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Thursday, 30 November 2017

Mini Seasons of Opportunity

Hi there, m'hearties!
It's getting a bit brrr over here, though remarkably our temps are about 4-6 degrees higher than mainland UK, which is hovering around 0c today.  So we haven't had the UK's snow but we've had a few hail showers.

It's dawned on me lately that our seasons have mini seasons within them.  Each on its own has an array of weather suiting different types of outfits.
We're around 6-11c in the next week, then I expect the temperatures to drop in December.
A couple of months ago I made a mental note to get out my khaki utility jacket for autumn.  Then before I managed to kick that mental note into action, lightweight jacket season had been and gone.  Dressing opportunities are like Black Friday bargains, I've discovered.  Blink and you miss out.





My khaki jacket experience made me realise that I have to strike when the mini season presents itself.  No blinking.


Right now, sweater dresses are ideal.  But they won't be in a few weeks.  So I am striking out at these beauts during the sweater dress mini season.
Are you feeling the love for sweater dresses right now? 


For an early morning airport run I slipped on this old Monsoon winter white sweater dress.
And that's exactly what happens with sweater dresses.   Slip them over your head and you are done.



It's a dream of a still-loved dress.  So comfortable to wear and just look at that colour!  You don't get much more neutral than winter white.  So just about any accessorising goes.  Here, chocolate knee boots and opaques.


A cashmere paisley scarf with furry pompoms creates a snug outfit.




And whilst the temps are relatively high, I did more slipping on, firstly with this long East merino cardi, also in chocolate brown.


Then it got messy. 


I wanted to try the dress with an old suede jacket, also chocolate brown.


There's a limited mini window to wear little jackets like these.  They're really too warm for indoors but in a few weeks time I will freeze if I go out the door in this little shortie.  So, as with sweater dresses, I seized my mini season window for this jacket too.

Then it got really messy.  Bearing in mind I was doing an airport run and one has just one window of opportunity for making it aboard planes, in true Pout form I wanted another wardrobe tweak.
"I wonder what the jacket looks like with some furry neckage?" I said, curiously.
"No" said The Photographer, "No more pictures, we're outta here".



Now I am a stubborn Pout.  So I wound the furrage around my neck ...


... and started taking selfies.
The Photographers next comment is unpublishable.

The Photographer works to mini window rules too, it would seem. 
My mini window of opportunity had just slammed shut.


A la perchoine.




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24 comments:

  1. Terri1 December 2017 at 04:19

    Great dress and you know I don't have a real sweater dress anymore. I think I had a couple during the late 70's but they went by the wayside. I love how you've tried different things out with it. That's what makes it all fun for me. And I understand about those husband photographers.

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    1. thepoutingpensioner1 December 2017 at 07:54

      Ahhh, the things we remember from wardrobes past, eh? I'm always aware that I have a limited slot for photos before I push him over the edge, so my try-outs are hurried and the results often messy! Thanks for your kind words, Terri. Happy weekend, x

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    2. Terri2 December 2017 at 02:41

      And thanks for linking up because I love this post. Was anything here from a consignment or charity shop? Just interested, I guess.

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    3. thepoutingpensioner2 December 2017 at 14:28

      So pleased you like it Terri. I've had a look and none is. Some stuff is really old, especially the jacket which is about 20 years old, boots about 15 years old. The jacket's been saved from GOING to a charity shop many times, does that count?! The necklace was given to me by a friend, years ago - it's possibly something she didn't like any more, or it may have been new. I can ask her! You can see I'm struggling to qualify for you4 2nd Loved!

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  2. josep-maria badia1 December 2017 at 06:53

    I love your dress, you look really beautiful with it. I love your hairstyle.

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    1. thepoutingpensioner1 December 2017 at 08:15

      Thanks so much, J-M, I seem drawn to the upstyle at the moment. Happy weekend, x.

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  3. Amy Johnson1 December 2017 at 14:42

    Oh my goodness this dress is GORGEOUS! I want a sweater dress so badly, but every one I try on is so clingy on me and I feel like I'm wearing a rubber band. I want one that fits like this!

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    1. thepoutingpensioner1 December 2017 at 16:18

      Thanks so much, sweetie. Know what you mean, they an look awful if they don't fit loosely. Next time I wear one, (which is going to be no time at all!) I'll show something which I think really makes the sweater dress successful. Happy weekend, x.

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  4. christy1 December 2017 at 20:08

    Another great look with the sweater dress. They really suit you. I was interested to read that it was Monsoon. I still have one Monsoon cardigan and a pair of linen pants from way way back, beautiful quality etc etc but when visiting the UK in recent years have been disappointed at the quality of Monsoon clothing. Maybe I have just been unlucky.

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    1. thepoutingpensioner1 December 2017 at 22:02

      You are so sweet, thanks for your message. Well, Christy, I've bought the odd item from Monsoon over the past 20 years, the most recent being this dress and another which I was wearing yesterday, both about 5 years ago. Everything has held up well. Your cardi and trousers sound good buys, hope the quality thing was just a blip. Hugs, x.

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  5. Kellyann Rohr1 December 2017 at 22:16

    Bwahahahahahaha, I love TP! So funny, your window of opportunity for photos slammed shut but you showed him, huh! That sweater dress is fab on you - I love it with the cardi and the fur neckage. You look so chic and all for heading to the airport, my you fancy lass you!
    We have one long season here, it's called hotter than Hell and then we have a dollop of Fall - 2 days max, another dollop of Winter - 3 days max. And when the temps drop for those few days I am overwhelmed with what to wear. Because I may not get the opportunity again, and unfortunately my problems cannot be fixed with a selfie. So sad, right? Please tell TP I need a G & T.
    Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm my friend!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    1. thepoutingpensioner2 December 2017 at 14:40

      Yeah I showed him! Thanks for saying such nice things about my old but loved dress.
      My heart is starting to bleed for my poor Floridian friend. Struggling with lack of seasons, let alone mini seasons, and living a life that even selfies can't fix. And perhaps a G&T could ameliorate matters, but TP's otherwise occupied right now with his bro over from Boston. Heck, he's not even fixing MY G&Ts right now! Perhaps you can reciprocate the pity, sweetie?
      Staying warm wearing thick sweater and cardi. Oh dear, am I twisting the knife?!!!
      Hope you are enjoying your weekend/ Looking forward to your holiday house tour; my house tour is going to be somewhat different. Watch this space. Hugs, x.

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  6. Lisa2 December 2017 at 07:30

    I love it. The dress and your sense of humor. They are equally wonderful. The dress looks great with the scarf and jacket and that necklace is perfection with it. Happy Friday lovely lady! XO

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    1. thepoutingpensioner2 December 2017 at 14:44

      You know, Lisa, every time you say nice things about my writing style and humour, I quickly re-read my post because I'm thinking "Oooh was I funny?!"
      I've discovered through this necklace that there are pairings that are just MEANT to be. The necklace is really old and the dress, well just old, but I'd never worn them together until recently. And they were obviously MFEO, eh. Have you found a necklace that just HAS to be worn with a specific thing?
      Hope your weekend is going swimmingly, hugs, x.

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  7. Gail Is This Mutton?2 December 2017 at 08:03

    How right you are Mary about the mini seasons. I always regret the fact that jackets have such a limited season - spring and autumn - and in winter you have to wear a coat over them which makes them bulky and makes me too hot. Your Monsoon sweater dress is a dream of a dress. So easy to accessorize.

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    1. thepoutingpensioner2 December 2017 at 14:50

      Yes, Gail, I see some bloggers living in different climates getting so much mileage out of their blazers, whereas we just have small windows to wear them. And like you say, I hate feeling bulky under a winter coat, feel a bit Sumo wrestler! Glad you like the dress, it really is a blank canvas, so I'm getting it to put in the hours right now. I'm worn it with red on Christmas Day, fab-u-lous! Did you get the M&S chocolate opaques, BTW? I see Vronni is wearing some. The shade is just right.
      Hope you're keeping cosy and toasty. Hugs, x.

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  8. Anonymous2 December 2017 at 15:01

    I totally get the Mini Seasons thing. Living here on the Black Sea for the last 3 years I find I only get a very short period to wear most of my spring and autumn clothes. Summer is soooo hot for two months, only sun dresses can be worn, and the rest of the time we freezing our butts off in winter coats and boots! But I do still love living here :) Really enjoy your blog. Lise

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    1. thepoutingpensioner4 December 2017 at 15:13

      Hi Lise, I'm so excited to hear from you. My blog has regular visits from all over the world and I'm so thrilled to engage with visitors to my blog when they comment. I'm intrigued when readers find me. You're my first commenter from the Baltic area, so you've made my day!
      Your Baltic Sea temperatures sound quite a challenge, certainly more extreme than our more temperate climate here. It sounds like you're having a wonderful time in your Baltic country. I really hope you pop in again. Hugs, x.

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  9. mummabstylish2 December 2017 at 23:16

    Great jumper dress, love them. Looks super on you, thanks for sharing this Mary. x Jacqui
    www.mummabstylish.com

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    1. thepoutingpensioner4 December 2017 at 15:14

      Thank you, Jacqui and you are so welcome! Hugs, x.

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  10. Vronni's Style Meanderings5 December 2017 at 00:20

    I love your white sweater dress! I also love your big chunky necklace with it and the lovely East cardigan. Brown tights and boots look great with it, too.

    I really like sweater dresses and will be looking for more around the charity shops. As you say you just slip them on...

    Have a great week!
    xxx

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    1. thepoutingpensioner5 December 2017 at 00:45

      Thanks so much, Vronni. They're such easy dresses to wear, good luck with your hunt. I'm loving that wooden necklace all over again!
      Thanks for popping in, hugs. X.

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  11. Vanity And Me5 December 2017 at 07:23

    I want a cream sweater dress! You have made me want one now. I love it! xx

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    1. thepoutingpensioner5 December 2017 at 08:46

      Yup, you and I are definitely fighting beige's corner, Laurie! You would look stunning in something like this, with your figure and all that gorgeous hair. Give Monsoon a try, they are so good on sweater dresses. Hugs, x.

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