How to Wear Pastels, Brights and Winter White (and Look Towards Spring)

SS16 pastel bright stripes, mustard yellow trousers | Not Dressed As Lamb
I think the colours in this outfit say it all: I am desperate for spring. I may be wearing a winter coat over my pastel stripe blouse and yellow trousers, but it’s winter white, and that’s a whole other kettle of fish.

(Whatever is a kettle of fish, anyway…?!)

This outfit is what I wore to the Blognix Retreat (a blogging conference) the other weekend – the outfit was influenced somewhat by my reputation for wearing bright colours as well as my desperation for some sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’ve already featured the other outfit I wore on the other day that weekend (my vintage 70s dress that’s part of Monday’s #iwillwearwhatilike link up), and the eagle-eyed among you may have noticed that here I’m wearing pink pointed heels. In the group shot that was taken I’m wearing my coral brogues… I haven’t cheated just for the photos, I promise you!

THE OUTFIT WAS INFLUENCED SOMEWHAT BY MY REPUTATION FOR WEARING BRIGHT COLOURS AS WELL AS MY DESPERATION FOR SOME SUNSHINE AND WARMER TEMPERATURES

I actually wore the heels most of the day as were sat down, plus they’re quite low (for me, at least). I then changed into my brogues for the evening, which is when the picture of my over 40 girl squad was taken – most girls changed into their heels for the evening but no, not me! I like to do things the illogical way =she sighs=

Going forward with outfits this year I’m aiming to have no more “outerwear only” posts – it’s March which (to me) is spring. So no matter how cold it is I’ll be showing what I wear under my coats as well, with the winter coats hopefully taking a back seat. One of the things that was commented on in my reader survey (don’t miss reading what changes to the blog I’ll be making) was that you’d like to see what I wear inside as well as outside, i.e. what’s under my coat. Unfortunately I get so chilled to the bone in the winter even taking photos with a coat on, that’s why I rarely take the coat off…!

ARE YOU DOING TRANSITIONAL SEASON DRESSING RIGHT NOW, OR ARE YOU STILL WAITING FOR YOUR WEATHER TO CHANGE? PLUS WHAT’S THE BRIGHTEST YOU GO COLOUR-WISE…? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS OR TWEET ME @NOTLAMB!

Pastel bright stripes, mustard yellow trousers, coral heels, winter white coat | Not Dressed As Lamb

SS16 pastel bright stripes, mustard yellow trousers, coral heels | Not Dressed As Lamb
SS16 pastel bright stripes, mustard yellow trousers, coral heels | Not Dressed As Lamb
SS16 mustard yellow trousers, coral heels | Not Dressed As Lamb
SS16 pastel bright stripes, mustard yellow trousers | Not Dressed As Lamb
ASOS coat (I love this winter white oversized lapel coat) | ASOS pastel stripe blouse | ASOS trousers (these yellow skinny crop trousers are the same colour) | ASOS pink pointed heels | ASOS bag (this burgundy tote bag is similar)

(I’ve managed it, folks: An entire outfit by ASOS. And this post is in no way sponsored by them… How embarrassing.)

SHOP THE LOOK:

Catherine

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P.S. LOOKING FOR MORE PASTEL BRIGHTS LOOKS? YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE THE BLUE FLORAL TRENCH I WORE WITH YELLOW AND LILAC IN THE SUMMER, OR PERHAPS THE MUSTARD POLKA DOTS BLAZER AND PINK CHINOS FROM LAST MAY…!

Linking up to: Style StoriesiwillwearwhatilikeVisible Monday, Shoe and TellLet It ShineMonday MingleStyle Sessions, Turning Heads TuesdayTrend Spin Link-UpWhat I Wore WednesdayBrilliant Blog PostsThrowback Thursday, My Refined Style, Passion for Fashion FridayFriday’s Fab Favourites, Fun Fashion Friday

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45 Comments

  1. 18 March 2016 / 5:19 pm

    I hear you! I just want sunshine. Crazy thing is that it was,85 degrees the other day. Will be 60 tomorrow. I'm like you, I will wear bright colors if the sun won't cooperate. Love the mustard slacks and colorful top, refreshing color combo. And I love ASOS too. You look lovely!
    Thanks for link up with TH Tuesday
    Jessxx
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

  2. 16 March 2016 / 8:58 pm

    Catherine this ASOS look from top to toe may not be sponsored but they ought to be thanking you as it's a real winner. I love the colour mix here which isn't at all predictable, but totally fresh. As always you have some stunning shoes – oh how I covet every pair of your shoes so far!
    Anna
    Anna's Island Style

  3. 14 March 2016 / 10:06 pm

    Loving the pastel look Catherine. These colours look fabulous on you. So sad I couldn't join in the Vintage look last week but the wifi here in Byron Bay is just getting slower and slower as we head towards Easter, and it will only get worse! So frustrating as the next 2 weeks are dedicated to posting & blogging work but it took 15 minutes just to post on Hootsuite this morning, so am losing the will to live, or should I say blog! Can't wait to get home #sortoutyourwifiaustralia

    • 15 March 2016 / 10:12 pm

      Oh no Suzi, that would drive me mad… Poor you!! Sounds like your WiFi is just too laid back for its own good ;))

      Thank you my lovely – good luck, I hope you get it sorted! x

  4. 14 March 2016 / 1:36 am

    I'm so ready for the pastel colors of spring that this post was just what I needed. Absolutely gorgeous and oh, so spring like.

    • 15 March 2016 / 10:11 pm

      Many thanks, Trina – it's such an uplifting time of year, isn't it…?!! x

    • 15 March 2016 / 10:10 pm

      That's really lovely of you, thank you so much!

  5. 13 March 2016 / 12:08 pm

    Hi Catherine, I love this outfit! I am a huge admirer of colors and actually I wear them almost the whole year around:). Have a great day, Renata xox

    • 15 March 2016 / 10:09 pm

      That's lovely to know there's lots more like me in all the colours, Renata…!! Thank you sweetie so much :)))

  6. 13 March 2016 / 11:06 am

    Oh, spring!!! Hurry up! Every March I purposely stop wearing my winter coat and going out without my scarf… only to go back and get them. I have a habit of dressing for the weather I'd like rather than what we have. I was interested to read about some young fashionistas in New York who do the same.

    Those colours look great on you :).

    • 15 March 2016 / 10:08 pm

      Hehe March is so frustrating weather-wise, isn't it Emerald…?!! I too tend to do that with the dressing for what I want, that's interesting about the New Yorkers doing the same! Thank you my lovely xx

  7. 12 March 2016 / 8:52 pm

    Hi Catherine,

    So glad I found my way to your blog. I just love the colors you have put together with this outfit. Those shoes are adorable! Because there are not many places I can look to find new Spring Styles when I'm over 50 I am so glad I found you.

    I like to get a head start on my seasonal wardrobe and you have given me so much inspiration. Thanks so much,

    -Donna

    • 15 March 2016 / 10:06 pm

      Donna thank you, that's lovely to hear! I hope you will check out my blogroll (see under "Categories" in the top bar) for a huge list of over 40 bloggers, many of whom are over 50 and over 60 too. You'll find so much inspiration there for all sorts of women with all sorts of styles, I hope the inspo doesn't just stop with me! Catherine x

  8. 12 March 2016 / 8:00 pm

    I love that you love color Catherine!! There is so much psychology associated with these bright, fabulous colors. That's why it surprises me that so many wear black dresses to a fun evening out!!(We need to start changing this—you with me?) jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • 15 March 2016 / 10:00 pm

      Good point about the black dresses, Jodie – the evening is the about the only time I go for all black, but what you said does make that somewhat contradictory!! Thank you sweetie x

  9. 12 March 2016 / 5:43 pm

    I so love your hair going shorter Catherine & the colour is just amazing!
    Can't agree more about wishing for Spring sunshine & ditching the coats – ugh over you Winter! It's funny how the seasons change right when you've had enough. This is why I love living in Britain, real, proper, tangible changes. Now the daffodils are popping up all over the place it's glorious – were they your inspiration by any chance?
    xxx

    • 15 March 2016 / 9:59 pm

      Thanks so much Michelle my lovely… and YES re. spring!! I didn't think of daffodils, it was swirly ice cream and British seaside resorts that the stripes reminded me of, haha! x

  10. 12 March 2016 / 2:16 pm

    To me, this outfit is so unique, so you, and works so beautifully with your hair. You REALLY know what suits your colouring… your outfits always feel like extensions of yourself (what real style is, IMHO). This is exactly what I would have requested for The Day I Met Catherine! xxx Lisa

    • 15 March 2016 / 9:57 pm

      Aww Lisa that's such a lovely thing to say about meeting each other for the first time, thank you!! You say I know what suits my colouring, but tbh it's so random… Maybe I'm just drawn to colours that naturally suit me, I don't know!! I just buy what I like, hehe 😉

  11. 12 March 2016 / 11:21 am

    What a lovely outfit – gorgeous neapolitan ice cream (remember that?!) colours. Really cheerful and full of spring. It was 'almost' spring here yesterday and today is looking promising. I know what you mean about outerwear – I am getting obsessional about coats and jackets, they are all I seem to buy!

    • 12 March 2016 / 1:05 pm

      hehe that's exactly the ice cream I was thinking of, Astrid!! Thank you sweetie xx

  12. 11 March 2016 / 8:17 pm

    Hahahaha I'm sorry, Catherine, but I couldn't but burst out with giggles when I read that you were desperate for Spring. Poor love. And here we are in Houston, desperate for the colder temperatures to come back. Well, at least I am, sigh. I'd swap with you any day. Especially the wardrobe bit 🙂

    p/s if you have a second, please do come and join my link-up, it'd be lovely to have you xoxo

    http://sheelagoh.com/2016/03/11/being-confident-a-link-up/

    • 12 March 2016 / 1:04 pm

      Sheela we're often still waiting for summer to start in the UK in JULY… It gets to the end of August and you realise the three days of warm weather you had in May was the summer. Then it starts to get cold again for autumn…!!!!!!!

      We always want what we don't have, don't we ;))

    • 11 March 2016 / 4:06 pm

      It works, doesn't it Patti? The white gives it that 'lift' it needs! Thank you xx

  13. 11 March 2016 / 1:15 pm

    I absolutely loved this outfit and seeing it "in the flesh" was even more striking than in photos. I love how brave you are with colour. Thank you for brightening up my day! Love Liz http://www.whatlizzyloves.com

    • 11 March 2016 / 4:05 pm

      Aww bless you, Liz – I had to wear brights really, didn't I…?!! Thank you my lovely xx

  14. 11 March 2016 / 6:21 am

    Stripes and brightness! Lovely color combo and so inspirational! Spring is my favorite time of the year and I can't wait to throw away my coats and boots. I tried to put on some lighter clothes recently but I got a flu… So I decided to be patient. Days run very quickly.

    • 11 March 2016 / 10:06 am

      Oh sorry to hear you've been unwell, get better soon!! No doubt bright colours can make you feel better so maybe layer in some brights…? And thank you, glad you liked the outfit xx

    • 11 March 2016 / 10:05 am

      Thanks Suzanne, that's a great compliment!! xx

  15. 11 March 2016 / 12:22 am

    Aaahh… such pretty spring colors. It was unseasonable warm today, but we are still not out of the sweater weather here. I love your off white coat, what a great neutral color for the warmer months.

    Cherie
    http://www.stylenudge.com
    STYLE NUDGE

    • 11 March 2016 / 10:05 am

      They're so spring-like, aren't they, Cherie..?!! Like an explosion in an ice cream factory ;)) Thanks sweetie x

  16. 10 March 2016 / 7:13 pm

    The shoes are beautiful! I love pastels for spring and bright colors alike!

    • 10 March 2016 / 9:13 pm

      Thanks Anna – the shoes were yet another one of my crazy-cheap January sales purchases ;))

  17. 10 March 2016 / 6:37 pm

    I am trying to "transition"Catherine….I am sick and tired of my winter wardrobe!
    Unfortunately, the Scottish weather is fighting against me.
    Luckily I have my cosy thermals to wear under lighter pieces.
    Sometimes we need to be inventive, don't we?
    I love this cheerful combination. So vibrant and pretty….hurry up Spring!
    XXX
    Samantha
    fakefabulous.com

    • 10 March 2016 / 9:12 pm

      Thanks Samantha – I shouldn't complain really as you have it much worse than me weather-wise in Scotland…!!

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