14yr old keeps eyeing them up) with the same faithful skirt.

Kodak Notebook Tee £30

Pic of outfit.... which I will also be wearing tomorrow, as it is THE best outfit ever. My own blazer and my own shoes - I wore it out for dinner on Friday night with friends at Chewton Glen and it was much admired.

I feel like I've found my legs again. Bring on the opaques for Winter. Is it wrong to wish they did it in a navy as well?!

So a huge thank you to the University Arms and to Jigsaw for such a wonderful couple of days away. Cambridge, you were gorgeous and I can't wait to go back.

This blog was written as part of a paid partnership with Jigsaw. The view are my own, unedited.

New in at...

MANGO!

I'll fess up. This is total justification for me spending an hour salivating over new season stock, under the guise of "work". I'm turning it into work.

I am being bombarded with emails for new season loveliness and I thought I'd do a quick scroll through and post my fave pics from New in at... various different stores on different days.

Hopefully this will give us all an idea of what there is out there for Autumn. And seeing as I'm sat here (having got up at 6.30 to do some proper client work before the kids got up!) and it's raining, it seems like we really can justify thinking about what we will all be wearing into the coming cooler months.

I think it also helps to get an idea of what's out there - to give you an idea of what sort of look you're going for this season. Now I know that sounds super trite and naff but it really does help you not to make mistakes on buying things that you love but will never actually get round to wearing. As you either don't have anything to go with them or they don't feel like "you" when you put them on. We've all been there, done that - so honing down HOW you want to look does help with not making expensive mistakes.

It also gives you an idea to see what will work with your existing wardrobe. It's completely unrealistic to think that we all buy an entirely new set of clothes each season and never wear anything that we've already worn. The key to a successful look is to make sure that you have sets of clothes that can be mixed and matched to make lots of different outfits.

And it's usually just a couple of additions that are needed to be able to ring the changes.

Clear as mud?

Hopefully so, as in I go and first up, it's Mango.

One of the easiest ways to bring a new love to your old tops and jackets is to go for a slightly different shaped trouser and oh how I LOVE these jeans.

Frayed Straight Jeans £35.99

To go with above jeans - or to go with any of your trousers and skirts that you already have. Ideal for work or for play. Dress down and dress up - superb with all neutral shades and beyond divine with leopard print.

Satin blouse £49.99

Another amazing blouse which would make all my cream skirts that little bit more wearable into the Autumn.

Tie closure blouse £49.99

Following on from my post the other day about the leopard jackets - maybe I won't keep the leopard one and maybe I'll get this instead. Is it more versatile? This would work soooo well over dresses and skirts, as well as over jeans and trousers (of any shape).

Pockets Leather Jacket from Mango £149.99

However I REALLY want this colour but it's OOS. I'm not sure if it's sold out or just not come in yet. Not in store - it says online only? Anyone know?!

Whilst we're in full on '70s mode, I'm going to throw these in. These, with that black jacket. Dream outfit.

High-waist palazzo trousers £49.99

Maybe not to wear with the leather jacket but my love of a faux leather trousers is going for another year.

Seam-detail slim fit trousers £35.99

Obviously had to include a couple of dresses - would be rude not to! This is more Maje than Mango to me...

Floral Print Dress £79.99

Floral Shirt Dress £79.99

Clinging onto Summer by our fingernails with a shell necklace.

Shell pendant necklace £15.99

In for a penny, in for a beachy pound...

Shell hoop earrings £17.99

Moving onto coats. Just the one. In two shades...

Ok so don't all hate me as even I will acquiesce it's way too early to really start thinking about these, but I'm going to throw this in as this is the year I want to succumb to the Teddy Bear Coat. First contender at Mango. Since I'm Gulliver, I think I will probably need longer than this but it's a good 'un.

Lapels Faux Fur coat £69.99

But finishing with my favourite topic - SHOES! Actually boots. And I can confirm that these are awesome. So I don't have the exact same ones - I have the SS version which are exceptionally similar but are pull on without a zip. The zip would be a MUCH better idea!

Leather Pointed Ankle Boots £89.99

I could not love these more. I also know I couldn't actually wear them every day as they're too high and I would want to and it would bug me, so can someone else please buy them who is better at wearing heels in the day than I am? Thanking you kindly.

Leather cowboy ankle boots £99.99

As you can see.. "work" my arse. Wasn't difficult in the slightest. Only issue is not to order it all but the more I think about it, the more that belted leather jacket has my name all over it.

However we're not quite at full on coat or jacket weather yet... last couple of days have been beautiful.

Here I am in another of the hush dresses from the other day (don't forget your code A18PREVIEW for 10% off!).

Dress & Trainers - hush (gift current)
Bag - Gucci from Bicester Village (3yrs ago)
Sunglasses - Walter + Herbert (ss17)

And yesterday at Chessington with my two boys.

Dress - American Vintage from Quattro Rish (2yrs ago)
Sandals - Becksondergaard (ss17)
Bag - Zara (5yrs ago)

I will be back tomorrow and, as promised, I'm doing leopard but not as we know it.

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It is Top Gun 2 time this year...

How it is nearly mid October already?

The perfect weekend away

New in at...

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