The List
Roll up, Roll up! Just when you had almost given up hope, here I am with this week’s list. A couple sale buys, some new in summer styles and a handful of pretty picnic accessories because #lockdownlife... Here are the things I’ve been looking at, thinking about and even sometimes adding to basket.
From left to right;
Investment buys aren’t always about spending a lot. One of my favourite summer dresses from a couple years ago is H&M. This cotton smocked dress just went live on their site and is likely to sell out quickly. Size up to allow for shrinkage in the wash…. Cotton smocked dress, £39.99, H&M
Finding un-patterned bedding in non-offensive colours is almost impossible (when you’re as picky as me), but this cotton percale bed linen ticks all the right boxes. If you feel like the khaki colour could be overwhelming, then you could mix and match with beige linen. Cotton percale bed linen, between £4.99 and £79.99, Zara Home.
If you are an Isabel Marant fan girl, then you’ll know her pretty paisley prints are a Marant classic. Snap this one up on sale before it goes. Cotton voile blouse, WAS £190, NOW £95, Isabel Marant Etoile at Net-a-Porter.
After buying that RHODE dress and being so impressed by the quality, I’ve been keeping en eye on other sale styles. This pretty cotton blouse is in a just-right off shade of yellow with beautiful detail, and would go with anything from jeans or denim shorts to khaki trousers. Cotton blouse, WAS £195, NOW £78, RHODE at Matches.
The high street is full of average t-shirts and vests, the key is to find one where the cut is just right, because that’s what makes the real difference as to a) how flattering it is and b) how expensive it looks. This fine rib racerback tank looks a whole lot like one of my long owned favourites that was about four times the price. Definitely worth a try. Cotton racerback tank, £17, Arket.
When it comes to interiors, if your style isn’t roughly described as mid-century (and mine is not) then I’ve found there is a bit of a dearth of accessories. Isn’t there somewhere in between English country cottage and Palm Springs? Anyway, I digress. This turned wooden lamp is understated enough it could slot into most styles, but with enough interest to stop it looking like it wasn’t a considered purchase. Wooden Lamp with Linen shade, £120, Rockett St. George
These original Teva velcro sandals are where the hiking sandal trend originated. If you like Arizona Love, these are the OG. Wear them with a super-girly dress for the ultimate contrast. Or if you like to dress like a teenage boy (hi, that’s me) then just throw them on with your trusty Levi’s and the racerback tank above. Black Velcro sandals, £65, TEVA at &Other Stories.
This colourful basket bag is like wearing a sign that says “It’s summer!”, and that makes it one of those happy buys that lifts your mood whenever you use it. This one is hand crafted in Portugal, and if it’s the kind of thing you like, it won’t ever date style wise meaning you can bring it out summer after summer. Also, don’t take my word for it, but I have a feeling it might get further reduced in sale, if you want to play chicken with it. Woven basket bag, WAS £180, NOW £135, Toino Abel at The Conran Shop
This romper has evaded me for a couple of months now. Every time it comes back into stock, it goes out again before I can get it. Well NOT this time. If you like it, move fast and decide later whether to keep it or not. Linen mix voluminous sleep romper £75, &Other Stories.
I’ve decided that you know you’re getting to a certain age when you start enjoying buying things like blankets. You can’t wear them, and they also aren’t exactly essential so that excuse is gone. They are just one of those nice things that it’s nice to have. Nice hey? This wool one is made by Klippan and will be coming on my next picnic with me for when that upredictable Great British weather flex’s its muscles. Wool blanket, £69, Arket
These high waisted shorts are sitting in my basket on Net-a-Porter in the sale, and I’m trying to decide whether to press go or not. Bassike is one of my favourite Australian brands, but it’s EXPENSIVE, so £100 for shorts is not bad if I wear them every summer for the foreseeable. Also, a lot of my favourite basics that I’ve been wearing for 5 years or so are Bassike, so this is a good sign. Just an insight into what goes on in my head when deciding whether to buy something or not…. Belted Cotton shorts WERE £255 NOW £102, Bassike on Net-a-Porter (yes, I have rounded them down to £100 in my head).
If you like to have parties a lot, and if your friends are as clumsy as mine (naming no names) then you probably are also in need some nice looking non-breakable glassware for all those BBQ’s you’re definitely going to be having this summer. They also make great picnic glasses, because drinking wine out of bendy disposable cups just isn’t enjoyable, let’s be honest. These are acrylic in the style of reeded glass (my favourite), in a pretty mint colour that makes them look a lot more expensive than they are. Acrylic glassware, from £4.99, Zara Home
K
x