75 day hard style challenge #8

and a love affair with my barn jacket

I cant believe we have made it to week 8 of the 75 day hard style challenge. Quick recap, you get dressed every day, you document it by taking a photo and you don’t buy any new clothes for 75 days. I obviously didn’t come up with the challenge, we can thank Mandy from Old Loser in Brooklyn for that!

I have found the challenge hard in ways I wasn’t expecting. The getting dressed and taking photos have been no problem, in fact I have really enjoyed it. Even the no shopping has been easier than I expected, I have only been really tempted when I went to M&S a few weeks ago. However the monotony of getting dressed in the boring end of the winter season has been dragging me down, but the nights are getting lighter, the wind a little less chilly and all around I am feeling a lot brighter. BRING ON SPRING.

Sunday

old dungarees (Oliver Bonas), preloved cashmere jumper (M&S), preloved barn jacket (unbranded), old boots (Joules)

Barn Jacket wear #1. This Sunday was dry so we went to a local farmers market for some fresh pizza and donuts for lunch and a walk round the country park which hosts the market. I don’t wear my dungarees often but I always feel good when I do, although they are such a faff when you need to go to the loo, especially a public cubical!

I did however wear my hair up this day and I just don’t like it, I feel so much more me with my hair down. I think my long bob has become my personality.

Monday

old leather jacket (NEXT), jeans, t-shirt, old flats (NEXT), waist coat (unbranded)

This day I met my friend for lunch in a nearby town which has lots of charity shops for us to look round. Overall I am happy with the outfit, but I have struggled a little to style this snake print gillet. It was a birthday gift and I really love it in theory, it is very reminiscent of the damson madder one. But in practice I find it a little fussy and I am never sure what to pair it with. It definitely didn’t work with the leather jacket, too many zips and ties etc, but I am determined to make it work so we will see what I pair it with next.

Anyone with any ideas as to how to make this gillet work I am all ears.

Tuesday

old tank (COS), old trousers (M&S), old silver flats (TU), cardigan (similar)

Working from the office wearing my favourite COS silk and cashmere blend tank top which is just SO soft. I felt very comfortable in this outfit and I really liked the pop of silver in the shoe with the silver hoop earrings. These navy cotton trousers are quickly becoming my go to paired with flat pumps for feeling put together, but able to sit at a desk all day comfortably.

Wednesday

the BEST tights for tall girls, old boots (Joules), old dress (Next)

Felt like wearing a dress to work which was a bit of an issue as I only have a couple of dresses! It was a horrible weather day which limited my footwear options so I went with my Joules lace up black boots. They brought down the dressy-ness of the dress a little which I wasn’t mad about. The dress is a little big and even though I had cinched it in as much as I could around the waist I was conscious all day that it was slipping a little around my bust - might be one I should consider donating.

Thursday

old top (Tu), red cord necklace, charm, suede loafers

Barn Jacket wear #2. Went out for a leaving dinner with my team from work, as I have recently moved into a different team. We went here for dinner and it was really delicious. I knew it was more of a casual place so I didn’t have to worry too much about dressing up. I have been really loving more sheer tops, I feel like I am getting braver with more risqué clothing in my old age. I paired it with my new suede loafers which I absolutely LOVE and you will have to prise them off my feet this spring (although I am sure when it becomes Birkenstock weather they will be long forgotten!)

Friday

preloved jumper (Massimo Dutti), old cargo trousers (M&S), tank, sambas, chain

Barn Jacket wear #3. Casual WFH Friday involving a hospital appointment, school pick up and swimming lessons. The jumper is a men’s Massimo Dutti merino wool jumper which is soft, comfortable and I love the colour. Despite being pretty tall I felt that the length was a little awkwardly long. I think that this will be relegated to being more of a lounge jumper, which is not a problem given it was pre-loved and cost £3.50.

Saturday

preloved top (Phase Eight), green jeans, leopard flats, old beaded necklace (Lola Rose)

Barn Jacket wear #4. This Saturday I took my son to a Laser Quest party and then in the evening I went with a friend to a pottery painting studio (you can see my master piece below).

I am loving wearing my green Oliver Bonas trousers now that it is officially ankle out weather. During the winter I really struggled to style them as none of my boots or socks were quite long enough to look right with them, but they have really come into their own now that spring has sprung.

At the time I was happy with my outfit, but looking back it all felt a little tight. Not too tight that the items didn’t fit, but just very body skimming with no oversized elements, which just isn’t my preferred way of dressing. I have heard the term big, slim, skin being banded about and I think that this outfit could have looked better if I had employed that here. Maybe the same top and shoes with my wide black culottes which would still show some ankle for the skin element. Or keep the trousers and shoes and opt for an oversized t-shirt tucked in with a belt may have felt more relaxed proportion wise.

my little spoon rest before it has been glazed, I am actually quite pleased with how it turned out!

With less than 2 weeks to go of this challenge I am starting to wonder what I will do to transition out of it. I will definitely be still taking photos every day (I am addicted to Indyx) and I will also be checking some things off my wish list.