Tweed.
Pearls.
What do they conjure up when you hear those words? Traditional, stuffy, matronly, old fashioned, vintage, classic?
Country gents in tweed hacking jackets with leather elbow patches?
Doughty spinsters in twin sets and pearls?
Oh so very Downton Abbey?
Something you wouldn’t be seen dead in for fear of looking like a little old granny?
Both are outdated, too conservative and not for the modern woman?
OR
You have a smart tweed skirt or jacket that you found thrifting and you love that vintage vibe it has?
You have a precious strand of pearls given to you by your Mum or Grandma, that’s been handed down through the generations?
Both are classic pieces that have stood the test of time?
I’m decidedly in the latter camp, although I don’t own a thrifted tweed garment or have a vintage pearl piece of jewellery – well, not yet anyway! I thought it would be fun to pair these two classics, that are both heavily associated with bygone eras, together in an outfit that’s easy to wear, far from stuffy and relevant to a modern, casual lifestyle.
Tips for Dressing Down your Tweed and Pearls
Keep the outfit on the casual side:
– slightly push the jacket sleeves up.
– wear a patterned shirt rather than a plain one – otherwise it begins to look too much like a suit plus it’s the perfect opportunity to do a little pattern mixing!
– turn over the shirt cuffs and leave the shirt untucked.
– add another modern piece of jewellery to avoid looking like you’re an extra from a Jane Austen adaptation.
The jacket is beautifully tailored for the outfit to withstand being less structured elsewhere.
Now, I could’ve have kept the jewellery to just my pearl necklace and bracelet for a paired down, pure classic look. However, I wanted to inject an element of fun to fit my personality more and as a way of bringing in a contemporary twist. My hot air balloon brooch – ironically itself a throwback to a bygone age of transport – is just enough of a quirky touch, without pulling focus from the pearls.
I’m really enjoying wearing greys and metallics for Spring. Less formal and heavy looking than black and in keeping with the weekend feel of the outfit.
No need for a big tote or an elaborate bag; a simple, unfussy cross body bag in a metallic shade just finishes off the look.
The Tweed Blazer
I’ve been on the hunt for a while for a tweed blazer that was a little bit different and a couple of months ago, didn’t I just find a gem of a one from Boden.
Boden’s attention to detail is stamped all over this jacket. Beautiful tailoring, neat stitching, sleek fit and the heritage tweed is milled by Abraham Moon & Sons of Yorkshire; exactly what you want from a British classic garment. Heavens, I’m practically waving a Union Jack above my head, belting out ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, as I sip my steaming mug of Yorkshire tea!
The gingham pattern and the bold pairing of blue and wine though completely updates the jacket, moving it away from the familiar browns and earthy colours of yesteryear. In fact, Boden also do this jacket in a pink and green gingham, if you want an even more feminine twist on your tweed. I’m so tempted, so very tempted!
Note about size. As always with any brand, it takes awhile to work out what size you are in each type of garment, even more so if you’re a petite as you never know which camp you’ll end up in – petite or regular. With this jacket I had to buy 3 – yes THREE different sizes before I hit the jackpot!
Size 12 Regular: great length in jacket, but usual story of sleeves too long and shoulders to broad.
Size 12 Petite: perfect length in sleeves and I could fasten it BUT reaching forward with my arms and I was a tad concerned that a ripping sound might immediately follow such a move!
Size 14 Petite: torso length, sleeve length, fit of shoulders, reach across the back ALL TICKETY BOO! So sizing up for me was the right step.
I’m wearing it with skinny jeans which in many ways is an obvious way to wear your tweed blazer BUT this is my Seasonal Skinny Style Challenge after all! In any case, the depth of colour of my wine coloured jeans brings out the check / gingham pattern in a way that denim jeans wouldn’t have.
The beauty of this jacket is that it will look fabulous with tailored shorts and patterned tights, a counterpoint texture to a leather skirt or worn with a pleated midi skirt as an alternative to a cardigan.
The Pearls
My pearls have a very special place in my heart, as they were custom made for me for my wedding day, with a matching bracelet and earrings. Pearls are my birthstone (June) so when it came to deciding what wedding jewellery I would wear, it was a done deal it would be pearls!
I love illusion necklaces and I wanted a simple, delicate one to wear with my wedding dress that had thin, crystal covered, ivory, spaghetti straps. The necklace was just enough softness around my neck to balance out the lace and crystals of the dress.
I’ve worn the set quite alot since getting married, and not exclusively at weddings either, although weddings are the perfect excuse to wear them again! I often wearing them with summer dresses or evening tops and I always get a goosebump feeling when I’m wearing them because as soon as they’re on, they remind me of one of the best days of my life!
Dorothy Perkins Petite Skinny Jeans
Boden Petite British Tweed Blazer Currently in clearance and even more of a bargain than when I bought it in the sale. Available still in both petite and regular but sizes are limited.
Camaieu Patterned Shirt (old)
Pearl Illusion Matching Necklace & Bracelet (old, custom made) Charms of Light
Hot Air Balloon Brooch bought in a shop in Bath about 20 years ago! But here’s the exact same Brooch on etsy
Accessorize Kylie Metallic Cross Body Bag
Boden Boho Boot Currently on sale, only a few sizes left in the 3 colours.
Tweed and Pearls Footnote
Classic pieces whether garments or jewellery are such strong statements in themselves that you don’t need to limit yourself to keeping them only for formal events. Dress them up, for sure, but also make sure you have fun with them in everyday life!
That way, it makes them truly versatile wardrobe staples that will give you years of pleasure.
What classic or modern pieces do you like mixing together?
Linking with #iwillwearwhatilike / Confident Twosday / Garay Treasures / Turning Heads Tuesday / High Latitute Style / PowerstheFlowers / ThrowbackThursday / #WIWT / Fabulous Friday / FashionShouldBeFun / Flashback Friday /
What a wonderful combination, and although I adore Jane Austen, I see nothing of her characters here! You look modern and stylish. How great that you wear your wedding pearls frequently. xo
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Thank Patti. Glad I've banished any visions of Austen! I can't wear my wedding dress for other people's weddings – ha, ha – so my pearls are my next best thing!
Such a great way to wear tweed! And pearls, love them, in any combination, but especially in modern jewellery, like yours. BTW, I was also born in June…
Thanks Tiina. Yay, we're June gals!
Your combination of tweed and patterns (plus accessories) is brilliant! The colours make it particularly swish. The pearls are an exquisite, contemporary piece and the hot air balloon is beautiful. How funny to see the same one on Etsy!Xx
I thought you'd like the brooch being such a brooch lover yourself! I know, it was so weird seeing it on there! That's my brooooooch!
amazing and fresh color combo, love those redwine shades, love how your jacket and pants work together, creating a structured shape, modern and classic!
I think that your jacket is a fabulous piece, versatile and really easy to match, even in a summery outfit!
besos
Very true. I think it will be an all year piece. Thanks.
You've done it again Jacqueline—such great combos!!
And I think the tweed jacket & pearls are a perfect marriage—one is masculine & the other feminine!! (i have a necklace like that—just one strand with both black & white pearls that I adore).
I didn't even realize the blouse was a print until the close up shots—nicely done!
I see no "matronly" in this look—just chic!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
So kind of you to say, Jodie! They are a good marriage, aren't they? I'd love to see your necklace at some point on the blog!
Yes, thought I'd slip a bit of pattern mixing in there under your nose!
Ha I'm born in June too and had no idea that was my birthstone. LOL
Love the colour combo here but I truly adore that brooch. Just darling! Plus it adds a little bit of humour to the whole outfit.
bisous
Suzanne
Perfect excuse for Robert to buy you a gorgeous pearl vintage piece of jewellery for your birthday then! Another June birthday – like Tiina too! June triplets.
You know me, I like a little humour in there somewhere!
perfect blazer! you look super fab!
kelseybang.com
Thank you Kelsey. Glad you like it.
Thanks for the thus up on the Boden sizes. I have my eye on something, and debated on petite or regular. Your tweed jacket is fab and I like how you styled it.
Sizing drives me nuts! But glad my sizing note helped. I now know after lots of trial and error that I'm a 12 petite with them for tops and shirts, 10 petite for trousers and skirts but 14 petite for jackets! Crazy huh?
First, you look like you're having so much fun in this outfit! I love that jacket and YOUR NECKLACE IS GORGEOUS!
Pardon me for yelling. You had mentioned it before and finally getting to see it was very exciting.
I've got to try Boden again. I haven't bought anything from them in ages, but your jacket has definitely won me over. You know how I love my tweeds! 😉
– Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com
Yell away Sherry, I don't mind! That's funny as I've only really just got into Boden. I've had abit of a splurge with them lately – oops! But I made use of some Spring discounts though!
I love that jacket – traditional styling but, like you say, updated with modern colours. That wine colour really suits you and I like it with the blue – makes me think of blueberry pie! So, there you are you look good enough to eat! Those beautiful illusion pearls, along with the bag just lift all the rich colours and make a perfect combination. How lovely to have jewellery specially made for your wedding day – makes it very special.
I just checked and they have the Boden jacket in my size! Alas, even in the sale, I just can't afford it this month – why did I torture myself by looking!! If it is still available next month (in my dreams!) I will order one as I am planning a blog post around my Yorkshire roots and a tweed jacket is exactly what I need. Otherwise, I will have a trawl round the charity shops! (Get the violins out – lol!) I could always do a Compo look, complete with tatty wool hat and a string belt!!
Well, I do love blueberries! Oh no, and it's quite a decent reduction too. I shall cross fingers and toes for you that it's still there next month so you can snap one up!
Ha, ha, I'm sure you'd look a very elegant Compo though!
Boden comes up trumps again Jacqueline. This jacket is perfectly proportioned for your frame and the colours are perfect for you too. It's lovely to hear about your special pearls, and great that you manage to incorporate them into every day dressing without them having to be kept for high days and holidays.
Anna x
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
They do tailoring so well, don't they, Anna?
I couldn't bear to think that the jewellery set would only be worn once or for rare occasions only. I love wearing them and it feels like they are a celebration of my wedding day whenever I wear them!
I like adding a vintage vibe to some outfits with pearls and tweed. The jacket you have is gorgeous! The colors are so rich!
Oooh yes, vintage vibe is good. The colours are so what attracted me to the jacket, Laura. Thanks.
Love the floating pearl necklace and of course the cute and colorful brooch. The combo of the blue grey with the burgundy pants looks great. I am all for tweed!
Thanks for linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
the whole look is fabulous and not a bit 'old granny'. i especially love the whimsical pin on your lapel. thank you for adding your post to my Powers the Flower linkup.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. I always liked these pearl necklaces where they seemingly were just hoovering over the skin.
I am a huge fan of both pearls and tweed and think that it they both look great with distressed denim to balance to out the proper feel of it. Love your look!
Thank you for being a part of TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you soon!
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Love this outfit on you. You look young, tall and slim… now how is that for compliments? Really very well styled. My compliments my dear.
Greetje