How to Style Boyfriend Jeans - With Lace and Summer Sandals #iwillwearwhatilike

I've had a bit of a recurring theme this summer: All white (or mostly white) with punches of colour. Although these boyfriend jeans were lemon yellow when I bought them, 

they've definitely faded to a cream colour - not something I mind. It means I always have a comfy pair of pale, summery jeans to wear: Result!

This week's #iwillwearwhatilike theme is summer sandals, moved on a week after the washout we had the weekend before. I'm clutching onto the last days of summer - with sandals and white lace - in the hopes that we get an Indian summer come September as this year we've pretty much had yet another lousy season. No more than two or three nice days in a row, and that to me doesn't a summer make.

I'M CLUTCHING ONTO THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER - WITH SANDALS AND WHITE LACE - IN THE HOPES THAT WE GET AN INDIAN SUMMER COME SEPTEMBER

As you may know from my many posts featuring boyfriend jeans, I'm always looking for new ways to style them. You know what my favourite thing about them is?

SHOP THE LOOK:

17 Women of All Shapes, Sizes and Ages Wearing Bikinis, Swimsuits and Cover Ups

Hopefully you saw my post from last Monday - the #iwillwearwhatilike link up - where I talked about how women of any age can wear whatever they want when it comes to beachwear and swimwear? 

That they can choose to wear bikinis, swimsuits or completely cover up if they so wish?

If you didn't, please go check it out now(!) - so many wonderful women women decided to show us what their preferred style was for the beach and the pool. And as I always feature four or five of my faves the following week, I knew I had to do this again, but how do you choose just a few when everyone was so fabulous?

Easy - dedicate a whole post to them. I am absolutely stoked to be able to bring you a whole post entirely devoted to 17 women of all shapes, sizes and ages wearing bikinis, swimsuits and cover ups... their beachwear of choice, in other words.

WE THOUGHT WE'D HAD ENOUGH OF BEING TOLD NOT TO WEAR BIKINIS, BUT IT SEEMS IT'S NOW THE TURN OF THE BURKINI TO ACTUALLY BE BANNED IN ONE PART OF THE WORLD. 

This is a timely post it seems - we thought we'd had enough of being told not to wear bikinis, but it's now the turn of the burkini to actually be banned in one part of the world. We're told to cover ourselves up, we're told to uncover ourselves. We simply cannot win. There's only one thing to do:

My Favourite Fun and Fabulous Links - August 2016

There's so much good stuff out there to read right now - August may traditionally be the 'quiet month' where blogging's concerned but that doesn't seem to have affected the quality of what I've been reading lately!

My Favourite Fun and Fabulous Links is a monthly post of things I've seen, watched and liked on the internet that I'm sure you'll love too. This month I'm sharing Audrey's entire Breakfast at Tiffany's wardrobe, a stunning photo shoot in the rain, a natural make up look for 40+ women and thoughts on dressing your age - by a (very articulate) teenager.

The weekly Capsule Wardrobe Pieces series will take a break this week as my fave links post comes to you every fourth Wednesday of the month, so that series will be back next week with no.4 - plain white t-shirts!

WHAT LINKS DID YOU LIKE - AND HAVE YOU FOUND ANY FABULOUS NEW BLOGS TO FOLLOW? COMMENT BELOW, OR TWEET ME @NOTLAMB!


(Photo credits: Top row, left | Top row, right | Middle row, left | Middle row, right | Bottom row, left | Bottom row, right. Also - lead image: Bottom row, middle | Bottom row, right)

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What Instagram would look like on Windows 95 is absolutely hilarious (and may make you feel old if it looks all-too familiar).

Having done a Cornwall road trip in a vintage VW bus myself a few years ago, I loved reading about Molly's travels in a camper van down to Tintagel, Padstow and Land's End.

Lily has proved that the same piece of clothing can work for both teenagers (herself) and older women (me) alike. Thoughts on dressing your age by a very astute, intelligent young lady.

6 fashion truths you learn in your 30s with thoughts and quotes from digital influencers - myself included.

How to Wear All-White Without Feeling Like a Giant Marshmallow #iwillwearwhatilike

Happy Monday folks! I thought I'd show you another way to style the white dungarees I bought this summer (last seen without a t-shirt and with red espadrilles). All-white can be difficult to wear without looking like (or rather, feeling like) a giant marshmallow...! 

I think what's great about these dungarees is that they're not pure brilliant white, they're actually off-white. That can cause some problems where matching white accessories is concerned, but I think off-white always looks good with neutrals. So for this weekend's casual look (that you may have seen on my Instagram stories!) I threw on a grey marl t-shirt and added my tan crossbody bag that matches my hair of all things.

APPARENTLY WHITE SHOES ARE THE SHOES TO BE SEEN IN AT THE MOMENT, SO OF COURSE THAT MAKES ME [AHEM] THE ULTIMATE IN ON-TREND FASHION BLOGGERS.

Rather than donning tan shoes (and I wanted something a little flatter than the tan heels I have) I wore my off-white block heel shoes - it was just a stroke of luck that they're off-white too. Apparently white shoes are THE shoes to be seen in at the moment, so of course that makes me [ahem] the ultimate in on-trend fashion bloggers. Oh, the lengths I go to to make sure I'm ahead of the game ;)

Anyway - the trick to avoiding marshmallow-like status in all white!

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Feeling Good About Your Wardrobe When You Don't Fit into Anything Anymore

There comes a time in many a girl's life where she opens up the wardrobe and tries to find something to wear, only to reject item after item because she simply can't fit into anything any more. 

This has happened to me a lot over the years - my weight yo-yos up and down, and I can often remember the times that I've sat on the bed crying, clothes strewn all over the place, because everything I've tried on is just too tight, uncomfortable or simply won't. Go. On...!

Not wanting this post to be too much of a downer, I'll mention that the #notlambFIT series stalled big time in May, and it in fact went the other way... It's going to be resurrected, and I'll take responsibility for my eating and exercise habits once more.

I FOUND THAT I ABSOLUTELY COULDN'T FIT INTO ABOUT 50% OF MY SUMMER WARDROBE. ANYTHING THAT WAS REMOTELY FITTED WAS JUST A NO-GO.

Meantime - there is a way to feel good about your wardrobe once again, albeit temporarily. With the summer season clothes changeover (it never warms up till about June-July in the UK, so I'm usually still wearing my winter clothes till then), I found that I absolutely couldn't fit into about 50% of my summer wardrobe. Anything that was remotely fitted was just a no-go.

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Capsule Wardrobe Pieces: 20 Midi Skirts to Shop

Week three of my series about classic wardrobe pieces that suit all shapes and sizes, and this time it's what I consider the most flattering skirt length on most people: The midi! 

(In case you've missed the first two, I featured lots of classic shape sunglasses to shop in the first week and dark wash jeans in the second... There are many more coming up so keep an eye for the weekly series every Wednesday or Thursday :)

Everyone suits a midi length - you just need to get the proportions right for your height and shape. You shouldn't forget, however, that any particular midi could be either just below the knee, mid-calf or practically ankle length depending on whether you're tall, average height or petite. And due to the fact that most of your legs are covered, they're great if you're not fond of showing off your legs (like me). A high-waisted midi that's at least mid-calf length will create the perfect "rule of thirds" proportions and elongate your legs - perfect if you feel you're on the short-waisted side.

YOU SHOULDN'T FORGET THAT ANY PARTICULAR MIDI COULD BE EITHER JUST BELOW THE KNEE, MID LENGTH OR PRACTICALLY ANKLE LENGTH DEPENDING ON WHETHER YOU'RE TALL, AVERAGE HEIGHT OR PETITE.

It's often a case of trial and error, and knowing what lengths different brands call a midi... I often get frustrated when filtering my online searches for skirts by "midi" only to find a long list of knee-length or even above-the-knee lengths. Those are not midi skirts IMHO...!

So don't forget that these are all just suggestions for a classic length skirt in order to build a capsule wardrobe - #iwillwearwhatilike still applies! - and remember to inject your own personality into your outfit every time.

Why Women of Any Age Can Wear a Bikini - or Cover Up - if They Wish #iwillwearwhatilike

After almost a year of hosting the #iwillwearwhatilike link up the theme is finally swimwear / beachwear - 

here's to women at every age wearing bikinis, swimsuits or burkinis - in other words, whatever you damn well want to wear when you're at the pool, on the beach or lounging about on holiday! I'd especially love to see lots of bikinis linked up simply because this is the one item that seems to touch a nerve with (some) journalists who insist that if you're past the age of being able to have children then you really should put it away.

And if you've actually had children, god forbid you even think about getting your body out on the beach at all.

Aaaaargh let the madness stop!!

It's the flippin' 21st century and we're long past being told what to wear - and what not to wear. If you're even slightly contemplating whether you "should" be wearing a bikini at your age, ponder this:

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Capsule Wardrobe Pieces: 16 Dark Wash Jeans to Shop

Continuing my weekly series about building a capsule wardrobe I'm kicking off week two with that perennial classic (and must in any woman's wardrobe): Denim jeans! 

(In case you missed part one with an explanation of this series, read no.1 - classic sunglasses here.)

Not just any denim, oh no... I've picked dark wash jeans as they tend to be the most universally flattering on everyone. Personally I think that jeans are, however, probably the one item in your wardrobe that you have to get right in order to avoid looking out of date - and that can age you especially if you're 40 something or older. Although I wholeheartedly believe in the philosophy of #iwillwearwhatilike, jean styles change and I find that those that are 10-15 years old make you look dated.

ALTHOUGH I WHOLEHEARTEDLY BELIEVE IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF #IWILLWEARWHATILIKE, JEAN STYLES CHANGE AND THOSE THAT ARE 10-15 YEARS OLD WILL MAKE YOU LOOK DATED.

A classic dark wash in a medium to high rise should give you many years of on-trend wear, and this is the best colour for all body shapes and sizes. Although jeans shapes go in and out of fashion (I'm finding skinnies are juuuuust starting to look not so good any more), there are a few that will stand the test of time (at least temporarily where fashion is concerned).

So don't forget - personality comes first when it comes to your personal style, so choose your favourite jeans style from the following depending on what suits you best:

Embroidered Greek-Style Top and Denim at Broadway Tower, the Cotswolds #iwillwearwhatilike

Sadly this is the last of my outfit posts featuring places in the Cotswolds - luckily this location is no less spectacular than the Rococo gardens or limestone cottages from last week...! 

I wore my Greek-style embroidered top on the last day of our mini-break here we visited Broadway Tower (read on for more details about it). It was first worn on (and actually bought for) my Santorini holiday last year, and I was wondering whether it was too "summer holiday" for wearing in the UK. I guess the #iwillwearwhatilike philosophy kicked in because in the end I thought why the hell not - it's summer(ish), I'm off sightseeing, and I love the top... A no-brainer, really.

I GUESS THE #IWILLWEARWHATILIKE PHILOSOPHY KICKED IN BECAUSE IN THE END I THOUGHT WHY THE HELL NOT - IT'S SUMMER(ISH), I'M OFF SIGHTSEEING, AND I LOVE THE TOP... A NO-BRAINER, REALLY

So this week's #iwillwearwhatilike (optional!) theme is embroidery - if you link up something embroidered make sure you add "embroidered/embroidery" somewhere in the description so I know to consider you for one of next week's featured favourites. A more unusual theme, I'll admit, but often we have embroidery on clutches and other accessories that we forget about (I know I do).

SHOP THE LOOK:

Loose Summer Dressing | Painswick Rococo Garden in the Cotswolds

This is my penultimate summer sightseeing post for our mini trip to the Cotswolds last week! These photos were taken in (the not-very-Cotswoldsy-looking) Painswick Rococo Gardens, 

the UK's only surviving complete rococo garden. I wore something super casual and comfortable for walking, but I wouldn't have felt out of place in an 18th century brocade silk gown to be honest - just wait till you see the rest of this gorgeous place!

THE GARDENS WERE DESIGNED IN THE 1740s FOR THE OWNER OF PAINSWICK HOUSE TO ENTERTAIN HIS GUESTS... YOU CAN JUST IMAGINE THEM ALL SWANNING AROUND IN AN 18TH CENTURY VERSION OF A GATSBY PARTY.

The gardens were designed in the 1740s as a "flamboyant pleasure garden" for the owner of Painswick House to entertain his guests... you can just imagine them all swanning around in an 18th century version of a Gatsby party. It's like a huge theatrical set designed just for fashion bloggers to go nuts in: Pavilions and follies, a maze, a Gothic exedra, vegetable and flower gardens, lush woodland and more.

It was totally and utterly breathtaking and provided us with no end of photo opportunities.

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Capsule Wardrobe Pieces: 16 Classic Sunglasses to Shop

I've decided to start a new series that's going to concentrate on building a capsule wardrobe as this is something I'm often asked about. I'm going to publish about 11 weekly posts talking about pieces that suit all body shapes and sizes: Today I'm starting with classic sunglasses!

I must start by saying that this will not be one of those posts/articles etc. that's telling you what you must wear - far from it. Hopefully if you've visited my blog or Instagram before you'll know that I started the hashtag #iwillwearwhatilike - I genuinely don't believe in dressing for your body shape and body shape alone, and I definitely don't believe in age appropriate dressing.

For me, personality comes before everything else when trying to decipher your style. (Though that's a subject for another time...!)

I do, however, get asked what sort of things are classics to buy and wear, and I'll be choosing pieces that can be worn by anyone of any age, of any size and of any shape. What's important is these are key capsule wardrobe pieces only - it's up to you to inject your personality into the rest of your outfit.

I'VE CHOSEN PIECES THAT CAN BE WORN BY ANYONE OF ANY AGE, OF ANY SIZE AND OF ANY SHAPE. WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS THESE ARE KEY CAPSULE WARDROBE PIECES ONLY - IT'S UP TO YOU TO INJECT YOUR PERSONALITY INTO THE REST OF YOUR OUTFIT.

So sunglasses are up first, and there are four key shapes that I think will always be stylish. And although I'm not fond of wearing a lot of black, I have chosen black sunglasses as the classic that look good on everyone no matter what your skin tone or hair colour.

SHOP THE EDIT:

I've chosen four styles each of cat eye, aviator, Wayfarer/Clubmaster and Jackie O style oversized sunglasses - read on for my picks that you can shop right here (and a few fun facts about why they're classics and who they're associated with)...!

Summer Sightseeing in the Cotswolds in Mixed Patterns #iwillwearwhatilike

Last week we spent several days in the Cotswolds, an area we've always wanted to visit... We were not disappointed, it absolutely lives up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful areas of England! 

The day after my birthday - which we spent in Cheltenham - we did a little sightseeing drive in the car around a few villages and ended up in the gorgeous (and strangely named) Lower Slaughter.

The name doesn't mean what you'd think: It stems from the Old English name for a wet land 'slough' or 'slothre' (Old English for muddy place) upon which it lies [source]. One of its streets was also named the most romantic street in Britain in 2011 due to the unspoilt limestone cottages and stunning views... I won't argue with that!

So if you want to see a lot of both look no further than this photo shoot - we've captured just about everything in this picture-perfect place!

ONE OF ITS STREETS WAS NAMED THE MOST ROMANTIC STREET IN BRITAIN IN 2011 DUE TO THE UNSPOILT LIMESTONE COTTAGES AND STUNNING VIEWS - IF YOU WANT TO SEE A LOT OF BOTH LOOK NO FURTHER...

No theme for this week's #iwillwearwhatilike link up as I've been away - for our day out I wore mixed patterns (again) and was just about warm enough for a rather cloudy summer's day. Though I think the colours in my outfit made up for the lack of sunshine:

SHOP THE LOOK: