This weekend I was very brave – I went without a coat and wore a chunky knit and a faux shearling gilet instead, despite the temperatures dropping back down again in the UK.
It may seem foolhardy to some, but I just like the word “foolhardy” and wanted an excuse to get it in the post 😉
Just about everything you see here has been worn before. I have a huge collection of winter coats – when you’re a colour lover you want one in every colour imaginable, so that’s a lot of coats. Each winter I try and work my way through them all, making sure each one gets some love and fresh air at some point. I know it’s not strictly a coat, but the faux fur shearling gilet hasn’t seen the light of day OUTSIDE for a while (sometimes I wear it indoors as a quick, snuggly throw-on to keep my bod warm). I last wore it on the blog just over two years ago (hence my want to feature it again!) and that time I styled it with a cream roll neck sweater and a vintage hat.
So, a slightly different version of today’s outfit, then…!
THE TRICK IS NOT JUST IN WHAT YOU WEAR ON TOP (ADMITTEDLY THE SHEARLING GILET IS A LIFESAVER), BUT THE FOUNDATIONS UNDERNEATH.
As some of you may have seen my outfit with a camel beret a few weeks ago – the first beret I’ve bought in over 20 years – you have noticed that I now have another beret in mustard yellow. It matches the chunky mustard-coloured M&S sweater (last seen here) I bought in the autumn along with the same in deep orange perfectly.
SHOP THE LOOK:
What’s the verdict I hear you cry: Was she warm enough without a coat?!
Well the trick is not just in what you wear on top (admittedly the shearling gilet IS a lifesaver), but the foundations underneath. Under the chunky knit I was wearing about four thin layers, including a light cashmere sweater (cashmere ALWAYS holds all the warmth in). Combined with three pairs of socks and big school regulation-style pants (did anyone else go to a school with those big thick pants for sports??) yes, I was pretty toasty.
One thing to admit to, however: I took my gloves off for the shoot. I’d just had gel nails done that morning so I wanted to show them off… the gloves went straight back on afterwards, though! No messing with that cold, me.
Time to show off what you’ve been wearing! 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 HAVE A TRICK TO LAYERING UP SO YOU CAN FORGO A COAT? COMMENT BELOW!
Faux shearling gilet: Asos (similar, similar US link)
Sweater: Marks & Spencer (similar in greeny-yellow, similar in orangey-yellow)
Jeans: !iT Collective c/o (similar)
Boots: La Redoute c/o (similar)
Bag: JD Williams c/o
Beret: Asos (same from Topshop)
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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 (four this week as they were all so good):
(L-R) Lazy Daisy Jones (her mum!) | J Touch of Style | Bag and a Beret | Best Before End Date
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Love this layering Catherine ❤️
I love that mustard colour and you look smashing in this outfit. Yes, I like a vest sometimes too, instead of a coat. But so right – layers are the secret to comfort. And hot flashes take care of the rest. !!!
Wouldn’t you know, the one week I miss posting and you’ve featured me. Thank you so much for including me in your lineup!
Oh my gosh…I love, love, LOVE this cute and cozy look, dearest Catherine!! By total coincidence – great minds think alike, right?! – I’m also wearing mustard yellow in the blog post I’ve linked up today!! And now I can’t help but think that I need to add a mustard-toned beret to my own (ever-expanding) hat collection; you’re just looking way too adorable in yours for me not to want to steal a little of that spotlight from you!! ;D
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com
You look gorgeous in that yellow! I love this outfit. It looks so warm and comfy. The shearling vest is the perfect topper to the rest of the outfit. I have numerous coats as well. I also have numerous vests, but most of my vests I wear inside as an extra layer. I am always cold in the winter! Great look, Catherine! – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
You look gorgeous! Love the colours of this outfit, they go so well together! Great styling! 🙂
Magda
https://www.gloryofthesnow.com/
I love the colour of your beret. It looks so cute and charming on you. Sunny suits you! Have a great week. Love, Lieske
I keep hearing mustard yellow is the new millennial pink, so you are right on trend! I’ve also been looking for a fur vest (or gilet) for ages, and I’ve never thought to consider shearling. Yours looks fab—thanks for the tip!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
I love the bright mustardy color of that sweater. It looks pretty on you. Of course the shearling looks so cozy, which is what I’m all about when I’m feeling cold. It’s so hard to get motivated when I’m feeling cold!! Have a wonderful and thank you for hosting the link up! 🙂
You MUST share the name of the lipstick you are wearing…. immediately!!! :oP
XXX
Samantha
If the temperatures are above 30 I prefer to wear a vest than a real winter coat. My shearling vest is my favorite! I LOVE this outfit! The vest looks great with mustard.
THAT YELLOW!!!! It looks amazing on you Catherine. And, throwing the shearling vest over it is brilliant. So glad you are feeling better.
Cherie
http://www.stylenudge.com
STYLE NUDGE
You are so cute with this adorable knit sweater, the color is pure happiness!
Hahaha, I tend to layer more this winter too, since I still don’t own a coat that I like, most of my coats I despise cause I look like an ant wrapped into a big ass ugly leaf 🙁
Love your outfit and of course t he smooth layering, you are a pro ^__^
I love this outfit!! I think I would have been plenty warm in it!
Author
thanks Pam – I was pretty toasty 🙂
Love the outfit and the colour which suits you so well. But I’d have to wear more layers as I travel a lot by bus, and yes, I’m in the UK, but standing at the bus stop I need a full-length coat! The colour of the beret is so good – I have many berets but not in that colour, which is crazy as it’s my favourite colour – I’ll have to look for one! Great post, great pics!
Author
Hmm yes I agree that standing waiting for buses would require a long coat Penny – this gilet doesn’t keep the front bit of you warm (specifically your thighs). Maybe I should consider a full-length shearling coat… how cozy would THAT be?!!!! thanks sweetie x
In deed, I do have tricks not to wear a coat. However, at -25C there is no way to apply the tricks. You should wear mustard yellow more often. You looks so young and hip in that color. Great outfit! but it must have been cold in a windy moist country like the UK. That would be a perfect -10C outfit here in Interior Alaska.
Author
Oh gosh Nicole I don’t think I’d even venture outside if it were -25C…!!!!!!!!! Thanks hon, glad you like it x
The shorter, squarer nails look really modern. Love the color, too.
Author
thanks Allison, though i am getting gel nails done to get them stronger and longer…!
I’m keen as mustard on this outfit! I wore mustard and yellow this week too, but it was a sleeveless linen smock in eleventy billion percent humidity in Sydney.
Author
thank you Kimba – though I can’t imagine what 100% humidity feels like right now, let alone eleventy billion percent…!!!!!!!!!!! lol 😉
Amazing. You took something, the gilet, that would not look good on just anyone, and made it look stunning.
Author
oh that’s really lovely of you, thank yo!u x
love the color of the sweater. such a great look
Author
thanks Stephanie x
YELLOW is the perfect match for you – I love your pictures – you are such an Inspiration.
XO Martina from Germany – Munich
http://www.lady50plus.de
Author
Thank you Martina xo
Beautiful, colorful and so trendy outfit 😉
I adore this look on you! I styled a shearling vest on the blog this week, too! I really do how cozy they are.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Author
It’s unbelievably warm, Shelbee – you’re right! thank you hon x
The beret suits your face shape so well. I look so silly in hats ( I have a big head)
Loving the ochre too, stay warm and cosy.
My Mum is over the moon that you picked her to feature with the other lovelies!
Thank you
Ashley
Xx
Author
Oh I’m so pleased she’s pleased Ashley!! She looked sooooooo fabulous 🙂 thank you sweetie x
I love this look! Cozy, comfy and cute!
Author
thanks Courtney 😀 x
I love mustard yellow…so unexpected and bold. Love the sweater and the matching beret on you.
xo,
Janise
Author
thank you Janise! xo
You rock those colours Catherine. There’s so much yellow and mustard around right now. I might have to push myself out of my comfort zone and get something in yellow to brighten up my wardrobe for Spring!
Steph
http://www.pricelesslifeofmine.com
Author
Thanks Steph – I can highly recommend yellow as a great pick me up…!
Yellow looks very good on you!
Author
Thanks Nancy 🙂
I love seeing you in your beret Catherine. It goes to show that I wore mine too flat in my photo (and thanks so much for the feature!!).
And the layering is totally key. In fact, I’ll wear hosiery under my jeans for another layer to combat the cold!! It’s amazing how all of these tricks can really help!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Author
I do often wear tights under trousers Jodie (like today)! but not under skinnies, I feel too restricted…! Thanks sweetie x
Gorgeous pops of yellow <3
Green Fashionista
Author
Thank you Kate xo
I really like this look especially that chunky jumper. Jacqui
mummabstylish
Author
Thanks Jacqui – it’s no wonder they all sold out at M&S!!
What a pretty look Catherine! I’m seeing a lot of yellow in posts lately! I think everyone is longing for spring. It must be super cold there, but layers are the best for staying warm. Have a great week!
Author
I think you might be right about the yellow thing for spring, Julie!! Thank you sweetie x
Ochre is definitely your signature colour, yes? I mean bloody hell woman GAWJUS! I’m so pleased you bought a beret in this colour, it’s so unique. Just like you Catherine. I am a tad surprised you found one in Ochre but I guess you have a built in homing device where the signature colour is concerned 😉
xxx
Haha! Everything Michelle said, and I’m sure you have an ochre and orange homing device installed in you. xx
Author
Haha yep as I said to MT – it’s set to all the warm colours Lisa!! thank you thank you xoxo
Author
I’d been holding out for a mustard one from somewhere, MT – I think I bagged the last one at Asos!! Thank you so much my lovely, it was definitely an outfit that looked better in the pictures than I thought it did at the time.
And yes, I had the homing device installed a little while ago… I had it set to mustard, orange and coral. It works a treat 😉
Catherine, I think this is one of my favourites so far! I love that mustard yellow on you and the beret suits your face to perfection. The shearling gilet is absolutely fabulous too. I’ve always loved them but they look silly on me, for some reason. Not quite sure why. Bummer, I know!
I’d have had loads of thin layers beneath too. Sorry to hear it’s getting cold again. Come over to the Algarve and get some real sunshine 😉
(Ok….we so we might some real sunshine but the wind is COLD!)
Hugs
Suzy xx
http://www.suzyturner.com
Author
They are kinda hard to style, Suzy – being so bulky – but to be honest mine is so warm I’d forgive it anything, Lol!! Thanks hon – you can send heat and sunshine anytime you like! x
I am currently obsessed with mustard yellow. Looks so good on you and I love it with the green bag. Nothing foolhardy, all just fab! ;o) x
Kat x
Author
The green bag was a nice touch I thought, Kat…! Thanks hon – I’m obsessed too 😉
Very nice touch. Came back to check to see if it was available yet and it is. And with a little discount, too! Thanks lovely! xx