What’s your weekend wear?
Do you barely venture out of your pj’s?
Do you cocoon yourself in your favourite jumper and yoga pants that, let’s be honest, have seen better days and by now have more holes in them than Leerdammer cheese?
Do you struggle to find a relaxed look that doesn’t say comatose?
Your relaxed weekend look wants to be easily assembled without you ending up shouting;
‘I’ve been up for 3 hours already, trying to get dressed and the whole of my wardrobe is now residing in a rejected and dejected heap on the bedroom floor.’
Step in to the rescue, the triumvirate of …
the coatigan
the embroidery anglaise tunic top
the tassel necklace.
I’ve always loved chunky knits for Winter weekends, such as my Rollneck Jumper but sometimes you want to mix things up. Coatigans are one of fashion’s hybrids that I find really work. They tick that magical box of relaxed, weekend dressing, whilst retaining an element of style. They are
slouchy without being sloppy,
softer and less structured than a coat,
warmer than a cardigan,
cozy like an all embracing hug.
And who doesn’t love an all embracing hug!?!
When garments are less structured, it’s easy to feel swamped, even more so if you’re a petite, so shape, size and length need a little more attention, when wearing / buying a coatigan.
– If it’s too loose and/or too long, you’ll drown. I went down a size for a better fit across the shoulders.
– For petites especially, find the right length and they’ll give you the illusion of height. This one hits just above the knee so doesn’t cut my legs off.
– A tassel necklace keeps the same length line as the coatigan, both giving a column effect and drawing the eye up. And even better when you’ve nabbed said necklace for a fiver in the sale!
(Or at least they do for about 5 minutes, before you then stand next to your 6’4″ Fox and then only standing on a box gives you the illusion of height.)
Teal is such a gorgeously rich colour that it’s the perfect partner for the depth of my Winter Seasonal Skinny, the merlot jeans, without the overall effect being too dark.
And if you want an alternative colour to black on your feet, grey suede boots (or brown) are a light touch and are less severe than black.
Embroidery Anglaise tops have really come into their own in the last couple of Spring/Summer seasons and I’ve seen them trickling into the shops again for this Spring. But can you wear them on a freezing February day?
With a long sleeve, tunic top style; absolutely. I just layered a cami top underneath for added warmth as yes, cotton isn’t the most heat giving of fabrics.
But what the embroidery anglaise does give you in spades is beautiful, delicate detail and texture and is a step up, sartorially speaking, from a plain or striped tee.
After a pretty horrible February, with Mum being in hospital for most of it and our kitchen still not finished, Tall Brown Fox and I decided that someone else should do the cooking for lunch. A vote was taken and the unanimous winner was traditional Sunday roast down the pub.
The plus about this outfit is that when you’re ready to go out, you just wrap the coatigan around you for added warmth, grab your bag and go! No need for a belt to hold it in place, as the necklace very conveniently does the job.
And if you need another layer, throw a wrap around your shoulders and you stay with the casual vibe of the outfit.
Berets are optional!
Last one now, as we’re going to be late for lunch!
Plus I’m beginning to get cold, that darn wind is icy you know!
And my tummy is rumbling like the sound of a train hurtling down the tracks at great speed, so let’s be ‘aving you.
Right, I’m off, before I get frostbite and all the yorkshire puddings are eaten.
See you in the pub. Literally!
Now that folks, is what I call a Sunday roast!
Welsh lamb, piled high on roast tatties and veg, a yorkie pud balancing on top of it all,
with lashings of gravy.
Dorothy Perkins Skinny Jeans (old)
Bhs Embroidery Anglaise Top (S/S15)
F&F Cascade Coatigan (A/W 15) Charcoal Grey Checked Coatigan or currently in the sale Alpaca Relaxed Stitch Coatigan
Red Bead Tassel Necklace currently in the sale
Pewter Suede Ankle Boots currently in the sale
Debenhams Bowling Bag (old)
Linking with Visible Monday / Creative Monday Blog Hop / Style Stories / Garay Treasures / Confident Twosday / Jersey Girl/Texan Heart /
You have convinced me I need a coatigan – you look so pilled together and pretty in yours! And what a dinner! Thanks for linking up, xo
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Yay, glad you're convinced! Yes, the dinner was particularly delicious! Thanks for hosting.
I love the colour of your coatigan! It looks fabulous on you. And I love your outfit's versatility – go outtable and lounge-about-able. I wear lots of layers at home. If I have to go down to get the post, I'll throw on a kimono-y thing and cool shoes.
Ha, ha, well I'm all about the outtable and the lounge-about-able! A girl's got to be versatile in this day and age! I can just imagine you throwing over a lusciously, silk kimono-y thing to sashay down to get your post.
Oh man, your roast beef is making me hungry and I'm a vegetarian! Coming from a British background Sunday roast was a big thing in my family for as long as I can remember. My Mom makes the best Yorkshire Pudding.
I adore that embroidered top. So pretty. And I'm a big fan of those jewel tones as well.
bisous
Suzanne
I think you'll find that MY MUM makes the best Yorkshire Pudding! But in the spirit of Commonwealth Entente Cordiale we'll call it a draw!
I do love embroidery anglaise and this one is particularly pretty. Thanks Suzanne.
What a lovely, lovely coatigan! I have a boiled wool jacket in this very shade of teal. So perfect with plum legs! 🙂
It's a lovely shade isn't it? Plum legs – I do love my plum legs – ha, ha.
I've never heard the term coatigan–but it's very apt! I love the color combo of the teal with the burgundy—so much better than those yoga pants!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Exactly, hole-y yoga pants should be banished. Non hole-y ones only for yoga! To be honest Jodie, I'd not heard of the term until last year. One of the new words that pops up from time to time!
I adore coatigans, they're the most practical when it comes to outerwear in Houston amidst our bipolar Fall/Winter weather. I especially adore you pairing it with those skinnies. I remember Dorothy Perkins and how my very first watch was this huge colourful piece from her, with a wide stretchy strap completely peppered with a groovy 70s print. Ahhh, good times xoxo
Ooops, I've just ordered another one – this time in grey in the sale from ASOS! They're so easy to wear with skinnies. Dotty P has been around a long time! I remember shopping there as a teenager. Good times indeed.
I have a couple of coating answer,both from F&F I agree with how easy they are to wear. I love this teal colour and will be looking out for it. Hope mother is ok
Laurie x
F&F did some great ones this past season and mine has been so useful. Thank you for asking, Mum is much better.
Your coatigan looks so pretty and so comfy! Actually, I've been thinking about buying one for myself: spotted one here that I really liked, in a nice lime colour and with 30% off. As always with you, great colour combination and that lunch looks super delicious!
Definitely get it at 30% off, Olga and I can so see you looking great in lime.
Coatigan! I haven't heard that expression before but I love it…and this coat (coatigan) is perfect. The white blouse has lovely details on it and it emphasises that beautiful necklace wonderfully…great pairing with those skinny jeans and boots. Charming bag to top in all…Great outfit.
I hope your March is off to a good start!
Thank you for your kind words Ivana. It's a good word, isn't it? No idea who came up with it!
The color of your coat/cardigan, or coatigan as you called it, is my absolute favorite color! Gorgeous!!
Thanks for coming over and linking up to the Kremb de la Kremb Style Stories No. 12 Link Up.
Love, Ann
I can't seem to stay away from teal! It's just so me. Thanks for hosting.
awesome look. Thanks for linking up with me last week, hope to see you again tomorrow. I'll be pinning this to the linkup Pinterest board.
http://www.jerseygirltexanheart.com
Thanks you Monica, I'll be there.
NICE… Makes you tall and lean.
Greetje