Wednesday Wish

We are now halfway through May; the month that generally heralds the start of summer.  Snort!  On Monday I was pelted with hailstones.  Yesterday I was drenched from head to toe … not helped by the fact that I was wearing a pair of Converse. (Well, silly me!  Thinking I could get away with wearing canvas trainers in May!) 

So today, my wish is an eminently practical one.  I was so fed up with this grey, dull weather that I decided to do a little 'window shopping' online.   Whilst browsing I came across this gem, which frankly we could all do with in our wardrobes right now.  It’s similar to a mac, but (apologies to all mac lovers) without being dull and beige.  I love the yellow detail; it makes me think of fishing trawlers.  It’s an easy shape to wear and guess what?  Rubberised canvas people, rubberised canvas!  If the weather isn’t going to cooperate then we need to be prepared.  With this little number, I reckon you’d definitely be singing in the rain.

Tibi Rubberised Pea Coat

 

 

If this is Summer, it's time for a Coat!

So, did everyone enjoy summer?  That would have been the three days of the Bank Holiday weekend in my case.  Since then, it’s been raining, windy and can you believe it?  Cold!  Not actual puffa jacket cold, but cold enough to warrant a jacket.  In fact, cold enough that the boots were pulled back out of hiding and scarves continue to be worn. 

However, I’m not going to complain or curse (she lies).  Instead, I’m going to adopt the pragmatic approach of cutting my cloth to suit my measure blah, blah.  So today, I’m looking at Spring coats and jackets.  It might be the middle of May, but there’s no sign of summer hitting here anytime soon.

Unless you’ve been hiding in a cave, you can’t have missed the latest Louis Vuitton ads for their Spring Summer range.  A glorious black and white chequered campaign with splashes of yellow to brighten the monochrome palette.  As is the wont of all good high street stores, Zara have followed suit with this gorgeous coat.  I loved this so much when I saw it online, that I had to take a peek in real life.  It’s a beauty … but my one concern would be that the back of the coat isn’t lined.  The fabric doesn’t look like it would irritate the skin, but I wonder how well it would hang after a few hours wear without the additional weight of a lining.  Having said that, I’ve earmarked this for when the sales start

Short Chequered Coat

Ignore the sulky looking model - I'd be smiling if I was wearing this!



A close-up of the print

 

Despite my constant refrain advising you all to steer clear of dark colours on the top half, I have to confess to hankering after a navy blazer.  There’s just something so chic about a navy blazer with a white tee, jeans and statement necklace.  It’s quite simply a look that never dates.  So in the interests of research (ahem) I did a little browsing and have come up with the following which I think might work.  Hold onto your hats people … I’m about to recommend Primark!  And yes!  I’ve even seen this in real life and to be fair, it’s not bad at all.  I think I’d change the button (a tad to shiny for my liking) but for €23, you can’t really go wrong.  Because of the wide white stripes, I think this would be unforgiving should you suffer from a flaking scalp

 

 

I noticed this Boden Blenheim blazer on the SchoolGateStyle blog recently and instantly went to have a closer look.  White spots!  What more could you possibly ask for to conceal flaking?  Better still, it’s currently on sale.  To be honest, I’m sitting on my hands to stop myself from pressing the ‘buy’ button on this one!

Back to coats and Massimo Dutti, who never fail to provide really chic choices, currently have this three-quarter sleeved coat in stock.  I love it and think it’s one that you would have in your wardrobe for many seasons to come. 

Another sale item from Boden again, with this cute striped Canonbury coat.  This is available in a variety of colours and I think it would certainly add a certain je ne sais quoi as a cover up for jeans and a tee.

Finally (apologies, I don’t mean to sound like an ad for Boden – I just can’t resist a sale!) there is also this Chepstow blazer.  The picture below is in navy, but it’s also available in most sizes in a white colour.  A hugely versatile jacket that could be easily dressed up or down.

 

That’s my lot for now … next week, scarves and mittens!  Please God, let me be joking!

Wednesday Wish

I am the first to admit that I’m not a huge fan of Isabel Marant.  When others have gushed about her collections, I have wondered what all the fuss is about.  I salute her for her ingenuous wedge trainer, but frankly her clothes have always left me cold.  Clearly I’m committing some terrible crime against fashion by making such pronouncements, but try as I might, I just didn’t get it!

However, as with most things in life, there is an exception to this rule.  I think I might just have found an Isabel Marant piece that I seriously covet.  What a gorgeous addition this jacket would be to any wardrobe. The shape is classic; the silver, gold and brass embellishments appeal to my inner magpie and the grey leather trim keeps it current. 

What attracts me even more is the fact that this is a jacket that would work well throughout the year.  Pair with white skinnies and vest for a summer vibe.  Pair with distressed jeans and flats for a casual look.  Or dress up for a winter night out with grey or black skinnies, silk vest and heels.  If you’re going to make an investment of this magnitude, then it’s good to know that it will be a hard working wardrobe staple.  This is definitely heading to the top five on my wish list.

Isabel Marant Johnson Jacket

 

Summer Shoes 'n Sandals

*Scowl* I’ve been looking at shoes.  Summer shoes and sandals to be precise.  Actually I’ve been browsing so many shoe sites online that I’m now starting to squint.  Hateful objects.  I really detest shopping for summer shoes! 

Before all you aspiring Carrie Bradshaws get on your high horses to start lecturing me about my lack of enthusiasm, let me issue this challenge.  Off you go!  Try finding suitable summer shoes for feet that are covered with nasty, red, angry psoriasis marks!  And that’s before I even begin to tackle the subject of psoriatic arthritis (but I promise, a shoe post on that very subject will be coming shortly) 

And so … pun alert!… let’s put our best foot forward and get started.  Beginning with the old stalwart Clarks.  I have finally moved on from my childhood memories of big, clunky, sensible school shoes as favoured by my mother.  I think at this stage, it’s universally agreed that Clarks shoes are definitely worth looking at.  Certainly when it came to my criteria of trying to find sandals that would conceal (without being a full-on boot) they had quite a few to choose from.  Incidentally, Clarks offer free delivery and returns on all online orders which is something to bear in mind.

Working from high heel downwards, these are a selection that may just work, depending on how much coverage you’d prefer on your feet

Curtain Fall - I like these and reckon you could wear them well into the Autumn, so good value for money

Along the same lines, but slightly lower and with a very on trend ankle strap, Sleepy Dust

Loving these, but perhaps a bit heavy if the weather gets hot (hark at me and my optimism!) Sarina Betty

Silky Sweet – ‘cos I can never resist a wedge heel

SorceryMagic.  Pretty good coverage yet your feet will still be able to ‘breathe’

Trilby Tweed – not sure that the coverage is good enough, but I liked the metallic touch

Onslow – more like a flatform, so height without the struggle

Hamble Oak – I’ve never worn a brogue but they’re very on trend right now and must admit, I have admired them on others

 

Moving on now to Moda in Pelle.  For anyone who is interested, Moda in Pelle are offering a 20% discount to all new shoppers for their own brand shoes from now until May 7^th.  Simply click on the ad on the side of this page and enter the code NEW20* at the checkout. 

Melody Leopard – these appeal to my inner Bet Lynch and better still are on sale right now!  Also available in black.

Politely – pretty good coverage for the foot I thought

Pengal – slightly higher and enough straps to ensure that your foot would be mainly covered

Lolah – I really like the lace-up detail here and think this might be the way to go when it comes to camouflage on the feet.  Also available in white.

Next have a fabulous selection.  The only problem is that I’ve never tried a pair of shoes from Next so I can’t vouch for how comfortable they would be.  If anyone can enlighten me, I’d love to hear.

This is my absolute favourite of all the shoes on today’s post.  The Mono High Front Shoe Boot.  These would go with everything and I’m heading to Next this weekend to see if they’re in stock.  Love, love, love them!

 

These are a range of shoes that are a cross between a sandal, a sling-back and a shoe-boot, any of which I think could work.

Clockwise:  Sporty Mesh shoe boot,  Mink Peep Toe, 
Hi Vamp Wedge &  Nude Hi Front Laser Cut

 

For something with a little more aeration, these might be a possibility.

White Gladiator Sandals

Elastic Wedges

Finally, given that I think a laced up sandal might be the answer, I found a few in Zara that could work quite well.  Now how funky are these multi-coloured lace-ups?  With these on your feet, trust me, nobody is going to be paying attention to your skin!

If they are a little too ‘out there’ for your taste, what about these teal coloured strappy high heeled sandals?  They’re just begging to be paired with a pair of white skinnies!

 

And frankly, that’s about as much as I can cope with for today.  I realise that I have neglected to address the subject of flats.  Fear not!  This option will be included when I report back with my findings on shoes for those who suffer from psoriatic arthritis.   But for now, I’m exhausted by this topic!   I'm officially 'shoe-ed out'.  So a Happy Bank Holiday weekend to you all.  See you next week.