A Masculine Meets Feminine Blouse For Both the Office and Smart Casual Events #iwillwearwhatilike

A masculine/feminine floral blouse with contrasting cuffs and black neck tie with black peg leg tapered trousers pants Finery two tone suede and leopard ankle boots multi-coloured striped Mango shopper bag | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 fashion

In what will be the last #iwillwearwhatilike link up before Christmas, I thought I’d bring you something completely NON-Christmassy just for a change!

Advance warning for next week: As Christmas Day is a week today there won’t be a link up (or post) next Monday – it’ll be on Tuesday/Boxing Day instead. This is the first time EVER there won’t be a #iwillwear link up on a Monday in two and a half years, which is pretty good going. Goes to show just how much you lot love seeing what women love wearing and love not giving two hoots about anyone else’s opinion.

What’s not to love?!

Today’s outfit is a very simple one that’s made up of three main pieces: Blouse, trousers and boots. I’ve had the floral Zara blouse for a few weeks and luckily it is still in stock (in all sizes) – I’ve worn it several times and it was one of those love-at-first-sight pieces. It has so many details I love: a wintery dark floral, bright white contrasting collars and cuffs, pearl buttons on the cuffs and a black bow tie. It’s also so striking because of the contrast between masculine (white collars and cuffs, bow tie) and feminine (floral pattern, pearl buttons) which makes it perfect for both office workwear AND smart weekend wear.

A masculine/feminine floral blouse with contrasting cuffs and black neck tie with black peg leg tapered trousers pants Finery two tone suede and leopard ankle boots multi-coloured striped Mango shopper bag | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 fashion

SHOP THE LOOK:

Zara PEARL BUTTON BLOUSE WITH BOW   ASOS Woven Peg Trousers with Obi Tie   Finery Clarissa Leather Ankle Boot   Zara stripe shopper bag blue   Henry London Ladies Finchley Rose Gold-Plated Watch

 

Most recently I wore this outfit to a London press event and lunch with girlfriends and then this weekend to the cinema and onto a family birthday party. Despite still not shifting the weight I’ve gained over the past couple of years due to my 2015 leg injury (more on that soon, it is getting sorted!) and not being able to fit into very many of my trousers, the trusty black tapered/peg leg trousers (similar) still look great and – more specifically – lengthen my legs considerably when paired with the Finery Clarissa boots (which are half price right now!) to create one long black pair of legs.

Finding a winning combination that does all the right things to your shape when you’re out of shape and struggling with your wardrobe is such a relief. So when people say to me (as they did on one of the days I wore this!) that I don’t “look” out of shape it proves that I’m doing something right to dress my current shape.

Remember ladies… it’s all smoke and mirrors (and a hefty dose of clever dressing)!

Do add your outfits to this week’s link up – no featured favourites next week as it’ll be so soon after Christmas, but there’ll be two more posts this week before Santa comes… only seven sleeps to go, weeeeee!!!!!!

WHAT ARE YOU TIPS AND TRICKS FOR WORKING WITH YOUR BODY SHAPE? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS !

A masculine/feminine floral blouse with contrasting cuffs and black neck tie with black peg leg tapered trousers pants Finery two tone suede and leopard ankle boots multi-coloured striped Mango shopper bag | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 fashion
A masculine/feminine floral blouse with contrasting cuffs and black neck tie with black peg leg tapered trousers pants Finery two tone suede and leopard ankle boots multi-coloured striped Mango shopper bag | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 fashion
A masculine/feminine floral blouse with contrasting cuffs and black neck tie with black peg leg tapered trousers pants Finery two tone suede and leopard ankle boots multi-coloured striped Mango shopper bag | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 fashion
A masculine/feminine floral blouse with contrasting cuffs and black neck tie with black peg leg tapered trousers pants Finery two tone suede and leopard ankle boots multi-coloured striped Mango shopper bag | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 fashion
A masculine/feminine floral blouse with contrasting cuffs and black neck tie with black peg leg tapered trousers pants Finery two tone suede and leopard ankle boots multi-coloured striped Mango shopper bag | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 fashion
A masculine/feminine floral blouse with contrasting cuffs and black neck tie with black peg leg tapered trousers pants Finery two tone suede and leopard ankle boots multi-coloured striped Mango shopper bag | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 fashion

A masculine/feminine floral blouse with contrasting cuffs and black neck tie with black peg leg tapered trousers pants Finery two tone suede and leopard ankle boots multi-coloured striped Mango shopper bag | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 fashion

A masculine/feminine floral blouse with contrasting cuffs and black neck tie with black peg leg tapered trousers pants Finery two tone suede and leopard ankle boots multi-coloured striped Mango shopper bag | Not Dressed As Lamb, over 40 fashion

Blouse: Zara
Trousers: Topshop (old, these are similar)
Boots: Finery c/o (50% off right now!!)
Bag: Mango (sold out – same in blue/black/white or alternative multi-coloured)
Watch: Henry London c/o

 

OTHER STATEMENT BLOUSES (SUITABLE FOR WORK AND PLAY) YOU MIGHT LIKE:

 

RELATED  Second Hand September: Charity Shops and Shopping Your Own Wardrobe

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The #iwillwearwhatilike link up with Not Dressed As Lamb
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!

An InLinkz Link-up

 

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 (all so Christmassy, I love it!)

Fashion bloggers who believe in #iwillwearwhatilike

My favourite outfits from last week’s link up:

(L-R) Amy’s Creative Pursuits | Style Nudge | Happily Chic

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!

17 Comments

  1. 5 March 2018 / 3:53 pm

    Nice and perfect looking outfit..

  2. 22 December 2017 / 11:14 am

    Love the high-waisted pants Catherine. You look loveley. Merry Christmas and a very happy 2018- more good things to come to your blog hopefully. xxx Sabina

  3. 19 December 2017 / 10:20 pm

    I do love the print of that blouse, Catherine! And the added detail of those pearl buttons is gorgeous. It's a pretty cool outfit altogether though 😀
    Suzy xx
    http://www.suzyturner.com

  4. 19 December 2017 / 7:04 pm

    What a beautiful blouse! Happy holidays for you, and thank you for hosting so many linkups!
    Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net

  5. 19 December 2017 / 1:56 pm

    Oooooh! You look fantastic. The blouse is so beautiful and as always, your accessories are perfect with it. I can't believe how long your hair is getting too. It's so pretty xxxx Love Liz xxx http://www.whatlizzyloves xxx

  6. 19 December 2017 / 8:27 am

    Thank you for hosting dear! I'm linking back to you HERE Hope you'll check out my latest Fashion post

  7. 19 December 2017 / 12:02 am

    Your floral print top is lovely! I would never known that top came from Zara!

  8. 18 December 2017 / 11:33 pm

    There's so much that one can comment on in this outfit, Catherine. Details, details, details! The bag…the shoes…the floral top with the fun bow tie and cuffs. Thank you for sharing!!

  9. 18 December 2017 / 5:35 pm

    LOVE this look, the blouse is stunning x

  10. 18 December 2017 / 4:39 pm

    I love this look! It's the contrast collar and cuffs that makes it. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas xx

  11. 18 December 2017 / 4:28 pm

    I think it goes to show that our weight changes are not as obvious to others like it is for us! That and dressing well, can make the focal point in so many other places…ha ha!!!
    Like these boots for example!! Wowza—I probably wouldn't look anyplace but your feet for an entire hour—LOL!!
    XOOX
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  12. 18 December 2017 / 4:01 pm

    That blouse! Love vintagey floral prints like that, and it comes with that cute tie. The contrasting cuffs are a great touch as well. Really pretty outfit.

    Theresa
    http://www.vintagestylefiles.com

  13. 18 December 2017 / 4:01 pm

    I'll join you with some flowers! Thank you for hosting.

  14. 18 December 2017 / 3:40 pm

    Those boots are wonderful=I don't think I've seen a design quite like that and I am lusting. It's refreshing to see cabbage roses on designs again. I like that.

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