There’s an old English proverb which says;
‘Ne’re cast a clout till May be out’
In old English, a clout is a piece of cloth or clothing.
‘May’ is slightly ambiguous here; it may mean the actual month of May, but it’s much more likely to mean the blossom of the Hawthorn tree, which is often known as the May tree and whose flowers bloom in late April/early May.
So, in today’s English it means;
‘Don’t pack your Winter clothes away, until you’ve seen the May blossom!’
I heeded this sage advice over the Easter weekend, as although Spring is officially here – hurrah! – that North wind was still making its presence felt round our way on Easter Sunday, hence the need for beanie hat, gloves and scarf that day. But with the clocks having sprung forward, I’m reveling in the longer daylight hours, and I’m ready to start wearing some lighter colours.
Springtime still requires a coat in this country (!) and I’ve the perfect coat for those Spring days when the air has a bite to it; one that’s lighter in weight and colour, all the better to reflect the new season.
Now it just so happens that my second outfit post of the week is one featuring a coat (Monday’s was my Double Denim post featuring my new trench coat), but hey, that’s just the way the bloggin’ post dice roll sometimes! It’s a two coats for the price of one, blog week, you lucky readers!
One new, one old, both petite, both beloved.
Walk this earth long enough and you’ll learn that colours and styles in fashion are cyclical. By now, you’ll know that Rose Quartz is one of Pantone’s colours for 2016. Lucky me that this coat I bought – oh my – almost 20 years ago when petite ranges were few and far between, is now an en vogue colour!
And this isn’t a coat that’s been delicately wrapped away in my wardrobe. Oh no, it’s been worn and I mean really worn; it was and still is a working coat. I’ve loved it and looked after it and therefore it’s served me well to the extent it’s still going strong 2 decades later. The lining is beginning to go in a couple of places sadly, BUT relining a coat isn’t such a big deal.
When I do get it relined, it will probably last another 20 years!
I’ve seen many bloggers pairing rose quartz, light pink and all shades of blush with grey. However, knowing I had this chocolate brown scarf with ivory and rose coloured threads running through it, it was obvious I had to pair the coat with said scarf and my chocolate brown skinny jeans (seen recently in my Subtle Pattern Mixing post).
Light pinks can feel ‘twee’; bordering perilously close to ‘girly’ territory. Fine if you’re a 20 something but maybe not the look you want to portray if you’re nearing your half century and not out!
The earthiness of the chocolate brown, grounds the pink without over-powering it. The two complimenting colours of the threads in the scarf stop the brown from being too one note. Adding a metallic bag and snakeskin boots – both of which are trends this Spring – easily updates the coat and provides colour contrast.
You’re now safely away from the realms of ‘girly’! PHEW!
Petite Principles Coat (ancient) Austin Reed Pink Cocoon Coat currently half price.
Dorothy Perkins Petite Skinny Jeans
Scarf from the Emporium of I Forget
Accessorize Beanie and Gloves (old)
Next Metallic Bag (e-bay) Star by Julian Macdonald Metallic Winged Grab Bag or if you prefer a cross body Accessorize Metallic Cross Body Bag
Marks & Spencer Snakeskin Boots A/W15 but sold out now. Heeled Snakeskin Ankle Boots
And here’s a sneaky peak at what I was wearing underneath the coat – only a peak mind – as the full post will be touching down next week. Because we’re transitioning into Spring, I mirrored on the inside what I did outside by pairing light colours with dark; a bright cardigan and a floral top in shades of aqua, mink and maroon! Oh, aren’t I just so fancy pants with my colour names! Well, they’re a little more exciting than just saying blue and beige!
Beloved Coat Footnote
Never throw something away because you worry it’s not ‘trendy’ anymore. If you love it and it works for you, cherish it and let it bring you joy.
Spending a little time taking care of the items you love in your wardrobe will pay dividends and sooner than you think, they’ll be back in style again, (give or take a decade or two)!
Depending where in the world you are, are you transitioning into lighter layers and more Spring-like colours or is Spring still a way off for you?
And what beloved items are still going strong in your wardrobe?
Linking with Throwback Thursday / High Latitude Style / Daily Style Finds / Fashion Friday / Passion4Fashion / FlashbackFriday / FashionShouldbeFun /
Wow, I love this coat so much! So perfect with your scarf. You know I love those boots. Glad you kept your warmer clothes out! Also, you should totally buy those shoes. 😉
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Ha, ha, now, now Amy, behave! You are such a bad shoe influencer (if there is such a word!). I have too many pairs already!
It's been freezing here today. Was back in the winter coat with gloves. Brrrrrrrr!
I love the brown paired with the rose.
Well with the snow we had this week it feels more like December than April here right now. Depressing.
bisous
Suzanne
It's a lovely colour combo, isn't it?
Heavens, yesterday we had 3 seasons in one day! I'm never sure what to wear each day!
Excellent proverb and very fitting for your outfit today! I love the rose quart color with brown. It's a lovely combination. The pink coat is a perfect way to acknowledge that it's spring, even if the weather doesn't quite feel like it yet!
-Katie
http://hellokatiegirl.blogspot.com/
I love the softness of the pink and brown together but it doesn't veer into wishy washy as pink and grey can sometimes do. Thanks Katie.
I agree, it is still cold!
I KNEW that's where you were from the park picture. My great grandparents went to that church you're standing in front of- they owned a pub round the corner!
It's blinkin' freezing still some days.
Is that in Lambeth, Kezzie? I was standing outside the Imperial War Museum as we went to a photographic exhibition there and the little park is the one next to it.
Beautiful! I love the scarf!!
Adi xx
http://www.fancycorrectitude.com
Thank Aditi. I've had it years so it needed to come out and play again!
Our weather is so bipolar that the saying goes to never plant flowers before Mother's Day!!
Sometimes it's so hard to keep wearing "winter" items when the sun is out so nicely!!
I love your coat and, of course, love the pink & brown color combo!!
I have a coat that the lining is torn, but I've just left it as is—I always think "no one can see it so who cares"—I probably should take care of it!!
Happy Weekend! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
It's a chore trying to decide what to wear each day. I thought the pink and brown was a good compromise between the odd weather and the new Season!
True, the only thing is that tears have a tendency to grow!
Happy weekend to you to, Jodie.
I love the brown and pink … it reminds me of a yummy chocolate with a pink filling! Looking tres chic, Dear!
Thanks so much for linking up with Fun Fashion Friday!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
I'm like a chocolate fondant fancy!
There's nothing like the joy of an old faithful is there? This classic style will hold its own for another 20 years as you say. I love that you've reinvented it with that fab gold handbag and my favourite boots – great styling Jacqueline!
Anna x
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
Thanks Anna. There is indeed much joy in old faithfuls. They never let you down!
Those shoes are so fab!!!
Thank you for being a part of TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you soon!
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com