A tale of two jackets

If you picked out the colours of the sea today and turned them into a graphic print, you would end up this dress. 



I'm so pleased to have found this in the recent H&M sale. The fit is great, (providing I don't put on another ounce) the colours are so good for my skin and hair tone, plus it makes me feel very smart for work. It also has a real spring-like feel to it, thanks to these fresh, aqua colours. 

At the start of the day my entire outfit looked like this -



This lovely turquoise jacket was a gift from my sister who was having a clothes sort out, and lead to my feature here. As I was getting ready for work this morning, I was in a quandary as to which jacket was the right one to wear with this lovely new dress. However, we're still being thrashed by a bitter North wind, so I decided that this woollen jacket was the better choice. Polly and I dashed out to brave the wind while the sun shone and I even steeled myself for long enough to ditch the jacket and get some dress shots. 








Given that the view you see here is the very same view as from the gallery where I work, you'll agree that it's a pretty stunning panorama to have stretching out in front of your desk all day long. The tide comes in, the tide goes out, but at different times every day. The boats come and go; more of them in the summer, down to just the odd one or two in the winter; sometimes none at all if the weather is too ferocious to be out on the sea. The other day a client remarked to me that she couldn't really find the right word to describe the exact colour of the sea here. It's true, the sea colour is affected by cloud cover, rocks and seaweed lurking just below the surface, and the depth of the water - all add to the conundrum. That's why it was so clever of Polly to line me up against the backdrop of the sea today; this dress pretty much encapsulates all the colours of the water here.

As the day progresses the temperature in the gallery rises, until by mid-afternoon it can be really quite hot; so hot that we have to pin one of the doors open to get some cooler air circulating. Provided there's no wind, we can often open both doors without any danger of the paintings being rocked off the walls. Today was a one door only day due to the strength of the wind coming down from the North. At five o'clock I had to pop home for a change of shoes. Trading over, I needed a bit more comfort while I rounded up all the end of day chores, climbing to and from my office, and that meant putting on these babies. 





I'm aware that if I were a city dweller this combo of trainers and work wear would be de rigeur. All that power walking to and from work couldn't be achieved in high heels, which is where my personal commute wins hands down. The 200m dash can be completed in the highest of heels, even if I have to spend the next five minutes recovering at my desk. These nifty trainers just happen to tone in beautifully with my dress, and you'll notice the thicker wool jacket has been replaced with my mint green faux leather jacket. I'm rather keen on both variations of today's outfit. What about you? Do you prefer one to the other? Let me have you thoughts x

Woollen jacket: Jones, New York. Dress: H&M (sold out). Tights: old. Handbag: charity shop. Trainers: Salomon. Faux leather jacket: Vero Moda (TK Maxx). Watch: Michael Kors. Rose gold bangle: Kate Spade New York. Turquoise multi stone ring: Primark. Opaque ring: New Look. 

Linking with 
Lucy Dawn of Fashion Should Be Fun 
Shellie of The Fabulous Journey
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16 comments

  1. Wow...that dress is gorgeous---but as a blue lover--of course I'd think that!!
    Because of all of the different hues in it...either jacket is the perfect topper!!
    But I would say the sneakers wouldn't come out for me---I'd be pulling off the hose and throwing on some flats---but I'm still having a hard time pairing my sneakers with my dresses (although for some reason, I'm okay with the converses). It brings back those memories of the movie "9 to 5"---ha ha!!
    jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Thanks Jodie, I do appreciate your feedback. I love a bit of comfort at the end of the day and these trainers are so comfy, in a way that flats just can't deliver. Dolly Parton in 9 to 5, well that's one of my favourites!
      Anna x

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  2. That dress fits like a glove! Wowza!

    I like the mint leather jacket.

    bisous
    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Glad you like it Suzanne. One vote for the mint jacket then x
      Anna

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  3. This is the first post I've read of yours and I already like your style! So colorful and fun. That dress is one in a million because you can pair it with so many things -- and I like how you've paired it with everything so far, but I lean just a little more toward the heels look. (Just a little.)

    You are inspiring me, though, to give trainers + dresses a go. My brain needs to break out of the box of "dresses are for uncomfortable footwear" and seeing how you made your dress seem more sporty with sneakers and that ADORABLE mint jacket, I may make a breakthrough yet!

    Thank you for dropping by my own blog, Anna! It gave me a chance to pop over and see the wonderful work you're doing! I look forward to reading more from you while taking in the fabulous outfits and gorgeous scenery of your home island!

    In camaraderie of fashion,
    Sherry

    www.petiteover40.com

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    1. So good to hear from you Sherry. I'm delighted to know that you've enjoyed your first visit to the blog and do hope we can become regulars. I think if we were New Yorkers we would have been dressing with this footwear in our bags for years now, so it's really nothing new. However, it is actually new to me, and I think I like it as an alternative to our normal uniform. I urge you too to give it a try - you might like it too! Have a great weekend.
      Anna x

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  4. Lovely dress with this geometric print in shades of blue--perfect for the sea and springtime! Of course, with your gorgeous figure, you can wear anything and look like a model.

    Happy weekend dear!
    ❤️carmen

    https://fashionableover50.wordpress.com

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    1. Thank you Carmen for your lovely compliments. The backdrop was perfect for our early morning shoot x
      Anna

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  5. Those shades of blue are my favourite! I am a blue girl!!! You look gorgeous in both jackets and both versions. I have to say that I often let down my outfits with really downplayed footwear but I walk everywhere so I just have to!!xx

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    1. And that's why I thought it was important to include the trainers as I know a lot of women do have to wear them for their dialy commute. Although I can't say I've notice your outfits to be lacking in the shoe department Kezzie x
      Anna

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  6. Wow, what a fab find Anna.This dress was made for you, totally gorgeous x

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    1. Laurie, it was such a great find - the only dress of this kind and in my size - surely was meant to be? I love it and am so pleased to have such a great response. Thank you x
      Anna

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  7. The dress is hot hot hot! Love it and the print and colors are amazing. I need to see if there are any left ! The jacket is a beautiful color, the blue hues like you said reminding you of the sea. So fun too is the second look with the lime jacket and perfectly matched sneakers!

    Jess xx
    www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

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    1. Jess, I do hope you feature this wonderful dress too if you find it. I'd like to see how you style it up. The sneakers were a Godsend at the end of the day, and such a bonus that they worked so well colour-wise. I'll be keeping an eye out for this frock on your blog soon x
      Anna

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  8. This dress is stunning! I love how you've styled it, you look fantastic.

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    1. Hey Lucy, thanks for dropping by and giving me your feedback - much appreciated x
      Anna

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