..... you can pretty much insert any age, over that of 30 I reckon, so quick are we to raise the Mutton as Lamb debate. Oh, and start the internal monologue which always ends up with you concluding that it ( whatever it is that day ) is not appropriate for your particular figure. Well, scrap that. I'm going to tackle the concept of imitation leather trousers/ leggings ( real leather if you have the budget, same rules apply ) and show you ways to wear them which you can love, whatever your age or shape.
Rather like a child who has been bitten by a dog but still can't resist returning to pet it, I decided to revisit the H&M pleather leggings debacle. And buy a size up. Simple as that. Once I'd got the size right, even if it meant swallowing the increased label, the possibilities unfolded.
When I returned those 5 earlier pairs to H&M, the lady on the till, a thinner version of Denise Walsh ( and there's no good way to say that ) told me that the Divided Section ( which these leggings are from ) is where girls move on to from the Children's section and are cut on the small side. Ignoring all the ramifications of appropriateness from that statement, I ploughed on. Oh, and they were also surrounded by Halloween costumes, but I'm not that easily dissuaded !! Not me.
I came back with a black pair and a really lovely shade of olive. This blog is built around just those two items. Have a look. They needn't evoke Olivia NJ , indeed they mustn't, unless you want them to. Then that's your Saturday night in sorted.
So, that's the basic item. Wish I looked like the model in them but I don't so there's no way anyone will be glimpsing the waistband on me. A longer line top is the answer.
Outfit One
This look takes all the possible ' naff ' from the trousers and far from looking try hard, creates a relaxed, week end vibe. The items I've chosen in the collections aren't in themselves the definitive buys but the shape of the tops in particular are the key. These longer line tops - be they jumpers or shirts- are everywhere on the High Street and can be picked up across the price ranges.
For a dressy night out and as an alternative to the jeans and ' nice ' top, this combo works well. I've seen the top in Zara and it's beautiful. Crucially, unlike some of the other tops, it's long line, but gives you shape and definition,as it's more fitted to the waist, yet floats over the tummy area .
Zara Patch Work Top £49.99
Dorothy Perkins Berry Longline Knitted Jumper £15 with 20% discount this week (was £20 )
Outfit Three
This is a sort of inbetween day/ night look. The shirt makes it smart , feminine and somewhat conservative, a great balance for the trousers.Worn with the low heeled boots, it exudes a quiet confidence and is the polar opposite of the aforementioned Grease look. It whispers sophistication rather than 'look at me ' sexy ! Or have I just got carried away again !
Mint Velvet Fringed Bag ( last season )
Outfit Four
The photograph of the jumper doesn't do it justice. I saw it in the window of Next in Harrogate and loved it in this pale charcoal colour ( with a slight sparkle running through it - sounds awful but it works). It looked much more expensive in this shade rather than the other colour ways of pale pink or black. Sadly it was sold out. Sold out everywhere it seems so I've ordered it on line with a few weeks wait. It's a great throw on jumper for when you need something smart but not overly dressy. It's a really light weight weave and the sloppy, oversized cut is a good foil for the , by their nature, somewhat restrictive leggings.
I've put the jumper and leggings with a higher shoe boot here but Boden make exactly the same one in a mid heel which, for me,is better and still creates the same silhouette .
Outfit Five
For another chilled combo, add yet another longer length jumper, but this time with more rugged 'hobnail' type boots. They aren't for everyone but are very much in at the moment. The crochet edging on the hem of the jumper ameliorates the masculinity of the boot, as does both the scarf and the soft texture of the gilet. On trend, stylish and practical for a good country walk. Or a walk to the nearest pub. Up to you.
Dorothy Perkins Wine Jewel Tartan Scarf £9 with the 20% discount ( was £20 )
Outfit Six
H&M Imitation Leather Olive Leggings £14.99
I mentioned that I also picked up a pair of the leggings in Olive. They don't appear on the website at H&M but were most definitely available in store. In this shade they do look expensive. It's a great colour but,as my wardrobe has more of the black/ grey spectrum, they may end up going back. Or maybe I shall just have to try harder to find stuff to complement them !
I stuck with the more casual look here, combining with another pair of rough looking boots and a chunky knit jumper. The scarf just adds a bit more life . Olive would also look fab with this season's berry shades and for those of you who still can't get over the dodgy connotations of black PVC, this is a good place to start.
If the jumper is just too heavyweight for you, this Merino Longline Jumper from M&S is a brilliant alternative . I for one have reached the stage where I can only react with horror at the thought of being encased in one big knit. I need the option to add or deduct layers as the mood ( ie my internal thermostat ) takes me. This is light enough to fit a long length , thin ,T Shirt underneath without feeling like the Pilsbury Dough Boy. Result.
Its my plan to post photos of me wearing variations of these outfits on FB and Instagram throughout the week. It just depends on whether I can persuade any member of my Family to actually spare me 5 whole minutes to take the pics. I'm thinking of applying the 5 minute rule to all I do for them. They can look forward to some fabulous al dente pasta this week and a Sunday roast which is almost still grazing ! As usual, I would love your feedback.
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Thanks just ordered the next grey jumper and as, I trust you you, the pleather leggings !! Gill xx
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing you wearing them ! Xx
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