Non skinny drapey trousers from Jigsaw which can be dressed up or down....

As I think I may have mentioned a couple of days ago, I've been checking out the sales recently. Most of the stores have had their final markdowns so I have recently paid Jigsaw, Whistles and Reiss a visit.

I generally stock up on well thought out wardrobe basics in the sale - things that need updating or replacing or more modern shapes which I am confident will be around for seasons to come.  Most of them won't see the light of day until the winter but today it's the turn of the Jigsaw tencel chinos (reduced from £75 to £52).

I have a reasonable selection of jeans, utility trousers and printed trousers in my wardrobe but there was definitely a gap for a looser, slightly smarter style of trouser which I could dress up or down. From trainers to heels, or flats to flip flops, these should do the job on lots of levels. Having tried these Jigsaw trousers on earlier in the season, I knew what they were all about.

Because I wanted that extra bit of slouch and comfort (I'm thinking long car journeys to Cornwall) I went up to a size 10, which gave them a completely different look to the size 8. The image below probably gives a slightly better idea of how they look!

As to the rest of my outfit, I went for a bit of colour clash on the accessories with a grey and yellow belt and a coral necklace, plus printed shoes.

 

Although I have had instagram for a while now, I intend to start using it a way of putting flesh on the bones of Style Guile. I will bring you closer shots of my outfits, show you my accessories, shopping trips and daily life. If you would like to come along for the journey, you can find me here

 

I also have a Pinterest board entitled "Outfit of the Day" which is a gallery of my daily outfits. Take a look for ideas and inspiration or alternatively use it as a tool to decide what NOT to wear! Either way I'm easy!

How to style a very full midi skirt...

 

This evening I was working at an event with the accountants PWC. I took these photos at home before I headed out into the big wide world. I'm wearing a flared skirt from H&M (£34.99) with a GAP shirt and Dune sparkly heels. It's a great skirt but it has a big silhouette to it and the combination of that, plus its midi length, means that it needs a fitted top and fairly high heels to make the proportions work. Well it does on me at least!  It's a great price for a statement piece and could work so well for a summer wedding or a ball.

At the event we had the requisite cupcakes...

Goody bags....

Fizz...

 



Flowers...

 



And with my rail of clothes and accessories, we were good to go on our fun filled evening of  style and fashion.

Thanks to everyone for making me feel so welcome and for being such a great audience. We had one man in the audience - a Partner from PWC, whose opinion was very much valued and who was very good natured when it came to the cheap laughs at his expense (of which I fear there were several!)

The bare necessities of life - a beach dress and new PJs!

 

There are definitely some things in my wardrobe which get updated less frequently than others, which is why when it came to thinking about what I might need for our trip away, a pool/beach dress was up there along with the more obvious items of shorts and t-shirts. With time short, this one from H&M did the job in terms of price (£7.99), plus I liked the print and the fact that it is slightly scooped down at the back.

I'm really sharing this little number with you more because it's cheap and cheerful and it will do a good job of taking you to the beach and back, rather than because it's super stylish. The good thing is that it won't matter if it gets covered in sun-tan lotion and salt water. I love the idea of some of the more expensive beautiful beachwear but I must admit that I really don't see the point. In all probability I would just leave something like that at home for fear of ruining it, which kind of defeats the object.

I decided that my pjs also needed a bit of an update. They are quite often another thing that also get neglected.  More a fan of shorts and a vest, I found the set on the left at M&S. The shorts on the right came from GAP and because I wasn't too fussed about the vests there, I bought the white one from H&M.

I still can't quite get over the terrible book that I read on the flight on the way out. And because it was so terrible I'm going to share it with you all. I had to go back and re-read bits just to check that it was as bad as I thought and to make sure that I hadn't missed something. But no! So here goes...

The book contained the clichéd mothers - one stay at home mum who grew her own veg and made her own clothes from old curtains, one full on career mum who loved her job and her child but felt more competent at work, one mum who worked part time, had a nanny and missed her kids and one single, unhappy mum, who was after a rich husband to support her extravagant lifestyle. Bad in so many ways! Not only that but there was talk of the unfriendly London mums with kids who were scheduled up to the hilt with activities. Anyway the husband of the main couple was being stalked by his children's nanny who was convinced that he would run off with her because he had told her how much he liked her lasagne and wait for it....her ironing! Anyone else had the pleasure of that particular book?!

I think that we're finally nearly there with the pale pink GAP trousers....

At the third attempt of wearing these trousers I was finally happy with they way that they looked (in the loosest sense of the word). Look 1, I shared a while ago, look 2, I abandoned as it just didn't work but this look worked better, I felt, because the boots are a similar colour to the trousers. This had the effect of lessening the shortening/sausage widening effect on the legs of flesh colour trousers. Who in their right mind eh????

For anyone out there after some trousers which will make their legs shorter and more sausage like (which probably no one will after I described them like that) the chino slim leg trouser from Jigaw (£75) in vintage pink will do a good job. In all seriousness, I do like them and the shape of these is really good for anyone who doesn't want anything too skinny. For info, they also come in navy, pale blue and dove grey.  I never did find on the GAP site the ones that I am wearing. Perhaps they withdrew them for crimes against fashion.

For a similar top, which I know is being worn a lot right now, I linked to some from Oasis the other day, but I also saw this denim look jersey top in Cos (£45) which I really liked for it's softness.

The boots that I am wearing are really beyond their sell by date and I will replace them when I find another pair that I like and which don't cost the earth. These were bought in a Zara sale one summer and I have since seen some that I like in All Saints and Reiss, Bicester. But there are other more important purchases to make first....

On another note, are there any other households out there still singing the songs from "Frozen"? I have realised that we get through about one track a month, so having done "Do you wanna build a snowman", "Let it go" and one other that I can't bear to think of or it will stick in my mind again, we are now on "Love is an open door." The trouble is that the eldest two have found on YouTube, alternative versions full of expletives, which are equally addictive and which I too, now find myself singing. I  have had to ban them in front of the six year old for fear of the inevitable phone call from the school asking me to explain her recently extended vocabulary....

Gray & Osbourn - an alternative to the High Street with pieces to fit and flatter (and we could all do with a bit of that!)

 

In today's post, I'm wearing clothes by Gray & Osbourn, specifically a striped jacket by Betty Barclay (£150) and cobalt blue slim leg jeans by NYDJ (£140) which I chose from their current collection.  I'm also wearing Dune leopard print shoes, an H&M T-shirt and a cream Warehouse bag. Before telling you about the clothes though, I want to tell you a little about Gray & Osbourn.

Gray & Osbourn is an online business described as "a stylish designer clothing boutique for women who love confident timeless fashion."

I work with many women of differing shapes, sizes and preferences, for whom the High Street doesn't always deliver. Finding a brand that has the potential to do just that always makes me gleeful and I file it away for future reference.  It's also nice to see different pieces which not every one will be wearing to the same event.

The great thing about Gray & Osbourn is that they stock clothes for those women who can't just walk into Zara and pick up a pair of jeans, or go to Topshop for a neat little fitted blazer - or perhaps they can but would rather choose not to because of quality or comfort issues. Really it's a bit like Atterley Road but for a slightly different market. Some of the occasion wear is lovely and for me they are particularly strong on trousers, stocking brands such as Michele jeans, which come in three different leg lengths. I've also had a lot of success with  my ladies with Michele trousers, which they also stock and which are great for those ladies with more of a tum and with less on the hips and bottom.

As to the NYDJ which I am wearing, they are designed to lift the bottom and flatter the tummy. I can really vouch for their comfort and the cobalt blue, I felt, were a nice change from indigo denim and just a little more modern. You can see from the photos that they are slightly big on me and their claim that you need to go down a size is true. Sadly for me they don't go down any further, otherwise I would try them.

As to the jacket, it's lovely to wear. Just my kind of thing - striped with a bit of coral, comfortable and not too trussed up!

There's also a good selection of flattering swimwear which uses ruching and support where it's needed most. Plus, there are some lovely pieces in the occasionwear which include dresses with sleeves, such as this navy beaded dress (£250).

There are also some lovely sparkly pieces, such as this beautiful silver maxi dress (£350).

Additionally there's this lovely black and neon layered jersey dress (£190).

 

So next time you're on the hunt for a pair of jeans that truly fits, a swimsuit that flatters in all the right places or a piece of occasionwear that not everyone else will be wearing, it may be a good idea to check Gray & Osbourn out.

Disclaimer: I haven't been paid to write this post and I don't know whether the clothes are intended for me to keep or whether they are to be returned - sometimes I just don't get around to sorting those things out until after I have posted. But if anyone really wants me to let them know once I know, I'm very happy to do so!

Introducing my new find.....The All Saints Pia Dress

 

My new favourite find is the All Saints Pia Jersey dress (£98) which I am wearing in ink. It also comes in charcoal and khaki marl.

Now, a word of warning about this dress - on the hanger it looks like a big piece of wonky material with arm holes at different heights and a sloping hem. On a person it looks like well.....you insert the words! No, the thing is I hunted high and low for it in store, not quite believing that the wonky tube that I was being shown was the dress that I was after, but it was.

As to my second word of warning, this dress needs to be played with - a lot! I tried on the 6 then the 8, pulled it up, pulled it down, turned it around and upside down.

I like the fact that it can be worn at any length you choose, from just below the knee to mid thigh, depending on where you make it sit on the waist. This is definitely one that I will wear out with friends, to work and all of the way through the summer, at a longer length than I am wearing it here.

This dress will go with anything from a leather jacket to a blazer or a sparkly jacket. A long cardi layered over the top will work well as does a top layered underneath. Heeled boots, wedge trainers, smoking slippers, courts or dressier heels will all go with the dress - and I plan on doing the lot. Although possibly not all at the same time because in doing so I could fall over and whilst falling over from excessive consumption of bubbly stuff is fine, falling over from trying to get too many shoes on one's feet is just stupid.

With a cold spell on the way let's take a look at some fur coats to keep us warm

 

As you know I like a bit of a fur jacket/gilet. This one I bought from H&M kids many years ago now, when there weren't that many of them round. This season however it's a completely different story and you can't move in the stores for fake fur jackets (and leather leggings.) I generally wear mine with skinnies and boots but they can be worn over dresses for an evening out, with leggings and a longer line top or over a jersey day dress.

Have you noticed how children quite often comment on clothes? Sometimes our youngest will approach someone and say "Excuse me...." at which I point I steel myself for having to quickly back track/apologise/hope that the ground will open up and swallow us both. Invariably though she tells someone that she likes the colour of their coat, their bright shiny shoes or their pretty dress. Whilst I was at school today, I had three 5 year old girls come up and stroke my jacket. All of them liked it because of how soft it was.

I've taken a look around the High Street and identified these as some of my favourites:

Alfine fur jacket from Coast (£125) - Coast always has a range of fake fur coats each winter. Quite often the preference for a fur coat will come down to colour, so this is a good choice for those who prefer the brown colour palette, as opposed to creams or greys. It's also a good length for anyone on the petite side as it's not too long.

H&M has a good selection of fake furs too and I like the grey colour of this fake fur jacket (£29.99). Depending on what is in your wardrobe, it may be more versatile than the one above.

This slightly longer cream fake fur jacket from H&M £29.99 has a more laid back feel than the shorter, boxy, one from Coast. This is definitely one to wear with skinny jeans and biker boots.

Sorry about the tiny images of the New Look pieces! This black faux fur jacket from New Look (£44.99) has a really good shine to it, making it look much more expensive than it is. Using interesting textures, such as fur, leather and suede can alleviate the dullness of an all black outfit.

 Obviously fake fur can add bulk to the frame but with its open collar and shaping at the waist, this nude faux fur jacket from New Look (£34.99) is more flattering than some.

For anyone who doesn't like the idea of fur because of it being too animal like in colour, this duck egg blue bomber jacket from Topshop (£68) could just get you over that particular hurdle. Some will love it, some will hate it - but anything that is different has to have potential! (Whether it delivers or not is of course an entirely different matter!) It would go really well with the duck-egg blue bag I was using today - but more about that tomorrow....

This Lux fur shrug from Topshop (£79) is really cute. Again it's quite short but with a very high strokability factor!

With a cold spell promised, perhaps now would be a good time to wrap up in something stylish to keep the chill at bay.

Holiday packing - the why's, how's and why on earth?

Tomorrow we go away to Guernsey, for our final break of the summer. It's a while since I have done a post on packing but I always like taking a look to see what other people pack for their holidays and adopting (or adapting) their tips and tricks to make things easier.

 

For the beach/pool (I could be being ambitious here) I have a boy leg swimsuit from Seafolly. For similar, take a look here.  I also have Crew sunglasses and my bargain Asda hat, which is similar to one that I saw in Liberty a while back now. A bit of tactical ruching on a swimming costume, combined with a lower leg can make for an easier piece to wear on the beach than some I can think of.

 

I have a selection of tops which include two printed, one lace, one long sleeved, one striped, one sequinned and one neon. I like a wide variety of tops, largely to counteract the limited selection of bottoms that I take with me.

Experience has taught me that if I'm warm, I'm comfy and that if I'm comfy, I'm not grumpy. Well, that's the theory at least. So I have packed four jumpers - plus a cardi for travelling. Even I shouldn't be cold then.

From top left to right I have a coral H&M sweatshirt, mint cashmere jumper from All Saints, new Boden striped cashmere jumper and a black jumper from Zara which is a chunky cotton knit, slightly A-line with a zip up the back and pleats around the neckline.

As I mentioned, I have a simple selection of bottoms - 2x Gap jeans, 1x Joules skirt and also a pair of cut-offs. That's all that I will need for trips to the beach and to neighbouring islands.

 

We have one fancy pants event, which is my Dad's 70th birthday. It's being held at a Manor house on the island and is an evening event - but a fairly informal one. As part of it will be held outside, a flimsy little number won't do for me so I've opted for Jigsaw trousers (down to £79 from £139 in the sale) a Whistles sparkly jumper and Mango shoes.

 

 

This photo gives a better idea of the print on the trousers. I'm also going to wear a new bangle/cuff that I bought in the Karen Millen sale at the weekend. I felt that the bright yellow and diamonds would add a nice splash of colour to the outfit.

 

Are four bags excessive? Perhaps, especially when I'm only taking four pairs of jeans/skirts/shorts but here's how it works. The snake print bag holds the travel documents, which go in the Cath Kidston boat print bag, which I use as a handbag. To get around the limit of one piece of hand luggage, the Cath Kidston handbag goes into the larger Cath Kidston  bag which also holds my laptop and that counts as my hand luggage for the aeroplane. The striped bag is a beach bag into which the snake print bag goes with purse/keys/phone in it when I go on the beach. See, it all makes perfect sense!

As well as a good selection of tops and bags, I like a good selection of cuffs, so in addition to the Karen Millen one I also have the ones below, from left to right top row - Cochinelle, Cath Kidston, Tory Burch, Cath Kidston, Tokyo Jane and La La Rocks. To save on the weight restrictions I could well be wearing them all at once. Which gets me thinking, between us we have 10 wrists. Time to go and get some more to add to the collection.

I always find it really interesting to see what people use for skincare, hair care, make-up and nails.  I'm not sure but I think that I probably travel pretty light in that regard. Here's what I have:

Skincare - Boots face wipes, Estee Lauder advanced night cream (which I use in the daytime at the moment too) and Estee Lauder advanced night repair eye cream.

Hair care - VO5 styling wax.

Make-up

Bobbi Brown pot rouge for lips and cheeks in pale pink
Bobbi Brown lipstick in Wild Rose (more for the evening)
Clinique Chubby stick in curvy candy (daytime)
Maybelline "the falsies" volume express (fantastic mascara, I love it!)
Maybelline master smoky eye pencil in navy.

Boots nail polish remover pads and stay perfect nail colour in Me! Me! Me!

And here's one thing that I will NOT be taking with me. I saw it in H&M the other day in the maternity section. Imagine sporting that on your bump. Brilliant!

Mum on the Run - When is a cardi not a cardi?

Sometimes only a cardi will do. Something which is open fronted so as to show a flash of the top being worn underneath - but sometimes a traditional cardi just doesn't feel right. Slightly dated, too work like, something like my grandma once wore, something I have owned for ages. Time for a change I think....

Don't get me wrong, over the years I have had many cardis in my wardrobe. For a while I loved the silk ones that Jigsaw did and I had them in a whole host of colours. Then boyfriend cardis became the rage, and Zara did/does brilliant ones for about £20. Boden is fantastic for cropped cardis, either cashmere or otherwise and also for crew neck and V-neck ones in a whole host of colours.  I also had a couple of ballet wrap ones from Fat Face and although I hadn't seen any for a while, Jigsaw has a cashmere ballet wrap in three colours.  Hobbs and Monsoon are great for boleros and Pure is one of the best for cashmere but sometimes these types of cardis just won't cut the mustard.

So, what are the alternatives and when is a cardi not a cardi? (Yes, I know I'm winging it on some of them so is it OK if we just focus on the "alternative" part of the question posed above, as opposed to the "when is a cardi not a cardi" part?)

...When it comes in the shape of a biker jacket. Open or done up, this one from Mint Velvet (£89) is a slightly more edgy alternative to a crew neck, button up to the neck, pastel option.

....When it's a swing cardigan. This Mint Velvet lace cardigan (£59) has a slightly boxy style and it would look lovely with just the top fastening done up. Worn over wider jeans and wedges, it would give a real 1970's feel.

 

....When it comes in a soft blazer style, such as this woven slouchy front jacket from Jigsaw (£69).

....When it's a Chanel inspired tweed knit, such as this one from Jigsaw (£198)

...When it's floral. OK, so this one is pushing the boundaries as it clearly is a cardigan but it's a very pretty one at that and would make a nice change from a plain one. Warehouse printed cardigan (£38)

...When it's made of a "non-cardi" style fabric, such as this lurex linen cardigan from Mango (£29.99), which also comes in a neutral colour and has elbow patches on it. There's also a lurex one at Reiss (£89) and a sparkly one at Jigsaw (£89)

....When it's less formal than a cardi type cardi, such as this All Saints sago pirate cardigan (£98) which is a fixed wrap style with a draped collar in a typical All Saints colour palette ie neutral.

...When it's just too cool to be a cardi, despite being called one! French Connection palm knitted cardigan (£75). I love this shade of blue and the seam details and different lengths make it that little bit special.

As I mentioned yesterday when blogging in the blazing heat, today we came to Wales where it is very un-hot (I know that's not a word but it describes the situation well) and where it is very un-dry (ditto). The journey was good, with everyone going in the opposite direction to us because clearly they knew something which we did not - namely that it was un-hot and un-dry. But anyway, as I sit here blogging with the fire lit, all is well with the world and tomorrow should be better. I think....

I think that these shoes remained on for all of 30 seconds after arriving, before being replaced by boots. I'm also wearing Cos grey skinny jeans (love the fact that they come in in-between sizes) and a cowl neck jumper from All Saints with a neon t-shirt underneath. I'm confident that tomorrow will see me out in my bikini!!!!

Mum on the Run - An outfit to dress up with Zara silver shoes and a blouse, or down with a T and sparkly smoking slippers....

I like the idea of a versatile wardrobe. Pieces that work together and which can be dressed up or down, layered over or under other things and to which accessories can be added to give them a completely different look.

 

I used this outfit a recent event. Navy slim fitting GAP trousers are used as the basis, to which I added a sheer shirt with a pussy bow, silver shoes and a coral and silver bag to tie it all together for an evening out.

 

The fold over clutch was from H&M (£12.99) (although the coral/neon one doesn't seem to be on the web - just apricot or black). It also has a chain strap with it.

The French Connection blouse (£59) is lovely. It's sheer, so a cami needs to be worn underneath it and it's a really pretty colour. The pussy bow can be done up or left loose for those who prefer to do so. What I really like about it is that the hem scoops up at the sides, which is much more flattering than an even hemline, particularly if it is being worn outside of trousers. It avoids a blunt horizontal line across the hips, which can be a tricky look to pull off.

These Zara shoes (link below) are a great heel height and perfect for anyone who would rather keep their toes covered. They are flying out of the stores but are still available online. At £29.99 they are a great price and offer a nod to the futuristic trend without being too Star Trek like, or too scary!

As an alternative look, the same trousers can be dressed down with this blue dragon fly scarf from Zara (£17.99), these suede smoking slipper from Dune (£75) and a coral Zara draped top which is a really easy top to wear. It has a little weight at the front which goes inside and which is a great touch to ensure that the neckline sits properly. The ruching over the tummy is also a nice touch.

Some may argue that sparkly slippers aren't really dress down at all but you know me and sparkles. Equally they could be swapped for brogues, trainers, converse, ballet pumps or flat sandals for an easy, run around, look.

 

Here's a closer look at the Zara silver shoes (£29.99). Lovely for a wedding or christening where you may be on your feet a lot, or (predictably) with jeans too.

 

 

I really hope that everyone is enjoying the sun. We are off to Wales tomorrow. I can't quite believe the pile of jumpers and warm coats waiting to be packed, especially given what we have all be wearing today but I think that we may need them given the forecast.  I'm hoping to be able to post from Wales, especially as I spent 40 minutes last night sorting out my dongle, but we'll have to see on that one...