I miss Aubin & Wills. The grown up sibling to Jack Wills. I felt it was very me and I still mourn it's departure from the UK high street. I don't think I've found it's replacement yet and so I still find myself trawling Ebay looking for people's unwanted A&W goodies.
Sometimes I hit lucky. Like the other week when I happened on the black version of my beloved white Annaside top.
Aubin & Wills top, Zara jeans, Toast Bag
I admit I wasn't sure if would I get as much wear out of it as my white one and would it work as well in black but I was prepared to take a chance. And I know it might seem boring to get another top in the same design but hey, I know the shape and style works for me and that's a battle won already - especially in the Ebay stakes.
Now I have to say, I do like black cotton tops in the summer. I love airy fairy white tops but I also like a bit of moody black. I admit, sometimes it looks a bit heavy but there are days when you can get away with it and it just looks right. This top should look even better after a few more washes to soften the black - till it becomes a little more charcoal in tone.
So last Thursday hailed it's first outing. I started off in the morning like this in my old (10 years +) M&S flats ....
M&S Shoes (very old), Toast Elinor Bag
In the afternoon when it warmed up, I changed in to last year's H&M ankle strap sandals to take the boys to the park.
H&M sandals (last year), Toast Elinor Bag
And in the evening for a takeaway at a friends house with fellow mums, I changed the shoes again for gold Gaimo wedge sandals and stuck on some bangles.
Gaimo espadrilles, Assorted bangles from over the years.
I admit to being a bit lazy about changing but I think the shoes make it look like I tried a little as do the bangles. Admittedly the bangles ended up in my bag as they invariably do because they jangled too much and got on my nerves.
And my drink for the evening? Can I recommend a nice little non-alcohlic beverage for those ladies who drive or do not/ can not enjoy alcohol. This non-alcoholic Mojito went down a storm with the non-drinkers.
Sainsburys Mojito Mocktail (found in the juice aisle).
Over some crushed ice, this is really refreshing! But as one of my friends said, she'd buy this and just stick a dash in rum in for the ultimate in quick cheat's cocktails ... which is not a bad idea at all. Whichever way - it's yum!
Also mourning A&W Sue. Love that top. I ordered a duplicate of my favourite top from gap via ebay last week but it never arrived - seller says she sent it to the wrong address ?!?! and has refunded me :-( Hx
ReplyDeleteOh - that's not good but at least the seller refunded you. I wonder if she had a change of heart and kept it?
DeleteI must have poured over their lookbooks for hours so much of their stuff is ingrained in my memory and I know which pieces I like and coveted. I have one particular top I am still after and which I still continually search for - wish me luck!
I also miss it, especially at this time of year. The top you're wearing is so pretty, but very subtle, love it!
ReplyDeleteAbbi x
Yes the detailing is quite discreet. It's still quite a dark black but I'm hoping if I wash it a few times, it will fade a little. Knowing my luck, it won't though. I'm hoping to achieve a soft washed out black one of my other black cotton tops which just gets nicer and nicer as the black stitching stays as it is as the cotton fades.
DeleteI do look at Jack Wills and they have a few nice bits but it's just not the same.
What a great top Sue-perfect day to night option and it will get better with age like you say. I love this time of year where you start the day in pumps and end up in sandals. I did the same thing yesterday! Ax
ReplyDeleteOh the weather has been nothing if not temperamental but on the odd day like last Thursday, it was lovely and I liked giving the toes an airing. Nice to see you back!
DeleteLove a hard-worker in my wardrobe. The top is gorgeous. Just off to Sainsburys so I'm going to pick up the non-alcoholic Mojito - what a brill idea xx
ReplyDeleteI bet you're going to add some rum to it aren't you :o)
DeleteI really love your top! It's a great shape with the right amount of detail and sleeves all at once :-) And I love that you can change it up no matter how subtly throughout the day with different accessories - I do that often and it saves so much time. I surprised myself by starting to wear black in the Spring/Summer a couple of years ago. For the climate we have, maybe it's better that way! Did you say mocktail - I'm there - must try that mojito :-)
ReplyDeleteI am just really lazy. If I could stay in pyjamas all day, believe me I would. But if I can find a top which is good for day and night - that's even better. It was quite a relaxed affair as it was just a takeaway and a chance to catch up with friends. If I was going to a restaurant, I might choose something else though.
DeleteAre you another teetotaller?
I suppose I am!
Deleteoooh that top is gorgeous and I love how the looks change by arm candy and shoes
ReplyDeleteI think it's called being super lazy :o)
DeleteI'm all for airy cotton voile tops. I'm with you about the black. I own a few whites but it's the black ones that get the most wear. I need to check out mojito. And alcohol free too.....that means I don't need my inhaler after all.
ReplyDeleteI love the black &other Stories one you have but I'm not good with elastic around the waist. I did toy with getting the dress version for a while but then I talked myself out of it as I knew I was unlikely to get my wear out of it. I'll probably kick myself for not snapping it up when you go round in yours and it looks fantastic.
DeleteThat top is gorgeous, a gem! Perfect for the spring summer will look fab with khakis and shorts..you have it nailed! I miss A&W too! Xx
ReplyDeleteThere was nothing OTT or standout about their stuff but to me they always had the perfect easy kind of pieces which you needed for your wardrobe. I loved the simplistic styling. And I am such a saddo that I see Jack Wills have taken to renaming some of their jeans "Dyce" jeans which I knew were part of the A&W range!
DeleteIt's such a great feeling finding and securing beloved items on eBay isn't it?! Lovely top Sue, it is the perfect day to evening piece! Gorgeous detailing on it, no wonder you are missing A&W! I must say your hair is looking wonderful in these shots too!
ReplyDeleteI definately need to get me some of that alcohol free mojito.......what a great idea! xx
Oh the hair! It's been about three weeks since I've been to the hairdressers and came back feeling scalped. I'm essentially a mid-long hair girl but the length does go up and down a lot. It feels like it's growing again now ... phew! I think I might have had a good hair day that day as my friend really liked it with the layers and everything. It's definitely very flicky at the mo :o/
DeleteLoving the mojito idea! Such a great top and very you, Sue. Perfect! Lynne x
ReplyDeleteIt is very me. I seem to have quite a few of these summer tops. Not too long, just a little detail and extremely easy to wear.
DeleteAnd the mojito stuff - I may have bought 3 cartons and am currently and steadily working through :o) Thank goodness, it's non alcoholic!
Now you are speaking my language... mojitos! My favourite. What a brilliant idea having the quick grab non-alcoholic version as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the finishing touches you have added to your outfit. Those espadrilles and bangles really are stunning!
Mandi / www.findmeamuse.com
I'm not much of a drinker actually and I think I would dislike the alcoholic version but this one is nice. It's a touch sweet so a little tonic or soda water would tone it down a touch and make it even better.
DeleteHope you're keeping well Mandi. Your photos are outstanding at the moment!
I get really excited when I win something on eBay and I bet you were dancing about when you bagged this top. I love it. I like the mocktail, a fab idea for a lunchtime with the ladies when booze is a no go zone. H xx
ReplyDeleteI had my eye on another top as well and just lost out on that one so I was gunning for this one and success! Whoop whoop!
DeleteAnd yep the mocktail is fab for mums who lunch!
I too miss Aubin & Wills! And I love an Ebay bargain - often buy the same favourite item in a different colour if I can hunt it down. Spent 3 years looking for a very expensive clutch a friend had, got it for pennies! Perserverance pays off! x
ReplyDeleteI do the same. If I let something get away, I stalk it down on Ebay. And sometimes it does pay off.
DeleteDid you tell your friend you got her clutch for pennies ;o)
It was such a great store, I have one of their coats, which I don't think I could ever replace when it's time up comes! xx
ReplyDeleteIt was. I wish they'd tried to keep it going at least in an online capacity but unfortunately, it all disappeared so quickly.
DeleteYou'll have to do an Ebay stalk for your coat when the time comes.
Mojito juice? Now I have to try that. It sounds right up my street.
ReplyDeleteYou not a drinker then Kristina?
DeleteOh Sue so do I :-( Although I was quite late to discover them and they closed. Like you, I used to like pretty much everything and feel it was my sort of style. You like APC as well don't you? I always used to think it was along those sort of lines.
ReplyDeleteI've got a cute Aubin Wills dress (more for autumn though) stashed away and a few cardi's and t-shirts but wish I'd had the dosh to splash out on more of their pieces when they were still going.
Eeep - love those GOLD shoes :-) x
I think I missed out on the first year or so of Aubin & Wills starting out but soon got on the case. I think it was such a simple unassuming style - not too in your face - and some of the styling was very APC which you rightly say.
DeleteTheir prices weren't always very friendly though, were they or else I would have had a lot more pieces too. Yet to find a successor :o(
I've definitely stalked favourite things in different colours on ebay. Like you say, half the battle is won already knowing the size and fit! Love the day to night looks, the gold shoes are fab for a touch of glam! And hmm non-alcoholic mojito... why? ;)
ReplyDeletesteph / absolutely-fuzzy.com