Brilliant brogues

My default setting for most of the winter is to reach for a pair of brogues and build an outfit around them, which is what happened here. I simply love these chunky pewter brogues which are an uber trendy version of golfing shoes. I thought the argyll tights were the perfect compliment for them too. Polly and I did this photo shoot last year and for some reason it never got out of my draft box, but here it is now.








Black as you may know, isn't one of my favourite colours and neither is grey, but I wanted to show that it's not so much the colours that matter as the individual pieces which stop this outfit from being boring/dull and turn it into something out of the ordinary. The ruffles on the leather bomber, the wet look skirt with its pleats, the pattern of the tights and yes the magnificent shiny brogues all come together to make a quirky, playful look. The last time I featured the skirt I was in an equally playful mood (see here). The jacket was a find in a Truro charity shop, skirt from TK Maxx, top from H&M, shoes are by Office (sold out but I really fancy these), tights are old, the handbag was a find in a charity shop when I was in Ireland a few years ago, rings too are charity shopped and my old faithful sunglasses are by Quay Australia.

I'm really happy to report that my draft box will soon be filling with new outfits taken by my dear assistant Polly who is back working with me as we re-open the gallery on Friday. I'm sure she will spark some great ideas for outfits as she always does.

And finally many thanks for the emails asking about my month at home and how it all went. I can report that I accomplished so many of the tasks - the filing system is fully functioning and a huge amount of paperwork was shredded/burnt as a result. The swimming challenge I set myself was a great success as you will have noted. The spring cleaning was also successful, but I fancy the brighter weather will reveal some corners that I may have missed. My sewing project is coming along very well, but you won't see the big reveal for some time yet. I'm re-upholstering my sofa with the help of my sewing tutor, Jane Hurd on St Mary's. As you would expect of me, I'm not making it easy on myself by combining lots of different colours and fabrics to create a funky makeover. It's a crazy undertaking for a novice, I know, but for me it's important to keep learning, keep improving on the baseline.

The clothes part of my life laundry is an ongoing project and will be for the rest of my life I think. I'm pleased to have cleared out three huge boxes of clothes to send off to the Salvation Army in Penzance. 




All of the clothes on the bed will be heading to eBay over the next few months to see if I can recoup some cash to fund my next round of buying. I know you'll understand this carousel of buying and selling as just part of my lifestyle, a strange hobby for some, but a real pleasure for me. The big pile of clothes on the floor were for trying on before I decided what to do with them. Many ended up on the eBay pile and some were given a reprieve and will be rehoused in my wardrobe as I discovered a new found love for them. 

Linking with
Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb
Patti of Not Dead Yet Style

I thought I'd finish with a couple of contrasting shots both taken from my garden which overlooks the bay towards the island of Bryher.



The islands have been shrouded in fog since Tuesday.  We've been virtually cut off from mainland UK as we have no ferry service over the winter months and the small fixed wing aircraft that are our other link can't fly in fog. This shot was taken at tea time last night. Today, however the sky is blue and clear.


Anna x

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30 comments

  1. I love this outfit, Anna - especially the Argyll tights - and, in the second photo, the way your skirt's doing a Highland fling!

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    1. My Scottish roots are pretty obvious here in this post aren't they Jayne? So lovely to have you drop by. Cheers!

      Anna x

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  2. Congrats on going through your closet and clearing out so many pieces! That is quite a pile!

    The outfit is quirky and fun. Everything I've come to expect from you.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. I found the whole process strangely liberating Suzanne. Much as it's lovely to add to my clothes collection I can only do so if I de-clutter from time to time.

      Glad the ensemble meets with your approval x

      Anna

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  3. I always find it satisfying to have a turn out and to restore order...not that it ever lasts very long! Your snazzy brogues and Argyll tights make a fab combination and as ever the photoshoot location is spectacular. What a stunning shot of the agapanthus seed heads in silhouette.

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    1. Hello again Fiona. I've not thought of them as snazzy, but hey that's a great description!

      I'm so lucky to have an endless stream of glorious backdrops here on this little island. And yes, these shots from my garden are pretty special.

      Have a fab week x
      Anna

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  4. This is a really fun oufit Anna. The argyle tights add that bit of humor and the metallic brogues are too cool!! The skirt is so feminine and the leather jacket has just enough edge. This is a look that artfully blends many fashion vibes.
    I've been doing some clothing downsizing myself lately. My husband and I are building a new home in the Black Hills of South Dakota and we're purging (donating) a lifetime of collected "stuff." Not an easy task I might add!! Particularly when it comes to clothing. I still love way too many things!! =-)

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    1. I love your diplomacy here Jude - artfully blends many fashion vibes is really just a crazy mish-mash of pieces that seemed to come together on the day, but thanks so much - you're such a sweetheart!

      How exciting to have a new home as a project. Never forget that we were first and foremost hunters and gatherers and we women have continued dutifully in our role ever since. (It's a fine excuse for our collecting I say!) However, my sister recently moved house and reported that all the pleasure she'd had from many years of collecting pottery was nothing to compare with the joy she had in redistributing it all amongst her friends and neighbours before she left. Good luck with your downsizing when the time comes.

      Wishing you a fab week x
      Anna

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    2. As I read through the comments of others I realized I'd forgotten to add that I'm so impressed that you're learning to do upholstery by just jumping in and redoing your couch!!!I just love the way you boldly jump into new challenges! I spectacular this is a benefit of regularly overcoming obstacles like jumping into that cold ocean swim each day... Anyway! I so hope you'll show us the finished sofa!!
      The other comment I forgot was to say, welcome back to Polly!! I get the feeling that you love her many positive contributions and her friendship so I just wanted to acknowledge her return with a little "YIPEE"!

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    3. You're so right about me Jude, I'm a jump right in kinda person. I've already taken a before shot of my sofa and of course will give you the final reveal, however long that may take!

      Polly is a dear friend and workmate and yes, she does come up with some great ideas for the blog in general and my clothes in particular. Yipee is just what I say too x

      Anna

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  5. Ooh, I love fog, and look at you, a silvery-black foggy vision in all your dark neutrals! Love the brogues and you know I'm in love with a ruffled black leather coat!

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    1. Only you could love fog Sheila! Hahaha x

      I thought you might fancy these brogues and yes, I remember your passion for leather ruffles too.

      Hope you have a great week x
      Anna

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  6. OOOH, it is weird to think you are stuck on the islands without any way of leaving. BUUT, I suppose you don't need to leave so much and are used to stocking up!
    Well done on all that you achieved! I can't WAIT to see the sofa!!x

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    1. Sometimes I do get a bit of cabin fever if the foggy days go on and on... Stocking up is a way of life - most of us seem to have giant larders and extra freezers in sheds for all eventualities.

      And I'm so excitied about this latest project too. I'll be showing off the finished piece as soon as possible I promise x

      Anna

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  7. P.S. thank you so much for the card and necklace.xx

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    1. You're so welcome. But please don't tell me that bracelet fits you as a necklace? x lol

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  8. That was an amazing clean out, Anna! And I bet your sofa is going to be fabulous too. You have great energy, my friend! xox

    Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Golly it felt so good to move all of those clothes on to a better home. I'm in danger of becoming a hoarder, partly due to the remoteness of the island and lack of retail opportunities, and partly due to my nature I think, so it's good to dejunk from time to time.

      Energy is something I seem to have in abundance luckily!

      Have a great week Patti x

      Anna

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  9. Sounds like you were very productive during your vacation! I sorted through a lot of clothes last year but have a lot more to do. I have hardly any closet space, so I really can't hang on to too much...

    I really like this outfit! The brogues look fabulous with the tights, and the bag adds just the right amount of fun color to the outfit!

    Have a great week!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

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    1. Give it another 6 weeks or so and I'll be rooting under the beds to bring out my spring/summer clothes, meaning I'll need to go through the whole process again! It's such a liberating experience and of course, does leave me with lots of room for new puchases at the end of the month...

      I agree that the brogues and tights are really what the outfit is all about, but the pop of colour from the handbag lifts the whole look.

      So nice to hear from you again x

      Anna

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  10. Oh, I'm chuckling here. Your piles of clothes! The boxed up items! Oh, the glamorous lives we lead! I think the tights really make your outfit here. They really take center stage. But, then, there probably is a pile of other tights somewhere! Still chuckling....

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    1. Yeh, I really did get down to the nitty gritty here, didn't I Julia? And golly you're so right about the tights - a veritable mountain lurks behind the scenes - a box of black ones, one of greys too, a bag of brown ones, then a whole drawer of burgundy, blue and all of the patterned too!

      I'm delighted to give you a good ol' laugh at this - consider me a service to humanity!

      Anna x

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  11. You are so right, the individual pieces often make the outfit. I love all of the details; they make the black and gray anything but boring! Wow...super impressive sorting and cleaning! I need to get on that myself; my shelves are way overstocked...lol!
    Debbie
    www.fashionfairydust.com

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    1. I think blogging seems to leave us all in a state of gridlock with our clothes. We need so many to inspire and feed our own creative juices, but how much is too much eventually becomes the question. Sooner or later the moment of reckoning comes...

      Have a fab week Debbie x

      Anna

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  12. Love this outfit, Anna! Could be one of my favorites that you've worn. The fabulous brogues, the fun argyll stockings, the fluid and flirty pleated skirt and the cropped moto jacket all come together perfectly. And that colorful bag! So unexpected. Just a lovely look!

    Mary
    http://marymurnane.com

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    1. I'm delighted at the response to this look, Mary, so thanks for yours too. These kind of outfits reflect my personality so well - all the little features and details - the quirky and unexpected surely must be my signature.

      Thanks for dropping by x

      Anna

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  13. such a great idea to build outfits around a pair of shoes, particularly if they're so cool and fabulous!. As shoes are determinant for any Winter outfit, it's perfect to make the most of it!
    Love your shiny brogues, and love how fabulous they look with those argyle tights!, elegant and cool!
    That big clearance looks really like a hard work!. That's amazing!
    besos

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  14. The sewing sounds very interesting. I look forward to the reveal Anna.And that's a huge clothing cull. I thought I had a lot of clothes! Plus of course I love your'e look here, what a great find that handbag was. x
    www.vanityandmestyle.com

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  15. Oh my, you did well in that month. I think I would have had a lot of lunches and coffees with friends and no work done at all. I saw on IG that you also include piping for upholstering your couch. That is even more challenging for a novice. You are a daring woman.
    I wish I could clean out my wardorobe like you have, but I am bad at it... always think something might come in handy.
    As for your outfit...: I think it is brilliant. Really I do. Great styling!! Textures, colour, pattern.. the works. And the handbag is sooo good. i remember I saw it in the first post when I discovered you. Or better said, you discovered me through Catherine haha.
    Greetje

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    1. How very polite to call me daring, Greetje, most would call me mad! Yes, I do undertake new things with not much regard for common sense, so wish me good luck with my sewing project.

      You must realise that my three month shopping ban is coming to an end, therefore it's perfect timing to be getting rid of lots of clothes to make way for more, hahaha!

      Anna x

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