Sunday 7 – A/W 18 Checks and Tartan Edit

Hello,

And welcome to another Sunday 7.

I’m looking at checks and tartan print this week, which are meant to be ‘big’ this autumn/winter…

{… although, when have they ever *not* been big during autumn-winter?!}

Whilst I normally shy away from animal print and large florals… checks and tartan are a firm favourite for me.

Here’s what I’ve picked this week:

7. H&M – Checked Dress (Studio Collection £79.99)

I adore this little H&M Studio collection dress – though I have no need of it in my SAHM day to day,

The pussy-bow makes it a little trussed up/fussy for wearing around the house (!) but it would be a great little office dress.

Looking at the photos (and knowing it’s made of viscose) it looks a little see-through to me, so an under-slip of some sort would be required.

And the length looks quite short as well – which of course is no problemo for us titchies!

6. Next – Tartan Kitten Heel Ankle Boots (£19)

A very cheap and cheerful way to bring a little tartan into your life.

I’m not sure how practical fabric boots really are for the coming months, but since when does practical come into “fashun,” eh?!

I like these cute little boots & am currently considering them…

5. Mango – Checkered Wool Blend Jacket (£79)

I love this little brown checked lumberjack style jacket.

However although it’s new-in, it’s not available yet.

{insert all the roll eyes emojis!}

So why am I including it?

It’s one to keep an eye out for – sign up for notifications of when it will be in stock.

Mango has a very covetable collection of check coats and jackets at the mo:

Well worth a browse.

{and how gorge does the brown check jacket look with the red knit?!}

4. H&M – Checked Scarf (£8.99)

If wearing a checked/tartan piece of clothing is too much, and indeed, if you can’t quite cope with checked footwear, then a scarf is a nice way to bring a little check into your wardrobe.

H&M have quite a large selection of checked scarves, including this lovely Tartan print Woven Scarf (£12.99)

This would look gorgeous with an all navy or all black outfit.

3. Zara – Check Trousers (£25.99)

I do love a bit of Tartan, though admittedly, I’m more of a tartan dress / skirt or top kind of girl, never been one for tartan trousers.

However, these Zara Check trousers are a great shape, wouldn’t be overly long on us shorties given they’re already cropped (although you’d still need a turn-up or two depending on exactly how short you are!)

The styling here from the Zara website (ie with the black turtle neck…) is on point.

I’d switch out the stripy sandals for some simple, plain ballet pumps and chuck a long line, black coat over the top.

2. & Other Stories – Wide Check Trousers (£69)

I love the wider square check of these trousers.

I think they’d work really well with white trainers, but would be super flattering with a heel.

(and of course they’d work with all manner of boots!)

They are going to be long for shorties, but a simple take-up of the hem is all that’s needed.

Luckily for my bank balance, the size 32 is unavailable.

{I also rather like the matching Checked Turtle Neck Blouse (which ties at the back – £59)}

1. Forever 21 – Multicoloured Check Coat (£42)

 

So you all know by now how partial I am to a check coat.

This Forever 21 check coat – more of a longer line blazer really, is an absolute bargainous beaut!

I should mention, I’ve never (ever!) bought anything from Forever 21, but by all accounts, their sizing is on the ungenerous side.

As such, although this coat/jacket is only available in sizes M and L, you shouldn’t put you off if you’re a smallie, like me.

I do not need another check coat.

Repeat! I do not need another check coat…

Those colours though…

Stinker of the Week: Forever21 Checkered Crop Top & Mini Skirt Three-Piece Set (£48)

I know, I know… I’m far too aged to be looking in Forever 21, and as such I am not the target market for this kind of get-up.

But… £48?

For this… really?

(as in, that’s A LOT for this, right?)

I must be getting mega-old!

I suppose you do get 3 pieces (the crop top, the mini skirt and the…erm… shrug thingy…)

I guess I’ve opted for this because no-way, no-how would I *ever* have opted for this kind of outfit at any age in my life!

{mind you, they say ‘never say never’ so who knows: perhaps there’s time yet, eh? ha!}

Wildcard: Topshop Check Tapered Trousers (£39 also available in Petite)

So… wowzers, eh?

How lairy are these check (almost tartan…) trousers?

They are well out of my comfort zone!

Let’s see if I can’t style them up and somehow tone them down a little…

Look 1 – Denim Rules:

Whilst the addition of any plain clothing to an ensemble featuring these check trousers would help tone them down… denim is *the* go-to fabric of choice when it comes to dressing down.

So… starting with the obligatory turtle neck, this Jaeger Cashmere Roll Neck Top (£120) would make the perfect base layer for under your longer line And/Or Denim Jacket (£85).

I’d opt for these simple L.K.Bennett Saira Ballet Pumps (£175) on my feet, and possibly some pop socks given the ever dropping temperatures.

And finally, how about print clashing your tartan-esque trousers with a Hobbs Oxford Animal Print Saddle Bag (£189) – I mean, why not?

If that feels like too much, you could go for a plain black bag and perhaps leopard print ballet pumps instead?

Look 2 – Longer Lines:

Again, opting for plain colours to try and drown out the loudness of the check trousers, but this time,  with a longer line coat.

I’m liking this Topshop Brushed Coat with Wool (£149) as it would kill two birds with one stone: a mass of plain colour as well as adding a little texture to the mix.

This little Topshop Ruffle Collar Blouse (£36) has rather cute pearly, glitzy buttons, which I would button all the way to the top!

I’m currently coveting these Topshop Mission Patent Western Boots (£65) so had to find a way to include them – think they’d be great with the check trousers!

Again, I’m going for a print clash and an animal print bag… this time a (hopefully) subtler option in the form of this Topshop Selina Snake Effect Cross Body Bag (£25) in the red & black colour way.

Look 3 – Dress down:

You might say that wearing the check trousers with a Denim Jacket is already one option for dressing down – which of course it is.

Just… dressing down is my go-to option for day to day, so no harm in another dressed down look?

As you may have guessed, I’m very into the idea of print clashing at the mo, so rather than a plain grey knit or hoodie (which would both work equally as well) I’ve opted for this New Look Light Grey Glitter Trim Fairisle Knit Jumper (£24.99) for a full blown wintery vibe.

These (again, a current favourite style) New Look Grey Limited Edition Mesh Panel Chunky Trainers (£34.99) would be my sneaks of choice, although of course, any bog standard white sneaks or classic converse would work as well.

I’ve finished this outfit off with a mix of texture in the form of some smooth (faux) leather New Look Black Leather-Look Biker Jacket (£29.99) as well as a bit of much needed fluff in this New Look Black Faux Fur Shopper (£19.99).

And so that’s it – those are my 3 looks.

It’s rare that I will say this – but I think I have actually talked myself into those check trousers and I think I could wear all 3 looks!

How about you?

Hope you’ve had a lovely weekend – we had a chilled family one… well as chilled as it can get with all the Saturday morning kids sports club obligations!

As always, I love hearing from you: instagram comments are great… but blog comments are the best!

Thanks for reading

Bx