An alternative title for this post could have been, How to Style This Longline Camel Coat for the 427th Time.
And although it would have been pretty accurate (with a longline camel coat whose cost-per-wear is probably in the minus figures by now), I went with How to Style Flat, Lace-up Boots. Because let’s face it, they’re not the most feminine of boots, but oh BOY do I love this style… masculine chic forever, I say!
I’m hoping that this is my last slightly-wintery-style look for a while… this time last year we were about to be bombarded by a weird April heatwave that pretty much lasted till October. (Here’s hoping.) I definitely have plans to feature a VERY spring/summer outfit next week – florals and toenails may make a surprise appearance.
For now, it’s all about warm chalky colours, a little knitwear, the longline (and much worn) duster coat, and these fabulous lace-up boots*.
Disclosure: I was gifted the boots by Josef Siebel under no obligation (click here for my full disclosure). The post contains affiliate links which means if you click through and buy I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Any items listed as* were gifted within the last 12 months.
SHOP THE LOOK:
The boots were kindly gifted to me from Josef Siebel, a new-to-me brand that approached me to offer me some shoes of my choosing. I’ve only just got round to featuring them, but I’ve worn these ankle boots LOADS. They’re the kind of boots that you can put on for the first time and walk ALL DAY in them, they’re that comfy. I wore them to travel to Prague the other week so they’re now my go-to for train and plane travel.
I checked out their range online and it seems that all the glowing reviews from customers say the same thing: they’re comfort personified. I’m all about the ultimate in comfy, stylish footwear for everyday wear (I have a similar black pair that you can see styled here) and what I also love about these boots is the fact that they come with a worn-in look. They’re not the sort of boots you want to keep pristine. They NEED a little scuffing and for the leather to be a touch on the dull side.
They form the main part of this particular masculine chic look for me. Heels would change this outfit ENTIRELY, but a great pair of flat, ankle boots with laces would be the foundation of anything masculine chic. Warmer, chalky colours also help to keep the look soft if you’re worried about looking too ‘hard’!
Final note on the boots: Is it just me or do they look French to you? I can’t think of any reason why – or any look that I connect with that idea – but they just look… French. Je ne sais pas pourquoi!
Flat batteries, rain and other problems
Today was a total disaster where this blog post was concerned (as you might have realised by its extreme tardiness). The list of problems that added up to a super-late publishing time surmounted to:
- The camera battery dying after 10 photos, despite it showing as full before we left the house (thank goodness for Keith’s iPhone X)
- Big, FAT rain coming down mid-shoot and “staining” my light pink trousers (so we had to keep waiting the showers out)
- The PC deciding to be incredibly slow and practically die on me once we’d got home and then demand a (very slow) reboot
- The photos taking FOREVER (I’m talking nearly 3 hours) to upload from Keith’s phone as The Cloud refused to play ball
- Riley barking for attention from me from his bed because I was upstairs working, despite having Keith on the sofa right next to him
- Riley then REFUSING to go on his evening walk without me and standing in the driveway till I put a coat on and joined them
- The linky widget disappearing from the blog post JUST before I hit publish, and the awkward code (that I have to tweak to make the thumbnails appear on this page) not behaving
- The beer I then needed to drink to cope with everything that went wrong (maybe I should have finished the post first…)
THAT WAS MY DAY (#FACEPALM) – HOW WAS YOURS?! COMMENT BELOW…!
P.S. 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 in my bi-monthly Women Who Wear What They Like post!
Boots: Josef Siebel [gifted] In green they’re still available at John Lewis – all colours reduced!
Sweater: Seasalt (LOVE this Audrey Hepburn-style one)
Trousers: Mango (similar)
Coat: Asos (you might like this one, this one or this one)
Bag: Maxwell Scott (similar)
Necklace: BonbiForest at Etsy
Sunglasses: Lulus (similar)
OTHER LONGLINE/DUSTER COATS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷
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 Tuesday 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 prerequisite is that you’re wearing whatever you damn well like!
CLICK HERE to read the rules of linking up and how/why #iwillwearwhatilike started. Please be kind and reciprocate by linking back to here on your post – to leave a comment is even more in the spirit of support and community!
Click here to receive an email reminder for the next #iwillwearwhatilike link up as soon as it’s live
NEW STYLE LINK UP INFO (INLINKZ HAVE HAD A FACELIFT)
Inlinkz have had an update and changed the look of link ups a little. (Not my choice, but the old look has now been retired so all hosts have been forced into it.) There is ONE major thing that you need to know, and it’s in light of the GDPR data collection stuff:
The first time – and ONLY time – you link up to a new-style Inlinkz link party (this is a one-time thing on ANY blog, not for each blog you visit), you will need to register using either a Facebook or Google account (or Inlinkz account if you host link ups yourself). Once you’ve done this you can continue to link up as before on any Inlinkz link up on any blog, no further registration required.
A bit of a pain, but GDPR makes us do these things…!
Also: they’re working on increasing the number of characters allowed in the caption they told me. So apologies for the caption being a bit restrictive at the moment, hopefully it’ll change soon! Let me know if you have any problems at all.
Those boots look so comfortable! I love your brown tote bag too. I’ve had a few days like that lately where nothing seems to go right, and nothing frustrates me more than technology! I was ready to wing my laptop across the garden a couple of weeks ago, and then I had all the bother of my site going down frequently, so I ended up moving hosts (which of course didn’t go as smoothly as it should have!). Nothing is ever as easy as it should or could be!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
I love your shoot location! Gives the outfit an even cooler vibe! The boots look really comfortable and versatile too.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
I’ve had a week of hell but it sure does make a normal day feel good. Well done for fighting through – and sweet Riley keeping it real and realising whats most important xx
Love the boots, love the pants (I have the same colour) and of course who doesn’t love a camel coat!
I had the same pain in the butt shoot last week Catherine. An almost flat battery that just wouldn’t click the remote control no matter how hard I pressed that button wahhh! So frustrating. And the week before my camera was knocked over by a huge gust of wind even though it was weighted. Ack the joys of shooting outdoors eh? Let’s not even start….
I love this casual look, Catherine! And those boots are just adorable.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Good to see how a versatile camel coat can be styled so many ways! And the boots are right up my street, must be mega comfortable.
Blogging can be so stressful, I don’t know why we do it 🙂 At the weekend I went to Mum’s in Devon, with the tripod, prepared to take lots of pictures. But the camera / smartphone app had disappeared (and been replaced by a new one) which I couldn’t get to work as we stood outside in the freezing cold. Then I left the tripod behind!! So I have a new one arriving today.
Great boots – Oui! I’d say slightly ‘French’ looking . How lovely to start seeing all the link bloggers gtadually wearing spring clothes, albeit a tad (lot) cooler thank we would like, but hints are showing that Spring is just around the corner! Thanks for sharing and hosting, as always a pleasure to read. x
Jacqui Mummabstylish
I love those boots of yours. Yes, one of those days but the pix look great so they were worth the wait! And thank you for hosting – have a better week!
Sorry to hear you have had one of those days when nothing seems to go right. Hope the rain has left and you are having Spring sunshine.
I had to smile when I saw your boots as I was admiring them in a local store recently, Autumn here so new season Winter. Maybe I should try them for size.
Many thanks for hosting Catherine. A quick question, has anyone else mentioned problems posting vertical shots or is it just me, I am somewhat tech challenged.
Ugh, I just had a couple of days like that. My Pinterest Pin It button disappeared, my WordPress scheduler wouldn’t work…and on and on. So, I totally sympathize, Catherine. Nonetheless, that coat deserves to be styled as it’s the perfect coat for spring. It seemingly goes with everything in your wardrobe!!
xx Darlene
Ha, glad it’s not just me. Love that camel coat, BTW
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has those kinds of days, although sorry you had to soldier through all of that! Love your boots—they seem perfect for traveling—and the menswear-inspired way you’ve styled them.
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
Days like these… I’m home for a mere three days ( stuff to do in Essex) and I have so much to fit in that small amount of time, photos etc and the heavens open! If your hair got caught in the rain it looks bloody amazing! xx
Author
We’ve had so much sun Laurie – the one morning I had free to shoot and it rains!!!! Thanks for the hair compliment… this is how it dries naturally!
Catherine I agree with Lisa I am loving that wavy hair today!
Rain or shine wifi or camera phone you photos and you are always gorgeous.
Riley sounds as if he is worried you are going on a trip again and leaving him?!
love as always
Ashley xxx
Ps I had trouble linking my latest post so you are not alone!
Author
Aww bless you Ashley thank you!! Riley seems to sense when I have a lot of blog work on, the tinker…!
I assume you sorted out the linking okay as I see your thumbnail…? xx
Well, I’m glad those problems don’t just happen to me. Except I finish my day off with wine instead of beer, LOL!!
But I do love these more masculine boots. I wore some brogues in one of my posts that I included in the linkup, and they are a great change for me.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Author
Oh you probably know I love me a brogue (or 11) too, Jodie! Thank you my lovely xx
What a comedy of errors you’ve had, Catherine! But here you are, in glorious sunshine, looking fabulous. I love your hair slightly wavy, is that from the rain?
Your boots remind me of some I had years ago that I wore for an entire year when I went travelling. They were indeed super comfortable and I loved the tough edge they added to outfits, especially dresses. I’m liking these the more I look at them! xx
Author
Actually this was how my hair was when I left the house Lisa… it’s pretty much air dried – it has a natural wave to it these days o think because of all the wiry grey hairs!!!!!
The boots are sooooo comfy, I’m so glad I found this brand : -)
Sometimes, only sometimes, a day can’t pass by quick enough! What a fantastic bag! Thanks for hosting and have a great week.
Author
Hehe it dragged on and on for me Nancy because nothing was going right! xx