How to Style Orange Breton Stripes #iwillwearwhatilike

Loose, comfy summer style: Orange Breton stripe top wide leg cream trousers pink snakeskin shoes rose gold aviators | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

As is the case for many women come summer (or, in some cases, all year round), we go somewhat nuts for Breton stripes.

I reckon if you were to put four average women in a room you’d find at least one of them has a Breton stripe obsession… am I wrong?!

Well I am one of those women, and here I am parading the latest stripe to infiltrate my wardrobe: A yummy bright orange Breton stripe top. I can’t say I’d seen one in orange before, but seeing as another obsession I have is of anything orange then it was only a matter of time before one would come hurtling through the interwebs and knocking on my door via my long-suffering delivery driver, Neil.

(He comes so often we’re on first names terms =eek=)

Anyway to style said top: Give it all the attention it deserves. Pair it with neutrals to let the orange zing. Maybe add some funky pink snakeskin shoes so it doesn’t feel like it’s the only one being a bit obnoxious. That’s all it requires, unless…

Loose, comfy summer style: Orange Breton stripe top wide leg cream trousers pink snakeskin shoes rose gold aviators | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

… unless you fancy adding a little warm jewellery – for me this is my other current love, rose gold jewellery. The little drop earrings are from Accessorize and the rose gold aviators (non-prescription) are ASOS – I like the slightly geeky/1980s look of plain aviators. A bit of anti-fashion, if you will…!

Finally, a nude bag like my 8-year-old Karen Millen one will go with EVERYTHING, I promise you. Get one and you won’t regret it. I’ve found some gorgeous ones online for all budgets, scroll to past the outfit photos to see my picks.

These pictures were taken at a new location: My parents are in the process of selling their house, so we went to see the new house at the weekend (and it was fabulous). They’re downsizing because they’re both in their 80s and the current house is just too much for them to look after. Anyway come the summer I won’t be taking any more photos down the lane right outside their current house, but I will be photographing at the beautiful mini woodland/park you see here and probably lots more places once we’ve done more exploring.

The extended family will be sad to say goodbye to the house they’ve been in for nearly 24 years, but a change is needed and it will be so good for them – I’m really excited at the new life they’re going to be leading which will be nearer civilisation (walking distance to a main town!) yet very quiet and picturesque. Hurrah for new locations!

 

The link up: A slight change

I’m trying something new this week so tell me what you think: I’ve made the link up random, so whenever you refresh the page the order of the thumbnails will change. I thought it might give those who are unable to link up when it goes live more of a chance of being visible – I know this goes out when a lot of us are collecting kids from school, for example, or even in bed if you’re several hours ahead of the UK.

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Anyway tell me if you think it’s a good idea (or if you hate it)!

So do add your outfits to this week’s link up – and if you’ve added a link to here or my button to your post you may be featured next week!

ARE YOU A BRETON STRIPE OBSESSIVE TOO? COMMENT BELOW!

Loose, comfy summer style: Orange Breton stripe top wide leg cream trousers pink snakeskin shoes rose gold aviators | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Loose, comfy summer style: Orange Breton stripe top wide leg cream trousers pink snakeskin shoes rose gold aviators | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Loose, comfy summer style: Orange Breton stripe top wide leg cream trousers pink snakeskin shoes rose gold aviators | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style
Loose, comfy summer style: Orange Breton stripe top wide leg cream trousers pink snakeskin shoes rose gold aviators | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 style

Breton top: La Redoute
Trousers: Coast
Shoes: Finery c/o
Bag: Karen Millen
Aviators: ASOS
Earrings: Accessorize
Lips: MAC Morange (US link)

 

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The #iwillwearwhatilike link up with 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!

Featured favourites

Fashion bloggers who believe in #iwillwearwhatilike: Anna's Island Style | Funky Forty | In My Joi

My favourite outfits from last week’s link up (Another little change: I’m going with just three from now on to hopefully put more of a spotlight onto each one)!

(L-R) Anna’s Island Style | Funky Forty | In My Joi

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!

34 Comments

  1. 13 May 2017 / 7:36 pm

    I love the idea of changing the order. It is not the "problem" I am up against though. I want to give you maximum exposure in return and I always post on Sunday, so a lot of readers have already seen my post by the time I join your link-up. Perhaps I should just continue what I did before and link back the next week.
    As for breton stripes: love them. Only the ones I have at the moment are too tight (getting a little fatter…). Hurray for your parents to have found a smaller but nice house nearer to town. As a town girl I always want to be near town…
    Greetje

  2. 12 May 2017 / 8:47 pm

    I have quite a collection of striped tops. I remember my mum having a bit of an obsession with buying striped tops some years ago and I used to tease her for it…mum knows best I suppose!

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

  3. 11 May 2017 / 4:33 pm

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

  4. 11 May 2017 / 2:05 pm

    Oh yes – another SERIOUS fan of stripes over here, dearest Catherine…as you can tell from the layered tee and sweater combo that I've linked up today!! 🙂 Love your new orange-striped top, I must say (I tend to stick to my favourite black and white theme) and that slouchy, chain-embellished bag is absolutely delicious!! P.S. Robin and I only moved a few blocks from where we used to live back when I started my blog; but weirdly, we rarely go back there for photos!! P.P.S. I think "randomizing" the way the linkup pics pop up is a fabulous idea!! XOXO

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com

  5. 9 May 2017 / 11:53 pm

    Thanks for hosting the linkup!

    Jonathan

    The Hosiery Spot

  6. 9 May 2017 / 10:00 pm

    Ive started wearing stripey tops with everything… florals, over, under anywhere haha and all from the charity shops for a lot less than retail shops. Such a useful item and I love the orange.

  7. 9 May 2017 / 9:06 pm

    Love the stripes! Especially orange ones! I recently found a short sleeve top with orange and white stripes at the thrift store. I'll be styling that later this month on the blog. I love your outfit and I think wearing the top with the more neutral pants and accessories was the perfect choice. Great look, Catherine. – Amy
    http://stylingrannymama.com/

  8. 9 May 2017 / 3:59 pm

    Great idea with the page refresh, Catherine! I always seem to miss your linkup and then hesitate to post because I'm so late to the party 🙂

    Love the fab striped top! Perfect for now and into the summer months!

    Mary
    http://marymurnane.com

  9. 9 May 2017 / 3:56 pm

    This would have been a perfect outfit for our unnaturally cool spring that we are having in Georgia. Those pants are cute and they look so comfortable!

  10. 9 May 2017 / 12:02 pm

    Nope, I'm not a stripes person. I just don't like the way they look on me. I love them on you and everyone else though. This is a fabulous outfit. I love those pants with that top!

  11. 9 May 2017 / 9:48 am

    I've seen breton stripes teamed with leopard print accessories quite a bit, but this is the first time I've seen snakeskin – it works just as well, and is a bit more unexpected. Love it! x

  12. 9 May 2017 / 3:22 am

    Loving the orange breton striped top with your cream pants .Enjoy playing in your new location.Many thanks for hosting the link up and for the random posting , as someone in the Southern Hemisphere I so appreciate your thoughfulness.

  13. 8 May 2017 / 11:52 pm

    Love the orange stripes, Catherine. Really love those aviators. And great idea to go random Thanks as always for hosting the link-up.

  14. 8 May 2017 / 11:07 pm

    I'm a fan of the Breton Striped shirt and have multiples. But my nude bag rocks my world. I picked it up at Sophie Sacs on Rue du Rennes in Paris. It's a nat et nin bag–the Carrie–and it is spectacular. It is the prettiest nude color and soft as butter. In fact, I may treat myself to the same bag in blue when I return to France next month. Thank you for the opportunity to link up.

  15. 8 May 2017 / 7:18 pm

    Orange is one of my fave colours Catherine and I actually wore a orange and white (short sleeved) top today which is rather funny. I love the casual look with those wide (linen?) trousers and the surprise finish of those pink shoes is fab too. Cheers for choosing my photo to go into your new line-up, very kind of you. Thanks for the link up party x
    Anna
    http://www.annasislandstyle.com

  16. 8 May 2017 / 7:17 pm

    Reminiscence, a NY-based brand big in the 80s, made the perfect boat neck 3/4 sleeve striped tee that came in many many colorways. I think I owned a dozen of them! I couldn't decide! Alas, I got too large for them all. Haven't replaced them, though I have piles and piles of yarn dye striped yardage from work that "someday" I'll sew into tee dresses.

    Love your orange!

    I linked up an IG photo from Saturday, when I wore a Redbubble dress featuring my own print design.
    Thanks for turning me onto them! So easy to upload artwork!

    • 8 May 2017 / 7:17 pm

      Forgot to add — I'm ALL for random!

  17. 8 May 2017 / 6:58 pm

    I love breton stripes! I actually have a green and white and it is one of my faves to wear

  18. 8 May 2017 / 4:32 pm

    Your two bits of "obnoxious" (hahaha) work famously together. I do love a bold stripe. And your new locations are beautiful – it'll be fun exploring the possibilities. I like that you will do the random thing with thumbnails and the switch to three photos for the favourites. These women look fantastic.

  19. 8 May 2017 / 4:22 pm

    I think random is much better! Perhaps I should do that too!

  20. 8 May 2017 / 3:37 pm

    I didn't realise you could even do that! Besides it's not a matter of losing track of who I've already seen as I get the green tick. Fabulous idea Catherine, I love the fairness of it – You to a T my love xxx

  21. 8 May 2017 / 2:55 pm

    I love stripes! That's a great top; and you look fabulous!

    I like the random order of the link up!

  22. 8 May 2017 / 2:52 pm

    I adore stripes on others but always seem to have trouble styling on myself. I do have plenty to work with though! Great outfit today and now I'm off to check out the link ups! Peace! Cheryl Tucker @ http://www.northwestmountainliving.com

  23. 8 May 2017 / 2:45 pm

    You can't go wrong in a breton top and I must say I LOVE the orange! And what a stunning setting – I would imagine there's going to be some more stunning photography coming from you from there (gosh, try and say that after a couple of glasses wine lol!)
    Suzy xx
    http://www.suzyturner.com

  24. 8 May 2017 / 2:35 pm

    In love with your shoes, so perfect. They look chic and very comfortable, am I right?
    Brilliant idea Catherine, more fair and we get the chance to see people better.
    Enjoy the rest of Monday
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

  25. 8 May 2017 / 2:31 pm

    I never understood the striped obsession…until I started print mixing. Then it was like an "aha" moment!!
    As for the linkup—I like it that way–it seems more fair!!
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  26. 8 May 2017 / 2:24 pm

    A Breton top has always been on my list to get, but never seem to get around to it. I like how you used neutrals to play against it.

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