It’s been a while; life got busy – as it does – but all is well and onward we go – marching into spring. With a spring in our steps as we cautiously re-enter society, sort of? Maybe.
I for one, feel a little stuck in a rut sartorially wise – having lived and rotated various black sweatshirts (all with varying degrees of bobble-age and lets be honest, cleanliness, because well, unnecessary washing as we’re not really going out and we’re trying to save the turtles? Yada yada yada). But really, nothing in my wardrobe is inspiring me; winter coats are still needed on many days – all could do with a visit to the dry cleaners, but at this stage in the game I don’t want to do that until ‘the end of the season’ where I can then put them away until next autumn. It all feels a bit blah.
I’m now going up to the office for the day every week/other week and I’m struggling to find what I want to wear, that feels like me, because I’m not sure what I feel, or how I’m feeling.
I know I’m not alone in this and have listened to many a podcast with others feeling similarly – especially as one I listened to referred to the lockdown ‘redistribution of assets’ of how some of us have found that their body shapes have altered in the last year… I’ve seemingly tried to drink the EU wine lake so I am so in touch with that redistribution…
So the advise I’ve gleaned, agree with and utterly stand by, is return to that wardrobe and have a good try on of clothes, to remember what you liked and how you’d wore them, then try to figure out how you’d want to wear them now – do you want or have to wear a blazer, or heels in this new world, what about a smarter cardigan now as the world in many cases has become more casual, or new, or more importantly clean trainers?
As we are maybe starting to go out again, and understandably may feel wary, or, completely gung-ho let’s be having you and race you to the bar… but maybe just the odd switch up of an accessory here and there or painting our nails in a spring-ish shade might help us feel a little better. Our colleagues and friends with whom we might be seeing for the first time in person a while will surely be feeling the same… won’t they?
So about those cardigans – practical, as in a warmth layer (especially for pub gardens?), not bobbly, but also can sort of serve as a blazer-esque type jacket maybe, if styled with a pretty top or blouse.
Next Cable Knit cardigan £18, or £36 (there are five different colours available of this cardigan – most priced at £36, for some reason, this was £18…?)

This is also a great cardigan with just a little detail.
Next Stitch Detail cardigan £28

This is super pretty – perfect for above the waist dressing & Zoom/Teams/Meets calls – ahhh – styled here with a little mini skirt (yikes), but I could see jeans or joggers working as well below the desk…
& Other Stories Pointelle Knit Floral Embroidery cardigan £85

Distraction is nine tenths of the law isn’t it?
Earrings I say then… these would easily distract from a bobbly sweatshirt I think.
Hush Elda Lightning Earrings £36

I don’t think you can go wrong with a classic gold or silver hoop earring – these are from a selection at John Lewis.
The Hoop Station La Graduata Hoop Earrings £75

Or perhaps a necklace… something about the double chain of this makes me think of summer, warmth and holidays… (we can but dream.)
& Other Stories Duo Chain Pearl Pendant Necklace £23

I’m NOT going to complain about the sunshine we’re now seeing more of, of course I’m not, but with the sun low in the sky, man alive it’s bright when we do leave the house. I’m not good at looking after my sunglasses, I don’t remember to put them away carefully in their box. I’m a slinger into the bag, therefore – super expensive ones I know I need to steer clear of… these could be workers though.
M&S Square Preppy Sunglasses £15

Beautiful.
Oliver Bonas Japan Blue Ombre Acetate Blue Sunglasses £49

Back in the day, we had to remember, keys, phone and purse when we left the house, now, we have to remember mask and hani-sani as well, so pockets won’t always do. A little cross body bag could fit the bill though (& with any luck a tin of G&T for a walk with a chum). This one will only improve with age.
& Other Stories Geometric Braided Leather Bag £100

Colour. Blimey. Love it.
Oliver Bonas Gia Piped red Camera Cross Body bag £42

Finally, a drum roll please… OK these aren’t necessarily something that might help with a what-to-wear dilemma or be as practical for heading back to the office, but, seeing these MADE MY HEART SING!
Hundreds of years ago, my friend Claire and I were, in my mind at least, the roller skating champions of our village – I mean there were many challengers, but even so… yes to these on every level. I would you know, even now.
Oliver Bonas Rookie Rosa White Quad Roller Skates £69.99

Top top marks to Oliver Bonas for these… here are another pair… YES!!!
Oliver Bonas Rookie Legacy Tie Dye Quad Roller Skates £69.99

xx