Trench Coats: A Must Have For Every Woman

You may think the title is a bold statement but its something i truly believe.
A trench coat really is one of those pieces that really works pretty much all year around (well in the UK it does). It can be a light jacket when needed or work well with layered knitwear.
Whenever anyone asks me what coat they should have in the wardrobe my first thought is always, always a trench coat. It is a simple but necessary item.

Not only does it work trans-seasonally but also with a multitude of outfits.
Dresses, skirts, trousers, jeans and smart, casual, business or pleasure, a trusty trench coat just works.
I've had a trench coat in one way shape or form for as many years as i care to remember. I upgraded about 18 months ago and i would definitely say that like bags and shoes a tench coat like from Aquascutum is high worth investing in.

I love how a trench makes me feel instantly put together. It gives an air of french chic, even if i lack any other grace that goes with that tag, a trench does make you appear it even if you aren't 😜
Perfect for throwing on for the school run, or out for an evening., i honestly wouldn't be without mine.

There is definitely a shape, fit and colour for everyone of a every age. I like a long neutral beige- cream, i find for me this fits my frame well and works well with dresses and the colour works with everything. A good friend of mine feels like a flasher in a long line trench (lols) and therefore opts for a hip length shorter trench to wear more with jeans and sweaters and my mum prefers a navy option finding the lighter colours not working with her silver hair.

Do you have a Trench Coat and is it something you invest in?

Shop Trench Coats

Weekend Style Essentials: The Perfect Shirt & Trench (& #Passion4Fashion Linkup)

Happy almost weekend Friends!

Having worked for many years in retail and now not, I can't tell you how much I appreciate weekends. Those 2 days to be free from the school run/ pack lunches/ errands and general must do things. Don't get me wrong it isn't chore free, i am an adult and a mum full time so its never completely restful, but it is nice to go at a somewhat slower pace.

The other thing i love about weekends is dressing in comfy casual clothes. 

I have a couple of Autumn weekend essentials that I love to wear. Thye are effortless but make me feel and hopefully look, pulled together, when really not much effort was taken. Thats the best look wouldn't you agree? Effortless yet still together.

My First Essential:

The Trench Coat.

Instant outfit maker. 

A trench coat just makes you look  and feel like a boss without even trying hard. 

They really are the perfect light weight for this time of year and go with pretty much any outfit: Over a dress, skirt and blouse, knitwear or jeans and a shirt, you're instantly sorted.

Its a winner all round , all year round for me, but particularity great for Autumnal weekends.

Mine is thanks to Ocean Credit Cards who asked me to pick out a piece for Autumn.. I Instantly knew a trench was just the thing and that I will get a tremendous amount of wear from it.

If you're looking for the perfect Trench I am currently loving this one by BB Dakota(7th row)

And the one I'm wearing from H&M

My Second Essential is:

A shirt that makes you feel Fantastic (with a capital F).

Yep.. This shirt is just slouchy, yet chic all at the same time. 

Gant aim to be the ultimate shirt maker so you expect a good shirt right? Well they do not disappoint. Having practised the art of fine shirt making  I think it's fair to say they've mastered it.

This is the ex-boyfirend polka dot and I just love, love, love it. It's slouchy but not sloppy, it sits beautifully close without being restrictive and has the right amount of oversized to still look good without looking like you're actually wearing your ex boyfriends shirt. What I mean is that it doesn't add inches on a women's frame, which I think you'll agree is something no lady wants. I find with some oversized garments they add pounds where there shouldn't be. 

This has just that perfect cut that we all crave.

I've written about my love for shirts many a time, but this one is now up there as a favourite. I like the idea of layering a white tshirt underneath and leaving it draped open with some boyfriend jeans. Or with some faux leather trousers and black boots.. Yep its shirt love!

My bonus essential?

Your very own furry baby.. Yep, couldn't be without this one. 

Jeans: Topshop

Trench coat: Thanks to Ocean Credit Card

Loafers: Thanks to Lotus Shoes

Gant Ex Boyfriend Shirt: Thanks to Gant

What are you Weekend Style Essentials?

An InLinkz Link-up

The Classics

When I started thinking about putting my own capsule together I knew it would be filled with the classics. Classics are something I shunned in my twenties, opting for loud and and patterned every time, which was fun.

But over the past couple of years I have definitely found a new appreciation for the classics. Bizarrely, when I was 17 I remember my favourite outfit being a leather jacket, a plain white tee, my best jeans and a pair of Adidas trainers that I had fiercely saved my weekend job wages for.

So it appears I've reverted back to my 17 year old self's style. 

I like to think I've added in a few nice pieces, but it really does show a case in point, that even 14 years later, some styles just don't age. 

They are classics.

Now in my thirties I am the most happy I have ever been with my wardrobe as I have filled it with some pretty decent classics which make up the backbone of my daily wears.

The new addition to my capsule was this trench coat. 

I mentioned that I had to replace the Trench I started my capsule with due to it being a tad tight and me splitting the lining. It was given to me by a friend and never cost a penny so it did me well thus far. 

But with it being in my capsule I knew it was going to get a lot of wear over the following months.

And thankfully I had a credit note for H&M; anyone else forget to send stuff back in the month allowance? Yeh.. my bad, but this time it worked in my favour at least, I found this beautiful neutral trench for exactly the amount I had on my credit note.

Talk about meant to be.

The length is perfect for me as it actually falls to the knee rather than an unflattering mid-thigh (my chunkiest area that should be disguised at all costs ;), the colour is the perfect neutral and the tie belt is my personal preference rather than an annoying buckle.

Happy trench wearing days.

I paired it with some more classics from my #RtHCapsuleWardrobe: A classic white button down, my ankle grazer tailored trousers and my Stan Smiths. 

I think its safe to say Stan Smiths are now classics don't you? 

All finished off with a pop of red and the cutest puppy.

So far I am loving my capsule wardrobe, but shall give you a full run down later this week.

Wearing from the Capsule:

Gap Trousers or try these from Vince

H&M Trench, This one is SUPER similar and there's a gorgeous selection here

White shirt: F&F Similar here and the Current/Elliot one is perfect!!

Adidas Stan Smiths

DKNY Bag, Similar but cheaper option

Do you favour the classics?
Or are you more of a fun fashion gal?

Leopard print dress with a classic trench and red accents

I picked up this dress when i was recently doing my usual never ending food shop 

(3 kids and a husband all home in the holidays = lots of food shopping:(( ) so as a treat to myself for always being in Tesco doing the relentless food shopping, i picked up this cute little leopard print dress.

I thought it would make a lovely transitional piece through in to winter. Add in some thick black tights, boots and a biker jacket and i have another look with this piece. 

I've said it before, but i am all about pieces that will be re-mixable and items i really want to grab and wear time and time again. The soft jersey material and cut of this dress made it ever so comfy and lovely to wear, which backs up my thoughts that i shall be able to get a lot of wear out of it through the coming months.

Perfect for a laid back Saturday or even out for a meal, it seems to me a nice little all rounder.

The trench coat here is SO old.. i really need an upgrade but am yet to find one i love (any suggestions?) I live in this jacket in the cool months (before it gets too cold) as the neutral colour just goes so well with everything.. its also a sweatshirt material making it super comfy. Its getting a bit scraggly around the edges so really need to invest in a good one this autumn, but for now my trusty one will do.

The other day i mentioned i have a thing for khaki lately(still true), well i also have a thing for red....infact its a non-stop red loving. I think my love affair with red as never actually ended, and is not so much an affair but a true life commitment. I will happily wear it all year round, weather that me accents or full outfits. I guess red is just my groove, a colour i will gravitate to year after year. 

 I swear, everytime i head outside to do photos Lucky wants in... i can't stop him lately he just wants in on the blogging action.
When i was stood here with my hubby taking the photos, my neighbour (that i don't really know that well) walked past and look so bemused. When you look at it from an outsiders point of view, its a really weird thing we do isn't it!haha!

Dress: F&F Tesco

Shoes: New Look

Bag: c/o Marks and Spencer

Tench coat: Next (old)

Chain Necklace: coming soon to  Yosa

So ladies tell me, is there a colour that you gravitate towards, one that will grab you every time?

Mint, Nude and Cupcake Jeans (Yep, cupcake is a colour)

 Today i am dressing for Spring regardless of the fact its grey and rainy and cold, thank god for dreamy pastel knitwear like this super old minty sweater. I have had this about 3 years and hardly ever wear it, shame on me! But today was it's day, keeping me warm against the chilly weather but remaining still lovely and colourful.
And these jeans are juuusstt dreamy, they are from the lovely people at Great Plains who recently allowed me to pick a piece from their spring collection, i went for these wonderful jeans in the colour cupcake! how cool is that? The colour cupcake is so yummy i could literally eat it, with faded edges, vibrant colour and lots of stretch these are my new favourite jeans and are packed to come with us on our little family holiday this week to Cornwall.. i can't wait!
Have you seen the gorgeous new collection at Great Plains, I'm crushing on the Tuscany Dress, can you imagine this dress in summer, sunglasses on, cocktail in hand... dreamy!

Cupcake Jeans: c/o Great Plains

Mint Sweater: F&F (very old)

Bow Trench: Next (very old)

Mint Bag: Modcloth (old)

Nude Shoes: c/o Lotus

So whats your thoughts on coloured jeans? Do you love or loathe? And what colours are you craving? I am after a parma violet/lilac pair next! I find they are perfect for British springs..cold yet still colourful!

Sidenote: My feet have been a little out of action lately after a blister turned naassty and went all infected on me from wearing-in some pretty new shoes (#fbloggerproblems...jeez!) i'm on antibiotics and it looks like they don't have to amputate(lol)
So here just put these nude heels on for photos, i have been a flipflop walking disaster for 4days! I have just discovered blister plasters too (tmi, teehee ) so they are helping to ease myself back in to full on actual shoes.
But fellow #fbloggers let this be a a lesson i have learned for us all;
 Do not go for a 4 mile walk in pretty new shoes.