Finding My Inner Gamine with Collar and Brogues

& WowOnWednesday

Dear friends. I had a very brief style analysis back in the 80s at a corporate women's event, and was told I am a "gamine." No further insights.  Over the years I didn't stick to this style: firstly, it's often hard to find gamine clothing, and secondly, it's associated with petite, very slim women, and during the 90s and early 2000s,  I was not slim, as you can see here.

But now I've started to reclaim the gamine look.  

If you have a style analysis with House of Colour, you will discover what style personality you have: Dramatic, Classic, Natural, Gamine, Ingenue and Romantic—which can be combined to make 23 types.  Gamine is sub divided and I would probably be a dramatic gamine because of my penchant for fairly showy jewellery - my "Anna Wintour" crystal necklaces,  and dress rings. Other gamine types prefer to wear minimal jewellery.

Gamine looks are always neat and fitted, which as regular readers will know, is generally my style. Anything loose, baggy or below waist length is a No No. 

Today's look is a simple classic - a cashmere jumper, a collared blouse and jeggings, with quirky shoes. 

The cashmere crew neck jumper is from Marks and Spencer: they call the colour "medium green." It photographs a bit blue. I wish I'd ordered Peach at the same time  (one of my best colours) because it sold out very quickly.

The Tencel Collared Long Sleeve Shirt in calico is also from M&S, as are last season's dark green jeggings. The shirt has pop stud fastenings instead of buttons. Normally I favour v necks, but in winter I prefer a crew neck when I want to show off a collar. The green brogues are from Embassy London (slightly reduced, plus you can get 10% off a first order).  I love the fun socks which are old and came from Boden. 

One unfortunate thing about the pictures is my droopy embonpoint. Ladies, doesn't it get difficult to find a decent bra for uplift! I have tried countless fancy brands but the only one that reliably works for me is a sports bra from Freya. And I wasn't wearing one of them when I took the pics!

Now that I've drawn your attention to this unfortunate matter, I am duty bound to write a post about finding a good bra for the various different permutations we women present.  

Skincare and Make-up Details

I started off with skincare from French pharmacy brand Vichy. I've loved Vichy skincare since I was a teenager, so I was thrilled to receive three products for peri and menopausal skin: Neovadiol Meno 5 Bi-Serum, Neovadiol Eye & Lip Care and Neovadiol Redensifying Plumping Day Cream.   I'll let you know in a few weeks what I think of this range. 

I then used Clarins Everlasting Youth Fluid foundation in Honey, Trinny London concealer on my dark circles and pigmentation, and Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in Las Salinas. Sadly these appear to have been discontinued. I much prefer a cream blush formula, it's more flattering as we age. It's difficult to find a good product in a decent colour. I applied a little Lisa Eldridge Elevated Glow, a liquid highlighter, along my nose, above the cupid's bow and on the cushion of my chin. It adds a glowy look. I used shade Crystal Nebula.

On my eyes I used Code Beautiful's Lid Lift Enhance, which I often wear on its own. It removes the dark discoloured look of my eyelids. I then played with greens in a Morphe palette.  I used Eye of Horus Goddess Pencil in amethyst to "tight line" my lashes and Huda Beauty Curl & Length mascara in blue. This is a clever mascara as it has two different mascara brushes in one tube. The other gives a more dramatic volume effect. 

I used Guerlain Kiss Kiss lip primer and my lipstick is the fabulous Rainbow Spill from Lisa Eldridge.

Sharing this post with: On Mondays We Link Up at Glass of Glam, Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style, Chic & Stylish at Mummabstylish, #SpreadTheKindness  and #Linkup on the Edge at Shelbee on the Edge, #AnythingGoes at My Random Musings, Turning Heads Tuesday at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish,  Style with a Smile  at Stylesplash, TFF at Doused in Pink,Confident Twosday at IDoDeclaire, Rena at Fine Whatever,, #Neverendingstyle at The Grey Brunette, Fancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style, Talent Sharing Tuesdays at Scribbling Boomer, Link Up Pot Pourri at My Bijou Life, Traffic Jam Weekend at Marsha in the Middle,  Fabulous Fridays at Lucy Bertoldi, Friendship Friday at Create with Joy, Wonderful Wednesday at Oh My Heartsie Girl , Trend Spin at The Fashion Canvas

In the comments let me know if you'd like to understand more about style personalities - gamine, ingenue, and so on.  I have an idea to use some women I know to share their style secrets for different style personalities and shapes, if you would be interested.

Disclosure:  nothing was gifted for this post except the Vichy Neovadiol products.  No affiliate links were used. I've supplied non-monetized links should you be interested in what I'm wearing/using.

WOW ON WEDNESDAY

Now it's time for the #WowOnWednesday link-up.  Posts on any topic are welcome. I'd encourage both bloggers and readers to explore what's on offer. Blog comments make it all worthwhile. 

Last Week's Favourites (Most Clicked)

The suitably intriguing Cucumbers and Cats from UK blog Smelly Socks and Garden Peas piqued your fancy. Who knew that cats were scared of cucumbers?  I keep meaning to try it with Molly but at her age (18) I'd be worried a shock might be fatal. 

A new Chanel bag has created a lot of controversy on social media, with some describing it as looking like a garbage bag! Heather at Bauchle Fashion has the story.

Life is so Precious from Suzy at The Grey Brunette. Following the loss of a loved one, Suzy has been pondering matters of life insurance, as well as what to wear to a funeral. 

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