Does your winter dressing get stuck in a rut? For me, it seems a lot harder to feel on trend in the colder months. I tend to go into hibernation mode and just focus on whatever feels snuggly!
Working from home most of the week, I’ve found it important for my mental state to resist the siren call of comfortable joggers and make an effort to wear a proper outfit, even if the most people I see all day will be doing the school run or answering the door to the postman.
This intention does tend to come off the rails a little when the mercury drops, so I’m sharing a round-up of recent looks I've loved in an attempt to stay style inspired.
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Curtain Up
Something I used to love doing, yet haven’t in quite a while - going to the theatre.
Somehow, I’ve managed to get this far in my adult life without ever having been to a live comedy gig, but that all changed when I went with a group of friends to see the Scummy Mummies at The Nottingham Playhouse.
Walking into the venue was quite eerie - everyone looked vaguely like someone I knew from the school playground or a half-forgotten pregnancy yoga class. But the jokes were spot on and it was a great excuse to sink a martini or two in the overpriced theatre bar and have a good giggle.
Oversized houndstooth blazer | H&M
'XX' slogan tee | Etsy
Studded leather mini skirt | Zara
'Kylie' embossed chunky sole boots | Topshop
Sheer tights | Calzedonia
Double layer chain necklace | Orelia London
'Mini City' snakeskin bag | Zara
And Then There Were Two...
Very occasionally, we get to leave the kids at home, resign parental responsibility for the evening while Granny takes charge and go out on the town.
Date nights are important for remembering who we are when we aren’t being mummy and daddy, and our last one was fantastic.
We went for dinner and drinks at a little back street jazz venue called The Pelican Club. Live music and incredible Pancetta Al Forno - we even got a sunset as we strolled to dinner for that rom-com moment, if they made them about overtired parents.
This floaty chiffon mini felt right for the evening, paired with white patent ankle boots (I'm obsessed) and the mother of all elegant bags.
Puff sleeved chiffon mini dress | Zara
‘Mabel’ white patent ankle boots | Topshop
‘Trendy CC' in medium beige calfskin | Chanel
Black Tie Confidential
Of course, this time of year calls for a little extra sparkle! Every so often, getting to dress up and get really fancy is such an escape from everyday life. That's why Christmas parties are definitely a time to go full-length and fabulous.
I could count on one hand the number of times I’ve worn a formal frock to something, so I really enjoyed the opportunity when we went to a black tie Christmas party at The Cosy Club in Nottingham.
This was full-on festive glam with a dramatic plunge in black velvet and crystal heels and it felt so good!
Full-length plunge front velvet dress | PrettyLittleThing
‘Frances’ crystal strap shoes | Kurt Geiger
Chain embellished clutch bag | Haute Made Studio @Etsy
Crystal choker necklace | Stone Fans
Black leather trim blazer | Pyrus
Midi Magic
An alpine-themed dinner with friends and a few Raspberry Kir Royales was a fun night out for me before the holidays. It was a colleague's leaving party and a chance to spend a bit of social time outside of work, which is quite rare for me.
We visited Albert’s Schloss in Birmingham and the food was absolutely yummy - think giant pretzels, fondue bites and everything Austrian. They also had a dedicated schnapps bar (uh-oh...) and live shows, making it a really great, buzzy venue for an evening out with friends.
Leopard print maxi dress with cut out bow back | Very
Black leather ankle boots with marbled heels | All Saints
Nude leather cuff bracelet | Paul Smith
‘Rebel’ calcite bracelet | Stella + Dot
Wallet on Chain bag | Chanel
Raving and Misbehaving
When cocktails with the girls ends in dancing on tables!
The nights had turned bitterly cold with snow on the ground, and sub-zero temperatures, so I needed to find an outfit that was warm as well as being ready to bar-hop in. You’re trying to be chic without completely freezing your ass off - not an easy mission!
How is it possible, you cry? I took the sneaky life hack of layering thermal leggings underneath my trousers. 10/10 would recommend. A snuggly coat brought a dash of colour to an otherwise all-black look.
This was the night I discovered Yokocho - Nottingham’s very own specialist sake bar. My head certainly knew all about that the next day!
Straight-cut PVC trousers | Very
Black long-sleeve bodysuit | Zara
Magenta fuzzy coat | Tu Clothing
‘Julia’ clear strap heels | Amina Muaddi
Smoky quartz pendant | House of Jupiter
Gold coin pendant | Monica Vinader
Classic Flap bag in medium black caviar leather | Chanel
Working 9-5
I did do a bit of work in between all this seasonal partying!
Although I mainly work from home, I have one day a week in the office, and that persuades me to make a bit more effort with what I wear. On this day in particular, we were going to the White Swan at Harbourne for a Christmas meal.
One work outfit combination I’ve been wearing on repeat lately is a silky midi skirt paired with a cosy sweater, smart wool coat, ankle boots and a carry-all tote bag.
Black spotted satin midi skirt | Nasty Gal
Lace panel sweater | Whistles
‘Stockholm’ monogram tote bag | Azurina
Pearl and gold hoop earrings | Luna
'Kylie' embossed chunky sole boots | Topshop
‘Rose’ wool blend wrap coat | Ted Baker
School Run Hun
When I’m not zooming down the motorway to the office, I might spin the same staples into a more casual, work-from-home look that’s comfortable and easy to slip on for the usual daily routine of school runs, dog walks and desk-based tasks.
I love the trainer brand Loci, who make easy-to-wear minimalist sneakers that look really fresh. I'll take something like the textured sweater from my office outfit and pair it with trainers and some leather trousers for a relaxed outfit with a polished edge.
High waisted camel leather trousers | Zara
Lace panel sweater | Whistles
‘Nine’ high top trainers | Loci
Pearl and gold hoop earrings | Luna
‘Stockholm’ monogram tote bag | Azurina
Cocktail O Clock Is Calling
Another really fun night out was at Aluna in Birmingham for my friend’s ‘fake hen do’.
She actually got married a couple of years ago during the pandemic, but because of the circumstances of course she didn’t have a hen party. We decided to fix that with dinner at Dishoom, followed by a cheeky evening on the cocktails, which ended up in a pyjama party back at the Malmaison hotel when we peaked too early and decided going back to our rooms with wine was a better option than traipsing around the city!
I love to shop pre-loved for luxury buys, and over time I’ve managed to find some real bargains. Like this fantastic Gucci leather skirt of dreams - picked up for just £60 and something I’ll wear for all types of occasions, styled up in different ways.
Vestiaire Collective is always a favourite destination to score second-hand designer goodies, but sometimes you might get lucky on Depop!
Black satin shirt | ASOS Design
A-line zipped leather skirt | Gucci
‘Dita’ block heeled leopard print sandals | Topshop
Smoky quartz pendant | House of Jupiter
Gold coin pendant | Monica Vinader
Rockstud Spike small PVC and metal bag | Valentino Garavani
Remember - style suits any age and fashion is supposed to be about fun and self-expression. Rock the outfits that you truly love, ignore the trends that don’t suit and shine your uniqueness over that horizon!
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