This is one of those outfits that really represents my love of 1970’s style. It’s the skirt version of my flares in many ways. A look that shouts HEY! RETRO CHICK OVER HERE Yet when you break down the components, we have a pretty basic outfit that anyone can wear. It also happens to be an ultra flattering combination.
Furthermore, it needn’t look particularly retro, if that’s not your thang…
THE RECIPE FOR A FAIL-SAFE DAY LOOK
- Take your favourite maxi skirt be it floral, print, striped or a block colour.
- Add absolutely any knee high boots.
- Throw on a polo neck jumper & cardigan. Choose a belt. Any style. Any width. I also like wide for this but it depends where your waist sits I think. You may prefer a loose chain belt that rests on your hips which is equally fabulous. Now, the secret ingredient is to belt the polo neck & not the cardi. 123 OK? You’re done Doll!
My Louis Vuitton Sully bag is in keeping with the 1970’s theme that runs through my entire life. I still adore this bag even though I’ve had it a few years, actually I can’t imagine ever not loving it. It’s a genuinely timeless classic, for many reasons, not least of which is the monogram print. It may surprise you to learn I’m not a fan of emblazoned branding. Obvious logos across my bags or indeed my clothes are the antithesis of style that I avoid for the most part. In fact I’d go as far to say that having a huge BALENCIAGA across my clutch is a big turn off. I find it pretentious & try-hard. However, conversely & rather hypocrytically of me, I just love love love love the LV monogram! I know, go figure? For me, this is less desperately screaming LOOK HOW FASHION I AM! & more of an historical sartorial statement. Much like the Chanel double C’s. Call me a wanker, I care not.
In any case there’s no denying if you’re unsure of where to spend your cash in Louis Vuitton, your best bet investment is always monogram. Buying anything LV Monogram is a sure thing. These styles will never lose their chic factor & probably value too. These pieces are famous for the touches of honey gold leather stitched in red that grows a deeper molassas colour with age. Bearing this in mind, I’ve sourced some sensational second-hand Sullys for you to check out below. Personally I think the unique Sully hardwear is what makes this style special. reminiscent of the 70’s hoop earrings & for some strange reason, Charlies Angels…
OTHER WAYS I’VE WORN IT
- POLO NECK with tracky daks | layered with blouse | with jeans
- CARDIGAN with tracky daks
- SKIRT with a white T-shirt
*Earrings c/o NUSA use code michelle20 for 20% discount at checkout
AN UPDATE ON THE MOVE TO NJ
To keep abreast of all the packing shennanigans at MT Mansion you can follow my Insta Stories. However if that’s way too much detail for you, I’ll do a quick run down now.
So… after weeks of searching several recommended locations in New Jersey such as Chatham, Montclair & Summit to name a few, we settled on Ridgewood. A pretty, quintessentially American town that ticked the two obvious boxes of a) good schools b) commute distance. Google street view & Youtube gave us an awesome perspective of real life in Ridgewood albeit remotely. However, I struggled to find a house big enough in our budget. It turns out, rather surprisingly to me that rent is very high in NJ due to the excruciating Property Tax.
We also learned, to our horror, the tennant & not the landlord pays the Estate Agent. This essentially doubles our initial outlay since we also had to put down the first month & a halfs rent as deposit! Crikey, first rookie mistake tick.
Mark & I decided to change the house critera to three bedrooms with a livable basement that would work as the fourth bedroom. I really wanted the children to have a bedroom each so they could make it their own special space. My logic being, they’d enjoy the newness & change instead of it feeling like a wretch from the familiar. Anyway, we found a nice house in a good area near the schools & were about to sign the lease when my initial doubts began to sink in. The house is simply too small. It’s smaller than the house we’re leaving now. There’s no wardrobe space! Arrrrgh! Nope this won’t work.
Back to the drawing board. I picked up the search in a totally different area, Berkeley Heights & neighbouring Westfield. Lo & behold not one, not two, but three excellent homes to choose from! With all the same criteria, schools, commute, size of house etc & no obvious downside. Don’t ask me why, perhaps it’s simply not as popular around there? I did notice Berkeley Heights is slightly more isolated although to be honest, being the lazy homebodies we are this doesn’t really affect us. As long as the groceries can be delivered to my door I’m a happy bunny.
The next big step is in two weeks when the international movers collect our belongings. Waaaaah! With all our stuff gone we’ll be camping in our own house! Well as close to camping as I’ll ever get.
Bye for now loves xxx
Comments ( 25 )
Lisa the sequinist
This look is so so so perfect on you. I love the sweet print on the skirt, and the whole 70s vibe suits you to a T. I am officially on the hunt for what I call a long ‘grandpa cardigan’ to wear with some faux leather leggings, but now I’m expanding that to wearing it with a maxi skirt too. Love this, and I’m inspired to find one in the sales now that it is end of season. .
I can’t believe how chill you are about this move. Inspirational on that front too! xxx
MT
Thanks my darling, I’m not so chill today actually xx
Catherine, Not Dressed As Lamb
What I absolutely love about this outfit is not just the 70s vintage feel but the proportions – the belt and skirt length and boots all make it spot-on where the proportions are concerned… flattering for everyone!!
I goota make use of my roll necks, midi skirts and boots more, thank you for the inspo (now if I can just wear ANYTHING other elasticated waist things then I’ll be a happy bunny)!
Catherine x
P.S. I echo what Lisa said about the move… I can’t believe how calm you are about it – I’m slightly freaking about moving this year and we’re only planning on going 20 miles down the road!!!!!! Please can you come and organise my move 😉
MT
Hahaha at this point I’d gladly swap moves with you Catherine. The inevitable shit hitting fan has just occured grrr. I may have to bury my head under the duvet today, ignoring everyone is the way forward 😉
xxx
Abby@Midlifecrisisnut
Looking beautiful there, Michelle! I still can’t believe your move to the US. That’s UBER exciting, albeit with three kids and pets not the simplest of tasks I guess. Good luck on everything. Thinking of you! ❤️ xx Abby.
MT
Hmm well everything was planned out perfectly until the solicitors handling our visa’s decided to take their sweet time. Now we are delayed by a week, which sounds like no biggie but actually affects a lot of people. Our new landlord, our new tenants, the house movers & dog movers. All dates have to be changed!!! Annnd we’ll be out of pocket a months rent because it carries over to March Arrrrgh! I need a cuppa & a big piece of chocolate cake 😉 How’s things with you Abby? Give me some uplifting news please xxx
No Fear of Fashion
Oh rats my comment is gone…
Greetje
MT
Whaaaat not again? I can’t seem to figure out why this keeps happening Greetje. It’s such a pain for you, so sorry..
No Fear of Fashion
I think it has something to do with opening your site from mail. I experience this with a few other blogs as well. It was an elaborate comment along the lines that I didn’t think this outfit would work, but I had to correct myself there. It does. And I think you did a great job, especially with that thin belt and those gorgeous boots.
Greetje
MT
Oh really, how odd? I know from personal experience how frustrating it is to lose a long thoughtful comment. I used to find that with Catherine’s blog quite a lot, before she migrated to wordpress. I just put it down to that. I started copy/pasting my comments on her blog after a couple disappeared, that way I never really lost them.
Simplement Lui
Great outfit! The skirt is fantastic and is a perfect match with those boots 😉
https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2018/01/27/classic-is-eternal/
MT
Thanks so much! I love these boots, miss them in summer 😉
Rozanne
What a truly lovely look. I might be inspired to try wearing a skirt again…. Gosh your move stateside is so close now, how exciting!! But – with you on the “camping” thing. How long will you have to camp out under bricks & mortar before moving? And will Blue be able to move straight into your new home with you, no quarantine delays?
MT
Oh Rozanne I’m having a slight coniption today about the move. I had the the dates planned to work in harmony for all concerned, even Blue. Now the solicitors have thrown a spanner in the works by being too slow to finalise the paperwork for the US consulate. This has taken us too close to the date that Kiki goes to Italy with her school in half term. Mark & I don’t want to risk her passport not coming back in time so we have to hold off the final part of the process. Her trip wouldn’t have been an issue at all if they’d started the application when we handed over our side of it. Unbeknown to us they waited almost a month! I’m so angry. I now have to change all the dates & not only that we have everything packed up here but can’t send it without a visa, for another 3 weeks. We’ll only have our clothes with us when we move & everything else will now be a month behind grrr. Thankfully Blue doesn’t need quarantine but I will have to rearrange his travel. OK I need a cuppa…xxx
Rozanne
Crikey Michelle, what a nightmare. Bloody solicitors, they charge a fortune to repeatedly f*ck it up. Or so it sometimes seems, I hear so many tales of similar woe…. Bon courage and I think you need a more potent source of tannins than tea, frankly… xx
MT
Ahem…I did go for the wine a little later my friend 😉 xxx
Keit
Eeeeeeeek, you will be getting a new house? How awesome is that! Will you be making a blog post with the new home, I’d love to see that! < 3
You are killing it today with this outfit, I bet summer dresses can be adjusted in a similar way and it would be pretty and stylish AAAAND weather appropriate.
MT
Haha Keit yes of course I will definitely blog about the move, warts & all! 😉
TheresA Campbell
Just found your post over at Catherin’e’s blog and had to come over and tell you how much I am loving your outfit. I am big fan of maxi with boots. Your floral print skirt is fabulous and those boots. Oh my! Welcome to the US BTW! Moving is always a nightmare. But I can’t even imagine an international move. That has to be especially stressful. Hope you get everything sorted out soon.
Theresa
MT
Hi Theresa, thanks for coming over! Where in the U.S are you? I’m so excited, our interview with the U.S Consulate has finally been booked! Another step closer 😉
Tsport
Love your style! You are looking amazing with these outfits. I am addicted to wear maxi dress and you are sharing such a great guidance which would be really helpful for me to style up with it in winter. I will definitely follow your blog. Thanks and keep sharing.
clarabeara88
I love your skirt! Can you tell me what the brand is?
MT
Hi, I’d be delighted! It’s one of my favourite sustainable brands People Tree.
WoollInEnmercantile
You skillfully combined patterns and colors, bravo! I have a similar skirt, cashmere in beige. I’d love to try to create a similar styling.