If ever an excuse was needed to wear (high street) cashmere....

Outfit: Cos jeans, Next shirt, Dune boots, H&M jumper

 

This was the fourth  attempt at what transpired to be terrible photos so please forgive me. I know, I should be sacked as a blogger! The first ones were taken inside and were so orange, as a result of the roaring fire that we didn't really need but which the pyromaniac 12 year old wanted to light, that I looked like I'd turned into Katie Price. The second lot were taken with the youngest indoors and me outdoors, so that she didn't get wet but they were so dark that everything that I was wearing looked black. The third lot had bags of rubbish in the background and the fourth lot (above) well I don't know what the six year old had been on but I wouldn't mind some. Hic!

The purpose of the outfit - so far as there is one - is to fill you in on the H&M cashmere jumper (£49.99) which I bought a few weeks ago. There's lots of high street cashmere around from H&M, to M&S, Boden, Jigsaw and Tesco. Last year I had a grey cashmere jumper from La Redoute and it was great, so it's not something that you need to spend a fortune on. Although having said that, all of my cashmere is high street so I don't really have a comparison to make and maybe others would disagree.

I really like the colour of this jumper and its slouchy fit and our youngest likes me to wear it when I give her a cuddle before bed because she finds it so soft. So that's a fantastic excuse for wearing cashmere if ever there was one! But seriously, for anyone who finds wool too scratchy or stiff, cashmere could be the answer. In fact Mr SG is wearing a cashmere jumper today and he never wears jumpers because he hates how scratchy there are and for someone who could not give one jot about clothes, that is praise indeed.

A wardrobe staple to take you from daytime to dinner out....

Outfit: Adidas trainers, Cos jeans, Mint Velvet top

Most of my wardrobe is made up of staples with a few other bits and bobs added in each season. Cream is a neutral colour that I can wear without it draining the life out of me and I'm always on the look out for a versatile cream top. Throw in some lace too and it's got my name written all over it. Stripes, sequins, neon, navy, cashmere and denim have also been known to do it for me on occasion!

I first saw this Ivory lace top Mint Velvet back at the end of the summer but at £79 it was more than I had in mind to pay. And then in John Lewis last week I came across it in the sale, reduced to £55. I had a good think about it and came to the conclusion that it was worth the investment. It's slightly longer than some tops I have which means that it offers a bit more bottom coverage (always useful) and although I like a white shirt, on occasion I feel much more comfortable in something like this - it's just a little less trussed up and formal. 

 

I would offer some alternatives but we're on holiday in Wales this week, without wi-fi, so I'm keeping it brief. Sorry!

From double denim to double fur - from Zara and Whistles

 

Today seemed to be the perfect temperature to wear this Zara fur (sleeveless) coat that I bought last year. I've been holding off from wearing anything that was too wintry but the temperature suddenly dropped this morning.

Keeping in tone with the navy/black colour combo I wore it with a Cos roll neck jumper, navy Cos trousers and some furry (actually I think the technical term is pony skin) loafers from Whistles which I bought with the 25% Grazia discount a few weeks ago - although they don't seem to be online anymore.  It was great until I actually got into the shops, at which point I was baking.

A lovely friend of mine bought these flowers for me a couple of days ago and I just thought that they would be nice to share with everyone on these darker, colder days. Hope that you all enjoy them....

Did anyone else hear India Knight on Woman's Hour this morning? I had a client coming down from Durham today so I was heading towards the shops slightly later than usual. India was talking about her new book which is all about with growing older.

 

One of her tips was not to be too thin as it makes people look Simian like. Wondering to myself whether I looked slightly monkey like (short hair and no longer with the chubby cheeks I sported as a child/teenager, although fortunately without the ears that my Dad has) and what with my furry number too, I decided that it was a distinct possibility. And then as I went down the ramp into the car park a huge monkey appeared on the screen in front of me. And you know what, I decided that it was like looking in a mirror, which made me laugh - a lot. I'm surprised that I wasn't whisked away....to the zoo.

My pick of the High Street prints

 

Outfit: Jigsaw jumper and printed trousers, Topshop shoes

 

Prints - we either love them or hate them, pretty much instantly. They can remind us of our grannies' curtains, outfits we wore as children, or something the cat brought up. But equally they can lift our spirits, change our look and give us a new lease of life.

Some shops are known for their prints - or indeed for their lack of them. Zara always has lots of different prints (although it's better not to go in there after 9.35am because it looks like a jumble sale). Warehouse is always strong on both print and colour - plus the quality is better than Zara too and walking in there is so refreshing, compared to some other stores. Both the Monsoon and Boden prints stand out a mile away - and not always for the right reasons. Whistles has great prints each season which they usually also do in a scarf for anyone who just fancies a touch of one. Sometimes it's just about giving them a go.

I always like Great Plains. The price point of the brand is good and they often do more than one piece in a particular print. The Hoxton top from Great Plains (£40) is a nice fit and is a non scary print type option. It also comes in a long sleeved knee length dress.

Despite being largely a dark print, the blue in it is really vibrant and it looks great on people with blue eyes.

The Great Plains City Scape trousers £60 are a good place to start for anyone tempted to try a print on their bottom half. The print has a dark background and can be worn with black, navy or grey. Also they're smart enough for work with a blazer, or relaxed enough for out of work with a jumper, so they're pretty versatile.

The French Connection wilderness bloom comes in both a pencil skirt (£75) and a fitted dress with a zip up the front. Made of cotton and with stretch in it, it also straddles the work/casual boundary really well. It's easy to pick up the navy, cream or burgundy in a top. The model used is 5ft 11" so on most people it will come up longer.

Generally known for its very plain and slightly more architectural pieces, each season Cos does a couple of prints. This one has been around for a while and Cos have done this print in both a bomber style jacket (£79) and a pencil skirt.

This Warehouse floral jersey tee (£28) is good for a first foray into the world of prints. It's plain grey on the back but with nice shaping down the side and the print is modern but subtle - it's the kind of top that could work its way into your wardrobe and sit their quite happily amongst those black and grey pieces until it's required to give the a bit of a lift. Do suss out Warehouse if you're after a printed top.

And whilst this isn't my favourite print of all, LK Bennett can always be relied on to do a couple of striking prints each season. The Joe Rose print full skirt (£195) has a graphic floral print which is great for a winter wedding.

At this time of the year the stores can start to look a little dark and flat and I think that can be true of our wardrobes too, so it's good to pick up a print every now and then, just to keep everything balanced.

The Style Guile Super Sale starts!

 

Sorry that I didn't post yesterday! This is what I have been up to for the past couple of days - washing, ironing, snipping any loose threads, using my sticky roller and making everything ready for the Style Guile Super Sale, where I'm offering for sale some of my favourite pieces - many of which have appeared on the blog. 

 

So, unless anyone has a better idea, this is how I plan on running things:

• If you see something that you like, drop me an email at style@bethgoodrham.com with the name of the piece of clothing that you like in the email header;
• I will respond (quite probably on Monday or Tuesday) with an email providing the details of my bank account, together with the postage costs;
• The clothes will be sent out when the pennies have arrived;
• I will aim to send the parcels no more than 3 days after receiving the pennies;
• Goods will be sold on a first come first served basis and will be non-returnable;
• I would love to wrap everything in tissue paper and make it look pretty but I probably won't have time!  
• I've tried hard to provide good photos and to ensure that everything is cleaned and well ironed (although I must admit that I haven't had everything dry cleaned) but if I have failed in this regard, it's really not intentional! 

Postage*

• All items will be sent second class;
• Postage for items that can be sent as a large letter ie blouses, tops will be £2;
• Postage for items that can be sent as a small parcel ie jeans, knitwear etc up to 1kg will be £3 and up to 2kg, £4
• Postage for items to be sent as a medium parcel will be charged according to Royal Mail second class postal charges (between £5.20 and £28.55!)

* If for any reason I have got the postal costs around my neck (not due to too much fizz you understand. Hic!) then I reserve the right to charge the amount that the Post Office charges me!

 

So, here goes!

 

One item at £25

 

LK Bennett burgundy patent shoes, size 38.5 (basically a slightly generous size 5). Brand new, bought for client - original price £115.

One item at £20

 

LK Bennett ivory cross over 100% silk shirt, size 10 - brand new. £35 in LK Bennett sale. Slight mark on hem at back.

All of the items below are £15

Navy and metallic Oasis swing style jacket, size 8, never worn. Dry clean only. Great for work over dress, with a pencil skirt, or with jeans.

Navy and white 100% cotton, 50's style Dickens and Jones jacket, size 8, machine washable - worn no more than  a couple of times.

All Saints dress size 8 - worn once, good with tanned legs or over leggings.

Jigsaw knee length shift dress size 8. Contains 59% wool but is machine washable at 30 degrees. Hardly worn, great for work.

 Jigsaw knee length printed 100% silk dress, size 8 - dry clean only.

The pieces below are all priced at £10 (well, until you reach the £7.50 category!)

Hush loose knit jumper, XS (but it's very roomy!) Worn a couple of times. Machine washable.

Whistles sequinned top, 100% silk, size 8, dry clean only. Worn once.

Ted Baker floral printed top, size 1 - worn a couple of times. Machine washable. Really pretty colours in this print and it nips in nicely at the waist.

NEXT knee length denim dress, size 8. Worn a couple of times (label now removed as the dress has been washed and ironed.)

Whistles utility trousers with zip detail, size 8. Much prettier blue/green than is shown in the picture.

The pieces below are priced at £7.50, well until you reach the £5 category!

Topshop spotted trousers, 7/8th length, size 10 (not a hugely generous 10 though) machine washable. As worn in a blogging feature in Easy Living Magazine!

Hush ankle length trousers (or slightly above depending on height!) 97% cotton, 3% elastane, size small, which in this style equates to more of a 6/8 rather than an 8/10.

Boden wool mix jumper, size 8, machine washable - good length so good with jeans/skirts etc.

Boden black wool jumper, wool mix, size 8 (same style as above) machine washable.

LK Bennett embellished purple bolero - XS, machine washable - good length to wear with dresses

Gerard Darel 100% silk blue and white printed blouse with belt (can be worn with or without) - size 36; generous size 8. Washes and irons beautifully. Small button missing from one cuff.

Jigsaw silk, modal and cotton top with bow detail, size S. Very forgiving style!

Zara cocoon style top, size small. Lovely with skinny jeans or trousers. Worn once or twice.

Coast printed dress, just above the knee, size 8 (more of a 6/8 I would say). Nice silky fabric, easy to wear.

Jigsaw cropped mohair and nylon black and navy printed jumper, size 8, handwash. Brilliant for layering!

Zara navy and black "fur" sweatshirt style top, size S.

Ted Baker silk backed cardi, size 1. Washing instructions say dry clean only but it's fine on a hand wash cycle in the machine. Slight hole under arm which needs a stitch but this is more to manufacturing process, than wear.

GAP burgundy and camel striped long line 100% cashmere jumper, size XS (size 6 for this) - small hole on lower back. It says dry clean only but I've just washed it, as I do all cashmere, and it's fine. £80 new.

Oasis wool mix dress with laser cut hem detail, size 8, dry clean only.

Zara slim (but not tight, more of a tailored fit) black leopard print trousers, UK 8, wash at 30 degrees. Definitely appeared on the blog when I had a party at home one Christmas!

Topshop navy peg style trousers, size 8.  Pockets trimmed with "leather". Good with either flats or heels.

Coast 100% silk, vest style top with racer back, size S. There are poppers inside on the strap so that a bra strap can be worn without showing. Lovely under a blazer for a night out.

Kew navy boyfriend style cardigan with silver stripe worked through it (94% merino wool, polyester and metallic), size S. Never worn.

Hobbs NW3 purple V-neck wool jumper, cotton, silk and wool, size 6 (but a generous 6). Works well with a higher rise trouser or jean.

Cos fitted cardigan, size small, little frill on the shoulder. Worn only a couple of times.

Zara cream lace top, size S. So pretty and it goes with everything!

 

Kew navy marl (almost dark denim looking) open fronted cardi, size S never worn.

All of the items below are priced at £5

GAP printed trousers, UK size 8, so most shop's equivalent of a size 10. Wished they loved me like I love them! Able to be washed and ironed.

Mango navy 100% cotton skirt - above the knee (on me at least). Really comfortable and great with a denim shirt or with a smarter top and heels. Size medium but it fits me so it's more like a small!

Ted Baker navy silky (100% lyocell) top, size 1. Looks much better with a body in it!!

"Pure" cashmere navy tank style knit - size 8, quite fitted. Only worn a couple of times. The top picture is a more accurate reflection of the colour.

Hobbs red bolero style top, size 8 - lovely over work dresses. (There's also a cerise one but it's not shown here. Very similar style.)

GAP cobalt blue relaxed style knit, XS. Looser shape, great with skinny jeans or trousers.

Kingfisher blue 100% silk H&M shirt, machine washable. Worn only a few times but I noticed when ironing it that it's a little thin in places - still has plenty of life left in it though.

Kew 100% linen tunic style top, size S - great on the beach. Comes to top of thigh.

Topshop sequinned double layered top, size 6 - one of my favourites, ever!

Zara pale pink and duck egg blue printed shirt with gold skull buttons, size S.

Monsoon Fusion pink lace top, size 8. Love the colour of this top!

Boden pink fitted t-shirt (not too tight) size 8.

Zara grey poncho/cape style top, size S. Great for the cooler mornings. Worn only a couple of times.

GAP sleeveless cardi, cotton, silk and modal, size XS cost £14.99 in the sale, never worn.

M&S beach cover up, size 8, 100% cotton brand new.

NEXT pale blue chino style trousers, size 8, 100% cotton, worn only a couple of times.

GAP  chino style khaki coloured trousers, 100% cotton, size 8 - again only worn a couple of times.

GAP true straight jeans in a 26/32 - worn in but not worn out!

COS 100% navy cotton top with Peter Pan style collar, size 36.

 

GAP very fine, soft, cord legging jeans - quite bright blue, 26/32

Grey/lilac GAP top with slight cross over and ruching down one side, size XS but it's not desperately fitted. Nice with a white shirt layered underneath.

Zara silver sparkly shoes, size 5 - but a generous 5!

There are one or two extra pieces which I still need to iron and photograph but I thought that I would get these posted before the bank holiday weekend, so that everyone has a chance to take a good look at them. Have a fabulous break!