Adapting my pastels for the cold weather

How to wear pastels this season without that “old lady look” which used to be associated with pastels in previous generations. An association that particularly applied to knitwear, think twinset and pearls, in pale pink and lilac.

Luckily times have changed and so has our view of pastels, which are very on trend this Spring. Shop windows are full of pastels in all hues from the pale blues, pinks, lilacs to the buttercup yellows.

The lilac sweater I am wearing above is by WoolOvers (US link) My pink coat is by Mango from last year similar. Underneath my lilac sweater I am wearing a navy roll neck thermal top by Uniqlo.

How I styled my pink coat last Spring.

My photographer Laura Hines and I could not resist taking these stunning photos in the snow last week. The light was so clear and bright in Kingston by the River Thames. We were absolutely freezing but I hope you will agree it was worth it.

For extra warmth, I have added a sleeveless wool coat in navy, several seasons old. Finally a pair of navy cotton blend four-way stretch trousers by MarksandSpencer (US link). I am finding that these trousers fit well and are very comfortable.

As you know pink is my favourite colour especially the brighter hues. If you have warm colouring you could definitely substitute the above colours with blues, mustards or yellows. I have had my fuschia pink scarf for many years. I found a similar one at Etsy.

I like to be bolder with my pastels and tend to mix a couple of pastels together such as lilac and pink.

Photographs were taken by Laura Hines in Kingston London. Follow her Instagram.

Chicatanyage

I write a fashion and beauty blog for women over 50 with the aim of inspiring mature women to continue to enjoy and have fun with their fashion choices. I have spent most of my working life in some way connected to fashion. I started my career in Fashion PR and then trained as an Image Consultant when my children were young. I subsequently worked in the corporate world running seminars, doing private coaching and speaking at conferences. I started my blog in 2009 as I wanted to share my years of experience working in the world of fashion. I truly believe we can continue to have confidence in the way we present ourselves. Our style may evolve with time and changing lifestyles, yet with a little knowledge and inspiration, we can all continue to have fun with fashion. As women of a certain age we are a growing demographic let us prove that we can also be a chic one.

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View Comments

susan burpee says:

9th March 2018 at 14:27

Adding that pop of bright pink to the pastel is a great idea. Looks fabulous on you.
Eleni says:

9th March 2018 at 14:43

Thanks so much for the tips, Josephine. A snowy day here in Toronto.

I already have a heavy white sweater and a navy, sleeveless long vest. I also have several long, colourful scarves which I received as gifts - and are still nicely folded in a drawer ! It will be fun to pair them together..
Karin says:

9th March 2018 at 16:11

Thanks for the great ideas. Very pretty.
Libby says:

9th March 2018 at 17:30

Loving these colors on you, and against the snow. Can't believe the weather has actually been ok this week... until today with the rain when i was on a group photo shoot/walk! My lightweight Boden coat has worked well, and the tall boots totally necessary!
Brigitte Aubrey says:

9th March 2018 at 18:15

Love the colour combination. Your scarf - to die for! I am not a friend of WoolOvers, I find their quality very poor.
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  9th March 2018 at 18:47
  
  Hi Brigitte
  I am surprised you find WoolOvers quality poor. I have about three of their merino wool sweaters and I am wearing a cashmere polo neck today. I find that they wash well and pill much less than some of my more expensive sweaters and cardigans.
Kelly says:

9th March 2018 at 18:45

Totally off-topic, but I love your new hair style!
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  9th March 2018 at 18:49
  
  Thanks, Kelly it has grown quite a lot since my last haircut in January. I will probably have a trim when I go to France in a couple of weeks time.
Liz Humphrey says:

9th March 2018 at 19:03

Love this post! I just bought a Riani 3/4 coat (cream, pink, green open weave) in the sale to wear as my Spring bright.
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  9th March 2018 at 19:23
  
  Your coat sounds lovely
Wendy says:

9th March 2018 at 19:16

You look fantastic in pink. I've always thought of pastels as soft and feminine, not as 'old lady'!
Bron says:

10th March 2018 at 20:19

I love your pale pink coat, looks beautiful on you!
Debbie Hull says:

10th March 2018 at 22:00

Hi Josephine ! As I always say pink is your color and you look so pretty in pink. I love your pink coat. Hope you're doing well my friend ! Have a nice warm weekend.