As soon as I'd found myself my transitional coat, the weather perked up considerably and I decided I needed a short black jacket that wasn't a blazer. I think I was mostly prompted by
this post from Andrea where she showed some amazing Pinterest photos of black blazer style jackets with khakis. Totally sold.
I had a hoke about online and found
this one in Next which ticked a few boxes. Next day ordering meant it was at my door about 18 hours later. I will never tire of this service!
What appealed with this jacket is the open front, the loose collar, the band around the waist that gives it a bit of a bomber jacket look from behind - it's just a bit different and even though it's unlined, I think it's worth the £38 price tag as it's a lovely weight of material and a great shape. I'm trying my best to model it here...
Then I saw this beauty in cream and it got me all in a tizzy. I love cream and it loves me too. Totally my colour and it just lifts an outfit so much (
cue Pinterest hunt to confirm)...it's from
Mary Portas at House of Fraser.
I actually think the shape of this jacket is more flattering than the black one - it's got a lovely loose front, double layed and the style seemed like it could be dressy and casual in equal measure. Machine washable too...a major bonus with cream as it will get dirty. But then I tried to style it and it felt like a hard one to pull off at the school gate....
Grey Top - F&F at Tesco (AW14)
Jeans - Maison Scotch (past season)
All told, I'm not sure. It feels waaaaay too dressy - even when dressed down with a sloppy grey t-shirt & trainers. I also tried it with printed tops or stripes and it didn't look right either. Properly gutted.
Then I was in HOF yesterday and saw this black one which I'm now having the shopping regret over. It's great on and very lightweight with an edgy shape. It's kind of made me wonder about the Next jacket now...maybe I should change the cream for this one, send back the Next one and save myself £40+?! Decisions, decisions...
(In all three jackets - I'm a size 12 by the way)
To take my mind off jacket decisions, I'm going to write another blog post about my absolute find of a denim dress. This one is amazing, well priced and perfect if you're fed up of tunic style, shapeless, way too short denim dresses that have zero stretch in them and are impossible to put on. I've solved all of those frustrations with one high street option!
Will update on the jacket situation in due course :) Happy Friday!
Ax
You know of course, that I'm now sitting on my hands telling myself that I DO NOT NEED that Mary Portas cream jacket!!! But I think you're right - it's a bit too dressy for the school gate. Waiting with bated breath to see what you decide to do (*whispers* return the Next one and get the black MP one!!!!) Have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteI could so see you in that cream one - would be amazing on you! Still undecided on the black ones...will mull it over a bit longer x
DeleteWhat Helen says up there. The MP one will rock your world more.
ReplyDeleteAnd can't wait to see what you've found on the denim dress front. Of course, I'm wearing a tunic style, too short shapeless denim number as I type :)
I'm so slow on the denim dress one. Had some phone problems today which prevented me getting photos. But it won't suit you - I know that already. The tunic style, short, shapeless ones look AMAZING on you...but on me, they are all wrong. I've had denim dress envy for so long...hopefully I've sorted it this year. Ax
DeleteHmm, see I adore that cream jacket on you and don't think it's so dressy that you couldn't get away with it. And the kids will soon be off for 2 months ;)
ReplyDeleteLovely for a lunch out (wink, wink), event or evening too. I think it would be gorgeous with khaki trousers or over a little dress. I struggle to wear cream (or any light colour), need to layer with deep/dark top, accessories, bold make-up etc... if I could carry this off easily, I so would!
Nic x
Love that reasoning 'the kids will soon be off for 2 months'!!! Oh ok then! x
DeleteI think the cream is heavenly Avril - keep it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Fiona - you're right...it's fab. I'm easily swayed by all the comments x
DeleteBoth the Mary Portas jackets get my vote Avril, just stunning.
ReplyDeleteJane xx
My Midlife Fashion
Thanks Jane - I really love her range..it's so nicely cut. It's my favourite brand in HOF! Ax
DeleteBarf to that the cream one is ace. Keep it, keep it!! Had to chuckle, I'm wearing my cream blazer today and found myself cleaning the stairs and landing (properly kneeling down and everything). Kids think I'm a looney tune x
ReplyDeleteI don't even clean the stairs dressed in scruffy gear, not to mind a cream jacket....you're an inspiration! Perhaps another blog in this - 'dressing up for housework' ?! x
DeleteI love the dream one, Avril. It suits you so well - keep it!!! Lynne xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynne - oh, ok then :) x
DeleteI think the shape of the first black one is a bit too worky, if you know what I mean....now the second black one, that is definitely a bit more edgy and says trendy school run mum to me! Onto to the cream number....I got out a cream jacket that I've had for a couple of years last week and have always kept for *best* in case of getting it dirty! Last week I dragged it down and wore it casually and now I'm in love with it all over again and will get the wear out of it at last! I would persevere with the cream one as it is gorgeous! xx
ReplyDeleteI have to do some more pinterest searches to find other ways to wear it but yes - the black one is going back but having tried on the MP black one, I'm not sure if it will work. It's rather strange looking when open - which is how I wear my jackets. The search goes on! Hope you're having a great weekend Michelle, Ax
DeleteOoh, I absolutely love the cream Mary Portas one! xxx
ReplyDeletewww.justemma.co.uk - a fashion, beauty & lifestyle blog
Thank you Emma - it's a keeper for sure :) x
DeleteNo way can you return the cream one, it looks so good on and will go with loads of different outfits x
ReplyDeleteThanks lovely - I think you're right - I just need to try it a few other ways. Hope you're over the jet lag and had a good week! Ax
DeleteThe cream one is a keeper, it looks great on you, I love the shape of the waterfall one too x
ReplyDeleteI love that too Sue - it's such a great shape. Thanks! Ax
DeleteI like it a lot, but I think it's too dressy for the school run, you're right. That doesn't mean you have to return it though ;-)
ReplyDeletehttp://mama-of-boys.blogspot.co.uk/
haha - you are totally thinking along my lines...I don't think it's going to be a school run jacket but I think I will enjoy wearing it at other times. Thanks for helping with the decision :) x
DeleteThe cream one is fab on you! And I don't agree with you - it is FINE to wear on a casual basis!!! What a versatile jacket...dressed up or done. You have got to keep it! Re the black one, check first what the second Mary Portas one looks like unzipped...which is pretty much how you'd wear it...before you make up your mind. You might find it looks rubbish after all! BTW...I LOVe your Hush Avignon trousers. I have been so tempted by them after struggling to find khaki trousers. Can you tell me if they are true to size - and, as always the risk with me (I must be long bodied) the crotch - low slung or a good fit?!!
ReplyDeleteHi Carol - on the Avignon trousers, I got the S-M and they come up smaller than my jersey harems - more like a small 12 or a large 10. I'd probably size up if you're in-between. One thing I will say is that if you're tall, they'll come up a bit short in the leg so that's another reason to size up perhaps? They're perfect on me but I've short legs and a long body (so possibly similar shaped?!). No low slung crotch going on either which is good :)
DeleteOh and you are totally right re the MP black jacket - I'm not sure it's going to work as it looks a bit odd open. I tried it today. Back to the drawing board on the black one but I think I will keep the cream one and try it out a few more causal ways.
Ax
See I love them all, so that's no help is it?! There are some lovely bits in the Mary Portas range, but I think they really do need to be tried on don't they, as a hanger really doesn't do them justice - they need a body inside them!.I've been wanting to wear a shorter jacket lately, but the only ones I have are pleather, which isn't actually that suited to the warm weather we've been having, so thanks for the inspo! xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for the mention Avril! It's a great look & one that I plan on mixing up often! I like the Next one with the sleeves pulled up but it's not practical to always wear it like that! Love the cream one but it's not practical with little ones in tow! The black MP one is definitely more you! x
ReplyDelete