In my previous post about being a conscious shopper I mentioned Marks & Spencer’s brilliant sustainability initiative – Plan A. So I was delighted when the idea for today’s post was bandied about the office. When I say office I’m referring to the 6 fashion bloggers I share my days with via WhatsApp.
Full disclosure – office is actually a laptop on my bed in my spacious new master suite Heeheehee Soz. Annnd stretch…
Ahem, anyway as my only experience shopping at M&S is clothes for the kids & Mark it was a terrific opportunity to put my money where my mouth is & buy something from the Ladies Department.
A couple of Summers ago I realised I’ve never owned a white blazer. Having discoed (spellcheck?) like Travolta in the late 80’s it’s a pretty shocking truth!
In actual fact my wardrobe would really benefit from a good quality, well cut, white blazer. However I haven’t yet managed to find one at an affordable price.
That is until,
The Over40Collective posed the Question,
Can we each find a simple white top from Marks & Spencer to style with denim?
So how well does Marks & Spencer cater to women over 40 or indeed over 50? Are they able to provide a stylish range of good quality garments at affordable prices?
The answer was a real mixed bag to say the least, as you’ll discover when you read The O40Co posts. Unsurprisingly each of us happened to choose something different & we all had varying experiences of the process.
We’re hoping you’ll benefit from our over-all review, as our needs are quite different there’s something to glean for everyone. Additionally, our images will serve as a catalogue for real women over 40 like our previous Winser London collaboration.
I happily purchased this Per Una one button Blazer online in both size 10 & 12 because I’m basically a 10-12. I chose In-Store Collection so I could immediately try them on & return the one that didn’t fit. I only did this because my local M&S didn’t have the particular Blazer I wanted in stock.
As I suspected the 10 was a perfect fit, meaning if you’re a 10 it’ll be slightly large on you. Although It must be said that I have this issue a lot, particularly with jackets.
The quality is terrific as is the cut which you can probably see from my photos. The length of the blazer is perfect & the little gold button details elevate its high street status. I did my best to get some close shots for you so hopefully they do the job? If you’re not keen on gold this linen blend blazer is another similar option.
I really love shorts with blazers
& this combination of denim & white is a Summer winner wouldn’t you say? My shorts today are from the Whistles sale last Summer when I also bought a white pair. In this post earlier in the year I describe how brilliant Whistles sales are. It’s definitely worth waiting for one to come up if you have your eye on something there & don’t be afraid to phone the store, as I did. You never know if the very last one of your hearts desire is hiding out back waiting for an extra 10% off!
I contemplated wearing heels with this ensemble, however for the gold studs I decided on my old Carvela low wedge sandals. I accessorized with my Vintage Chanel Bag & Bracelet which is actually a choker. For exquisite Vintage Chanel jewellery you should always try Vintage Heirloom first. You are certain to find stunning & genuine vintage pieces plus they offer 10% off your first order. My next dream purchase to add to my collection is definitely going to be a Chanel brooch. I’m doing positive affirmations as I type Bahahaha crazy obsessive laugh…
The black lace trimmed vest is super old from Aussie brand Bonds who are known for top quality cotton under garments.
Now to the Panama hat…
Confession time – It’s actually Marks hat. The children gave it to him for Fathers Day, coincidentally it’s also from Marks & Spencer! This lovely Panama works so brilliantly with the outfit I had to steal it even before he’s had a chance to wear it. Marks & Spencer always do fantastic offers on clothing for Fathers Day. This year I bought a Polo T-Shirt, Shorts, flip-flops & the Hat all for under £50!
Now it’s onto the rest of The Over40Collective with their White Top Challenge choices…
The Sequinist – Lisa’s Instagram
Midlife Chic – Nikki’s Instagram
What Lizzy Loves – Liz’s Instagram
Lady of Style – Annette’s Instagram
The Barefaced Chic – Michelle’s Instagram
Not Dressed As Lamb – Catherine’s Instagram
There you have it ladies – 7 Fashion Bloggers over 40, styling a Marks & Spencer white top with Denim. I’ve visited all of their blog posts now & let me tell you it makes for very interesting reading! I’d love to hear what you think of The Over 40 Collective results & if you’d like to see other style challenges.
Bye for now, Mx
Comments ( 25 )
sequinist
Wow, Michelle. That does NOT look like what I’d expect from M&S! I love how you’ve taken the gold from the button detail on the blazer and run with it with all of your accessories. The Chanel bag and bracelet and studded wedges are gorgeous, and the hat is really the icing on the cake. Brava, lady. xx
retrochicmama
Thanks Lisa! White is the ultimate neutral isn’t it? That’s why I love seeing everyone’s versions of white top/denim bottoms 😉
xxx
Abby@midlifecrisisnut
I love how you styled your new blazer. BTW, you made me realise I’ve never owned a white one neither. Love the Chanel bracelet! Hot legs – as usual! xx Abby
retrochicmama
Ha! is that right Abby? I’m so pleased with this Blazer I’m going to shoot my next post of an alternative way to style it. xxx
What Lizzy Loves (@whatlizzyloves)
I have been looking forward to seeing this full look since your sneaky peeks on Instagram. You look amazing and I love how you’ve styled this. As Lisa said, the accessories are divine xxxxx
retrochicmama
Thanks Liz, I’m really looking forward to yours too! It’s such an interesting collab this one – Can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks 😉
xxx
Suzy Turner
What a gorgeous outfit! You’ve got such incredible legs and can really pull of a pair of denim cut-offs, Michelle!! I’m quiet envious 😉
LOVE the blazer too – I never really buy anything from M&S but I’m thinking I must check it out now I’ve seen this.
Suzy xx
http://www.suzyturner.com
retrochicmama
Thanks mate 😉
That’s the thing Suzy, neither had I. You’ll notice some of the other O40Co had some issues buying their items. However, apart from the blazer not being in my store I had no problems at all. Quite lucky? Although I assumed, correctly as it turned out, a basic blazer would be easy to find at M&S. I hadn’t bargained on it being quite this lovely so that’s a bonus!
xxx
Lady of Style
Wow, Michelle, you look stunning!
I love a style mix and you have done it to perfection! Beautiful blazer from M&S and so versatile too.
xx
Annette | Lady of Style
retrochicmama
Thank you Annette, I’ve been wanting to try this look for ages. I’m so pleased you like it xxx
nancy
It is stylish to wear a blazer like that! And the golden accesories are great with it, I love that. Does he get the hat back? I don’t think so!
http://www.nancysfashionstyle.com
retrochicmama
Heeheehee not likely 😉
Mx
Rebecca
Looks fab! Can you tell me if it’s more white or Ivory? Love it so much I’m looking at it online where it’s described as Ivory…myself and Ivory are not best friends! It makes me look like I’m coming down with something!
retrochicmama
Hi Rebecca,
Well I’d describe it as off white rather than Ivory if that makes sense? I’m about to publish another post wearing it with a pair of very bright white jeans so you might want to take a look at that? I think it works even though the whites don’t match, but I’ll let you decide. If all else fails you can always send it back right? Mx
Michelle
Wow, just wow! Is it me or is there a bit of a Michael Jackson vibe going on in some of these shots? But please, don’t ‘Beat It’ 😂.
Love the look, as always.
Michelle xxx
retrochicmama
Hahahaha that’s gold Michelle! xxx
Midlifechic
Such a cool look Michelle, I love it. You always add so much sass to everything you put together. I think you definitely outdid us all in the “I can’t believe that’s M&S” stakes xx
retrochicmama
Pah not at all! You’re very kind Nikki thank you. This challenge has been such a brilliant experiment, I can’t wait to do another one!
xxx
Dawn Lucy – Fashion Should Be Fun
The blazer is so cute with the shorts! If I looked better in shorts, I’d copy this look in a minute! Thanks so much for linking up with Fun Fashion Friday!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
retrochicmama
I can’t believe you don’t look fabulous in shorts DL! Thanks for hosting mate xxx
No Fear of Fashion
I kept wonderinf how you got from a white shirt to a white blazer without even a wink of your eye haha. Never mind.
I love this jacket. You and shorts are a perfect combination. Love this styling with the sandals (while I even do not like flat shoes normally) and of course the hat .. Oh.. Everything. Beautiful.
Greetje
Ps vintageheirloom.com… eh?
retrochicmama
Haha Geetje you are a hoot! Thank you for the lovely compliments & yes have you looked at Vintage Heirloom? Beautiful vintage Chanel & some Louis Vuitton etc but mostly Chanel, very carefully sourced items. I’m certain you’d find many you adore 😉
Mx
Amanda
You are totally rocking them shorts. I love the addition of white blazer with denim shorts. You are looking stunning. Thanks for sharing.
MT
Hi Amanda, thank you for that kind comment! x