Frills and flounces on Friday

I'm painfully aware that most of the UK is basking, baking or even sweltering in the current heatwave, but on Friday morning this is how things looked here.


The rain was drifting in and out, as was the sun and in an effort to get it right I was in tights and boots as well as sunglasses. Despite having brought all my summer clothes back into play, I somehow am not quite ready to plunge into linen, cotton and sandals quite yet. I seem to be like this at the end of the season - I just can't quite let go of what was and move onto what is. There's always still one more outfit that deserves to be shown and this is maybe it.


Are you sick of seeing the boots by now? Oh, I do hope not! I just wanted to try out this combo of boots and petticoat together with a black and white palette to see how it would look (and feel) and it was all that I had hoped. I can't begin to try to describe the delicious swish and flounce factor of this tutu underskirt. It's the ultimate in feminine dressing, making me smile as I swish jauntily along, the bouncing hemline bobbing around me with every step. 


Time for a little boogie before I start work ...













For once I've managed to have red nails as well as red accessories, hurrah! The belt and all jewellery are all preloved, sunglasses are by Quay Australia. The leather jacket is vintage, so it the underskirt, the boots are by H&M and the dress is from New Look (rather old though).


I've said it before, but I'll say it again, "I dress to please myself". I see every day as another opportunity to be my best, my happiest and my most productive. There's no settling, wearing beige or cruising. My clothes collection allows me to be a chameleon, with colours and styles to reflect my personality and how I want to look (quirky, sleek, retro, understated, on trend) on that particular day. If my outfit is right, then I feel good. It's that simple. And yet I do get it wrong lots of times and have been known to change an outfit completely during my lunch break. As I was chatting to a friend earlier today they summed me up by saying that I wear my clothes as if they're paintings, my very own wearable art, which is very apt. Within my job I meet lots of people every day and if I'm feeling good then that rubs off - we have a positive encounter because I'm confident (in my clothes). And that's the same for all of us. Therefore, what may be perceived as vanity is actually based on the psychology of the feel good factor, and hey we all want to feel good don't we?

My main motivation for running my blog is to show women of my age that we don't have to disappear once we've gone through the menopause. The complaint of feeling invisible in our 50's is very common and as far as I'm concerned all it takes is a splash of colour to remind everyone that you're still here and more importantly still looking great. You really don't have to be an out and out colour freak like me - just a pop of colour by way of a silk scarf, or a bright necklace or handbag can make all the difference. A lot of jobs don't make it easy to show too much personality through your clothes/uniform, but on the way to and from work you can still take some pleasure in a splash of colour. If I'm preaching to the converted then well done, but to those of you who read this because you wish you could, then I say "Go on!". Take a step outside of your comfort zone and let me know how it feels.

Linking this week with -
Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb
Jacqui of Mummabstylish 



Anna x

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25 comments

  1. This looks like such a fun outfit to wear. That vintage leather jacket is a sweet find! I love the shape of it.

    Well you are preaching to the choir here. I agree that our clothing choices impact the way we see ourselves and interact with others. People that miss the opportunity to express themselves through their clothing are missing out on loads of fun.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. I suppose at the end of the day there may well be ladies out there who are perfectly happy wearing their beige twinsets and pearls and that's great too, but for the likes of us we need more to get a buzz from our clothes. Colours, patterns, frills and flounces all come together to make dressing such fun and I can't see us changing in a long time - hurrah for that!

      Anna x

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  2. Sending you some sunshine, Anna! I adore this lovely outfit - oh, those red just sing, don't they? Love! Speaking of singing, add me to the choir - be out there, and be visible! I have so much fun dressing every day - it's always worth it to me. Hear hear!

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    1. Keep beaming that sunshine my way sweetie - it's pretty dull here! Sasha is flying out to Canada tomorrow and my plans to join her have come to nothing I'm afraid. Maybe another time eh?

      In the meantime, keep up the good work!
      Anna x

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  3. You are art..a picture... you brighten my day and I absolutely love your fashion choices.

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    1. Dearest Hilda, you're always so generous with your compliments - thank you!

      Anna x

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  4. Yes I've seen enough of these boots......because I was too late with ordering them! I still love them😂😂😂 fantastic skirt!

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    1. Keep searching on eBay Nancy - you may strike it lucky one day!

      Anna x

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  5. Love everything about this outfit! I kept out a pair of boots for walking wearing socks (this month I become a blisterphobe) and the rest are boxed away so no turning back for me now (hope you're listening, weather!).
    You might have had a gloomy day but the day was brightened for all who looked at you, my lovely. And your tidebreak has gone, so who needs sun!!!
    Hugs, c.

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    1. I'm not quite convinced enough to pack the last of my boots away Mary. It's still cold and was raining today as well as a blast of wind too, yuk! This underskirt always works its magic on me, causing me to smile and jig most of the day. The happy factor does seem to rub off me too!

      have a fab week!
      Anna x

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  6. This is so you Anna, I love the bounce of your petticoat - yes you captured that in the photos! Have an awesome week Anna, chat soon. Jacqui Mummabstylish
    P>S have you seen and entered the GIVEAWAY on my blog? Featuring a rather unique piece of art. x

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    1. Thanks for the comments and for the link up party too my dear. I'm not on twitter and so couldn't see how else to enter...

      Have a lovely week!
      Anna x

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    2. Oh yes I see, leaving a comment will let you enter the Giveaway - have you managed to enter yet Hun? x
      Thanks for joining the #chicandstylish #linkup too. xx

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    3. Will go back and take another look Jacqui, thanks x

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  7. preach it, Anna! We are not dead yet. I would call your gorgeous outfit "wearable art" as well - and no, we are NOT tired of those red boots, we want more! xox

    Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Aw, so very kind to have your wonderful words of support Patti! Thanks for the link up party again this week.

      Anna x

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  8. Its a lovely fun outfit and you look fab in it!
    xxx

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  9. I just love everything about this outfit, absolutely stunning and the photographs are excellent to probably better than if it had been a sunny day.
    Tessa xx

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    1. Polly does say that some of these dull days do benefit my outfit allowing the colours to really pop - maybe that was the case here?

      Cheers!
      Anna x

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  10. Your description of the red petticoat bouncing as you move makes me wish for a video of this post. The tactile nature of clothing is something that is huge in childhood. Sound was equally important. Shoes were valued partly because of the sound they made on pavement. SOFT was a sought after tactile quality. I imagine this petticoat has it's own special texture, and a percussive bounce?

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    1. I too remember the clickety-click of my favourite shoes, the crispness of a new cotton blouse and the soft swish of my blue party dress. Textures and sounds are indeed the stuff of memories. The weightiness of the petticoat is key, so much so that the waistband has to be buttoned tighter sometimes to keep it from pulling down. The bounce is very satisfactory and draws the eye as I walk towards people - they can't help giving it a second look!

      Anna x

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  11. woww, what a fabulous outfit and fabulous attitude too!, thanks for encouraging us to keep on being visible and comfident!, that's something lovely!
    And I love your red petticoat and boots, and every red accessories, and love your jacket (such fab shape!, cool!) and your dress!. So beautiful pictures, love to see you swirling and smiling and having fun!
    besos

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    1. Well I know that I'm preaching to the converted with you Monica as colour play is something we both have in common. We can only be ourselves; being true to ourselves is what makes us, us - so I say keep doing what you do my dear, as you do it so well! Thanks for all of your lovely comments.

      Anna x

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