Saturday 21 January 2017

Jump(er) for joy

Now here's a sight you will not often see: me wearing a jumper!

Through most of winter, I can get away with wearing long-sleeved dresses by adding layers underneath and on top. However, with temperatures plummeting to below freezing point and hardly reaching positives even during the day, if I was to survive my frost-bitten commutes this week, I needed to wear something slightly warmer.



There was a time, not all that long ago, when I wore nothing but jumpers all through the winter months, but a combination of changing tastes and the "change-of-life" has put a stop to this nonsense. Nowadays, even the mention of the word "jumper" makes me break out in a sweat. Oh, the joys of being menopausal! The upside is that I don't need that many jumpers, and can be really choosy as to which ones make it into my wardrobe.



Take this bottle green jumper, for instance. It's lightweight and warm, and its front panel, with a stripy pattern in off-white, sage green and burnt orange, almost exactly matches the colours in my tweed skirt. More greens were supplied by moss green opaques, olive green beads and a cheeky Bambi brooch.







Did you notice my new boots?

I picked them up for € 4 at Think Twice last week.

Lined with a generous layer of sheepskin, they are perfect to wear in the coldest of weather.












Next up is a slightly thicker purple jumper with a diamond lace stitch at the yoke and sleeves. An embroidered leaf or flower sits in each of the diamonds. I'm wearing it with a vintage Dralon box-pleated skirt, with an op-art pattern in brown and beige.  Purple tights complete my outfit (although you'd have to be eagle-eyed to spot them), and I'm wearing my burgundy boots.



Can you believe we did these outfit photos on a weekday? On Wednesday I took the afternoon off to go to the hairdresser's and when I got home, there was still enough daylight left for a photo session. I was wearing the green jumper outfit that day, then changed into the purple one, which I was going to wear on Thursday.



Although it was crispy cold, the days were mostly bright and sunny, tempting me to go out for a walk during my lunch breaks.

Wrapped up in my fake fur coat, warm woollen scarf and hat and a padded pair of gloves, obviously!

I made a beeline for Think Twice to have a look at what was left of their sales, which was nothing much. But never mind: I already had my fill last week.


Apart from the boots, I found a couple of dresses   ....



...  one of which even menopausal me won't be wearing any time soon!



Oh, and in spite of a self-imposed handbag ban, I couldn't resist buying three for € 5 each. The fourth one (top left) was a flea market find from two weeks ago.

But I swear: one of these days (or weeks, or months), I'm going to have a good clear out!

I've added some close-ups of the bags. If my eyes don't deceive me, the top right one is an unusual greyish green colour, almost exactly matching the first dress I bought.


I'm particularly pleased with the two tapestry covered bags. It's nothing short of a miracle that they made it to the € 5 sales, and weren't picked up long ago. The bottom right one even has Lucite handles!








As freezing temperatures have been predicted for next week as well, I'm sure you'll get to see more of my vintage jumpers.

I have them all at the ready now.












Enjoy the rest of your weekend!


26 comments:

  1. Fabulous jumpers here! I have a severe shortage, but can rarely find any I like, as ones I like are rare in charity shops and new ones are either stupidly long, as in past my bottom, or ridiculously wide. Haven't given repro ones a go yet mind you.

    How pretty your white and pink dress is and more handbags! Where do you keep them all? I have many in suitcases, but a shelving unit would be a nice option xxx

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    1. Thanks Melanie. You could wear those jumpers I showed you too, as none of them are made from wool! As for the handbags, good question: they are in different places at the moment, but I would like to find a better solution, keeping them all together ... xxx

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  2. totally boots envy! :-)
    but i love your jumpers too! they are very pretty and you have quite a nice arrange of colors - my fav is the black one with the bright flowers....your handbag-ban looks interesting ;-)
    i live in my norwegian jumpers by now - but cant wear them to go "down town" because all houses, shops, restaurants etc. are totally overheated - even on the bus it feels like +40°C!
    huge hugs to belgium! xxxxxx

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    1. Thanks Beate! I've been wearing the boots for a winter walk last weekend (see new post) and they are the most comfortable pair of boots I've ever worn. To be honest: I love that black jumper too, but I've yet to wear it, as it's quite thick and heavy -- sweating already even typing this ;-) xxx

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  3. Yes! More handbags. Such beautiful ones too.

    Jumpers are hard to wear, though they look great on you. I'm becoming more of a cardigan person as I get older. Still, I'd have bought that green and orange one too-so pretty, and the really don't make anything so nice anymore.

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    1. Quite pleased with my recent handbag haul. Need to move to a bigger house soon! I've also become quite a cardigan girl in the last couple of years. It's definitely an age thing ;-) xxx

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  4. Ooh, I can't wait to see more of your jumpers, the bottle green one with the patterned front is particularly lovely, and those new boots! Wow! I love the skies on your lunch photos, all lilac and Wintery, and I think you need to ban yourself from buying more things if your handbag ban is anything to go by, what a haul!

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    1. Glad you appreciate the Antwerp skies, Claire! Oh, and maybe I should do it the other way around, and not ban myself buying anything. I've got quite enough stuff as it is. But I couldn't very well leave those bags behind, could I ... ? xxx

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  5. The jumpers are brilliant!!! I really like those and how you styled them but for me, the stars are those Amazing sheepskin boots! I am a complete sucker for sheepskin, so warm and cosy!! These ones look like you could wear them in the rain. I'd never find them on my footsize though-us size 42 footed girls cling onto our shoes and I doubt vintage shoes came in my size!Xx

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    1. I often find vintage/second hand shoes/boots, but then my size is a very common 4. The boots have been baptized last weekend: I came back from a muddy walk with hardly a mark on them! xxx

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  6. Smashing new boots!! And the handbags were essential ;)

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    1. Yes, indeed, they were essential, as was buying three at the same time ;-) xxx

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  7. The boots in particular are stunning

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    1. Those boots were such a lucky find. They look great and are comfortable and warm. What more could a girl want? xxx

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  8. I supppose vintage jumpers are quite hard to find, they don't age well like frocks, blouses and skirts and succumb to the moth and pilling. I like these two that you have found, especially the green one. I am always in woollies at this time of year, even in the menopause I am a cold mortal!
    Fabulous tapestry handbags! x

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    1. Oh, lucky you not having to deal with hot flushes. I seem to have a permanent one going on. Not easy, when Mr. S. is a cold mortal like you ;-) xxx

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  9. That autumnal-coloured tapestry bag is really nice. I don't blame you for buying those bags.

    I live in wool in the winter. I can't imagine a winter without many jumpers. Still, you must be nice and warm...

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    1. That bag is my favourite too! Oh, and I love jumpers, but can only wear them in the coldest of weather. Oh, and thanks for the tip on Back in Time for Dinner. I've yet to see it, but we've recorded it! xxx

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    1. Thanks Gisela, I'm sure you have a couple I would like too ... xxx

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  11. really cute jumpers, lovely colors and I like how they match your skirts too, such pretty color combos!. And they're even better if they're warm!
    Your sheepskin boots look amazingly cozy too!
    And I'm in love with all those fabulous bags, ohhhh, those tapestry bags are delightful! Lucky you!
    besos

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    1. Thanks Monica. The world would be a boring place in winter if it weren't for us colourful girls! xxx

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  12. Handbags are never too many for me too! Those tapestry ones are my favourite and the floral dress is very nice! You just need higher temperature of course. For the time being...stay warm wearing jumpers and boots!!! :-)

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    1. Of course, a girl can never have too many handbags! I'm so glad you understand ;-) xxx

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  13. Oh I'm so proud of you and your bargain buys and envious as well, especially those boots.
    I'd wear that pink dress even in the cold. Lots of layering. I'm doing a bit of it myself tomorrow with a thin jersey wrap dress
    Lynn xxx

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    1. Thanks Lynn! I love a bit of layering myself, but I have so many long sleeved dresses, it would be a shame not to wear those in winter ... xxx

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