London Visit: Pretending To Be Italian. Or At Least A Bit Continental.

Grey & Tan Texture Mix
Last weekend Mr. Summers and I had a weekend in London, and as ex-Londoners we usually do something touristy whenever we go back to visit.

This time we boarded an open-top bus and had a tour of the city. It was a whole lot of fun and really quite interesting (you can plug in earphones in for a commentary) – but it was FREEZING cold on top of the bus, despite the weather being a little milder than in recent weeks. So thank goodness for fur and layers, I say!

On an open-top London bus you get a lot of tourists of course, and I noticed the most stylish girls were often Italian or Spanish, and they all had that gorgeous Continental look going on: long brown hair, olive skin, fabulously large sunnies and a slouchy hat. So I got this idea in my head that I too could pretend to be a real European tourist on top of the bus (Brits generally don’t count themselves as Europeans) as I’d happened to don the sunglasses/hat thing that day, but simply out of necessity. Hardly the same when you’re a pasty girl from the South East of England, but it’s nice to pretend, isn’t it πŸ˜‰

FYI: The gates seen here are the ones that George V had erected at an entrance to Regent’s Park in 1935… aren’t they are soooo beautiful? Well worth a little photo shoot.

Texture Mix
Grey & Tan Texture Mix
Texture Mix
Grey & Tan Texture Mix
Grey & Tan Texture Mix
Texture Mix
King George V Gates, Regent's Park, London
Coat: River Island | Sweater: ASOS | Trousers: Zalando | Boots: Duo (old) | Bag: Accessorize | Beanie: Unknown | Sunglasses: French Connection at ASOS | Gloves: Next | Grey top: Primark

P.S. Sorry I’m wearing the same tobacco-coloured sweater again. I do have other sweaters, you know.

RELATED  Borrowed From the Boys: Shirts For Him That You Can Wear Too

27 Comments

  1. 13 September 2015 / 2:39 pm

    I think you look absolutely stunning here, Catherine and I love that you were going for the 'European' look! You certainly succeeded. I consider myself European because, although I'm a Yorkshire lass, I moved to the Algarve when I was ten and I've been here ever since. I'm lucky I guess πŸ˜‰
    Suzy x
    http://www.suzyturner.com

  2. 11 September 2015 / 6:57 pm

    Amazing colors and everything goes so well together!

  3. 19 February 2013 / 7:19 am

    This is a stunning combination yet it seems effortless, which is my idea of style! You certainly succeed in looking continental with this outfit!

    FF

  4. 5 February 2013 / 12:10 am

    Wow, great boots!

  5. 4 February 2013 / 10:06 pm

    You DO look continental!!!!! And gorgeous!!! Welcome back to London!!!x

  6. 4 February 2013 / 7:14 pm

    I am pretty sure that the Italian and Spanish girls envied your style! You look fab!

  7. 4 February 2013 / 5:33 pm

    This is my favorite sweater on you!! Awesome outfit!

  8. 4 February 2013 / 1:33 pm

    Love the boots (buttons are my favourite thing ever!) and the fur/faux fur looks warm.

  9. 4 February 2013 / 2:42 am

    I love all the pieces of this outfit. Especially the boots. I do love them!

  10. 4 February 2013 / 1:34 am

    OMG, I love that coat to pieces. Your whole look is fab, and thanks for sharing it at Visible Monday xoxoxo

  11. 4 February 2013 / 1:16 am

    You look exceptionally grand here!

  12. 3 February 2013 / 8:33 pm

    Lovely colours which really brighten up your grey trousers and jacket plus the weather!
    I have been to London many times and love it. I remember my first experience on an open-top bus during cold and windy weather very well πŸ˜‰

    Annette
    Lady of Style

  13. Anonymous
    3 February 2013 / 4:07 pm

    I would just like to say that I love all the outfits on here, it's so nice that you incorporate colour into your clothes and not just plain ole black when you hit a certain age. You've given me lots of idea's.

    Jolene x

  14. 3 February 2013 / 1:49 pm

    I think you have totally achieved the look. And I adore the boots. Pity they are old (so not available anymore, I mean).

  15. 3 February 2013 / 1:09 pm

    Love the tweed coat with the faux fur..looks amazing. I am Italian can't you tell by how stylish I am ;))))))
    Wanna go back to London and Italy so bad..I am getting a travel bug…Hope you had a wonderful time!!!
    Sheree xxxx

  16. 3 February 2013 / 9:47 am

    Digging your boots!!!
    happy Sunday
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

  17. 3 February 2013 / 2:18 am

    eeek i loving all of the different textures and layers (although they were necessary πŸ™‚ )……i think you look very continental πŸ™‚
    brooke @ what2wear

  18. 2 February 2013 / 10:57 pm

    I lvoe this look!! I think that coat is simply amazing, it has such a great texture contrast! I also this these photos are beautiful, especially with those wonderful gates behind. I always find whenever I am in London I am instantly hit with inspiration at every turn, there seems to be stylish men and woman everywhere, which is definitely refreshing feeling. πŸ™‚

    Take care,
    Daniella xox

  19. 2 February 2013 / 10:29 pm

    woooaaaaaah the quality of your pictures are amaaazing! What do you use to edit? Love the outfit by the way!(: Hope you can stop by my blog sometime! xx

    -Shirley
    http://classifiedcloset.blogspot.com

  20. 2 February 2013 / 7:27 pm

    You could definitely be Italian. I worked as an au pair in Rome for a few months and was never anywhere close to looking all fancy and local, the school mums were super stylish with big sunglasses!
    http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/

  21. 2 February 2013 / 7:20 pm

    Now that sounds like I fun time! Gotta love exploring and acting like a tourist! Love all your layers!

    April
    Knocked Up Fabulous

  22. 2 February 2013 / 6:42 pm

    I love this. That coat is beautiful and I love the color of your sweater. So pretty. Those grey pants are fab and I love all the layering.

  23. 2 February 2013 / 3:35 pm

    Lovely warm colours Catherine! So great with your amazing coat. You're far better dressed than most Europeans! Sun glasses do of course hint Italian!

  24. 2 February 2013 / 3:14 pm

    Gorgeous coat! I've been a tourist on a bus in London .. it's a great way to see everything in a short amount of time πŸ™‚

    Monica
    http://www.pear-shaped-gal.com

DISCLOSURE: Items marked* are PR products (I never accept anything I wouldn’t choose for myself) and my opinions are 100% honest. I also use affiliate links where I may earn commission if you click through and buy, at no cost to you.