As a nipper, I was never happier than when I was wearing my siblings hand-me-down jumpers and jeans, tearing around the neighbourhood on my bike, climbing trees, falling out of trees, scraping knees, then climbing trees again. I hated wearing dresses and never played with dolls.
I was a tomboy!
And although I do now love wearing dresses, there’s still a small part of me that’s a tomboy at heart.
Of course, as we grow up, we can naturally outgrow a style – our personal style and even life is never static – but I think it’s sad when women think a style of dressing isn’t for them anymore just because they hit a certain number. I’ve never let age stop me from wearing a style I like. You just might have to tweak it slightly.
So here’s an outfit I wore one day over the Christmas break which harks back to my younger, tomboy days. Definitely no more hand-me-down jumpers! Instead, for a grown-up tomboy look I wore:
a classic checked shirt.
a shearling gilet; a faux fur one would work equally well.
a beanie, which I prefer to baseball caps.
leopard print dm’s. You could wear converse high tops, vans etc… but I kinda like the feel the dm’s give. Plus it’s an easy way to bring in a little pattern mixing with the checked shirt!
A statement necklace. I love a bit of bling with a checked shirt – it’s a slice of unexpected glamour that seals the grown-up, tomboy look.
Doesn’t the colour of my jeans just tone beautifully with the table legs, in the glow of the afternoon sun???
Heavens, some unconscious styling to match my surroundings!!!
As I dressed that morning, it also led me to ponder another memory from my youth. Way back in the 60’s and 70’s (oh god, how old do I feel saying that), it was always matching handbags and shoes. If you had black shoes, it was definitely a black handbag. Brown shoes, brown handbag and it was a rare creature that strayed from that. You can see I’ve strayed far from that with my green bag!
I grew up thinking that black and brown shouldn’t really be worn together, which is silly really when you think about it. After all, in nature black and brown happily co-habitate together. Look at the big cat family. You don’t get leopards or cheetahs stalking the Savannah embarrassed to be seen in their black and brown fur, now do you?
So this is where the outfit started; my leopard print Doc Martens. You may have come across them in another recent post when I styled them with my denim skirt and plaid cape.
We were off to spend the morning exploring one of the biggest local markets. Comfortable footwear on cobblestones was the order of the day. From there I just decided to carry on the black and brown theme, adding my black shearling gilet (underneath my down jacket as an extra layer) and the beanie hat.
Back from our shopping spree, minus jacket, we have the black, brown and camel happily co-habitating together.
To have a counterpoint colour to the three neutral colours, I wore my navy checked shirt; otherwise the look could end up being a little bland for my personal colour tastebuds. And because there’s a thin camel line in the print of the shirt, it neatly tones in with the jeans.
The last time I wore this shirt on the blog was back in October in my Biker Boots & Bling post. Back then I highlighted the turquoise in the check, by wearing a turquoise tee under the open shirt and the Majestic Collar Necklace from Yosa.
This time, I swapped the Majestic for the Ditzy Mint necklace, which is still available. Unfortunately, these photos don’t do justice to the soft Minty green colour of the necklace. I originally bought it last Summer to go with a white embroidery anglaise top and navy embroidery skirt, as it looks so good with navy but sadly didn’t get round to photographing it for the blog. One for this coming Summer though!
Lee Checked Shirt (TKMaxx old)
Dorothy Perkins Petite Shearling Gilet A/W sold out now. Here’s a long length one in the sale from Great Plains Long Faux Sheepskin Gilet currently reduced from £110 to a bargain busting £33!
Dorothy Perkins Petite Camel Jeans
Accessorize Brown Beanie (old) Bobble Beanie Hat
Leopard Print Doc Martens (old via ebay) Here’s a pair in Charcoal Grey Leopard Print
or you could go for Leopard Print Flux Trainers currently in the sale.
Having been on my feet all morning, I took advantage to park myself on some steps in the garden, whilst Tall Brown Fox took a few more snaps.
And being the cheeky tomboy that I am at heart, I started to morph into ‘I’m-modeling-for-a-catalogue-mode’.
Catalogue shoot done, I excused myself; off to find a tree to climb. I could no longer resist the urge. I had to release the tomboy back into the wild again!
Plasters were on standby for grazed knees.
Do you have a style you liked as a kid or a teenager that you still like to wear as an adult?
I’d love to hear how you style it now, as opposed to then.
Linking with / DailyStyleFinds / FashionFriday / Fabulous Friday / FashionShouldBeFun / Passion4Fashion / #iwillwearwhatilike / Visible Monday / Turning Heads Tuesday / Style Me Wednesday / Colorandgrace / JerseyGirlTexanHeart /
So cuuuuute!
A tomboy, eh?
LOL
Of course…I should have guessed.
I was a "raver".
Think lots of tight Lycra and micro-mesh….with fierce chunky boots (loads of hardwear)
Or baggy T-shirts (with band on them…like the Charlatans…or the Happy Mondays) DM's and teeny tiny, ragged denim cut offs.
Happy days!
I still love a bit of bodycon and lycra….Probably shouldn't, but hey ho….we only live once!
I also LOVE teeny denim cut offs, unfortunately my bum does not agree!
Never mind, there are plenty of other great things to wear…like longer cut-offs!. :oP
XXX
Samantha
fakefabulous.com
Yes, my secret is out – I was a tomboy – ha, ha! Nothing wrong with a bit of bodycon and lycra! I disagree about your bum not agreeing. I think you're too harsh. I know you could rock them still!
I was a tomboy growing up – and I think that still comes through in my style – a little bit. I like the leopard boots.
Lisa
Daily Style Finds
Another tomboy! It never quite goes away does it. Thanks Lisa and for hosting.
Love this great styling act today Jacqueline. Particularly liked the finishing touch where you arranged for Mother Nature to shine her golden rays down on your beautifully toning outfit – awesome effect! Am more than a bit envious of your shearling waistcoat. It looks super cosy. You are the most stylish tomboy I've seen in a long time x
Anna
Anna's Island Style
Mother Nature can be temperamental with my requests but that day she happily complied!
That shearling gilet has turned out to be a great buy – I've worn it so much. Perfect when you just want another layer but don't need sleeves.
I've certainly upped the style stakes from when I was a young tomboy – ha, ha! Thanks Anna.
Checks and bling ! Cool idea.I love a bit of market shopping too. Always up for a bargain.
Laurie x
I like my checks and bling! Another excuse to get out the jewellery.
What a cool idea.
I love your super coordinated tomboy style. Somehow I think you would have been scruffier as a child!
I must get me some Docs some day.
Loving the necklace touch 🙂
Xo Jazzy Jack
Definitely scruffier as a kid, Jazzy. My Mum despaired sometimes! Oh do get some Docs. I think they'd look great on you. Thanks Jazzy.
Ha, I love your sense of fun!!! Brilliant outfit!!! I'd have worn something like this as a teen sometimes but with looser trousers!
Docs are FAR super to Converse trainers as the latter are completely useless in the rain!!! My trusty turquoise docs have carried me through two winters with dry feet!!
I really like fur gilets, regretting giving my grey and white ones away. I have a vintage sheepskin one but it is not v stylish as I bought it for warmth not style! It's good you were able to climb trees, as did my sister. I've never been able to do it.xxx
Thanks Kezzie – you've got to have fun with clothes. Can't bear it being all uber serious fashionista! And I agree with you about Docs being superior to converse, especially in wet weather.
I'm sure you'll be able to find a fur gilet on one of your thrifting forays.
I used to wear Doc Martins, micro mini skater skirts with black vintage blazers (WAY back when it wasn't stylish to do so) and a white t-shirt that said I Want Your Sex. Ha ha! I will not be wearing that restyled at all. That was my "London" look when I lived there. For a gal that didn't normally wear black London was my black phase. I was my very early 20's.
As a kid I just wanted to pick my own clothes. I always thought I was a tomboy but after getting into a fist fight with 2 boys when I was about 8 I figured being a girl was a better way to go.
Love the relaxed eclectic vibe here.
I must take modelling lessons from you.
bisous
Suzanne
I would've loved to have seen your black London phase, Suzanne! Especially that tee.
I do mates rates for modelling lessons.
I was totally the opposite. I was very feminine with long flowing skirts and dresses. I wouldn't dream of buying Doc Martins etc – and never even wore trousers until just over two years ago!
Took me ages to buy Doc Martens and I look back and think why? They are actually really comfortable! I think my siblings would have laughed at me in flowing dresses and skirts. Can you imagine trying to play football and cricket in a skirt!
I hope you're feeling more comfortable in trousers now.
I was also a tomboy growing up and hated wearing dresses and skirts, now I practically live in them! It's funny how we change and evolve over time. I love this tomboy inspired look. The leopard and the statement necklace certainly add some feminine touches to the outfit, so it's very balanced. Have a great weekend!
I would never have had you down as a tomboy, Katie! Glad you like the feminine touches as they do make it feel a more grown-up version of a tomboy.
What a cute tomboy look! Although I'm not exactly an expert, I was the super girly girl: all frilly dresses and bows and ruffles…
I would've loved to have seen you in your bows and ruffles, Tiina!
i really like this "tomboy" throwback, PSV! The booties are out of this world good. Just don't start any fights on the playground : >
xo,
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Ha, ha, Patti – well I'll try not to start any fights but I can't guarantee!
A very cute tomboy you were (no, still are), if this is anything to go by. Love your catalogue, sure the call will happen soon.As for me I was somewhat of a prissy girl, all floral dresses , bows in my hair, etc. , my how things change.
Aw, thank you Jill. Yes, I'm sure the catalogue offers will be flooding in!
Funny how our style evolves over the decades.
I love your vest and hat. They are the perfect match. The color of those pants is awesome and the leopard combat boots are even more awesome. Can I have them?
Have a great day! Ada. =)
Thank you Ada, the leopard print boots are really fun to wear. But no, can't give them to you… they are definitely staying with me! Ha, ha!
You are so adorable! Love the energetic feel, the chic leo print boots and sparkly necklace, among all the rich textures of your outfit. Great photo shoot – it feels like you're ready for anything in this playful outfit! 🙂
Oh and about your question… I just said it recently in Connie's blog I think that I loved a flowy knit dress with a metal chain on it when I was 4 or 5 years old and wore it until it become as short as a top on me. I loved feminine things, but with a strong, bold character – I think I still dress like that, some things just never change. 🙂
I love your take on a tomboy look. Love those boots! Thanks for linking up with me, hope to see you next week! I'll be pinning this to the linkup board.
http://www.jerseygirltexanheart.com
The boots are that great combo of fun and practical. Comfortable but adding a little twist to the outfit. Thanks for hosting Monica.
hahah, this was such a cheerful post. You look definitely naughty in this tomboy outfit.
Love the boots.
Greetje
And I was quite naughty as a child too, although you wouldn't have know it! I managed to get away with quite alot with my baby blue eyes and curly hair!