In my opinion, the sweatshirt has become a wardrobe staple, especially here in the UK where the weather is so variable. When it's too hot for full on knitwear but cool enough to need something on your shoulders.....enter the sweatshirt! Up until now the sweatshirt has be a sportswear item kept for PE/the gym or those super cool girls who can rock the Bella Hadid sportswear look. However it has moved into everyday style for many in the last few years, boosted by lockdown and a industry move to much more relaxed style trends. I was unsure if it was an item I could get on board with at first but actually I now have a few styles that work so well on a more casual day. I tend to gravitate to simple clean styles with a slogan or motif (easier to style with a printed dress or skirt) rather than an all over print however I will make acceptations for something beautiful.
I have rounded up my favourite styles below, from the high-street as well as a couple of independent brands.
Let me know your favourite piece...
A whimsical style to start off my picks, featuring my favourite Disney characters Stitch & Angel. Primark have such a great selection of sweatshirts, especially Disney themed styles at great prices. I also love a blush pink one with a beautiful line drawing of Thumper the rabbit on. A great budget option, especially if like me you aren't sure if a sweatshirt fits with your style.
Grey Rebel Slogan Sweatshirt - £69 Mint Velvet
Loved this style, grungy and a little more rough than the other styles featured. This shade of grey works well with lots of colours & would work well teamed with jeans, dresses or skirts and everyone loves a bit of rock & roll (well I do at least).
Pink & Neon Pink Leopard & Lightning Bolt - £50 Scamp & Dude
A very statement option, but I do enjoy a bold leopard print especially in pink. Cute too as you can get a similar mini me version to twin with your little sidekick. Also worth noting that Scamp & Dude have an amazing inclusive size run - from XS to 3XL.
Louisa Embellished Cropped Sweatshirt - £155 Sophie Pittom
The most expensive piece from this roundup, but very unique and beautiful. Each piece is hand appliqued so each one is unique. Sophie Pittom is a new brand on my radar, I discovered it through Instagram and I loved the unique embellishment detailing. Something quite romantic and girly balanced out with a simple boxy grey sweatshirt. It is also available in a beautiful baby pink.
The Sweatshirt Ivory - £60 Boden
A great classic style, simple Ivory base but with a cheeky rainbow stripe on the sleeves. Ideal to team with an easy jeans & trainers look, or style like the model with a pair of khaki chinos. Boden have this style available in other prints including a bold statement floral.
Saturday' Bouclé Slogan Sweatshirt - £16 @ Sainsburys
An unexpected find whilst doing my weekly shop! always worth a look as the supermarkets are giving the traditional fashion brands a run for their money, especially at this amazing price point. Slogan sweatshirts are cute and cheeky, plus this colour combo is gorgeous for spring/summer. A classic crew neck with rainbow bouclé lettering which adds some texture to a simple piece.
Pink City Slogan Sweatshirt - £69 Mint Velvet
I actually own this one, fell in love with the beautiful shade of pink (not to light and washed out, but not full on Barbie) with the burgundy lettering, an usual combination. Loving the city slogan trend and this was something a little different to anything else I've seen before. I also like the fact it is a summer weight sweatshirt, no furry inside making it ideal for warmer days and also a little easier to tuck in.
♡
TGF Edit: The Sweatshirt
In my opinion, the sweatshirt has become a wardrobe staple, especially here in the UK where the weather is so variable. When it's too hot for full on knitwear but cool enough to need something on your shoulders.....enter the sweatshirt! Up until now the sweatshirt has be a sportswear item kept for PE/the gym or those super cool girls who can rock the Bella Hadid sportswear look. However it has moved into everyday style for many in the last few years, boosted by lockdown and a industry move to much more relaxed style trends. I was unsure if it was an item I could get on board with at first but actually I now have a few styles that work so well on a more casual day. I tend to gravitate to simple clean styles with a slogan or motif (easier to style with a printed dress or skirt) rather than an all over print however I will make acceptations for something beautiful.
I have rounded up my favourite styles below, from the high-street as well as a couple of independent brands.
Let me know your favourite piece...
A whimsical style to start off my picks, featuring my favourite Disney characters Stitch & Angel. Primark have such a great selection of sweatshirts, especially Disney themed styles at great prices. I also love a blush pink one with a beautiful line drawing of Thumper the rabbit on. A great budget option, especially if like me you aren't sure if a sweatshirt fits with your style.
Grey Rebel Slogan Sweatshirt - £69 Mint Velvet
Loved this style, grungy and a little more rough than the other styles featured. This shade of grey works well with lots of colours & would work well teamed with jeans, dresses or skirts and everyone loves a bit of rock & roll (well I do at least).
Pink & Neon Pink Leopard & Lightning Bolt - £50 Scamp & Dude
A very statement option, but I do enjoy a bold leopard print especially in pink. Cute too as you can get a similar mini me version to twin with your little sidekick. Also worth noting that Scamp & Dude have an amazing inclusive size run - from XS to 3XL.
Louisa Embellished Cropped Sweatshirt - £155 Sophie Pittom
The most expensive piece from this roundup, but very unique and beautiful. Each piece is hand appliqued so each one is unique. Sophie Pittom is a new brand on my radar, I discovered it through Instagram and I loved the unique embellishment detailing. Something quite romantic and girly balanced out with a simple boxy grey sweatshirt. It is also available in a beautiful baby pink.
The Sweatshirt Ivory - £60 Boden
A great classic style, simple Ivory base but with a cheeky rainbow stripe on the sleeves. Ideal to team with an easy jeans & trainers look, or style like the model with a pair of khaki chinos. Boden have this style available in other prints including a bold statement floral.
Saturday' Bouclé Slogan Sweatshirt - £16 @ Sainsburys
An unexpected find whilst doing my weekly shop! always worth a look as the supermarkets are giving the traditional fashion brands a run for their money, especially at this amazing price point. Slogan sweatshirts are cute and cheeky, plus this colour combo is gorgeous for spring/summer. A classic crew neck with rainbow bouclé lettering which adds some texture to a simple piece.
Pink City Slogan Sweatshirt - £69 Mint Velvet
I actually own this one, fell in love with the beautiful shade of pink (not to light and washed out, but not full on Barbie) with the burgundy lettering, an usual combination. Loving the city slogan trend and this was something a little different to anything else I've seen before. I also like the fact it is a summer weight sweatshirt, no furry inside making it ideal for warmer days and also a little easier to tuck in.
♡
Preloved is an informal word that describes an item that was previously owned. Preloved is a euphemism, which is a milder way to say something to make it less harsh or blunt. Preloved is typically used to describe something for sale to avoid calling it used or second hand - Dictionary.com
So onto my purchase.... I have been on the look out for this particular Mulberry bag for years....the black leather, medium Tillie satchel.
The Tillie was part of the SS11 Mulberry collection and has been the IT piece for me for years. I do already own one of these bags, an oversized version in cream tweed (bought in the sale), but sadly she isn't the most practical bag (especially with a toddler) so doesn't get used much, but I love everything about the style and detailing on this bag. I was in two minds at one point, about sending my cream bag to the Bag-Spa and getting her dyed black but I had a deep fear of it getting ruined! So finding this has made me so happy ♡♡
A classic satchel shape, with top handle and gorgeous gold hardware, the perfect size to be worn on the shoulder, cross body as well as on the crook of the arm. It is also a great everyday size, ideal for all my essentials plus the odd car, dinosaur or tub of playdoh and because it is preloved I am a little less precious with her, because she has already been "broken in". The bag was exactly as described, no faults, a little wear on the hardware but far less than I expected considering she is nine years old.
So this bag originally retailed for around £900 and although I have been on the look out for a couple of years now, the cheapest I have ever found one, was about £300 but that was on Ebay, and I am not very trusting of sellers on there, especially when it comes to designer items...... going through a verified pre-loved retailer means that it has been authenticated and best of all this beauty was only £120. I know for some people that even this is still a lot to spend on a handbag, but this piece has such a place in my heart and it is a real treat to be able to purchase it, especially as this style of Mulberry is no longer in production. The transaction was conducted via Instagram direct message then once agreed, through Paypal (hello buyer protection), and although the item was sent Royal Mail 2nd class it arrived the next day! and was beautiful wrapped in tissue paper.
Overall I found this pre-loved process, to be a really positive experience and will definitely be doing it again, as I do believe that items should be loved for years, not worn once and thrown away. I also really love the idea of a piece having its own little story, its own history.
Have you ever bought a designer piece pre-loved? Any recommendations?
Falling for Pre-Loved
Preloved is an informal word that describes an item that was previously owned. Preloved is a euphemism, which is a milder way to say something to make it less harsh or blunt. Preloved is typically used to describe something for sale to avoid calling it used or second hand - Dictionary.com
So onto my purchase.... I have been on the look out for this particular Mulberry bag for years....the black leather, medium Tillie satchel.
The Tillie was part of the SS11 Mulberry collection and has been the IT piece for me for years. I do already own one of these bags, an oversized version in cream tweed (bought in the sale), but sadly she isn't the most practical bag (especially with a toddler) so doesn't get used much, but I love everything about the style and detailing on this bag. I was in two minds at one point, about sending my cream bag to the Bag-Spa and getting her dyed black but I had a deep fear of it getting ruined! So finding this has made me so happy ♡♡
A classic satchel shape, with top handle and gorgeous gold hardware, the perfect size to be worn on the shoulder, cross body as well as on the crook of the arm. It is also a great everyday size, ideal for all my essentials plus the odd car, dinosaur or tub of playdoh and because it is preloved I am a little less precious with her, because she has already been "broken in". The bag was exactly as described, no faults, a little wear on the hardware but far less than I expected considering she is nine years old.
So this bag originally retailed for around £900 and although I have been on the look out for a couple of years now, the cheapest I have ever found one, was about £300 but that was on Ebay, and I am not very trusting of sellers on there, especially when it comes to designer items...... going through a verified pre-loved retailer means that it has been authenticated and best of all this beauty was only £120. I know for some people that even this is still a lot to spend on a handbag, but this piece has such a place in my heart and it is a real treat to be able to purchase it, especially as this style of Mulberry is no longer in production. The transaction was conducted via Instagram direct message then once agreed, through Paypal (hello buyer protection), and although the item was sent Royal Mail 2nd class it arrived the next day! and was beautiful wrapped in tissue paper.
Overall I found this pre-loved process, to be a really positive experience and will definitely be doing it again, as I do believe that items should be loved for years, not worn once and thrown away. I also really love the idea of a piece having its own little story, its own history.
Have you ever bought a designer piece pre-loved? Any recommendations?
With most people taking the time to consider fashion a little more these days - either for sustainable reasons or the after effects of lockdown, making pieces in our wardrobes work hard is the easiest way to keep things fresh and not spend a fortune. Investing in key pieces that can be styled up in multiple ways for lots of different occasions is the goal. With that in mind, I have taken one of my favourite pieces from Mint Velvet and styled it up four different ways. *I am a style advisor for Mint Velvet, and I love to help my customers feel great, look amazing and enjoy the feeling of knowing they can pull together a look with little to no effort.
This shirt is a classic white shirt, with an oversized fit, longer in length with rolled up sleeves - perfect to wear alone or layered. I always recommend this shirt to customers in store as it really is so versitile.....as you will see from the below looks - giving you a casual daytime style as well as something a little more dressier for those elusive post-lockdown date nights.
All items featured in this post are available now instore or online at Mint Velvet.
Outfit One
Shirt used in all looks - White Oversized shirt
Faux Leather leggings, Black Fedora Sparkle Trim Hat, Black Leather Cowboy Boots & Gold Charm Necklace
Utilising the longer length of the shirt, teaming it with leather look leggings - a staple for any Autumn/Winter season, gives it a modern take on rock chick chic. Adding a statement buckle boot (these are an amazing pair, perfect heel height for everyday and they look great with dresses as well as jeans), a classic fedora hat and a long charm necklace. Think 2020 boho styling. If the leggings are a little out of your comfort zone, this outfit would work just as well with a pair of skinny jeans.
Outfit Two
Khaki Cargo Trousers, Denim Jacket & Hailey Stone Trainers
Styled with these cargo trousers gives the shirt a much more casual feel, wear it tucked into the trousers to define your waist. Layering the denim jacket adds a little structure to the shoulders and the two tone trainers, with a splash of sparkle make it a great everyday look. I would wear this for a day out with my little boy - easy but still so stylish.
Outfit Three
Maryland Black Skinny Jeans, Cropped Leather Jacket, Debbie Biker Boots & Leopard Print Headband
A classic monochrome look, mixing the white shirt with black skinny jeans and a leather jacket - cropped to show off more of the shirt and highlight the waist. Teamed with the IT boot of the season a chunky biker boot, perfect for keeping your feet cosy whilst looking chic. The leopard print headband is just a nice pop of print to a very simple outfit. This outfit could also be layered up with a winter coat as the finishing touch when the temperature drops.
Outfit Four
Joliet Grey Skinny Jeans, Dusty Pink Cities Sweatshirt & Palmer White Velcro Trainers
My favourite look - Easy casual styling with the shirt layered under this gorgeous blush pink sweatshirt, with the sleeves rolled up. Teamed with a classic skinny jean (I have gone with grey but any colour would work) and my favourite new season trainers - Velcro is not just for kids anymore. This is the perfect everyday outfit....throw on a classic tote and your ready for the day.
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
Which of the four outfits would you choose?
Also worth noting that this shirt comes in other colours too.....check out the Mint Velvet website for the alternatives.
♡
1 Shirt - 4 Ways
With most people taking the time to consider fashion a little more these days - either for sustainable reasons or the after effects of lockdown, making pieces in our wardrobes work hard is the easiest way to keep things fresh and not spend a fortune. Investing in key pieces that can be styled up in multiple ways for lots of different occasions is the goal. With that in mind, I have taken one of my favourite pieces from Mint Velvet and styled it up four different ways. *I am a style advisor for Mint Velvet, and I love to help my customers feel great, look amazing and enjoy the feeling of knowing they can pull together a look with little to no effort.
This shirt is a classic white shirt, with an oversized fit, longer in length with rolled up sleeves - perfect to wear alone or layered. I always recommend this shirt to customers in store as it really is so versitile.....as you will see from the below looks - giving you a casual daytime style as well as something a little more dressier for those elusive post-lockdown date nights.
All items featured in this post are available now instore or online at Mint Velvet.
Outfit One
Shirt used in all looks - White Oversized shirt
Faux Leather leggings, Black Fedora Sparkle Trim Hat, Black Leather Cowboy Boots & Gold Charm Necklace
Utilising the longer length of the shirt, teaming it with leather look leggings - a staple for any Autumn/Winter season, gives it a modern take on rock chick chic. Adding a statement buckle boot (these are an amazing pair, perfect heel height for everyday and they look great with dresses as well as jeans), a classic fedora hat and a long charm necklace. Think 2020 boho styling. If the leggings are a little out of your comfort zone, this outfit would work just as well with a pair of skinny jeans.
Outfit Two
Khaki Cargo Trousers, Denim Jacket & Hailey Stone Trainers
Styled with these cargo trousers gives the shirt a much more casual feel, wear it tucked into the trousers to define your waist. Layering the denim jacket adds a little structure to the shoulders and the two tone trainers, with a splash of sparkle make it a great everyday look. I would wear this for a day out with my little boy - easy but still so stylish.
Outfit Three
Maryland Black Skinny Jeans, Cropped Leather Jacket, Debbie Biker Boots & Leopard Print Headband
A classic monochrome look, mixing the white shirt with black skinny jeans and a leather jacket - cropped to show off more of the shirt and highlight the waist. Teamed with the IT boot of the season a chunky biker boot, perfect for keeping your feet cosy whilst looking chic. The leopard print headband is just a nice pop of print to a very simple outfit. This outfit could also be layered up with a winter coat as the finishing touch when the temperature drops.
Outfit Four
Joliet Grey Skinny Jeans, Dusty Pink Cities Sweatshirt & Palmer White Velcro Trainers
My favourite look - Easy casual styling with the shirt layered under this gorgeous blush pink sweatshirt, with the sleeves rolled up. Teamed with a classic skinny jean (I have gone with grey but any colour would work) and my favourite new season trainers - Velcro is not just for kids anymore. This is the perfect everyday outfit....throw on a classic tote and your ready for the day.
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
Which of the four outfits would you choose?
Also worth noting that this shirt comes in other colours too.....check out the Mint Velvet website for the alternatives.
♡
Starting off with a true summer outfit - this look deserves 2 photos....not only because it's cute but because up until now I would never have had my photo taken in shorts let alone a playsuit, but I seem to have found my happy place between style & my body. This playsuit was bought two summers ago during a heatwave. I chose to style it up with a basic white tee underneath, 90s style which makes it a cute summers day outfit and balances out the flesh on show. Sunnies are a daily staple but I also added my Panama hat to the outfit as it was a very hot day. The rose gold sandals are about 3 years old and my go to during the summer....they go with everything! This outfit really sums up my lockdown style, comfy but stylish. I needed outfits that looked cute but were easy enough to be running/crawling around after a very active toddler.....#mumstyle.
Next up two of my favourite dresses on repeat... The first, was the IT dress of last year, this tulle spotty dress is the perfect mood lifter, I felt like a total princess swishing around Sainsburys in it. I kept it casual though by throwing on my trusty black converse trainers and my Vintage Moto by Topshop denim jacket (yes I count it as vintage as I bought this my first year of uni, which means it is 16 years old and still looks fabulous).
The black boho dress was bought for a Christmas drinks party back in 2017 after I had bubba, I wanted something loose but still cute and this little beauty with its metallic thread fit the bill. A smock shape with fluted, floaty sleeves perfect for skimming the old mum tum. Looks great styled casually like this in the summer but also with tights & boots in the winter. Worn with my favourite khaki jacket, bought for my 30th birthday trip to Paris and still my go to with dresses & jeans. These hightop converse are technically new, I got them second hand, although not quite sure if I am cool enough to pull them off!
One very obvious thing I noticed collecting my images for this post....I am obsessed with "from where I stand" style photos and especially these black Converse-esque trainers. Have worn them non stop and am so pleased with how versatile they are, especially as they are £6! I love to wear them with a really girly dress just to toughen up the look a bit. It also makes me realise just how much my style has changed since be becoming a mum....I very rarely wore trainers and now I live in them but by choice not just for practicality.
This headband is a gorgeous pink paisley print from New Look from 3 years ago - I don't wear headbands that often but I do love to add a pop of colour to a monochrome outfit. The heart sunglasses (which are new) are just a fun addition and I love them, so much so I went back and bought a tortoiseshell pair too...from Amazon of all places! The gorgeous pink Birkenstock style slides were a cheeky Bank Holiday find from TU clothing - but at £3.75! I had to have them! a nice upgrade from my standard pink Primarni flip flops and a great everyday shoe.
This "Wanderlust" tote bag was an impulse "Instagram made me do it" purchase, influenced by @hannahgale back in 2017 but I love it so much and always get compliments on it. I will admit I haven't used it very much as the last time I used it, was as an accidental hospital bag! I grabbed it when I headed to the maternity assessment unit, stuffed in my purse, magazines, bottle of water etc. Only expected to be there for a few hours.....nope came home with a baby!! but it was a nice pretty thing to look at in my room, just not the most practical! I have been using this so much in lockdown though, especially when I pop to the local shops - have actually not used a proper handbag in weeks!! The "Hello Sunshine" tote was a Primark find a few years ago and is another summer favourite, Primark make the cutest accessories and I find them to be better quality than the clothing.
Below are the remainder of my "simpler" outfit photos - I wish I could discuss all of them in detail but if I did we would all be here forever (maybe even longer than lockdown!) but if you do want more information on any of the images featured in this post, head over to my Instagram....
Wearing my Wardrobe
Starting off with a true summer outfit - this look deserves 2 photos....not only because it's cute but because up until now I would never have had my photo taken in shorts let alone a playsuit, but I seem to have found my happy place between style & my body. This playsuit was bought two summers ago during a heatwave. I chose to style it up with a basic white tee underneath, 90s style which makes it a cute summers day outfit and balances out the flesh on show. Sunnies are a daily staple but I also added my Panama hat to the outfit as it was a very hot day. The rose gold sandals are about 3 years old and my go to during the summer....they go with everything! This outfit really sums up my lockdown style, comfy but stylish. I needed outfits that looked cute but were easy enough to be running/crawling around after a very active toddler.....#mumstyle.
Next up two of my favourite dresses on repeat... The first, was the IT dress of last year, this tulle spotty dress is the perfect mood lifter, I felt like a total princess swishing around Sainsburys in it. I kept it casual though by throwing on my trusty black converse trainers and my Vintage Moto by Topshop denim jacket (yes I count it as vintage as I bought this my first year of uni, which means it is 16 years old and still looks fabulous).
The black boho dress was bought for a Christmas drinks party back in 2017 after I had bubba, I wanted something loose but still cute and this little beauty with its metallic thread fit the bill. A smock shape with fluted, floaty sleeves perfect for skimming the old mum tum. Looks great styled casually like this in the summer but also with tights & boots in the winter. Worn with my favourite khaki jacket, bought for my 30th birthday trip to Paris and still my go to with dresses & jeans. These hightop converse are technically new, I got them second hand, although not quite sure if I am cool enough to pull them off!
One very obvious thing I noticed collecting my images for this post....I am obsessed with "from where I stand" style photos and especially these black Converse-esque trainers. Have worn them non stop and am so pleased with how versatile they are, especially as they are £6! I love to wear them with a really girly dress just to toughen up the look a bit. It also makes me realise just how much my style has changed since be becoming a mum....I very rarely wore trainers and now I live in them but by choice not just for practicality.
This headband is a gorgeous pink paisley print from New Look from 3 years ago - I don't wear headbands that often but I do love to add a pop of colour to a monochrome outfit. The heart sunglasses (which are new) are just a fun addition and I love them, so much so I went back and bought a tortoiseshell pair too...from Amazon of all places! The gorgeous pink Birkenstock style slides were a cheeky Bank Holiday find from TU clothing - but at £3.75! I had to have them! a nice upgrade from my standard pink Primarni flip flops and a great everyday shoe.
This "Wanderlust" tote bag was an impulse "Instagram made me do it" purchase, influenced by @hannahgale back in 2017 but I love it so much and always get compliments on it. I will admit I haven't used it very much as the last time I used it, was as an accidental hospital bag! I grabbed it when I headed to the maternity assessment unit, stuffed in my purse, magazines, bottle of water etc. Only expected to be there for a few hours.....nope came home with a baby!! but it was a nice pretty thing to look at in my room, just not the most practical! I have been using this so much in lockdown though, especially when I pop to the local shops - have actually not used a proper handbag in weeks!! The "Hello Sunshine" tote was a Primark find a few years ago and is another summer favourite, Primark make the cutest accessories and I find them to be better quality than the clothing.
Below are the remainder of my "simpler" outfit photos - I wish I could discuss all of them in detail but if I did we would all be here forever (maybe even longer than lockdown!) but if you do want more information on any of the images featured in this post, head over to my Instagram....
Dior has been one of my dream brands for a while but only in recent seasons have I really started to LOVE it. The 2019/2020 collections really impressed me - I think it was the use of beautiful neutral tulles and creating such sexy, yet ultra feminine looks. It may also be helped that two of my favourite fashionistas (Victoria @inthefrow & Lydia @lydiamillen ) have been spotted in many a Dior look. The mix of dark & edgy alongside the light, girly colour palette is so beautiful - a grown up modern day princess look.
If money were no object what would you invest in?
I wanted to finish this post with an apology, for the amount of "wishlist" style posts of late. I have been on a limited spend over the last few months so there is a lot of stuff I would love to buy but am not letting myself, also just something about the lockdown has me scrolling through the internet and I just keep finding pretty things, which in the current situation are bringing me joy & I wanted to share them.....hope you don't mind too much x
♡
Dreaming of Dior
Dior has been one of my dream brands for a while but only in recent seasons have I really started to LOVE it. The 2019/2020 collections really impressed me - I think it was the use of beautiful neutral tulles and creating such sexy, yet ultra feminine looks. It may also be helped that two of my favourite fashionistas (Victoria @inthefrow & Lydia @lydiamillen ) have been spotted in many a Dior look. The mix of dark & edgy alongside the light, girly colour palette is so beautiful - a grown up modern day princess look.
If money were no object what would you invest in?
I wanted to finish this post with an apology, for the amount of "wishlist" style posts of late. I have been on a limited spend over the last few months so there is a lot of stuff I would love to buy but am not letting myself, also just something about the lockdown has me scrolling through the internet and I just keep finding pretty things, which in the current situation are bringing me joy & I wanted to share them.....hope you don't mind too much x
♡
Kate Spade - Pastel Party