We love...leopard print

Hello again, and here's another joint feature from Sasha and I. This week we styled up our leopard print coats (which actually was the easy part) and then ventured out into the brisk North wind to get some shots. Not only were we trying to get out of the wind, but we got caught in a sleety shower too. 


I've had this fur coat for over 20 years now and up until a couple of months ago it had been lost in the loft. When Sasha moved home in September Steve and I had a massive sort out and found it bundled up inside a few black sacks. As moth proofing, this had worked, but it smelt a bit musty. Dry clean only said the label. One of the downsides of living here is that we don't have a dry cleaners on the islands, meaning you either post things away or wait until your next trip to the mainland. As a stopgap, I draped the coat across one of the garden chairs on our decking while I was pottering about in the garden sorting through our evicted boxes of detritus. 


Fast forward to two days later when I came home one lunchtime to discover a note from hubby saying "Fir coat on the deck" (yes, spelt like that, such a joker). I had completely forgotten about it and in the meantime it had rained, been sunny, rained again and then another sunny day - all with my fab faux fur exposed to the elements. The moral of the story is Don't believe all it says on the label. My coat is refreshed, smells of the big outdoors and is soft as ever. I gave it a brush down and it's good as new.




This seems to be my go-to necklace of the moment, making me think I need to find a similar alternative. Conversely, I don't seem to have featured these citrine rings from Gemporia for ages.



The winter white trousers are new and also a real step into uncharted waters for me. If you're a keen follower, you'll have noticed that white trousers aren't something I do often, if at all. Anyway, I came across these in Tesco's in September and asked Sasha's advice about them. I love the wide cut and the crop length, plus the material is really lovely, very drapey and not too see through. She said yes, give 'em a go. This is their first outing and I'm aware that the challenge of leopard print plus white trousers could indeed be misconstrued as trailer park trash. By adding the black cashmere sweater and these toning brocade boots, I'm hoping to have turning this into classy winter styling. 

Outfit details - Coat: Dorothy Perkins, trousers: F&F at Tesco, sweater: M&S, boots: River Island, necklace: Du Barre, rings: Gemporia, sunglasses: Quay Australia.


Sasha's pink satin boots and gold chenille jumper give her leopard coat a modern twist that I love. It's great to see the coat styled in this playful way.


Likewise, the baker's boy hat is young and fun and suits her features so well.


By dropping down behind the sea wall you can barely notice the howling wind!


Fuchsia and satin - what could be better?


Outfit details - coat: New Look, trousers: Pretty Little Thing, jumper, boots and hat: Primark, jewellery: LVNDR.


Sasha has come across a new website where she bought this gold dipped shell pendant and also these rings. Check our LVNDR jewellery site here.


I'm on a steep learning curve being on the other side of the camera. I know I have a lot to learn, but am always keen to expand my skills so this is really good for me to have Sasha tutor me. Her background in marketing and advertising means she has a good eye for what works and what could be improved. Background, lighting and settings are such basics and yet I've been guilty of letting Polly deal with them rather than become involved. I've always thought of my camera as a point and shoot, but seemingly it's got quite a lot of useful features that I've not been aware of, therefore never accessed.


December seems to be the month when fur coats really come into their own. Not just for the glamour factor, but for warmth too. I'm bringing all of my furs out of storage so that I can get the best use of them over the next couple of months. The 5Over50's challenge for January is fur so that gives me another chance to feature something snuggly. Our group challenge for December is Christmas jumpers and has been moved to the18th, so do drop by to see how we've done with this most seasonal of items. 

In the meantime, I'm off to take some shots of the new additions to my wardrobe as well as shaking out the glitter for another trial. Velvet too is something I'm hoping to get together so maybe sequins and velvet could make an appearance together. I'm off to play with fabulous fabrics and sumptuous sequins to see what I can come up with. Have fun with your week and keep warm!

Linking with -
Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb
Samantha of Fake Fabulous
Anna x

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19 comments

  1. I always love leopard. You two have done a great job.

    Your "fur" looks like a fake fur. Is it?

    I agree, 90% of the time that dry cleaning label is a bunch of BS. It's that 10% that gets me.

    Not even a dry cleaners on the island? You are isolated!

    Another option is to simply spray the inside and outside of the piece in questions with Febreeze and then toss it in the dryer for 30 minutes. This will take out any musty smells easy peezy. I do this with blazers, jackets, coats and then just spot clean the areas that need it. No risk of the interior lining shrinking or anything.

    LOVE Sasha's booties!

    Suzanne

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  2. I always love leopard. You two have done a great job.

    Your "fur" looks like a fake fur. Is it?

    I agree, 90% of the time that dry cleaning label is a bunch of BS. It's that 10% that gets me.

    Not even a dry cleaners on the island? You are isolated!

    Another option is to simply spray the inside and outside of the piece in questions with Febreeze and then toss it in the dryer for 30 minutes. This will take out any musty smells easy peezy. I do this with blazers, jackets, coats and then just spot clean the areas that need it. No risk of the interior lining shrinking or anything.

    LOVE Sasha's booties!

    Suzanne

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    1. Yes, both our coats are faux fur. Thanks for that great tip on how to banish that musty smell - I shall follow your advice the next time.
      Isolated is a pretty good description of how things are living on an island one mile by two and 28 miles away from mainland Cornwall. But there are lots of great things to compensate, like the peace and quiet for a start.
      Me too! I love her boots, aren't they fab!

      Anna x

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  3. How funny, because Nancy & I each just bought a leopard coat at the consignment shop!! We figured it would be a perfect blog series for the next year!!!
    They are such a wonderful statement coat!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Hahaha, well what's not to love with a leopard print coat? I look forward to seeing what you gals make of those in due course Jodie.

      Have a fab week!
      Anna xc

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  4. Ha ha,I love the fact that your forgetting of the coat meant it ended up smelling wonderful and fresh!!! I did that once, unfortunately with an antique miniature set of Shakespeare's complete works- I was utterly mortified when I found them out there days later!! Though I am not really a fan of animal print, this looks really nice on both you and Sasha- I could be converted if it it were in this colour and material!

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    1. Golly Kezzie, your forgetting sounds to have much worse consequences than mine! And yes, furry leopard print is such a lovely way to wear it.

      Anna x

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  5. Thank you for the link! I ordered my Mum a necklace like Sasha's as you had one similar and I remember my Mum really liked it!

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    1. Yay! I'm so pleased that worked for you. I've ordered one too for a present.

      Anna x

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  6. You both look amazing in these leopard coats! It's not quite cold enough for the Unsafe Polar Bear or Ocelot coats yet. I love the neutrals on you, Anna! I'm going through some similar fashion exploration and it's interesting to see us parallel.

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    1. Thanks Sheila. We do get a nasty cold North wind here that lends itself to wrapping up in good old fur coat. I love the term Fashion exploration as that is indeed how it feels. Some of these more subtle shades have eluded me over the years, but it's good to try them out now.

      Anna x

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  7. OK, I'm officially depressed. In my purging to move from our home of over 30 years to our newly built home in the Black Hills of South Dakota I gave a Leopard coat to a thrift/charity shop (Goodwill). Not the first time I've regretted getting rid of something.
    You look great in your coat and brocade booties Anna! I LOVED the story of its "natural refreshing"! I also think Sasha is lovely in that close-up shot. She absolutely has a face for hats!
    How fun to have her encourage your purchase of the white pants and join you in the windy mist for this shoot! It came out beautifully!

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    1. Oh dear, I'm so sorry to have brought on a regret for you Jude. I know that feeling so well and nothing can get you over it, apart from finding another replacement of course. Also, it's about lifestyle and the knowledge that you really won't be able to wear something in your new place/role in life. Perhaps something different will crop up that's more relevant at this stage of your life...

      Anna x

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  8. Oh, how I would love to own a coat like that. And your s endured a lot! Beautiful! I never liked chenille, but I see so many chenille sweaters that Inthink I should try one. They look so nicely warm. I think I had some experience with cheap ones. Next time I am in the UK,on a holiday park, I probably Will tell myself I am trailer park trash now!😂😂😂😂

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    1. The chenille sweaters are back in fashion and I must admit I've bought a couple of them myself which are much better quality than the first time around. I think that saying comes from the States - you really won't be looking trailer park trash my sweet!

      Anna x

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  9. I think leopard print is my all time favourite of animal prints. I absolutely love your coat and I'm so pleased that leaving it to the elements got rid of the musty smell. I love your white trousers and the brocade boots are simply gorgeous. It's a very elegant look, Anna and it suits you really well.

    Sasha looks lovely in her outfit, too, and I'm very taken with the shell pendant...

    Hope your week is not too cold and windy!
    xxx

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    1. Me too Veronica, leopard print is my favourite. Elegant is much more than I hoped for with these white trousers as I'm well out of my comfort zone with them, so thank you very much!
      We're being blasted with wind and rain again today and even more to come I think, ho hum!

      Have a good week!
      Anna x

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  10. I LOVE the way you "dry cleaned" your marvelous coat! And it looks cozy as well as eternally stylish. And the hot pink satin booties are to swoon! xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. It was a stroke of luck wasn't it Patti? It could have gone terribly wrong too! And yes, those pink boots are divine aren't they?

      Anna x

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