Linen let live

Frocks and Frou Frou Frocks and Frou Frou Frocks and Frou FrouTop: Trenery

Trousers: Sportscraft

Shoes: Airflex

I’ve never “done” linen before. I’ve always thought it was a bit rough, a bit unforgiving, and ridiculously easy to crush. But there was something really… inviting about this linen-blend shirt from Trenery. It’s made with viscose (which I’ve recently discovered is actually made from tree cellulose) which gives it a lovely softness, a smidge of stretch, a leeeetle bit of a shine, and less of a propensity for creasing.

It’s a collarless shirt – which works better on my full bust than those with collars – and the breast pockets are positioned nice and high, so they don’t create extra volume where I definitely don’t need it. The button placket only extends half-way down the shirt which I actually prefer (it’ll be a really nice piece layered under sweaters come the cooler months) and while the stretch meant that the gaping was fairly minimal I sewed it up, just in case.

The sleeves are designed to be rolled with little tabs to keep them at elbow-length, but they can be unrolled and buttoned at the wrist, too.

Frocks and Frou FrouI teamed it with some amazingly comfortable trousers from Sportscraft. The dove grey is a great colour for the warmer months, and it’s virtually impossible to find (especially above a size 14) so even though these were a bit dear I snapped them up as soon as spotted them. They’re on sale now, and don’t be put off by the bad review on the website – I suspect she’s talking about something else, because these aren’t cotton: they’re a linen/rayon/elastane fabric that has the textural effect of a linen, but the stretch and weight of a ponti. Also, she says “shirt”.

My shoes are from Airflex, and I was thrilled to find a pair of pointed d’orsay pumps that fit my wide foot. I bought them half a size too big, because the store I visited didn’t have any in my size left, and I’m kind of regretting it, because you can get all sizes online now (also on sale, le sigh)

My necklace is, obviously, from Made By Emily Green, and it lends the whole outfit a bit of softness and femininity.

Casual Chic

FROCKS&FROUFROU FROCKS&FROUFROU FROCKS&FROUFROU FROCKS&FROUFROUTop: Country Road

Cardigan: Glassons

Trousers: Sportscraft

Shoes: Ziera

When it’s cold and wet I always find myself gravitating towards trousers, rather than my favourite skirts and tights.

These pull-on ponte trousers from Sportscraft are really the best of both worlds when it comes to comfort and style. They’re stretchy and soft enough to lounge around in, but the heavy fabric and trouser detailing give them enough formality to be worn in a more professional context.

For casual weekend-wear I teamed it with a boxy striped tee from Country Road and a favourite mustard coloured cardigan. It needed a bit of something-extra, so I added the super simple black bead necklace that I made using this tutorial:

FROCKS&FROUFROUNecklace: DIY

I’m actually kind of loving the shoes at Ziera this season. When did wide-fit comfort shoes get so stylish? I’ve got my eye on a couple of pairs of ankle boots – I’m hoping to replace my Ara Fanny Boots which have never recovered from the salted pavements of New York – and I’m hard pressed to decide between the Lana and the Nebula. The little caramel-coloured booties that I’m wearing today are comfortable for walking, and the oxford/brogue detailing (that you can’t see, because I didn’t take any close-up pictures) is so swank.

A couple of people have asked for a close-up pic of The New Hair, so here we go!

Cropped Haircut - frocks and frou frouI really love it – it’s so easy to wash/dry/style – I’m really glad I took the plunge.