Sportswear as Everyday Wear – With Leather & Patent

Sporty stripes, black leather jacket, blue fedora
This is my favourite new, very retro sportswear-style stripe top that I bought recently from Romwe and have been wearing to death up till recently (there’s more to that story I’ll tell you about shortly).

I love the slight 1970s footballer look to it – a bit “Mexico World Cup 70” in a way. So bringing it up to date with a pair of skinnies, my trusty leather jacket, fab patent loafers and a fedora was just right for a not too chilly weekend. Ta-dah – new favourite outfit. However…

The sad story is that this top met with a washing machine accident, about which I am extreeeeeemely upset and cross with myself. It may not be as tragic a tale as poor Amber’s pale pink Topshop skirt story, but I am sad to tell you that the white part of this top, well… isn’t white any more. It’s a dirty grey. I didn’t put black socks in the whites wash or anything like that, I simply used the liquid wash for coloureds (rather than whites) by mistake, and everything from that wash is now grey. It’s as easy as that to ruin stuff! I’m so gutted =sniff=

So I’ve thinking that I’m just going to buy another one, serves me right for not paying attention on wash day. The problem with buying another is, what do I do with the ruined-but-not-really-ruined-in-an-unwearable-way top? And yes I did try to get the grey out, but to no avail :((

If you have any stories of ruined favourite things do please share your sob stories with me!

Catherine x

Sporty stripes, black leather jacket, blue fedora, khaki skinnies
Sweatshirt, black leather jacket, blue fedora, khaki skinnies
Black patent loafers
Sporty stripes & fingertip rings
Blue fedora & neon earrings

Leather jacket: Debenhams (similar), Sweatshirt: Romwe, Jeans: Asos, Loafers: Asos, Hat: Forever 21, Fingertip rings: River Island, Chevron rings: Asos, Earrings: Asos, Watch: Asos, Nails: Nails Inc Hampstead Gardens

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39 Comments

  1. 15 February 2014 / 6:54 am

    What a pity for this wunderful top! I have only two detergents that I use, because I always think it's a marketing thing to make us buy those for blacks and whites as well! And usuLly I am fine with that! After a while, obviously, the whites get a bit greyish, but that is – as I thought – because all the "make- the- garment-look-goode" treatments wash out….however, poor Catherine!
    I recently discovered your blog and I must say you are faboulous! I am following you!
    Thank you for giving me new inspiration!
    Bisou
    Sandra

  2. 7 February 2014 / 4:05 pm

    I have gotten a product before that takes the colour out of thigs AFTER they've run. It's even taken red wine stains out of a cardi when all the Stain Devils in the world wouldn't work. It's in a blue packet but the name escapes me… I'm sure a good haberdashery would know what the product is though and you might be lucky!

  3. 3 February 2014 / 6:03 pm

    We have a product in the US that's a color catcher by Shout that you throw in with your wash so colors don't run together or redeposit. It works great and is a very inexpensive product.

  4. 2 February 2014 / 9:05 am

    Terrific look. I not only like your outfit but also all the extra things like the hat and the earrings and of course the lovely shoes.
    As for the washing… I don't think the detergent had anything to do with it. Can't have been. You were even right to use that because if you had used detergent for white, the colours of your sweater might have been bleached. I think the manufacter of your sweater did not "seal" the dark colour. I have had it once as well. A big big black and white sweater which I brought from Kopenhagen. Just normal cotton but evn so I took it to the dry cleaners. Came out fine… two times. The third time the white was grey. I know for sure it was not the fault if the dry cleaners. It is to do with the way they finish the dye.
    What to do with the not-really-ruined-but-actually-it-is-ruined? Take your loss and throw it out.
    Greetje

    • 1 February 2014 / 11:13 pm

      Sherry thank you!!!! Both for voting and for commenting my lovely xx

  5. 28 January 2014 / 9:37 pm

    Voted. And will try to do so every day. A little reminder at the bottom of your posts would not be amiss…

    • 29 January 2014 / 5:38 pm

      Ohh Lisa that's so nice of you, thank you!! And yes don't worry I will put reminders up :)))

  6. 28 January 2014 / 11:39 am

    Oh dear Catherine, that's a stupid mishap and I can totally understand that it annoys you very much. I once had the bad luck that I have flung a viscose-top at 1200 rpm. This has also not survived. And sorry but I have unfortunately no tip for you. Now I'm going to vote for you – Greetings from Bavaria, Conny
    Pants and Tops

    • 29 January 2014 / 5:37 pm

      Conny no worries about no tips – but thank you for voting!!!!!!!!!

  7. 28 January 2014 / 7:51 am

    Catherine, such a great post, I love it! Love the whole outfit, and love the change of scenery… Great job! 🙂

    As for the top, was it cold water? If yes, then I don't think it was your fault, I'm sure it's just the quality of the die used by the manufacturer. Frankly, I wouldn't give it another try, the history can be repeated…

    xxx,
    Victoria,
    'The Wind of Inspiration' blog

    • 29 January 2014 / 5:37 pm

      It wasn't cold water, V, just a low temperature. I've never had any colour come out of synthetic fabric before, and we've coloured a whole wash of whites before with the liquid colour wash (the liquid is purple, hence grey). But I think it's worth getting another then washing it on its own – if the colour transfers again I'll know it wasn't me and will send them both back as faulty!

      Anyway thanks for your lovely comments hun xx

  8. 28 January 2014 / 4:48 am

    Your post is making me wish it was warm here!

  9. 28 January 2014 / 12:29 am

    I love that top and those shoes! I'm sorry it got ruined, I hate it when I do stuff like that.

  10. 28 January 2014 / 12:28 am

    So glad I found your blog Catherine. I love your looks and tips, they are fantastic

    • 29 January 2014 / 5:32 pm

      Aww thanks Elsie – how nice of you to say!! Welcome 🙂

  11. 27 January 2014 / 10:19 pm

    This hat was all over the Grammy's last night. I had no idea it was a HOT item until checking out today's post. Thanks Catherine for keeping me up to Date! Looking for a Hat! 🙂
    Cessily
    http://www.vintage-nut.com

    • 29 January 2014 / 5:31 pm

      Haha I think I know the one you one, Cessily – are you talking about Pharrell's maHOOsive hat??! Please don't get one that big…!! Thanks my lovely x

  12. 27 January 2014 / 10:05 pm

    I love your sweater Catherine, though such a shame it's been ruined. I'm also crushing on your star earrings, love their colour. Great look dear 🙂

    Take care,
    Daniella xox

  13. 27 January 2014 / 9:35 pm

    Have voted Catherine – GOOD LUCK! Keep reminding me and I'll try to click every day. You'd be fabulous at it x

    • 29 January 2014 / 5:29 pm

      Avril you're a star – thank you so much!!!!!

  14. 27 January 2014 / 9:00 pm

    Those shoes are rockin! Love the whole outfit!

  15. 27 January 2014 / 8:27 pm

    Oh Catherine…I'm so sorry to hear about the demise of your favourite top!! Don't you hate it when you have no one to blame but yourself?! My own experiences are more of the dryer variety; I've ruined a few lovely stretch-lace pieces by "melting" them with too high a heat setting. 🙁
    Have to mention your orange earrings…how fun are those?!

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com

    • 29 January 2014 / 5:28 pm

      Not just me being dozy then, Monika…!! I don't think I've melted anything before, but there's always time ;)) Thanks my lovely xx

  16. 27 January 2014 / 8:17 pm

    I hate it when that happens. I don't have any helpful tips that I've used, but Hints from Heloise is great for that kind of stuff. I bet some of her stuff is online too. Good luck!

    • 29 January 2014 / 5:27 pm

      Hmm I'll have a look – thanks sweetie x

  17. 27 January 2014 / 7:40 pm

    That is a brilliant top, or at least was :(. Hope you are able to get another – Its a wonderful outfit and I love the blending of colours again. I do look forward to your posts for two reasons. 1) the outfits are so nice and always utilise lots of colour (hurrah!!) 2) Your camera person takes brilliant photos – Love them.

    • 29 January 2014 / 5:26 pm

      What a lot of lovely compliments! Thanks Fashmr!

  18. 27 January 2014 / 6:04 pm

    I have a one year old so as soon as I announce an article to be my new favorite it is immediately ruined. Alas….

    That being siad I love the casual but fun vibe of this look— I think the cuff at the jean– although completely subtle— really takes it to a new level! Great look!

    ~Alexis Grace of North on Harper

    • 29 January 2014 / 5:26 pm

      Aww thanks Alexis, that's really nice of you to say! x

  19. 27 January 2014 / 5:58 pm

    I'd throw the "ruined" top in a Grey dye. The dingy White will dye Grey and the Blue and Orange should stay as they are. If you've never dyed clothing, don't worry it's quite easy. If the fiber content is more than 40% poly then you'll need to get a dye made for synthetic fabrics, if not then good old Rit dye will work.

    http://www.dressupnotdown.blogspot.com

    • 29 January 2014 / 5:24 pm

      Hmm that is one idea – though I may never wear it if it were grey as I'd never love it as much as the white one! Thanks hun x

  20. 27 January 2014 / 4:50 pm

    Oh dear that is tragic and I can't believe the washing powder could be responsible, I've used the coloureds stuff on whites before if I've run out, with no problem at all. Fab outfit though and my middle daughter would definitely agree as she has those shoes! x

  21. 27 January 2014 / 4:24 pm

    I VOTED FOR YOU!
    I think the problem with your stripe top is itself, I mean the black part loose the colour and make the white grey. I think you'll have the same problem if you buy another one. I sewn for my self something with black and white and every time I had to hand wash, taking care to not keep the white part into the water together with the black part!
    I'll come back tomorrow and vote again!

    • 29 January 2014 / 5:23 pm

      Thanks Carmen… though my theory with mixed colour tops (especially in synthetic fabric like this) is that the colour part can't run into the white otherwise it's basically not fit for use. We've coloured whites before by using the same colour fabric liquid. Though if the second one I buy does the same thing I'll know it's a manufacturing problem!!

      Thanks so much for voting!! x

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