Introducing an exclusive collection of clothes & accessories: the That’s Not My Age Edit!
TNMA x Dandy Star ‘& Wiser’ sweatshirt. Photos: Claire Pepper
For a while now I’ve been thinking it would be good to collaborate with a few of my favourite independent designers, to bring you a small collection of limited edition, super stylish clothes and accessories. And so I’ve been working behind-the-scenes for the last six months on this creative project and I’m delighted that it has finally come to fruition. Most of the items have been created by the designer and myself, working together on one of their signature pieces. Basically, they did all the hard work and I made a few suggestions on colour and trims – which they all very kindly agreed to! We all possess a similar mindset about slow fashion and the environment and buying clothes to last.
Because of time constraints and lockdown, a couple of the pieces in the inaugural collection, the Spry jumpsuit and the silk scarf from Laslett, are already in existence. These items are my pick from the designer’s current collection and That’s Not My Age readers will receive a special discount (see below). We’re hoping in the future to create one-off pieces together, so watch this space.
All the items can be purchased by clicking through to the respective website and placing an order (simply click on the title of the item within this post). Or check out the new TNMA Edit section on the homepage toolbar to shop the new collection.
Hope you like the That’s Not My Age edit. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
I couldn’t do a collection for That’s Not My Age without including a one-and-done boiler-suit. This beauty is from Spry Workwear, founded by Daisy Bridgewater and handmade in a small, family-run factory in Great Yarmouth which has been making workwear for over 100 years. Daisy’s hard-wearing clothing is inspired by traditional workwear and re-modelled for modern, style-aware women. This TNMA favourite fits like a dream and always receives lots of lovely compliments when I’m out and about in South London. The jumpsuit is made from a soft ecru cotton twill and features a defined adjustable waist, plenty of pockets and a zip closing. The lighter off-white colour makes a welcome change from the ubiquitous black and khaki versions around, and it pairs beautifully with neutrals.
Sizes: 6-14
RRP: £175 with 20% off for TNMA readers. Follow the link HERE to receive your discount or add code TNMA20 at the checkout.
Laslett England x TNMA silk scarf
Melanie Laslett specialises in luxury hand-finished printed accessories, all produced in the UK and designed from her studio in Hastings. Eagle-eyed readers will probably be familiar with Laslett England, as I often style the silk scarves into my outfits for the Telegraph and TNMA. For the That’s Not My Age Edit I selected the Diamond Sunset design in a serene palette of oranges and blues. It’s made from 100% silk crepe de chine with hand-rolled edges. I love the retro pattern and the diamond shape falls beautifully making it easy to style. It looks great just draped around the neck with the pointed ends hanging loose, or simply knotted as above.
Width: 38cm. Length: 183cm
RRP: £165 with 15% off for TNMA readers. Use code TNMA15 at the checkout.
Mimi Berry x TNMA crossbody bag
Using Italian vegetable tanned leather, in a gorgeous array of colours, Mimi Berry’s bags are simple and elegant with a beautiful attention to detail. Each design is created with functionality in mind and manufactured in UK factories. Regular readers will know that my bag style of choice is a chic-not-shouty crossbody, so Mimi and I decided to work together on an update of the Martha bag. Made using sturdy vegetable tanned leather, in a petrol colour (a gorgeous dark blue/green shade), it’s the kind of stylish, everyday bag that goes with everything. ‘Martha is designed to carry your purse or wallet, keys, a small book or diary and can be placed on a table or chair without falling over. This was key. Nobody likes their bag looking tipsy!’ Mimi explains. The Martha bag features the label’s signature brass engraved logo turn-lock, which is very reliable and easy to use. All other fittings are solid brass too, so they’ll never lose their colour.
Dimensions: H: 14cm / W: 22cm / D: 9cm / Strap: 131cm
RRP: £270
Sarah O’Keefe x TNMA indigo shirt
Based in Somerset, Sarah O’Keefe launched her online store during the first lockdown and now sells a growing collection of easy-to-wear clothes, scarves and accessories. We worked together on a new version of the elegant, pull-on-and-go Spargrove shirt; a versatile top with puff sleeves, a V-neckline and a raw-edge collar. ‘Customers tell me how much they love this shirt,’ says Sarah, ‘Being an ex-buyer, finding a top that suits most women is the dream. In a nutshell, if women can go about their day feeling really comfortable and confident wearing their Spargrove shirt then I’m delighted.’ It’s a winner. Made from 100% cotton and printed with a traditional hand-screen method (using the Dabu technique) in India. There may be some imperfections in the print, but Sarah and I both agree that this merely adds to its character and beauty. The shirt is made to order by a seamstress in Somerset, so please allow 10-14 days for delivery.
Sizes: 1-3 (1 is small and fits a UK 8-12; 2 is medium and fits a 12-14 and 3 is large and fits a generous 16-18)
Length: Total length from the base of centre back collar to bottom hem approx 78cm
RRP: £95
Jo Gordon x TNMA lambswool scarf
Knitwear designer Jo Gordon uses colour and pattern to create outstanding accessories. Steadfastly sticking to her singular, often stripy, vision her accessories have impact, which makes them the perfect choice for revving up simple separates and not-so-basic basics. For the TNMA collection, Jo suggested the soft lambswool scarf with a zig-zag design and I chose my favourite shades of blue and green from this season’s colour palette. The smaller size makes the scarf really handy for tucking into a jacket, I much prefer it to a big, wrap-around style and wore one all last winter. Jo Gordon knitwear is manufactured in the UK, mostly in Scotland, using skilled craftspeople and local mills.
Size: 105cm x 14cm.
RRP: £81
Dandy Star x TNMA camo print tote bag
OK, I’m not massively into branding but one of the pieces had to have That’s Not My Age on it!! Founded by super-cool designer Charlotte Day, Dandy Star is an East London-based brand specialising in t-shirts, sweatshirts, accessories and homeware. All emblazoned with playful messages and slogans with a distinctly retro aesthetic. We wanted the tote bag to be roomy enough for everything from laptops and gym kits to groceries, and so it’s a spacious 49cm wide. Perfect for all of your everyday essentials. This not-so-basic-basic comes in a striking camouflage print and features a gold metallic That’s Not My Age logo on one side. You know you want one…
Dimensions: W:49cm H:37cm. Strap length:70 cm
RRP: £30
The humble sweatshirt is a hugely underrated item of clothing. Of which, I’ve long been a fan. Great with jeans, lovely with a skirt, essential for garden drinks. So it seemed only fair to bring not one, but two, of these everyday essentials into this collection. Each is emblazoned with an age-positive quote. ‘& Wiser’ speaks for itself (though sometimes people need reminding of our years of experience and knowledge) – and ‘Own It’ refers to standing our ground rather than chasing youth. Owning ourselves, owning our space and owning our age. We should be proud of what we’ve achieved, so far. And I hope you’ll proudly wear one of these sweatshirts. The relaxed design (I love the shape of the neckline) has an oversized fit, raglan sleeves and an old-school athletic vibe. Both sweatshirts are made from 85% organic cotton and 15% recycled polyester and manufactured in Fair Trade factories. I worked with Charlotte Day the founder of Dandy Star to create these and the That’s Not My Age tote bag.
SIZES: S- 2XL
RRP: £62
That’s all for now, folks.
Discussion (56 Comments)
I’m so proud to be a part of your collection and love all the pieces you have selected – I would wear them all being fans already of your edit designers. Well done for pulling this all together and championing us smaller independent brands. More power to you! SX
Gillian Gustar says:
How exciting! Spolit for choice……and, for anyone on the brink…I can really recommend the Spry boiler suits…I bought a denim one when Alyson first recommended the company and its fantastic. Looks good on, wears and washes well…worth every penny.
Carey Barnes says:
Congratulations. Love it all. Especially the gorgeous Mimi Berry bag. What a beautiful colour. Also thrilled to see it is big enough to hold a book.
Small sadness – the gorgeous boiler suit only goes up to a 14. It makes me feel like I’m unacceptable at size 16.
Julie Seddon says:
On the Dandy Star website the &Wiser sweatshirt is described as “A soft grey sweatshirt with warm gold motif” whereas the one you are wearing looks a lovely blue colour with a silver motif rather than grey. It also looks blue with silver in the pictures on the Dandy Star website. Is the description wrong? I don’t want a grey sweatshirt!
Hi Julie, It’s a lovely grey sweatshirt with a pale gold motif. The description is correct. I don’t wear much grey but I really like this colour.
Sandy Smith says:
I love the cream boiler suit . You look fabulous in it. It makes me wish I could wear cream, but it does nothing for me. Are there other colours maybe?
Actually….I love it all!Daisy Bridgewater says:
Hi Sandy, please have a look at our website http://www.spryworkwear.com where you will indeed find other colours!
KateG says:
Oh, I’ve just done a bit of shopping… Love your style and choice of creative, independent designers. Am enjoying the ‘more than a few’ items I have added to my wardrobe and accessories since I discovered your blog. Thank you for sharing your discoveries.
Judy says:
I love the ‘& Wiser’ sweatshirt, if only as a reminder for myself!
Please could you help with sizing advice? I’m a UK 10 but prefer a slovenly fit x
Angela Blair says:
Congratulations! Everything is lovely and true to your aesthetic. I’m tempted to go for one of the sweatshirts though I have been wary previously about any signage across my Nurse Gladys Emanuel proportioned bosom. The colours are so pretty though…
Natasha Bishopp says:
Love the styles and colours. Great choices. Now I’ve just got to decide ….. Tash x
Jax says:
Congrats on your collection! I love the dark green chore jacket you’re sporting with that fantastic zigzag scarf (very tempted though I live in a warmer climate with little opportunity for wearing lambswool scarves). Where did you get that jacket? The color is perfect.
The jacket is from Toast – last season, though but they do tend to keep certain styles in the collection…
Anna A says:
You’re a great model for a lovely collection! Love the denim jumpsuit. Been looking for a decent crossover bag so this could be it! Well done
The boiler suit you are wearing with the scarf is different to the one on the Spry website. Yours looks softer and has a belt which I prefer. Thank you.
Yes, well spotted Anna. The chambray boiler suit is my own – it’s an old Agnes b (not Spry).
Great collaborations.
The older I get, the more I love a sweatshirt! And camo is my favourite colour.Hxxx
Sarah cheseman says:
Love all these ideas and gives me the confidence as an active women in my seventies to just go for it. Thank you.
Ros Turner says:
Gorgeous selection of clothes and accessories. I love the silver bracelet you’re wearing in the picture showing the handbag – where is that from?!
It’s a very old one, Ros, but I’m going to write a piece on silver jewellery soon…
Jill Hunter says:
Tote bag – so clever as you can sling it over your shoulder and still have your hands free.
Congratulations for producing such a disciplined edit.Jean Sherman says:
Lovely collaboration; was looking for a camo print tote bag for the longest time, but finally found the perfect, timeless & “ageless” one! Thank you; look forward to carrying it around Manhattan. Warm regards, Jean
Wanda says:
Thank you! Thank you! This is definitely a wonderful collection. So nice to be able to purchase these amazing pieces. You always have age delightful pieces I want and can feel excited about, good to have them available!
Hi Caro, Thanks for your comment. The sweatshirts go up to XL, the indigo top is a generous size 18 – the jumpsuit has a more limited size range. This is from the Spry collection, it was already in existence rather than a true collaboration but we are planning to create a winter version and I will definitely discuss sizing with Daisy.
Actually I’ve just ordered the sweatshirt in a fabulous size 2XL. I don’t know if Dandy Star made this change in response to demand or if it was always there, but I am delighted that there is a wider choice for bigger sizes. I went pink in the end. So looking forward to receiving this.
Carol Rosenblatt says:
Love the sweatshirts!! They look great and love both logos!!!!
Thanks for this post… great!!!Scoop says:
Having admired your style for so long it is wonderful to be able to buy into your edited selection. I managed to order the &Wise sweatshirt, but when I tried to buy the scarf from Jo Gordon I was told that they would not ship to my address (even though I only live in leafy Bucks). So I rather assume that so many of your other admirers have already bought this scarf that the stock has run out. I will keep trying!
Please keep trying! In the meantime, I’ll drop Jo a message to see how sales are going…
UPDATE: There are some scarves left, it was probably a technical glitch, please could you try again?
Many thanks, Alyson
Great collection! Can you please add the green workwear jacket you’re wearing (or something similar) to your next collection?
[…] her very own style blog called That’s Not My Age invited me to join her latest venture, The TNMA EDIT, a collaboration with her favourite independent designers to offer her readers and followers a […]
Mrs Tonia says:
Congratulations Alyson on this new initiative which is certain to be a success. And will benefit these businesses and you too.
I’m drawn to the logo sweatshirts. Just the sort of shape of neckline and raglan sleeve that I enjoy wearing. Have a couple from Cos and other makes.
Will there be other colour ways in these ? I wouldn’t buy those shades and already own several grey ones.
Keep up the good work.Hello Mrs Tonia, Thanks and I need to sit down with Charlotte the designer to discuss other colours but we are thinking of one in navy later this year…
Susan Wilde says:
Hiya – some cool things here, congratulations .
BUT – did you only make the sweatshirts in small? Or have they sold out of other sizes?
Alysen 
K 
Susan Maxwell 
Sarah 
MsHerneHill 
Kat 
Debora 
Caro 
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Great collection ~ and love the petrol blue bag, such a gorgeous color! Congratulations.