I'm thinking about gilets. Not the ones with a certain pink duck on the front and a tartan lining. No, no and thrice no. That would be far too sensible not to mention totally warm and practical. The sort of gilet that takes up my thinking time (even when I supposed to be thinking about something completely different) are those sheepskin or faux fur examples. These seem to be in every shop I've been in recently or maybe it's just me actively searching them out with my beadiest fashion-dar eye on high alert.
I've done quite a bit of research. I hate it when you come to the conclusion that the one you really like is silly money and then you spend ages trying to find another, similar item for less. I'll come back to the "one" later.
Starting with the one that set me off down this road which is not just silly money but ridiculously, silly money.
The Lucy gilet by Joseph. Here
The thing is though I like the fur on the outside. Why? Because in the late nineties everyone wore sheepskin gilets. Mine was from Monsoon. The fur was on the inside the skin was on the outside. But as time wore on the gilet became synonymous with middle aged ladies and even though I am middle aged this type of association with an item of clothing will induce me to drop it into a charity shop bin faster than you can say hot potato.
Then I saw this gorgeous luxe version on a shopping trip with two very good friends. I couldn't help but notice that this one is also featured in this month's issue of Vogue.
I like this because it's got the fur on the outside which makes it more rock chick than rocking chair. It's longer and it covers your behind which gives it a nice silhouette if you are planning on teaming it with skinny jeans and boots or even leather leggings.
This year it's in two colour ways, a beige melange and black. Black is my personal favourite but I could see possibilities for both. The beige would work so well now with white denim.
This is sheepskin. Ergo it's expensive. I do think I would wear this a lot so it's that old pence per wear justification creeping into my head. Also, I like the fact that you can keep it on when you are out for the evening. When you've invested in something like this why would you want to take it off as soon as you get to the restaurant?
Then again I'm thinking is this a trend to invest in. I've spied other versions that look just as current and cosy.
This one in Topshop Here has a great boxy shape and I've spied it on a couple of ladies recently. Admittedly, these ladies were twenty somethings so you can draw your own conclusion. I think this khaki green is the best colour way for me and the pinky beige is very wearable as well.
Then I saw one in River Island this week and I have to say from a distance, if it was side by side in a "spot the difference" puzzle with the Whistles one, you would struggle. Close up. The fur is tell tale shiny. Does that matter? Probably not. Can I find a picture on line. No way Jose
Not quite what I had in mind but the oversize collar gives it 2014 update.
This one from Biba in House of Fraser is midnight blue faux fur. The colour is brilliant for styling with jeans and not as harsh as plain black
Here
So why would you splurge on such an impractical item of clothing? The clincher for me is that the little bit of bulk that the gilet adds to your body doesn't half make your legs and arms in particular look much, much thinner. All you need is a long sleeved tee underneath to achieve the illusion of having the leanest limbs in Christendom. And that, lovely readers, in a nutshell is your justification, if it were ever needed.
Wot no OOTD?
Let me explain.
My outfits this week have either been full on work attire or something I wouldn't be seen dead in for doing chores in the house and neither location lends itself to inspirational outfits and accessories posts but you will be impressed to know that I have decluttered the room still called the "playroom" in our house. I have shifted a shed load of princess barbies and pink playmobil. To say I'm pleased with myself is the understatement.
