Of all the new trends this AW17, this has to be the one I’ve been hankering after the most: the Prince of Wales (or Glen plaid) blazer.
It may well be all over Instagram at the moment, but you know what? It’s not in real life. I haven’t seen ONE person wearing one where I live.
Actually that’s not entirely true – I did see a rather eccentrically-dressed lady in my town’s high street wearing one a few weeks ago. She was probably in her 60s or 70s and the rest of her outfit was… interesting (let’s be polite and call her style “bag lady chic”), so I don’t think she was the type to be wearing her PoW check blazer in order to keep up with AW17 trends to be honest. But her blazer was spot-on – I almost wanted Keith to stop the car so I could run out and ask to buy it from her. I’d tried so many by that point and not found The One… what can I say, I was desperate!
Luckily I did find The One after three failed attempts to order a check blazer online. Each one was either too long, too short, not the right colour and/or not the right fit. The one you see here, my friends, was the Goldilocks of Prince of Wales check blazers from Zara. It had just a little brown in it to make it a warm colour (as opposed to cold grey) – much more my preference.
And of course while I was on the Zara website I happened to see other things (damn these sites that have beautiful large imagery!) – I also got The World’s Softest Sweatshirt Ever Ever while I was there. It’s not easy to see but this blush pink sweatshirt has grey fur cuffs.
That’s GREY FUR CUFFS, people. =le sigh=
I was wearing them pulled out from my blazer sleeves but they’d slipped back inside for the first few photos: scroll down to see them peeking (pulled) out. It’s a simple detail but also one that gives you great styling options (and think of all those three-quarter sleeve coats that leave your wrists cold… problem solved).
SHOP THE LOOK:
I have to insert a HUGE apology here about this stunning bag: I nabbed the last one from Mango. Yes, that was me… I’d signed up for email alerts to notifications for when it’d be back in stock (anyone else think that is a WONDROUS use of modern technology and the interwebs?) and missed it twice – I was NOT going to miss it a third time. Tip: Mango always send email alerts about back-in-stock items at about 7:30 to 8:00, so check your emails that time each day and ACT FAST. I’d missed the PoW check blazer I’d had my eye on from Mango several times that way, but as it turns out I love the one I got from Zara much more in the end.
So I thought Mango could just DO ONE with their check blazer, serves them right.
(No sorry scrap that, Mango, I was kidding!! Still love you…)
So you can get the same Mango shopper bag in blue, black and white stripes or a similar one from Debenhams with warmer colours. I did my best.
Finally – the black and leopard suede boots! They were actually gifted to me by Finery earlier this year so I assumed that of course they wouldn’t still be available… I was wrong! At the time of writing they’re available in all sizes. I always get loads of compliments about them when I wear them (they’re very comfy too) so they come highly recommended.
I wonder if Madame Bag Lady Chic would like them too…?
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!
HAVE YOU SUCCUMBED TO THE PRINCE OF WALES CHECK BLAZER TREND – OR ARE YOU SICK OF SEEING IT? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS OR TWEET ME @NOTLAMB!
Blazer: Zara
Sweatshirt: Zara
Jeans: Marks & Spencer
Bag: Mango (still available in black, white and blue or I like this one)
Boots: Finery c/o
Sunglasses: Mango (in and out of stock – try these if out of stock)
Poppy brooch: M&S
OTHER PRINCE OF WALES CHECK BLAZERS TO TRY:
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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) Frugal Fashion Shopper | In My Joi | Kremb de la Kremb
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!
Fab blazer! I've been pondering over whether to get one but I've bought so much lately (and hidden quite a lot of it from the husband) that I probably shouldn't indulge any more. I love your boots and the faux fur cuffs on your jumper!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
You are an inspiration! 😉 In fact, last week I posted an outfit inspired by your baker boy hat link up. I've been stuck in a rut and I appreciate unique style to help boot me out. 😉
I, too, succumbed to the Glen plaid blazer trend! #sorrynotsorry Turns out, it's quite practical and versatile. I Love how you wear yours!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
Lucky you with that bag. It's a keeper!
Love the pairing of the jacket with the jeans. Looks great on you with the boots. Funnily enough, as someone who loves print, for some reason I can't get excited enough about the checks to buy one for myself but it looks a treat on you!
https://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/
Don't hate me, but this past summer I found at my local Good Will Thrift Shop a beautifully structured Pendleton wool soft blue/grey/cream glen plaid blazer in my size for … five dollars! It's in excellent condition and pairs beautifully with jeans or creamy white flannels.
Recycling clothes offers so many benefits — not least because many fashions and styles return regularly to the runway.
I love this check look too but I'm gonna let it pass me by this time round. I'll happily live vicariously through you gorgeous girl 😉 xx
That blazer looks great on you Catherine! I have been keeping an eye out for one but alas no joy yet for me. To be honest I may wait until next year and trawl the charity shops – it's a classic check and will undoubtedly come back in again at some point! X
That is indeed a very good blazer. Suits you well. Love the poppy. And of course the bag, that really pops.
Greetje
PS Linking back to you next Sunday to give you maximum exposureeeee.
I'm totally in love with all things plaid, dearest Catherine…and this very cool Prince of Wales Check blazer is no exception!! But it's those awesome finishing touches – the leopard-heeled booties, the rainbow-striped tote, that fur-cuffed sweatshirt! – that make this look perfectly and quintessentially "you"!! ☺️
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com
I love your blazer and it looks amazing with that bag!
Have an amazing week Catherine
Valerie
YaY Catherine! Thanks for choosing my all plaid suit! Can you believe it, but I got this plaid number from Targé (Target :D–do you guys have Target! It's a beautiful budget store!). I ordered what I thought would be my size and was so pleasantly surprised when it all fit. This was an international shipment, so there would be no way of sending it back. A took a huge gamble, but…it paid off. I love this suit so much, and it serves as two super individual items as well!
I like you choice of the plaid blazer. I'm glad you found one to suit you!!
Thanks again.
Love, Ann from Kremb de la Kremb
PS You will notice that last week was Leopard Print week over on Kremb de la Kremb!! It was fun. 😀
Both of us have an element here that we've been obsessing over. Yours was the blazer, mine is the boots and cropped jeans combo. I literally combed ALL of the shops and online stores a few weeks ago to find the perfect boots that would go with a pair of cropped jeans. Yours are exquisite. LOVE the heels.
The styling is brilliant and you look fabulous. I have a bomber jacket with a similar plaid that I've been a bit stymied on how to wear it and you've given me some great ideas. Thank you for sharing your creativity and for the link up.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
I'm going to pretend that I am not super duper jealous of that bag. Lalalalalalala!
So into blazers rn!!!!
I love that blazer, the cut and the Prince-o-W pattern. Like you, I haven't seen any in real life here except for the Prince-o-W trousers I have. Wow, those Zara photos are excellent –
I just got lost screen-shopping there. They definitely need some older models though. Thanks for the linkup.
The plaid blazer is such a staple, I can imagine it styled in a number of ways. Love how you paired it with a bright statement tote! Have you seen the plaid/check blazer style dresses? I like those too!
P.S. Thank you very much for the lovely feature this week 🙂
xx
-Joi
http://www.inmyjoi.blogspot.com
So glad to be back to you.
Looking great.
Much love
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous! All of it. Head to toe! And of course, Ann is featured in her fabulous Glen Plaid pant suit! Isn't she just marvelous? Great outfit!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
I love the POW check! I'm just searching for the right jacket with sleeves the right length! Not found yet.Love the bag too xx
I've always loved longer blazer and plaids so this is a perfect look for me.
That blazer was worth the long search! And though I'm familiar with the term glen plaid, I did not know it was also called Prince of Wales. Either way, it's fabulous, as are the boots, bag and that adorable brooch.
Theresa
http://www.vintagestylefiles.com
It looks so wonderful cool how you combined the blazer!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
It is amazing how the correct fit can make all of the difference, right? I love that you added the flower pin to the lapel. My mom has a boat load of these that she's made from leftover fabric!!! She'll be happy to see that a stylish woman (you) is wearing them!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Oh wow, Catherine, thank you so much for featuring me as one of your favourite outfits! Thanks also for hosting – you're such a great blogger! You look amazing as usual – thanks again x
Cute jacket, love it paired with denim – gives a really different feel. x Jacqui mummabstylish