[Self] Conscious

I bought these trousers back in April from the 2014 H&M Conscious Collection. They almost slipped through my fingers due to technical difficulties on the website but after taking to Twitter to vent my anger, H&M quickly got in touch and managed to put a pair aside for me. Made from recycled polyester, the material is really silky (read clingy) so they feel like quite a statement piece to me, especially as they tend to cry out for a crop top, something that sits firmly outside of my comfort zone, holidays being the exception.

Cashmere Convert

How many oversized pieces can you work into one outfit? I’ve taken my love for baggy, mannish shapes to the extreme this time, taking inspiration from my previous post with neutral colours and loose shapes. Alongside my second-hand Jupe cashmere trousers, I’m wearing an old white shirt from Gap bought several years ago in the sale with my vintage coat and very old sneakers that Father Christmas has now kindly replaced.

Part of my bid to shop sustainably involves buying less and sourcing classic, versatile pieces that can be worn in various different ways. I think these trousers definitely fit that bill. Although I’ve dressed them down here they could also work with heels and a little jacket for a more feminine feel. Their colour also allows for versatility, so I’ll be shedding my winter comfort blanket of black, grey and white and taking them into spring with lighter t-shirts and more vibrant hues.

Hope everyone had a lovely christmas. What was your favourite thing you got this year? I was very lucky and got some beautiful clothes, including a prized second-hand Michael Kors blazer from my boyfriend, discovered in an antique centre and that luckily fits like a glove. The boy did good. Said blazer will feature on a post in the new year. 

And just quickly a big thank you to everyone who has taken an interest in A Sustainable Thread over the past few months. Whether you’ve read it occasionally or tuned in devotedly to every post I am very grateful and totally thrilled by the positive responses. Have a very happy new year and see you in 2014!

PPhotos taken by Jamie Biles

Comfort Dressing

I finally seem to be getting the hang of Pinterest so rather than just re-pinning pretty pictures I’ve started using it to search for specific outfit inspiration. Seeing how others have styled certain key pieces really helps me to plan ahead and buy with purpose, yet also highlights how I can make the most of what I already own.

Lately, I've been after a pair of wide-legged baggy trousers so that I can indulge in a bit of winter comfort dressing. After unsuccessfully trawling the Internet in search of a second-hand pair I very luckily stumbled across some cashmere (!!) ones in a vintage shop just before leaving Notts for Christmas. They were an absolute steal and as always with amazing vintage pieces I couldn’t believe they were still sitting there or that someone had given them away in the first place!

Outfit post on said trousers will follow shortly but in the meantime here’s some wide-legged infused inspiration. Common denominators seem to be neutral colours, turned-up hems and lots of loose-fitting layers.

Images via Pinterest