Boot Cut vs Skinny

I've noticed on recent trips to the shops that they are full of proper bootcut jeans again. As a pear shaped girl, I celebrate their return! 

There is no getting away from the fact that boot cuts flatter more women than skinnies...provided you wear them skimming the ground with just the toes of your shoes showing. No showing your heel, otherwise, they look awful. They add inches to your leg length and balance out wider hips.

Managed to pick up a pair late last year in Boden where they are now reduced to £23 in the sale & they are a great shape - quite tight in the thigh with just enough flare at the ankle.

Wore them today with my charity shop All Saints jumper (more on another blog) and you you can just about catch a glimpse of my Mumsnet Scarf. Best ever bargain that livens up any plain outfit.

Grey patent shoe boots are from Clarks. Got them in a sale a couple of years ago and they are one of the few heeled shoes I have that are all day comfortable. Grey is a fab colour for footwear as it goes with just about everything. You can still pick up these boots on Ebay if you're lucky size-wise. Happy Monday SG Style Girls!

The perfect school run coat

Finding the perfect school run coat is tricky. You need something waterproof & warm, yet stylish...not an easy combination. 

This debate even started one of the the longest threads on the Mumsnet Style & Beauty Board.

Having followed this thread for some time, I finally decided this Christmas to invest in a Merrell Wakefield from the site in the link. 

It was a good £60 cheaper than other websites and the delivery was brilliant. It only took a couple of days to arrive, the week before Christmas too!

Girls, believe the hype, it's a great coat. I have worn it every day since. The colour is neutral enough to match all outfits, it's warm without the bulk of a down coat and it's totally waterproof. To add to it, I get compliments about it all the time. I know it's expensive when we're all on a budget but I know I will wear this coat for a good many years. I paid a similar amount for a down coat last year in the sales and I didn't get half as much wear out of it as it's too warm for all but the most baltic of days - and there haven't been many of those this Winter.

Until this morning, I hadn't had a chance to really try it out in a good downpour. Verdict - it was great. No umbrella as I had to hold on to a little one but it kept me completely dry underneath.

Now all I need are some gorgeous waterproof boots to complete the look...but like the coat, they will be an investment piece and will have to wait until the next Christmas/Birthday. For now, my Fly Vale Wedge Boots will have to suffice. 

Not as waterproof as the coat but they look good and are very comfy. The second of my investment pieces from this Christmas. Will share the third and last one with you tomorrow... 

The hunt for a black blazer...

So, inspired by Wendy's Lookbook, I went on the hunt for a black blazer today. Not a tough find, or so I thought. I brought Nat with me who's got a great eye for the unusual and I tried on so many different blazers, it hurt. Well, it hurt having to peel off all the layers I wore today.

Broke all my shopping rules by not wearing light, neutral clothing and paid the price by not finding what I wanted.

Closest I came was this gorgeous Pied a Terre tux jacket in House of Fraser. 

However, only in a size 8 and 14. Headed home despondent and ordered Wendy's jacket from ASOS. Also ordered a boucle blazer on a whim. Gave me free speedier delivery and I can send it back for free if it's a bit too sparkly in the flesh. 

Have you found the perfect black blazer and how do you wear it? I'll be on the lookout for great looking blazer wearers this week...watch this space!