Super casual double denim this week, but that’s not to say it had to be completely boring.
I actually broke the “rule” of wearing double denim, that is, to make sure your top and bottom denim pieces are different shades/washes. Never one to follow sartorial rules, I chose to go against that entirely and match them as best I could. Maybe it’s because I’m wearing a denim shirt rather than a denim jacket that it works? I tried various combinations of shirt (I also have a light wash denim shirt) and jeans, and in the end the matchy-matchy denim worked the best.
So don’t take any notice of all the rules, even if they’re rule-breaking rules. Sometimes matching shoes and bag DO work. Break the rules that were made to break rules. Don’t worry if you’re lost, I am too now… 😉
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SHOP THE LOOK:
When you’ve got an outfit as potentially boring as a denim shirt and jeans, you need to up the ante in terms of accessories. The stripe of the jeans is a detail I’ve always loved on this pair; they’d be a pair of very ordinary, loose-fit boyfriend jeans without it. But just that small touch of red meant it made sense that I looked for a t-shirt to pick up on that colour, and a root through my tees collection resulted in this rainbow stripe number I bought a while ago. Worn a lot but never before seen on the blog, it’s making its casual debut now.
(I wanted to say caj – short for casual – but how on earth is that spelt? Caj? Cahj? Cazj? I Googled it and couldn’t find a definite answer… if you know please leave a comment!)
The red stripe on the jeans and the red stripe on the neckline of the t-shirt (and within the rainbow) proves they were meant for each other. God knows why I haven’t worn them together before…!
When you’ve got rainbow stripes it’s so easy to accessorise an outfit because you can pick any of the colours and go with it. A little matchy matchy yellow (headband – an accessory I can’t stop wearing right now – and my super comfy Josef Seibel trainers*) plus orange vintage sunglasses, and a very straightforward outfit of cahj weekend double denim has been elevated to something a bit more colourful and a bit more funky.
Never underestimate the power of good accessories!
As a final note, I wore this just over a week ago when we went to see our prospective new adoptive doggy at the rescue centre for the second time. (I did swap the trainers for boots when we walked her as it was a bit wet and grassy everywhere.)
In my year in review post last week I mentioned that we weren’t allowed to reserve her till we were back from a short break in north Devon (I’m actually there at the moment on the Slimmeria detox retreat again and Keith is joining me at the end for a long weekend) BUT we have amazing news! Following the home inspection we had last week, they rang to say they’d be happy to reserve our beautiful lady greyhound till we’re back, so we pick her up on the 24th.
We are BEYOND happy, she was such a gorgeous girl and I can’t wait to show her off to everyone, friends, family and online friends alike. Riley has left us with an incredible legacy – that is, he made us crazy about dogs and that means we want to give a home to a dog that desperately needed one. Watch this space ❤︎
How do you do double denim – or do you avoid it like the plague?! 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!
Shirt: Topshop (similar)
T-shirt: Asos (I love this one)
Jeans: Asos (similar)
Sneakers: Josef Seibel*
Headband: Asos
Sunglasses: Vintage (these, these and these are fabulous)
Locket: notonthehighstreet.com
OTHER RAINBOW/STRIPED T-SHIRTS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
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Love the way you’ve put this outfit together. It looks really cool! You’ve inspired me to try it ,
as I must admit I’ve been a little scared of it.
I’ve just read the last sentence about your new addition, and that you’re picking her up today. I’m so pleased for you both. Plus, how kind of you to give her a home – one with lots of love waiting for her.
Alison xx
Author
Thank you Alison my lovely- it was almost a “couldn’t be bothered” kind of day, but the bright accessories really helped!
And yes the last week has been wonderful… she’s currently fast asleep on the sofa. We’re thinking of changing her name from Suki to Lady Muck, lol 😀
Beyond excited !!! …sorry the fashion bit of the blog went in & out of my head as I came to the last piece of this post !!! Yay ….can’t wait to see her fury little face xx
Author
Haha no worries, Karen – we’re just as excited, anything fashion-related has gone over my head a bit this last week!!
Lots of pictures of her in my Instagram highlights (the one named “Suki”) if you want to see her…!
Look good Catherine, isn’t it funny the ‘rules’ we have, my young god-daughter hasn’t heard of any of them and wears what she wants – I’m trying to take her lead and wear what I want, but old habits die hard as they say. Thanks for hosting the linkup . x Jacqui Mummabstylish
Author
How fabulous not to have heard of fashion rules! The more we break them, the more they’ll fade into history, Jacqui…!
You look smashing (to borrow a British expression here in America.) I actually love this pant suit with a shirt instead of a jacket look. I love that it matches. I recently bought two different ensembles of matching pants and button down shirts and have been wearing them (even though they were probably meant to be worn with other non matching pieces in the ensemble.) To match is slimming and does look breezy and relaxedI, yet still dressed. Ladylike but caz! This is a great idea to wear a striped shirt underneath too. Horizontal stripes can be a little much and I love this way of wearing stripes but just letting them peek through.
I think you will set a trend with this look!
Author
I’ll take smashing, Liz!! 😉 Hmm I too think wearing a shirt instead of a denim jacket is what helped make this work… thank you!
You really have made double denim work so well….. I think picking up the red in the t-shirt and the jeans is genius and key to the look. Such a well put-together outfit.
Also, delighted that your love for Riley has led you to rehoming a greyhound. Until a few days ago, we had our gentle ex-racer boy for six years, and they soooo deserve a chance at family life. Really looking forward to seeing pictures of the gorgeous girl!
Author
Aww that’s so nice of you – thanks Erika!
I’m so sorry to hear you lost your boy, my heart absolutely goes out to you. I know just how devastating it is, and although our hearts are still broken over Riley, Suki is doing a very fine job of helping them to heal. Look after yourself xx
Double denim is a personal favourite of mine Catherine, no rules.
You’ve cracked the DD code by creating the perfect co-ord set, I love it!
Author
Thanks MT! Not sure why I hadn’t thought of a shirt instead of a jacket before, but I prefer DD done this way on me 😀
Oh congratulations on the new addition to the family! I look forward to seeing some pics.
Nice headband! Xx
Author
Thank you P – love the touch of retro these headbands give your outfit!
And yes – lots of pics of Suki to come <3
This is such a fun playful outfit. I ADORE the rainbow Boden shirt you have in the gallery as an option to your stripey tee, aaaaaack! You look like a film star from the 50s in her off duty outfit.. a very good look indeed lady!
I’m so excited about your new dog I can’t even stand it. I can’t wait to see her furry face on this blog 🙂 xxx
Author
That Boden tee is a beaut, isn’t it Lisa? And thank you, I’ll take off-duty 1950s film star!!
Heehee I love your impatience over our new girl… she’s settling in nicely! Fast asleep on the sofa right now!
Catherine I love you style denim with this rainbowstriped shirt. What a great match with this jeans. What a luck… I am looking forward your dog 🙂
xx
Author
Aww Tina thank you! Lots of pics of her in my IG stories highlights (see “Suki”) in the meantime! x
I love denim on denim—my rule of thumb is to vary the shades, so there’s a lighter and a darker piece. Also: congrats on the new pup! Can’t wait to hear (and see) more!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
Author
Thanks Cheryl!
That rule was the one I outright broke in the end – I kept trying to make it work with different shades but it just wasn’t right. Matchy matchy was the way to go here!
first congrats on the new pup, Cannot wait to meet her. WE just made a women here in Canada who adopted a retired racing greyhound from Ireland. The pup was a beauty, Now on to the Canadian Tuxedo, that’s what we cal denim on denim and you are wearing it well
Author
Thank you Linda! We’ve taken hundreds of pictures already…!! Greyhounds are so wonderful, our hearts are bursting with love for her already!
I love the ‘Canadian Tuxedo’ moniker… I wonder if there’s a British equivalent?! x
Perfect cazh outfit. I tend to try to match my denim pieces tonally, but, like you did, go for a bit of something extra–a flourish, different texture, different weight/fabric etc. So happy you are getting a new pupper! XOXO
Author
Thanks Rona – I see you went with “cazh”!! 😉
This rainbow top is amazing! Love how you styled it with the double denim too!
-Katie
http://www.hellokatiegirlblog.com/
Author
Thanks so much Katie x
I’ve avoided denim on denim because of the rule, but seeing how you styled it with a shirt instead of a jacket has inspired me. On vacation right now with no stripes. Maybe I can find a cute top in one of the shops.
Congratulations on being approved for your new dog! I thought I’d be fine on vacation without my (rescue) kitty, but my daughter sent a photo of the two of them & I realized that I do miss her, well, both of them. We can’t have a dog because of a traumatic event in my husband’s youth, so we’ve become cat people!) I also thought that this cat might be our last because we are getting older, but now I’m not so sure…
Author
Glad you were inspired, Carol! x
Thank you (re. Suki the greyhound) – amazing how much we miss our pets when we’re away from them, isn’t it?
I agree that there really aren’t any rules that fit all the time–if any of the time! Haha! Love the combo of colors and continue to eye those sneakers–I mean trainers!
xx Darlene
Also, can’t wait to see your new adoptee! We love our own little Lulu! They don’t replace our previous doggies, but they give us such joy!
xx Darlene
Author
Thank you Darlene! Suki is giving us loads of joy already 🙂
How wonderful about your dog approval!! Congratulations! I know you’ll give her the best home! Cannot wait to see her photos on the blog!
Author
Aww thanks Ann, she’ll appear before too long (she’s on my IG stories in the meantime)! x
I generally avoid double denim but I absolutely love how you’ve styled it. The extra colour here and there is lovely too. And you have a beautiful golden hour glow. I can’t wait to see more photos of your gorgeous new doggy too xxxx
Author
Thank you so much Liz – not sure how many more golden hours we’re going to get now this year (it’s pouring again)!
Love it! I just got back from the nail artist and have them blue now! That would fit in! Cs?
Author
I haven’t done my nails blue in ages, Nancy… maybe I should reconsider! I have a Chanel polish that’s actually called denim!
I love the denim on denim! And the red stripe!! So glad about your new dog!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Author
Aww thank you Mireille! x
You’ve made double denim a lot more interesting here Catherine. And brilliant news about the new family member! xx
Author
Thank you Laurie – hopefully she’ll appear before too long x
Oh my, so stinking cute! I love all the colors and that adorable red piping on your pants. And of course, your sneakers are so great, too!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Author
Hehe thanks Shelbee, I like “stinking cute”!! 😉