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What do we wear, now? (How to take summer dressing into autumn)

— by Alyson Walsh

 

Photo: Claire Pepper

Is anyone else finding what to wear right now a bit tricky? With more work events to go to, I need to look a tad more professional and the other day experienced a real Closet Conundrum. Getting dressed to go to a press launch, I felt flummoxed about what to wear. Having been semi-locked-down for such a long time, I’d forgotten my go-to outfits and actually had to look at the That’s Not My Age Pinterest board to remind myself. In addition, the weather is quite in-between-y at the minute: balmy days, chilly nights. Heating on, heating off. Jumpsuit zipped up, jumpsuit sleeves tied around the waist (with a t-shirt underneath, obviously). And finally, I’m in denial about moving into another Covid Winter and what that means, hence clutching on to summer for as long as I possibly can. Layering up and stretching out lighter, summer pieces. Mixing and matching them with a cashmere jumper or one of my new sweatshirts.

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of comfort (mid-lifers appreciated this already, now everyone else has caught on) and investing in quality fabrics that don’t look like a dog’s dinner after sitting at a desk all day. But now Working From Home & Away, I need to revive my sartorial rhythm. To rediscover ‘creative business chic’, embrace casual glamour, find the clothes I love to wear, again. Seeing Daniel Craig at the No Time To Die premiere, top of my list is an outfit involving my pink cord jacket

 

Photo for the Daily Telegraph by Clara Molden

 

In the meantime, this joyful, saffron-coloured, linen skirt from sustainable label Ren London doesn’t deserve to be relegated to the back of the wardrobe, so I’ve swapped the white summer shirt for a chunky jumper to extend its wear (it’s a heavyweight linen, but I think this might be the last week for bare legs…) I bought the Birkenstock Boston Clogs earlier this year but have only recently started to wear them. They replaced a pair of traditional, wooden-soled Swedish clogs that ended up in the charity shop when I finally admitted they were too uncomfortable to walk in. The suede Birki’s also look great with my chunky Community Clothing walking socks and an up-or-down jumpsuit. An ideal mix of comfy and chic.

Now, bring on the booster jabs.

 

 

STYLE NOTES:

The navy roll neck jumper is old Gap. Leather cross body bag from Mimi Berry (don’t miss the TNMA collaboration). The linen skirt was a gift from Ren London – currently on sale here. My own Birkenstock’s. 

The ruffle front white shirt in the second photo is from a previous collaboration with John Lewis & Partners.

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  Is anyone else finding what to wear right now a bit tricky? With more work events to go to, I need to look a tad more professional and the other day experienced a real Closet Conundrum.