With
Mum being in hospital the last 10 days, I’ve got behind with my
Seasonal Skinny Style Challenge. In an effort to lighten my
mood, for week 22 – two little ducks, quack, quack –
ha,
ha, I’ve been waiting to do that for the past 21 weeks. Yup, I
was a bingo caller in a past life.
we’re
going for a playful vibe or as I like to amusingly call it – funky
casual. As if I know what the heck I’m talking about ?!?
I just like the sound of it – funky casual.
One
of the many benefits of blogging is being inspired by other blogger’s
style choices, whether that’s with a particular look, as in my
menswear inspired Suited
& Booted post,
or in the use of print, texture and/or colour and it’s the latter –
print, texture and colour – that has inspired week 22’s Seasonal
Skinny Style challenge.
Last
October, I fell in love with a particular print, texture and colour
combination, styled by Jen from Librarian
for Life.
I’d never thought to pair hot pink with burgundy and it planted
a tiny seed in my head, that months later has blossomed into my
interpretation of Jen’s Pink,
Burgundy & Animal Print post.
I
kept the denim jacket with the colour palette, but instead of
burgundy, I paired the hot pink and animal print with my darker shade
of merlot jeans. And as it’s Winter rather than mild Autumn, my
cashmere navy and hot pink polka dot jumper was ideal to wear under
the jacket with a hot pink scarf to bring out the pink polka
dots.
This
is the second of my two polka dot jumpers I own. I showcased
its twin – the black
and red polka dot one back
in December with a striped pencil skirt. I couldn’t resist
going back and buying its cousin, in this colourway. There’s
just something so playful about polka dots. I’m like a fizzing
pink, soda pop drink!
I
originally started wearing the scarf long but with tempestuous
elements, that didn’t last long!
Storm
Imogen, that hit the UK on Sunday evening was already rumbling on
Sunday afternoon. Talk about announcing your arrival in
advance! The wind kept whipping the scarf around my head, the
fringing flying into my ears and up my nose. Every five seconds I was
batting it away as if I was being attacked by a giant, rabid, fuchsia
coloured, winged insect!
Although
this highly amused Tall Brown Fox as he snapped away, it’s not a look
you want to cultivate as a style blogger!
I
resorted to tucked the misbehaving ends in to restore some sartorial
decorum. The benefit of this, of course is, you get to enjoy
the polka dots even more.
Jen
wore a very cute pair of leopard print ballet flats in her outfit and
although I have a soft spot for leopard print, I’ve chalked up a fair
amount of leopard print love in the short time I’ve been
blogging.
Time
me thought, to showcase another, altogether less familiar animal
print – snakeskin.
I’ve
been wearing leopard print for so long it feels like a second
skin but snakeskin is still quite new to me. I only have a few
items in this animal print, one being my Vera
Wang clutch bag.
These
faux snakeskin ankle boots feel a little bit rockstar-esque, with
their pointy toe and western style heel. Somehow this animal
print feels more grown up than leopard print. It’s as if
Snakeskin is the older, slightly more daring sibling to leopard
print. You know, the one that stays out to the wee small hours
on a Friday night partying, and then stays in bed for most of
Saturday nursing one heck of a hangover but doesn’t regret getting
it!
These
beauties were a complete impulse buy a few weeks ago and I have to
say I’m jolly glad I succumbed to my impulse. I already know
it’s going to be hard to take them off my feet! They are
relatively new in at Marks & Spencer but I bet they won’t hang
around long. I can easily see these being snapped up – size 3
and 4 are already low stock on the website.
Dorothy
Perkins Skinny
Jeans
TKMaxx
Polka Dot Cashmere Jumper
Denim
Jacket (beloved yet so ancient, it’s starting to fall apart) I’ve
got my eye on this Marks
& Spencer Petite Denim Jacket
Hot
Pink Scarf from a French market stall (old)
Joy
the Store Fringe Bag A/W15
Accessorize
Wine Beret bought in the sale but sold out. Here’s a Wool
Maroon Beret currently
reduced.
Leather
Gloves by Tu at Sainsbury half price in the sale. Marks
& Spencer Berry Leather Gloves available
in small, medium & large.
Marks
& Spencer Faux Snakeskin Western Heel Chelsea Ankle Boot
I
also didn’t start out wearing the beret. I do occasionally,
leave the house without one. Yeah, I know, hard to believe, right,
but tis true?
However,
said tempestuous elements mentioned earlier above, required the
emergency appearance of said beret on me bonce. It had to tame the
locks that were doing a wonderful impression of an angry
Medusa!
Playful
polka dots,
edgy
snakeskin boots,
suede
fringe bag,
denim,
really,
we’re just having fun with print, texture and colour. And
thanks to Jen for planting that seed.
Have
you thought to pair hot pink and burgundy/berry shades?
Does
your animal print wearing go beyond leopard print?
Want
to find out why I’m doing my 52 week style challenge? Read all
about it here.
Linking with Fashion Should Be Fun / Fabulous Friday / Visible Monday / #iwillwearwhatilike /
I don't think I've paired hot pink and burgundy but I really like this outfit on you.
The sweater makes it all work.
bisous
Suzanne
Isn't it odd how sometimes we miss certain colour pairings? The sweater is definitely the linking piece. Makes me smile!
I am so sorry to hear about your mom being in the hospital. I know that must be stressful. I love that fashion can always lighten the mood. Your snakeskin boots are so great! I'm loving how you interpreted your favorite looks from other bloggers. That is one of the best parts of blogging. This is a great combo!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
I've had so much inspiration from fellow bloggers – it really kickstart ideas and gets you thinking more deeply about your existing wardrobe – which I really appreciate.
Thanks for your kind words, Amy.
What a pretty sweater! I like it with the burgundy!
It's fun, isn't it? And great to have an alternative to wearing it just with jeans. Thanks for hosting.
Spots are always so playful to wear as you so joyfully demonstrated here. I really like the pinks and burgundy together, topped off with those great gloves, boots, and denim.Hope your Mum is on the mend. xx
I don't know why I never paired pink and burgundy together before as they really look good together. Thank you Jill, fingers crossed Mum comes out of hospital this week.
Yes, these are uber cool polka dots, love the mixture!!! You look a cute vision! I live the scarf too. Wish I'd remembered to bring a scarf today. It's freezing and I had to traipse to London with cold neck. I've just missed my train and it is half an hour till the next one, no where warm to wait and my husband's phone is switched off which means I'm going to have to walk the mile home in the cold!!! Brre! Sorry for the moan fest!!! X
Ha, ha, I think I need more polka dots in my life!
Oh no, Kezzie! Urgh, I hate being cold around my neck, so I totally understand. Keep up a brisk pace and hopefully that will keep you warm. You'll have to let me know when you're next in town. It'd be great to meet for a coffee sometime.
Could you look any cuter in that last shot!? Hahaha…I swear you look about 15!
I love this casual, but by no means boring, look.
There is plenty of fun colour, pattern and texture to keep the eye moving.
Your boots with the dots is a great idea and I love your mix of berry tones.
A really cheerful look for week 22 (quack, quack)
XXX
Samantha
fakefabulous.com
Ha, ha, 15? Maybe 25! Love the quack quacks! Yes, trying to find ways to bring some fun into my casual outfits and I always think polka dots and hot pink ticks that box!
So cute! You have a distinctive style that works for you. That's enviable.
Thanks Ally. It's taken years to find it though!
Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. Great outfit, especially the booties and beret are awesome! If you don't like them anymore please send them to me!
ha, ha, join the queue, Nicole. Although I'm afraid you'd have a very long wait. Thanks for hosting.
"Funky casual"…excellent descriptor my friend. I love this…the hot pink/burgundy combo is delicious and those rock star-esque boots are perfection. I think the wind is probably at the top of the list of most challenging weather elements when taking photos! I hope your mother is feeling better…xo
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
ha, ha, glad you like the description! I don't mind cold or even rain but somehow wind during photo calls really gets my goat! Thanks Debbie, she's finally out of hospital. She came home on Saturday.
Yep, totally agree again. Burgundy and hot pink (or fuchsia) go very well together. You have styled this outfit ever so well. Love the boots too.
Greetje
Thanks Greetje. It's always fun to try a new colour combination that you've not worn before.
Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. I love the booties and the beret!
Love this head to toe, and the dots are so cheery! Sorry about your Mom, hope she is better soon, xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Thank you Patti. She's on the mend and now home.
Oh, this is so adorable! Your sweater is just too cute and I love the subtle pattern mixing. Now I am inspired through your inspired look to try out some pink and burgundy. 😉 Thanks for linking up with Fabulous Friday! Hope to see you back this week.
Jennie – A Pocketful of Polka Dots
It's an unexpected combination but it's a great one. I can't wait to see how you style it, Jennie.