This outfit of a navy striped sweater and khaki wide leg floral pants is one of those strange combinations that I was really unsure about before trying it on –
to the point where I thought Nah, this is going to look kind of awful on me. I thought a boxy top and wide leg trousers would look too baggy overall, but this was one of those occasions where you simply have to try something on to see that it works, and then it turns out to be an absolute favourite outfit.
These two pieces (plus the navy wedge sandals) are from the Hobbs SS16 collection, and together they were one of the outfits I chose for the Style Session I hosted last week at the new Kensington High Street store in London. (I chose several outfits which were worn by a couple of gorgeous models, and you can read all about the event and what other outfits I chose in a dedicated blog post this Sunday.)
So this week’s #iwillwearwhatilike theme is stripes – scroll down for all the details for linking up and to see what lovely ladies from last week have been featured this time!
MY POINT IS THIS: NEVER BE AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING ON, AND NEVER INSIST SOMETHING WON’T SUIT YOU. FORGET THE RULES, STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE, AND KEEP AN OPEN MIND.
My point is this: Never be afraid to try something on, and never insist something won’t suit you. Forget the rules, step out of your comfort zone, and keep an open mind.
This outfit is a subtle nod to pattern mixing with bold stripes and the khaki florals – the reason the colours work is because there is one colour [navy] that is present in both patterns, which is the easiest way to mix patterns. I absolutely adore both these pieces – they’re perfect for a British summer – and the chunky wedge sandals are a great style for adding height with wide leg pants where pointed heels would look wrong and too dainty.
Not bad for an outfit I was very hesitant about…!
ARE YOU A SERIAL PATTERN MIXER (LIKE MYSELF), OR DO YOU FIND YOURSELF DRAWN TO STRIPES EVERY SUMMER (LIKE MYSELF!)? COMMENT BELOW, OR TAKE IT TO TWITTER @NOTLAMB!
SHOP THE LOOK:
Hobbs striped sweater c/o | Hobbs floral wide leg pants c/o | Hobbs navy wedge sandals c/o (30% off at the moment!) | Accessorize camera bag (old – here’s a bling camera bag version) | Le Specs round mirrored pastel sunglasses via ASOS | Ring bought in Santorini (this gold leaf ring is almost identical) | River Island watch (this tan leather strap watch is similar) | Chanel ‘Peridot’ nail polish (Crabtree & Evelyn ‘Avocado’ is a dupe) | Burts Bees lip crayon in ‘Sedona Sands’
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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!
NEXT WEEK:
THE OPTIONAL THEME FOR 20 JUNE IS A POP OF COLOUR
Please be a good sport and do the following…
CLICK HERE to read the rules of linking up (and to grab the #iwillwearwhatilike button)
Featured favourites
My favourite TOTES and SHOPPERS from last week’s link up:
(L-R) Lady of Style | High Heels in the Wilderness | The LIFB Issue | The Barefaced Chic
To get yourself featured next week, link up something following this week’s theme and make sure you’ve included a link back to Not Dressed As Lamb or my button in your post/sidebar!
DO SHARE THE LOVE AND VISIT AS MANY LINKS AS YOU CAN (YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT OTHER LOVELY LIKE-MINDED LADIES YOU MIGHT MEET) – THE ORIGINAL INSTAGRAM CAMPAIGN FORGED SOME WONDERFUL NEW FRIENDSHIPS SO DON’T MISS OUT!
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN | YOUTUBE | NEWSLETTER
P.S. DO CHECK OUT MY PINTEREST BOARD WITH ALL THE BEST OF THE #IWILLWEARWHATILIKE LINK UPS – HAVE YOU BEEN PINNED…?
Linking up to: iwillwearwhatilike, Shoe and Tell, Visible Monday, Monday Mingle, Style Sessions, Turning Heads Tuesday, Brilliant Blog Posts, Passion for Fashion Friday, Friday’s Fab Favourites, Fun Fashion Friday
It's all good here!
Stripes and florals, pattern mixing and colour mixing.
Plus that fabulous bag.
I am glad to see it again… adding a playful touch to your look.
XXX
Samantha
FakeFabulous.com
Hehe I know YOU don't need to try and be a bit more daring, Samantha…!! ;)) Thank you sweetie x
Love pattern clashing, you look gorgeous and that bag *swoon x
I'm such a huge fan of pattern mixing too Catherine, but I think I would have been a bit hesitant to try these on together. Such good advice to get out of your comfort zone and give it a try. I love this casual look on you and I totally adore that brilliant handbag – what fun!
Anna x
http://www.annasisalandstyle.com
That surprises me that you would have hesitated, Anna – I thought it was actually quite tame , I was more worried about the two loose shapes together…!! Thank you so much, glad you liked it x
Pattern mix can't get any better, C, I adore this look! The colour combination is awesome and I love the backdrop too. Perfect!!!
xx
Annette | Lady of Style
Aww thank you Annette – the greenery is looking particularly lush at this time of year…!! x
That handbag sure is fun!
bisous
Suzanne
Like your sweater and sunglases 🙂
BLOG M&MFASHIONBITES : http://mmfashionbites.blogspot.gr/
Maria V.
You've hit on another winning combination of pattern mixing Catherine! I love the sweater…I'm addicted to stripes! I have to stop myself from buying yet more striped tops sometimes, but then you can probably never have too many! Adorable camera bag 🙂
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
You can NEVER have too many stripes, Emma!!! 😉 hehe thank you sweetie x
Love this mix! It caught my eye as soon as you popped up and it looks so fresh and fun. xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Love the fun mix of patterns!
Thank you for hosting and hope you are having a fab week!
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
In my experience, some of the BEST outfit combinations are ones we initially think won't work out…and your striped sweater and floral pants ensemble is the perfect example, dearest Catherine!! I'd wear this look in a heartbeat…and that "camera bag??" It's the most adorable finishing touch ever!! XOXO
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com
I think you're probably right, Monika – some of my best purchases have been impulse buys so it works that way too! Thank you my lovely x
I LOVE that bag. So adorable!
Nina
aworldofdresses.com
Great pattern mixing! Such a fun outfit, and I LOVE that bag!
Jane
http://www.unextraordinarilyjane.com
This is sporty casual perfection and I just can't stop staring at your accessories Catherine! So, so we'll done.
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
Thank you Heidi – the bag is popular today…!! x
The outfit looks fabulous on you! And you are so right, it's important to try new things. I'm often guilty of not trying on things and just judging them on the hanger; I'm trying to change that! 🙂
Andrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
I do it myself too, Andrea, as I proved in this post!! Thanks hun x
I love how each piece adds to the other in this outfit, with the blingy bag as a cherry on top. I often step out of comfort zone in styling with good and bad results, but I certainly have fun trying. Thanks for the linkup.
No one could EVER accuse you of not stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new combinations, Melanie!! Thank you my lovely x
These pants! I am in love with these pants! Like true, real love. They look fab with the striped sweater, too. Of course, I love stripes, too. Well done!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
I get the feeling you like my trousers, Shelbee…?!! lol thank you sweetie!
Killed it again with your impeccable sense of style mixing stripes with floral. The bag is so fun! Thanks for hosting the linkup.
xo Sheree
http://poshclassymom.com
IG: @poshclassymom
I'm always a bit nervous about mixing patterns but every now and again I get brave 😉
You look amazing – you always carry it off though!
Suzy xx
http://www.suzyturner.com
aww Suzy thank you!!! x
This is such a perfect mix Catherine! Stripes are definitely one of the easiest patterns to mix. I don't think I've found anything that they don't work with.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
I think you're right, Debbie! Thank you xx
Surprising but fabulous combination. You are right – we should not be afraid to try new combinations. xoxo
Stripes are my favourite at the moment, so I was really excited to see what you'd do. I love this look and I love the complementary clash. It totally (totally) works. And that bag! I need it now. xx
Kat
http://www.kittyandb.com
I think I own more stripes than any other pattern, Kitty – so I'm with you on that one!! ;)) hehe thank you sweetie x
Although its an old one, I like the bag!
Love your style! That bag is so cute too! I'm not seeing the featured ladies from last week.
Thank you Amy – when you say you're not seeing them, do you mean the picture isn't showing…? It's definitely there, after the thumbnails and under the heading "Featured Favourites". Maybe you need to refresh or clear your cookies/cache…? x
This is such a beautiful look Catherine! Love the pants and the platforms with it! Totally agree with you: push bounderies and make your own rules. You know I set up a blog motto myself and it basically come down if translated to something like "dare to be daring" xxx Thank you for hosting beautiful and have a great day. Sabina
"Dare to be daring" – I love that, Sabina!! It sums it up perfectly…!! Thank you sweetie so much x
You look beautiful Catherine. The last close-up of you is gorgeous! The pattern combo works perfectly and I love your camera bag. Congratulations on the huge success of the Hobbs event. Very proud of you. Thank you for hosting xxxxxxxx
Aww Liz that's so sweet of you, thank you!! xx
This is such a fun bag! I absolutely love love love your top Catherine. Much love your way, Kirsten xx
http://www.thelifbissue.com
I would never of thought of putting this together ! But your right, it looks good. the shoe choice is spot on too. Look forward to reading Sunday's post xx
Thanks Laurie – hopefully if there's another Style Session you'll be able to make that one…? x
Great pairing! I love that purse too! 🙂
You look lovely! I'm not much of a pattern mixer but need to venture forward into trying more! Love the stripes and that camera bag is cute!
I love this outfit! You are such a pro at mixing; I'll bet Hobbs loved you for that since their collections are quite matching and classic. The camera bag and sunglasses details are gorgeous! xx
I'd like to think I shook things up a bit at Hobbs, Lisa! Thank you sweetie so much x
I never understood the love of stripes until I dipped my finger into pattern mixing—they seems to work every time! Now I have 5 striped shirts— I guess I can stop buying them, right?
You're advice is spot on—in fact, Nancy & I were just shopping for a white dress and she kept saying, "I can't wear that, or that"—yet one of the dresses that worked was one she didn't think she could wear! You speak truth, Catherine!
Your outfit is wonderful—you really know how to change things up! I certainly wouldn't call myself a regular pattern mixer, but I'm trying to be more adventuresome!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
ps…I linked up my mom's skirt for stripes—it's not your usual stripes but it counts, right?
Hehe I love that you went from zero to five stripe shorts, Jodie!!! Thank you my lovely x
I don't know how many times I've done that – picked a few things out of my wardrobe thinking they will never work together only to be pleasantly surprised. It's amazing what works that 'shouldn't'. As you say, it's a case stepping out of your comfort zone and trying things on – sage advice indeed 🙂
Love those trousers, they look really comfortable and thank you for choosing me as one of your featured favourites.
Michelle xx
http://www.thebarefacedchic.co.uk
So glad to feature you, MLD!! Goes to show how trying stuff on is so important, isn't it ;))
Thank you my lovely x
Catherine, Oh how I wish I could wear a lovely knit like you are now! It is 95 degrees though! Love the olive floral pants and those sandals are hot! Now the camera bag is so cool!! Love it, just fun!! I am really falling for these safari colors.
Have a wonderful week!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Oh gosh it's so rare that we ever hit those sorts of temperatures, Jess!! Thank you sweetie x
yes, yes YES! This works tremendously well! Of course it does, you put it together! But i totally agree, i will often fall in to a rut of thinking a certain thing will only suit me, then to try something left field and totally love it. Keeping ones mind open is definitely a good rule of thumb.. who knows what you may find.. look at you, you look bloody marvellous! 😀 Wishing you a wonderful week sweetie , thanks so much for hosting
Rxxx
Thank you Rachel my lovely! Yes ruts are something that it's easy to fall into… Myself included!! x
I love your shoes, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh They are so perfect.I also want the glasses, hahhaha. It sounds like a letter to Father Christmas, hahahhah
looking fantastic, dear Catherine
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Hehe it does, Sacramento!! Thank you xx
Love this together!!!!
Jaymie