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How to wear a sleeveless jacket or coat

— by Alyson Walsh

Alyson Walsh, Hobbs

Photo: David Nyanzi

Never stop experimenting, is part of the advice I’ve been giving on my Ageless Style tour. I can’t tell you anymore than that because there are still a couple of gigs to go: Hobbs in Cheltenham next week and then Coffee and Style Solutions at Bath in Fashion. Trying out new things, old things, new combinations of old things, is the only one way to discover a fresh wardrobe favourite. So here I am taking my own advice and layering a gilet over denim (similar jeans HERE and shirt HERE). I may have dismissed sleeveless jackets and coats in the past, ahem, but everyone’s entitled to a sartorial U-turn. This is actually Hobbs gilet dress but the fabric is substantial and it’s lined, and I’ve been wearing it loads (it’s currently on sale but there are still a few available HERE and in store). The versatile gilet dress can be worn several ways:

Annette Alyson Hobbs London

For the Hobbs London event – seen here with Annette from Lady of Style – I opted for the ‘Courtroom Nigella‘ approach. Smartening things up with a lovely white shirt (this is the Maddie shirt and has a bib detail at the front, like a men’s dress shirt). You can’t see in the picture but, once again, I’m wearing the dress over trousers:

cropped trousers_1008_1080

The gilet dress also works over a stripy top, available HERE

Cropped, stretch sateen and comfortable enough for an eight hour train journey to Glasgow (Ava trousers, available HERE) – central England was flooded and we had delays and detours but inclement weather would not deter the Style Sessions. The show did go on. So far, the tour has taken in London, Leeds, Edinburgh and Glasgow and I’ve had a fantastic time, met so many lovely women  – both the staff at Hobbs and the customers are a joy to work with – and scoffed plenty of top-notch canapes.

With or without sleeves, I am partial to a standout jacket. This Sunny Yellow coat is another of my favourite spring things, available HERE.

 

sunny yellow spring coat-2237_01_1008_1080

Sunny yellow coat, available HERE

 

Next stop Cheltenham, I’m thinking of breaking out a pair of culottes.

 

 

 

 

 

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