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Friday 8 December 2017

A Surprise Pairing

Before I dive into today's post just want to cover a bit of housekeeping.  I know that I said I wasn't going to re-vamp my blog format in my previous post ... but then I did!  Well, it's not really a re-vamp, just a change of colour.  A reader said she struggled to read my white font on purple background.  As I have sight problems, I am sympathetic to others' struggles so I leapt on to my settings to see how I could help.  Talk about a knee-jerk reaction!  Before I took a pause to think what I was doing, I'd changed the colour then realised the white font disappeared on the softer lavender background, so I had to change the font colour and that is where I am right now, peeps.  I'll live with it for a few days then see if I can revert back to my original colouring but with a clearer font.  All of this does take time so I won't leap to change back immediately.
So whilst we're talking about format, are there any improvements I could make that would help your reading experience?  I'd love to hear what you have to say on mine and on website displays generally.


And now on to today's subject matter, the surprise pairing.


Do you sometimes find that you struggle to pair an article of clothing with something that truly works?  Then out of the blue, B A M !  You find your perfect pairing!
This happened to me a couple of days ago.  I've been veering towards an edgier look lately and on a crazy whim ordered a pair of coated biker jeans from Next.  I'm always a bit very late to take up a trend and coated jeans is something I've viewed from a distance for a few years.  I don't know if it was me buying a new biker jacket this year that's taken me in an edgier direction or if it's just me knee-jerking as I head fast and furiously towards my 70s, but either or both are maybe the reason.

The jeans arrived the afternoon I was getting ready to go to one of my two (yeah, just two, really sad!) Christmas meals.  I just couldn't resist a quick try on because I found the idea of something new in my wardrobe too exciting to defer until tomorrow.


I first grabbed a silky satin blouse.  Bingo!



I bought this blouse/tunic (details here) to wear with my brown velvet set but then due to a cold and an outfit re-think, it didn't get an airing.  I've struggled to think of what to team it with since.  It's quite posh so needs a casual bottom half to "drag it down" so that it is wearable for the sort of outings to fit my older lady lifestyle.  I think the edgy-for-me coated jeans bring it down to more smart casual level for a dinner in a smartish restaurant. 

The blouse/tunic is beautifully soft to the touch and it's one of those things you slide over your head (and boy does it slide beautifully) and instantly you feel special. 
Probably a single strand of pearls is all that this baby needs in terms of jewelerisation.

This look is so my jam.  Do you like it?  It's a bit Biker neets New Romantics, eh?
I'm really excited to discover this pairing and plan to team it with a black velvet jacket for one of my two Christmas meals next week.  Watch this space, as they say!


After this successful pairing, I did think to stop there with the try-ons and rest on my laurels.  I couldn't top that look.
But you can't keep a good Pout down, so on I went, squeezing a few more tops on during the few minutes I had before dressing for dinner.

I tried the jeans with my wine fluted sleeve top but the length wasn't quite right.  I quickly learned that biker jeans need true length on top and perhaps that's why the ivory silk top above worked so well.




My pinky coral fluted top had the right length and this would make a great Christmas look, n'est pas?


All black looked a bit severe but could work with a bit more time put into accessorisation.






Next Biker Jeans can be found here.

I'm going to have another try on with these though, as when I did the sit down test in them, they clumped on the leg.  I don't know if this is because they moulded around my abundance of leg blubber. or if this is something coated jeans do on everyone.
So perhaps you can help me.  Do you have coated jeans?  Do they fold in ridges on your legs when you sit down?  Any tips or views on them?


And finally, I think you have just one more post of my dodgy selfies before normal service is reviewed.  The Photographer has returned and proper pics (and Gin & Tonics) will be flowing in Pout Manor once more.  In fact, the winter sun is over the yardarm now so I'm going to tootle downstairs for some  G&T action ... Cheers, m'hearties!


Wishing you a cosy and joyous weekend.



A la perchoine.


23 comments:

  1. This color/font combo is so much easier to read! With the old one, I had to increase the size to see it. Old eyes, you know! Enjoy your posts very much...
    Jane in the US

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    1. Hi Jane and thanks so much for your feedback. I had no idea some readers were having problems reading from my site until a helpful reader mentioned it on the previous post. I have old and challenging eyes but for some reason the white font worked for me.
      I'm so pleased you are enjoying my posts, I love to hear that! Please pop by again, it's so nice to receive comments.
      Happy weekend and hugs, x.

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  2. I too often find a perfect pairing by accident. Usually I have to try things on in front of a mirror - I'm not good at imagining and guessing what things might look like together - and, often, something will just pop up and work. As well as shape and silhouette, I love colour, and my favourite outfit of the ones you're wearing is the pink blouse - I think it really suits your colouring.

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    1. Hi Jacqui, thanks so much for your sweet words. That coral top was a summer hit and it looks like it's going to be used through the winter too. You are so right, you've got to see things on to get a true picture of how the pairing works. I find photos give even more of an honest answer!
      Thanks for popping in and I hope you pop by again soon, it's always lovely to hear from readers.
      Happy weekend and hugs, x.

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  3. I don’t have coated jeans as I felt I might be too old/ fat at the moment to wear them but yours look terrific. I love them paired with your ruffled blouse. I think that hits just the right note. Maybe they stretch a bit after you’ve worn them?

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    1. Hi Annie, well if you really do like the idea of these coated jeans please give them a try because perhaps my age and weight put me off even giving them a try on, but when I did, wham! they surprised me!
      It's great to hear from you, hope you pop by again soon, it's lovely to hear from you.
      Happy weekend and hugs, x.

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    2. Purchase from Ebay : N.Y.D.J. Angelina black coated denim leggings ; the next generation of Emma Peel, aka, Dame Diana Rigg ! Great pants from my own personal experience !

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  4. Also like the new format. Definitely easier to read. I super love the white ruffle top and pearls with the jeans. Perfect combination!

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    1. Hi Susan, Oh I am so pleased you like the format, I really had no idea readers were struggling as it worked for me.
      Super love is something new to me and I like it, will use that in conversation now. I'm pleased this outfit works for you too, it felt super right when I slipped it on!
      Happy weekend and hugs, x.

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  5. Thank goodness for TP's safe return and the once-again-flowing G&Ts! All is right in Pout Land!
    So, dang gurl, you are one edgy Pout! I love all three of the tops you styled with your new coated biker jeans. Honestly I don't own a pair so I can't help you with how they wear but you certainly styled them well. The silky tunic is gorgeous and edgy-elegant. I really like the pink colored top too. In the pics it doesn't look to short but I know we're only seeing one view and you may prefer it longer. I wonder how a long cami would look underneath it. One that you could pull down (in black?) and it would show, does that make sense?
    I think the black top is good too and I'd say add a very sparkly statement necklace and your moto jacket and you'll have a winner. Or like we say in elementary school, winner, winner chicken dinner!
    Lovely looks on my lovely friend!
    xoxo,
    Kellyann

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    1. So pleased you understand just how Pout Land works!
      And pleased you approve of my tops. I didn't post the pic of the shorter top but, hey, longer cami, good idea! I wear long camis in summer but strangely didn't think to try it out with the shorter top. Duh, Pout!!!
      Thanks for your super useful ideas and lessons in classroom lingo - I'm going to use that one on the grandkiddies!
      Wishing you a festive and relaxed weekend, now that the pressure of the house tour post is behind you. Hugs, x.

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    2. You understand me so well, Mrs R, all truly back on an even keel in Pout Land.
      Thanks for saying all your sweet things, the ivory top is a little puff of elegance. I didn't show pics of the shorter top but thanks for reminding me that a longer camisole isn't just for summer, it can be used all year round. And I do have one in black so you make total sense and you may seem me pulling down on it soon! Yes, the black needs a bit of zhjusch to make it a chicken dinner. Thanks for all your ideas, my fancy Floridian friend. Hugs, x.

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    3. Oh dear, my first reply disappeared but reappeared after I re-replied. Technology! Or is it me?

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  6. Dear Pout, I love the new format and find it very clear to read. I liked your old format as well but have to admit it was a tad harder to read. Now on to your coated jeans look/s. I love, love the ivory silk tunic with the ruffles over your new to you coated jeans. Really looks very good and perfect for a posh nosh event, Christmas party or a more sedate dining experience much loved by ladies of a certain age who love to lunch. I personally do not own a pair of coated jeans and think that if I wore a pair I would rather resemble an over-inflated black rubber tyre inner-tube so best left to others to wear. My daughter-in-law who is a curvaceous size 10/12 with shapely rather muscular legs does wear them and they look wonderful when she is standing but when she sits down they do rather gather up in wrinkly clumpage round certain areas of her legs. However one of her friends who is about 6 feet tall, has slender gorgeously toned legs right up to her arm pits, and rather resembles a gazelle, looks absolutely drop-dead gorgeous in them standing or sitting, minus any sign of wrinkles anywhere. I would say if you feel wonderful in them, wear them, after all who is going to look at legs when seated at a table eating a meal? If perched on a bar stool that might be another thing to consider. Whatever you decide to do I think the silky ivory tunic and coated jeans look fab and I hope you enjoy your Christmas meals. Regards Sue H xx

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    1. Thanks for your feedback, Sue, super pleased this format is working for you.
      That's really good info on the jeans thing as it looks like it's the fabric and not my porkers, though I choose to ignore the easy ride gazelles get with these jeans! And if I can just about get away with them then you are going to come through shining in them with your slim body so please give them a go, Susan.
      Happy weekend and hugs, x.

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  7. The jeans are fabulous. I have yet to buy a pair of coated jeans, but I did just buy a pair of burgundy jeggings with the zippers on the pockets just like yours. I love all the tops with the jeans, but the white top is my fav.

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    1. Thanks, Amy. Your burgundy jeggings sound so pretty and I expect to see you looking super gorgeous in them soon.
      Happy weekend hugs, x

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  8. I wore my faux leather coated leggings the other day, only cheapies from Matalan, but they worked and looked ok. You look super in these and I love the blouse. Good luck with the website arrangements - I looks good in these colours Hun. Jacqui
    www.mummabstylish.com

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    1. Hi Jacqui, so it seems like its only the coated jeans that do that funny thing on ample legs. Hmmnn, don't know if they're keepsers then, maybe I should go for faux leather like you've done.
      Thanks for your nice words and I'm so glad that I changed my site format on a whim yet it seems to have turned out to be a winner!
      Hugs, x.

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  9. I got my pleather jeans frim next too. Yours are gorgeeeeous. I think I need another pair. I tend to wear them to make smart edgy too. That ivory blouse was just waiting patiently for those jeans. I don't suppose it put in the order did it! I'm going to be trying mine with a chunky jumper over the winter to see how that works.

    Http://www.muttonstyle.com

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    1. Oh AM, you do look truly gorgeousness itself in your ONJ look! Yes, you've planted seeds of doubt now ... after the frill and edgy jeans pairing I do wonder whether clothing has evolved and has become computer literate, did I place the order for the jeans or was it the ivory top?!!
      Great minds on the chunky jumper. I saw one in Wallis that looks the business but then thought - "just how many long grey jumpers do you own already Pout?". So my parsimonious self had told me to try out my grey sweater/dress with the jeans ... do we have the makings of a collab here?
      Hope you have a great week ahead, hugs, x.

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  10. The edgy vr. romantic works for me. I like your new format, especially the larger photos. Sometimes I had a hard time really seeing what was going on. And now that Pantone has declared Purple the color of the year, you are right in vogue!

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    1. Oh I just can't keep up with Pantone but so pleased I stumbled upon their colour of the year ... I stumbled upon the romantic v. edgy too!
      I had no idea there were problems with my format until a couple of readers told me about the picture size and font. So pleased it works for you and for others, from the feedback I'm getting. Phew!
      Hugs dearie, x.

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