Hi all

We are past the half way mark of winter, which so far has been dry and mild.

Here’s WIW in July.

Pics 1-2: First up, ye olde camel jacket. I’ve had this jacket for a zillion years, and haven’t worn it for half a zillion. I decided that this winter I would either get it into regular rotation again or edit it out.

It is fitted and cropped. And it has 3 buttons, which was a thing once. But it’s vintage now, so let’s look past that! It has a biker effect at the elbows and a chevron pattern at the back. Back in the day I used to wear it to the office with a pencil skirt or sheath dress and heels. My vision this time around was to wear it with baggy jeans and long slouchy pants. Shrunken over slouch.

First, I replaced the plastic buttons with brass buttons, for a little facelift and some patina. It’s earned it.

Pics 3-5. Shrunken over slouch (casual). I ended up wearing the jacket several times over July with my baggy jeans and camo pants. I got a bit of a formula going. Baggy jeans/cargo pants + knit top + camel jacket + combat boots + necklace + crossbody bag or backpack. These are 3 versions, just to give the general idea. Everyday outfits. The baggy bottoms, chunky boots, backpack and thumbhole jumpers modernised and casualised the jacket enough for me.

Pics 6-7. Shrunken over slouch (dressy). I also wore the jacket once with my slouchy menswear style pants. This did feel a bit more office-y, but I liked it. I think that the hybrid platform shoes, the cropped tie dye jumper and the backpack made it JCE (just casual enough). Not an everyday outfit for me (I WFH) but good for occasional wear.

Pics 8-10. Dark red and bronze. I like this colour scheme in winter. Both the top and pants are metallic. The red necklace is vintage 60s (via Etsy). It’s a knock off of the “modernist” Lanvin style, which is very expensive now. The bag is one that I’ve had for a few years but don’t use much because of its size. I liked the texture and rustic element it added here.

Pics 11-12. Neutral tie dye. The tie dye top was black and white but I overdyed it tan. I know that many people dislike tie dye but I just LOVE it. I think it adds attitude to any outfit. I wore this to the hairdresser, which is why my hair is so flat.

Pics 13-15. Copper verdigris pattern mix. I’m a bit obsessed with the colour copper. I wore a copper coloured top I dyed myself underneath my thrifted green metallic knit top. I like copper with green because of the resemblance to patina/verdigris. Plaid scarf as skirt and then a pattern mix with my floral brocade coat.

Pic 16. Bronze complement. I bought some bronze boots and a bronze crossbody bag, which I’ve put to immediate use.

Pics 17-18. Sandstone, copper and blue. I saved this photo from ASOS because I liked the colours for summer and then I realised I could already do a version (the palette, not the outfit!). The jacket is new this year. It’s the fourth colour I have in this style (collected over 8 years). It’s felted wool. I like this sort of jacket as a dressier alternative to a fleece jacket in winter.

Pics 19-20. Aubergine oldies. The top is an old H&M waterfall cardigan that I now wear as a wrap top (I tie the long bits behind my waist). The midi skirt (3 or 4 years old) is a bit shorter than my current preference, but I still like the colours and pattern. Jacket and boots are over 5 years old. The bag is a new for me consignment buy.

Pics 21-22. More copper, more tie dye, more bronze.