Applique and lace

I promised you bare legs and summer outfits for as long as possible, and so here we have another September offering. I love peach and aqua, I love lace, and a bit of applique can't do any harm either. As a mid-week outfit I'm pleased with the overall look, especially with the shoes and bag adding that certain je ne sias quoi. 











My magpie nature furnishes me with all kind of random items, which when put together with a creative eye can lift the everyday out of the ordinary. You've no idea the pleasure it gives me to pull pieces of clothing in many colours and styles onto the bed in the morning challenging myself to find a new look out of these (often) second hand clothes. The lace top is a recent purchase from Tesco, and the shoes were also new, but the bag, skirt and bangles are all on their second time around. Pre-loved they call them, and still loved by me. 

This hobby of mine is not only creative, but enduring - I've been hooked on clothes since my early teens. It's also proving to be a wonderful connection with so many like minded women across the world who love dressing to impress no-one but themselves. I also like to share how being middle-aged doesn't have to mean boring, dull, frumpy or beige. Shape or size has no bearing on this frame of mind either. All it takes is a bit of trial and error, adding a belt here, a splash of colour there until you can find a signature that is yours. My own signature style is constantly evolving. I have my favourites, like my brogues, and pattern play, but I'm always ready to try something new. For me there's a real joy in clothes, the right clothes, worn the right way - seek out that joy and you too can have that daily pleasure in your life as I do.

Top from F&F at Tesco (sold out), skirt French Connection (thrifted), shoes TK Maxx, handbag thrifted, necklace old, rings old, watch Michael Kors, bangles thrifted.

Anna x

Share:

20 comments

  1. I love this outfit! Lovely colour combination and lace and applique - what's not to like?

    I love the bag it pulls it all together so well.

    Have a lovely weekend - it's just begun to rain here this morning and it's considerably cooler...

    xxx

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Veronica. I think the bag does the trick here as you say by pulling the whole lot together. It's been my summer go-to back, as it's light and very versatile. Terrible rain in the east of the country today! Makes a change as we normally get the worst of it. Wishing you a good weekend too x
      Anna

      Delete
  2. I couldn't agree more with what you've written here. I find it sad when I hear that other people don't enjoy getting dressed. It should be a delight! Another opportunity to be creative.

    I love the whole outfit...but especially that skirt which is truly lovely in the close-up shot.

    bisous
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so good to have your comments on this Suzanne. I can't imagine not enjoying finding today's outfit. It's a lovely positive start to the day for us, but I'm aware that's not the case for everyone. I had an email the other day from a lady in her 60's saying how I'd inspired her to try out some new colours. Such a joy to hear that! Have a lovely weekend x
      Anna

      Delete
  3. I agree with you Anna...and Suzanne. It is such a fun part of the day, to get dressed and see how it affects your mood! I know when I was working though, it was still fun, but not quite as fun since I didn't feel I could be as creative!
    You have the perfect job in which to try out all different kinds of fun outfits!
    The fact is, we all have to get dressed everyday in something, right? So why not in great clothes?
    jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com
    Love this look Anna---very feminine and lots of texture involved!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Jodie, I'm lucky to be able to express myself through my clothes in the workplace. But it wasn't always the case. I've had to do the conservative dressing thing and it doesn't give you the same lift, does it? Glad you like today's look. Have a great weekend x
      Anna

      Delete
  4. I so agree with what you say about dressing for yourself and gaining the joy out of how you dress. I loved going to school today wearing a skirt with polka dots and tiger on it whilst my vivid turquoise blouse had a unicorn and cloud pin attached.
    Your outfit is so pretty.I adore that Applique skirt- so gorgeous!!x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Kezzie, I hope you've featured this fab outfit on your blog for us all to see. Will swing by there next to check it out. Thanks for the comments, so kind x Have a wonderful weekend!
      Anna

      Delete
  5. This pale peach hue is most certainly one of "your colors" It's just perfect for your skin tone and hair color Anna!! The lace top and the exceptionally pretty applique details on the skirt are just wonderous.
    I also have to comment on how beautifully many of your outfits seem to fit you. Do you have special tailoring done? You have such a great figure and it is enhanced by the great fit of your clothes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Judy for all of the lovely compliments! I do think that peach is a very flattering colourway for my skin and on top of that I just love lace - texture all adds an extra bit of interest doesn't it? If there's any tailoring to be done, I have to do it myself. I'm usually lucky with my size being pretty standard so can fit into something off he rack without as much as a tweak. So good to hear from you again. Have a great weekend x
      Anna

      Delete
  6. This pale peach hue is most certainly one of "your colors" It's just perfect for your skin tone and hair color Anna!! The lace top and the exceptionally pretty applique details on the skirt are just wonderous.
    I also have to comment on how beautifully many of your outfits seem to fit you. Do you have special tailoring done? You have such a great figure and it is enhanced by the great fit of your clothes.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just wanted to thank you for taking the leap of faith and calling me "Judy" in your response to my comment Anna.
    I'm having a splendid time getting to know amazing women from all over the world and since I'm not a blogger myself I have little expectation that anyone will make any effort to distinguish me from a multitude of commentors. You're impressive in so many ways Anna!
    Clearly, my "blogette" status and developing friendship with Jodie Filogamo has been an advantage. I'm very appreciative and having a ball!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Judy, it's lovely have regulars comment on the blog as it does give us both the chance to establish a relationship. I watch my figures rise with pleasure, but it's even more rewarding to have input from my followers. Thank you for taking the time to come back again and again. Have a great weekend x
      Anna

      Delete
  8. Just wanted to thank you for taking the leap of faith and calling me "Judy" in your response to my comment Anna.
    I'm having a splendid time getting to know amazing women from all over the world and since I'm not a blogger myself I have little expectation that anyone will make any effort to distinguish me from a multitude of commentors. You're impressive in so many ways Anna!
    Clearly, my "blogette" status and developing friendship with Jodie Filogamo has been an advantage. I'm very appreciative and having a ball!

    ReplyDelete
  9. These are lovely colours - perfect with the beach backdrop! Love that many of these items are thrifted. Have a wonderful weekend!
    Christina ♥ https://caliope-couture.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Christina and thanks for your comments. Thrifting is a lifestyle choice for so many reasons: economy, environmental, the search for something different and also because I'd rather spend my money on holidays than designer clothes. Wishing you a fab weekend too x
      Anna

      Delete
  10. I share your love of 'creating' an outfit - putting things together - looking for unique items in all sorts of shops - therefor your ideas are soooooo appealling to me . All your peaces of jewellery, the colours and stale make a perfect, carrefuly thought through outfits with such a difference. I am absolutely impressed - have a great Sunday - Margot

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm delighted to have you lovely feedback Margot. My outfits are all about being as creative as I can be to reflect the real me. Sometimes it's more flamboyant, or playful, boyish, classy, but whatever I rarely wear the same thing exactly the same as the time before. Am so glad that you appreciate this. Wishing you a great week ahead x
      Anna

      Delete
  11. Another beautiful outfit Anna! I totally agree with you about pulling out clothes and trying things on in unexpected ways. I have such fun doing that and even if I'm pretty sure something isn't going to work one way I still try it on and change up a few things and so many times I'm pleasantly surprised. Meeting other kind bloggers is such an unexpected joy in blogging. I think b/c we all put ourselves "out there" it's nice when we connect. Have a lovely week!

    Julia
    www.whenthegirlsrule.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with you Julia about the unexpected joy of meeting other bloggers - that has to be one of the bonus features of running a blog. Just recently I've had a few lurkers email me to give me their feedback in private and I must admit I love that too. I can see that not everyone wants to be public in their comments, but taking the time to still make contact really means a lot to me. I never expected friendships to come out of this dressing up hobby - did you? It's so good to catch up with you again after my hectic summer x
      Anna

      Delete

Created by bo design