Right, that’s Christmas done for another year… Mine has been lovely, filled with all my favourite festive pastimes which can be broadly summarised as: eating, presents, family, dog walks, online sales shopping, multi-player gaming and more eating. I’ve managed to wangle over two full weeks off work, hence the writing of this post is brought to you from the comfort of a sofa and not a commuter train or my office desk. Bliss. Miraculously, for the second year in a row I didn’t get my annual Christmas illness either – hooray!
One of my Christmas presents this year was a patterned jumper. Now, I have a lot of respect (and astonishment) for anyone who buys me clothes as presents for three key reasons: 1) I’m as fussy as hell 2) my body is no shop on earth’s idea of standard sized and 3) certain fabrics really irritate me to the point I can’t wear them. Jumpers I therefore consider to be my clothes nemesis. I like few, fit fewer (particularly in the sleeve department) and about 1% are acceptable for my irritation levels. So it probably surprises no one that when I unwrapped a jumper it went back to the shop a few days later. On a serious note though, I can’t be the only one who’d sooner burn than wear itchy knitwear (I mean the offending item, not me!)? Why do they even make this stuff? In this day and age of man-made fabrics there’s no excuse for it in my mind…
This outfit is fantastic, so cosy and the jumper is a great substitute. The whole ensemble – jumper, skirt, tights, adorable boots and hat – works like a dream! Kx
Thanks 🙂 x
I think it's closer to 2.5. I wear a US 8.5 and UK 6 is best for me!
Thank you!! You're the only one who answered that and you've confirmed my sneaking suspicion, so I'm going to go with that from now on… x
Well I LOVE those boots and am sad that they are a tad small on you. The whole outfit is quite sublime. I'm glad you managed to find a sweater that works.
Have a wonderful New Year!
bisous
Suzanne
I'm still wearing the boots all. the. time. so clearly I'm willing to deal with the pinched toes! Hope you're having a wonderful New Year too x
I want to steal your outfit and wear it right now. Seriously. This is just ridiculously cute. That sweater is really gorgeous, and I love the yellow tights to pick up the little bit of yellow in the pattern.
I am so with you on the itchy sweater thing. I thought I was allergic to wool for the longest time, because no one else seemed to freak out the way I did about scratchy fabrics next to their skin. I do not know how anyone stands that.
Thank you for spotting my yellow tights matching – that was a particular favourite touch of mine 😉 I'm glad it's not just me – I really hate the feel of wool in particular and that was what was wrong with the previous jumper, it had 8% wool – or, 8% of hell, as I preferred to think of it.
A belated happy Christmas!
Those boots are fabulous (tan lace up knee-high boots being one of the best shoe purchases I've ever made!). What a shame they pinch a bit. If they're leather you can try using shoe-stretchers and that special spray?? I distinctly remember buying a pair of trainers in the US that were a 10.5, which sounded horrendousy big. I wear a UK 8 in trainers, and am a 7.5 in Clarks shoes, so if we went by Clarks sizing then that's a whole 3 sizes bigger.
Such a cute outfit, the jumper is really nice. I'm with you about the feel of jumpers. I had to get rid of a cardigan recently because it was awful fabric, despite looking very pretty. For me, I find acryclic the most scratchy and try and avoid it in favour of wool, but I know some people find wooll really scratchy.
Have a fab NYE, whatever you end up doing!
x
They're not leather as no BAIT shoes are… which while ethically marvellous, doesn't help me out much! I'm glad there's others like you out there who share my hatred of uncomfortable fabrics… I don't feel so alone now! Although, as I say above, I actually find wool the worst yep! x
Aw sorry the boots were too small, they are very nice!! Love this outfit of yours – you look fantastic!
Jessica
the.pyreflies.org
They are so lovely, I'm not giving them up 😉 I can't afford to post them back anyway!!
did my first comment go through? no idea, but I just wanted to add that I'm the kind of person that will suffer through itchiness for prettiness, haha. but you're kind of the doing the same with the boots anyway so I guess we're all a bit insane when it comes to fashion :')
nope it didnt! I said that your eyeliner was perfect and that I probably say that everytime, that I didn't know I needed mustard tights and that I hear ya that ordering shoes from overseas is a pain 🙁
I wish I could suffer through it, but, alas… no deal! Pinched toes, though, yes, I'll take those. I'm not sure how much of my wardrobe is TRULY comfortable, mind you! I'm always glad to hear my eyeliner is perfect btw, as I'm forever trying out slightly different variations of flick! I'm convinced I haven't nailed it completely for my eye-shape yet…
ok, again not sure if my reply went through, I think its because of the Google login, so forgive me if this is a double comment but:
your flick is perfect! I actually always wear a flick but it doesnt show in my ootds. not sure if its because my flick-skills are bad, I have a weird eyeshape or that I'm not using my camera properly…
a load of my clothes aren't actually all that comfortable… I think there's a New Year's Resolution right here in terms of buying, haha.
by the way, I've heard that shoemakers (hm not sure if thats the right word, translated right from Dutch) can make some shoes go up a few sizes, maybe thats an option to look into?
I think I meant a cobbler…
Ah the key to a flick that shows up in photos is overdoing it. Mine are always pretty thick and lengthy, so they're hard to miss! What I find difficult is working it around my eyelid crease, which just gets in the darn way.
I think it's possible to stretch shoes if they're leather quite dramatically… these are pleather though :S and the thing I need stretching, the length, is the hardest thing to do. Bah.
My word, do I madly adore the colour palette at here. I'm sooo borrowing that one from, my super stylish (and inspiring) friend.
I almost always have to cuff or roll up my sleeves, especially on knits, too, so I can wholeheartedly relate to your surprise and being spared as much here. I think this sweater looks awesome on you and really do adore your whole wonderful ensemble (massively including those brown lace-up boots).
Happiest January 1st wishes!
♥ Jessica
Be my guest! If I manage to inspire you for colour palettes I'm doing something right, I think! Hope you're having a lovely New Year! x
I know what you mean getting clothing as a present is always a challenge. I too am quite picky and I like to pick out my own clothes. Loved this jumper that you traded for! So fantastic! The way you styled it is beautiful! I too always have a hard time with the conversion of shoes sizes to another country. If possible I email the company and ask them. These boots are totally gorgeous!
Rebecca
http://www.winnipegstyle.ca
That's not a bad idea… I thought I was being clever as I read so many reviews etc, but it backfired on me massively!
You look so lovely in this outfit. I can totally relate to the challenges of finding knitwear which is truly satisfying, which is why I have precisely 5 knitwear items in my wardrobe! I'm always on the hunt for more, but it's much easier for me to find summer tops which meet my needs.
Anyway those boots are fabulous, and I think the extra effort of getting them definitely paid off!
I hope you're enjoying your hols!
Saba x
http://www.trulymadlydeeplyfashion.blogspot.co.uk
Knitwear has the potential to be so bad, that's the problem! If it's not itchy, it's completely shapeless… Hope you're having a lovely New Year x
The colors in this outfit are flawless!
So, so, so pretty! Those boots are amazing – I love their colour and the laces – even if they're a tight squeeze! I've been known to thrift boots that are a little too tiny… the woes of second-hand shopping. I absolutely love your sweater too, the perfect winter print!