Outfit Post - Ditching The Jeans

One of my favourite outfits - Back in the Whistles St John's Wood Days!

Admittedly it's been a while since I did a fashion post.  I absolutely love finding quirky things to wear, that really reflect my self-coined 'Modern Gothic Librarian' image!  I'm not really much of a mainstream shopper and I would love to hear from other late twenty-thirty somethings who, like myself, feel as if high street stores are really not catering for our age range anymore??!!

Here I am in Croatia, 2011 - Holiday Chic

Anyway...that's another post for another time!  My style lies in a love of vintage and a love of the romantic gothic look.  I've always had one rule when it comes to image - I've never wanted to look like anyone else!  From my heady days as a velvet-skirt and Doctor Martens-adorning goth, to my stint as a bottle blonde with a wardrobe heavily influenced by the Harajuku movement; the key to me has always been individuality.

Having a baby will always means thinking more practically about what you wear - dry-clean clothes become the enemy and sky-scraper heels are just a huge no-no (unless you're Victoria Beckham, it would seem).  But I never wanted becoming a Mother to completely swallow my identity and, over the last few months, I realised I was beginning to feel a little less 'Mumm-me' and a little more 'Mummy'.  Why?  Well...I was living in my black skinny jeans!

JEANS ARE NOT IN MY GENES

I think jeans look great on other people, I am often envious of those who can pull on a t-shirt and jeans and instantly look awesome.  They are practical, versatile and a great staple for any wardrobe, except, it seems, mine!  I'm a dress-girl, I've said it a hundred times and I stick by it.  It is somewhat disconcerting to have a wardrobe full of dresses that I just can't wear right now; but either way I HAD to do something about this minor wardrobe malfunction and start the process of getting back to Emma: Mumm-me.

Not my bag!!

So I decided it was time, to ditch the jeans!  A big step for me - they saw me through my maternity and beyond, teamed with my Mum Mafia uniform of breton stripes; but if I was ever to feel that familiar sense of self-balance, they just HAD to go!  

INJECTING NEW LIFE

I've done a sneaky bit of shopping recently - my budget wasn't huge, but my mental health was thoroughly thankful for it! I found some beautiful pieces at reasonable prices, dresses that could be layered up as we head into Autumn, plus a gorgeous grungy chenille shaggy cardigan that I'm already getting a lot of wear out of! 

Collars and Pearls - What Would Dita Do?!

Over the next few weeks I'll post some outfits from my swag - skater dresses teamed with vintage belts, tea dresses and images of me finally feeling like I'm starting to be 'me' again. 

OLD CLOTHES NEW TRICKS


Part of the trick of feeling good in your clothes, is to find how to 'love' your old ones again! Which is never easy when you're wardrobe consists of 70% dry-clean only dresses, that you haven't a hope of fitting into.  YET.  So I've decided to really start looking at what I already have and the different ways in which I can try wearing some of my favourite garments - I'll try and inspire with some posts in the coming weeks!

What, this old thing? From my Whistles collection!

It had become too easy to shove my jeans on in the mornings and I've had to really force myself to push my boundaries and find 'me' again in my clothes.  It has worked though, slowly but surely, I'm seeing 'Mumm-me' in the mirror again!

Follow my blog for more updates and outfit posts as I search for the 'perfect' post pregnancy wardrobe!

A Whole Lotta Love.....

It is a truth universally acknowledged (albeit, if the universe consisted of me, my other half and a legion of First Aid Kit fans), that Sweden is where it's at!  Not only does it boast a certain flat-pack furniture empire, a storming music scene (the aforementioned 'Kit, Lykke Li and Euro-sensation Robyn) and significant man-candy points (Al Skarsgard); it seems to know its stuff when it comes to footwear...in the form of Lotta from Stockholm traditional clogs!

Being a short-hat, at a mere 5"2, the warmer climes can present something of a dilemma in terms of footwear, especially for those of us whose style edges more towards the 'vintage inspired' end of the fashion spectrum.  Season after season there are hundreds of gladiators, brogues and wedges that do not compliment my seasonal knee-length dress addiction, neither do they compliment my fear of looking 'short and dumpy'.  We've done pumps to death and our underfeet have all suffered with the iconic Topshop nude ballerinas and skinny jeans combi.  

On the other hand, when I'm looking for something to give me a 'lift', heels and fashion and I are no longer seeing eye to eye.  That is, I no longer see eye to eye with the skyscraper heels and wedges that tower above me! It has taken me nearly 29 years to admit it, but there are some shoes that really are just designed to look beautiful.

After endlessly trawling the Internet for a 'go-between' stylish sandal with an innoffensive heel that doesn't make me trot like Bambi on ice, I stumbled across Swedish clogs.  Fashionista Blogs are going crazy for them, Office are stocking Swedish Hasbeens AND Lotta from Stockholm exists!

A Swedish native, now living in the UK, Lotta has built up her brand from her own fascination with clogs back in the 70s.  And there is no better time that now to invest in a pair with the strong 70s revival trend back again for Summer.  Not only that but at prices starting at £52.50 with free UK delivery on offer, they are some of the most reasonable clogs on the market

I bought a pair of cherry red peep toe clogs, with a 7cm heel they are the perfect height for walks with the pram and they compliment almost every outfit, including my skinnies and kneelength dresses.  With a wooden sole, I wasn't expecting them to be as instantly comfortable; the ergonomic design of the sole feels amazing, not to mention you feel as if you are walking 'properly'!  Finally, a perfect blend of style, femininity and practicality.  A triumph for women everywhere!  Head to their website to check out the various styles and colours....you can thank me later!

  www.lottafromstockholm.co.uk