Check Me Out: Style Not Age Challenge

Over-50s blogger Gail Hanlon from Is This Mutton in pink and black with check trousers, belted jacket and bright pink ankle boots for the Check Me Out Challenge

It's the last Monday of the month which means it's time for the Style Not Age Challenge where five bloggers from the UK and Ireland interpret a different theme. This time it was Anna's challenge, "Check Me Out." Anna, from Anna's Island Style, often rocks checks in her colourful outfits.

My heart sank a little because although I've had clothes with checks in recent years, I seem to have got rid of them all. But I've never had a pair of check trousers and like the idea because they always look a bit edgy and fun. I found these at Asos (out of stock, these are similar). With trousers like these you can be quite bold - maybe mix your patterns. I decided to create a dramatic silhouette by belting an over sized jacket and adding bright pink boots.

Style blog Is This Mutton featuring pink, black and white check trousers worn with pink and black to show that women over 50 can get away with checks and not just in the form of kilts.

I've gravitated towards a lot of pink this summer. Maybe I subconsciously think of it as a safe, comforting colour? It's one that flatters everyone, if you find the right pink for you. I'm wearing a jacket from M&S last summer, a graphic tee from the-bias-cut.com and my favourite bright pink ankle boots which I found online at a US retailer, FSJ. I cinched the jacket with a silver lurex belt from Topshop.

A colourful casual and smart outfit for any age - check trousers with ankle boots and belted oversize jacket worn by Gail Hanlon of Is This Mutton, the over-50s style blog

I don't think Mr Mutton would like to be seen out with me in this get up. He was rolling his eyes and muttering "lose the belt." Maybe he was right.

Let's see what my cohorts have come up with. Anna has found a stunning suit at Primark and is wearing it with a tee shirt from Topshop and shoes by Nine West. You can always rely on Anna to add a funky accessory or two, and this time it's her striking necklace and sunglasses with check border.

It looks as if Emma from Stylesplash is also wearing a suit, but her jacket and trousers are actually separates. Emma has an uncanny knack for sourcing great fashion finds from eBay, where she picked up this M&S jacket. Her trousers are from Zara (current), the top is from Karen Millen. Bag from Mango and shoes from River Island. Don't houndstooth and polka dots look great together?

Hilda from Over The Hilda is also wearing check trousers. I love the mix of fawn and caramel shades in her outfit which is head-to-toe Zara. The training shoes look very cool and and are this year's spin on last year's more athletic looking shoes.

Jacqui from Mummabstylish is a Noa Noa dress with an M&S check blouse that we both have (mine is missing a button so probably why I'd forgotten I had it), along with a new Osprey bag with silver and pearl necklace and bracelet to finish it off.

Over 50s blogger Jacqui Berry from Mummabstylish in the Check Me Out challenge, wearing a check blouse over a dress

Hoping that our outfits have inspired you to try checks. They're sometimes seen as a bit "out there" unless they're incorporated into winter coats, but hopefully we've shown they can be part of outfits that are fun, casual and smart. Have a look at more pictures on my friends' blogs. Nearly all of our outfits came from high street shops/retailers, many being places where older women don't naturally go - Asos, Topshop, Mango. You can find some great things there, particularly if you regularly visit their online stores to see what's new.

I'm back on Wednesday, join me then!

Sharing this post with Stylish Monday at Fashion Trends and Friends, Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style, Chic & Stylish at Mummabstylish, #SpreadTheKindness at Shelbee on the Edge, Anna at Muttonstyle, #AnythingGoes at My Random Musings, Thursday Moda at Elegance and Mommyhood, Turning Heads Tuesday at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Style with a Smile at Stylesplash, Anna at the GlamAdventure, Style Six at Coast to Coast, TFF at Doused in Pink, Fancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style, Monday Runway at A Pocketful of Polka Dots, Fabulous Fridays at Lucy Bertoldi, Beauty by Miss L Link Up

FOR MORE MUTTON

There's a fashion or beauty post every Wednesday, with the #WowOnWednesday link up. Stay in the loop: follow Is This Mutton? on Bloglovin or Feedspot. I post extra goodies on the Is This Mutton? Facebook page. Check out the Is This Mutton? Pinterest boards, including boards on other bloggers in fab outfits plus beauty, jewellery, hairstyles and fashion picks. Is This Mutton? is also on Twitter and Instagram.