Bringing My Wardrobe Up To Date & A Lot of Hashtags & A Lot of Disclaimers.

Well, I've read and absorbed all the fashion advice of what trends are current this year and I've chosen to go along with some of it and blatantly ignore other bits. Some trends I'm adapting like the fun fur trend - I think it's all a matter of it's got to suit you and your lifestyle. So to bring my wardrobe up to date for A/W 2014, I have decided to go with the following :


Faux Fur

Right, so I'm passing on the turquoise fur coat which makes me look like Sully and infact I'm avoiding faux fur coats all together as they basically make me look mahoosive. I did try and I failed spectacularly. Instead, I have an inky blue pom pom dangling off my bag which makes me smile .....

Jigsaw Pom Pom Keyring

... and a faux fur snood thingy which seems current and fun but isn't some scary colour which gives me panic attacks and doesn't add pounds on to you. It does however swivel around a little so if you end up with one of these, don't forget to cut off the inside tags or they will eventually end up on the outside and annoy you.

Zara Faux Fur Snood

Patchwork Jeans

I can't afford the MiH Phoebes - I'm not sure I would buy them even if I could because if truth be told, I have a total love hate relationship with my existing pair. I just think I have more flattering jeans but then again, I don't have many pairs which are as comfortable. You with me? For some reason, they just look like a pair of baggy jeans on me and on everyone else, they look great. Hmm. But back to the patchwork jeans - I like them as they inject a little something to the normal pair of blue jeans. They add interest. You've already seen my own diy pair below.

Jigsaw Silk Shirt, Zara Jeans (patched up), H&M Shoes & Bag

Skate Pumps

I had the cheetah pony hair skate pumps from Next last year and I've gone for the ASOS felted wool skate pumps this year. They're grey - they blend seamlessly in to my dishwater coloured wardrobe. Enough said.

MiH Tomboy Jeans, ASOS Dialog Pumps, 

Adidas Stan Smiths

This is my autumn footwear fad following on from the summer Birks footwear fad. Sometimes, you have to acknowledge that having the right pair of shoes just pulls your look together and makes you look that little more current. Let's also factor in the major comfort factor and that they somehow miraculously seem to go with everything. Love.

Adidas Stan Smiths

Big Cardigan

Mine is a cheapy from Primark. I scoured various shops but many were too big, too bulky and basically did very little for me. I chose mine on the grounds that it was neater fitting around the shoulders and I went for the smallest size they had. It's not too long, it has pockets and I'm happy. However, mental note to self not to wear it on Bonfire night #firehazard as it is acrylic. But in it's defence, it works for me, it's light, it's warm and it gives me the look I want. When it pills like crazy, it will become a housecoat for those cold winter mornings and besides I'm not allowed the heating on just yet. 

Primark Cardi, Uniqlo Shirt, Mih Paris Jeans

Blanket Scarf

Popular last year and popular again this year. I picked up a cheap and cheerful from Primark this year. and it probably won't be the last I pick up this season. Mine's acrylic but it was £5. I looked at the equivalent in Zara and they are £20+ and also acrylic. So I figured, I can spend £5 on my scarf and I will beat myself up less when it looks truly awful at the end of it's shelf life at which point I will donate it to a friend as cat bedding #upcycling

Primark Scarf, Hush Goldie 2 Jumper

Pointy Statement Shoes 

Pointy toes are still going strong so I nabbed my Office Kaos pair on in the summer when they went in the sales - one benefit of having hay fever preventing you from sleeping at 4am in the morning! Some people have gone with the Office Vibrant and New Look Aquazurra lookalike lace up lovelies - I've gone with witchy poo shoes #Halloween

Office Kaos Shoes, Will-I-Am (neighbour's cat)

Hat

I actually really like hats. But I don't like wearing them that much. Some make my forehead itch and because I have a fringe, this usually gets pushed down over my eyes and I end up looking Cousin Itt. But I still buy them and I still keep trying but I just don't spend a lot on them. They usually add a little flourish to an outfit and take it from boring to less boring.

Primark Fedora (similar here)

Puffa Jackets 

I'm not going for full on puffa wuffa style - I'm sticking to the old tried and tested Uniqlo Ultra Light Down jackets. I have my existing black collarless one which has been pulled out again and is dragged on morning, noon and night currently. This has definitely proved to be one of my best buys .... and my sister facetimed me from Hong Kong to say she had bought me a navy collared one as well which she is bringing me back as a present #lovesisters  By the way, these are so light and squish down so well, they are brilliant for layering under inadequate but fashionable winter coats.

Uniqlo ULD Jacket

Plaid Shirt

This is technically a replacement after handing over an old one to my god-daughter as it no longer fitted me. #ohwheredidmywaistlinego? Mine is from Uniqlo and I've basically replaced like for like in terms of colour. This is my shirt alternative when I don't fancy wearing one of my regular blue ones besides plaid seems so right at this time of year.

Uniqlo Plaid Shirt

Burgundy Boots

I just fancied a pair of burgundy boots. I've done the beige suede ones for the last few years, I don't particularly get on with black ones, so a happy compromise in my books is a pair of burgundy boots. Apart from the colour, they looked like they were a heeled boot which I could actually wear and walk around in comfortably. The sole is quite cushy which makes them a pure joy to walk in and the slightly banana shaped heel also helps me look a little taller. And the leather? Oh you should know  by now how much I like shoes which are made of squidgy soft leather and these are most definitely that. Basically, I like them for their slight quirkiness. I found these on Yoox - I spend far far too much time on there browsing shoes #dangerous.

Web by Gaimo Boots (sold out)

Grey Jumper

Hush Goldie2 Jumper

Grey jumpers - they're basically a wardrobe staple but not all grey jumpers are the same and so I can justify this one because I don't have one that looks like this. Besides which, I wear them all the time and I never tire of them!  And this one is gorgeous and soft which was a very welcome surprise as it didn't look like it would be. I like the moss stitch front with the contrast sleeves. It's on the right side of slouchy without overwhelming. I can't tell you how well it wears and washes as yet as it is a bit of a newbie and I'm going easy on it ... because I love it. And you will see it a lot on this blog as and when I blog as I have just realised I have not blogged for nearly 10 days #lazybones

And I think that's it! Oh yes ... and a few outfits which I've worn featuring some of the mentioned items.

Hush Jumper, Zara DIY Patchwork Jeans, ASOS Dialog Plimsolls

Uniqlo ULD Jacket, Adidas Stan Smiths

Primark Blanket Scarf, Hush Jumper Burgundy Boots

Primark Fedora, Adidas Stan Smiths

ASOS Dialog Plimsolls

Uniqlo Plaid Shirt, Adidas Stan Smiths

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And the things which I'm passing on (or rather I'm not having much luck or have decided it's not for me).

• Faux Fur. They don't really suit me or I've just not found the one. (Disclaimer - I have the right to retract that statement should you see me in a faux fur jacket/coat).

• Culottes. I don't know how to wear them when it gets really cold but I'm not sure they are really me. I know knee high boots are one way round how to wear them and can look fab but realistically speaking - I don't have the energy to go there. (Disclaimer - I have the right to retract that statement should you see me in a pair of culottes).

• Pleather/leather jeggings/pants. I've not found a flattering pair yet. (Disclaimer - I have the right to retract that statement should you see me in a pair of pleather/leather jeggings/pants).

• Pointy Boots. The ones I like are too expensive. So I'll leave that one alone. (Disclaimer - I have the right to retract that statement should you see me in a pair of pointy boots because I caved).

• Statement Coat. Not bothered. (Disclaimer - I have the right to retract that statement when it turns up).

Last thing. Before you go with a trend or get sucked in to buying a garment that you love which you have seen on someone else, take a step back and breathe. I have one thing that I do before I hit the button usually, I picture myself in the said garment sat at home and picture myself objectively and say "does that look like me?". "Is that me in a pink dress/yellow coat/cowboy boots/neon jumper sitting there sipping my Earl Grey (insert preferred beverage)?" If it's not .... walk away. It's saved me from a couple of unnecessary purchases.

Or you could buy it and return it after you've realised it's not you. Which is also what I do :o/