Good looking fleeces for when you're bored of jumpers
Plus, big pants are hot!
I was at a kids birthday party the other week when my friend Natasha (read her book - the perfect belated Valentine's gift-to-self!) came over and asked me about fleeces. Following a recent move out of the city, she was desperate for something properly warm to wear under her coat for the nursery run, etc. Apparently the countryside is COLD.
Considering it's currently freezing everywhere - even inside the M25 - I thought fleeces would be a useful topic to discuss here, too. They're warm, washable, and make a nice change from wearing big jumpers with your jeans.
They're also a thing at the moment - see Miu Miu’s sold-out grey pile zip-up (how great is this styling under a wax/barn jacket?!). In my dreams is this from Adidas x Grace Wales Bonner. The blue piping!
When doing a fleece, silhouette is important. You’ll want to go short and boxy or oversized. The look is slouchy - anything fitted or with a shaped waist loses cool-factor.
Fuzzy or teddy textures easily go shabby, so stick to fleeces made from short, dense pile. It should feel nubbly not hairy.
I’ve been wearing the below from FP Movement a lot recently. It’s the ideal lazy chuck on over a T-shirt when I’m dossing about with the kids and fits under my puffer, but is thick enough to be worn as a jacket in spring. Also, pockets!
Pink isn't my usual colour, however the dusky tone doesn't look too sugary. And it’s an easy way to add colour to my jeans rotation. It also pairs really nicely with brown and khaki, of which I have plenty.
There are a zillion colourways - the navy and cream are also very good. I particularly like the contrast colour-pop trims which give them a sort of techno-hiking appeal. A vibe!
3 more to browse:
Pleasingly retro and such a great yolky yellow that will look ace with mid-blue denim. The red is fun, too.
A neat navy number which would also work with black trousers. Oooh and so nice with your ecru jeans in spring.
A luxe jackety style that feels a bit sleeker thanks to the ribbed collar. Use it to smarten up your leggings and joggers in the playground. Or amp it up with hoops and wear it for family Sunday lunch at the pub!
Cute for the kids!
One more thing…
In other news, big knickers are a hot topic and it's not just because of the new Bridget Jones film.
According to a survey by Victoria’s Secret, 77 per cent of women would choose a full coverage pant over a thong or G-string. Which is especially interesting as VS has long pushed a super sexy aesthetic centred around tiny underwear. So the fact even that customer is choosing big pants over small, suggests a proper sea change in underwear tastes.
As I wrote in the paper this week, I'm all for a large brief. Stripe & Stare and The Underdays are the best for comfortable everyday pants. These from Uniqlo are a great seamless option when wearing clingy bottoms.
This week I was also introduced to the Soft Stretch (£17) from Chantelle (the go-to lingerie brand in France so I'm told). As the name implies, they are both super soft and stretchy. The type of knickers you put on and forget about - which is how it should be. They're one size, which I'm always sceptical about, however they’re one of the brand’s bestsellers which would suggest they stand up to the claim. I like mine very much.
They also come in a maternity style. AND if you're looking for an easy, wire-free bra, I was very impressed with the comfort and support levels of the below (£44). I'm a 32 C and was fitted to the XS-S.
Bonus recommendation!
I'm taking a break next weekend as I'm away with the kids. So I wanted to leave you with an extra recommendation. A book! That's easy to read! And fun! And gripping! And about motherhood! But also amateur sleuthing!
I was lucky enough to read an advance copy in January and galloped though it. Pre order it now for an Easter holiday treat.
That's all for now. You're doing great, Frankie x
You might have missed:
3 ways to style your grey joggers
As last week's post was a chunky read, I'm keeping it zippy this week with a rundown of three great ways to wear your grey jogging bottoms. Save for when the thought of a hard waist band is Too Much.
How to dress up jeans for date night
Valentine’s Day. Obviously a capitalist swizz designed to make us spend more money. But also quite sweet and a good reason to talk about date-night dressing.