This was MEANT to be a post about how it’s okay to throw any clothes together and end up looking like a hot mess. Or just a mess.
That was the idea I had when we were getting ready to walk Suki the other day (really, is there any other “going out” event during lockdown?): Let’s shoot photos of what I’m wearing when I don’t use a mirror! And am grabbing anything hanging up that’s right there, never mind whether it coordinates! Yes, let’s do that!
So as I’m grabbing a hat, gloves and my usual dog-walking bag (the one I always have to hand with poo bags, hand sanitiser, a torch, lip balm, etc.), I thought I’d grab the camera and ask Keith to shoot a few quick pics for my Tuesday outfit post.
I thought real-life, this is it. I’ve no idea what this looks like (there’s only a wall mirror in the hall, the full-length mirrors are upstairs). Hot mess city here we come.
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We get out the car (Suki currently has this obsession with going in the car first before she’ll agree to walk, don’t ask…) and as she decides she’s not getting out and just lies down in the back, we thought we’d shoot right next to where the car’s parked.
Keith takes his one test shot, I check it. BUT I realise that instead of a hot mess, I actually managed to put together something… reasonably coordinated. Hat, gloves and bag – all pumpkin orange? Check. Jeans, boots and scarf – all navy? Check.
You can sort of see that the blue sweater I was wearing underneath isn’t the right blue to go with the coat (who cares when you’re walking the dog), and the moss green of the scarf doesn’t really go with anything at all, but overall it’s pretty well put-together.
And thus, my post idea was RUINED. No hot mess… just a “Huh, that sorta worked, then” kinda outfit.
Next time I will try much, MUCH harder to bring you the usual bag-lady-who-got-dressed-in-the-dark outfit I wear most days. I promise.
Ever been surprised by your own outfit assembly skills when you’re seriously not trying? Tell me in the comments…
Stay safe, XOXO
P.S. Suki eventually wanted to get out the car – scroll to the end and you’ll see the photo Keith took of her sticking her head out the car window once she realised she was missing out on the action. Now we know how to get her out the car: start taking photos…!
Coat: Asos (v old, similar shacket version)
Scarf: Next (I like this one)
Jeans: JD Williams*
Boots: Seasalt (similar)
Bag: Marks & Spencer (similar)
Sunglasses: Asos (similar)
Beret: Topshop (similar)
Gloves: Asos
Earrings: Asos
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Linking up to… Monday: Inspire Me Monday, Ageless Style Linkup (first Monday of the month), My Glittery Heart, On Mondays We Link Up || Tuesday: Style With a Smile, Trend Spin/Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Turning Heads Tuesday, Spread the Kindness, Confident Twosday, Happy Now Blog Link Up || Wednesday: Style Me Wednesday, WowOnWednesday || Thursday: Chic & Stylish || Friday: Fancy Friday, On the Edge, Fabulous Friday, Fabulous Friday’s Link Up
You still look great! I love your coat! Thanks again for hosting another link up!
Life is a Shoe
Cute story! And I love that the best ‘not put together’ outfits always turn out the best put together lol!!! You look adorable:) xx
Does not get any better, actually. Haha. And adore that blue coat. My gosh. xo Sabina
Such a gorgeous colour palette! I love your coat and hat! The only dogs I’ve had were labradors and they both practically pulled my arms from the sockets to get out for a walk! When I used to walk my last dog me and my mum took turns to hold the lead but I always had it first because she was worried about being pulled over!
Emma xxx
Mega stylish look! I don’t think you could ever look a hot mess – you’re instinctively stylish.
Lol you can’t put a bad outfit together even when you try! But seriously though, I reckon it’s pretty hard to “fail” if you have an authentically curated wardrobe. I feel like I could close my eyes, pull anything out of my closet and it would look ok. After decades of honing our style it just makes sense right?
I’m in love with your coat. That’s just about spot on for Winter. Thanks for hosting too. Jacqui x
I need to up my game when dog walking, if it hasn’t got muddy paw prints on I think I’m well dressed
Author
Hehe that’s USUALLY what I look like Linda – this time I didn’t wear the truly muddy stuff only because we were going somewhere we knew there wouldn’t be any mud or wet… mind you, Suki doesn’t like mud either, she’s such a snob and hates walking in it!! 😉
I love it, Catherine! In fact, this outfit looks very similar to my every day wear as well! Except I am usually wearing all those layers inside my house because I am always freezing. It has become a joke around here that I wear everything I own at one time! My off duty fashion blogger clothes are rather shocking to anyone who thinks that I am a “real fashion blogger”. Haha. You look adorable and perfect for walking the dog or doing anything else really!
Shelbee
Author
I always used to be freezing at home as well Shelbee so would wear all the layers – however since we moved to our new build two years ago I’ve been so much warmer. We don’t even put the heating on in our bedroom AT ALL, not even if it’s below zero outside, because we just get too hot! Goes to show how far construction methods have come and how much more heat efficient houses are these days…!
LOL how I love this! You really do look fabulous, Catherine. I wish I could throw a load of stuff together to walk the dog and look that good! Better luck next time 😉
Hugs
Suzy xx
Author
Honestly Suzy it was a total fluke – I was actually slightly squirming at the thought of you guys seeing what I really look like on an average day… my plans were scuppered by my innate sense of style on that ONE day, lol 😀
It’s a pure colour palette that suits you Catherine, instinct invariably find it way! Brilliant as always!
Pamela x
Author
Haha I don’t know WHAT happened, Pamela…!! Thank you lovely x
What a great outfit! I just love the pops of orange – I too have an orange beret and orange gloves. It’s so good to wear this cheery colour this winter!
Author
I’d just bought the gloves Penny – touch screen gloves because I wanted to take photos in winter without taking off my gloves each time – and I guess because I got them in my fave colour they just worked with everything I happened to have to hand on the coat rack in the hall that day!! 😀
Thank you xo
Ha! I love it! Sorry you didn’t make it to bag lady level. You look great!
Michelle
Author
Hehe next time, Michelle, next time…! xox
Ha ha, when I try that I do look like a mess! Lovely colors!
Author
I was purposely NOT trying, Nancy… the irony!! 😉
LOL, great story and better luck next time. It just proves that when you wear what you love, you’ll love what you wear.
Rena
Author
I guess that’s true, Rena…!! Thanks sweetie x
This outfit seems like it works to me! =) You look great!
I hope you are having a great week!
Amber
Author
Thanks so much Amber! x
you could never look like a hot mess in that coat. It is spectacular
Author
Thanks Linda – I’ve thought a few times about selling it on but I always come back to it every winter. I think it’s because it reminds almost EXACTLY of a coat I remember my older sister having in 1983 – I loved it so much I still remember it to this day (that’s why I bought it)! So I guess it’s a bit like the equivalent of a vintage coat, not one I’ll ever tire of or will ever at…!
P.S. and yes, I’m still cross she ever got rid of it, LOL
Looking so very nice. Love the look.
Author
Patrick thank you so much!
Haha! I love your fun stories, Catherine! Suki is SO cute with his head sticking out of the car. We lost our beloved Schnauzer mix a couple of months ago, and our terrier/French bulldog was lonely. So we got a new rescue dog that is a Jack Terrier mix–we think!! Anyway, they sure all have their quirks, don’t they? Lol! Now to the outfit. Yes, it does work!! You really can’t go wrong with navy and orange, right? You always look amazing in that shade of orange anyway!
xx Darlene
Author
Aww Darlene losing pets is so hard, isn’t it, I’m so sorry. BUT I’m so pleased you now have another doggo in your life – and your existing pup has a new companion which makes me so happy 😀
Thanks my lovely, and yes I’m totally with you on the orange and navy thing x
This is a lovely outfit you’ve put together (by accident). Suki, looks so happy and content in the last pic. Our animals certainly let us know what they want don’t they. Enjoy the rest of your week. xx
Author
Ohhhh there’s no second-guessing her, Alison – she’s exceptionally vocal through her moods and actions, you always know what she wants (or more often DOESN’T want)! xx
I love this, Catherine, so if this is how you look when you are a hot mess, I’ll gladly try to copy what you are doing! You look lovely and I love your coat! Well done! It is always a pleasant thing when the outfit you thought really didn’t look like much of anything, turns out to be one of the most popular. Suki is adorable. Great post. – Amy
Author
I promise you Amy, I really look like a bag lady on most days. It’s just sod’s law that the day I decide to take photos to prove my point the outfit actually worked…! Thanks hon x
You sure managed that the right way around… much better than trying to look co-ordinated and ending up looking like a hot mess…which is what happens to most of us. 🙂 I so love all that orange on you. Since I let my hair go white (who knew it would turn out white?) I can’t wear orange at all. But maybe if I look for a cool orange… if such a think exists. xo
Author
Oh no I wonder if I still be able to wear orange once I let my own white grow out, Sue?! I hadn’t thought about that 🙁
But then I suit all the warm colours so I don’t know how that works when you go silver. It’ll be interesting to find out!
That photo of you and Suki is just so lovely xx
Author
Thanks Laurie, I thought it just HAD to be included! She was dying to get out the car once we took the pictures, when we first parked up she was like, NOPE LEAVE ME IN THE CAR I’M NOT GETTING OUT =the frustration=
You look pretty coordinated to me, Catherine! 😉
Cheryl Shops
Author
hehe it was a fluke, Cheryl, I promise you!! x
I LOVE this outfit!!!
Author
Thank you Suchot!