Tan, Beige and Camel

Wednesday 3 September 2014


I was having a nosey at the Matches website and the title "How To Wear : The New Denim" caught my eye. Along with some nice pictures of ladies in tan/camel/beige clothing and jeans. Cool. 





This means I can drag out my old beige/oatmeal cashmere boyfriend jumper out of hibernation and whack on my jeans (which I do every day anyway) and tan sandals and pretend that I am all fashion and with it :o)




George Cashmere Jumper, Topshop Necklace, Jigsaw Bag, New Look Jeans, H&M Sandals



And I like the suggestions they've pulled together to work this look because I bet we've all got a little bit of tan/camel/beige in our wardrobes just busting a gut to have it's moment!




Anyway, I found a few beige/camel/tan items on my travels which might be of interest to you :


The Budget Friendly Cashmere Jumper :

I like a bit of a cashmere. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'll take cheap cashmere over similar priced lambswool any day - it's still softer!



This slouchy H&M number is not dissimilar in style to mine but the colour is definitely more camel whereas mine is "oatmeal" but it's in that colour group if you give it a lot of leeway. I've not had any experience with H&M cashmere - they never stock it in the Leeds stores so I can't vouch for how well it washes and wears but I can't really say I've had many problems with my cheap cashmere knits. Besides, the cheaper they are, the more likely I am to wear them. I'm less "precious".

And I've just thought, there are always the men's Uniqlo cashmere v-necks to investigate. This one is nice but it doesn't have the deep v which makes for a more feminine take on this kind of jumper.


The Not Quite As Friendly on the Purse Cashmere Jumper



This has a neater narrower neckline than on the H&M jumper but is still quite deep which will probably be a lot more flattering on. I bought and tried on a number of v-neck jumpers earlier this year and I was trying to work out why one jumper was more flattering than another and a lot of it was to do with the way the V is cut. Narrower deep V shapes are more flattering than the wide V's and will also stay in place better. Well at least for me. And you get a bit of nice cuff detailing here on the J Crew jumper here. As for the feel and wear - you tell me, if you order one :o)


The Affordable Cardigan

Well it was near the jumper when I was looking around!



I like a boyfriend cardigan - I wear my grey Uniqlo cashmere one a lot and this is a similar shape so it should be a nice sling it on number. And I think the lack of buttons means you can style this up by belting it with your own leather belt to add interest to an otherwise plain solid piece. Or you could buy it and the jumper together and have a twin set. Infact, twinsets have not been in fashion for some time so I'm pretty sure it's only a matter of time before twinsets have their moment again - right?


The Not So Affordable Cardigan :

This one costs a few more pennies and pounds.



The Acne Denice Cardigan. Big cardigans are in I believe. This one is a good one - the shape is almost kimono like and I like that's it's a boiled wool - it saves you the trouble of shrinking it yourself. The wide sleeves are good for all that layering you're going to be doing when the temperatures plummet and to really get your money's worth out of it - you can wear it as a dressing gown too! 


The Nice Bag :

Sweet isn't it?



This is the Eric bag from Mimi Berry. A brand which I've started getting quite interested in since I discovered this little beauty. I think of them as a more affordable less ostentatious Mulberry. And that's good in my books. Now this is a lovely rich colour going by the photo and wouldn't this shout out against what you're wearing? I think that once this is carried lots, it will take on a lovely patina and tell the world how much it is loved. And if Eric is a little small - take a look at Frank (I love the names!).


The Other Bag :

Because we can't all afford to indulge in the Mimi Berry bags, there is this Carvela one ....



.... which has a bit of a nod to the Mulberry Willow tote but at a much more forgiving price. Again, in a rich tan which will add a bit of colour to your sombre winter garb. It has a strap, it has grab handles, it's got a zip to prevent pickpockets (it's a Chinese thing), its a useful size, what more could you want?


The High Street Winner Coat.

Good old M&S. They came up with a camel coat just as I was doing a little search. 





I actually saw this one today but there were none in my size but I couldn't resist a try on even though it was two sizes too big. This one has a lot of potential for an affordable high street camel coat. It's a nice weight and has a bit of structure which looks like it will wear well. After I tried this one on, I went and hunted down Topshop's camel offering this year which looked pretty poor after the M&S one. The fabric felt thin yet stiff and I have a feeling it will crease a lot. Yes it's half the price of the M&S one but if you can afford it - go for the M&S version which is still cheaper than the next one which is ....



I also came across this on my travels.




The wool looks nice on this which means I would stroke it lots. And it's single breasted. And it's a very simple cut which shouldn't swamp. And it measures 85cm in length. This means it hits above my knees which is good. I think this might be a goer ... apart from the price. 

I wonder if there will be any left in the NAP sale in January???





40 comments

  1. Love this colour, I think it always looks expensive. I spotted the M&S camel coat at the weekend, great shape - I made my mum try it on so I wouldn't be too tempted. We both loved the simple style, but thought the material would be prone to pulling? The Navy cocoon M&S one is softer material, wish it was similar to that. Totally see you in APC one!!!

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    1. Pulling or pilling? It might pill - I learnt that last year with my M&S navy coat that I got and had to return and that had a good percentage wool content so that was a bit of an eye opener. The navy cocoon one does have a softer drape about it and suits that particular cut well but I'm staying off navy coats - I end up having to defluff them every time I walk out of the house and I can't wear grey cashmere without it shedding all over them. Maybe I should just wear a fleece and be done with.

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    2. Pulling - maybe that's my awful English. The weave appeared to have loose thread here and there that could easily catch with rings or keys and cause a pull. However, I still love the colour & simple cut.

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  2. Love this combo! I always think I should have a minimal wardrobe of black, grey and camel...and then I just get too distracted by trends!

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    1. I have to admit there is something very timeless and classic about the camel shades - the Matches piece certainly caught my eye. I love the idea of having a minimal wardrobe to what you mention but I always find myself peppering it with little fun finds which bend the rules a bit - we can't be too safe all the time can we?

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  3. I love these soft tones and I wear a lot of them come autumn and winter. I also love a bit of cashmere and I'll be checking out George & H&M to have a nosy at theirs soon! Great picks, Sue, and you look great as always. Lynne x

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    1. This is your colour palette isn't it - nice warm tones. I haven't seen any cashmere from George for a number of years actually but F&F still put them out each year and they have just put a similar coloured one to what I'm wearing online. It's a more fitted shape and having studied it, it's the same shape as a camel one I've got from there from a couple of years back.I confess to my F&F one being "rested" until I've regained my waistline. Which might be never in my case.

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  4. Hi, Sue, I love this classic camel denim combination, even when wearing the more budget cashmere it still looks so expensive! Will definitely check out that h &m cashmere, looks really good? But have to say the apc coat is the business!! Helen xx

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    1. Yes the APC coat is the business isn't it. I really struggle with finding a good "affordable" camel option which fits. The proportions are always a little bit out for me but I think the APC one looks workable. And after the grey love in for the last few years - maybe it's time for the beige/tan to get it's little 5 mins this year.

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  5. Hey Sue. I absolutely adore wearing these colours in the AW seasons. Thank you for sharing so many lovely products and you look lovely here too! x

    www.misserinohara.co.uk

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    1. Thank you Erin! I'd forgotten how nice these camel shades were until I saw the pics on Matches - a fab bit of inspiration for everyone.

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  6. Love these colours together Sue, just simple, classic & chic - what's not to love?! Plus it looks fab with a bit of leopard print too ;-)
    Jane xx
    My Midlife Fashion

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    1. I think that's it isn't it - classic and chic. I almost put a leopard print coat in here but I'm sure I can save that for another post, another day!

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  7. Thanks for this neat round up Sue! You look great! It's such an easy look to achieve and you can vary the depth of the beige/camel with the jeans. I'm afraid I'll be living in this combo most of Autumn [plus some printed scarves/shawls - yes, shawls are going to be my new thing :-)].

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    1. It's a very easy combination and like you say, you can adapt the shade to your jeans and to your own skin tone as some of us will suit the lighter tones and some of us the darker. And I've not thought about shawls - I shall have to watch and learn from you.

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  8. Hi, I have the H&M Cashmere jumper - I can't lie, it's obviously not the softies cashmere, but for the price, it's not bad. But it is a really lovely cut, so flattering on.

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    1. Hi Kate, thanks for that little bit of info. For the price, I have to say, I wouldn't expect the best but if the cut is good - that will take you a long way. And the price is even better at the moment with H&M offering 25% off a full price item online!

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  9. Very nice colour combination! The good thing about having a well rounded closet is that we often can reproduce these looks without buying anything new :) I'd use my light wash denim for Levi's, beige/oatmeal cashmere jumper from Galeries Lafayette and cholocate brown Repettos for this one, avec chocolate or camel hand bag (yes, I own one of each. And a Cognac one, and a natural tan one. I'm very weak to leather bags :) ) There might be some interesting deals to go snatch at Uniqlo as well these days, the latest Ines de la Fressange collaboration has a lot of such warm colours, as I saw.

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    1. I like the way you describe your wardrobe as "well rounded". I too have a "well rounded" wardrobe and consequently I find them to throw up some little gems sometimes when you least expect it. Pieces and colours seem to come round all the time. And it does sound like you have a thing for leather bags - I have a few brown coloured ones but no true tan/camel shades. I think I need to add to this well rounded wardrobe of mine! And I did have a look at the latest Ines collection with Uniqlo and I've not been as enamoured as with the first round where I put in a big order straight away despite keeping very little. Maybe I'm not fully ready for autumn yet.

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  10. Cashmere is probably the only wool that I can wear with comfort, but I didn't realise that H&M did some. I'm definitely going to check out our local store, because sadly the J Crew is beyond my budget and just as sadly, we don't have Uniqlo in Ireland. Great post x

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    1. Well I thought I was being really picky last year about wearing mainly cashmere jumpers in the winter so I decided to order some lambswool offerings but I honestly didn't like them and found them very scratchy. I didn't know that Uniqlo didn't post to Ireland - that's rude! But Tesco's do don't they? And they have this which is very reasonable and a very similar shade to mine. I would probably order a size up in these. http://www.clothingattesco.com/knitwear/f+f-signature-v-neck-pure-cashmere-jumper/invt/bm421169

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  11. I really love the camel coat with blue denim look - I've seen SO many women with chic camel coats around the city lately (it's been raining most days, darn it!) and wish I could find one for myself. J Crew make such lovely cashmere but agreed, it's SO pricey. Everlane is pretty good if you can order any, it's soft, reasonably priced, and you can order from anywhere using Shipito or another parcel forwarder...

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    1. I can't order Everlane though I do know a lady who can help. And I didn't know about Shipito - I shall look in to them. But yes, the camel coat and blue denim - so classic - yet so damned hard to find that perfect camel coat!

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  12. H&M have some lovely knitwear in, I *may* have bought a few bits with the 25% discount they have on!! I really love camel coats but the colour does absolutely nothing for me unfortunately :( x

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    1. Really? I have a friend who has a similar problem - could never wear anything on top in the neutral beige/camel tones as they kind of just died on her. I always thought she was making it up but I do know what she means now as I have a few colours which die on my skin tone. I haven't made use of the 25% discount code yet - I need to get a move on.

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  13. I didn't know H&M 'did' cashmere. I don't have much cashmere (I am so cack handed when it comes to washing etc) but if it is fairly cheap and cheerful I might give it a go. You cannot go wrong with black/white/denim and a bit of camel chucked in. xx

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    1. I'm pretty cack handed with washing woollens or should I just say lazy but I've been pretty lucky so far with the exception of one cashmere jumper which did shrink but consequently looks much better for it :o)

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  14. Love this post - one of the only things that I am officially 'allowing' myself this winter is a camel V-Neck jumper, Boden's are really flattering and good price for the quality (with a 20% deal) but they don't do camel - can't imagine why.

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    1. That is strange? I would have thought they would have something in that colour range. Maybe the White Company might have something? They usually do these light neutral chic shades don't they? And you sound like you are being very disciplined with your wardrobe intake this year - I wish I was as good.

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  15. I've been trying to decide on a pale blue coat or a camel coat, but after reading this it's camel all the way! but which one?
    Abbi x

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    1. Well Abbi - I want you to go and do some legwork on camel coats now and to find us both a good camel coat option which is also affordable.

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  16. Well the APC coat goes straight to the top of my 'If I ever win the lottery' wish list!! It is pretty amazing Sue! Love the camel v-necks.....I managed to snag a Jaeger once this past spring and I look forward to wearing it in the coming weeks!! After reading this I am very tempted to give either some George or H&M cashmere ago....I noticed the H&M cardy comes in grey which is exactly what I'm after! xx

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    1. I love the Crombie shape on it. My boys have a Hackett version of this which I'd forgotten about which we bought for Ben when he was 3 and have now handed down to George. And I remember you snagging your Jaegar jumper from your mum - how lucky were you? If you fancy the H&M cardi - don't forget the discount code will you?

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  17. As soon as I saw the title, I knew I would comment on this post as these are my favourite autumn colours! I love your suggestions and the different price options. I've been searching for a camel coat and came across several on the Instyle website including this M&S one which I'll have to try on this weekend. Great post!

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    1. I think there are quite a few camel/beige lovers out there - I never realised how popular it was. I always knew that the perfect camel coat was a bit of a thing but beyond that, I didn't know. But maybe people just want to bring another shade back in to their wardrobes again after all that grey.

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  18. I'm a fellow 'whacker-on of jeans' as you know Sue and you've inspired me to drag out my camel/neutral type stuff - which always gets overlooked in favour of the greys! Love this looks so need to make an effort - in fact I'm going upstairs now to see what I can find! I'll be in H&M next week so will have a good nosey! x

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    1. I have the exact same version of this jumper in grey as well and that has been my favourite jumper for a number of years but I am resting it a little incase it gives up the ghost soon - it has had a lot of wear. It's time for the beige one to shoulder some of the responsibility now.

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  19. Sue, that oatmeal jumper looks amazing on you - so soft I want to stroke you :-)!

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  20. i really love the camel-denim combo but i just don't own enough camel-coloured things ;) that gauge on your george sweater is really pretty, have you worn this before? the v is just deep enough, it's perfect!

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

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Susie So So