Discover my Spring Buys

Dear friends. It's been a while since I shared a style or beauty post. This will probably be a long read, so you may want to grab a coffee. 

l have completed my spring/summer fashion buys, so will share what I bought and why. 

FASHION BUYS

Well, fashion should be in inverted commas because I'm not a fashion victim these days. I know what suits me, as a classic gamine style personality, so I don't make impulse buys unless it's a style or colour that will flatter. 

That's not to say I don't take note when something becomes extremely unfashionable, ie STAID. Who wants to look staid or dated?  I'm afraid cropped trousers and skinny jeans are in that bracket at the moment so I have put mine into storage. 

So, what have I been buying?

I always identify my "needs" ahead of a new season.  I wanted a short jacket in a warm pink, a new striped tee, as I seem to live and die in them each summer;  a denim skirt of some sort, and some white jeans (no longer seen as old hat, hoorah). I also wanted a simple sleeveless dress to take on holiday.  I was also hoping to find a pair of chinos or trousers in a colour like yellow, and a new swimming costume.

I was also tempted into trying a range of pastel coloured jeans now available in the UK. 

In the top pic and below, you'll see my new pink jacket.  It's a faux suede Rachel jacket in Confetti from Kettlewell.  I wasn't sure if the colour would work because although it's coded for those analysed as Spring, it sits near the crossover with Winter, which makes it a more bluey pink suitable for neutral tones. 

But I have to say it's a great colour on me, and I love it. The soft material is gorgeous, perfect if you travel a lot because it doesn't crease. 

The striped sleeveless tee in the top picture is also from Kettlewell.  Below:  the Rachel jacket with yellow.  The yellow straight legs are current, from M&S.  I had to size down to an 8, which I find fairly unbelievable.  So many companies lately are "vanity sizing." I would rather buy a uniform size 10, rather than have to send for additional sizes  (which the retailers don't like!). 

In the top pic I found a great pair of white jeans. They're Sienna Supersoft High Waisted Jeans, length regular, from M&S.  They come in four other colours. They're 88% cotton, 10% polyester and 2% elastane.  I am wearing a 10.  I've never been very keen on "ankle grazers" so a regular length is best for me. Although I'm only 5'3, my legs are longer than my body, with an inside leg of 30 (76 cm). 

Another new buy is a pair of mint jeans from Danish brand Perfect Jeans.  They have different styles in colours that include yellow, pink and lavender. Delicious.  They sell different lengths and sizes too.  My mint jeans are the regular style, length 30 ins and waist 28. I should probably have sized down as they are a little loose, but I only sent for 1 pair and I hate jeans that verge on tight. 

I'm wearing them with Kettlewell's lyocell blouse in Pink Fizz.  The bag is from Pom Pom London, colour kelly green.  I've treated myself to two new ones from their latest range, in coral and lemon. The bags usually have an offer of two additional straps, and each one features a cute pom pom.  I love how there are several pockets, so I'm not always rummaging to find my Oyster, phone, keys, lipstick, Kindle etc.

I found my new denim skirt at Kettlewell.  It's cream (other colours available)  with a gold zip. I like the length. I'm wearing a small.

The simple sleeveless dress I wanted was also bought at Kettlewell, in the lobelia colourway for Springs/Winters.  It's a deceptively simple shape that seems to flatter everyone. I took this photo a couple of weeks ago before the weather turned warm. 

Finding Flattering Swimwear

I spend quite a lot of money on my swimming costumes, and I'll you why. They really flatter!  I love the Spanish brand Roidal and German brand Charmline, both sold at Simply Beach.  I bought two of their costumes a couple of years ago in lime green and orange.  They still look brand new, no signs of wear, even though I've worn them many times.  They're sold in either cup or standard size. 

Cheaper costumes get loose and baggy; the elastic sags, or digs in, around the bottom and thighs.  We're at our most vulnerable in a bikini or swimming costume, so it definitely makes sense, to me, to buy something that I won't worry about. Simply Beach also have items to match, which I love, being a bit matchy-matchy! 

Roidal had a bandeau style costume in mimosa when I made my last purchases, and evidently it had sold out.  I was gutted.  But then I found a last one in the sale. It has gentle ruching which gives me a defined waist and no tummy bulge, but the style doesn't look staid as they're inclined to do.  

Those are my new buys. I've bought a few items pre-loved too, which I regard as cheeky extras! You'll see these over the summer. 

I'm not looking to buy anything else that's new.  My wardrobe is now very pared back, for me, as I've recently got rid of three large bags of clothes. I finally said goodbye to some of the formal suiting I used to wear at work.  It's three years now since I retired, so it was about time. I also said farewell to a couple of long dresses as I greatly prefer knee length.  All part of my ongoing style evolution! 

Disclosure: no affiliate links are used on Is This Mutton. I occasionally give you a direct link to something I like.  Is This Mutton is deliberately non-monetised for the best reader experience. No ads or popups here! 

If you're seasonally analysed as Spring or Autumn, you might be interested in my Pinterest board where I pin UK high street finds (non-Kettlewell!). 

I'll be back soonish with a beauty update. I've changed my skincare and makeup quite radically.

Let us know in the comments what you've bought, and what you're still looking for.

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