How to Style an Embroidered Bomber Jacket Over 40 #iwillwearwhatilike

Smart casual weekend wear floral embroidered bomber jacket emerald green peg leg trousers black block heel shoes white shirt black tie-up choker necklace | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

It doesn’t happen to me very often, but sometimes you find a bargain so amazing that you absolutely have to have it whether or not it suits you/fits you – but the risk is worth it!

Last week I was at my local Tesco supermarket (which has the smallest range of F&F Clothing I’ve ever seen in any branch anywhere) and walked past a rail of sale items. This embroidered bomber jacket caught my eye because it looked exactly the same as the one from ASOS I’ve had in my Saved Items for ages, you know the ones you save for a rainy day (otherwise known as a 30% off voucher or a mega sale)?

This F&F bomber jacket really did look like the ASOS one, so I checked out the price and nearly died from shock: Reduced from £29.00 to £6.80.

Yes you read that right: SIX POUNDS AND EIGHTY PENCE*.

You can imagine just how fast I went through all the jackets, frantically looking for my size – to no avail (all far too big). Then in my desperation (does anyone else do this?) I proceeded to check all the labels on the inside of the jackets, just in case any of the hangers (marked with sizes) had been put inside the wrong jacket, you know when the sizes don’t match?

*Note that the jacket is only reduced to £9.00 online – my local store had put it down to £6.80. Still a total bargain, though.

Smart casual weekend wear floral embroidered bomber jacket emerald green peg leg trousers black block heel shoes white shirt black tie-up choker necklace | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

SHOP THE LOOK:

 

There was an incorrectly matched jacket/hanger – but it was one size too big, not several… That was good enough for me. My reckoning was that one size too big was fine in this style of jacket – it’s kind of puffy anyway – plus after the disappointment of the far-too-short Marks & Spencer jacquard bomber jacket I knew I couldn’t go for another cropped one. So into my shopping basket (a real live one) it went.

My gamble paid off! One embroidered bomber jacket was mine for about the price of a basic lunch from Pret. If that’s not the bargain of the century, I don’t know what is…!

So I debuted the jacket this weekend (which was weirdly mild, I didn’t even get cold hands while shooting these pics) and styled it with my green peg leg trousers from ASOS, my comfy croc effect block heels and a tie-up black choker that I didn’t buy, instead I DIYed it with a 5m length of velvet-effect cord ribbon from eBay for just £1.89. It’s long enough for 2 or 3 necklaces, and you can style it however you choose – in a bow or just knotted as I’ve done here.

I’m going to see if I can get some small gold beads or short length of thin tubing to go on the ends to finish it off.

As these tie-up chokers are usually about £10-£15 to buy online I take it back – maybe this was the bargain of the century…?!

Do add your outfits to this week’s link up – there will be a link up next Monday (Boxing Day), so don’t forget to pop by if you can drag yourself away from the tin of Quality Street or that 2,000 piece jigsaw you wish you’d never started 😉

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WHAT WOULD BE YOUR BARGAIN OF THE CENTURY, AND HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOURSELF A BOMBER JACKET THIS SEASON? COMMENT BELOW!

Smart casual weekend wear floral embroidered bomber jacket emerald green peg leg trousers black block heel shoes white shirt black tie-up choker necklace | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Smart casual weekend wear floral embroidered bomber jacket emerald green peg leg trousers black block heel shoes white shirt black tie-up choker necklace | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Smart casual weekend wear floral embroidered bomber jacket emerald green peg leg trousers black block heel shoes white shirt black tie-up choker necklace | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Smart casual weekend wear floral embroidered bomber jacket emerald green peg leg trousers black block heel shoes white shirt black tie-up choker necklace | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Smart casual weekend wear floral embroidered bomber jacket emerald green peg leg trousers black block heel shoes white shirt black tie-up choker necklace | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Smart casual weekend wear floral embroidered bomber jacket emerald green peg leg trousers black block heel shoes white shirt black tie-up choker necklace | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Smart casual weekend wear floral embroidered bomber jacket emerald green peg leg trousers black block heel shoes white shirt black tie-up choker necklace | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Smart casual weekend wear floral embroidered bomber jacket emerald green peg leg trousers black block heel shoes white shirt black tie-up choker necklace | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

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#iwillwearwhatilike | Not Dressed As Lamb
Thank you for joining the #iwillwearwhatilike link up! This started as a campaign on Instagram in August 2015 where women over 30 wore everything on a journalist’s list of “inappropriate” items for 30+ women (including leopard print, short dresses and oversized sunglasses. Yes, really). It was so popular that I decided to carry it on weekly where women of all ages link up their fabulous style, never mind what anyone tells them not to wear!

The link up goes live every Monday at 3pm UK time and will stay open for a week. Whilst the original article was of course aimed at the 30+, you can be ANY age to link up. The only criteria is that you’re wearing whatever you damn well like!

An InLinkz Link-up


Linking up etiquette…

CLICK HERE to read the rules of linking up (and to grab the #iwillwearwhatilike button). Basically it’s just good manners to link back to here – to leave a comment is even nicer!

 

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My favourite outfits from last week’s link up:

(L-R) The Daily Lace | High Heels in the Wilderness | A Labour of Life | Style Splash | Kremb de la Kremb

To get yourself featured next week, make sure you’ve included a link back to Not Dressed As Lamb or my button in your post/sidebar!

DO SHARE THE LOVE AND VISIT AS MANY LINKS AS YOU CAN (YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT OTHER LOVELY LIKE-MINDED LADIES YOU MIGHT MEET) – THE ORIGINAL INSTAGRAM CAMPAIGN FORGED SOME WONDERFUL NEW FRIENDSHIPS SO DON’T MISS OUT!

28 Comments

  1. 30 December 2016 / 9:41 pm

    Gosh…I'm so late doing this it's embarrassing. Thanks for featuring my outfit, Catherine. Much appreciated. I have been off line and out of blogger land for almost two weeks… visiting my Mum home on the farm in New Brunswick (on the Canadian east coast) so…. didn't know that you did this. Thanks again! And Happy New Year!

  2. 22 December 2016 / 10:45 am

    You always look SO trendy Catherine!! I could never keep up with trends like you do and work them into my wardrobe, that's why I stick with vintage/classic looks, it's all tried-and-tested and requires little brain power from me!! x

  3. 21 December 2016 / 6:42 am

    That's the BEST when this happens! It pays to have a double look. Great jacket and I like the fit.

  4. 20 December 2016 / 9:14 pm

    Hurrah for Tesco's I say Catherine. I've recently had some fab finds there too. I'm featuring a great pair of velvet trousers from F&F which cost me £9 in the sale and have also shown burgundy jeans that can easily pass as leather which came in at £16. Your bomber is gorgeous and certainly doesn't look like the wrong size in the least. Thanks for the link up party x
    Anna
    http://www.annasislandstyle.com

  5. 20 December 2016 / 4:39 pm

    One of my favourite places to shop is FAMOUS for having the hangers not match up with the actual size of the garment, dearest Catherine…so I've definitely learned to check those tags!! And your steal-of-a-deal embroidered bomber is totally "the bomb!!" Loving your DIY velvet-cord choker, too; I went the same route with a long leather thong…except I added a bead pendant that I received as a birthday gift from my sister this year!! 🙂

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com

  6. 20 December 2016 / 3:24 pm

    That is a lovely embroidered jacket and I think it is excellent you got a good deal on it!

  7. 20 December 2016 / 2:32 pm

    That is a great deal, and an amazing jackets. I'm a bargain shopper, so I get great deals all the time. I recently featured a red peacoat on my blog that I purchased for $6.00.

  8. 20 December 2016 / 12:30 pm

    Catherine love your hair first of all. It is looking fabulous. Color and style. And that jacket combined with some teal (?) trousers are real fun. Btw, I went to the Awards site to vote for you but was not able to find the voting button!!! Its not easy to navigate…xo, Sabina

  9. 20 December 2016 / 11:48 am

    What a great find!!

  10. 20 December 2016 / 6:36 am

    Thank you for hosting dear! I'm linking back to you HERE Hope you'll check out my latest Fashion post

  11. 20 December 2016 / 3:07 am

    Love this jacket and I love a bargain! What a find! And your are right, Catherine, one size up was doable and it looks splendid on you. I don't have a bomber yet, but I put it on my Christmas list. If the hubs doesn't track one down, I will get myself one for my birthday in January! This outfit looks lovely on you. – Amy
    http://stylingrannymama.com/

  12. 19 December 2016 / 9:39 pm

    WOW that really is the bargain of the century, it's beautiful, the whole outfit looks so good. I love your hair colour and that lipstick was made for you.

  13. 19 December 2016 / 9:39 pm

    Well done you! Been in there today, and bagged a pair of brown trousers for £5! Haven't tried them on yet, so the jury is out until I have! Lol. Jacqui
    http://www.mummabstylish.com

  14. 19 December 2016 / 8:05 pm

    You just gave me an idea! I live in Los Angeles and we have one hell of a garment district that sells beautiful trims, I think I purchase some and jazz up a plain bomber jacket for myself!
    Lily
    http://www.lilyseymour.com

  15. 19 December 2016 / 6:54 pm

    I couldn't help but giggle when I read this post. I have definitely done the same thing when I find something I really like, because I know hangers and size tags get mixed up. It only takes a minute to scan the tags and, as you know, it can pay off!
    Love the embroidered jacket. But I do love everything embroidered!

    Theresa

  16. 19 December 2016 / 6:16 pm

    Love the beautiful embroidery!

  17. 19 December 2016 / 6:03 pm

    That's a great jacket! I love the embroidery! And, yes, finding a great bargain on something you have been looking for and wanted for a while is a wonderful feeling!

    Have a wonderful week, Catherine!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

  18. 19 December 2016 / 5:52 pm

    Love love love how you styled this look. Perfect and kind of classy. I am so excited you liked my outfit form last week. I am always so happy to join the link up
    Irene
    http://www.thedailylace.com

  19. 19 December 2016 / 5:09 pm

    I do exactly the same thing – I rummage through every item looking at the label (usually working myself into a sweat) but it often pays off. You can't argue with £6.80! I haven't bought a bomber jacket yet. It's one of those things I keep saying I'll buy but I haven't taken the plunge so far. I think it's because I just want to wear big coats that cover my bum and legs!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

  20. 19 December 2016 / 4:56 pm

    What a bargain. I would definitely have bought it and yes I do the check the hangers match the clothing size thing too. Sometimes you do get lucky. Think I'll check my own local Tesco. Every 52 year old needs a bomber jacket. It's OK for Helen Mirren, isn't it?

  21. 19 December 2016 / 4:35 pm

    I am not a big fan of embroidery on clothes, but this one is very well made and features the colors that you are into lately. I can see why you had to have the bomber. I have to admit I would have had a hard time myself talking me out of it. LOL. But when I get the price per wear under $1 and I can come up with more than 3 outfits then it is ok for me to buy it even when it is a risky piece.

  22. 19 December 2016 / 4:02 pm

    Such a lovely bomber at the right price, Catherine.
    Thank you for the link up another week.
    Besos
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

  23. 19 December 2016 / 3:30 pm

    Definitely a steal, Catherine!! And it looks very plush 🙂 I think my one best buy has been my Louboutins. I paid $175 for a pair which retailed at close to $1500, and only because it was out of season. It's black, with nude mesh, in my mind, it's a year round staple. I was so pleased I hopped up and down like a bunny in the store that day 🙂 xoxo

  24. 19 December 2016 / 3:05 pm

    Isn't that the best feeling ever? That jacket is so lovely—it's really quite amazing that you got it for such a steal, Catherine!! And sometimes it's good to size up–especially for a jacket, so you can wear more under it without it being tight!!
    I just got a jacquard skirt for the same amount of money—like I said—it's the best feeling!
    jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

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