And first up, I will say that this is all about M&S as it's June already and for this month's paid partnership, I have gone SWIMWEAR!
I will also say that, totally unpaid for, I have purchased M&S swimwear for years. Other people have bought underwear for years - I am a dyed in the wool M&S swimwear fan. For me and for the children (in fact I'll have a quick look at what they've got this year although I cleaned up last year on trunks and matching rash vests for the boys which they have worn on rotation all year round).
THIS is what I have worn. It works. I look like Jessica Rabbit in it and I don't look like Jessica Rabbit in anything.
I will say that I always size up in swimwear. So I may be a 10 in lots of M&S clothing but I always take a 12 in their bottoms, tops and swimsuits. I find if they're on the very *fitted* side, the rolls of lovage have to come out somewhere. All the not v attractive. Which is why I like it to be fitted but not tight. One size up works perfectly and if I'm totally honest, I'm probably an 11 anyway.
They now make this in a Long body version too (online on the link below).
This year they also have it in lots of different colourways and printed options.
Secret Slimming Plunge Swimsuit £25
However I have ventured, in the last couple of years (I reckon my version of that costume above is 4 or 5 yrs old now... they do it every year. Because it's BRILLIANT!) back into bikini territory. Am I any more toned? Nope. Do I give less than two hoots these days? Yup. I don't want my 75yr old self to look back and say WHAT YOU WERE THINKING?! Get that stomach out.
This is fabulous. You can wear with or without the straps. I got the 12 in top and bottom and it fits perfectly.
Rosie for Autograph Bandeau Bikini Top £25
Striped Tanga Bottoms £16 They do also have much more substantial bottoms but in for a penny, in for a pound.
Same bikini in a different print.
Palm Print Bandeau Bikini Top £25
And the bottoms... £16
And then the other one I got which I know will appeal to all those who rely on cup sizes to fit, as opposed to buying a generic 10/12/14/16 etc, is this one with the matching bottoms. HOWEVER, I will say, that being small of breastage, I personally preferred the sizing and fit of the one above. I always seem to be inbetween sizes when it comes to cups (which sounds so wrong written down!).
Bandeau Ruffle Bikini Top £22.50 It does though, work perfectly when teamed with the straps. Just if you're wearing is as a bandeau, the Rosie ones personally fitted me better!
Also available in pink and yellow.
Ruffle Hipster Bottoms £14
Not to mention a hat which I lovingly packed.. (top tip - fill hat with underwear and bikinis and pack flat in suitcase. And then pack around it to keep the shape. GENIUS!).
Colourblock Floppy Hat £29.50
Now I am going to do a big try on session as soon as I get back to the UK. This is just part one of the swimwear blog and the pieces that worked for me. I ordered these to arrive the day before I left. And I would advise to buy swimwear asap as it always always sells out and just isn't available when you need it, if you're going away in the Summer holidays.
Here I am in mine...
I will be back with more I promise! Before I do go and do a trying on session - out of interest, what do you look for in your swimwear?
This post was written as part of my paid partnership with M&S but has been written unedited. To also remind that we are here with Scott Williams to review the villa and therefore the stay has been complimentary but we have paid for flights, car hire, boat hire, food, transfers etc etc.
At last. You've arrived. And very welcome you are. It means so many things. It's time to get out those Summery clothes... and that includes the legs. Thanks to M&S, I have actually found an outfit that I may well bare my legs in. You read that right. Legs. Out. Perfect for this amazing weather. I'm saving this outfit for tomorrow when its getting even warmer but in the meantime, I've done my regular scoop of all that has caught my eye at M&S.
Starting with something I have had my eye on since I saw it months and months ago at their Press Day. This is why I love going to Press Days. Lots of lovely things but every now and again you see something that goes straight onto your wish list. There's usually one thing that is extra special that you watch and wait for. And for - it was a leather midi skirt in red.
You had me at leather midi. I think I might change my name to Leather Midi. Or maybe just my first name. And did I mention that it had pockets? POCKETS. The added element of dreams to any skirt or dress. Now go figure that they would leave this till their last Summer drop. But it's randomly so easy to wear in this weather. I get it. It's loose, it's elasticated (which, as someone else said to me today - one of the many who commented on how fabulous the skirt was - it gives it a really modern feel), it's perfect for this weather with a loose top and sandals.
Leather A-Line Midi Skirt from Autograph £199
And then.. there was this. Now this is legs out. TA DAH! I think I know about five people with this skirt. And I am know that we will all wear it really differently.
Mirror Embroidered Skater Skirt £35 from Indigo
This top however is up so many people's streets. For me on it's own as a top, as we've already discussed a gazillion times - I need to step away from the boho top. But as a dress. Call off the dogs. This takes it to a totally different dimension. Think a certain delicious French designer - reminiscent? Oh yaaaaas.
Embroidered Notch Neck Jacket from Indigo £39.50 Now honestly, I wouldn't call this a jacket. It's definitely a top in my book (I can't see an opening so definitely don't know how it's a jacket..).
Now here's the interesting thing. This is also what I took into the changing room. I took the above skirt/dress combo as a total ringer. And this in as my "go to" safe option. Because it's what I love and because it's what I know works. And work it did.
Open Front 2 Pocket Blazer £49.50
I've got the 10 on.
I've also got trousers that can be worn on their own or as part of a suit. In the 10 again.
Limited Edition Side Stripe Tapered Leg Trousers in Navy £35
I put it with the high neck tee - not for everyone but it's great for smaller chests. I've got the 12 on.
Contrasting neckline short sleeve t-shirt £15
And also wore the navy jacket as well. If you're looking for a navy jacket with a bit of a twist, this is perfect.
Open Front 2 Pocket Blazer £49.50
If you do prefer the more Scandi look for Summer, this blazer is the perfect pared back style in a traditional English linen. I absolutely love love love this.
Linen Blend Double Breasted Jacket £55.00
One thing that will go really well with the above outfits are a pair of pared back black sliders. These are my go to Summer shoes. I get a new pair every year and then rotate my collection. I never spend a huge amount of money on them (& Other Stories and Zara for example) and these will definitely make the grade.
Leather Cut Out Mules from M&S £25
And these which I now have on order. I LOVE these.
Cross Over Mule Sandals from M&S £29.50
I also thought I'd give the swimwear a go. Oh hello Rosie. So. We know what you look like in your super swimwear but how does it fare on a 44yr old, mother of three who loves wine a bit more than she likes exercise?
Make your own mind up. Can I just interject though and say, these are NOT going to work if you are blessed of bosom. However, they do have, in the same ranges, bikini tops which are bra sized and go up to an E cup.
Elongated Triangle Slide Bikini £49.50 from Rosie of Autograph.
So I am "slightly" too long in the body for this (but do remember I am 5ft10). I also take a size 12 in all of M&S swimwear.
This one was a much better fit and actually I think the navy is more flattering on white flesh that you can see from space.
One Shoulder Printed Swimsuit Floral £55
However this was my favourite.
Elongated Triangle Slide Swimsuit £45
And it gives me cleavage!
Playsuit Cover up with print £45
I didn't get the memo about the dropped shoulder bit. Must try harder next time..
But what did I take home with me? Yes that's the boho dress (ok - top and skirt). With stud ankle boots - check, with gladiator sandals, check. With the fringe sliders that I'm waiting to be delivered - check. Something different. Something that I am super looking forward to wearing.
And obviously the leather skirt.. duh. The main reason I love this is because it's completely in my comfort zone but completely out of it being the colour it is. What could be more perfect to add a bit of interest to my Autumn wardrobe, whilst being able it now. And wear it I did.
Top - Goat
Leather skirt - M&S
Black sliders - & Other Stories
Glasses - Walter & Herbert
Bag - Gucci
Tomorrow, watch on Insta for the next outfit. I'm going boho for Friday - legs out for the good weather.
Anyone else exhausted by the way? I've been *embracing* (this is said through gritted teeth) early mornings. Day three today and I don't feel any better. Everyone said I would. Everyone lied. I'm knackered. I miss my lie ins - 7.30 as opposed to 6.15. And to add insult to injury, I'm waking up even earlier as I know I've got to get up at stupid o'clock and am obviously dreading it. Someone please tell me it gets better? Maybe tomorrow morning I'll bounce out of bed - at the very least I've got my new skirt and top to look forward to!
Swimwear.
It's that time of year again folks, the holidays are looming (in a good way - looming to me intimates something bag but lordy I cannot wait to go. I say "go" as opposed to "jet off" as first up it's Suffolk and that's not somewhere you really jet off to).
BUT I digress - the warmer holidays are a coming and the thing is, whilst they might not be completely imminent, you need to get your swimwear now. The bizarre thing about the retail calendar in this country is that, alas, you can't buy what you need when you need it. You need to buy it three months in advance (ok maybe not three but definitely in advance).
Even then, you still need to box clever, as things sell out in the more popular sizes. Yesterday when I went to Debenhams to work on this collaboration, there were very few things in store in a size 12 (but handily loads left online).
I feel that I have gone above and beyond in this blog for you guys. There are actual photos of me in swimming costumes. OMG. See what I do for you? And for the lovely girls at Debenhams, only because I love them... Actual photos of me in a cossie.
I do apologise as I did draw the line at bikinis but for the purposes of a "not quite ready Summer body" (one or 2 million planks to do first which in reality, is never going to happen), a sucky in cossie is what I was looking for.
And did I strike gold.
First up - speaking of gold, this is a gorgeous costume. Excuse the photos as they don't do them justice. A tan would help... (this is true for all of the costumes).
This is for the smaller or big and pert (file that under things I never thought I'd say in a blog..) boobed. In all these, I tried on the 12. I did try on the 10 in one and yes it did fit but as I'm not as firm as I once was (if I ever was - or before gravity started taking an interest in me) and the spillage over the edges wasn't good. At all. There is no footage here of that. No one needed to see those gems. The 12 was much much more flattering.
Reger by Janet Reger Dark Peach V Neck Swimsuit £45
The definition of brave. Posting a photo of yourself directly under a photo of Helena Cristensen wearing the same swimsuit. Ha. Ha ha ha!
With the co-ordinating kaftan.
Reger by Janet Reger White Lace Trim Kaftan £38
AND I've also found this one online which I didn't see instore - in black. (back in the game..). Again, for the smaller chested.
Reger by Janet Reger Black Halter Neck Tummy Control Swimsuit was £45 now £31.50
But if we're talking more blessed in the chest department, then this one comes in different cup sizes. And also tummy controlled. Love. A must.
Butterfly by Matthew Williamson Multi Coloured Print Tummy Control Swimsuit was £42 now £29.40
This is the 12 on me but it's the C/D cup. I'm an A therefore don't remotely have the goods to fill it.
And the matching kaftan. This would also work perfectly with plain black cossies.
Butterfly by Matthew Williamson Aztec Print Bead Embellished Kaftan was £38 now £26.60
More print options now in the sale.
Butterfly by Matthew Williamson Tummy Control Swimsuit was £42 now £29.40
Butterfly by Matthew Williamson Yellow Floral Print Bead Embroidered Kaftan was £38 now £26.60
But what did I plump for? The one that I saw on Britain's Next Top Model and thought now that is amazing. I also thought - now that will never work on me. Well, what do you know. Again in a 12. Best thing about this, is that you can adjust the neckline with the halterneck and the chest size with the lacing - ditto on the legs.
Butterfly by Matthew Williamson Aztec Print Swimsuit £42
The v pattern is also ridiculously flattering. Ok so it doesn't exactly turn me into the model above BUT I'm pretty pleased for a 44yr old. Believe me when I say that not all costumes are this flattering.
With the matching cover up - the beading detailing on this is exquisite.
I got the large as I prefer the volume.
Butterfly by Matthew Williamson Kaftan £38
I am planning hair up, huge earrings. These match perfectly.
Mood Fringed Hoop Statement Earrings £12
Ooh and did I also mention the slides that go really well too? Ideal for slipping on around the pool.
Faith Grey Joey Sandals £42
Other plain ones. Which are perfect to take with you, to work alongside your print kaftans.
J By Jasper Conran Khaki Green Wrap Bandeau Tummy Control Swimsuit £42 - this also comes with straps to make it into a halter neck.
Beach Collection Navy Bandeau £34
And then the ideal plain cover up to pack too.
Beach Collection Navy Cocoon Kaftan £20
Finishing with outfit from today. Adore this. I may have worn it yesterday as well but I changed half way during the day into my favourite hush clothes as I had an event with hush and The Pool.
White Everything Tee - Rotten Roach
Black longline blazer - M&S
Faux Leather wide leg crops - Topshop
White trainers - Veja at Quattrorish
Red Soho Disco bag - Gucci
An evening in tonight with the children as the husband is out at an event where someone (famous) is discussing the Lions selection. Bless him, he asked if I wanted to go with him.... suffice to say, he's gone with a really good friend of his (who loves rugby as much as he does. Me? Not so much...!!)
How are you doing on the swimwear front this year? One piece or bikini? Matching kaftan? My one must have this year is a whole bag of earrings to distract from the lack of toned leg. Genius no?
