Hello and Happy Friday! It’s ages since I’ve done a casual outfits of the week post but we’re now in the hiatus between new season and everything sparkly so here’s a dose of real life! It’s been a much calmer week. For once I haven’t been travelling, so I’ve been able to opt for a low key wardrobe as I’ve either been home or office based. Half term finally begins here tonight and I’ve been trying to get things wrapped up so I can have some family time.
Casual outfits of the week – Sunday
It was still quite warm on Sunday and we had a full house for lunch, so I wore the olive coloured merino jumper that I bought on the recommendation of so many of you when I was last in London. I’ve been buying and returning a lot of different polo neck styles. I used to love polo necks but now I find they that unless they’re loose, they soon irritate me. I end up sitting at my desk with them hooked over my chin – not a good look. I’m therefore veering towards turtle necks which have a nod to the polo trend and are more flattering to the neck (which, Nora Ephron style, I’m starting to feel bad about).
Merino turtleneck; Black jeans; Suede ankle boots (past season); Orb necklace (this year’s version)
Casual outfits of the week – Monday
I wore my favourite blouse of the season on Monday but added a cashmere cardigan to keep out the cold. I was working from home so comfort was the key for the day and the smooth satin and cosy cashmere felt like a really luxurious mix to wear. By the way Uniqlo have just launched a brilliant offer for the weekend on most cashmere styles
Satin blouse; Cashmere cardigan; Skinny jeans; Block heel ankle strap shoes (this season’s version)
Casual outfits of the week – Tuesday
Tuesdays are my least favourite day of the week. I seem to be in a mad rush from start to finish because of various extra-curricular commitments that all fall on the same day. You can tell I’m not looking enthusiastic. I’m trying to wear shoes for as long as I can because I know that once I retreat into boots, that will be it until late Spring.
Suede jacket – Hobbs past season; Poloneck jumper; Black jeans; Shoes – Jigsaw past season
Casual outfits of the week – Wednesday
The weather suddenly became darker and colder on Wednesday. I was meeting a client that I know well for coffee and a catch up so I needed to be semi-smart. You may remember that last Winter I lived in my long camel and grey cardigans from Hush which are a soft lambswool blend and great for a day at home. When I wore the burgundy Winser merino coat a couple of weeks ago though, it opened up a whole new ‘smart casual’ window for me. I have since been trying to track down merino cardigans that are the right length, have a simple (not waterfall) collar and no buttons. I prefer them to come to my knee because then my outfit is operating within the rule of thirds and so everything just looks more chic.
I found this one at Woolovers. I’ve always thought they do good quality, well priced knitwear but their unisex approach put me off as the cut was often a bit boxy. However I discovered that this season they have introduced Italian merino and cashmere in cuts for women. This photo is a bit dark (which is just how it’s going to be until April now I’m afraid) but this is navy. It’s a mid weight merino and brilliant value.
Continuing with my non-itchy merino obsession I’m also wearing the other turtleneck from my London trip. As you can tell, I really like the loose cut of these jumpers with the slightly stepped hem. The jeans are a navy rather than an indigo dye so they are a little smarter than ordinary blue jeans.
Long merino cardigan; merino turtleneck; navy stretch jeans; shoes; necklace
Casual outfits of the week – Thursday
I was trying this jumper on to decide whether to keep it. I love the colour but the neck soon started to annoy me so it was lucky that I was working at home and could get changed. I do, however, want to give you the heads up on these jeans. They are velour and I bought them as soon as I spotted them. I’m going to be wearing them regularly in the run up to Christmas because I’m finding that I’m choosing them over my coated jeans for days (or nights) when I just want to add some subtle oomph.
Because they’re velour rather than velvet, they don’t mark and they wash easily plus, I really like the biker styling on the pockets which makes them less mumsy. I think they will sell out quickly so if you’re looking for an on trend velvet item that’s easy to wear, especially in the run up to Christmas, get them before everyone else notices them.
Polo neck jumper; Velour jeans; Clarks ankle boots – past season
Casual outfits of the week – Friday
I’m looking really tired today (which I am) and I have to go out after work which is why I’m dressed up. I bought this blouse in September but it’s the first time I’ve worn it. I haven’t shopped at La Redoute for years but I saw this in a magazine and ordered it on a whim, expecting to send it straight back. However the thing that amazed me was the quality of the lace. It feels like proper Nottingham lace. If you use code NEW25 as I did, you’ll get 25% off. As you can see I’m wearing the velour trousers again.
I invested in this black coatigan after doing the Winser post because I loved the way the burgundy coat made me feel. It is a heavier weight than the Woolovers one so definitely more of a coat than a cardigan.
Blouse; Coatigan; Velour jeans; Shoes
Midlife Lately
So, I’m now looking forward to half term. It feels such a long time since the summer holidays. It’s been an 8 week run and we’re all in need of a break from the relentless routine. We had originally hoped to do a tour of Scotland as one of my ‘before 50’ goals but unfortunately we can’t take more than a few days off. Instead we’re heading down to London to give the boys another dose of urban culture and catch up with my brother.
We’ve booked an ‘AirBnB’ again so I’ll tell you all about it when we’re back. I’ll be having a long overdue haircut and I’m also inordinately excited to be taking part in a Jaeger Instagram campaign. They’re a brand who, until now, have only worked with younger bloggers so it was really lucky that I was down there anyway and could say yes to the invitation. I’ll be waving the flag for the over 40 woman. I hope they’re not expecting me to do ‘glacially cool’ though!
I’m giving one last shout out to the winner of the Claudia Bradby competition. Lisa Cheney where are you? Please check your email and reply to me with your address so that I can send you your prize! If I haven’t heard from you by next Tuesday (1st November), we’ll have to draw another winner.
Have a lovely weekend everyone, don’t forget the cashmere offer at Uniqlo – if ever there was a time to treat yourself, it’s this weekend. I’ll be popping up with an Over40Collective project next week and catching up with all of your comments and emails but other than that, I’ll be away for a while. I’ve made up for it by doing extra posts this week. Here they are if you’ve missed them:
Chic layering ready for the cold snap
Best buys in the Hush flash sale – be quick
Other Autumn posts you may have missed
The process of learning which colours suit you
Using accessories to update your outfits – bags and jewellery
Using accessories to update your outfits – shoes and boots
Dressing in Hush from week to weekend
Reviewing cashmere on the high street
Women over 40 styling Marks & Spencer
Women over 40 styling Winser London
What I’ve been buying from Finery
