“There’s no orange in this sweater” I proudly thought to myself as I handed over my credit card to the cashier.
I even bought sunglasses without any orange in them at the same time. I thought I was doing well, until…
Until I got home and showed the sweater to Keith, proudly displaying my new-found ability to resist All The Orange Things. To which he replied, “You do realise there IS orange in that pattern, don’t you?”
DAMMIT.
I honestly thought I’d overcome my orange obsession. I was so enamoured by the pink and camel that I’d failed to see the deep russet colour lurking in the animal print of my new knit. But hey, when animal prints are THIS good and they go with ALL the other tangerine-tinged things in my wardrobe, what’s not to love?!
So in the true spirit of My Style, I decided to add peach. And bright orange too, just for good measure. Grey just tones the whole thing down.
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links which means if you click through and buy I may receive a small commission at no cost to you (click here for my full disclosure). Any items listed as* were gifted within the last 12 months.
SHOP THE LOOK:
In all seriousness, I honestly didn’t see the orange in this animal print sweater when I bought it (from Oliver Bonas, a store I ACTUALLY GO INTO IRL because there’s one at Waterloo station and I often have time to kill there while I wait for my hourly train home. Otherwise, it’s the internet all the way for me).
I must be blind to it, like when a pattern has black in it you tend not to notice it – you just see the red or the blue or the yellow. I’m officially orange blind. But fear not, I put that selective shortsightedness to good use (I think?) by wearing it with PEACH. And more orange. Oh well, if you can’t beat ’em (I don’t know who “them” is… are…?), join ’em as they say (and who’s they?).
I wore this outfit to a family gathering a couple of weekends ago – I’ve had the grey maxi skirt for AGES and only just wore it for the first time because it needed a serious iron, grrrrr. I don’t “do” ironing as I have an upright steamer which is an absolute GODSEND. I can’t even remember the last time I got the ironing board out. But this skirt is a pain because it’s a circle skirt, and a maxi, and you can see how much fabric is in it, can’t you?
Well, the reason I’ve not worn it in all this time is that every time I’ve thought of wearing it I’ve not had time to de-crease it beforehand. This time I bit the bullet as I was determined to steam the cr*p out of that baby, and steam it I did.
One steam-filled kitchen later, and the job was done.
(Excuse the marks on the jacket and skirt – it started raining as soon as we went out to shoot. I get rid of creases, I end up with water marks.)
A few lovely things I love in this outfit that I want to mention:
The peach jacket hasn’t seen the light of day for a while. I love it with the grey of the skirt.
The red and pink square sunglasses – as well as the sweater – were bought in-store in Oliver Bonas, a brand that I’m loving more and more these days. The only reason I resisted buying the orange and pink sunnies they had was that they only had one pair and they were wonky. Watch this space.
The earrings were kindly gifted to me from Statement Earrings Supremos Toolally – a brand I’ve worn many times before and absolutely adore. Light as a feather, these acrylic beauties are a fabulous new crescent shape and would look so good against dark hair… luckily they show up nicely against my red locks (and tie in with the colour of my straw bag).
Job done!
DO YOU FIND YOURSELF BECOMING “BLIND” TO A PARTICULAR COLOUR YOU KEEP BUYING/WEARING? WHAT ACCESSORIES ARE YOU LOVING THIS SPRING/SUMMER? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS…!
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.
P.P.S. I’m away this week, back at the detox retreat I went to in September (I’m so excited about going, this post was scheduled in advance before I went) – keep up with my Stories on Instagram to find out what I’m up to!
Sweater: Oliver Bonas
Jacket: Topshop (similar high street, similar designer)
Skirt: Amazon (I also love this chiffon one)
Shoes: Asos (I like these)
Sunglasses: Oliver Bonas
Headband: Asos (similar)
Bag: Amazon
Earrings: Toolally* [gifted]
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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 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!
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Looking so very nice. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
Author
Thank you Patrick 🙂
that print brings everything together so perfectly. and the colour on you is amazing
Author
That’s so lovely of you – thank you Linda! x
Well, I understand where you’re coming from about color, because I think that my favorite color is orange, but actually, I’m drawn constantly to all the shades of orange. Peach, rust, copper, coral, etc. etc. A few years ago, I had to cut myself off from buying any more peach tops (shirts and sweaters). Because every time I bought anything, it was peach. And I include coral in that. So now, I’m a little low in that department, and will have to start accumulating peach and coral clothes again. I do love your whole outfit. That gray skirt is perfect, providing a shadow for all that lovely orange. A feast for the eyes!
Author
Evie I think you’ve described the exact thoughts that have gone through my own head about my love of orange!!!!!
Thank you, heehee xx 😉
These are fabulous shades together – love that skirt too. I just saw a similar dress in dusky pink, I so should have bought it!!! Maybe i should pop back into town ;-)) Jacqui Mummabstylish
Author
Don’t miss it Jacqui – I hate that thing of always thinking about something you should have bought!! Thank you hon x
What a fabulous print the sweater has, and love the grey maxi skirt. It was designed to do twirls in!! Plus, I really need to invest in a steamer as i hate ironing – what a waste of time it is!!
Alison
xx
Author
Thanks Alison – I love the print too. If you get a steamer you definitely won’t regret it!!!!!
Oh my word, Catherine, I am chucking that you didn’t see the orange in the sweater! It is an amazing print with or without your orange-blindness! And I love it with the gray. Such a great outfit and very much “you”! Don’t you just love your steamer? My sister gave me one for Christmas the year I started blogging and I use it literally every day! It is the best thing in the world. However, there are still some things that need an iron and I also growl at them when they come to my attention! Those maxi skirts and dresses are the most difficult to maneuver on the steamer hanger!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Author
Haha yep, Shelbee – I had no idea it was in there…!! I totally agree about the steamer, I NEVER have piles of ironing anymore. Happy days 😀
I love the sweater, Catherine—it’s very you. To thine own self be true!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
Author
Haha thanks Cheryl!!
That’s a great look. Love the color of that jacket and the bag too.
Author
Thanks Julie – I’ve had the jacket a while but the colour still sings to me 😀
That outfit just works! The oranges, the pinks, the peach, the gray–wow. It’s the kind of outfit that says, hey, I’m having fun! Keep buying orange, Catherine–it’s YOUR color!
xx Darlene
Author
Aww thanks Darlene – don’t think I could actually give it up, LOL!!
I actually laughed out loud Catherine. You do realize you’re “orange blind” right? Hahahaha such a classic C move!
Your outfit is gorge, of course, you look stunning in these colours. I love the cut of the blazer as much as the colour and your glasses are super chic. Keep being you babe xx
Author
Honestly MT I was really proud of myself for not getting something orange!! Wtf is wrong with me lol 😉
Thank you my lovely xx
I adore that skirt, checked it out on Amazon but I never ordered from Amazon. I’m a bit resistance. Anyway, what a beautiful color combinations! Have a good time at the retreat!
Author
I’ve bought a few things from there Nancy – I always go for the ones with free returns (good tip for you there)! Thank you, just got back from the retreat, it was wonnnnnnnnnderful x
You shouldn’t stop wearing orange. It’s a color that looks excellent on you. This sweater is so you in terms of the colors that you typically wear and look stunning in. The styling is so special! I had never thought that gray and tan work together. Maybe the secret behind this look is that you used the different orange hues/shades/tints as a neutral and made the neutral gray and tan the stars. Love the look!
Author
Thank you so much Nicole! I can never just stick to just one shade 😉
Haha, yes, I’ve been blind to colors before! The sweater is wonderful in colors and abstract print. I have ended up with quite a lot of peach right now–I’m thinking I’ll add animal print now!
Author
Oh gosh you love peach too Kimberley – not many people do!! Thank you my lovely x
Love this outfit – but especially the sweater and now I must own it myself!
Author
Thanks Maeve – I ADORE this sweater so much!!
Aww, I know how you feel about ironing. Sometimes I don’t wear things because I know they’ll crease and need ironing afterwards. Aaaaanyway, you look fabulous. Very definitely orange and fabulous. I love the close ups. You look like a 50s movie star xxxx
Author
It’s awful how lazy we are, isn’t it Liz 😀 LOL
Thank you SO much for those comments, I’ll take 50 movie star any day!! xx
What a fabulous combination. I have a skirt near identical (i know what you mean about creases!) The jacket I love! Hope all is going well at the retreat xx
Author
Thanks Laurie! The retreat is fabulous, though I’m so knackered from doing 6-7 hours exercise a day on a vegan diet…! x
You are rocking this outfit! Love the orange shoes!
Grace Liang
Author
Thank you so much Grace 🙂
How do you do it, Catherine?
Statement earrings, glasses AND hairband…. it shouldn’t bloody-well work but you SMASH the look.
(I’m pea green!)
Maybe it’s your bold coloured hair?
I don’t know the secret but I DO know you look fab!!
The colours in this outfit are delicious.
(I love the raindrops on your lapel… real life in action)
I want a headband but my big head makes them SO uncomfortable (My head is ENORMOUS!! hahahahahaa)
XXX
Samantha
Author
Thank you SOOOOO much Samantha!! I have to admit (I should have written this in the blog post) that I was more than a little inspired by a combination of Blair Eadie and Suzi of Alternative Ageing – they both wear the same headband, earrings and sunnies combo, I just wanted to look as fabulous as them!!