On the Run - Leather Jackets: Either or Neither?

I need your help to decide, should it be either or neither when it comes to the leather jackets?  Flo (eldest) initially decided neither, on the basis that she preferred my Oasis cream one. She felt that both were too big but then decided that she did, in fact, like the blue one . Okey dokey.

I also thought that these pictures may help anyone else who was thinking about ordering one of these jackets, come to a conclusion. I decided to simply put both jackets on over jeans and a jumper, without any accessorising.

So, this is a front shot of the French Connection one, size 8 and priced at £182.50 instead of £320.  I decided to order it on-line because the in store return policy isn't great and I like to have the option of returning things if I'm not 100% sure.

This is the Boden one, again size 8, priced at £210 instead of £350

This is the back of the French Connection one.

...and this is the back of the Boden one. I have to say, despite being too big, I really like the detail and shaping on the back of the Boden one.

This is the French Connection one from a distance...

...and the Boden one from a distance.

The French Connection one is much thicker, which is great for me as I can tell it would be warmer.  It also fits better than the Boden one (which is definitely too big) and I like the colour.  However, I think that I marginally prefer the style of the Boden one. 

Whether I keep either of them or not (and I'm honestly not convinced about either of them - which probably answers the question) I do believe that it is worth bottoming things out properly, especially if something is quite pricey.  Seeing the back shot of the Boden jacket made me appreciate the detail on it, which I am not sure I would have done otherwise. For now my conclusion is that I need to sleep on it. But ultimately, if you don't love something that is as pricey as this, it doesn't deserve a place in your wardrobe!

ps Apparently the Next sale starts at 5am tomorrow - it's a brave person who battles the crowds and shops at that time. There are also further reductions at Whistles and Pure Collection.

On the Run - Doing a bit of a wardrobe up date of my own!

July was meant to be the month where I didn't spend anything on clothes but I have changed it to August instead. It doesn't seem right to stick to a principle for the sake of it and the sales have been so good...

Having come to the realisation that quite a few of my pieces had passed their best, I decided to practice what I preach so, here are the results of a morning's work in which I topped up on some basics. I have stuck to a similar colour palette throughout, bearing in mind that I have grey and teal jeans already and a lot of navy - so everything should work across the board.

Jeans  - These are the Jaeger Boutique high rise wide leg jeans which I featured two days ago. Reduced from £125 to £35 in Selfridges, I thought that they were a great buy. They are very long but given their price, I am happy to pay to have them altered.

 

Zara Boots - Reduced from £79 to £30, I also featured these a few days ago.  I like the colour and the height of the heel. I haven't worn them yet but they will be getting a good spray with some protector spray before I wear them.

Blazer - Another Zara purchase, I found it in the more casual section. It too was in the sale, reduced to £30.  Try as I might, I couldn't peel the labels off to find its original price. Such as shame as I always like to know what saving I have made!

I thought that the blazer was really well made and loved the green trim on the inside, together with the breast pocket.  I always wanted to whip a warrant out of my inside pocket, Cagney and Lacy style!

Every day skirt - I spotted this in French Connection and really liked the print on it.  Too short for now, I will wear it with thick tights and ankle boots in the colder weather. This was also in the sale and was significantly reduced.

Smart day dress - Bought in the Boden sale, and as featured yesterday, I liked the blouson style and also the collar. I have only had a chance for a quick try on so I am not sure whether it will be a keeper or not.

Here is a closer shot of the print. I quite like the idea of picking up on the yellow/green tones in it, for a change.

Breton Jumpers - Again, spotted in the French Connection sale.  This jumper also comes in lilac but the prices of the different colour do vary.  They are a great fit - a decent length in the body and the arms and with some cashmere in them they are very soft.  They were half price, so again a good buy.

Zara blouse - Another sale purchase, it was around the £20 mark.  I have had my eye on it for a while. I really liked the print and it will go well with grey or teal coloured jeans that I have, as well as blue ones.

Here is a closer shot of the print - it's obviously fairly light and girlie so the skull shaped buttons are a nice contrast - and being gold you don't really realise from a distance that they are skulls.

We are going to a friend's birthday party on Saturday night and I bought this dress from Reiss at Bicester at the weekend. It was hugely reduced from something like £179 to £70 (ish).  I love the vibrant green colour and the slightly grecian feel about it.  As it is a stand alone piece, it doesn't really need to work with anything else in my wardrobe, so the bright colour was an added bonus.

With a poorly ones on our hands, I don't have time to get to the shops to acquire the necessary decency tape, so I am hoping that my friend can take some along and meet me there with it, otherwise it could be a bit of a disaster!

I also picked up this Coccinelle leather cuff from Bicester for £18. It didn't have its original price on but I would imagine that it was probably at least twice that.

Finally, the Boden leather jacket arrived today. I think that it will look better with a body in it! I haven't had time to try it yet but I will let you know how it fits.

The other item that I bought was some half price navy trousers in the Cos sale, to replace the ones that I wear a lot and which are looking a bit shabby.

The only problem is, since buying these pieces, the Jigsaw sale started. Fortunately (depending on how you look at it) being away next week means there isn't enough time to get anything delivered before we leave.  But I might just bring you a few pics instead of some pieces that it would be nice to have...

On the Run - Life Begins at 40 (Part 2)

Following on from yesterday's post, in which I looked at some of the items you could include to kick start your wardrobe, today it's the turn of accessories.

For lots of women, accessorising can be tricky.  I think it's really important to love your accessories and for them to make you feel special - because really they are the icing on the cake which is your outfit. It may take a few years to build up a collection of accessories that you like. Some may be inhereited, some coveted and bought in sales, some collected abroad, at vintage shops or immediately that you see them because you just fall in love with them and can't walk away without buying them.

We all have our views on what we can wear and what we like. Some ladies don't like the feel of necklaces and some don't like the feel of chunky bangles.  Others don't feel that they can wear belts and one client told me that the best thing about becoming dis-engaged was taking her ring off because she hated wearing it!

So, here are some items which I think do a great job of pulling your wardrobe, and an outfit, together:

A silk scarf, tied like the one above which is from Jaeger (reduced from £99 to £35) has a modern animal print.  Essentially neutral, it has coral and turquoise in it and will work well with lots of basic colours.  Larger light wool or linen scarves are also a good way of adding interest in to your wardrobe in terms of colour and print but without committing lots of money to them. My favourite shops for scarves are Mango, Zara, Oasis (they usually do a great silk one each season which goes into the sale) Lola Rose and John Lewis.

Sunglasses - the Queen of the sunnies has to be Victoria Beckham. Not only functional, they can give an outfit a whole new look - and also attitude! I can't bring myself to wear them other than on very hot days because I just don't feel right (see above)! Some can carry them off all year round and have that cool sophisticated look to go with them - I just feel as if I am playing dress up!

A statement necklace can bring the most simple outfits together.  What works for you as an individual will depend on lots of things, including bust size, length of neck, width of neck and so on. Some ladies don't like swapping their "proper" jewellery for costume jewellery so it could be a case of finding something which works with a necklace that you wear every day or finding a brand which does jewellery which isn't too "costumey." Stella and Dot, Coast, Hobbs, Jigsaw and Red Online are all good for jewellery - but there are hundreds of brands out there.

Statement cuffs are another way of adding sophistication to a simple outfit. Leather ones are great if they are likely to bash on a desk or if you have young children (Reiss has some nice ones).  Otherwise the bigger the better - if you like that kind of thing. The above one is from Jaeger again.

Bags are another great way of adding some style and colour to your outfit.  The shopper on the left is from Zara and costs £15.99.  The middle one, which is a bowling bag style and which will be a huge style next season, is from Orla Kiely and has been reduced from £380 to £247.  It also comes in several different colours.  The green tote is from Zara reduced from £59.99 to £49.99 it also comes in pink. Bicester is a fantastic place to get a designer bag at a good price. If it is something that you plan on keeping for years, the fact that it may already be a season out of date is neither here nor there.

As an alternative to the Orla Kiely bowling bag, Topshop has this cut out holdall bag for £42.

A final word - when it comes to belts, just keep an eye on their proportions. Wide ones can be hard to wear if you are short bodied or have a very curvy bust. Skinny ones tricky if you are very curvy. If your trousers fit well, a belt can be used as a lovely accessory, rather than as a necessity to keep your trousers up! 

On the Run - Life Begins at 40 (Part 1)

I read a really interesting article at the weekend about the former tennis player, Annabel Croft.  It was about how her daughter, Amber, took control of her Wardrobe, which was stuck in the 1990's.

This is what Annabel said about her clothing:

"For a good 10 years, after I had three kids, I got used to throwing on a uniform....I suppose I went into a bit of a tunnel and a lot my friends did too.  It wasn't until my children started growing up that I discovered I was completely out of the loop with fashion.  I'd forgotten that it could be fun, and I lost faith in my own judgment."

Having worked with so many women who find themselves in this situation, I found her last comment really inciteful. A lot of women have a really good innate sense of style but having not devoted any time to themselves, have just lost confidence. Once we re-ignite that dwindling flame, there's no stopping them!

She also went on to say: "Looking back, I can see that my look had got locked in the 1990s, before I 'd had children. I'd had the same shoes for seven or eight years and wasn't updating them. So, thank God Amber spoke up, or I'd still be wearing my Dynasty suits now."

Once her daughter took control, she taught her Mum how to layer things and to mix high street and designer pieces.  She styles designer pieces with something clever from Topshop or Zara and looks to brands such as Elizabeth and James (designed by the Olsen twins), Acne, LK Bennett, J Brand, Issa (a favourite of Kate Middleton) and All Saints. 

Having the figure of a former tennis player and probably a relatively healthy clothing budget makes it easier for her to look amazing but nonethelss, the point remains the same.

So, where to start if you have reached that stage where you finally have a little bit of brain space, and time, to devote to yourself?

Without wanting to do a "capsule wardrobe post" these are the items that I would look to add to a Wardrobe first to give it a new lease of life:

A good pair of jeans - and by good I mean well fitting, not necessarily pricey. I like these high waisted flared jeans (below) by Jaeger which at £35 in the sale are a great buy. I would also look to Not Your Daughter's Jeans, Hobbs, J Brand at Shopbop or Levi's,  curve ID as all are cut for women's figures.

• A good trench coat. Why? Because it covers a multitude of sins beneath and whilst also looking stylish.  I like this one from Aubin and Wills which is reduced in the sale from £325 to £150.  Made in the UK, it's of great quality and will last for years. It also comes in navy. It isn't too long so will look equally good with jeans and trousers as well as with a dress or skirt.

                             
Shirts or blouses. Why? Because they are so much more forgiving and flattering than T-shirts or clingy tops. Shirts with darts are particularly flattering and ladies with curvier busts will know to avoid breast pockets. Zara always has a great selection. I particularly like this Loas print blouse from Monsoon which is now £22.50 in the sale. It's a blue and turquoise delicate animal print.

I also like this pink Esther shirt also from Monsoon, together with...

this Suzy colour block sandy shirt also from Monsoon.

                                                           

             

Add in a blazer to add a bit of structure such as this NW3 boyfriend jacket reduced from £179 to £89 (and likely to be reduced further).

Zara always has an excellent selection of blazers and if you already own a plain one, then an embellished or tweed blazer is a great option.

                                                     

     

Some wedge shoes such as these Kara 2 strap espadrille reduced from £119 to £59, which also come in navy would be comfortable yet stylish.

  

                                                           
  or these LK Bennett Star Sandals (£45 instead of £125 or Embassy Sandals (£65 instead of £125) Even though they may not be available on line, I have seen plenty in the stores.


                                           


An A-line day time skirt such as this one from Boden reduced from £45 to £33.80 (Cos has similar) would work wonders and is a flattering shape...

and a day time printed dress is always a useful addition to your wardrobe.  This dress, also from Boden will lend itself to being put with lots of different colours.

Everyone's needs and demands will be different, as will their budget and bodyshape. However, with the addition of a few other pieces, such as a couple of knits - I love this one from Orla Kiely reduced from £265 to £132.50 which also comes in navy.

 

a breton top such as this one from Boden...

some day time sparkles and perhaps a lace skirt you would be well on your way to kick starting your wardrobe.

Tomorrow I will look at those all important accessories which will complete your wardrobe, making sure that you are the glamourous 40 something you deserve to be.

On the Run - A round-up of leather jackets that are in the sale

It was a long time before I owned a leather jacket but since owning one, I can't imagine life without it. I wear it over evening dresses, to dress things down, to dress things up, to make them more up to date and most importanly, it's warm without being bulky.  In fact, due to having worn it quite a lot, it has gone for a trip to the dry cleaners - so it won't be featuring on the blog for a while.

In its absence, I have taken a look at the leather jackets that are on sale - some of which I have tried on - and here is a selection of  jackets of different styles, and prices, below.  Some of them are showing limited stock so if you like any of them I would advise you to go ahead and order one - remember, it doesn't count until you decide to keep it!

This is the Chic leather Boden biker jacket in bark reduced from £350 to £210. Although described as brown, it is more grey. I used this jacket for a style event some while ago and it is a very flattering shape.

This Leather Biker Jacket in black reduced from £350 to £175, is also from Boden. Obviously a different style to the one and due to its length, less easy to style with little flippy skirts and dresses but it's a great jacket to wear with jeans, trousers and long skirts.

                                               

This is the sky leather jacket from French Connection, reduced from £320 to £182.50. I have tried this one on and it's lovely. Not as harsh as black but slightly more practical than cream, it's a great fit. Also good for those who tend to wear more navy than black as a base colour.


  

    
                          
       
This Milly pale blue leather jacket is from Reiss and it is reduced from £350 to £175.  More distinctive than either black, navy or cream, if you are looking for a coloured leather jacket this is a great option and at a good price too, for Reiss.


                                                         
The Joseph quilted leather biker jacket is  in a league of its own. Reduced from £945 to £567 it is by no mean inexpensive but this is a fantastic reduction for Joseph.  A true investment piece, it would last for years. 



                                                
             



This is Isabella Oliver's "the Leather Jacket" and it is reduced from £299 to £209.30.  Isabella Oliver is known for its style staples and is always a good option for those hard wearing pieces that we all need in our wardrobes.  They do a leather jacket, or two, each season.  The lack of collar on this jacket makes it more flattering for those who either don't like collars or who don't have a particularly long neck. The sleek line and lack of breast pockets is also good for those with a curvier bust.


                                 

The Zara leather jacket reduced from £149.99 to £99 is a fabulous jacket at a good price. It's showing as out of stock on line but you may find some stocked in your local store still.


                                   
          


This is an alternative to the jacket above.  The Zara leather jacket is again reduced from £149 to £99.99 The metal work is possibly slightly on the yellow side but it may be a compromise worth making for the price and with time, it will dull.


                                                  
 
Finally, this Jigsaw washed leather belted jacket is reduced from £495 to £295 A beautiful practical jacket, nipped in at the waist and with plenty of pockets for those all important pieces we carry, there's no need for a handbag. If you factored the cost of a bag into the equation, it really is a bargain (OK, it's not, but we can pretend.)

So, I hope that you have enjoyed the round up of these leather jackets. I also checked out Warehouse, Topshop and Oasis but didn't think that there was much on offer. If anyone has come across any others, please feel free to share them with us all.

On the Run - in Liberty for Nike trainers

Always eager to try out something a bit different but comfortable in the footwear department, I was excited to receive this box from Liberty this week...

...which contained these imperial purple liberty print free 5.0 trainers by Nike.  One of several styles, you can see the rest of them here.  They are part of a range of heritage and modern Nike classics, which have been remixed with Liberty's iconic lagos laurel print. Having loved liberty prints for as long as I can remember, and being a fan of trainers too - although more often in a sporting kind of way - for me they were a match made in heaven.

The first thing I noticed was that the laces and the toe details were slightly off centre - which took a while to get used to. However, never one to be put off by things that are slightly different, I grew to like them.

Unfortunately they were a tad on the small side for me and Liberty have sold out of the next size up, so I guess that it just wasn't meant to be.  However, were they to become part of my wardrobe, this is how I would wear them - very simply with navy trousers and a breton top.

In the colder months I would also add a sleek tailored crombie style coat and a smart handbag.  They would have been perfect for the days I spend a long time in the shops - comfortable but a bit quirky.

Hopefully it won't be too long before there is an A/W collection out. This time I just need to be quicker off the mark!

Today's outfit - Cos trousers, FC jumper, Liberty trainers