Dressing Up or Down – Time for a Fashion Boost

Midlife and Beyond Life, Style and Beauty

Lately

We only have a little while to go before our updates to the kitchen are complete.

We have decided that this is just the beginning of slowly updating our home. You have probably experienced the same thing yourself, decorating one room then realising others need some attention too.

We are doing the front porch next. The reason being, when we were looking for kitchen tiles, we fell in love with these Victorian ones (see below) thinking how lovely they would look in the entrance to our home. We couldn’t resist. They were a tad expensive but they will look so good and will bring the porch to life. It’s all been hard work, so far, and I won’t say I have enjoyed the disarray. But, when it all starts coming together, it’ll be worth it.

Midlife and Beyond Life, Style and Beauty

Midlife and Beyond Life, Style and Beauty

Midlife and Beyond Life, Style and Beauty

This is the Porcelain Floor Tiles in the “Abbey Whitby” Pattern which we have chosen for our porch.  We bought them from “Tyne Tees Tiles”.  I’ll  be bringing you a few posts soon showing the end result of both the kitchen and the porch.

During this hullabaloo, I have been mostly dressing down, as you would expect, and generally looking a little dowdy. By Thursday of last week, we had to pop out for a few things, so I decided to ditch my old work/leisurewear and dress up.

We needed building materials so this was not a glamorous trip out, but, hey, I thought I’ll still make an effort.  It was when I was deciding what to wear that I realised what a “drainer” it can be not getting dressed up at all, for a while.

Midlife and Beyond Life, Style and Beauty

Taking a Summer dress into the colder months.

Along with decorating, we now have shorter days and “Lockdown 2” to add to the mix. So, not a lot of reason to dress up. I realised just how much I was missing putting an outfit together to wear – most importantly, to make myself feel good. Some of the ladies I follow on blogs and Instagram are still working so they still get dress normally, every day. And, they probably feel a lot better for doing so. I’m realising they have a point. Getting dressed in nice clothes and feeling good made me feel a hell of a lot more cheerful – my other half noticed the difference. I realised how important our day to day clothing is and by putting something nice on, especially with a splash of colour, too, can certainly uplift the mood.

Midlife and Beyond Life, Style and BeautyMidlife and Beyond Life, Style and BeautyWhat I’ve been Wearing

I’ve always had a fondness for a vibrant animal print. I bought this feel-good dress at the beginning of last year. I was attracted to the retro 70’s feel and its “wafty” style. This year, it hasn’t seen any action due to Lockdown 1. So, to make up for it, I have simply added a long-sleeved tee and knee-length boots making it a great transitional piece. As well as being a great style, it also hides a multitude of sins. Plus, when the weather turns colder, I can add a pair of thick opaque tights to keep me warm.

Midlife and Beyond Life, Style and Beauty

Next up

Midlife and Beyond Life, Style and Beauty

Keeping the animal print theme going I have styled these. Oh so flattering, wide-legged, velvet trousers (H&M) with a few of my favourite animal print cardigans. The first is a grey woollen shortie cardigan.

I bought this cardigan well over ten years ago (Warehouse). I have worn it so much over the years, I have lovingly removed bobbles from it. And, as you can see, it’s still in great condition.

The black and white cotton mix cardigan is from Marks and Spencer and is around five years old. It’s an old favourite and I wear this cardigan all year round. I must add that, when I shop now, longevity is key. I would rarely impulse buy and I can’t remember the last time I did it.   I tend to consider so much more when I’m looking at an item now.  I ask the question, will it last? Of course, in reality, everything wears off. But, I do try to imagine if I’ll wear it for a long time to come – like the items I’m showing

All items that I am wearing are my own though this post may contain some affiliate links – if you click through to the product there is no cost to you.

Thank you for reading my post. I hope you have enjoyed it.

If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below.

Best wishes to you and thank you for stopping by.

Alison x

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22 Comments

  1. That zebra print dress is amazing! I just love the flowy style of it! I hope the updates to your home are going well!

    • Thank you, Laura and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. It was a dress that I’d packed away until next summer, so when I saw someone wearing a long tee and boots with a summer dress – I decided to go for it. We are coming to the end of these home improvements. The only thing is it’s showing other parts of our home up now as needing some attention – so we will start
      again in the new year. x

  2. /

    What a beautiful tiles, and they will look amazing on the porch! Funny isn’t it, that even a trip to the building shops feel like going out!

    • Thank you Nancy. The porch should be finished soon – I’ll put a quick post on
      so you can check it out. We were very naughty as we were shopping for kitchen tiles
      at the time, but fell in love with these.xx

  3. Fabulous dress! I love how you’ve styled it for winter. The red bag looks great with the black and white. I love those tiles, they really make a statement. Thanks for linking up!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

    • Thank you, Emma. We couldn’t resist the tiles, we’re over our budget now. But they
      look lovely – this is what happens once the updating begins. xx

  4. /

    The velvet trousers and leopard print cardigan are gorgeous. My kitchen reno starts on the 17th of December! No tree for me this year maybe, who knows. Wall are being knocked down too, xx

    • Thank you so much, Laurie. Wow, that sounds like a big job! We are nearly there, then the big clear/clean
      up. I find it’s the mess that workmen make that is a major pain. We are seeing the end result now which
      is great. You will too!! Wish we lived nearer and if allowed (with restrictions) you could have come
      around for a cuppa and a break from it. xx

  5. /

    I do love that “wafty” dress on You and would wear it to threads. Happy December. . . .

    • Many thanks to you Neti. It’s so comfortable to wear – I do love a wafty, comfortable dress! xx

    • Thank you. It is such a comfortable dress I don’t know what I was thinking about packing it away until Spring. have a lovely weekend. xx

  6. The dress transitions perfectly to winter weather! I have been getting dressed just as usual just because my life is pretty much the same as usual: staying home and going on errands, picking up the kids from school. It does make me feel good to look cute and put together whether it is a casual outfit or a little more dressed up.
    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    • We have been in lockdown more or less since March, so not a lot of reason to get dressed up – but psychologically I think it’s good for me personally if I do it at least a few times a week. Have a lovely weekend Mireille. x

  7. I have some velvet trousers, too and I just adore them this time of the year during the holidays. I need to try styling some of my dresses for the winter like you have!!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

    • Thank you so much, Carrie. This dress was about to be packed away, then, I saw what another blogger had done with some of her summer wear and thought of putting a long-sleeved tee underneath this dress. Have a lovely weekend! xx

  8. Love it all! The zebra print dress is lovely and I do like you transitioned it wih the black boots and top! The red bag really pops with this look. I know what you mean about dressing, as my health has been tough lately, and ive been wearing nightgowns and robes endlessly, finally needing to change into something that wasn’t making me feel worse! The animal print sweaters look great on you too, Those tiles are so pretty! We finally got our floors done and now we await the painter in one of the rooms.
    thanks for linking!
    jess xx
    http://www.eegantlydressedandstylish.com

    • Oh Jess, Apologies I’m catching up with my blogging and late with this reply. I do hope you’re feeling better and have improved. We have been in lockdown more or less since March, so not a lot of reason to put a pretty frock on and some makeup – but I find it’s good for my mental health to do it. I did it today and wasn’t going anywhere, just nice to put something I enjoy wearing on. Take care and have a good weekend. xxx

  9. The porch tiles you have chosen are stunning! I love the colors and the pattern. I bet you are super excited to have it completed. It is going to be gorgeous! And both outfits are so pretty. I really love the zebra dress with your red bag! I have been spending most days in loungewear as well, but every few days I do have to dress myself and take some photos for my own mental health. It definitely makes a difference. Thanks for linking!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Apologies for the late reply Shelbee. I’m behind on my blogging! Thank you so much regarding the porch tiles. We were supposed to be looking for tiles for the kitchen and fell in love with these for the porch – which happens, doesn’t it. We have just finished both the kitchen and porch (thank goodness). I have a post which will be ready next week so you will be able to have a peep. Can’t say I’ve enjoyed the mess and having the workmen in the house, but it’s all done now, hoorah!! have a fabulous weekend! xx

  10. /

    I have a very similar tile in mind, in black and white, for our porch! Loving the pop of red with your zebra dress. Thanks for linking at #WowOnWednesday.

    • Thank you, Gail. The tiles certainly caught my eye and I had to have them – though we were supposed to be looking for kitchen tiles, always happens doesn’t it. xx

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