Most of you may know that my answer to the question of whether you can mix a pinstripe blazer with check trousers is, unsurprisingly,
Of course you can. And you can throw in a polka dot shirt if you like. And maybe a striped shoe (not that I’ve ever seen many striped shoes, but you get my drift).
In other words, if you’re feeling it, then wear it. It’s what my whole blog philosophy is based on. No one has the right to tell you what to wear*, and no one should feel it’s the right thing to do when an opinion hasn’t been asked for. So in other words, if I wake up feeling that a pinstripe coat should be worn with a pair of plaid pants then I’m darn well going to wear them together.
*I’m talking in most situations, not when you’re wise to adhere to dress code regulations of course…
As it happens I rather like this pinstripe coat (it’s currently reduced!) that I wore in last week’s Jaeger feature post – so much so that I wore it again pronto this weekend.
SHOP THE LOOK:
The plaid trousers are an old favourite – I’ve worn them to death over the last few winters and will continue to do so for quite a while I think. And the observant among you may see that yes, I’m wearing gloves but not socks… This is my special power, keeping my feet warm outside in the cold! I wear three pairs of socks indoors but outside I’m okay.
However my hands will never forgive me and refuse to work if the gloves don’t make an appearance at this time of year.
In last week’s post I mentioned that the pinstripe coat will look great with black: I may have to be eased gently into wearing a lot of black, but I took some baby steps with the skinny scarf, gloves and shoes. The combination of black with navy pinstripes is really quite delicious: I’m patting myself on the back right now…!
And of course do add your outfits to this week’s link up and if you’ve added a link to here or my button to your post you may be featured next week!
DO YOU MIX BLACK AND NAVY? COMMENT BELOW, OR TAKE IT TO TWITTER @NOTLAMB!
Jaeger pinstripe coat c/o (currently reduced!) | ASOS trousers (love these) | ASOS sweatshirt (similar) | ASOS skinny scarf | ASOS shoes (similar) | Brenda Mcleod bag c/o (similar) | ASOS sunglasses (similar)
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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!
Linking up etiquette…
CLICK HERE to read the rules of linking up (and to grab the #iwillwearwhatilike button). Basically it’s just good manners to link back to here – to leave a comment is even nicer!
Featured favourites
My favourite outfits from last week’s link up:
(L-R) Alternative Ageing | Kremb de la Kremb | Chic at Any Age | In My Joi | Style Crone
To get yourself featured next week, make sure you’ve included a link back to Not Dressed As Lamb or my button in your post/sidebar!
Missed this one. Our company is "reorganizing". Needed time to calculate what my severance payment would be haha.
Greetje
PS your outfit is edgy, that's my girl.
Love that blue coat Catherine. Btw was just tooting the horn for your link up and your blog in my post. Because it is about wearing mini skirts over 50 :)! Thank you for sharing and have a great week! Sabina
You are the queen of mix and match! I love this menswear inspired combination. Impeccably styled. And of course you can mix navy and black! See my link up for the proof 🙂
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
I am a big fan of that bag. It looks super stylish yet has a great size for a laptop. There not many business-suitable bags out there that are stylish at the same time. Good pick! X
Nicole | Singing about Jewellery at Songofjewellery.com
I think we all know the answer to that question…you're a genius pattern mixer! That navy coat is gorgeous, it just oozes quality. I love the black accents too.
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
You truly do a menswear-inspired outfit like no other, dearest Catherine!! 😀 Of course I recognize these rad red-plaid trousers from previous fall/winter seasons…but they look so fresh combined with your new long-line, pinstriped coat!! And the round sunnies and your skinny-scarf-worn-as-a-tie add such a fab "rockstar" vibe to this personality-filled look!! But to my mind, it's those pretty lace-up shoes that create the perfect finishing touch; probably because heels are always MY favourite way to balance a tomboyish ensemble!! XOXO
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com
Catherine I do covet those checked trousers! I love your pattern play, and you have my vote on the wear what we want poll. I've given in now and am wearing socks at the this time of year. I hate having cold hands or feet – makes me so grumpy.
Thanks for the link up party – am off to see what's new fashionwise.
Have a great week x
Anna
Of course YOU can! You a PRO mixer Catherine! Always!! And again, I love this coat. It's a stunner for sure.
Also, Catherine, I'm so glad you liked my marching band pants!! Hehe. They were so easy to emulate from Zara. Why pay tons when I can easily shop my own closet and add a little trim here and there!?
I linked an outfit post of mine where I too donned a long scarf–although mine was placed to cover up the popping buttons of the top!! Haha!
Thanks for your linkup Catherine. I do appreciate THEM (I'm thrilled you added another!!).
Love, Ann from Kremb de la Kremb
Ain't nobody can mix patterns like you, my lady! Love this on you, and I am thrilled to see you getting so much use out of that gorgeous coat (off to check out the reduction…) xx
I'm not very good in mixing patterns. But you did it marvellously! Love it.
Anna xoxo
http://www.glamadventure.com
Catherine, you certainly can wear whatever you want! You are brave to wear no socks outside. I am usually layered up from top to bottom. Your print mixing is awesome! – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
I absolutely love the pinstripes with the panes but I am not sure about the shoes: too much detailing maybe or too harsh against the light coloured pants? they seem to be in disaccord with the rest of the outfit. Do you hate me?
https://lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com.au
I love wearing navy and black together, you do this whole outfit with so much elegance and eccentricity. Yvadney x #IWillWearWhatIWant
That's a beautiful coat! It looks great with the trousers! And the print mixing is very subtle, but very nice. And of course you can mix whatever you want and like! 🙂
I never mixed prints before I started to change the of my blog to style. And now I do it all the time and love it! It's funny how our taste changes over time…
Thanks for the link up & have a wonderful week!
Andrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
Great look, as always. I adore the shoes. Thank you so much for the feature and for hosting this wonderful link up!
Mixing patterns like this has the potential to send many people into a cold sweat! Hahaha. But it's fantastic – I love what you've done it. Oh yes, a coat like that would feel at home in my closet. Thanks for the linkup.
Ok Catherine this may be my favorite outfit of yours EVER! It's so quirky and fresh! Especially with those shoes and round sunnies. And so perfectly YOU!!
Just dying over how much I love this!!
Xoxo,
Ashley || Sed Bona
LOVE this look Catherine & thank you much for the feature!!
XO
-inmyjoi.blogspot.com
LOVE that long pinstripe coat!
I agree…no one has any business telling anyone how to dress. I touch on that subject almost every post I write. It is a pet peeve of mine. As a style blogger it seems to go against the grain and can ruffle more than just a few feathers.
I *wish* my feet could take the cold. My hands and feet are the ones that never seem to get warm.
bisous
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
I think a pinestripe goes with everything! And navy and black combine very nicely I think! Love that coat.
Catherine, this is one of my favorite looks ever. Those pants are so completely fabulous! I really need a pair! I love the mix of plaid and pinstripes. And the skinny black scarf is just icing on top of this already amazing cake! (Yes, I believe I just called you cake! But who doesn't love cake?) Thanks for the linkup and for always #SpreadingTheKindness
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
I love your coat to bits, and you know mw about rules, lol
Much love, dear Catherine
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Like you said, of course you can mix your prints to you heart content.
But one of the details in your outfit, Catherine, is the pinstripes are so very subtle. In fact I kept wondering if you were talking about a different coat—ha ha—until I saw the close up shots!!
I love the shoes with this outfit too!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com