what if I wore it the first time.......: Seventies Hustle.

I'm having a nostalgia trip and it seems so is the rest of the world. Films like American Hustle and the fabulous Italian Fashion exhibition at the V & A, both with more seventies clobber than you can shake a cheesecloth shirt and maxi dress at, are just two of the examples that have managed to filter through my usually clogged with a "things to do" list. Before long, I can't escape the feeling that every time I'm out shopping, or knowing me, online, I'm pausing at anything with more than a whiff of patchouli oil about it. Wedges everywhere, smock tops with woodblock print in Monsoon, silky shirt dresses in House of Fraser and of course flares. These flares are my favourites.

Dreaming blue Marrakesh flare from MiH jeans £174

They are from my new best denim friend MIH. Let me tell you J Brand must be feeling the pinch as I now have divided loyalties when it comes to jean labels.

It doesn't help that when I leave Him Indoors on his own for a morning he has been searching out seventies vinyl and by the time I get home the whole house sounds like it's been turned into a suburban version of Studio 54.

This is my seventies inspired hit list

First, you have to have the flares. Either Marrakesh by MiH or
JBrand Lovestorey versions.

Next you need the smock or cheesecloth top and look no futher than Mango or Monsoon

This one is in my wish list but I'll bring you more affordable options , just couldn't resist showing you this one.

Joie Calonice embroidered top £260 also with 25% off right now

Ethnic embroidery blouse by Mango £44.99

Athena smock top Monsoon £55

I tried these on in my local Monsoon today.
On other blogs I've seen some of the same versions at New Look. I'm not a New Look shopper as a rule, for me it's the place that my daughters go for fast fix fashion, the disco leggings, acid wash dungarees and the best novelty (gingerbread man in a Father Christmas hat) jumper EVER (worn I hasten to add by my youngest on everyday leading up to, including and post Christmas) so to say I was surprised to find some seventies influenced tops that would go very nicely thank you with my flares was felt with a tinge of a disappointment, that I had been proved wrong by the younger versions of my family. Humble pie being eaten as we speak or type, in this case.

Hang on a minute ...just look at this. A rival to any of my folksy, embroidered tie at the neck smocks above, again from my new found high street hit.

The title on the website says something like three quarter red and black tie front top - nope, not doing it for me either. But look beyond the dry description and I think you will have found the very essence of the seventies influenced top I'm waxing lyrical about for under £20.

Embroidered folksy smock top. My better I think title for £17.99 at New Look

The pic could be better but I couldn't see it in the shop so this one will have to do.

But but. but. but.... if ever a shop was underestimated it is New Look as this came into view as I walked through the door. Its an "ever so useful, not quite what I had in mind" top that I could not avoid when I first went in and then I ran out of the shop as I think they must have got it wrong when they asked me for £9, yes £9 when I went to the till... they told me that I couldn't return it... er like that is something I needed to worry about as A. Can't tell you how pleased I am with it and B. I can't believe my luck.

To cover up when it's chilly, look no further then Isabel Marant inspired jackets or, if you favour something more lightweight, try this from Monsoon. Might be taking the seventies hippy look to a different level but it's the perfect little jacket.

Monsoon Seventies artisan jacket Rawnie £89

On your feet. You will need wedges or stacked or wooden heels.

Having checked out most of the wedges available I have to say. That these are my favourites.

Russell and Bromley Stuart Wietzman wedges £225

Not in your budget? Me neither, so I went for these in Clarks
instead.

orleans Jazz wedges in Clarks for £39.99

There are other colour ways but I think I like the Tan version the best

But you can't go wrong with a pair of Swedish Hasbeens for true seventies footwear nostalgia.

Swedish Hasbeens Suzanne in black £155

I think you need a pair of big sunnies or aviators to add polish and if you can add a string of beads on a chord such as these you will really be nailing the whole look. H and M multi strand boho necklace

Hope you like my seventies influenced edit.

Taking a look at my wardrobe it appears that this is not the first time I've felt this love for all things seventies inspired. I have not one but three pairs of flares. My favourites are my JBrand not a Love Story pair as these are more, what I used to refer to as, Loons - tight to the knee and then mega flared to the hem. They are actually called Babe, I kid you not(I appreciate its quite a stretch of the imagination). My Monsoon top and the one that is a cheeseclothy from Joie are more than a nod to seventies when paired with super high wedges and platforms, a pair of aviators or even better some large framed sunnies and the finishing touch, a pair of hoop earrings. I would also add my glass heart pendant on a string but I'm on the lookout for something more Isabel Marant in style. Then found it in H&M for under £7.

Here is my own wardrobe edit of this look. No purchase necessary. Cut off my head and my shoes - its quite a talent if you can manage both but I was wearing a pair of wedges I've had from Karen Millen for about a decade or more now.

So out for lunch yesterday at the local seafood tapas restaurant, not what we had planned but turned out to be a good choice.

Wearing my pre sale - sale purchase of Vanessa Bruno Athe top with MiH Phoebe jeans.

Then today, feeling the seventies vibe for a coffee and then a dash to retrieve two very tired children from the IoW ferry in my amazing bargain of a new top.