It was only after I saw these photos that I realised just how casual (slouchy?) half the pieces were in this outfit: distressed jeans, backpack, beanie… hardly what you’d put on for a day out exploring a town when you’re an any-excuse-to-dress-up kind of girl. If I’d added dirty old sneakers and a parka then it would definitely have been the sort of outfit my mother would tut at (love ya, mum) – and the sort of outfit I’d walk my (non-existent) dog in.
But by adding a smart, longline black coat, heeled ankle boots and leather gloves, it takes those slouchy pieces and makes them a lot smarter. The obligatory Winter 2015 accessory that is the tartan scarf (god help me) adds some extra colour and pattern… job done. Oh, and the town in question? Reading. For those of you expecting news on the blogger meet, I’ve finally been and hopefully found a venue to replace the one that fell through at the end of last year. Now if I can just get this one to confirm a date(!) we’re good to go.
Do you ever find yourself wearing a lot of items that are deemed slouchy or over casual… and then finding ways to smarten them up? What are your favourite slouchy pieces? Do share in the comments!
Coat: c/o La Redoute, Scarf: Asos (it seems to go in and out of stock – if it’s out of stock, this oversized one or this standard size one are the nearest I can find to it), Beanie: Asos, Sweater: La Redoute, Jeans: Asos (similar), Boots: c/o La Redoute, Backpack: Asos, Gloves: Next, Earrings: Topshop
P.S. Don’t forget to enter my Elvis & Kresse luxury bag giveaway – win a bag of your choice made of reclaimed fire hoses (yes, really!) up to the value of £200:
Linking up to: Visible Monday, Let It Shine, Share in Style, Monday Mingle, Style Sessions, Trend Spin Link-Up, What I Wore Wednesday, Throwback Thursday, Passion for Fashion Friday, Friday’s Fab Favourites
I LOVE this outfit. That slouchy beanie looks so chic.
bonbonrosegirls.com
I have to admit I am rather enjoying my winter wardrobe this year, Jessica – and I'm a summer girl through and through x
Totally agree with your comments. The tailored coat pulls it all together. Lovely scarf.
Daphne.
Thank you so much, Daphne my lovely!! x
Usually I wear smart stuf. If I have slouchy pieces I always upgrade them, like you have done. Unless, it is really cold and I have to get to work with my big laptop, extra shoes, bread and whatnot. Then I want my trusted thick parka and ai don't care.
Greetje
There are many times that it's so cold that I put my thick parka on over the top of everything, Greetje – and I too don't care, as long as I'm warm enough!! I end up looking like a walking pile of thick clothes…!
And it is not easy taking pictures outdoors without wearing that thick coat…. freezing! Brass monkey's weather here.
hehe I LOVE the fact that you use the expression "brass monkeys" Greetje…!!!!!!!!
Fabulous shoes, dearest Catherine!! They are my secret weapon for turning even my slouchy boyfriend jeans into a look that's stylish…not sloppy!! Very happy to see you getting your money's worth out of that plaid scarf (I'm teasing, but only a little!) and your knit beanie is just sooo cute!! XO
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.blogspot.com
Ohhh you tease away, lovely Monika – I deserve it!! Thanks so much xx
I wish I could buy and wear slouchy but I just look strange. It is not me at all but I wish I had at least boyfriend jeans with holes but so far none looks good on me.
I guess it's just a case of trying and trying, Monika… I took over 10 years to find a black biker jacket that I liked!!
Love this outfit! It's casual yes, but hardly "slouchy". Hope you have a great week!
-Jenny
Hehe it so easily could have been with just a couple of changes, Jenny…!! Thank you hun, you too x
What a lovely casual outfit. Looks warm and comfy. Great color combo, too.
Steam carpet cleaning Ashford
Donna thank you, glad you like it!! x
It's ok to go slouchy every now and then chick, great look fab scarf
Lauren
livinginaboxx
I think I may go slouchy a bit more often than just now and then, Lauren…!!! Thanks hun xx
Love love love this smart/casual look. I am all about that kinda slouchy yet smart look at the moment! you look truly wonderful and of course totally nailed it! I kinda wanna steal each item from you.. apart from your beloved scarf of course.. i would never do that to you 😉 I too have a tartan scarf obsession, and also houndstooth.. kinda crushing on both this winter!
Happy thursday my friend.. here's to the fast approaching weekend, woohoo!XXXX
You only don't want to steal my scarf because you have one that's almost the same, Rachel!! Hehe thanks my lovely, and yes I've noticed we both need to visit TSAA (Tartan Scarf Addict Anonymous)…
I really appreciate the mix of both plaids here Catherine! Looks cool. Hong Kong is now cold enough that I can get out my big wooly plaid scarf. Emmm, yumm!
Love,
Ann of Kremb de la Kremb
Hehe I didn't even notice the two patterns, Ann!! And yay for the plaid scarf-wearing days for you :))
boots and coat always snaz up a slouchy outfit. I am with you add a few great pieces and instant glam ( OK not to casual)
The coat makes a big difference I think, Linda – it had to be a tailored style to make the whole outfit look smarter. Thanks sweetie! x
I love this look! I'd totally wear this.
So would I!!! Oh, I already did ;))
Thanks hun x
I love this casual look, I think you've achieved that balance of causal chic! I live in my rip jeans on the weekend and try to glam it up with accessories.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up. Tomorrow's link was inspired by one of your recent outfits.
I have to admit I wear them probably a bit too much as well, Alice – must try to vary my wardrobe a bit!! Thank you sweet, and even more so for taking my outfit as inspo!!! So flattered x
I love your styling of ripped jeans! Very effortlessly cool and chic!
♥♥♥
Jeanne
http://fashionmusingsdiary.com
Jeanne thank you – glad you liked the outfit x
Dressing ups distressed jeans is one of my favorites! Unfortunately jeans with holes in them are frowned upon at my job! Good job, it looks comfy, warm and stylish!
My fave too, Wendy! I don't think I would wear distressed jeans to any smart job (correction: I wouldn't wear them to any smart job) – but at weekends they're perfect. As you can probably see I wore tights underneath, I wasn't a fan of the extra ventilation on that cold day!!
Thank you my lovely x
I love this look! The hat is perfect!
Thanks so much, Raquel!
I love this look Catherine. I really need to add to my casual look wardrobe, I've been saying for ages that I need a comfy and stylish look for the weekend as I feel I need to dress up all week but still want to look good on the weekends and be comfortable!
Thank you Amy – that's quite unusual that your wardrobe is more smart than casual, most people are the other way around!! x
My fave slouchy pieces have to be Primark tee shirts. I own so many, and I love dressing them up and down.
Rubi | The Den | http://www.the-den.blogspot.com
I'm the same with anything from Asos, Rubi!! I would go into Primark more if only it were empty of people… the only times I ever go are a few minutes after they open – otherwise I avoid it like the plague ;))
Ahh I commented before but I am not sure if it went through! Anyways, I love your blog and your photography is gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing <3
http://www.skinnybelle.com/
This is the only one I can see, Robyn (Blogger is rubbish for comments!!) – thank you so much, that's a lovely compliment! x
I can see what you mean about the coat and boots here, they really do make a difference! Footwear is really the make or break for me in terms of making an outfit smart or casual – I think that's why, even though I wear a lot of lovely dresses, because I wear cosy casual boots with them a lot of the time, then I still look a bit casual, compared to someone like Forever Amber who always wears high-heeled court shoes, and makes everything look more formal.
Fingers crossed for the blogger meet-up thingy, I think you said you were moving it to May weren't you? Please don't let it be on the 2nd or 9th!! Birthday plans.
x
Amber always amazing but I couldn't cope with wearing heels all the time like she does, Sarah!! I think you've got a great compromise there 🙂
And thank you hun… yes the venue is booked – expect an email in a few days!! x