It's no secret that I am a big fan of coloured, and patterned, hosiery.
Tights are such an easy way to change the look of an outfit.
They can add colour, texture, fun and a luxurious touch!
Or, make your favourite clothes wearable through the changing seasons.
{See some colourful legs HERE & HERE and some funky patterns HERE}
Today I'm wearing my tailored shorts (See them HERE and HERE) and my cosy jumper (see it styled HERE ) with some chunky boots (see them HERE and HERE).
These boots seem have made their way into my daughters wardrobe, for some reason!
Hmmmm.... she must really like them.
I borrowed them back for today, to complete my simple and comfortable look.
What could be easier than popping on some luxurious legwear to make a cosy winter outfit?
These textured tights are soft on the skin, and comfortable to wear.
Adding an interesting textural element to this simple outfit.
I prefer to wear shorts in colder weather.
Hot weather makes me want to cover up my skin (I burn easily) and shorts in summer means thinking about how my legs look!
{See THIS POST about legs getting old... and what you can do about it.}
Shorts in winter are much easier to wear.
Less exposing.
Smarter.
Simple to style, and slightly unexpected.
No need to worry about pale, blotchy legs...just keep them fuzz free and pop on a pair of tights!
Simple and fun.
Do you wear coloured and/or textured hosiery in the colder months? If yes, what do you like about wearing it? If not, why not?
Please share your thoughts in the comments. I love to hear from you!
I am delighted to be part of a group of international bloggers, called The fab 40's.
The purpose of this diverse group is to show how eight (very different) women interpret a specific style.
Each month there is a new theme chosen by one of the group.
These ladies prove that being in your forties does not mean you have to be dowdy, frumpy, boring or forgettable.
All of these women are 40+ and fabulous!
This month's theme is 90's Grunge.
Yeah, Whatever you reckon!
{Don't worry, I was just getting into the 90's grunge mood}
As a bunch of true vintage 90's girls, this was a brilliant theme for us to have fun with.
Throwing some of the group out of their comfort zones, and bringing back great memories for others.
{Please check out their blog posts (links in the titles) to read more}
Despite me being more of a 90's rave chick, I loved this theme.
Back in the early 90's I loved to dance all night.
Glow sticks, white gloves, neon clothes, smiley t-shirts and whistles at the ready.
However, on my "normal" days things could get a bit grungy.
DM's.
HUGE trousers (bought from the gent's section at the local charity shop).
Checked shirts and longline (skinny) vest tops... or cutaway cropped tops.
Love beads, earcuffs and beanies.
Long hair, gleaming with henna colour.
A flat tummy and no stretch marks.
Ah... happy days!
This outfit came together very easily
I toyed with the whole "slip dress" look, as it has been back in style for the past few months, but it was not really my 'thing' in the 90's, so I dismissed it pretty quickly.
I love the slip dress look on others, but it could easily look a bit awkward on me.
{Having said that I did wear a vintage 90's slip(ish) dress last Christmas, for a night out... see that post HERE}
This grungy theme could easily have gone too far towards 90's dress up.
Much as I would have LOVED to push the 90's vibe further, it still needed to be wearable.
What could be more wearable than my old favourite boots?
Perfect for a modern take on that grungy feel.
{Oh, how I love these old faithfuls}
I kept the colour palette warm, and autumnal.
Black is the obvious 'grunge' choice, but it can be very draining, especially over 40, and particularly on me.
I couldn't resist this black bobble beanie though!
Tobacco coloured jeans and a tartan shirt seemed to go together perfectly. Adding a leather (look) tank broke up the tartan and made things look a little more 2016. A cosy cardigan/coat, necklaces and vintage lace gloves finished things off nicely.
Sherry is such a lovely lady, and her blog is full of vintage inspired outfits.
A delight!
She has such a feminine, elegant and almost delicate look that I thought she would really struggle to look even remotely grungy.
She is pretty, petite, beautifully blonde.
Is Sherry too sweet to be grunge?
Erm... how wrong was I!?
Look at her A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E in this shot!!
"What you looking at?!"
I love it!
Sherry's look is so wearable and cosy-looking.
Perfect.
{Oh, and she reminded me of how I used to tie shirts around my waist. How could I have forgotten that??}
Jennie always adds an edge to her looks, and this time is no exception.
It's a classic 'floral dress and leather biker' combination but with that typically 90's patterned semi-sheer tights (although these are a bang-up-to-date houndstooth pattern) and masculine boots.
Her hair is so punchy and vibrant... the perfect accessory!
Mary is known for her feminine interpretations of each month's theme, and this time is no exception!
If you like a feminine spin on things then her blog will be right up your street.
She looks super-cute and lots of fun in this simple look.
I love the rips in her tights, so very grunge.
You can see she had lots of fun with this look... no Paddington stare here, just her beautiful smile.
As I have said before, Veronica is a real style chameleon.
She can look super-fierce, cute and feminine or casual and tom-boyish.
She is rocking the grunge look effortlessly... I am guessing she is a grunge girl at heart.
But, behind that cool grunge pose is a really wearable outfit for 2016.
Right up my street!
CARDIGAN: Kensie
DRESS: City Chic
BOOTS: So Old forgot brand and it's rubbed off! LOL
BAG: Rebecca Minkoff
CHOKER: Lovesick
EARRINGS: Avenue
SUNGLASSES: c/o Zero UV
I'll leave you with me attempting some grunge attitude.
Fierce?
Hmmm....
Yeah, I burst out laughing too!!
Over to you... Do you like the 90's Grunge look? What was your style in the 90's?
Please let me know your thoughts by leaving me a comment. Or contact me! I love hearing from you.
Well, guess what?
One of the pleasures of being an over 40 woman is the freedom to wear what the hell we want!
We are no longer shackled with the worry of what other people might think.
Or, confused as to who we are, or where we are going.
{Although I'm still not sure what I want to be when I grow up!}
We know our limitations.
We accept our flaws.
We are well aware of those "age-appropriate" style rules, and we may (or may not) stick to some of them...sometimes.
However, when it comes to fashion, we know exactly how to have fun, and nothing is quite as much fun as a splash of leopard print!
Faux leather leggings (last spotted here and here) are simple to style, and surprisingly warm!
(Essential in this cold weather)
I paired these leather-look leggings with a bronze-coloured tunic top, and a cosy sleeveless cardigan.
This cardigan is big and chunky... just the way I like it on a cold day.
{You can see my breath in this shot!}
The best part of this outfit (for me) are my leopard boots.
I love these little boots.
Funky but practical.
A little bit rock chic.
A little bit cowgirl.
A whole lot of fun!
A simple geometric necklace added some subtle interest.
Fun earrings, a cute beret and a red lip finished things off nicely.
What could be easier to wear, cosier and more luxurious (on a cold day) than a cashmere jumper?
Cashmere is one of those fabrics that I could happily wear from head to toe.
Warm, comfortable and not in the least bit scratchy.
{I have seen those cashmere leggings and joggers in shops... BUT how do you avoid the "Baggy Bum"? I'm not sure. If you know, please share!}
I have a few cashmere pieces, and always feel a little more sophisticated when I wear them.
Being wrapped in a little bit of luxury is a wonderful thing!
This cashmere jumper was sent to be by the lovely people at Woolovers.
{The photo on their website does not do the colour justice at all,see it here.}
I was expecting a muted dark pink, so imagine my delight when the jumper arrived...and it is a bold and delicious magenta.
Right up my colour street.
How lovely!
Pink is one of those colours I used to dislike, but find myself drawn to it more and more as I get older.
A rich pink, like this one, is such a happy colour.
It is feminine, but bold, and casts a warm glow on your skin.
What's not to love about that?
Adding a geometric necklace, bright lipstick and chunky boots finished things off nicely.
Magenta and aubergine look mouthwateringly delicious together.
Wool and satin make for a winning combination too.
So this outfit had me grinning from ear to ear all day!
How do you feel about Pink? Does it make you smile? Or, it is just too sweet for you? What about the rules of proportion? Do you stick to them, knowing they work? Or, do you throw the rule book out of the window? Please share your thoughts in the comments! I love hearing from you.
I love layers!
Even in an outfit this is not 'obviously' layered, I usually sneak on one or two.
Being cold is not something I enjoy.
My husband is sometimes astonished as to how many layers I am capable of wearing.
For example, today I have 6 on my upper half and 4 on the lower part of my body.
(Or, 7 and 5 if you include underwear!)
Layers can look great.
Layers can give an outfit that feeling of 'effortless-cool'.
Layering can look chic, and elegant.
Layering is very practical.
Layering can make you look (and feel) like a bag lady!!
{Please excuse my remote in these shots... and the cock-eyed angles... my photographers were out, and it was just me and my dodgy old tripod}
Some layers are easier to wear than others.
This mohair coat/cardigan is probably one of the most tricky pieces to wear.
It is big and bulky, and potentially adds pounds of weight to my frame.
Bulky layers (like this one) can be unflattering, and very difficult to style.
3 easy Layering Tricks.
1. Mix it up.
Layering similar textures and fabrications can look drab & dreary.
Mix up those textures for maximum impact!
Even a monochromatic outfit (e.g. all black) can sing when different fabrics are pulled together.
Silk and chunky wool.
Leather and lace.
Suede and vinyl.
Or, a mixture of any fabrics you love!
Tonal layering looks chic and modern.
Blending similar colours together can give a luxe feel to your outfit.
Clashing colours is always fun, and can create a striking look...the sky's the limit!
Mixing patterns can also work beautifully in a layered look, especially if you keep the patterns within the same colour family.
Playing with print sizes, and pulling out colours within the patterns using plain items, can make for a fantastic outfit.
Go with your instincts... if you think something looks good then it will!
2. Keep it light.
Chunky bulky layers can add pounds to your frame, and look sloppy.
However, if you are in love with a 'chunky monkey' (like me in this HUGE mohair coat) then keep the rest of your layers slimline.
Try wearing a few fine layers, to create a cosy feel, then add drama with your chunky piece.
Slim fitting trousers (or a neat skirt and boots) can help keep the bulky piece from overwhelming you.
3. If you love it wear it!
Wear whatever floats your style boat.
If you love a certain colour then go for it!
Contrast and clash your shapes and textures.
Have fun with patterns.
Go large and bulky.
Go sleek and streamlined.
Do whatever makes you feel like you!
This outfit is SO cosy, and no wonder!
I'm layered up to the max.
On my top half I am wearing a thermal base layer then a heat generating poloneck.
My legs are clad in a pair of footless tights, then heat generating leggings.
{It is honestly COLD here :oP}
Two pairs of long wooly socks are keeping my lower legs warm, as well as these boots.
OTK boots really do keep out the cold... I highly recommend them!
This dress (that I found in a charity shop) is a very fine knit, but works perfectly on top of this cosy layered look.
My cashmere longline waistcoat provides lightweight (and slimline) warmth.
A chunky scarf and thick gloves are a must today, as well as my enormous fringed suede bag... plus a trio of fun pom poms!
A fun dinosaur necklace finishes things off nicely!
How cold does it get where you live? Do you ever use layers to pretend you are wearing less than you actually are? Please share in the comments. I love hearing your thoughts!
