The shirt - a wardrobe staple, our Style Not Age challenge


Hello and welcome again to our monthly Style Not Age challenge. It was the turn of Jacqui to choose our topic this time and as you can see, The Shirt - a wardrobe staple, is it. This month's feature has a slightly different slant however as the group were invited to work alongside Jacynth Bassett, founder of The-Bias-Cut.com, the online boutique for women looking for quality and style. We each of us picked a shirt to style in our very own way, all done though mail-order of course. Jacqui's outfit reflects that perfect downtime summer uniform of shirt and jeans, but not just any old shirt is this, no it's the smoothest cotton poplin in a fishnet pattern in fresh white and pink paired up with kick flare cropped jeans to keep it very much of the moment. Jacqui has added a pop of bright red with her clutch as a finishing touch. Read Jacqui's feature here on Mummabstylish.


Hilda has chosen the same shirt, styling it again with jeans but of the blue variety. Summer sliders show off her red toenails giving that same pop of colour as Jacqui too. I always admire those ladies who can carry off that half tuck look with such ease - I just look a bit undone when I try this! Click on the link here to see her full story on Over the Hilda.


Emma of Style Splash has chosen the Blue Jay Feather print shirt, styling it with dark skinny jeans by Butt I Love You and these cute sandals by Isabelle Jaquelin. Bright blue handbag and oversized blue sunnies keep the look very much in the same colour palette.


It'll be of no surprise to my readers to see that I've shied away from the expected by not wearing jeans with the shirt. Yes, for a moment I did consider it, but my creative needs dragged me in a different direction. 


I had the notion that I wanted a summer styling of sorts and was delighted when I came across these Zara trousers (sorry sold out, but these are similar) when I was on my way for a dental appointment in Penryn last time. 



There's a little charity shop aside from my regular vintage shop which I frequent too and these were lurking on the racks waiting for me. Also preloved are my Topshop silver and white chunky sandals as is my River Island handbag. 



I love the embroidered flowers sprinkled across the trousers which echo the dandelion print of my shirt. I've had this preloved belt for over  a year now and just knew it would come into its own at some stage, and don't you think it looks dandy with this?


All of my jewellery is preloved too and how beautifully they all tie in with today's theme of summer whites and florals.


The resin necklace has real yellow flowers preserved inside these beads forever. The maker Daisy Dunlop used to sell her work at the gallery many moons ago which is when I bought this one. Her making has progressed beyond resin, but it still worth a look.


But let's get onto the main event, the shirt. Made for The-Bias-Cut.com by Gibson and Birkbeck of Scotland, it retails at £85 and is frankly worth every penny. I may be renowned for my frugal nature and love of  clothes recycling, but that doesn't mean to say I don't know class when I see it. This shirt screams classy and feels like it to wear too. The cotton is crisp and smooth and the finishing details are testament to the cost. The button loop at the neck shows some extra thought at the design stage, as do the placing of the buttons over the bust area - how often do we have to sneek a little safety pin inside our shirts to stop it gaping and show the bra? It was a lovely surprise to find that this has been surmounted with ease by clever placing of the bust level button at just the right spot meaning no flashing. The link to my dandelion print shirt is here, although not all the sizes are available at the moment.


Buying online isn't one of my favourite things as you know, but dealing with this mail order company was as smooth as the cotton of this shirt. I followed the sizing directions and chose a size 10 which came up exactly as I had hoped, fitting neatly over the bust and back as well as having sleeves that were made to finish at the wrist and no more. The floral print is so pretty and I can see that this will indeed be a regular go-to item in my wardrobe now. The shirt came beautifully wrapped in tissue and had all of the clips and plastic inserts similar to a man's shirt adding to the top of the range experience. All in all, online shopping through The-Bias-Cut.com was easy and efficient and the website is more than just a shopping venue offering a plethora of information as well as a blog too. 



The intro to the website summarises Jacynth's philosophy - 

Welcome to Shopping With Attitude - Where Ageism Is Never In Style

the-Bias-Cut.com is the first online boutique that truly celebrates style at every age. Featuring pieces by some of the best contemporary labels today, our eclectic collections reflect Jacynth's thorough and in-depth understanding of different women's bodies and shapes, as well as cut and fabrics. Throw into the mix her stylist, contemporary eye, and Jacynth is swiftly becoming recognised as one of the UK's leading experts and pioneers of style at every age. 


Anna x

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22 comments

  1. I love your dandelion shirt! In fact all three shirts are very desirable. The Bias Cut has certainly hit its stride on the shirt front. Love your styling with those very cool Zara trousers.

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    1. Oh my goodness, I so love this shirt too Gail! I didn't know the quality would be so top notch and feel it's going to add real panache to my shirt collection.

      Anna x

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  2. This is a wonderful shirt, and I hadn't expected it to be this nice. Thanks for sharing, I love the challenge too! Jacqui Mummabstylish

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    1. How lovely to have such a quality item gifted to us! I'm already working on other ideas on how I can style this up for the next showing. Thanks for choosing this Jacqui.

      Anna x

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  3. I love all the shirts but I like yours the best. I do love a crisp white shirt...

    I like your gingham trousers and sandals with the outfit and I especially loved your handbag. Fabulous necklace, too.

    Hope you're enjoying our lovely weather - I bet it's warmed the sea up...
    xxx

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    1. I must admit I'm very pleased with my choice too Vronni - the dandlion print is such fun.
      The sea here is certainly not as cold now allowing me to take longer swims without a wetsuit. I swam from one little island to another on Sunday after a picnic to help me cool down - very refreshing it was too!

      Anna x

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  4. That floral blouse is super fabulous!! You always inspire me with your mixed prints and this is no exception, Anna!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. This shirt was great inspiration for me Jodie, bringing forth the notion that I added more summer pattern to the mix. I was delighted to come across these trousers as I did, knowing this was the perfect ploy for those flowers.

      Anna x

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  5. All lovely shirts - I can't pick a favourite! I like the jeans styling, but your gingham trousers are just so fabulous, Anna! That button-at-the-boobs thing is something that every blouse or shirt needs to have! I've come around on plain(ish) shirts after scoffing at them for many years - they are the perfect way to class up an outfit or to highlight a special piece. Well done, all of you!

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    1. The range of prints of this shirt is massive and I could easily plumped for many more, but I'm really happy with this dandelion print I have to say. The yellow is perfect for the summer and will definitely be coming up on the blog again soon. Hurrah for the shirt then!

      Anna x

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  6. Love how you styled the shirt Anna. I'm a big fan of the brand xx

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    1. Thanks Laurie! I can certainly understand why this brand has such a huge following. And Jacynth is a joy to work with too!

      Anna x

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  7. Anna, first of all your styling is just fabulous, secondly your pics..love those cows peeping over and the details of your outfit are just perfect.

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    1. Cheers for that Hilda. Hubby took the shots this time and he suggested we stop alongside that field of cows - they were very interested in our antics!

      Anna x

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  8. lovely outfit!, I like particularly that you wore your shirt with these gingham trousers, so cute!, and the accessories are fabulous!
    besos

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    1. Thanks so much Monica. It was lucky to come across these trousers as I did - sometimes these things just fall beautifully into place!

      Anna x

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  9. I love the dandelion print, it so unusual. The shirt looks great with the gingham trousers. Even the cows are giving you a nod of approval!

    Emma xxx
    www.style-splash.com

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    1. Isn't this an adorable print? I loved your shirt too Emma and thought you looked fab in those skinny jeans!

      Anna x

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  10. Your photos (the cows :)) are really cool and all these pieces are so interesting! Particularly love the necklace with real flowers (wow, how unusual), and of course, love the pants and the shoes. Lise

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    1. So lovely to have your feedback Lise. The necklace is quite unusual and it's all the more special now that she no longer produces them.

      Anna x

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  11. My eyes were immediately drawn to the unique border print at the pant hemline. WOW!! Scallops and embroidery on the always fresh blue, gingham makes these pants very special indeed. The fact that you topped them off with an equally unique shirt makes your whole look one of my all time favorites. The sparsely placed, colorful floral print is SO lively! I really love that the common dandelion has been given a moment to shine on this fun blouse. Goodness Anna, you've captured the mood of a perfect summer day in your outfit.

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  12. I forgot to say how much I love the photo of you with the cows peeking down at you from behind the fence. Your smiling face, summery outfit and those cutie cows are worthy of an advertising campaign for Isles of Scilly holidays!!!

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