Those who know me will be amused at the temerity of the title- I am usually a terrible packer! On a 3 night trip to the Lakes, staying at the wonderful Drunken Duck in Ambleside ( you'd love it), I took no less than 8 pairs of shoes ! All ' just in case', most completely unneccesary. I have a horror of not having the right thing to wear, of surrendering the luxury of choice but sometimes, when one is lugging one's own suitcase around, it pays to edit.
Our trip to London last week was planned around a Classic FM Concert at The Royal Albert Hall in the evening. We still had 2 half day slots on either side to sightsee- The Wallace Collection and The British Museum- so I needed clothes which were comfortable and relatively crease free, particularly for the train journeys there and back (why are trains always broiling hot or freezing cold and why do I always get a seat opposite an enormous man, with gigantic legs which he folds out, compass like, directly in my path??? ).
Obviously if I'd only wanted comfort, I'd have popped into Craghoppers. Equally obviously, that was never going to happen. Neither did I want to look like ' Lady from the North makes big effort to see the Capital- bless !'. It turned out, on this trip ,that checking the weather forecast before I packed was the key to success. It was 2 of the hottest days, the final day nudging the mid 70 degrees in London.
For the trip down I wore
Oatmeal and black trim Cotton Biker Style Cardigan -Marks and Spencer
Stone ankle length( zip cuff ) trousers -Hush
Black Round Neck T Shirt- Marks and Spencer
Pale Gold, Idyllic Gem Pumps- Clarks
Silver Backpack -New Look (the photograph is actually Gap but mine is very similar )
Silver,gold and diamanté Necklace- Zara
The Cardigan is a few seasons old now but is still a favourite, it isn't a sloppy 'cardi' but when zipped up looks like a smart jacket. The additional beauty of it is that, unlike a structured jacket, it can be folded and popped into your bag if you need to shed a layer.It doesn't come out looking creased or dishevelled.
The Black T Shirt is another survivor and continues to come in useful very often. It's a relaxed fit with a fairly wide hem which means it sits well on the elasticated waistband of the trousers.No tucking in dilemma.Its made from viscose with 5% elastane which sounds rather grim. It isn't. It means it keeps it's shape and doesn't crease as a fabric with more cotton content might. It's also cool with a pleasing silky feel again the skin.
The Hush trousers are from last year's collection. I bought them on my return from a trip from Vietnam when I was obsessed with travel clothes which would work in a hot and humid climate. They are great for travel. Made from cool, relatively crease free Lyocell , they are comfortable and avoid the Tweedle Dee feeling you often get from elasticated waist trousers. The waistband elastic is just wide enough and the amount of fabric in the trousers is perfect. The tapering leg is well balanced- not too much material so that you feel like Coco the Clown on his day off. Hush have similar trousers this season which I'll show you later.
The Silver Backpack was extremely useful. I enjoyed the experience of being able to walk, hands free.The only pain is that , every time you want something out of it, you have to stop, swing it round and rootle around in it. No quick fumble as you're walking ! On balance it's a small price to pay for being able to carry more around though. I managed the I Pad, Good Housekeeping, "I am Pilgrim', Tube Map, City Plan etc! etc! Actually it's no wonder I have bad shoulders.
The Pumps, I'm not sure if I have style blindness as far as these are concerned. I've had them in 4 different colours- bronze, silver/grey, black and pale gold. I originally bought them for going to Body Balance (not doing it you understand, just walking there!) but they are sooooo comfortable that I wear them all the time. They don't seem to make them any more-the new version IS horrid-so I would suggest Trainer like pumps instead . Ordinary ones won't do for all the walking. Your ankles will hurt, then the soles of your feet. It will show on your face and spoil the day.
The Zara necklace was a gift and is something I take with me on all my travels. It always provokes comment. Wearing it just makes you feel a little more Special. A little less tourist and a bit more chipper in the face of the Locals distain! The fact that it contains silver, gold, bronze and diamanté means it co ordinates with everything. There are versions everywhere and so shouldn't be too hard to track down.
The dress is one I hade made whilst in Vietnam- black jersey with a dropped elasticated waist, which can be ruched up or down and a wider neckline for artful angling! Hush make a very similar one, with longer sleeves, which I've included in the montage below. I cannot stress too much the brilliance of jersey as a travellers friend.
Black Pashmina - I know pashminas are supposed to be fashion suicide but I think that's nonsense. They can be folded in a bag or discretely on your arm and produced when it starts to get chilly. I have one in bright pink, cream and black , all from Boden from years ago and they are marvellous. I use them, folded in half and looped as a scarf, as a shawl, as a pillow when travelling ,as a tent to huddle under on a plane to shut out the world, see, endless uses! Anyway, you need one and if you can't find one on the shops, buy one on the internet or at one of those Summer Fairs always held at a Stately Home. You know where I mean- where you always come home with some vastly overpriced chocolate containing chilli and an Aztec's toe clippings and a distressed metal torso on which to hang your necklaces!! That's it, and you're always at least 20 quid down on your lunch and the cutlery is STILL plastic. Bread roll extra!
Leopard Clutch- Gap. Last season's style.Leopard is a guaranteed way to pep up a plain outfit and the colours echo the two tone design of the sandals
Black and Tan Wedges- Clarks. These are from SS14 and look as good now as when I bought them. A wedge is the answer if you need some height but still have some walking to do-which we did. Although you gain those extra inches its not at the expense of the angle of your foot. Its the acuteness of the angle which causes the pain!
Black Soft drape dress- Newport Dress £45 Hush
The dress in the montage is similar to mine but obviously with longer sleeves. This dress will take you anywhere, can be dressed up or down with the right accessories , and, given its versatility represents brilliant value. The elasticated waistline means that you can alter the length, depending on the weather or the event, simply by ruching it up or pulling it down. It is genuinely a clothing hero and one of the most wearable of Hush's, already great collection.
Day 2 Sightseeing
Pink Leopard Print Top-Topshop (last season)
I was a little concerned that this top was too loud but teamed with the silvers and greys of the jacket and jeans , it works well. After a certain age its important not to feel constrained about your colour and pattern choices. We mustn't be restricted to any ideas of what's "appropriate". If you like it and it looks good- go ahead!
Silver/grey heathered cotton jacket-Gap £19.99(from £49.99)
This 100% cotton jacket was an impulse buy and I'm very glad I gave in to the impulse. The sleeves look better rolled up a few inches to bracelet length, it gives more balance. It looks good with jeans or trousers but I also wore it over the black jersey dress. The weight of the material lends itself to layering but definitely doesn't add bulk. In a sense its a masculine style but the delicacy of the colour (it really appears more silver than grey) and the lightness of the fabric make it feminine.
It is currently on sale on line and in store at the bargain price of £19.99 and, when I was in store on Thursday, there was a further 20% off. Grab this before its gone. It looks nothing on the hanger-try it on!
Silver Necklace-Next £12.99. I know I will wear a lot this season. It looks a lot more expensive than the price tag. Its a fabulous matt silver, not too blingy,and its length is perfect. It rests on the collar bone and is heavy enough to stay there (there's nothing worse than a swivler!) but not so weighty that you feel like you're re living "Roots"!
Black Ankle Zip Skinnies- £32.50 Marks& Spencer Limited Edition I have this style in Navy and Black. They are super soft and, although not technically high waisted, have sufficient rise to rule out a muffin top without feeling like you're in your Mother's old Playtex. At 5 ft4"" they reach my ankle. I suspect they are designed to be a little shorter, but that suits me fine
Silver Pumps. Mine are actually an old pair from Clarks but those in the montage are Superga Women's 2750 Cotu Classic Trainer Plimsolls John Lewis £50
CONFESSION! I had the above outfit on for about 15 minutes before I decided that I was going to be waaaay too hot and changed into the one below. I kept the Gap jacket and necklace (I told you they worked with lots of things) and, after placating an irritated Husband ( he just wished he'd had an outfit for all weathers to be pulled out at the drop of a hat.....and changed into in the Hotel Rest room!), we were good to go!
I should say that I was the only person on the Tube with bare legs. The indiginous population clearly considered me bonkers as they were still in boots and parkas. I can only attribute it to the fact that, up here, Ooop North, what they were experiencing was the equivalent to our Summer and I was making the most of it. That and the fact that my internal heating system is all over the place. Can't think why?! But after this I shall be googling Black Cohosh!
I ended up in the jersey dress again and, for lunch, changed into my old Clarks sandals. The current version is called Sail Festival and is £40. Rather than diamante, the current style has silver rivets on the front. Mine are the top pair.
In all we had a great time and I was pleased with my packing.
On the basis that you might feel some of the things I included in my ( cabin sized - yey! ) suitcase could be for you and your wardrobe, I have set out below a similar collection to mix and match.
Cardigan Jackets
I love this cardigan. It is a beautiful soft texture but with the tough styling of a biker jacket. It looks good both fastened and hanging open in a waterfall cardigan effect.
..and in an equally versatile blue . Quite how it manages to be relaxed and casual,yet still nods towards Chanel, delights me. This is definitely on my Wish List.
The possibilities are endless !
This ribbed cardigan is a classic. Fastened to the neck ,as in the picture ,makes it look a little severe. Zipped half way , with the right lapel folded back, strikes a less rigid note and adds to its appeal. There are just so many colour combinations which this can complement and navy is very much a trans seasonal shade.Again, you could wear this one throughout the year. A good investment.
With the sun shining this jacket, alone, looks a tad out of time. Put it with the cornflower blue T Shirt from Poetry ( see below ) and the complementary scarf from Primark (£4) and it's transformed. With weather as unpredictable as ours you could still be wearing this one in July!
It looks cool with the yellow- a kind of visual bridge between the black of the T shirt and the soft primrose trousers. The yellow against such a dark hue emphasises the strength of both. The delicate scarf from East £28 pulls it all together .
I'm a big fan of Boden so I'm confident that this jacket represents superlative value for money. It did occur to me though that it does have the whiff of the Berghof about it. Safest to team it with jeans and a crisp white T shirt and avoid any dirndl skirts or Lederhosen!
A good neutral colour although the photograph could not be less inspiring! Open, with a beautiful T Shirt and it will come alive. Well, begin to stir perhaps!
The jackets featured above are more heavyweight than the 100% cotton ones from Gap below. Whilst they won't therefore provide as much warmth, they are a stylish alternative to a cardigan and look a great deal more edgy and "now".
Trousers
These are the SS 15 Hush equivalent of my zipped ankle cropped ones. They too are in Lyocell, a miracle fabric in my opinion. All three shades are wearable but, unless you propose only to wear white or black with them, it is worth considering Hush's T Shirts within the same range. How often do you hold back on the matching garment ( top or bottom) then find yourself searching for weeks for something to "go" with it? The colours of the trousers do benefit from their Hush partners, examples of which I've set out below.
They look fab in this pretty Buttercup Yellow which teamed with the black is a startling contrast and avoids any chance of saccharine overkill.
Khaki Avignon Trousers £45 Hush
Mango also have a good colour collection in this loose, tapered style of trouser. They too are made from Lyocell and also benefit from pockets and a elasticated ankle cuff. They are a very reasonable £34.99
As you might expect, Gap, kings of the brilliant basic, have a great selection of relaxed trousers. They also currently have an amazing ,up to 70% off , Sale ,with some real good buys- styles which, because of their simplicity, simply won't date.
Chambray Tencel Jogger Pants £31.99 Gap ( from £34.99). Drawstring waist.
Stone £34.95
Khaki £39.95
Grey £34.95
Black £34.95
True Blue ( not shown) £13.99
This second style is flat fronted rather than drawstring and so avoids that unpleasant bunching effect which nudges through and spoils the hang of your T Shirt over the waistband. I've tried tucking the ties in and leaving them out as they're designed to be, but I'm never happy with the result unless the material in the top is sufficiently loose to hang right away or sufficiently heavy to crush them flat.
T Shirts
Made from viscose and linen and comes in 4 shades- silver, slate, white ans a delicate shell pink ( not shown). Loose but not baggy with flattering sleeve shape and the perfect hemline for the elasticated trousers
This style can be found elsewhere with some looking and looks really fresh in the cornflower blue and pale pink of Poetry's offerings .
And Finally.... the Dresses, the first of which I would really urge you to consider for its versatility and flattering style.
Black Jersey Dress Newport £45 Hush
Back View
An alternative style but similar in purpose is the Blue Slate New York Dress from Hush.
Blue Slate New York Dress £69 Hush
Happy Travels!
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