Seeing Red

Monday 13 August 2012
I'm getting this vibe ... it's all around.  It's been filtering slowly in to the shops (it is only August after all).  It was mentioned in Grazia last week.   And when Marlene from Chocolate, Cookies & Candies  recently unveiled some new offerings from Isabel Marant, it was confirmed .....  that red was in the air.

Red is the colour of love, the colour of fortune and prosperity according to the Chinese or the colour of "harlots and whores" to those of a naughty disposition.  Red seems to have been out of the fashion radar for an indeterminable age but I think this year it's been drawn out of the hat by the fashion brigade.  So red is back.....

 .... but more specifically the red I've been seeing and really taking a shine to is a shade of ruby red bordering on bordeaux.  I quite like it.  I'm fickle like that.  Call it bordeaux, pinot noir,  berry red - all lovely.  Call it burgundy and and images of burgundy flocked wallpaper adorning the walls of the local Indian restaurant springs to mind.  Well it does, doesn't it?

I've spotted a few pieces on my shopping travels and have indulged myself with just one item so far in my nod to 'red' from the High Street for this Autumn.  I'm still unsure how 'red' as a colour works in my wardrobe so I have just tentatively dipped my toe in with this jumper from New Look.  


New Look Slub Jumper
New Look Slim Boyfriend Jeans
Office Namesake Boots

Another holey jumper for me to hang myself on when passing a door handle

When I walked through the store, it was the only thing I liked but at least it's a goodie (in my eyes at least).  This piece is quite an easy piece to work with our old favourite, a pair of boyfriend jeans.  Coupled with the Office boots.  Job done.  But credit where credit's due - I didn't realise my inspro had come from Kate B - I'm also only one year late - she wore this in 2011 :


Photo credit : http://itallbeganinparis.wordpress.com

Does this mean I need the bag too?

And for those days when I need to run fast after the boys on their scooters, a swap of the boots for a pair of Converse works great too!


Cons for hotfooting after small people.
They are also still very white.

It has a slight drop hem at the back which is always a bum pleaser for those with less than peachy assets and I like to think it has a small hint of the Marant jumpers with the slubby texture which is good for those who can't afford the real things (me). Interestingly, the contrast colour in this jumper is navy as opposed to black which would have seemed the obvious way to go but consequently it goes extremely well with blue denim.  

The second ruby red item I like and call me a slow coach, snail or fashion luddite but I've taken quite a shine to this particular pair of wedge trainers :



I have tried innumerable pairs of wedge trainers over the last 6 months or so and they can be very much a hit and miss affair.  These are actually really nice in real life - definitely better than in the picture.  The price (£40) for those who who want to indulge this whim for a short period of time is good and they are much better made than a lot I've seen out there retailing for more.  The maroon shade is a little less harsh than black which is always good for me.  For some reason whenever I wear black footwear - I always feel like they're full stops on the end of my legs and "shorten" my legs (says she who has just invested in the black Topshop sandals).  This dark red pair are just that little bit easier on the eye for me personally with not too much going on.  I don't think I have much in my wardrobe which goes with them apart from the New Look jumper which is not a good enough reason to invest  .... but I am not of a sound mind and am a bit of a fashion slut. 

Other nice little pieces include :


This would look nice over a grey marl sweatshirt to 'dress up" a weekend look.  Or over a black crew neck jumper with the below jacket and jeans for a days shopping.


Come on - this is very Marant inspired don't you think? A little bit naughty but a little bit nice because it's done in such a great colour.  Dress up, dress down - any way you please.



And this is just a lovely Autumn dress with the bonus of nice length sleeves don't you think?  Worn with an oversized cardi, grey tights and brogues - great for the season ahead.  Or with black tights and black square toed courts for a pretty work look?  

All 3 items - quite versatile - to be worn as befits your lifestyle.

So - red done now on the fashion to do list.  Owls ticked off.  What's next?

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* 3 mentions of Kate Bosworth in the last month or so in my posts is wholly unintentional.

33 comments

  1. I agree Kate Bosworth is inspiring :)

    Also I had a little bit of a chuckle at your caption about hanging yourself on door knobs - I do this too! Glad I'm not the only one.

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    1. I featured another holey jumper earlier on in the blog under "scruffy me" and I have totally crucified that one hence the fact that I know it's only a matter of time before this one catches me out and probably meets a similar fate in a charity bag.

      I hadn't realised that Kate B was popping up so much but she does do some really good looks (owl jumper aside).

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  2. My goodness, that Next Jacket looks nearly identical to my IM Lexy jacket. I like your New Look jacket. I had the Ritchi but sold it because I found that I prefer my sweaters to be long.

    I know what you mean about black shoes. For petite ladies like us, I've found that black sneakers/ankle boots look better paired with black skinny jeans.

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    1. I haven't seen the Next jacket in real life so I can't vouch for the quality but if it's any good, I could be tempted. The Lexy is lovely especially in that navy/blue shade. I'd seen it on a number of bloggers and thought, that's my jacket (if I could afford it).

      The Ritchi jumper looks like it could be quite difficult to wear - it could bulk you if you're not careful. I'm not very good with shorter jumpers either.

      And today, I saw some lovely grey wedge sneakers from Aldo which I was parading in front of the very disinterested Grumps. Might have something to do with the fact that we had two hyper kids with us and that is not conducive to successful shopping!

      Just wanted to say - it's lovely to see you there on your blog.

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  3. I can't believe I am saying I like something from New Look but I want that jumper!

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    1. It's a great little jumper and not a spot of acrylic in it. Cotton and wool and just 1% elastane for that little extra softness and give. It was more flattering than I thought which I think is because it's got a V neck rather than a round/crew which shortens your neck. Go on - treat yourself - for the grand sum of £23. Also, it would be a good addition to your "lounging" repertoire you're building up for when September comes around.

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  4. I always had problems to find anything in new look that I like, but this jumper is very nice. However, I know from experience that once I see something nice in the magazine or on a blog - I can make a sure bet that Sheffield stores don't store the item. Today I went to have a look at a very nice jacket from next I saw in Easy Living...obviously, it wasn't there and staff never heard of it either. That's why it's very rare that I shop in this town!

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    1. Never ask the staff in stores like Next - they won't know. You need to ring Customer Services to check whether the item is available. I know - I've been there, done that and cursed the shop assistant for not knowing anything. And if it's changing over of the seasons, they take a while to filter the new stock in (says Sue the hardened shopper).

      I wouldn't have looked twice at the jumper on line but in store, it was a piece that stood out for good reasons where others stood out for being really bad.

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  5. Love this post! It's a jumper I would probably walk past but they way you've styled it is great...and how absolutely just like Kate's?! Fab! It also looks great with the Converse. And....I'm still unsure of the wedge trainers but I do love a bit of burgundy. Not with white laces though - I'd change those! Thanks for all your lovely comments on my blog - really appreciate them. Sorry for not following sooner. I've been away from wifi for about 4 weeks now with different family trips over the summer holidays. Back tonight again - lots of catching up to do! Hope you're having a great week, Avril xx

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  6. How are you getting on with your Dunnes pumps? Have you been converted yet -they are great for morning school runs admittedly.

    It's funny how this is a jumper I didn't walk past but is a jumper I would have overlooked on line which is how I do a lot of my shopping these days.

    4 weeks without wifi sounds hellish. I had a holiday earlier in the year in Scotland and there was no internet - aarrggh. There wasn't even a signal for a mobile so I was really out of it. I can imagine you have so much to catch up on with going through everyone's blogs.

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  7. The jumper is great - love it!

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    1. I love it too - just waiting for a few cooler days to justify wearing a jumper again!

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  8. Love the red marled sweater you chose - it really does remind me of Isabel Marant. I also like the color of red that you gravitate to - I like darker raspberry shades myself too :)

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    1. That's another good name for it too - dark raspberry! Anything but burgundy ;o)

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  9. Yes that is a total Kate B look - score! Love it, love it! Funnily enough I'm constantly being held up - by my open knit sweaters and cardigans, you'd think I'd stop buying them.

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    1. Me too but I don't learn. I've just had to "retire" one because it looked like a crocodile had been trying to fight it's way out of it - that was when I did a MAJOR hanging of myself on the door handle!

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  10. I love the jumper and I like the look of that next jacket also!! Need lots of cash as I keep adding to my wishlist! Hope you are having a good week:)
    ~Anne

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    1. Had a lovely week where jumpers were the last thing on my mind but now that I'm back - they're looking good again! Hope you have a good weekend :o)

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  11. That colour really is gorgeous ; it's one of my personal favourites this season too!

    Lovely post :)

    x.
    http://chicachia.blogspot.com.au

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    1. Thank you! I'm loving the colour too. Thank you for popping past - by the way, I love your glitter heels! Reminds me of a pair of Marc Jacobs red glitter Mary Janes I had - so very Dorothy from Wizard of Oz. They were so lovely but we had to part ways but that's a story for another day ;o)

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  12. Love the knit, it reminds me of something slightly similar that I have been watching at Fatface, and am so tempted to buy.I have also recently noticed the boucle jacket from Next (after wearing I'd never go there again - don't ask!), it was beautifully modeled by a sales assistant in my local store...if only they offered navy or grey. Also nice to see a Sessun frock that isn't too short or plunging at the neckline for once!

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    1. I would have loved the jacket in a navy - I would have bagged it there and then - as I love the IM navy version. Still not had chance to see the jacket in real life but I have to pop in to Leeds tomorrow so I may just have to sneak a peak :o)

      Is it the Frankie jumper on the Fatface site? If it is, then that would slot lovely in your wardrobe. I never think of looking in Fatface - I have to get over the mindset that they don't just sell surfy beachy stuff but that jumper is good proof that they don't.

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  13. *after swearing i'd never go there again* oops

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  14. Lovely knit- it looks great on you:) The jacket is so IM inspired. I can't resist boucle;) I'm not that into red, but love burgundy- it's so pretty for Autumn. Totally agree-I'm not into celebrity style but Kate Bosworth ALWAYS looks amazing.

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    1. I just thought that the jumper reminded me of something I'd seen before and after a quick google, there was Ms B wearing the jumper I had in mind. She does always look amazing except when her Mulberry owl is tucked in her skirt ;o)

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  15. Great finds there! Love the jumper and jeans combo. x

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    1. Thank you! Can't beat a good jumper and jeans combo - especially with the weather we've had this year! Looking forward to wearing it .... soon. Feels too much at the moment having just come back from Greece where the temperature was in the 30's every day.

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  16. Sue - passing the Liebster Award onto you for your lovely and interesting blog - pop on over to mine to grab it! Xx http://takingachanceinlife.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Oooh! What a lovely surprise to come home to! I will pop over and take a look to see what it is about and thank you for considering me for an award!

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  17. kate b has amazing style and i think your jumper is such a good find! love the blue thread more than the black actually, like you said it goes better with denim!

    steph / absolutely fuzzy

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    1. They have a black and white version too - perfect for grey or coloured denim. Is it too much to have two of these jumpers? Or can a girl never have too many jumpers?

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  18. Gorgeous jumper! I always liked that Marant one KB is wearing and I'm sorry I didn't buy it last year (or was it 2 years ago?). This one seems like a good alternative.
    By the way, I love almost everything Kate Bosworth wears.. so feel free to keep referencing her in your posts ;)

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    1. Same here but I just didn't know it - I never knowingly look to her for inspiration but at the end of the day, what the girl wears, she wears really well!

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Susie So So