Dear friends. How do you approach the change of seasons, clothes-wise? Like a lot of you, I pack away my winter clothes - and started doing it at the weekend, with my less popular stuff --- and I make a list of what I need.
I'm less influenced by trends now and prefer to go for what I know suits me, both in style and colour. So I don't care how trendy flared jeans are, they don't suit me and I'm sticking with skinnies!
What's On My Essentials List
A few basics. The tick shows I've just bought it.
- A white skirt
- White jeans
- V neck tops in white, hot pink and Chinese blue ✅
- Shorts for summer walks and holiday
- A Breton t-shirt, as I wore the one I bought last summer quite a lot ✅
- A new dress
- A new top in Acid Yellow ✅
- A new jacket and scarf from the Kettlewell S/S range ✅
Let's talk white jeans. I've often admired some of my blogger friends in their white jeans and I'm desperate to find a good pair. In the past I've bought white jeans online and usually regretted my purchases because they were never the right fit, or flattering.
So at the weekend I actually went into London and straight into the mother ship (John Lewis & Partners) to try on some white jeans. This was quite something because I never go into shops these days and find try-ons a terrible bore!
Now I'd seen that online JLP had several pairs, but it was a different matter in their Oxford Street store. I struggled to find 3 pairs to try on. They had a few pairs that I ruled out right away: flares or "barrel legs".
Since I did the boot camp in November, I've managed to keep the weight off, but my brain still thinks I'm a bigger size than I am. So the three pairs I tried on were all too big.
But it was useful in that I now know the sizes that should work, and a delivery has just come from JLP with 3 pairs from Tommy Hilfiger, Mint Velvet and Gerard Darel. I haven't tried them on yet so hopefully I may have an update later.
What I've Bought Already
The new spring range from
Kettlewell Colours came out a couple of weeks ago, and I made a few purchases. As you know, I've had my colors analysed and it makes clothes a whole lot easier, because the colors all work together and it's perfect for holiday capsules.
I knew when I saw their new Electric Blue color for those analysed as Winter that I had to have it. It's such a vibrant, saturated blue.
At the top of the post, I'm wearing the jacket with a velvet skirt from Kettlewell (old) and the new paisley scarf. I don't do much in pattern so I thought I'd try the scarf. The print is also available in a dress in four colorways and a skirt. Normally I mostly avoid pattern, but I may try the dress in the spring colorway, just to see if it works.
Above: the acid yellow top in more detail, plus jeans from M&S, metallic blue belt from Kettlewell and necklace from an Etsy shop called Sacred Cake. I prefer this more pared-back look. I think the jacket will look great with white jeans.
I've also bought another Breton top from Kettlewell. This one is cherry red and white striped, and goes really well with their cherry red short tie wrap. The polka dot belt is also from Kettlewell, and a good way to experiment with a little pattern mixing if you're unsure about it.
I'm very taken with this cherry red, which is a color for those analysed as spring or winter. Knowing that I best suit cool colours has been a revelation. It applies to make-up too, in terms of lipsticks and blusher. The lipstick below is the iconic Ruby Woo from Mac. It's said to suit everyone, but it is predominantly blue-toned (cool). I really like it.
Kettlewell also sell jewellery, silver for Winter and Summer (cool toned) and gold for Spring and Autumn. I bought the sunrise necklace in silver (above). The sulphurous forsythia hedge, behind my head, is just starting to burst into life. Early spring is the only time I have yellow in the garden, with the hedge and daffodils.
I've had this gorgeous brocade skirt for a while and had it in mind when I ordered the new Sara v-neck top in hot pink, below. The Kettlewell silver short tie wrap is a good foil, along with silver ankle boots.
So that's what I've been buying so far. These are garments which are good quality and will last a long time. I'm not buying fast fashion these days.
I'll be looking at the Robell site for shorts - last year I was thrilled with the city shorts in lobelia that came from there. And I may be tempted by a new white jacket. I've got a short bouclé jacket that I bought in 2017. I'd like a longer blazer in white.
As for my bête noire, sandals, well - I think I have every color covered. But you never know....!!
Sharing this post with: On Mondays We Link Up at Glass of Glam, Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style, Chic & Stylish at Mummabstylish, #SpreadTheKindness and #Linkup on the Edge at Shelbee on the Edge, #AnythingGoes at My Random Musings, Turning Heads Tuesday at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Style with a Smile at Stylesplash, TFF at Doused in Pink, Lizzie in Lace, Confident Twosday at IDoDeclaire, Rena at Fine Whatever, Fabulous Fridays at Lucy Bertoldi, #Neverendingstyle at The Grey Brunette, Fancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style, Traffic Jam Weekend at Life as a Leo Wife Weekday Wear Link-Up at Away from the Blue Sunday Showcase with Chez Mireille and Elegance and Mommyhood (first Sunday of the month), Stylish Monday (first Monday of the month) with Ask Suzanne Bell, Talent Sharing Tuesdays at Scribbling Boomer, Link Up Pot Pourri at My Bijou Life Now it's time for the #WowOnWednesday link-up. Bloggers/Instagrammers can find new readers, plus readers can find new blogs to read. I promote my favorite five posts on Facebook every week, plus announce the most clicked posts in Instagram Stories. Last week's was one of the best attended linkies for a while, and there were lots of clicks!
Last Week's Favorites
I do want some v- neck tees and a breton one too. Stripes look good on anything! That skirt is so gorgeous Gail! Very pretty!
ReplyDelete