It was a glorious 1st of May here in the UK! And that meant Bank Holiday weekend; an extra day off work!
Bank Holidays in the UK = rain. It’s traditional. Soon as you get the bbq out and the suncream on standby, you can bet the skies will open and your sausages will be soaked!
BUT joy of joys, for once tradition was bucked. Sunday of May Bank Holiday weekend was blue skies and sun! Heavens, I’ve even got my sunnies on! Tall Brown Fox and I decided to escape from the City to the Coast for the day, for a blast of sea air. The last couple of weeks have been pretty horrible and upsetting for my whole family, as we deal with some devastating news. The reason and why I haven’t blogged for two weeks will be explained in another post but for now, lets enjoy a moment of precious light relief in the sunshine.
Ok, you’re wondering (or maybe not, I’m hazarding a guess here) if the day was THAT glorious why I’m wearing a beret? Well, tis purely for practical reasons. We went on a harbour boat tour and there’s nothing worse than the wind whipping your hair around your eyes!
Where did we escape too? Portsmouth – the historic naval City on the South Coast.
What to wear for a waterfront day trip involving
leisurely sight seeing,
fish ‘n’ chips scoffing,
ice cream licking,
and lots of walking?
When there are ancient cobblestones and ship gang planks to navigate, you start with the feet. Out came the trusty Doc Martens (seen here and here). Practical but with the leopard print bringing in some fun. To show them off more, I did a double cuff roll of my jeans. Dark wash, straight leg jeans are such a great pairing with the DMs.
With the lower half unexpectedly emerging with a flavour of a ‘mod’ or ‘bovver boy’ look from the UK in 1960s, I followed that trail of yesteryear with the top half, especially as I’ve been wanting to wear my bomber style, zip jacket for a while.
Now I know what you’re thinking; that’s a bomber jacket?
I know, it’s not your typical bomber jacket. Mine is a laid-back-almost-horizontal nod in the direction of the bomber style, which was precisely what attracted me to it in the first place. You see, the thing about a popular piece of clothing, which the bomber jacket undoubtedly is, it’s stood the test of time after all, is that it becomes a uniform and I’m not into uniforms. You see the same styling everywhere.
Khaki bomber
White tee
Distressed jeans
Converse.
Ubiquitous, obvious, done to death.
I’ve tried the classic bomber jacket. Military style, padded, black (because khaki next to my face makes me looks like I’m suffering a severe bout of food poisoning). All very utilitarian.
Without batting an eyelid, Tall Brown Fox, said:
‘Are you trying to look like a bouncer at a nightclub?’
I knew exactly what he meant. It went back on the rail.
Then at Christmas time, during our French stay, I found this brick red, quilted jacket from Camaieu, which has all the details I like about a bomber …
round neck, zip front and pockets, ribbed cuffs and hem,
… but without the ones I don’t.
the sheen, the khaki colour, the bouncer look!
White looks great with bright red shades but brick or rust tone reds work better with ivory, cream or stone.
Could the wall behind me more perfectly illustrate this if it tried?
A happy coincidence my friends, a happy coincidence!
Plus my patterned jumper with its stone background is much more fun than a plain tee. For more of a feminine twist, I chose my metallic cross body bag and rather than jewellery, I wore a scarf.
Look closely, apart from the silver streaks in my hair (!), yes, look lower than that, you’ll just be able to make out what the print on the scarf is.
If the feet are all about the big cat family …
… the scarf is all about man’s best friend!
Scottie dogs, greyhounds, dachshunds, corgis, dalmatians, pugs and westies! It’s like Best in Show!
It’s a little cheeky pattern mixing for you too. The dogs are enjoying their walk around the flowers of my jumper.
Wallis Straight Leg Jeans bought in the sale for £15. These are similar & currently in the sale Wallis Petite Straight Leg Jeans.
Camaieu Bomber Style Zip Jacket AW15 Wine Coloured Velvet Bomber Jacket or Lightweight Black Bomber Jacket
Peacocks Patterned Jumper (old)
Dog Print Scarf (old) Same scarf, different colourway and currently in the sale: Spruce Coloured Dog Print Scarf. Similar but in stone National Trust Stone Dog Print Scarf
Kylie Double Zip Across Body Bag currently in the sale
Bomber Jacket Footnote
If a garment doesn’t quite work on but you like the idea of it, just find something similar that does. Be unique; put your own spin on it and you’ll stand out from the crowd, because who wants to be a clone?
If your look is masculine influenced, you can avoid it becoming too mannish by softening it with textures and subtle patterns as I’ve done here, with the quilted bomber, the leopard docs and the jumper and scarf prints.
Do you like to take a flavour of a look, whilst very much making it your own?
Linking with #iwillwearwhatilike / Garay Treasures / Confident Twosday / Turning Heads Tuesday /
I am all over that dog print scarf…with PUGS!!!. MUST HAVE!!!
I too have been eying bomber jackets as of late. I want a traditional Japanese style with embroidery but like you I don't really find them all that flattering. I haven't given up yet though.
Your solution worked perfectly.
bisous
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Ha, ha, the scarf is a beauty, isn't it? As a fellow dog lover, I thought that might tickle you. I love scottie dogs so I couldn't resist it when I saw it. You must get one, Suzanne!
Bombers are tricky. I do think they suit someone who is more straight up and down, figure wise as with curves they can look too blousy or top heavy. It's why I found the quilted one worked better – slightly less volume so hangs better. Keep looking, I'm sure you'll come up trumps with one.
Hi Jacqueline, I was just thinking I hadn't seen you much on Instagram or your blog and you had gone very quiet (not like you at all!! :-)). So sorry to hear you've had a rough few weeks and crappy news. You have put on a very brave face there and I don't blame you for taking advantage of a few sunny days here – we don't get many! I've never been to Portsmouth, believe it or not, keep meaning to pop down there as it is only a train ride. Would love to go up the Spinnaker Tower and see the wonderful dockyard and museum.
Love the outfit and you are The Boss when it comes to combining style and practicality. I am not mad about bomber jackets per se as they remind me of all the horrible boys in my 1970s comp!! But, yours is a completely different kettle of fish – a clever PetiteVix mashup – the elegant French blouson, cunningly disguised as a bomber jacket! The doggie scarf is super cute but teaming with DMs gives it a bit of bite! (see what I did there?! ;-))
You are in my thoughts and sending good wishes to you and your family.
Astrid
xx
Thank you Astrid for your kind and thoughtful words. Yes, it has been all quiet on the western front and I haven't had any energy to blog and been too tired to even to go on instagram. But the sunnier days have been a godsend.
We did the Spinnaker Tower last summer and the views are incredible on a clear day. We also got an inclusive ticket for the dockyard with unlimited entry for a whole year. There's so much to see there that we'll probably go back a third time before the year is up!
Ha, ha, I love being called The Boss! What a great compliment. I know exactly what you mean about the 70s! It's why I was put off bombers for so long.
So sorry to hear you're having rough times, PSV! And it's wonderful to get away for the day, yeah? Love the bomber jacket and all the fabulous accessories. xox
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Thank you for your kind words, Patti.
I hope all is settling down for you my beautiful friend. Now let's talk about this outfit…um, I don't know where to start…a dog scarf! Leopard Doc's! Good lord woman, you're my style hero!!! There's so much here to love that my heart almost can't take it.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
The next few months will be a bumpy ride sadly, Debbie but life is like that sometimes.
Anyway, I'm blushing at the thought of me being any kind of style hero, let alone yours! What a sweet thing to say. Thank you. I thought it was kinda amusing to have cats on my feet and dogs around my neck!
I was missing your blogs lately—here's me sending you hugs and good wishes on better times ahead Jacqueline!
As for your outfit—you really got a "hit" on this one! Of course, the shoes need to be the first consideration when walking all day and your bomber jacket is the best!! At first I thought you'd gone cuckoo because it looked like a cardigan to me…but the side perspective shows it perfectly!
And what great dichotomy of styles with the bow blouse & the doc martens! Love it all!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
With your inspiration of all your berets…I may try to fashion one out of an old cardigan (saw it on you-tube!!)
And I've been missing commenting on my fellow bloggers blogs, including yours, Jodie. Thank you for your kind words.
I quite often go cuckoo – you're surprised by this???? Ha, ha.
Ooooh, I like the idea of you fashioning one out of an old cardigan. An upcycled beret!
Sorry to hear that you've had a tough time recently – you've been missed. My fave's today are the wonderful leopard print DM's, which are awesome, and that cute little handbag, mainly cos it's a little bit flashy which is very me. Keep on, keeping on is my advice. Life can deal us a few knocks along the way, but we just have to be gritty enough to keep fighting. Take care my lovely x
Anna
Thank you Anna for your thoughtful words. Absolutely, keep on keeping on. I just needed to step away for abit.
sorry that you've had bad news, wish you keep your smile and attitude through any situation!
Love your quilted bomber, the color, the texture, the pockets!, everything is lovely, and it looks very flattering and comfy!
And also love your martens, and how you've worn it with dark skinnies, a classic combo with a twist!. You rock!
besos
Thank you! I know you martens so I'm glad you love mine. I do love the leopard print!
You look so wonderfully stylish and sweet, and comfy in your walking outfit! Great boots, cute prints, nice jacket, and I love your beret! Hope all is well, my friend!
Always have to go for comfort especially if I'm sight seeing! But a few details here and there and you can also be stylish.