So, first of all, please don’t stop reading because you’ve seen the word ‘Purple’. I promise there are some great things coming up. In the not too distant past I too would be inclined to think ‘oh good grief, purple, no thanks’, but I’m not for one minute suggesting you wrap yourself up like a Quality Street in Purple taffeta or skip along the street looking like a packet of Parma Violets. No! I’m talking about a subtle hint of Lilac, A soupcon of periwinkle, or a dash of Iris.
Incidentally Irises are my favourite flower and Parma Violets would be the first thing I’d choose to eat from a Swizzles multi pack of sweets. Although to be fair it would be close run thing with Rainbow Drops and a Double Dip on equal footing as contenders to the crown. So what I’m saying is maybe I am drawn to the colour purple after all. This blog was, as is often the case, inspired by something I have bought recently. In this case two things. These Nike trainers from last weeks post and this Iris jumpsuit (more on that later).
This week was also inspired by a poem written by an English Poet called Jenny Joseph. It’s about growing older and not giving a shit (that’s my interpretation anyway), it goes like this:
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple,
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves,
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
There are a few more verses, but you get the idea. It’s an ode to living your life and not caring what others may think. Something we could all do more of, especially in these trying times. I never usually need any encouragement to treat myself and I will 100% be spending my pension on booze and inappropriate shoes. I mean I already do that, so no real stretch there. If I do say so myself, this weeks set of outfits are some of my favourites so far, who knew I’d find purple so appealing…
PURPLE JUMPER
I know it does seem like I singing the praises of dungarees in every blog post these days, but I just really like them. They are something that definitely fall into the ‘When I’m old I shall Wear Purple’ category. I guess because they are thought of as toddler clothing not for grown up women. But who gives a shit. I absolutely LOVE these scallop detail ones from Wyse London. I’m still trying to justify getting another pair of dungarees, but if I can persuade myself that I have to get another pair, it will 100 percent be these ones. I also want this Lilac jumper from & Other Stories to wear with them.
1. Wyse London Scarlett Scallop Dungarees (in stock at 32 The Guild)
2. Urban Outfitters Cotton Face Covering
3. & Other Stories Alpaca Blend Puff Sleeve Jumper
4. H&M Puff Sleeve Blouse
5. Vans Checkerboard Slip Ons
PURPLE CARDIGAN
If you’re a cardi lover then check out last weeks post all about them, well it was minorly about them and more about random stories from my past, but there was a vast array of cardigans to choose from. This purple number from & Other Stories being just one of them.
The only celebrity cardigan anecdote I have is a recent one when I was doing The One Show with the Stereophonics. Kelly Jones was wearing a very old bobbly cardigan and asked me if I thought it would be OK to wear on the show. I said ‘No, quite frankly it looks like something from the dogs basket’; so he wore it anyway just to spite me (in a friendly way, he’s a lovely boy really).
1. & Other Stories Wool Blend Cardigan
2. Kirstie Le Marque Strawberry Pendant Necklace
3. Mango Openwork Knit Vest Top
4. Whistles Light Wash Barrel Leg Jeans
5. ASOS Velvet Bow Ballet Flats
PURPLE DRESS
A purple dress isn’t for shrinking Violets (boom). You’ll definitely get noticed wearing only this colour. I read somewhere that’s why the Queen always wears bright block colours, so people can easily pick her out in a crowd and say ‘I saw the Queen!’. I kind of love that about her, plus she just wouldn’t look right in pretty little florals. You know the Queen also apparently only wears Essie nail polish in ‘Ballet Slippers’ and has done since 1989. Don’t say I don’t give you any Royal fun facts.
1. H&M Wide Chiffon Purple Dress
2. Alexis Amor Orla Sunglasses
3. Monki Pastel Coloured Hair Clips
4. H&M V Neck Check Dress
5. Nike Blazer 77 Hi Tops
PURPLE ACCESSORIES
Talking of Essie nail polish, it’s also my brand of choice and they do a good range of Lilac colours too. I love a light bright nail polish with a tan in the summer and I do have an excellent tan right now. It’s definitely down to all the outdoor things I do now that I don’t have to go to an office. I walk for an hour every morning and often go out again at the end of the day. It’s the best, I love it. I see all kinds of things and all kinds of people.
The older lady who just wears a bra, shorts and rubber gloves and smells of TCP. The Laptop Man who has his office under the big oak tree. The zen man who does Tai Chi on the path in the smaller field and the attractive topless running man who can lap me 4 times during my one circuit of the big field. I doubt any of them wear Purple Essie nail polish though, but I do.
1. H&M Collared Sweatshirt
2. Weekday Trish T Shirt
3. Boden Girlfriend Jeans
4. Ganni Pastel Colours Leather Bag
5. Essie Nail Polish in Lilacism
PURPLE JUMPSUIT
This was a late edition to this blog, as I bought it this week and I LOVE it. My friend Sarah (Little Spree blog, you should read) got it and showed me hers when we went for lunch at the very start of March, one of my last lunches BC (before covid). I had thought about it ever since but wasn’t sure I’d wear it enough or if it would suit me. I caved this week and I hope I shall wear her out to a lunch AC (after covid) very soon, although seeing as Sarah is one of the only people I meet for lunch these days we shall have to negotiate who gets to wear it each time.
1. By Iris Sasha Floral Printed Jumpsuit
2. Tilly Sveaas Gold Plated T Bar Necklace
3. Hvisk Mini Cayman Cross Body Bag
4. Louise Wade Paris Chain RIng
5. Veja Canvas Hi Top Trainers
PURPLE SHOES
If you’re still worried about purple overwhelming you then why not just slip on a pair of shoes with a hint of it. When I say ‘shoes’, you know I really mean trainers. I can’t even remember the last time I wore a proper pair of shoes. I feel sorry for my beloved Gucci Loafers that have not seen the light of day this year at all. Still, they are timeless so there’s always next year. This Cardigan (yes, cardigans again, sorry) from Genevieve Sweeney is the most beautiful colour. It’s a mix of pink and blue and blue spun yarn and we all know what pink and blue together make…
1. Genevieve Sweeney Alva Lambswool Cardigan
2. & Other Stories Embroidered Collar Puff Sleeve Blouse
3. H&M Vintage High Straight Jeans
4. Adidas Ozweego Trainers
5. Nike Air Max 90 Trainers
6. Balenciaga Triple S Trainers
Thanks for sticking with me on Purple. I hope I’ve made you think a little bit about wearing it. Can’t believe I managed to get through a whole post about it without mentioning the time I taught Prince a new dance move…
K x
