I feel like I might have done this post a few times but, you know, ‘just jeans and a nice top’ will always be a go-to for me when I’m going out and there’s no specific dress code. Going for dinner? JJAANT. Going to the theatre? JJAANT. Going for birthday drinks? JJAANT. You get the gist.
It might be harking back to the 90s but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Back then, JJAANT was all anyone EVER wore for a night out. If you didn’t sport a handkerchief top, large buckle belt, Seven For All Mankind bootcut jeans and a pair of kitten-heeled, pointed ankle boots, were you even ON a night out in 1997? I apologise if I met you in the toilets at the Atlantic Bar and never returned that Juicy Tubes lip gloss you let me use. I’d probably had one too many cosmos and was wondering whether we should chance our arm trying to get into the Met Bar.
These days, my nights out are much more sedate, rarely last past midnight and do not include extremely low-waisted jeans and a crop top, but the sentiment remains the same and the formula still works.
A LITTLE BIT OF LACE
Wide-leg jeans and a lace top, that’s a bit of me. I’d wear this for daytime lunches with trainers and a wool blazer. In the evening, I’d add a (very small) heel and throw on a fancier jacket and some bolder accessories. I love this little lace top from Justine Tabak. The lace is made in the Cluny factory in Ilkeston in Derbyshire, which is a family business that has been making lace for everyone from Chanel to the royal family since the 1700s. I love that you can have a part of that history in your outfit.
- Justine Tabak Nottingham Lace Top
- Monki Red Heart Bag
- Sezane Erica Heart Earrings
- Citizens of Humanity Ayla high-rise wide-leg jeans
- Hush Ester Sequin Boucle Jacket
- Sezane Red Patent Paula Babies shoes
METALLIC MOMENTS
Liquid Gold, if you will. Dance yourself dizzy in this get-up. Add a pair of metallic platform shoes to complete the 70s look. I have it on good authority that these Esska shoes and these Air & Grace sandals are the best dancing shoes that you can wear all night without fear of aching feet. You may still twist your ankle trying to do a slut-drop, but that’s your own fault and I can take no blame for that.
- Yumi Gold Metallic Relaxed Shirt
- Karen Millen Compact Essential Tailored Double Breasted Blazer
- Madewell Emmett Wide-Leg Full Length Jeans
- Sezane Oria Leather Belt
- Free People Tavi Pin
- Free People Falling For You Brooch
- Esska Maya Onyx Platform Shoes
A BIT OF RUFF
Or chiffon and sheer – you don’t need to go for the full-on ruffle look if that’s not your bag. I am aware that for my ladies with larger boobs, a ruffle is not necessarily your friend, so substitute this with something sleeker (more ideas below).
- Mint Velvet Pink Ruffle Shirt
- Monica Vinader Pearl Earrings (use KATEHMV20 for discount)
- & Other Stories Wide Long Jeans
- Free People Rhodes Stud Belt
- Hush Scout Double Breasted Wool Coat
- Gucci GG canvas slingback pumps
ADD SOME EMBELLISHMENTS
I think this might be my favourite for this week. I feel the need to bring out the ‘Bedazzler’ again and decorate a pair of my jeans with a whole heap of rhinestones. I did have a phase circa 1998 of embellishing all my old band T‑shirts with a glue gun and a box of crystals. Please tell me I wasn’t the only one.
- Essentiel Antwerp White cotton shirt with embellished front
- H&M Long rhinestone-chain earrings
- Albaray Tuxedo Double breasted blazer
- COS Embellished relaxed jeans
- Zadig & Voltaire Rock clutch bag
- Russel & Bromley Gem Loafers
SOME SORT OF SEQUINS
I’m not a HUGE fan of sequins, as we’ve noted before. Past a certain age, we walk a fine line between seasonal-party-fun-times and ‘Twiggy at M&S’. But I think black sequins are a good compromise – they’re a bit more ‘cool girl’ and a bit less ‘JD Williams Christmas party advert’. Just because we are middle-aged, doesn’t mean we have to dress like it. Remember that, ladies.
- Monsoon Belinda Bow Sequin Jacket
- COS Bow crystal earrings
- Theory organic cotton long sleeve t shirt
- Déhanche Hollyhock snake-effect leather belt
- Abercrombie Mid Rise Barrel Jeans
- Kurt Geiger small shoreditch bow bag
- Alohas Luke Shimmer Silver Ballet Flats
FOR THE LOVE OF LEOPARD
I look at leopard as another version of my ‘if in doubt, wear black’ mantra. A little bit of leopard can go a long way, and if paired with black jeans it’s almost a no-brainer.
- Ganni Leopard Smock Top
- Pabbeu Sterling Gold Plated Hoop Earrings
- M&S Velvet Tailored Single Breasted Blazer
- M&S High Waisted Barrel Leg Jeans
- DeMelier Nano Montreal Bag
- COS Leopard Print Pony Hair Flats
For those asking, the gift guides ARE coming. I’m currently working on them now, so the first ones should be ready in a couple of days.
K x
