Why You Should ADD One More Thing Before You Leave the House

Okay, so originally this outfit was just going to be my pink coatigan thrown over a grey roll neck, denim flared trousers and snakeskin boots.

[So far so good. A perfectly lovely outfit.] In the end I went totally against that advice from Coco Chanel: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take off one thing”. Er, yeah I should Coco, but that’s not me – I’m all for adding one more thing before leaving the house.

What happened was this: As we were leaving I realised it was actually a fair bit colder than I’d thought, so with the husband already in the car with the engine running (don’t you just HATE it when that happens and you’re still not fully dressed – aaargh the pressure!) I dashed back in and quickly chose something to throw on over the top to keep me warm and not look totally ridiculous.

Another long coat? Too much long-coat bulk. A roomy cocoon coat? Too short with the coatigan. Another cardigan under the coatigan? Too chunky for the coatigan.

Finally my eyes landed on my oversized faux shearling gilet (similar): Warm, chunky, easy to throw on over my longline woollen beauty – who cares if it works.

SHOP THE LOOK:

(Contrary to what some may think I often have “who cares if it works” moments. As much as I like dressing up and getting an outfit spot-on I’m also not precious about the way I look when I’m just out and about… I guess it comes down to #iwillwearwhatilike – if that means I’ll be mismatched and uncoordinated then so be it, I’m really not all that bothered!)

So I run out the door, jump in the car and this is when the husband says to me, Ooh I like that furry thing over the top of your outfit…!

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I honestly hadn’t thought about it looking any good, I just liked its warm furry blanket qualities. I checked how it looked in the mirror when we arrived at my parents’ house – and I was pleasantly surprised. It looked somewhat alright for something I’d grabbed and not checked before leaving the house.

Adding one extra thing – did it work?

I’m not 100% sure. The colours definitely do. The different textures certainly add depth and interest. I’m not entirely convinced about the rounded front of the gilet with the squared-off front of the coatigan, but rather than take it off for the photo shoot I chose to stick with my add-one-thing-before-leaving-the-house item.

And do you know what… it really doesn’t matter if it works or not. If ever there was a classic #iwillwearwhatilike moment, this was it. Sorry, Coco – I know I should [take on thing off], but I didn’t…!

HAVE YOU EVER HEEDED COCO CHANEL’S ADVICE OF TAKING ONE THING OFF BEFORE LEAVING THE HOUSE (AND DID IT WORK)? COMMENT BELOW, OR TAKE IT TO TWITTER @NOTLAMB!

Shearling gilet: ASOS AW15 (I love this faux fur gilet and this faux suede one) | Coatigan: Winser London c/o (similar) | Roll neck: George at Asda c/o (similar) | Trousers: Warehouse (similar) | Boots: Mango (similar) | Necklace: Accessorize (similar) | Crossbody bag: House of Fraser (similar) | Sunglasses: QUAY Australia (love these) | Fingertip ring: New Look (try something like this one in a size S like I did and wear it on your middle finger) | Nails: Crabtree & Evelyn ‘Poppy’ (similar)