Style inspiration

Lilac is the colour of the season! Tone down your pastels with navy

Lilac is the colour of the season. I have toned my favourite lilac sweater with navy for a more subtle approach to the pastel trend? At this time of year pastels can look great worn with your strong neutrals. In the photo above I have teamed my sweater and scarf with a navy sleeveless coat and navy trousers. In my opinion, this grounds the pastels and is a practical approach for our busy lifestyles.

The lilac sweater I am wearing above is from H&M (now sold out) similar at WoolOvers (US link). 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).

You could equally well play with a camel/tan/brown combination teamed with the mustards and yellows.

You may not be a fan of pastels and feel that they don’t suit you and tend to give your complexion a washed out look. In this case, you could add an accessory in one of the new Spring pastel colours. Maybe choose one of the new mini cross-over handbags.

If you buy pastels now when there is plenty of choice in the shops they will look stunning during the summer months teamed with white or light beige.
I have already taken my own advice and purchased a bright blue pastel raincoat. See how I style it here.
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.

View Comments

  • As always, brilliant advice and you look fab! I love your blog because you always give some sample sources where to buy these or similar clothes. Thank You!

  • Love the lilac and the boots looks really comfy. A pocket in your cardie. You have ticked all my boxes. This is a great winter outfit for australia which is on its way.

  • Adding navy is a great idea. I don't like the look of a too pastel outfit. Just doesn't work with my grey hair. So old looking and I'm old.

  • I'd like to know what you think of purchasing faux leather handbags? I noticed there were a couple featured in this blog. I've never purchase faux leather but it appears to me that faux leather is looking more real these days. Some of the truly beautiful bags are sooo expensive and the new pastel colors are soooo pretty but I can't justify spending that much money.

    • Hi Maggie
      I normally buy real leather bags and have built up a good range of classic bags, mostly in neutral colours. I believe in spending as much as I can afford on a real leather everyday bag as I know it will last. I also keep mine in bags and polish and stray them regularly. Having said that I will sometimes purchase a faux leather bag in a seasonal colour, often from Zara. These are inexpensive and fun and can liven up a seasonal outfit.

  • I love the lilac on you but I would probably go for pale blue just because blue and turquoise are my favourite colours! I wear navy all year round and it's especially useful when travellling as it saves taking black boots as well as brown ones. There were great scarves of every colour in St Tropez market - I was there last week - but not so many summery ones yet. I wasn't lucky with a hat but kept a look out wherever I went. Having been in France since January, I'm looking forward to checking out our good old British shops and websites!

  • Just spotted your site in GoodHousekeeping and checked it out. Pleased I did great advice and inspired choices. I live in Mallorca now but used to live in Twickenham, noting where some of your photo shoots are wondered if you lived in that area. Used to love that part of London and miss is. Our markets here are similar to the French ones and it's great finding something a bit different and at a good price.

    • Hi Susan Ann
      Welcome to my lot. I live in Barnes and my photographer lives in Kingston so we are often photographing in that area. I have fond memories of Mallorca we used to spend holidays there when the children were younger.

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