Workwear - Pewter Brogues & Wide Leg Trousers

I featured my Halo Brogues from Seven Boot Lane as part of a casual outfit on this post so today, I'm showing them as part of a workwear outfit....doing what I do best in this first photo (according to husband..i.e. smiling and nodding when he speaks but actually paying all the attention to the phone)

I wasn't expecting this...

Not a Jamie Lawson moment...you know I don't get deep on here! But for me, a surprise outfit hit from a brand I wasn't expecting to be impressed by. I'll share the photos first starting with this most brilliant leopard print coat.

I've been looking for a leopard coat with proper black (not brown) in the pattern for a while and this ticks the box. I also love that it has a nude/blush colour going through it as well as an off white. It's just a little bit different, a little less Bet Lynch and a lot more stylish.

New Trainer Deliberations & What I've been Wearing...

Yesterday, while in town, the girls and I sheltered from a heavy shower in Foot Locker at Donegall Place. I need to take a moment here to wonder at how truly awful this store is....from the dirty, tired looking fit-out to the ugly uniform they expect their staff to wear, I'm amazed the business is surviving the UK high street in the current climate. It's like a blast from the 90's...and not a good one. I couldn't even reach down the trainers I spotted while browsing as they were up on stupidly high display shelves (I'm 5'7" and was wearing heels). Please someone tell me they're getting a refit and a new uniform soon?

Anyway, the torrential rain was marginally less attractive so we stuck with it and I managed to find a member of the team to get me the trainers I had my eye on in my size and try them on. And despite the less than impressive surroundings, I bought them because I instantly loved them. The colour, the shape, the fit. Could they be the black trainer I've been looking for?

New Balance 373 Trainers - £54.99

Denim & Camel Layers for Autumn

Last Sunday, I spent the day in Stranmillis College with the rest of Belfast Community Gospel Choir recording our new CD - it'll be ready for Christmas and never fear, when it's available I'll publish a link to where you can buy it. It's going to be our best CD yet - the sound was amazing....even if I do say so myself!

Dressing for 8 hours (mostly standing) in an auditorium presents a challenge. Clompy shoes and jingly jewellery are not welcome, as the mikes pick it all up on the recording. And layers were essential as we had no idea how warm or cold it might be.

After some deliberation, I decided to go for my most comfortable jeans, a cotton boat-necked top and a cosy poncho...

The Parka Again...

I did the wardrobe changeover a couple of weekends ago and one of the pieces that made me happy it's properly autumn is this parka I got in Warehouse a few years ago now. It's just the perfect classic parka that I love wearing each year.

A Competition - with Yoshi Handbags

The team at Yoshi Bags have been kind enough to get in touch to offer me a handbag to give away to one lucky School Gate Style reader. As I love their bags so much, I was delighted to accept the offer.
If you've not heard of the brand before, I can highly recommend them. I have a few of their bags now - some gifted by the company but I've also bought a couple myself, as I was so impressed with the quality of what they sent me.

My current AW16 go to bag is their Lowry Clutch in black. Every wardrobe should have one because it's not a clutch alone - it's a cross body bag that is a decent size in the softest leather. It's perfect for busy days spent running about but then a bonus - clip off the strap, and it's a clutch for evening time. Complete no brainer.