By SolihullStyle Aug 22, 2023
Well it’s been a while hasn’t it? A while since I’ve written a blog. Why? I mean I’m not sure really why. I think it’s because I felt I didn’t have much to say or rather that I didn’t have much to say that anyone really wanted to read?
I don’t buy lots of new clothes or do shopping hauls on the high street so sometimes just think no one cares what I’ve got to say. We live in an all consuming world.
Blogs are historically written with the purpose of encouraging people to copy or be influenced by others. In the case of a fashion blog it’s to “buy into” the look that’s there. Maybe even buy the items that are linked? Often with the sole purpose of promoting a brand that the author is working with or in some form of collaboration with. There’s obviously absolutely nothing wrong with that. I’ve worked with small brands that I’m impressed by myself. I’m not here to preach and being a creative person I take inspiration from all sorts of places! I’m no angel either and love a good link! I love buying something new. But what really excites me is when that something new is exactly what my wardrobe needed. It’s a considered purchase.
But going back to writing a blog. For a long time I’ve been overthinking it and just hating the idea of being part of the problem. The problem of encouraging women to buy clothes that don’t suit their own personal style. Pushing a narrative that they try that isn’t them because it’s not tailor made to them. I’m a personal stylist and always been passionate about being part of the cure. If you buy clothes you love you’ll wear them. You’ll buy less and you’ll always feel like you no matter what setting you find yourself in. Even if you’re creative and need constant change there will be enough in your wardrobe with a few tweaks each season to keep that creativity fed. I want everyone to feel like that. I want everyone to know what it feels like to feel great in what they’re wearing. What I’d love the most is if you’re reading this and nodding going yes, yes and yes I know exactly who I am too.
So this blog isn’t here to make you feel guilty or feel bad about the things you buy. It’s here to shout out “hell yeah” to knowing your own personal style and well owning it! It’s written with love, real love; a passion and drive for you to buy into your look and not someone else’s or at the very least something to read with a cuppa that gets you thinking and at the very best it gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside that you’ve found your own way in the style stakes.
So I’m going to try and write a little bit more often again and try and start a conversation that might be helpful. Today there are no links to any items but if you feel something is completely you then please comment somewhere where I’ll see it.
As the summer starts to fade and are eyes are drawn to new season style it seemed only fitting to sum up what I’ve been wearing. Not all of it but just some bite size chunks that illustrate a few ideas I’ve had. It helps me to cement lots of thoughts which guides me through pastures new and stops me buying the first new arrival I see!
The PS of this blog is therefore to highlight the idea of items in your wardrobe that you can’t do without. Often called desert island products or foundations or probably the key pieces in your capsule wardrobe. Sometimes called fundamentals or foundations or building blocks. I’ll just give an example. They’re mine. The things that never fail to deliver. The items that I know I can put with anything and I’ll feel like me. One is a boyfriend or relaxed fit blazer and the other is a wider cut or relaxed pair of jeans. Not rocket science I know but something off piste is rarely worn every day! We will get to those “special “ items in another blog!
I’ve just done a photo dump but you’re all a really savvy intelligent bunch I’m pretty sure you get it and it’s good to not spoon feed otherwise we’re unable to think for ourselves and if we stop thinking we stop learning and stop growing and no one wants that.
Lots of love
By SolihullStyle Jul 10, 2020
The weeks are whizzing by and it’s not long until the school summer holidays kick in if they haven’t already for some. This year there’s not the big signing off and the blatantly obvious end of team. My kids have been home for over four months and I have to keep reminding myself that the hols will soon be upon us. It should’ve been quite a send off this year as the youngest leaves his primary school. Such a shame for so many children for lots of different reasons.
Of late the blogs have revolved around the IGTV styling video. This one is no different!
It’s all about a skirt. I’ve used a bias cut slip skirt ( previous season) but it could easily be any floaty or even pleated skirt that you might have in your own wardrobe. It could even be a wide floaty culotte or palazzo pant to be honest. As always it’s a mixed bag of my own clothes that I have at home. Ive included ideas for the summer, ideas for work ; a shopping trip or lunch with friends and some ideas to take you from desk to dinner with a “Mary Poppins” style bag!
I can get a bit funny about dress lengths with coats, maybe that’s why I love boyfriend blazers so much? As this particular skirt was asymmetric it kinda didn’t matter and made bringing you different looks with my own coats easier. Stuff like that is a matter of personal taste and will depend on what suits you as an individual. I’m afraid I can only dress myself for the purpose of these videos! Tweak the proportions to suit your own shape!
So once again I hope you enjoy the video. It’s a little longer than normal as I got carried away….I could’ve kept going!
I’ve linked some other skirts that are available at the moment, I’ve no personal experience of now they fit or what the quality is like but I’ve tried to find a few different price points for you and some sale bits! Most sizes were available for the sale finds at the point of writing this blog but stock sells fast as there are some incredible bargains out there.
SATIN SKIRT ABOVE – Massimo Dutti
LINEN VEST – H&M current season
CERAMIC MISS MATCH EARRINGS – Zara
RING – Nomination
BASKET SHOPPER – MMAA Social
TAN SLIDES – DUNE
BLACK SANDALS – & Other Stories
LINEN MIX COAT – Zara sale this season
CARDIGAN – Pure Collection London sample sale but LOVE this!
SKIRTS ABOVE – Both SALE at The White Company left right
SWEATSHIRT WITH SIDE ZIPS = ARKET sale (may be stock in stores?)
TRAINERS – sold out but I like THESE
TRENCH = M&S old
TOTE BAG – LK Bennett lots similar online HERE
COURT SHOES = LK Bennett HERE
SATIN SKIRT ABOVE – ARKET
TUXEDO POPLIN SHIRT – ARKET sold out …similar HERE
BLAZER – ME+EM options HERE
BLACK ANKLE BOOTS – Zara but styles widely available
JUMPER – The White Company lots HERE
TALL BOOTS – ARKET
LEFT – ME+EM
MIDDLE – ARKET
RIGHT – ME+EM
Makeup throughout is Trinny London.
Thank you for reading and now I’m off to plan some outfits for holiday! Yay! XX
By SolihullStyle Mar 19, 2019
So what’s new at Solihull Style? Well, I’ve been trying to up my game a bit more on social media. You know…fighting my corner out there in the ether amongst the selfies!!! I’ve started doing throwback Thursdays every Thursday… ooo on a Thursday ha ha! … on Facebook and Instagram to give readers a bit more insight into my background and experience in the fashion industry from design to styling. To show I’ve been doing this “thing” for a very very long time. From knowing about fabrics, fit, design and clothing consultation to understanding what women want and how styling works for a particular individuals need. Having empathy too with the struggles that life and family can throw our way. They are skills that take time to learn. The creative design part was there from the beginning! I never found it easy to talk about what I’m good at, it’s odd that. Maybe it’s a generation thing? Don’t brag! No one likes a big head? I dunno …. but lately I’ve realised it’s important to give people insight into your knowledge and experience. I’d want to know! So, if you want to know… and actually there’s some pretty cool stories too, stay tuned! Actually it’s not cool to say cool is it? So my now 10 year old keeps telling me!!!
I’ve been doing videos too. They started out about six weeks ago on IGTV on Instagram and they are going to be on Youtube too moving forward, so that I can post them on the blog for those that aren’t on Instagram. The idea behind the videos was to show how different outfits can be built around a few key pieces like jeans, a black trouser or a dress. I might use a few new season items just to add interest and keep things fresh and current. I can’t justify a whole new wardrobe every season but I might buy a few bits to add a new colour I like or a modern accessory. I’m guessing that’s true for most of us? Hopefully the videos illustrate this and hopefully you all have your own pieces at home that you can reinvent in your own way too. It’s just an exercise in getting our grey matter working and to encourage you to get items out of your wardrobe and wear them!
Each video starts off in the week at the planning stage! Lots of ideas go down on paper! Lots of scribbles! The notes of a mad person or a stroke of genius…. who knows… ha ha! I’ve really enjoyed doing them as it reminds me of the good old days….. planning outfits for London Fashion Week or jotting down design ideas while you’re out and about watching other stylish people go by in London…. absorbing your environment and taking inspiration from things that speak to you. Let’s all find our creative side and tap into the season ahead and style that we love.
I hope you enjoy the funny little stories about my crazy career if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram and I hope you get something from the videos too!
The idea for the video today came from this crazy weather we’ve been having of late. There’s been balmy evenings and abnormally high temperatures to almost artic conditions and heavy hail. You all know I love the versatility of a dress and if you do too, here’s one to watch!!!! Enjoy xx
By SolihullStyle Jan 07, 2019
STALKER!
A Happy New Year to you! I hope you had a lovely Christmas. The January sales are still on. They seem to get earlier every year and may well be out shadowed by Black Friday deals. You probably all know my mantra by now when it comes to sale shopping. I tread very carefully and try hard not to to be swayed by the reduced prices. I’ll “stalk” something I really wanted when it was full price and pounce on the first day of sale! I’ll buy a classic that I’ll get a lot of wear out of. The fashion items …well I’ll wait for the new season for that and buy a few high street finds to update my wardrobe. This year was no different. A black wool blazer from COS was my victim. I’d tried it on before Christmas and I knew instantly I loved it. To cut a long story short…and trust me I can drag out a story, I waited and got it the minute it went into sale at half price. I’ll get a good pair of jeans too…the ones that I can NEVER in a million years justify the cost of. I’ll do my research before the sales and then hold my nerve for as long as I can! They are in the bag…literally!
BUY A BLAZER!
I love a good blazer. It’s up there with a good leather jacket. Pick a style that works for you and you’ll never look back. There’s every option available these days and it’s easy to celebrate your own style and look. I love a slightly oversized fit then a can wear a thin wool sweater underneath, it’s a nice way of dressing down a tailored piece, gives a bit of attitude and stops it looking like you’ve used your work blazer at the weekend! Great with jeans, obviously and I’ve worn mine chucked over a dress. Mixing casual clothes with tailored items can be great fun and slightly unexpected whilst stopping my biker boots looking too…errr..grungy! I think you know what I mean? There’s a few ideas for you below. The sales are leaving sizes very limited but I’ve tried to pick styles that still have a size range left. You know I’m a fan of actually going shopping and there’s still choice on the shop floor if you see something online you like but your size is out of stock. Maybe call ahead first? Stores might not hold sale items but at least you can find out if there’s a chance of trying it. The winter sales can offer something that can be worn now and into Spring at a fraction of the price and give you the chance to purchase something really special if you shop savvy. It doesn’t have to be the mistake that hangs unworn in the wardrobe with it’s sale ticket still swinging because it was only £….??
JOSEPH WAS £455 NOW £185
MASSIMO DUTI WAS £139 NOW £99.95 COS new season ZARA WAS £69.99 NOW £49.99
MASSIMO DUTI WAS £169 NOW £84.95 ALLSAINTS (sale) availble in stores GERARD DAREL WAS £ 355 NOW £177
GERARD DAREL WAS £ 325 NOW £130 ZARA WAS £79.99 NOW £39.99 ALLSAINTS WAS £228 NOW £127.20 on promo
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little post. I hope you managed to get yourself something nice? I’ve noticed there are still some great bargains in the leather handbag departments. I’ll be posting some new season trends soon I’m sure. Keep a look out on my Facebook page as I often post it there to be quick. I’ve invested more time in Instagram too so if you’d like to see more regular up to the minute fashion fun then please come and join the party. I’ve been doing this fashion thing all my life and I couldn’t do it without all your support, so thank you. Every share and every comment or like makes a difference.
Thank you for reading XXX
By SolihullStyle Nov 12, 2018
OUTTA NOWHERE!
I wasn’t planning to write this blog at all after I’d got up and got dressed. I’d got up in the morning and thought..and I’ll be totally honest, there’s nothing new here. No point taking any pictures as there’s nothing helpful to tell. Then I thought I would go along the lines of the outfit being about feeling a bit poorly so being comfortable is sometimes, if not most of the time, ones priority with the busy lives we lead. Hmmmm, but then I’m wearing heels aren’t I so I knew you’d all be screaming at the screen at me! I was feeling poorly so I couldn’t really be a**** to wear much more than my slobs….oh yes I have those!! My youngest son had been nagging ….oh my goodness can he nag… he has this way of grinding us both down until we say yes. Nagging to go bowling! Rugby was cancelled for Remembrance Sunday so after lunch it kinda worked as an option even though I’d rather saw my own arm off. Choose your battles I guess and no one else came up with a better plan. I stared at my wardrobe. I did! I know I can’t say to anyone “I’ve got nothing to wear” so I had to suck it up buttercup and get out of my PJs. I really didn’t want to!!! I even ate my lunch in my bathrobe trying to pretend the inevitable wasn’t about to happen. Sundays is usually auto pilot for me. Put on thermals, put on jeans and really snugly jumper; put on puffer coat and hat and scarf…oh and boots and off to rugby we go! Easy. Today I had to think and I wanted to hibernate!
STRIKE ONE!
I might’ve had a couple of strikes. Is that what you call it?! I am fairly useless at bowling. It starts with the shoes for me and it’s all down hill from there! Back to my thought process of getting out the door when I really didn’t want to! My velvet jeans, that’s it…I’ll start with them! They are the only new purchase. I bought them a couple of weeks ago as I wanted a really black pair of jeans. I can’t tell you how comfortable they are. They are almost as good as gym tights but you can totally dress them up or down. There are other colours available online and they’d make a good staple for smart/casual party season looks. I’m hankering after the others as a change from black. With a true high rise they have become a go to when I feel my brain switching off. When I feel really lazy or under the weather I just reach for black basics. I just do. Something made me reach for something different…no idea why. Maybe it was just there in the pile on the chair! It happened to be a camel cashmere sweater. No rocket science here! If I could’ve put my bathrobe on top I would’ve! I think poor MR.W wants to burn said robe. It’s not even nice! I bought it whilst camping in Devon one year. I was so cold at night that I couldn’t sleep a wink. We found the nearest shop.. which happened to be LIDL and I bought it there. Unfortunately for him it came home from Devon! Still in denial I instinctively reached for my camel coat. Bathrobe like in it’s appearance and just as oversized and cosy. This coat is HUGE. It’s why I love it but sometimes hate it if that makes any sense? I’ll try to explain. LOVE it because it fits over everything, even really sloppy jumpers, HATE it because it’s not the most flattering garment in the world and I need to be in the right mood to want to wear it.
WHY THE VIDEO!
We did the video to show movement. We don’t stand still in life. Sometimes it’s the way clothes make us feel on a particular day that’s important. It can be how something moves too. It might be how we push up a sleeve or how we flip up a collar. You’ve heard the phrase “she wears it well”. Have you ever put something on one day and hated it only to love it another time? I know I have. That day I wanted to feel safe and in something that felt like a hug. I didn’t want fitted and tailored and camera friendly. I get asked all the time. “Do you ever look at someone and think…they shouldn’t be wearing that”. No is the answer. Who am I to judge someone else’s choices. I don’t know what that person has been through physically or mentally to make that particular choice in the morning. I’ve dressed ladies with all sorts of health issues and problems. I rarely get clients that find shopping easy or are a perfect standard ready to wear high street size, who is? If they did find the whole process easy they wouldn’t need me. Some of the things ladies tell me about how they feel about their bodies after child birth, surgery or ageing often breaks my heart. When I can help someone feel better in their own uniquely beautiful skin, it’s the best feeling in the world.
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM!
It’s the heels isn’t it? Why oh why if you felt like do-do would you wear heels?! I don’t know! HA ha ha!!! I knew I wanted boots…it was cold and I felt really cold. I couldn’t help myself. I knew I needed black “feet” at the end of my jeans to keep the illusion of height to balance out the oversized coat… I knew I was going to have to take them off at the bowling alley anyway. I failed at the final huddle to not completely let go didn’t I! I couldn’t help myself! In my defence, if I owned some black leather trainers I would’ve worn them…maybe?! Te he he!
ON A SERIOUS NOTE!
Boooo! Don’t feel like being serious but I guess I need to be helpful somewhere along the lines other than pointing you in the direction of some fab velvet jeans. I have bought a few bits of late so I’ll share when I can. In short I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the leather shoes at ZARA. You know I’m an advocate of buying less and buying as good as quality as you can with the budget you have but some high street finds have excelled expectations this season and if you love animal print, but can’t face a whole garment, then a leopard or snake shoe or boot is quite literally a fun way to dip your toe in. I’ve fallen for COS too where in the past I’ve found their styles a bit too shapeless (rather ironic really considering the oversized content of this blog!) but this season I think they’ve done a few beautiful quality basics at an acceptable price point.
COAT – H&M Premium Quality range… old season, finding your shade of camel is up to you! I like this one.
CASHMERE JUMPER – H&M Premium Quality
VELVET JEANS – Massimo Dutti current collection
SUEDE BOOTS – old season Sam Edelman
BAG – TODS at Bicester Village
I hope you’ve enjoyed my musings about nothing much in particular. Can you believe it’s November. The high street is already awash with sequin skirts and Christmas jumpers. Have you got the party season sorted?! Maybe this is the year I get a Santa sweater? Hmmmm! HO HO HO!
By SolihullStyle Jun 02, 2018
AU NATURALE!
Not literally naked! I mean more like …. served plainly or in natural style! I’m loving the high street’s infatuation with all things natural this summer. Every website has a Linen edit which is music to my ears. Oh how I love cool linen and cotton clothing in the heat. I always have and then throw in French style basket bags and I’m ooooo errr yes! In HEAVEN! Ha Ha! Well what a season it has been so far. One minute we have thunder storms and the next we are baking our bits off! I find packing for anything a nightmare. Not just for me but for the kids too. Even just packing an outfit post gym. By the time I’m done and out of the shower the weather has changed season in the blink of an eye. Whilst shopping with clients I have opted to freeze first thing on the station platform so that I’m comfortable in the heat that the rest of the day brings…. only to get soaked in a down pour at 3.30 on the school run! These dilemmas have filtered their way into my working day. Clients are finding life a challenge too and I’ve adapted their shopping days to suit. Clothing needs to multi task and what we buy has changed over the last few years.
LET’S DO THIS!
That said, let’s just do this! I mean summer! Let’s think and dream of the summer holidays ahead and all the lovely sunny weather that WILL come our way. Let’s face it, when it’s hot here, it’s really hot! My summer holidays are never far from my thoughts and if I spot something that will make my hols even better then I’m in! You all know my mantra by now to buy less and buy better. It’s why I struggle with this blogging malarkey. I hate buying loads of cheap clothes that I get bored of quickly. I love good quality nice things and actually once I find something I really love I’m more than happy just to wear it on repeat. Having said all that, high summer is a slightly different kettle of fish. Especially high summer holiday gear. I’m not a big fan of spending too much here. Let’s face it, clothes tend to get covered in sun cream and go yellow, get encrusted with antiperspirant and go yellow or I “glow” on them and they go yellow! Pretty much everything ends up yellow! This year I’m finding I “glow” way much more than I did last year! That’s a whole other story!
A HOLIDAY DRESS!
You can’t beat a 100% cotton frock for the hols. A little throw on number to get you from the beach to the car or back to the hotel room. We go camping to Cornwall most years (though this may change next year as the boys get bigger) and I like pieces that I can get ready in quickly after a swim either in the sea or by the pool. I’m always racing after two speedy boys so when I saw this ZARA dress online I knew I wanted to try it, so try it I did! I well and truly opened a can of worms didn’t I?! I’m sure some young thing wouldn’t have had the problems I had and would’ve slipped into one quite nicely thank you very much. My 46 year old self didn’t have as much luck! I tried five in store to find ONE that “sat” right. By this I mean, one that didn’t have a wonky strap or not enough wrap so the split showed wooo hooo! “The one” I found was perfect! The straps covered my bra… ace! You’ve gotta have boobs to understand what joy this is! It had enough wrap to be descent and I just loved it! So home I trotted! If you can trot on a train???? Chuffed to bits I was with my new holiday frock! I was gonna wear it on the beach, by the pool and everyfing!!! I put it on to show Mr.W after relaying the WHOLE story in minute detail, of course he listened to every word I said!!! (hmmmmm!!!) The climax built as I came down the stairs for my grand entrance in my £25.99 dress that was the answer to all my holiday wardrobe prayers (obviously I had explained all this is every detail too!! ha ha ha!) and……. I had brought home the WRONG (oh how I want to say it! *****) DRESS! I mean, who does that? Clearly me!
I SCREAMED OUT LOAD!
I did! Not to be defeated I ordered five online. It took five in store so I wasn’t taking any chances, oh no! ZARA must’ve thought …. actually I’ve no idea what they must’ve thought as they packed up five size medium sun dresses into a box all going to the same address? I collected them and tentatively tried them on. Go on guess? Yep! ONE was good to go! Returning the other four was a bit embarrassing but I reckon the staff in ZARA have seen it all. That’s what I’m telling myself anyway.
Sun dress – ZARA
SIDE TRACKED AS A FELL IN LOVE!
Quite simply I fell in love with this basket. It was a little find in TOPSHOP Birmingham. It’s sold out online at the mo but there are some left in store if you’re quick and It’s your thing. I can’t remember exactly how much it cost??? Around the £29 mark I think??
A FUNNY LITTLE STORY!
It’s a good job I can laugh at myself. I know I’m a bit crazy and I know I’m obsessed with fashion and styling but honestly don’t get disheartened. Shopping isn’t always easy and the high street can be both wonderful and awful all at the same time. A bit like being a mum? Finding the right thing can be frustrating and I often have problems with sizing and quality. It’s not just the cheaper brands either. I had to return Levi jeans too the other day that were too big when I tried them on from an online order. I had to go back and buy the actual pair I’d tried on in store to get the fit I wanted and they were both the exact same size on the label and the exact same style of jean. It’s not you…it’s them! Ignore size labels. Don’t feel deflated if you have a day where you feel that you have to keep going up a size. The next day and a different style and you might find you go down a size. I have clothes in my wardrobe that span the size spectrum but they all fit me. Shopping isn’t easy all of the time for everyone else. Just have fun, keep calm and carry on.
THIS WILL REALLY CRACK YOU UP!
If I don’t admit to this I know my mate (bless her cotton socks!) will dob me in and post it any way on social media so I may as well come clean. I took the ZARA sun dress back! I am hilarious! I decided it was all too much work and that the dress wasn’t really “me” in the end. Does anyone else do this? I don’t mean go to the extremes I did, that’s just bonkers, I mean want something, get it and then not want it? I just wanted to get it spot on then decide, makes sense right?
HAY CAMO!
So THE Zara dress would be great for someone else. Me, I’m still searching for fun summer bits and bobs. I hate shorts, really hate them but I’ve found a few pairs lately that I’m really pleased with and have kept! I’ll share soon hopefully as work winds down. Also I’ve been exploring camo print. Not in the form of a jacket as one might expect but camo pants….TROUSERS! Watch this space………
Thank-you for reading! Have I really committed myself to my next blog being about shorts?!!! arhhhhhh! No, camo print next, yes camo print! Phew! XXX
By SolihullStyle Oct 24, 2017
AUTUMN!
It was straight back to work after the summer holidays and now we are already at the mid season sale point. This is when things start to get interesting and the high street starts to really find it’s feet and come up with the goods as the mid seasons sales disappear and the new drop arrives. After half term I’ll be back to it with a fully booked first week. In short life is hectic. Crammed full to the brim. On the days I’m not working I’ll kick back with a gym workout and catching up with friends at our favourite coffee shop. Well life can’t be all work and no play can it?!
TO SPEND OR NOT TO SPEND!
That is the question. I don’t need any clothes but obviously I’m drawn in by the trends. I do love winter for it’s cosy knits and luxurious fabrics. The down side is that this can come with a hefty price tag. Good bags and great coats aren’t cheap. I can give you the trends and you can choose if you want to buy into a quick fashion fix or not. I’m seduced by all the beautiful berry shaded coats this season from scarlet red to deepest burgundy. The high street has it’s versions and you can pick your price range depending on your budget. “Check” weave is EVERYWHERE and wear it from head to toe in the form of a matching suit if you really want to make a statement and wear this season’s heritage vibe the 2017 way. I’ll be punctuating mine with a dash of denim if I finally give in and buy a check blazer! I think I’ll be giving check cropped wide trousers a miss. Red boots and sock boots are here to stay another season and actually the red options can be more versatile than one might first expect, looking good with blue denim and more tailored pieces alike. As always the trends prove to be a mine field. This season is no different and the high street continues to be quite extreme. Extreme in it’s styling and extreme in it’s details and extreme in sometimes providing a very oversized fit. I haven’t bought anything new this season yet. I find this blogging malarkey my biggest challenge. I’m increasingly drawn to buying less but buying better. I realise the pieces that I love the most in my wardrobe are the pieces that have cost the most. I am trying to save my money and buy great things rather than lots of bits and bobs that all add up in the end. If you’ve ever got any questions about the season’s looks then feel free to ask away but don’t expect me to be wearing them all! What am I looking for then? What’s on the wish list?
1) A day dress. Huge challenge here so don’t hold your breathe!
2) Comfortable shoes I can walk in all day that are NOT trainers!
3) Simple knitwear to go under coats (I post this every winter so I’m on it this time around and I’ll keep you posted)
4) Good quality jeans (as per!)
5) Maybe a new trouser shape? hmmmm, not sure, still mulling this one over! Side stripe trousers are still holding strong and I like them but…….
WEEKEND WEAR!
There’s no surprises then that my “outfit of the day” in this blog is fairly classic with some investment pieces thrown in to illustrate my point! The outfit was understated on purpose as there’s a lot going on in some of these pictures! I can’t get pics of what I wear in the week very easily unless I ask a stranger. The problem is that at the weekends I spend my time watching kids play football or rugby on a cold, wet field. It’s the main reason why buying into trends has become less appealing the older I get. There’s just no chance to wear them anymore. After the normal routine of footie and the gym there was a chance to come home and play with the latest acquisition! No not a new pair of shoes, sadly for me, but something that filled the hearts of my boys with sheer delight! Anki Overdrive is in de house! I’m a mum of boys so I either choose to stay at home or go off on my own and do my own thing or I choose to watch every football match and watch every rugby match and make every bacon butty. I have chosen the later in a very conscious decision to not miss out on seeing them grow up. The arrival of this new game gave me another opportunity to choose to get stuck in and got involved. With no tricky remote control or levers, just download and use your Iphone or Android device to control your car, I quite enjoyed loosing (as always!) to my boys as they roared with laughter at my misfortune! After a morning blowing off the cobwebs playing sport outdoors, as the day drew in, it was nice to have something to play with that the whole family could enjoy. Other than zoning out on Ipads, it’s the first toy that neither of them has got bored with. It even held their attention for longer than making slime with their Dad. They played happily together without arguments for most of the afternoon. Chatting and discussing their progress with each win giving them access to more features, weapons and vehicle capabilities. I have to say that we were very impressed with the amount of enjoyment it brought. I was kindly gifted it to try and my honest opinion is that I would recommend it to anyone. its like a 21st century Scaletrix!!
STILL A CLASSIC GIRL AT HEART!
Talking fashion. There’s nothing ground breaking about my outfit but I felt good in it. It felt like me and felt comfortable while still special with the addition of some investment pieces bought over the last year. A plan had come together shall we say?! A pea coat. Always in fashion and if you can wear a double breasted coat it’s a great item to invest in as it can look good worn with jeans; tailored trousers or over a floaty dress (hence the wish list above requiring a day dress!). The great white shirt, well no introduction required here but every wardrobe needs one. Vintage style jeans. They are mahousive this season and the high street is awash with it’s offerings. I have tried many and I have to say that I now believe that premium priced jeans are worth their price tag. Loving high cotton content denim with authentic vintage wiskering; a button fly and a high rise. Even the super polished Mrs.Beckham has been papped wearing her Vintage Levi’s! Now I have tasted quality jeans I will gradually be rebuilding my denim wardrobe styles with better versions so watch this space! A great bag. Gotta have a great bag right? Nuff said! Adds polish and the finishing touch. Boots. I have found sock boots to work really well for me. They are tight to the leg so this boot style just goes underneath my trousers or jeans. Working with all the style of trousers I have in my wardrobe from straight cut denim to kick flare trousers to cropped wide leg trousers. Simplz! There’s no worrying where everything finishes or where the bulky rouching of denim around the ankle goes. The most frequent question I get asked? “What do I do with my jeans when wearing ankle boots?” “Do my jeans go inside or out?!”
THE LEARNING CURVE!
As I get older I realise I need far less and as I grow and know who I am I find it easier to invest in clothes that I know I will wear. The risk has gone and it’s a wonderful feeling when you really know what you like. The days of buying a going out top on Saturday afternoon for the night out on Saturday night are well and truly over! The frustrating part is that I now find it really difficult to part with my hard earned pennies on poorer quality items. There’s been a turning point in the last few years and I’m trying to get my head around the shift! There’s definitely been a tipping point in my latter 40s. Having said all that, fear not Zara, I will not completely desert you and I vow to find the gems amongst the mountains of polyester!
GREY WOOL PEA COAT – The White Company (old)
STRAIGHT HIGH RISE JEANS – Agolde (sold out but similar here)
WHITE SHIRT – H&M
SOCK BOOTS – Topshop (old similar here)
HANDBAG – Tods (Bicester Village)
WATCH – Fossil
BRACELET – Pandora
MUG – Villeroy and Boch
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little hop scotch around my life! Family, fashion and a good old dollop of fun. I’ll keep posting outfits and fashion when I can. Stay warm you lovely lot! Thanks for reading. XXX
Thank you to JAVA LOUNGE for letting me take pics of their cakes!
By SolihullStyle Jul 23, 2017
MY VISIT TO THE OBAG SHOWROOM!
When it comes to illustrating what a brand is all about I sometimes think that images can speak loader than words. When a product is as fun and as individually diverses as OBAG it can be difficult to explain all the different ways these bags can be put together to suit your own individual style. That’s why OBAG invited me to come and see their new products. The team are so passionate about the brand and would love you to come and visit them at their showroom to see the bags, watches and accessories first hand for yourself and let them demonstrate all the different ways you can make your bag reflect your own personality. All the bags come fully interchangeable from the body; to the strap; to the interior inserts to the added accessories and bag charms. There’s new styles in house (including a fabulous soft back pack); new colours; new fabrics and new accessories. Visit online too to see the full collection at obagonline.com. The team are excited to introduce their new “Flower Power” styles which feature ditzy little floral motifs in a range of colours. There’s definitely something for everyone and I loved the neutral shade bags this season and I still have a soft spot for my OBAG beach which may feature on the holiday blog with new neutral robe handles! With a massive trend this season for all things in natural shades, Obag has it covered. My personal favourite was this milky coloured large “moon” bag. So, feast your eyes on some of the style options I photographed on my visit to the showroom and please be encouraged to pay the team a visit.
I hope you enjoyed this blog. It’s been a while I know since I sat down and wrote a blog but hopefully over the summer school hols I’ll get a chance to post some more. I’m not a full time blogger as I have a very busy personal shooping business. I do this for fun and to promote local businesses where I can. This is not a sponsored post. It’s done for free so all opinions are my own. You may or may not know that OBAG has closed it’s store in Touchwood in Solihull. As I said above, please feel free to call the OBAG showroom and pop along ( Unit 30 Monkspath Business Park, B90 4NZ TEL: 0845 5196161). They would be so excited to hear from you and would love to explain the products in more detail. Really, the range and options within it are endless. I’ve always thought that some of the bags (especially the Flower Power range) would be so great for young girls. My OBAG Beach was the best beach bag I’ve ever used on holiday. It was totally suncream and kids wet cozie friendly! Nothing phased it what so ever! Thank you for reading and I hope you all have a great summer!