Firstly: I’m sorry to say I’m not featuring the outfit I wore to Harry and Meghan’s wedding… actually my invite got lost in the post and I couldn’t go in the end.
Oh who I am kidding, what would I have done to have attended THAT spectacle {insert heart eyes and crying emojis here}?! I don’t just think it was sponsored by Disney, but I think Walt himself had a hand in orchestrating what was probably the most beautiful-looking, dreamy fairytale wedding that’s ever taken place in the history of mankind. I find it hard to believe it was actually real, to be honest…!
Anyway – instead of dwelling on the fact that I didn’t make the wedding of the millennium ( 😉 ), I thought I’d just bring you what I wore to London last week. It’s a big step down from a Disney-worthy wedding guest outfit, so sorry about that… but maybe an outfit that shows you how you can wear all loose-fitting pieces and still look stylish might soften the blow?
Last week I went up to London for a couple of events, and the weather has been glorious in the UK the past few days (as the royal wedding proved), and it currently shows no sign of abating. Thursday was one of those days that was predicted to be pretty nice, but here that sort of prediction could mean anything, so I had to think hard about what to wear to be not too cold or too hot and yet comfortable for the train ride home.
I’m very aware that many of my outfits have to be smart and stylish AS WELL as comfortable for a long journey on a train – this is my life! Instead of dressing for the office as I did many years ago, my must-haves usually consist of a) style, b) weather suitability, and c) comfort for travelling. Trying to get all three right is often a challenge.
(is Riley not the cutest photobomber ever?!)
SHOP THE LOOK:
The day before I was wearing a garden party-style dress (I’ll hopefully feature that outfit in my next outfit post) and this outfit was worn to the Jaeger AW18 press show. I rarely wear jeans to travel (too thick and restrictive) and I would rarely wear them to that sort of event, so the outfit usually starts with the bottom half. I wore the loud wide leg pants to the Olympic village last year for the Parathletics as they were loose-fitting and hadn’t been worn in a while. You then have that dilemma of whether to follow that style “rule” about going for fitted on top if you’re doing baggy on the bottom (and vice versa) – however I don’t follow style rules as you know…!
How to make an outfit of loose-fitting pieces look stylish
I didn’t want to ‘do’ fitted up top. Or, at least, I just wanted to wear something in jersey as opposed to something structured like a shirt (not the right trousers for that anyway) or something super-fitted like a vest top (I couldn’t guarantee it would be warm enough). In the end I wore a vest top under a navy stripe Breton top which picked out the dark blue in the trouser pattern – nothing new [for me] in the pattern-mixing department here, and I could then strip off the layer of stripes if it got too warm.
What kept it all from looking too slouchy was the longline blazer… I swear this piece is going to fall apart one day, I wear it so much. The long length makes the whole outfit look a lot more streamlined, and it becomes smarter and more stylish than a baggy-top-and-slouchy-pants look.
So that’s it, my new-found formula for making loose-fitting clothes look more pulled-together and streamlined! The other pieces to mention are the orange bag: you’ll find I’m using this bag with just about everything because I’ve packed away most of my other bags in preparation for our imminent house move. And the fabulous lightning bolt asymmetrical earrings were gifted from local-to-me jewellery designer Chambers & Beau – do check out their site, they have some amazing handcrafted pieces.
Do please 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 EVER DO A LOOSE-FITTING OUTFIT BUT STRUGGLE TO KEEP IT LOOKING SMART? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS…
Like this post? You might also like how I styled the same trousers with a sporty lace top and Stan Smiths!
Blazer: Asos (similar)
Top: Seasalt c/o
Trousers: Asos (I like these and these)
Sandals: Hobbs c/o (similar)
Bag: Hobbs c/o (similar in orange-red, similar in true orange)
Sunglasses: Asos (similar)
Earrings: Chambers & Beau c/o
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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 around 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) Style Nudge | 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. Do share the love and visit as many links as you can (you never know what other lovely like-minded ladies you might meet) – the original Instagram campaign forged some wonderful new friendships so don’t miss out!
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Yes, Riley is a very cute photobomber!
Nice mix of patterns! I love the big shades 🙂
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
I love how you have paired the stripes with your patterned trousers. And the longer jacket really pulls it all together. Finally, great idea to add some bang with the orange bag and lightning bolts on your ears. Thanks for the linkup.
Thank you so much for the feature Catherine!! I love how you paired stripes with your geometric pants, so stylish and the perfect traveling outfit. XO
Cherie
STYLE NUDGE
Author
Thanks Cherie, and it was a pleasure to feature your fab outfit this week x
such a perfect travel look. Like you I find denim not “travel” worthy, far to constricting. I love loose pants and fun sneakers.
Author
Denim is lumpy, isn’t it Linda – not what I want on a long trip!! thank you sweetie x
You always look amazing Catherine… the colours and the overall feel of the outfit is fabulous.
I love your choice of light coloured but still bold glasses (I’ve just been writing about that).
Keeping up with trends stops us looking like old frumps, doesn’t it?
Those trousers are one of my favourites of yours!
XXX
Samantha
Author
Thanks Samantha! Yeah I like these glasses because you can still see your eyes through them… the best of both worlds for blog photos!
Rules schmules! Travelling means comfort as a priority, I am with you on that, as much as I’d like to travel dressed like Elizabeth Taylor!! You still look smart and put together x
Author
OMG though wouldn’t it be amazing to dress like Liz Taylor all the time, Porcelina…?!!!!! 😉 thank you x
Thank you so much for the feature. And for the linkup. It’s always an honor to participate.
Author
Pleasure, Judith 😀
Your outfit looks lovely, Catherine. No, let’s get that right! YOU look lovely, Catherine. You got the loose look spot on without it being messy. It is instead, an elegant look. Being short, I find that too much loose clothing is not flattering. Any chance of doing something for us vertically challenged?
Author
Aww thanks so much Ratnamurti! To be honest I never claim myself as a stylist – the only person I know I know how to dress (reasonably) well is myself. The best thing to do is to look to petite fashion bloggers for inspiration, I did a Featured Bloggers post about my fave picks which I hope helps: https://www.notdressedaslamb.com/2016/01/10-petite-fashion-bloggers-with-amazing-style.html xx
I love how you styled all these pieces together.
I was saying all weekend what a dream it would have been to get to see that wedding first hand! Sadly, my husband does not share the same sentiment, lol. Seriously though Catherine, you have been just killing it lately and this is no exception! I love how you’ve styled these loose pieces. Comfy and chic is always a win!
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
Author
Oh Heidi you sweetheart – thank you so much! x
Well, I went to the UK last Saturday! With a trunk full of clothing!………..to our holiday park…….not to the wedding
Loose fitting & clashtastic! I love the loose, comfy styling here Catherine & your co-star looks pretty relaxed too 😉
I think you may have THE best sunglasses collection I’ve ever seen Woman! xx
Author
Hehe I know, I have a LOT of sunnies MT! thanks hon x
Loving this take on mixed prints!!!
P.S. Thank you very much for the feature this week 🙂
Xx
Joi
Author
Twas my pleasure, Joi! x
Firstly, gorgeous outfit and secondly, shame we didn’t bump into each other1
Laurie xx
Author
Yes!! that was a shame Laurie…!
Not to worry, Catherine‚ according to ancestry.com I’m 32 degrees removed from Queen Elizabeth and my invitation to the wedding was also lost in the post! 😉
Cheryl Shops
Author
Funny how so many invites go lost in the post, eh Cheryl…?!!!! 😉
I heard it was an intimate affair with only close family invited.
Author
I’d hardly call 1.9 billion people watching intimate…! #AllTheLOLS 😀
I think that’s one of my favourite outfits on your blog, Catherine. I love the camel against the blue, and the blue in the top with the blue in the pants and the camel with the orange in the pants. And the navy sandals are perfect. Altogether a fabulous look.
Author
Oh wow thanks so much, Sue!!!
I think my invite got eaten by the dog but hey ho! Love wearing comfy loose fitting clothes too! xx
Author
OMG maybe that’s what happened to mine too, Maria!! lol #blameitonthedog
Weird how those invites didn’t land on the mat in time… mine neither ⭐️❤️
Author
Oh noooooooooo, Sarah!! 😉
I’m often wanting to wear a whole outfit that is loose fitting so this is very useful advice! Thanks Catherine 🙂
Suzy xx
Author
Pleasure, Suzy – glad it helped! x
It just goes to show why a topper is perfect for so many reasons!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Cool look Catherine. I would loved to have seen your outfit had you been invited to the Disney wedding.
Author
Imagine having been there, Gail…?!!!!!