Before you start - yes, the title is 'Spring Pastels'. Yes, I also know that it's not quite spring yet. Just let me bask in my delusions a little while longer and soon enough, spring will truly be upon us! When this beautiful candy coloured coat from Laura Ashley arrived at my door, my mind burst into a pastel themed kaleidoscope of the new wave of fashion, colours and styles that the change of season brings. Surely one can't quite get away with wearing pastels in January, but February... well in February, you're just enough on the cusp to get away with it.
I wanted to keep the rest of the outfit monochrome in order to keep the focus on the parma violet hued coat. I think often when it comes to styling a statement coat or any coat of a particularly striking colour, the safest option is to keep everything else relatively simple. Alternatively, with this lilac coat, I might mix in a similarly toned lilac or purple via the shoes or another accessory. In this instance, I chose a delicate lace top to add interest but still not draw attention away from the main event, and to keep a foot in our seasonal reality winter, I chose this pleated faux leather skirt.
In terms of other accessories, I absolutely love the way silver looks against lilac, so I chose a pair of hammered silver drop earrings and a matching bracelet, also from Laura Ashley. The earrings and bracelet are such a bright, shiny silver that they really stand out - the earrings in particular, which means that even if I wear my hair down they'll still peek through!
I would also like to add that having worn this coat all day walking around Notting Hill in temperatures so cold that it snowed a little, it is exceptionally warm! Obviously my legs were cold but that's due to my poor decision to wear a micro-skirt on a day cold enough to snow...
I just know that this piece is going to hang on my coat rail all throughout spring and even during the chillier summer months!
If you managed to scroll this far down, I apologise for the over indulgent number of photos. I had two main issues with these images; I LOVE MY NEW LENS and I LOVE THIS OUTFIT. Am I allowed to say that? I think I am. We all are. You know those outfits that put you in a good mood? This is one of them and these are the reasons why;
1. I'd been searching for a white coat that wouldn't make me look like a lab technician for the longest time and I found one.
2. I'm actually wearing seasonally appropriate footwear for the first time in I don't know how long, and oh my god my feet felt so warm and toasty. Is this what everyone else feels like when they wear socks? Why have I been exposing my feet to the cold all winter?!
3. I'm so in love with my new Bulgari Serpenti bag (more on this another time). I was gifted this bag by Bulgari late last year - for which I am immeasurably grateful, and it isn't officially released until this spring so I must admit that there's a small part of me that feels slightly smug about it - not particularly because it was gifted, but because it's not available yet. I am sorry. I spent the entirety of my adolescence playing World of Warcraft. THERE IS NOTHING ELSE COOL ABOUT ME. LET ME HAVE THIS ONE THING. (No but all jokes aside, I am very grateful, to you all as well. If it wasn't for you supporting my content I definitely wouldn't get opportunities like this.)
Touching back on the boots (which are now conveniently in the sale) I found it so difficult to find a pair of non-clompy, reasonably elegant looking everyday boots that had a day appropriate heel. It was almost impossible. The online product photo for these wasn't the most flattering, so I took a risk on these and trusted the reviews I read on the Topshop website. They're flattering, WARM and a perfect sock-style boot with a practical heel and stylishly squared off toe. I adore them so much I am genuinely considering buying a second pair 'just in case'.
Do you have a good mood outfit? I'd love to know what it is!
I also vlogged on the day I shot these photos so I'd love it if you showed that some love.
I feel I should point out, I'm aware it's October. I know this look is quite seasonally confused, and when I first saw this dress I was overcome with autumnal denial. When it arrived, I just had to photograph it, so I threw my coat off and got some strategically placed but irrelevant flowers involved to really emphasise the 'I'M TOTALLY NOT EVEN COLD RIGHT NOW' vibe I was going for. To make matters even funnier, just as we arrived at this pre-selected Tiffany-blue door, the heavens opened. Such irony. If you go back and look at the photos again, you'll probably be able to see that the floor is soaking wet and I'm sitting on the clear plastic that the flowers were wrapped in and I still ended up with a wet bum. Desperate times.
Back to the dress itself; it's truly beautiful. Two tones of blue combined in a vintage looking lace, a deep v-neck with trumpet sleeves and scalloped edges. Heaven. I also love the fact that the body is lined, but the sleeves are sheer, meaning the the lace creates even more of a contrast against the skin. Even though it's not entirely weather appropriate, I'm happy to add it to my collection for future wear.
Do you ever buy completely inappropriate clothes for the season? Please help me feel less ridiculous.
Last week, my mother and I visited one of my favourite childhood haunts, Waddesdon Manor. I distinctly remember coming here as a child to go sledding, wrapped up in a big red coat. The house is breathtaking and to me, looks like a real life version of The Beauty & The Beast Castle, with an interior to match. (I actually filmed a tour of the inside, including all of the history, which you can watch here if you'd like!) I think it's evident that style is one of my main passions, but I also have a longstanding fascination with architecture and historical buildings. I really, really love these photos because I feel like they're combing my two loves!
As for the outfit, I'm sure you're rolling your eyes at my predictable taste. Ruffles? Frills? SOLD. I'm sorry - there's just a small part of me that wants to drape myself in pearls and ruffles like a fabulous old woman. This top is certainly eye-catching but it's versatile too, and now, one of my new favourites! I just adore the rich blue colour, pleats and layered details.
Do you like visiting National Trust properties? Which ones would you recommend? Also - if you watch the my tour of the house, I'd love to know what you think!
