How to wear leggings/jeggings

Being in my 40s I wore leggings the first time around in the 80s and practically lived in them.  This time around it has taken me a while to be brave enough to try them again but finally I have and I love them.  I have a few basic rules which I hope stop me looking like a wannabee teenager.

1. Always wear with a long top.  It is essential to cover your bottom (unless you're at the gym)!
2. If you're wearing leggings with boots, make sure there is no gap between your boots and the tops of your leggings.
3. No patterns - plain, neutrals (black, grey, taupe) colours are more stylish.
4. During the day stick to flat boots or ballet pumps.

Heres are few examples I've found:-

NO!

NO!!

NO NO NO!!!

I think you get the idea!

Now here's how to do it:-

Loose fitting tops balance your shape and conceal your bottom

Laying clothes adds dimension

My ideal way of wearing leggings

Easy!

Complete the look

Some people just seem to look effortlessly stylish all the time, you only have to look at the newspapers to see a celebrity doing their shopping looking great.  I think one of key items to revving up your look is a scarf.  I have lots of them from cheapies to a few more special ones.  The secret is to choose one that picks up the colours you're wearing and the way you tie it.

Courtesy of mommygotstyle.blogspot.com here are a few ways you can wear your scarf.

My alltime favourites are the modern-classic Alexander McQueen skull scarves.

Lucky me, I have three!

Make a Statement

I love statement jewellery; it adds an edge to any outfit and there is a huge choice on the High Street.

I tend to wear one piece at a time so I don't end up looking like a Christmas tree - or an extra from an old episode of Dynasty!

 You can pay as little or as much as you like - sometimes its worthwhile investing is some good pieces that will take you from one year to the next.  Swarovski sells some gorgeous jewellery that will keep their good looks for ever. 

Remember, when wearing bold rings your nails need to be perfect!

The Merlin ring by Swarovski - perfect blingness

The Montaigne necklace by Swarovski - I want this!!

The Nirvana ring in Jet by Swarovski - chunky modern crystal

ASOS.com is home to an enormous range of accessories and is normally my first choice when hunting for something specific.  They cover every budget and make sure to watch out for their free delivery deals and special offers.

House of Harlow Peacock pendant

Lastly, I've had my eye out for a studded leather bracelet.  Burberry, Mulberry and Alexander McQueen all have them, and I spied this one from Whistles for a much lower price. 

All Wrapped Up

No mistaking the cold weather is still with us and doesn't look like leaving anytime soon.  Going out and about you're going to need to keep warm and cosy and, as much as I love my leather jackets, they just don't cut it when trying to keep toasty.

You need more than one coat to cover all occasions and I think I've got it sorted between a couple of my favourite brands.

The Blaze coat from Firetrap (now in their sale) is smart enough for work and striking enough to make you stand out in the style stakes.

Worn with black boots, leather gloves and with a snuggly scarf this coat makes me feel good every time I put it on.

Weekends require something a bit more casual and, again from Firetrap, the Essa parka ticks all the boxes.  The quilted lining keeps me warm and the huge detachable faux fur collar is so cosy!

I team this with my cream knitted Ugg hat and Ugg Plumdale boots.

Over Christmas and New Year there are lots of excuses to dress up and celebrate and I've discovered the perfect cover-up to complete the theme.

One of my all-time favourite design labels is a Desigual and I'm lucky enough to live nearby to a great stockist - Extreme of Connaught Avenue, Frinton.  A couple of years ago I invested in this fabulous coat which never fails to attract attention.

Each year they bring out the same coat in different colours/patterns and the detailing  is amazing.

Finally, today I received my bargain leather Firetrap jacket from their online sale and its gorgeous - can't wait for the weather to warm up a little!

Sweat it out!

Gymwear is one area of fashion that has always left me wanting something better.  Over the years I've struggled through striped pastel leotards (80s), through shiny and unforgiving leggings in neon brights (90s) and baggy shapeless t-shirts (00s).  I think now I have found the answer - Sweaty Betty!  Vest tops that hug, not cling, comfy trousers that are (finally) long enough to not flap around my ankles and jackets that actually look good - all in the most amazingly comfortable and flattering fabrics.  There is even a range designed by Stella McCartney to satisfy the fashionista.

Okay, so they're not the cheapest but boy do they do the job well - I am hooked!

My perfect fitness wear is flattering and stylish enough not to be too embarassed to pop to the supermarket afterwards - something I would be somewhat reluctant to do in a pastel leotard!

www.sweatybetty.com

Amazingly soft fabric

Flattering fit and with a choice of lengths

So comfy and doesn't show up all the lumps and bumps

 

Happy Feet

Okay, so I saved quite a bit on the Firetrap jacket, so it was okay to splurge out on these beauties, wasn't it?

No, I didn't need them but how could I resist these Diesel Ask boots?  Something a bit different from the norm with their rubbed-silver leather.

I first spotted these in an advertisement feature in Glamour magazine a couple of months ago and have been desperate to own them.  Finally they appeared on the website so what could I do?  They arrived today and are every bit as gorgeous as I'd hoped.

January Sales - Could You Resist?

Even without braving the masses on the high street, I've managed to spy some awesome deals on the web.  A brief glimpse at the Firetrap website and I have an amazing slate-grey leather Inferno jacket on its way.

Reduced from £225 to £67.50 - result!  Not so happy to see my Ignite jacket reduced down to £90 though but sometimes you just can't wait for the sales, can you?!