Stock up on core wardrobe pieces in the sales

I am a little late in perusing the sales. This can be a good strategy as many of the styles are now heavily reduced, some up to 70% off. I have had time to check out some of my favourite brands and make a few purchases. At this time of year I like to stock up on core wardrobe pieces.

Some of my black and navy trousers have seen better days and need replacing. The same for my tops expecially the light and cream coloured ones. I find that however well you take care of them they tend to fade and look a little tired.

Above: Flat rib polo neck MeandEm (now £46 from £65) / scarf Nordstrom / Very useful parka a real classic MeandEm (now £184 from £369) / Classic red bag Hobbs / Cross over jersey pant MeandEm (£39 from £79) / Black ankle boots Hobbs / Cream easy button shoulder jumper MeandEm (£69 from £99).

The Guernsey sweater I featured in my previous post is now reduced to £94 from £189 in the cream and khaki.

I am tempted to splurge on this gorgeous Bright pink coat from Hobbs. Pink continues to be a very popular colour and will transition well into Spring. This coat has been calling to me for a few days now. I think I may well succumb.

Above: Cream flat rib polo neck by MeandEm (now reduced to £19) / Bright pink coat Hobbs (reduced from to £139) / Classic black shopper by Boden / Wide leg fine strip trousers Hobbs (would make an excellent pair of work trousers now £33) / Black ankle boots Boden (only a few sizes left). Bobble hat by Boden.

If you have not yet read my post on How to manage stress there is still time to leave a comment for a chance to win a voucher for a months trial with the Headspace meditation app.

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

Jeannine Athas says:

4th January 2018 at 17:27

If you use special detergent for BLACK clothes, there will be very little fading. Made by many companies. Uncertain if readily available in UK now, but in every supermarket in France. I run an empty load in my washer before I do the black/navy/grey load just to clear residue of previous washes.
Vicki Mullan says:

4th January 2018 at 19:42

Dear Josephine, a rare comment from me to say thank you for your inspiring blog. Long may you continue. You have introduced me to some wonderful new websites and have made me rethink my style and reorganise the whole of my wardrobe. Hopefully I will be able to incorporate some of your ideas as I build up a more appropriate wardrobe for my retired, but still active lifestyle.
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  5th January 2018 at 09:11
  
  Dear Vicki
  Thank you for your comment. I am glad that you like my blog and are putting some of my ideas into practice.
Lynne Savage says:

4th January 2018 at 20:08

In australia we have a charity which collects used clothing and sells it by the container to local third world countries. People there then have businesses selling the clothing. Our money earned pays for our charities administration and the recipient countries have jobs created. My guilt at waste is somewhat alleviated when i donate to buy new which i do one for one which any purchase.
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  5th January 2018 at 09:08
  
  Hi Lynne
  I always take my good but not wanted any more clothes to our local charity shop. I am not quite disciplined enough to do the one in one out but I am working on it. Off to take a bag of clothes to the local charity shop here in France this morning.
Chicatanyage says:

5th January 2018 at 09:15

Hi Jeannine
I have tried the special detergent for Black clothes and discussed it with my friends. We came to the conclusing that it did not work that well. I will have another go and add your tip of running an empty load first. I find ironing black trousers very difficult however careful I am it seems to add to the fading over time.
Stacy says:

15th January 2018 at 20:32

Josephine, I love that all of your core pieces are in solid colors. I'm a big believer in that, because then you can have fun with accessories, like colorful scarves, necklaces, and glasses.
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  16th January 2018 at 12:35
  
  Hi Stacy
  I agree with you solid colours are easier to accessories. I have a few pattern pieces but not many.
Caroline says:

25th January 2018 at 16:06

Hi, Josephine.
I have only recently come across your style blog and have already found lots of inspiration and ideas.
Where did you get the black trousers that are in the photo?
Caroline
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  25th January 2018 at 16:31
  
  The crossover trousers in the top image are from MeandEm and the stripe wide trousers in the second image are from Hobbs. If you click on the red link marked trousers/pants underneath the images it should take you to the relevant website.