MANGO TRENCH JACKET

In my last post, I talked about personal style and how it’s important to try something new and step outside of your fashion comfort zone. I was thinking about it more and more after I published it and heard back from lots of you, and I ended up doing just that last week and I am so happy I did. I clearly should follow my own advice more often because I found this AMAZING jacket in the Mango sale, and if I hadn’t stepped outside my norm I never would have found it.



So, let me explain why this long, flowy jacket was such a big deal for me to find. I’ve always really loved Mango. I think they do some gorgeous and classic pieces, and there’s always loads I see online and like but I never end up trying any of it. The problem is that years ago I used to attempt to shop there all the time, but nothing ever fit me right and eventually I just gave up and admired from afar. Recently, however, it was my mum’s birthday and we went into Manchester to do some shopping. We ended up having a look in Mango and there were so many lovely things. I have to say that a lot still didn’t fit me right, but as soon as I spotted this trench style jacket, the last one in my size in the sale, it was love at first sight. I tried it on and knew there was no way I would be leaving the store without it. I actually also found my DREAM pink coat as well hidden in the back of the sale with some other winter coats, and I cannot wait to start wearing it once the temperature drops. To be honest I struggled taking it off to go and pay for it I loved it that much. I will definitely be paying much more attention to Mango from now on.

I should also mention that typically I avoid the summer sales. I’ve said time and time again that Autumn Winter is by far my favourite season fashion wise, and for me the summer sale signifies the beginning of the stores getting the new season stock in. I try my best to avoid the sale and wait for all the beautiful newness to come in and I start buying ready for the autumn. Besides, by the time the sales start I’ve normally already bought enough to fill out and complete my summer wardrobe along with pieces from past years. This year though I decided to do something a little different. I decided I would have a real look in the sales but for pieces I know will actually work in my AW wardrobe as well as what’s left of the warmer season. I instantly knew this jacket was a winner for me. The colour of the jacket is such a gorgeous shade of rust, a colour I happen to be quite the fan of. And being a long, lightweight jacket I know I can wear it during all of this miserable British weather we’re having, and it will be perfect to transition into AW over layers and knitwear. I wouldn’t have ever picked it out online, but seeing it in store I saw its versatility and potential. I really love its loose, flowy shape and I think it adds a great laidback feel. It is just pure love.

I’m also wearing a gingham smock dress from Asos which was too cute to resist. I’ve expressed my love and strong nostalgia for gingham in a previous post (here), and this adorable dress features a navy and white checked print in an oversized smock shape. I would normally wear this kind of outfit with some black ankle boots, but I was dying to wear these new black shoes from Primark. Another buy from my shopping trip with my mum, I did go a little bit crazy in their shoe department. Primark have got some really great shoes in at the moment, and these were one of three pairs I ultimately left with. I thought they were a great classic black shoe for me. Other than their versatility, I really love the heel on them. I always go for a block heel as they’re much comfier and easier to walk in, but these have a slightly inverted heel which is something we’re probably going to be seeing more and more of as they were a common feature during the AW16 fashion week shows, along with a lot of other statement heels, albeit far more severe and drastic than these.

It turned out to be a very productive and successful shopping trip. I went into it completely open minded, not searching for anything in particular but rather actually looked at everything, and sometimes that ends up being the way you find great pieces you never knew you needed. And I don’t know about you, but I often find that kind of shopping the most fun.

Katie xx

Flowy Trench Jacket £39.99 in store Mango (similar here)

Gingham Smock Dress £19.50 on sale Asos

Black Heeled Shoes £12 Primark