A tentative try on in M&S | AD

In the current situation, it's really difficult to know what to blog about. I'm pretty sure try ons, distracting and all as they are, are not going to be widely welcomed because there's so much uncertainty out there. Most of us are facing lost income and won't have money to spare for new clothes for a while. Many of you however told me you would welcome the distraction of this month's M&S post and being completely honest, I can't really afford NOT to do it given the lack of other paid work at the current time. I've a feeling this could be one of my last paid gigs on here until we get through this crisis....

In light of people telling me they'd rather not see lots of try-ons on Instagram, I've decided to go straight to a blog with the content and link people from social so they can come over to see it if they want to - or not if they don't. Video-wise, I've amalgamated my individual stories into a single video and put that on IGTV - again so that people can chose to watch or not. I had hoped to add the video to this blog post also but that was a step to far for my addled head tonight!

The other difference is that I didn't try on a massive lot this time. Instead I focussed on a few key spring summer pieces, ones I get asked about all the time - Bikers, Denim Jackets, plain white trainers and some floral dresses & skirts - some new pieces that we can look forward to wearing soon. I know that no-one feels like dressing up at the moment but I also know that in a few weeks when we become accustomed to this new normal, we will be ready to get out of the loungewear, even if it's just for around the house.

So I'll kick things off with this fab skirt, which I ended up purchasing on the day with 20% off on my sparks. You can see it on this link. I love that it's got a black/blue base with just a subtle bit of colour. It's very similar in style to the monochrome spotted one I have from a few years ago. It comes out every summer and gets all the love as it's just SO wearable and this one is the same - definitely not a one season wonder..

Floral Ruffle Midi Skirt

White T-Shirt

White Leather Trainers

I forgot to take a close up of the trainers I wore for the entire try on but you can see them on this link. They have been in M&S for a few seasons now and are a great plain white leather option. Size down in them - I'm wearing the 5 here instead of my usual M&S 5.5.

Skirts and dresses work so well in spring summer with a classic denim jacket and M&S's have a few options this season - this one below is my favourite. Again, size down in this style of jacket if you're wearing with skirts or dresses. I'm wearing the 8 here and it's still generous.

Denim Jacket

Floral Ruffle Midi Skirt

White Leather Trainers

This season's M&S faux leather biker is a great buy also - it's got a very AllSaints-like buckle detail at the waistband. It's got a convincing leather look and is really well priced but remember to size down also. Like your denim jacket, your biker should always be on the neat side. I'm wearing the 8 here. I would like it a tiny bit shorter also so on this link, you can see the petite option - I'd opt for it if I needed another biker jacket....we all know how much I DON'T!

Biker Jacket 

(petite biker jacket on this link)

Floral Ruffle Midi Skirt

White Leather Trainers

Next up the first of a few dresses - this first one is perfect for warmer colour palettes with its green base but it's got darker colours too and some denim shades, hence it looks good with the denim jacket. It will also take you into Autumn (or wear it now) with boots and tights.

Green Midi Dress

White Leather Trainers

Denim Jacket

White Leather Trainers

The next dress was my favourite and also came home with me. Please don't be put off by the AWFUL pictures online..they wouldn't sell it to anyone but I think it's a real find with its shades of blue, grey and black making it so wearable. It has a shirred elastic waist giving it a flattering shape. Size down - it's bigger and longer than many of the dresses M&S have had in stock in recent seasons (and way longer than it looks online). Great to see a bit more length in these dresses. I'm 5'7" for reference and don't get on with midis that hit me mid-calf.

Floral Shirred Midi Dress

White Leather Trainers

This is what sealed the deal - it works so well with denim...

Floral Shirred Midi Dress

Denim Jacket

White Leather Trainers

and with the biker too..

Floral Shirred Midi Dress

Biker Jacket

White Leather Trainers

This next dress is Per Una and is very similar to one they had last summer. It's so light weight and floaty and is made from pure cotton material. It's got pockets and a self tie waist and the skirt part of it is lined..

Pure Cotton Maxi Dress (more midi really)

White Leather Trainers

As with the others, it works great with the biker and would also be fab with ankle boots on coolers days..

Pure Cotton Maxi Dress

Biker Jacket

I'm finishing the short and sweet try-on with this final new arrival - the colour is described as Peat which is somewhere in-between a black and a grey. It's a great work option...

Midi Waisted Shirt Dress

White Leather Trainers

 but like all of the dresses above, it's wearable as a casual dress too...

Midi Waisted Shirt Dress

Denim Jacket

White Leather Trainers

And there you go...I hope you enjoyed and I hope I'll be back in M&S soon celebrating warm weather and holiday gear and more pretty dresses....

I will be back a bit sooner than that with a life lately post - I don't have the time to give it this evening. There's a lot to say and, like you, I'm still processing it all. I can report that the family are  all well and we have enough loo roll for this week. I think that's the definition of winning at life at the moment. Extraordinary times - I'm thinking of you all. Take care and stay safe.

Ax

This is a paid collaboration with M&S - all the items I tried were chosen by me. I get free rein with all the posts I do for them and all my words are always my own and are never pre-approved by M&S. They do track my links so all of them are trackable and I may earn a small commission if you buy and keep anything I've featured. This doesn't change the price for you and this small income is a godsend at the moment. Thanks for supporting the brands that support this blog