I had half heartedly been casting about for a blog topic when a Friend came for supper on Friday looking amazing in a black jumpsuit and this pink silk bomber ( below pic ) which, in true Fashionista style, she had ' had had for years ! '. I had to cram in a good few mouthfuls of Bombay mix to cover my conflicting emotions there I can tell you - admiration, envy, covetousness and spite are not easy bed fellows ! I did wash my hands before touching it however !!
Anyway, it reminded me of the trend which has been staring me in the face and which I have myself embraced, albeit with not quite the same panache, and took some snaps of her lovely daughter modelling said jacket. Gorgeous.
For those of us old enough to remember Dick Emery the bomber jacket can have unfortunate connotations but , even though the second offering is reminiscent , you must dispel all thoughts of the chunky bovver boy. The bomber is an instant style update - where have you heard that before ? - but it really is , and the styles, fabrics and designs range from the casual to the the most feminine and are suitable for even the most formal affair.
M&S always gets a bashing in the press but its Limited Edition is always ahead of the style curve and has stocked bombers since last season. The one below with the oriental theme is fab. It's a luxe look, the style of which has already caught the eye of the Stylist Pandora Sykes in last week's Times magazine. She wore a similar Topshop version ( see below ) with a metallic, Sunray pleat skirt ( very now ) rather than the obvious teaming of casual trousers or jeans. It looks so effective and gives an edge to an otherwise conventional outfit.
The other jacket she styled, also from M&S, is an olive and gold brocade number which looked far more expensive than its £40 odd price tag. It's no longer available on line but, if you're lucky, you might be able to spy one on an end of line rail. It look great with the Finery cullotte outfit.
I hesitated to include the khaki version because, in all honesty it's the one I can least see myself buying. It is however an absolute classic and all the ' hip' brands ( cringes as she says this ) have at least one .And the not so hip brands ... As this is M&S again. Very uninspiringly styled ( and the Model's face appears to concur ) but this will stand the test of time and could ' toughen up ' any floral dress or give you cred points with your Daughters with skinnies or crop flare and trainers.
A similar jacket styled by the blogger Haute Pursuit
I could however be very tempted with this though. Really delicate pink which will work with lots of the colours in your wardrobe .As I haven't seen it in 'real life ' I'd have to check that it wasn't too generous at the back though. Too much material - including on the arms - makes me feel like a Munchkin. Never a good look, but if you are more statuesque then I'd definitely suggest you give it a go.
Anyway... Stradivarius have a plethora of designs - I particularly favour the oriental vibe - but there really is a style for everyone, all at really reasonable prices. Honestly, you'd pay more than this for a cardigan and who is going to notice yet another crew neck cardi? No one. This is your statement alternative. Lovely over a plain summers dress, really lifts a pair of jeans or linen trousers and all for the cost of a lunchtime tapas and a glass of wine with your mate. Not such a risk ! Oh, and it's reduced.
In plain black. Always useful , if not overly exciting. I like the smooth finish of this one although mine, from M&S ( now sold out ) does have the added interest of quilting. The interest but also the bulk which you don't always want if wearing with a dress.
Me in my M&S jacket perhaps wearing one trend too many with my Next Palm Print Jumpsuit and Trainers. Yes, definitely one too many ...although the Jumpsuit did appear as a top choice by Elle Editor in Chief , Lorraine Candy in this Saturday's Times. Just saying !!
You've got two pictures illustrating the same point. One where I'm grumpy and clearly not ready ...
And the other where I look cheery but , well, simple !!
More of the Oriental design which , the more I consider, the more I know is EXACTLY what my wardrobe needs. This in the beautiful pale khaki has endless possibilities. I think that the tension between the essentially masculine cut with the very feminine fabric and pattern is charming.
If you are reluctant to order on line without trying first then the absolute best place to go is Zara. The range of styles ( from cropped, slim fit to long length and oversized ) and the sheer range of designs and fabrics is unchallenged on the High Street. I've chosen just a few to give you a flavour but I can't recommend it enough.
I mentioned Pandora Sykes teaming hers with a Sunray pleat skirt in metallic. Well. Here we are again with that combo. Those skirts are so big at the moment and, to think, they all hung, dolorously, on the sale rail last Christmas. Damn ! At the risk of repeating myself, it does demonstrate the versatility of the style though. If I was to team one with a skirt I would go for the straighter cut, as opposed to the really gathered waistband, but that's personal preference. I just prefer a less ' bouffant ' silhouette . A ' Pink Lady ' I could never be ( said Yoda ) - too much hip .
Disregarding all I've said about length, material etc above, I would throw all that to the wind for this jacket which is probably my favourite . Beautiful colour and lovely embroidery. This will last forever and is well worth the extra cash.
The next three are super versatile too. These would be great to throw in the suitcase for holidays should you need a little something to ward off the chill and fancy a change from your trusty wrap. I have seen them and they are really light weight, won't crease and both the goldie/ bronze ( they call it khaki - it isn't ) and the silver should co ordinate with virtually any colour palette .
The lace bomber is an interesting sub genre. As you might expect, some of the offerings around are truly awful are an example of middle age hi jacking a younger generation's look. This one from Zara gets it spot on though.A lovely ecru with a bold, large patterned lace design. Pretty without being twee.
It might be the haircut - didn't the lead singer of 'Sweet' have a similar one ? - but, for me, this final offering from Zara has a funky Seventies/ American Hustle vibe. I can't say that many people I know could pull it off with a pair of shorts but it would look amazing with more ' grown up ' styling . Imagine it with a pair of wide leg, black crepe trousers and a camisole , a tailored, peg leg jumpsuit or a thin jersey, slinky maxi dress . Or , if you wanted to mine the Seventies, with those flared jeans you bought last year but still haven't got round to actually wearing. Or is that only me ???
As you might imagine, Topshop is bang on the money for bomber jackets. They have plain and quilted, oriental and camouflage and everything in between . They also have the advantage of offering a number of the styles in Petite and Tall.
First off is their quintessential MAI khaki bomber which appears all over Instagram and is a bloggers favourite .
I had to include this one as its appears so often in the press and has attained almost cult status. The fact that its reversible softens the blow of the price tag but, even for me, even on the most ' devil may care day ' I think it's perhaps one statement too far. There's being in denial and being in denial. Although it looks wonderful on Pandora Sykes I'm afraid I could just imagine the looks in 'Morrisons ' !
Topshop Two- in- One Reversible Sateen Bomber £85
As always , I have included an 'if money was no object ' item. How we laughed ! This is it and the detail is exquisite. The bracelet length sleeves are perfect - no need for scrunching up to the elbow and the straight fall to the foreshortened waist is so flattering. If you can, do.
From the sublime ... To the realistic .New Look has plenty to offer too .
This is very similar to a Stradivarius style I saw last year although, on balance I feel that the contrast of the black and white is perhaps too stark for my taste and I prefer the overall colours or the more subtle combination of pale pink and cream or khaki .
New Look Embroidered Contrast Sleeve Bomber £34.99
So... lots to choose from and one WILL be right for you.
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