The Life Story of the Suit

Before Christmas I purchased this suit from the charity shop. I'm sure to some the idea of wearing a second hand suit seems strange, but I love that I'm giving these pieces a new lease of life. It's a men's suit, but even though it fits like a glove. The jacket is a little oversized but that's just what I wanted and the trousers are high on the waist and finish just above the ankle, another perfect styling detail.
Buying this suit from the charity shop made me think about the life of this suit. Who has worn this suit? And where? Maybe to a wedding or job interview. I love knowing my suit has travelled and possibly made one individual a proud owner. On the other hand though maybe it was just a suit that sat in someones wardrobe for many years going unused. Who knows? Since I've owned it I've thoroughly enjoyed giving it a new lease of life by styling it in different ways. Wearing the trousers under floral tunic dresses with white pumps, with block heels and a shirt and here the full two piece with a raglan top, gold heels and bright pink earrings.
We are often too quick to buy new clothes when sometimes there are perfectly good second hand options available to us. Plus it's better for the environment and money is also going to a great cause. Dont' get me wrong some charity shops don't have the greatest sartorial offerings and you have to be ready to rummage. Sites like Depop and eBay are also worth scrolling through for reasonable priced high-street pieces. I've also recently discovered the Vestiarie Collective which sells amazing  vintage designers pieces - from Chanel bags to jimmy choos.

I am wearing a charity shop suit, Topshop top, Asos shoes and vintage earrings.

Topshop Reclaim to Wear - Sustainable fashion on the highstreet

I subscribe to the Topshop mailing list and last week this arrived in my mailbox - the new Reclaim to Wear collection. At last our favourite high street retailers are cottoning on to the fact that it's customers are interested in sustainable fashion. So let's get down to the details, the Topshop Reclaim to Wear range is made from sustainable and up-cycled fabrics and boasts zero waste.
Topshop state 'We're all about upcycling! Topshop Reclaim does sustainable fashion with conscience in this collection created from ethical fabrics and production cut-offs'. 

The range has a 90's vibe with patchwork denim, patterned slip dresses and logo sweatshirts (very on trend at the moment.)  

The collection does have an array of unusual designs including a beautiful floral blouse and a matching slip dress. A patchwork denim dress and a pair of two tone denim jeans. Take a peak for yourselves here.

Do my shoulders look broad in this?

Topshop Dress (here) and Shoes (similar here)

It's taken me 29 years to learn how to dress for my size and shape - yes nearly 3 decades! Over that 29 years my size has changed but I'm sure if you're a female over the age of 25 you will know that  entering your early twenties causes weight to creep on easier and becomes much harder to shift. 

Although I have gained a few pounds, I don't think that my body shape has changed that much - I'm rather big boned and maybe somewhat broad and it's only really dawned on me in the last few months what actually flatters my figure and shape. I've noticed that broad shoulders and bigger boobs require much more thoughtful dressing.

I love fashion and clothing but I've come to understand that not all pieces suit my figure. I own so many oversized clothes that I love, but I've recently noticed they make me look broad. 

It took a striped long sleeve T-shirt (that I have been wearing regularly for months) to make me realize that oversized sartorial doesn't always suit me.  

So I've now got a new fashion rule which is working so far and that's buying tops, dresses and jackets that cut at the shoulder. At last I've found the cure to a top heavy body! and what's even better is this actually gives me a much more slimline look. 

This is such a simple idea which has affected the way I've been buying clothes over the last few months. However, the high-street has left me with little choice when it comes to garments that cut at the shoulder. Due to this not being something I've ever thought about I've never noticed how many items are oversized and cut off the shoulder. So far I've purchased this amazing leopard print dress (and a denim jacket and black ruffled top) - please note this is the first ever piece of leopard print I've ever owned and leopard is now my new floral.

With such little offerings on the high-street I'm wondering if I'm the only broad shouldered gal on this planet?!

The Trans-seasonal Dress Code

By trans-seasonal, I mean it’s too warm for our bulky winter coats, but too cold to wonder the streets bare sleeved and I’m faced with this what to wear dilemma every Monday morning (at least until the frost sets in.)

My daily commute consist of a 35 minute bus journey, 20 minute – standing train ride (I almost never get a seat, think faced squashed against the train doors) and a 20 minute jaunt across the city centre. By this point I arrive at the office a flustered, sweaty mess. In four months I somehow haven’t mastered how to arrive the fresh faced employee I wish to be. 

That’s when it accrued to me I need a fool proof trans-seasonal dress code suitable for the office and my hectic commute. I’ve been so excited for autumn to arrive I’ve donned think tights, chunky knits and cosy scarves way too early.

I need an array of layers that are commute appropriate, i.e. easily taken off when squashed up against a stranger’s armpit whilst on the train. Also outfit planning the night before stops that 7am wardrobe battle. We’ve all been there, right? 

So here’s my list of must have pieces for perfect trans-seasonal dressing. 

Mules/Loafer (The flat is a must have this autumn) – much more foot coverage than sandals, but less than knee high boots.

Cotton Shirt – Light, comfortable and sleeves can be easily rolled up or down. (Try a men’s shirt from Gap or Topman)

Turtle Neck Sweater – Not a full on chunky knit but a thin ensemble does provide some warmth on those cooler autumn mornings. Dorothy Perkins have a great selection this season. 

Culottes – Worn bare legged with an ankle boot or add an ankle sock with those flats you love. 

Luxury T-Shirt – Plain or stripped the t-shirt is a must have during any season. I love Zara’s collection and there organic cotton V-neck tee starts at £12.99. 

A-line skirt – Easy to throw on and comfortable for the 9-5, plus they give that nod to the 60’s/70’s trend. Both Zara and Topshop offer these in an array of textures and prints.

Image Source - Zara