How to Dress for a British Summer | White Scuba Jacket and Tailored Trousers

Dressed for a cool British summer: White scuba jacket, grey rock t-shirt, yellow tailored trousers, pointed two-tone flats | Not Dressed As Lamb

This outfit had to serve several purposes last weekend: To suit the typically British summer’s day (rain, a bit chilly but warm when the sun came out) and the two very different activities planned.

Firstly, the wind and light rain (yes, really – in June…) meant a light jacket was required so I wore the embroidered scuba jacket I bought in the spring of last year (and worn with my first flirtation with flares after a long hiatus). The embroidery means it has “natural ventilation”(!) so it’s actually perfect for a British can’t-make-its-mind-up summer. Luckily the sun did come out eventually.

Secondly, I had a hairdresser’s appointment in the morning and I don’t like to look like a total scruffbag when I get my hair done, so I chose tailored trousers in a bright sunshine yellow and smart flats. The acid-wash rock tee kept it a little more funky.

 

Thirdly, the afternoon was spent hiking up to Canonteign Falls in Dartmoor National Park (described on their website as “a Victorian folly set in a magical natural paradise”) – we were meeting the rest of the family there for a picnic so had to make a half hour dash in the car from the hairdressers, so for the hike the flats were replaced with trainers.

Canonteign Falls, Teign Valley, Devon, UK

So in case you were wondering – no, I don’t go hiking in two-tone pointed flats… We took the photos at the lakes before the hike. I went with the first shoe option for the shoot!

It turned out that I didn’t need the jacket once we were in the thick woodland and climbing upwards towards the falls (England’s tallest manmade falls – the view at the top was spectacular, see below). Because the woodland is very damp and slippery in places, the smart yellow trousers were probably not the best choice considering I was the only one in our group of eight to slip and land on my arse. I expected a big cheer and round of applause from everyone – but I was up ahead and when I turned around I realised no one had actually seen my fall from grace.

Which proves that there’s only one thing worse than landing on your arse and everyone seeing you: Slipping and landing on your arse and no one seeing you. I had to laugh at myself all by myself – and that’s a lot less fun…!

(The trousers were fine by the way – nothing a quick wash in the machine couldn’t get out!)

HAVE YOU EVER WORN SOMETHING TERRIBLY UNSUITABLE FOR AN EVENT OR SOMETHING YOU WERE OUT DOING? DO ALSO PLEASE SHARE ANY SLIPPING OR TRIPPING STORIES IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

Dressed for a cool British summer: White scuba jacket, grey rock t-shirt, yellow tailored trousers | Not Dressed As Lamb

Dressed for a cool British summer: White scuba jacket, grey rock t-shirt, yellow tailored trousers | Not Dressed As Lamb
Dressed for a cool British summer: White scuba jacket, grey rock t-shirt, yellow tailored trousers, pointed two-tone flats | Not Dressed As Lamb
Dressed for a cool British summer: White scuba jacket, grey rock t-shirt, yellow tailored trousers, pointed two-tone flats | Not Dressed As Lamb
Canonteign Falls, Teign Valley, Devon, UK
Canonteign Falls, Teign Valley, Devon, UK
Dressed for a cool British summer: Grey rock t-shirt, oversized 70s sunglasses, red bobbed hair | Not Dressed As Lamb
ASOS jacket | ASOS t-shirt | ASOS trousers | Daniel Footwear pointed flats c/o | ASOS 70s oversized sunglasses

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23 Comments

  1. 10 July 2016 / 10:04 pm

    Love this list. Love a bit of preppy in my life!
    New hair suits you too xx
    Isa Lavs

  2. 5 July 2016 / 12:41 am

    Those photos are beautiful! I just love the colors in that look. And there was one time when I realized the dress I got from a thrift store's slip went just a little too high up … and I was at work. So awkward, lol. Never wore that dress again!

    Nina
    aworldofdresses.com

  3. 3 July 2016 / 9:35 pm

    Great story, Catherine! I hate that feeling, where you fall and feel humiliated then look around and realize no one saw you anyway, so you didn't really need to feel stupid! Oh yes, I have been there! Love the outfit. The shoes are so cute, but I can see why you wouldn't want to hike in them. Thanks for sharing your "real" life! – Amy
    http://stylingrannymama.com/

  4. 3 July 2016 / 7:08 pm

    I laughed out loud reading this post. Several times. So thank you for that.
    Of course you look good. You always do. The jacket is really special. But I love all the other pieces too.
    Have I ever sone something like that? Yes, once in my sexy years, I got of a spiral stairs in a restaurant, fell on the last steps and ended legs spread (wearing a skirt…) in front of dining people. Couldn't make a joke of it at the time (still too young). With red cheeks I hurried out of the restaurant.
    Greetje

    • 3 July 2016 / 7:11 pm

      Totally forgot to compliment you on your hairdo. Ever so nice.

  5. Sharron Goodyear
    3 July 2016 / 3:30 pm

    You look great in these photos Catherine and good to see a little sunshine in your images – even if it was only in the form of your yellow trousers!! 🙂

  6. 3 July 2016 / 12:44 pm

    Catherine, you have such a gift for putting things together in unexpected ways and making it look so cool and chic!! Love that fab scuba jacket, with the bright yellow pants, and the graphic tee! Very fun! Sorry about your fall … sounds just like me. 😉

    Thanks so much for linking up with Fun Fashion Friday! Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

    OXOX
    Dawn Lucy
    http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com

  7. 2 July 2016 / 8:20 pm

    Beautiful scenery and cute outfit! Sorry about your tumble on the trail! I once misjudged how far to slide to the left leaving a restaurant booth and fell on my bum in front of the whole restaurant! Yes, I was totally embarrassed!!

  8. 2 July 2016 / 1:25 pm

    your hair is fabulous, I am trying to work up the nerve to go shorter and back to red. and looking at you well that really inspires me. Loving this look, perfect for so many activities

  9. 1 July 2016 / 5:29 pm

    I really must get a couple of those T shirts. I see what you mean about giving the look a bit more edge and I think it looks great. Beautiful photos x
    http://www.vanityandmestyle.com

    • 1 July 2016 / 1:58 pm

      I have to admit the rain is at least good for keeping everything green and lush, Patti! Thanks sweetie x

  10. 1 July 2016 / 12:15 am

    Ha! The British summers in Chicago! I cannot tell you all the times I wore something completely inappropriate! But nonetheless I think this outfit is perfectly adorable and I love that you add the graphic T.

    Heidi || Wishes & Reality

    • 1 July 2016 / 1:58 pm

      Ughhh unpredictable weather is the worst to try and dress for, isn't it Heidi?!! It causes so many dilemmas, lol! Thank you my lovely x

  11. 30 June 2016 / 10:20 pm

    Great photos Catherine. Looks (and sounds) like a lovely day. We all fall on our arse once in a while, don't we? Just not always literally:)

    • 1 July 2016 / 1:57 pm

      Hehe yes we do, Susan – except my falling on my arse is literal more often than not…!! Thanks hun x

    • 1 July 2016 / 1:56 pm

      Thanks Jacqui – yes we did, despite the topsy turvey British weather!!

  12. 30 June 2016 / 7:33 pm

    Hah…it is more fun to mess up when there are others to help laugh about it (this I've only learned in my advanced age)! Life is way too boring if everything goes right as planned!!
    As for the yellow pants—I think it's nice to stand out from the jeans & sweats everyone else wears—but maybe for hiking, a print could've worked better? Truly a minor crisis, huh?
    jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • 1 July 2016 / 1:55 pm

      OMG yes you're right Jodie – I should have worn printed trousers. I was in a rush for getting to the hairdressers on time and didn't think it through about the hike afterwards, I remembered my trainers and that was it!! And at least I gave myself a laugh with the slipping over, lol ;))

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