Hello Readers!
HNY to you all. 2014 was certainly a blur but I enjoyed the pace of the final two weeks where I had the time off work to spend with Hubby and son. Returning to work on Monday was a big struggle!
I know I didn’t recap what I wore in December but I’m sure you were all too busy enjoying your festive periods to care anyway 😉 Thank you to all those of you that joined in with #fffestivefun – it was lovely to see your interpretation of the daily prompts.
January can be a bit of a mixed bag. With the Media serving up initiatives like Dryathalon (all for good causes though), the inevitable return to the norm (be that work, school or just regular life after the buzz of Christmas) and the fact that it can be so long until Pay Day for some, it’s not surprising that January is often billed as a depressing month.
However, fear not! This month’s What to Buy features some great pieces that you’ll mostly find in the remains of the Sale, and as some of you may be on a budget, nothing exceeds £40. Coupled with Rebecca’s #JanuaryJoy, we can make this years Jan a bright one!
A Classic Jumper
My love for J Crew knows no bounds and although my American boss doesn’t know what all the fuss is about (“It’s like M&S isn’t it?”… erm No!), the Tippi Jumper is one of my favourite pieces. Bracelet length sleeves and a close enough fit to be worn smart or casually, the Tippi is a good alternative to a T-shirt for the Spring. These two colours are reduced in the sale and are actually great Spring colours. Uniqlo and Gap are also good places to find really good alternatives, also in Merino Wool.
An Oversized Knit
These are everywhere and since the winter months firmly still with us, you’d get a lot of wear out of it. I wear mine either as a Jumper dress for work or with faux leather leggings for easy weekend wear. I especially like the camel H&M style – not a massive lover of a polo neck, this is loose enough to be cosy and not make me look too top heavy.
Something Lilac
This notorious “Granny” shade is set to be big for SS15. Ranging from the palest purple to something more Neon Parma Violet, it would be a good time to pick up one of these pieces to add to your wardrobe as a nod to Spring, but at AW14 sale prices.
New Look / Clarks / H&M / ASOS
Sparkles
The Magpie in me will never die and anything Sparkly always cheers me up. The F&F flats above have a whiff of Tabitha Simmonds about them. For £7 just click and collect with your weekly shop. Also, I’ve mentioned this shirt before, and now it’s in the sale 😉
H&M / F&F / Zara / Monica Vinader
Lace
Again, lace was big on the SS15 collection catwalks and you could easily nod to the trend early with something you pick up now. Granted, the lace seen on the Runways was beautiful pastels and whites, but really, lace is lace right and these colours are much easier to wear in January…
So what do you think readers? Will you choose something here to brighten up your Jan? My Month has kicked off with our Renovation Project starting at home – meaning we’ve had to move out for a while. I’ll be back later in the month with “How I Wore” January but please forgive any less than salubrious places that my outfit post pictures are taken from. #realliferules after all 😉
Erin xx
Do tell Erin, where are these faux leather leggings you speak of?
I’m thinking they may up the cool factor of my mum wardrobe… 😉
A-ha! The conundrum I spent 2014 trying to work out. I’ve got a few pairs. Pregnancy ones came from Topshop but they are more wet look although with boots and above said jumper look good.
Non pregnancy ones are DP and Zara (sorry, no links on websites but I see them in store often. The DP ones are more high rise than the Zara ones) but I do have a real leather pair (front only) from M&S autograph which I love (http://www.marksandspencer.com/slim-leg-leather-and-ponte-jersey-trousers/p/p22286885).
They fit so nicely. They are often in and out of stock but if you manage to get them on a 20% off day they are good value at £79.20 (although I seem to remember paying only around £65 for mine).
I struggle as have classic hourglass shape so need something that fits waist and hips (and isn’t too hipster as can’t seem to do that well post pregnancy plus I can’t be doing with constantly pulling trousers up!) and these fit the bill. Hope this helps 😉 xx
I’m reliably informed by the Mumsnet Style & Beauty board that H&M have an excellent pair of pleather leggings for £20, which I keep meaning to investigate in person. Look forward to seeing you wearing some of these lovely clothes, Erin!
Thank you Alice. I was wearing the Topshop Green Jumper today 😉 I think I’ve seen those and they have a seam just above the knee which although makes them look more leather like, I found it wasn’t comfortable. Plus they felt so hot on! That’s just my opinion though. I prefer the ones that are smooth and not seamed xx
Ha yes they do have a seam, I’m impressed with your extensive faux leather legging knowledge 🙂 I like the sparkly shirt, although I’d rather have the J-Crew version…
Haha. Thanks 🙂 Nodding to your J crew suggestion but really, who has a spare £500 to spend ON A SHIRT! :/
Love the whistles top- didn’t realise whistles was on ASOS. Ditto what Rebecca said about the leggings! X
Sharon – I’ve just realised that this is the only item that sneaks over the £40 mark I’d set – BUT, ASOS currently have 10% off all sale, so it becomes £42.30 – no only a daily Latte over 😉 It’s a lovely jumper though!
Some great picks. I went into Cos the other day and picked up some new pieces for my capsule wardrobe. I could have spent a fortune in there! Sx