Some of you may remember that in October I wrote about Hope, a newly launched brand for the over 40 woman – and basically loved everything about them.
This year they’ve done it again with a fantastic SS16 collection full of gorgeous, soft flowing fabrics, bright colours and key foundation pieces.
Although the UK isn’t quite there yet with warmer temperatures, I feel it won’t be too long before we can ditch the winter coats and start wearing looser, less bulky things like the everyday, casual relaxed outfit I’m wearing here. Hope’s palette for SS16 couldn’t be more perfect for my obsession with all things rosy-hued (see my Instagram feed): Soft bluey-greys, orange, pale yellow and plenty of white. Think “soft” tropical colours.
The Hope pieces I’m wearing here (orange vest top, trousers and scarf) are beautiful quality and very flattering. I’m all over orange at the moment and I firmly believe that vest tops (US: tanks) in every colour are perfect for the summer. Hope’s foundation range pieces give plenty of support without any bulk (perfect for bustier ladies like myself) and the fabric of this vest top is a summer-friendly breathable polyamide mix. It suits the colours in the scarf which is that perfect length – and soft enough – for tying a thousand different ways. I really should learn a few new ways to tie a scarf… I reckon you’d only need to know about five to transform the look of an outfit.
Finally these silk lounge pants (coming soon) which are the absolute bomb – colour, fabric and cut are all perfect. Quite often wide legged pants made me look a little wide in the hip area, but these are in fact very slimming even in this soft blue-grey colour. And the best bit: The pockets, which are really well designed. I’ve realised that pockets sewn into the side seam of trousers add bulk, but these are slanted and at the front which is so much more flattering for fuller hips. Top marks to Hope for that small feature that makes all the difference.
The other pieces I added were all white: A ribbed cardigan, white fringed bag (so summery) and classic white Adidas Stan Smiths. I’ve been wanting to get all-white Stan Smiths for ages – I have a 20-year-old pair of Adidas Originals with navy stripes but even though they’re still loved they’re very tatty and just not smart enough when you need to be “smart casual”.
I LOVE THE LOOK OF WIDE LEGGED PANTS WITH STAN SMITHS, AND THE HOPE TROUSERS DRAPE PERFECTLY ACROSS MY BOX-FRESH WHITE ADIDAS.
I love the look of wide legged pants with Adidas Originals, white tennis shoes or Converse, and the Hope trousers seemed very long without shoes but actually drape perfectly across my box-fresh white Adidas (see below).
So once again Hope have knocked it out the park – this is a brand definitely worth keeping an eye on now and in the future…!
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HOPE’S NEW SS16 COLLECTION? AND HOW DO YOU WEAR RELAXED PIECES BUT STAY SMART WHEN YOU HAVE TO? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS OR TWEET ME @NOTLAMB!
Orange foundation vest c/o Hope | Silk lounge pants c/o Hope (coming soon) | Aqua patterned wrap scarf c/o Hope | ASOS cardigan (this white Nicole Farhi cardigan is similar and seriously reduced) | Adidas Originals Stan Smith trainers | Dorothy Perkins bag (this white fringed bag is similar) | Lulus sunglasses c/o (these black cat eye sunglasses are almost identical)
Don’t forget that Hope offers free trouser alterations, free delivery over £150 and free returns. In the sale right now there is up to 50% off! There are loads of beautiful pieces in the SS16 collection – check out these pieces below:
L-R: Cotton/Silk Cocoon Shirt in White | Kimono Cardigan in Watermelon Red | Lurex Pop On Knit in Silver Natural
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Linking up to: Style Stories, iwillwearwhatilike, Visible Monday, Shoe and Tell, Let It Shine, Monday Mingle, Style Sessions, Turning Heads Tuesday, Trend Spin Link-Up, What I Wore Wednesday, Brilliant Blog Posts, Throwback Thursday, My Refined Style, Passion for Fashion Friday, Friday’s Fab Favourites, Fun Fashion Friday
Disclosure: I have written this post in collaboration with Hope (click here for my full disclosure). All content is original, however, and opinions are my own and 100% honest.
The lounge pants look super comfortable and I really like the scarf! The print is very artistic and the colors soft. I really love this look on you.
hank you for linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish,com
Perfect combination of the colors!! I really love it!! Thanks for sharing!!
You are just gorgeous! Loving that scarf especially and that lipstick is perfect for you too!
Thanks so much for linking up with Fun Fashion Friday!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
What a brilliant casual yet stylish look Catherine. The orange really suits you (where are you getting that golden glow from – surely not still Santorini sparkle?) and the trackie bottoms are very sleek. Love your white trainers too, but can't see them staying white for long on me! Fab post to give us some Hope for the spring x
Anna
Anna's Island Style
Great outfit! I love the color of the tank. Gorgeous scarf, too! And the flow of the lounge pants is really nice!
Love this color mix, and the sneakers add just the right bit of insouciance!
Man….that scarf really ties it all together for me—the colors are beautiful yet muted and work so nicely with the tank & your complexion!! I've given up on learning all the ways to tie a scarf—I know about 3!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
This completely got me on the wrong path. I now the brand Hope as a Swedish brand with edgy stuff. I would have thought they would have registered (and protected) their name worldwide. Confusing.
Greetje
You look beautiful. I love the whole outfit. It shouts spring and summer. I really like the way the scarf pulls the whole outfit together. It looks like the perfect outfit for a trip to the park or just for traveling in general. Thanks for sharing. – Amy
http://www.stylingrannymama.com
Absolutely LOVE this look! So stylish yet comfortable and relaxed, LOVE it! And I'm totally drooling over that scarf!
Suzy x
http://www.suzyturner.com
Gorgeous colors and wow, that scarf is fantastic. Isn't it great to enjoy your warmer-weather things (even if only for a day)! xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Thanks Patti – and yes!! We have a glorious day today, though I doubt it'll last… At least we're getting more sunny days more frequently now as we edge ever-slowly towards spring…! x
What a beautiful and fresh ensemble, Catherine! Those trousers are dreamy (the drape and fabric look amazing! nothing is better than silk…) and I will probably need that vest top in every colour it comes in, especially if you endorse it for us ladies that have a lot happening in the chest department! The scarf looks gorge as well, very beautiful colours to have around the face. Love it ALL. Well done to Hope. I'm off to explore their website now. xx
Thank you Lisa my lovely! The trousers are fabulous – the silk hangs beautifully, I was pleasantly surprised at how flattering they were on me. I think it's because the fabric is heavier and hangs well, so you don't get that "bulk" that wide legged trousers often give you. I'll be sporting these a lot more on the blog I think…!! xx