I’ve worn this basic combination before – a long, navy pinstripe coat and white Stan Smith trainers – but I think it’s a combination that works well for winter.
I say winter, but I’m really hoping that the mild spell we’re having will last – this time last year we had ‘The Beast From The East’ and all that snow to look forward to until the beginning of April (the thought of going through all that again fills me with dread). At the moment we’re having some lovely mild, sunny days, so although coats are still required, scarves and gloves and even socks can be omitted, hurrah!
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This outfit is a typical mild winter’s day look for me… I’m always happy in a long, smart coat, a felt fedora, peg leg trousers and boots or flats of some kind. Unfortunately my white Stan Smiths aren’t quite as box-fresh as they were when I wore them for the first time on the blog (again with the pinstripe coat but styled somewhat differently), they still look great but I’d love to get them back to white-white.
Does anyone have experience of putting them in the washing machine? I don’t want to ruin them, but they definitely need a clean. Can they be submerged in water at all?*
I can take out the laces and whiten/wash them separately, but any suggestions for cleaning the shoes to make them box-fresh again are welcome… thank you, kind people!
*Update: I totally forgot they’re leather #doh so don’t worry, I won’t be putting them in the machine!!
SHOP THE LOOK:
Going back to the pinstripe coat, this long style in navy (especially with pinstripes) is a classic that I can thoroughly recommend if you want to invest in something for winter that you can wear to the office AND at the weekend with jeans and trainers. The perfect combination of workwear and sportswear, it’s like they were meant to be together, don’t you think?
And a little touch I liked: first of all I put the scarf round my neck, but it looked a bit twee. A quick think and it was wrapped and tied around my wrist instead. It also meant I had one lovely warm wrist (the sleeves on this sweater are three-quarter length which can be OH SO ANNOYING when you’re trying to layer). As for the other wrist, it had to make do with sculking back up inside the coat and a jacket pocket…
DO YOU OWN THE PERFECT WORKWEAR/WEEKEND WEAR COAT – IF SO WHAT STYLE IS IT, COMMENT BELOW…!
Coat: Jaeger (similar)
Sweater: Hobbs (similar)
Trousers: Asos
Trainers: Adidas Stan Smiths
Bag: Marks & Spencer (similar)
Hat: La Redoute (similar)
Sunglasses: Mango (I like these)
Scarf (on wrist): Vintage (you might like this one, this one or this one)
Earrings: Accessorize
I love you color combo. You really know how to play with them. And the scarf on the wrist was a nice touch. Fab!
Anna
http://www.glamadventure.com
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Thanks, Anna!
The colour of the trousers and little scarf made this one of the best outfit. Looks great and comfy!
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It WAS comfy, Chanelle! thank you x
You’ve got your colours down to a fine art.
Love how this outfit seems to bring out the colour of your hair more, Catherine.
And I mean .. whats not to love when it includes Riley? xo
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Aww thanks Sharon – he’s such an attention seeker, isn’t he 😉
You really can’t beat a good, comfy pair of Adidas trainers! I much prefer the plainer, solid colours ones as they’re so much easier to style! Honestly think it’s the little touches of the scarf on the wrist and the broach on your coat that make this outfit for me!
Sarah 🙂
Saloca in Wonderland
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That’s so kind, thank you Sarah x
Thanks for sharing – this outfit is amazing!
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thanks Amara x
The colors are so much fun! I just bought a pair of Adidas and have been pinning all sorts of Adidas related outfits. Happy to see this one today.
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They’re a classic that’ll NEVER date, Daenel! thank you x
This look should forever be called the Catherine ! It’s an outfit combo that you do better than anyone I know and such a versatile style, not too casual or too dressy and perfect to transition the seasons!
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I like that description MT!! Thank you 😉 xx
What a fab look! Love the whole tie up with the coat and trousers. Great combination that shouldn’t work on paper but it looks so flawless x #IwillwearwhatIlike
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Aww Rosie thank you so much! x
Fab colour combination! The scarf looks lovely worn on your wrist…I’d never be able to tie it up though! What’s the trick? 😉
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splashcom
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Thanks Emma – not really sure what the trick is, I just press my wrist against my bod and somehow I tie it up!! 😉
The Mr. Clean magic eraser on the leather and try soaking the laces in Oxy clean in hot water. I would leave them for a few hours. I find this whitens better than bleach which may yellow. I love when Riley is with you in the shots. He is looking good. Glad you are having a warmer spell.
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Good point about bleach, Diane!! Thank you for the tips x
Catherine, this is a great combination of work wear with athleisure! I love the mix of pinstripes and bold stripes, but I can’t take my eyes off that beautiful handbag! So gorgeous!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
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Thanks Shelbee – I wish I’d got more of these handbags when they stocked them!!
When my trainers have got to the point where it’s either throw them or put them in the wash – I’ve actually put them in the washing machine and weirdly never had a problem. I would still stress about doing it even though it’s worked well for me so far. Otherwise I use white polish and scrub the ‘heels’ with a brush. Great trousers – love the cool shape. Also, love how you’ve used the scarf as a decorative ‘bracelet’ of sorts. Have a fab week xx
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Thanks Maria – I’ve realised now that they’re leather so I don’t think it’s the washing machine for them…!!
Love the color combination! Re: the trainers, I’ve cleaned my son’s vintage Air Jordan basketball trainers with a mixture of baking soda (gentle abrasive), white vinegar and a dash of Dawn liquid dish soap (to cut dirt and grease). I scrubbed them with an old toothbrush and wiped with a damp cloth. It cleaned them very well!
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That’s a really proper, old fashioned cleaning concoction, Debra – thank you so much!!
Hi, Catherine,
It’s always fun to see Riley in your posts. Such a cool dog! Mine are always photobombing as well. This outfit is just perfect for winter-toward-spring. The striking color contrast really makes it work.
Have a wonderful week,
xx Darlene
Regarding cleaning the shoes. I have actually washed mine with a touch of bleach. To dry, fill them with newspaper–it helps retain the shape and really dries them quickly!
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Thanks Darlene – we used to try and take pictures when he had wandered off but he’s wise to it now… we just go with it if he wanders into shot!!
Thank you for the tip, the newspaper trick is good and one I would have forgotten despite having heard it before! x
Lovely combo Catherine. Love the colour of your trousers and handbag 🙂 Thanks for hosting.
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Aww glad you like it, thanks Claire!
Try making a paste out of baking powder and water, and scrubbing your shoes gently with an old toothbrush. I feel very Martha Stewart sharing that tip! 😉
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
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Cheryl that sounds brilliant, thank you so much!!
I LOVE gutties with smart clothes… to be honest, I love gutties with most outfits!
Especially the white leather ones.
So chic!
I’m sorry to say that your Stanleys will never be box fresh again Catherine (sob) but don’t stress it.
Try replacing the laces that usually seems to help.
I’ve put my daughter’s leather superstars and my leather puma gutties in the machine a few times.
(Inside a net bag and just with a normal load, not rattling about on their own.)
Mine (and hers) have always come out of the wash looking lovely and get back to normal after drying them sitting on the radiator (sole side down)
I don’t think the leather is treated the same way as ‘normal’ leather shoes… maybe because they are designed to be active in and therefore get sweaty?
I can’t say I’ve had any experience with Stan Smiths though… although Sophie’s are also Adidas so it might be worth a try.
XXX
Samantha
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Now that I’ve realised they ARE leather (can’t believe I forgot that…) I don’t think I will put them in the machine after all! Lots of good tips here in the comments, I’ll start by bleaching the laces methinks x
More thoughts on cleaning……Baby wipes bring up white trainers nicely, especially the rubber parts (that’s why I never used them on my babies!)… oh and don’t bleach the laces, they’ll turn yellow!
XXX
I’ve heard Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works well for cleaning white shoes.
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Ooh that sounds good Terri – thanks! x
Not sure if my favorite part is your excellent hat, or the phrase ” it had to make do with sculking back up inside the coat and a jacket pocket…” And Riley is a scene-stealer, for sure.
As for the trainers, it looks like they’re leather, so I sure wouldn’t put them in the washing machine. I’d wipe them down with a solution of bleach and water, followed by a leather conditioner and little white shoe polish. Like I’d ACTUALLY go to this much trouble – HA- but it will certainly brighten them up. Someone posted yesterday about giving our shoes and purses a “spa day” periodically, especially considering how much the bloody things cost!
Enjoy that weather – it’s still hat and glove season over here…
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Hehe thanks Mary Katherine…!!
You’re absolutely right – they ARE leather, and I can’t believe I forgot that. Good job I have you lot to point these things out to me, eh?! Thank you for the tips x
I washed my white Converse always in the wasmachine on 40 degrees. Now I bought patent white Puma s. I’m afraid that is a lot less easier to clean! Thanks for hosting.
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Thanks Nancy, good to hear yours come up nicely, though yes patent would be a headache! x
You look lovely and I LOVE the landscape photo with Riley. I put Harry’s trainers and football boots in the machine all the time on 30 degrees. We leave them to dry naturally and they come up beautifully xxx
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Thanks Liz – I do with canvas trainers but I’ve realised (stupidly) that these are leather!!!!
Love the trews. I’d like to know the answer re Stan Smith’s. I’ve only worn them once so they’re still box fresh. I tend to throw everything in the washing machine and it’s always ok.
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Thanks Gail! I think I may have to hold out on the washing machine because of what people have been saying here…
I adore the colors in this outfit Catherine. I haven’t bought any white sneakers yet, but I totally love my white boots.
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
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I think I’ve been a white sneakers fan as long as I can remember, Jodie!!
Love the coat- and also that you added the scarf to your wrist. I really love that detail and I swear I can NEVER remember to actually wear it.
~Melissa
https://freshairandfalselashes.com
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Thanks Melissa – I’m amazed I remembered to do it to be honest!!!