Sunday 7 – Black Summer

Hello,

And welcome to the ‘anti-summer-brights’ blog post.

All about one of my favourite summer colours: black.

It’s not that I don’t like brights, but black worn with a tan are a match made in heaven.

And even if you don’t have a tan…

Summer black makes for an effortless, understated cool look.

(As it does to all year round to be honest…)

So, here are this week’s 7:

7. New Look – Black Contrast Shirred Stitch Midi Dress (£17.99)

Not a fan of those particular sandals with this dress, but, it’s a lovely little summer dress.

The fabric is a “light cotton blend” – in other words, a light weight, thinner jersey (t-shirt fabric as I like to call it) so… it will drape nicely, not crease much, easy to wash and just easy to wear.

I think the dress would look perfect with some flat, strappy sandals, and a basket bag.

Wear a tee under the dress on coolers days and a denim jacket over the top.

It also makes for a lovely poolside /beach cover up if you’ve a little way to walk to the pool or beach.

Great price too…

Have I gone on about it enough?!

#sorrynotsorry

6. Topshop – Glitter Side Stripe Denim Skirt (£32)

For those of us who don’t mind getting our saggy, elephant knees out.

And for shorties.

This Glitter Sidestripe Denim skirt is available in Petite, but it is no more than a belt.

Tiny, in fact!

This regular range version though, would be an “ok-ish” length on those of us who are vertically challenged.

You could argue it’s too young.

But times *are* changing.

And worn in the right way, this skirt isn’t just the reserve of the lambs out there.

To be honest, it’s just a black denim mini with a blingy stripe down the side.

I’d wear it with flats: sandals, espadrilles, slides, and of course trainers.

I’d go a little more covered up top rather than anything too strappy… so, I’d wear with a slogan tee, or a white shirt (with sleeves rolled up, knotted at the front).

I love it but alas, I already have a black denim skirt.

Though it doesn’t have a glitter side stripe…

5. Mango – Buttoned Midi Skirt (£39.99)

If however, you’re  after a slightly more grown up skirt, without a trace of glitter… then look no further than this beauty Buttoned Midi Skirt from Mango.

It’s elegant, and versatile: a skirt which would take you from office to bar.

The obvious pairing would be with a crisp white shirt, but black goes with everything.

A pretty pale pink cami and some fuchsia pink espadrilles for a bbq?

Stay all black for office to bar?

Perhaps not one for us petites though given the smallest size it’s available in is a small.

Shame.

4. Topshop – Fringe Mules (£49)

These. Are. Everything.!

And not strictly plain black given the gold tassel, but they would really bring a plain black outfit to life with that hint of gold.

Wear with jeans, wide leg crops… midi & maxi’s.

And just because I can’t resist, they come in a Multi colour-way as well, though still predominantly black:

These are in my basket.

Not sure I can justify them though…

3. Ghost – Lois Jacket (£145 at John Lewis)

A perfect little jacket to throw over your plain white tee & summer-wash-blue jeans.

I like the embroidery as it’s black on black, therefore subtle, but just a touch of extra interest.

If I could change one thing in this jacket, I’d make the sleeves 3/4 length.

That said, just ruching them up yourself or a couple of turn-up’s would work.

Bit pricey, but a very useful, investment piece which you’d wear most Springs, Summers and possibly even a little in Autumn as well.

1. Topshop – MOTO Wash Black Pleated Crop Jeans (£39)

My favourite thing.

So of course I was going to include a pair of these!

This particular pair of wide leg crops *will* be super flattering given the pleated waist detail:

I have a similar pair from Zara, and always get a fair few compliments when I wear them, even if they’re a couple of years old and starting to look worn.

The shoe-lace belt is a bit of no-no for me, but easily substituted, although I know she who quite like this kind of shoe-lace belt.

One teensy complaint: no backside pockets:

But I’d still wear ’em, even without “ass” pockets!

Stinker of the Week: ASOS Design Rivington High Waisted Jeggings with Suspender Detail in Clean Black (£25)

Nope.

Not for me.

I know I’m not the target market but still…

These were never for me at any stage of my life so far.

However… if they are for you, and you’re tall but concerned that these might be too short: they are available in a Tall version.

Oh… and in Red Regular range as well.

#yourewelcome

Wildcard of the Week: Warehouse Orchid Print Wrap Dress (£39 – limited sizes)

So.. not strictly black… which is why this is my wildcard item this week.

Generally, I don’t do very well with wrap dresses as I think you need more up front than my petite frame has!

And I don’t do very well with florals… but this orchid print is super pretty and with the colours being black & white, I think I could style this up.

Look 1 – Holiday Ready:

And by holiday, I’m thinking restaurant or a wander round a market… so to be honest, the styling here from Topshop is pretty much it! I’d go for my ‘must-have’ summer flat Topshop Hiccup Strappy Sandals (in Rose Gold £18), and a simple Straw Bag (HM, £14.99).

{I can’t do statement earrings, but if I did: add a bit of zing to my outfit with these yellow Crochet and Fringe earrings (Zara, £12.99 – not pictured.)}

I’d also tie a little scarf around the handle of my basket, something I’m more than prepared to go colourful on!  Loving this Multicoloured stripe scarf (Zara, £7.99) – it’s perfect!

And sunnies… I have loads of cheapies, some mid-range and some pricey… all serve their purpose, right?  I’m currently taken with these Hush Janey Sunglasses (£85) which are just lovely in black and gold.

Look 2 – School Run:

To be honest, I’d wear the holiday look for the school run as well if the weather was warm enough! However, its rarely hot enough here to go completely sleeveless… regardless of how good a run we’ve had with the weather lately!

So, the tried and tested formula of ‘if in doubt, chuck a white tee under it’.

{Ground breaking  – I know!}

These light weight Seamless Fitted T’s from Zara (£9.99) would be perfect to wear under the dress.   You could throw a trusty denim jacket on over the top, or why not go for a khaki jacket instead?  Wearing this Zara Double Breasted Jacket (£49.99) open over the dress would be a cool look.

And instead of going for your usual white sneaks (which, of course look fab with dresses and skirts… but in truth, I’m getting a little bored of myself always defaulting to this look…)  why not try out some Pink Converse All Star Hi Tops (£52.99) instead for a more ‘street-style’ vibe?

Finally, as you’re on the school run, you’ll need to be hands free to help carry the shed loads of bags that Primary kids seem to have to take in, so something like this cute Pink Nylon Belt Bag (Cos, £39) worn either as a belt bag, or cross-body would be just the ticket.

Look 3 – Date Night:

Now these, i.e. ‘date nights,’ are few and far between here in the Threads household, if I’m honest… but you know, it’s good to keep a little file of possibilities in the bank for when those rare nights out do occur.

Starting with the feet-up, how gorgeous are these Jojo Kitten Heel Mules* (£62) in red, from Topshop?

{*I think I might need them in my life!}

I’d go for this clashing, colourful Pure Cotton Embroidered Clutch (£35) but probably keep my jewellery simple – sticking to your preferred favourite gold chain / earrings and grab a smarter style denim jacket… something like this Monsoon Mia Denim Military Jacket (£59) is that touch smarter than a regular denim jacket, but not overly so: basically as smart as I like to get, nowadays!

So what do you make of my looks this week?

Are you an all-black in summer girl?

As always I’d love to hear your thoughts (blog comments are always the best!) so why not leave one and I’ll get back to you.

And finally, just to say, I know some sales have started already… but, I find it tricky to blog about sales pieces… which may be in stock when you draft your blog post but sold out a couple of hours later.

However, if you’d like to see me doing some sales picks, let me know?!

Thanks for reading,

Bx

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