So, Gingham. I’m sure I’ve lost 50% of you already with this before we’ve even started but listen, it’s not just for little girls summer school uniforms, us grown-ups CAN wear it too. Admittedly I did have a small flash back to Primary School when I bought into this pattern last year, but as I have boys, I didn’t feel like I was twinning with my kids. Maybe if you have little girls this might not be something you can get on board with but it is a great summer look.
I was going to do rehash my guide to the sales this week, but to be honest I just haven’t had the time to trawl through all the sites for the sales bargains just yet. Plus a few of the good ones hadn’t started at the time of writing. I try to write the blog throughout the week in the evenings and then tweak it and finish it up on Friday/Saturday. I’ll pull my finger out for next week and get you a round-up of my favourite sales picks.
But this weeks Grown Up Gingham Post was inspired by two dresses I own. The first was this one below from Monsoon that I bought last year and wore again the other week. Unfortunately it’s no longer available which is annoying as it’s such a good shape, but these Free People dresses are essentially the same design just not in Gingham.
The other one is this dress from Justine Tabak. I bought this the other week but it’s been too rainy and miserable to wear just yet, but I feel it’s time will come this week. It’s a great design that comes with a fabric tie belt that you can either wear if you like a more fitted look, or ditch it for the classic Buffet dress style that you know and love.
Fingers crossed that summer does make an appearance this week. I knew I’d poisoned the weather when I did my annual winter/summer wardrobe switchover last weekend. It’s inevitable that the minute you pack away your wooly jumpers the weather will turn round and smack you in the face for being so foolish. Gingham really isn’t something you can wear in the pissing rain. It deserves sunshine and a (fake) tan. Talking of tans and the tanning stuff I swear by. Vita Liberata also do a fake tan that doesn’t wash off, that actually contains fake tanning agent. It’s called Body Blur Sunless Glow. I massively recommend it. You can buy here in John Lewis, but also in Boots etc. I go for Latte colour. Anyway, let’s all hope for sun and here’s some Gingham gear for you to try out…
GINGHAM TOP
Let’s start off slowly and ease you in gently with a simple Gingham Top. This wrap one from Kitri is my pick of the bunch, would look great paired with some wide leg cropped jeans and maybe a cream blazer for smarts. If you want to be a bit more matchy matchy, then add your checkerboard slip on Vans. I live in these during the summer. They are my best holiday walking shoes as they never ever rub my feet. Not even after 23,000 steps a day around New York a few summers back. I swear by them.
1. Kitri Gingham Wrap Top
2. Gucci Red Leather Soho Disco Bag
3. & Other Stories Linen Blend Oversized Blazer
4. Topshop Wide Leg Cropped Mid Blue Denim Jeans
5. Vans Original Checkerboard Slip Ons
GINGHAM SUNDRESS
If ever there was an item that was made to be Gingham then it’s your classic strappy sundress. Yes, it may remind you of school, but when you’re over 40, I think it’s quite nice to be reminded of your youth every now and then. This is a perfect summer holiday look. I hope you are all going somewhere nice this year.
I’m in process of booking a multi-stop holiday in Italy and beginning to think I might have been better off with a simple 2 weeks on the Costa Brava as the finding and booking of accommodation and transport is confusing me already. But I love Italy, we went a few years back and the food was insane. I’m all about the food on holiday, not even bothered about beaches and pools, so long as the food is good. Both these dresses have no discernable waist so are perfect for food based holidays…
1. Acne Studios Leopard Print Sunglasses (on sale)
2. Marni Cat Eye Tortoiseshell Sunglasses (on sale)
3. J Crew Cotton Tiered Maxi Dress
4. M&S Cotton Strap Sundress
5. Birkenstock Arizona Two Strap Sandals
6. Ancient Greek Cotton and Leather Sliders
GINGHAM BLAZER
Another easy way to get into the Gingham gang is with this Topshop Blazer. They also make matching trousers if you want to go the whole hog. For an easier option, pair it with a cool T‑shirt. This one from Mango is almost exactly the same as another Jaws one that Calvin Klein is doing, but for £17 instead of £400! I love Jaws, it terrified me as a child, but when we went to see it with our boys a couple of summers ago (in the actual town where some of it was filmed in Cape Cod) they weren’t scared at all! It still made me jump 35 years on from when I first watched. Kids these days, they are made from sterner stuff than we ever were!
1. Topshop GIngham Blazer
2. Mango Jaws Print T Shirt
3. Frame Black Denim Straight Leg Jeans (on sale)
4. Loeffler Randall Cotton Tote Bag (on sale)
5. Converse One Star Suede Trainers (on sale)
GINGHAM DRESS
Had to do some regular dresses as well as sundresses. Be prepared to have your family make the old ‘why have you come dressed like a table cloth?’ gags. Ignore them, they don’t know anything about fashion. Why not come as the full picnic by teaming with your summer basket bag. Remember a few weeks back when I ordered this one from Amazon because it looked a bit like the very expensive Loewe one I covet? Tuned out to be an actual knock-off with logo and everything! I don’t endorse buying fakes, but what can you do? This one from ASOS looks like a good alternative, and I found a site called BasketBasket that JUST sells good quality basket bags.
1. Maje Wrap Effect Midi Dress
2. ASOS Leather Trim Basket Bag
3. Arizona Love Bandana Wrap Sandals
4. Whistles Linen Shirt Dress
GINGHAM BEACH WEAR
Finally, some great Gingham beach wear. I’m resigned to the fact that my bikini days are pretty much over, unless I suddenly get an urge to stop eating cheese and enrol a personal trainer (unlikely), then the one piece is the way forward. I still absolutely recommend the Boden Santorini swimsuit as the BEST swimming costume around, but these cute gingham ones, especially the Ganni, are worth a look.
1. Ganni Ruched Halter Neck Swimsuit
2. Monsoon Gigi Gingham Swimsuit
3. Whistles Square neck Swimsuit
4. Warehouse Shrimps Straw Boater Hat
5. Warehouse Shrimps Towel Beach Shorts
Fingers crossed summer makes a decent appearance this week. I’ve got dresses and sturdy sandals that are demanding to be worn!
K x
