"". November 2022 | Is This Mutton?

Fashion for the over 50s with books and beauty

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Wednesday 30 November 2022

Pretty Daytime Make-Up with Look Fabulous Forever

 & WowOnWednesday

A Before and After: 62 year old woman's face before and after using make-up by Look Fabulous Forever

Dear friends. Pull up a chair, it might be a long post. I can't wait to talk to you about some of my latest beauty discoveries. 

Today I'm going to create a pretty everyday make-up with Look Fabulous Forever, the brand created specifically for older women. And I'm going to reveal my best beauty secret. But let's start with skincare, because unless our skin is looking good, make-up can't do its job.
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Monday 28 November 2022

Stripes and Dots: Style Not Age Challenge

 Look good oer 60 in a soft striped jumper, embellished leggings and ankle boots. Gail Hanlon from Is This Mutton in stripes and dots for the November Style Not Age Challenge

Dear friends. When Emma set this month's Style Not Age Challenge - Stripes and Dots - I initially  thought it was an easy one. But not so.  I've been so ruthless with clearing out my wardrobe that I've given away everything I had with dots and stripes! 

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Wednesday 23 November 2022

Blue Cashmere Jumper 2 Ways

Gail Hanlon from Is This Mutton in Royal Cobalt cashmere jumper from Lands' End

 & WowOnWednesday

Dear friends. One thing I find very hard to resist is anything made of cashmere.  I remember buying my first cashmere jumper a few years ago (black, ribbed) and realising anything else would always feel inferior. 

So when Land's End got in touch to offer a coat, I managed to persuade them to make it a cashmere jumper. A great decision - I'm very impressed with this crew neck jumper in Royal Cobalt. 
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Friday 18 November 2022

Never Too Young to Start Reading - and #WOYBS

 Baby and grandmother reading a book. Is This Mutton's November book reviews focus on illiteracy in the UK with high numbers still unable to read.

Dear friends.  You're never too young to get started with reading! Our granddaughter Olive, above, has already got her library card and enjoys hearing stories (above, with Jane, one of her grannies).  But an alarming report this week said that in the UK, 1 in 5 adults are still functionally illiterate. That's over 7 million people. 

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Wednesday 16 November 2022

Three Winter Outfit Dilemmas Resolved with Cotton Traders

 & WowOnWednesday

Gail Hanlon from over-50s style blog Is This Mutton in champagne faux fur coat from Cotton Traders

Dear friends. With costs spiraling for everything, one of the things I'm keen to do is economise when I buy clothes or cosmetics. But I don't want to buy clothes on the cheap, and perpetuate "fast fashion," with all the unethical and unsustainable methods that implies. 

I do rummage in charity shops, but I'm also mindful of the need to sustain the high street and all the jobs in retail and fashion, so you have to balance the two. 

I'm looking for pieces that will last, and from retailers with published sustainable policies.

When Cotton Traders got in touch for a potential collaboration, I was initially dubious. I'd always associated them with sweatshirts and raincoats that were a bit too practical.  

I was pleasantly surprised when I browsed their site. Lots of colourful designs, particularly in knitwear and coats.

When they offered four items of my choice, I decided to find gaps in my wardrobe and find garments that solved a particular clothing dilemma.

A champagne faux fur coat from Cotton Traders worn by Gail Hanlon from is This Mutton

DILEMMA 1:  DO I REALLY NEED ANOTHER COAT?

When I did my winter clothes inventory recently, I realised I had too many coats and jackets for my needs, so I sent a few to charity shops. But what I didn't have was anything in faux fur. 

Now arguably, I don't need a faux fur coat, but I do love them.  So I chose this Sofia coat in Champagne. It's very warm and very soft.  While I've dressed it up here, with a skirt, rose gold boots and layered pearl necklaces, it would be just as good dressed down with jeans or leggings. 


DILEMMA 2:  IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A SUBTLE CHRISTMAS JUMPER?

Now this is a dilemma for many of you, because I know not everyone loves a Christmas jumper (sweater). I classify them in 3 tiers:

  • Very naff.  Wording that says "Ho ho ho" or equivalent;  Father Christmas;  flashing lights. 
  • Christmassy, but tasteful. No wording. A suitable colour and good quality. It might have sequins.
  • Not really Christmassy but stylish and Nordic looking in Fair Isle or Arran.   This is a great alternative for those who have different celebrations. Or just want a great jumper! 
The jumper I chose is in the 3rd category.  It will get a lot more wear than a standard Christmas jumper because there's no shame in wearing it all winter.  The Rachel Fair Isle is jumper is very warm, comes in three colours (mine is dark red) and is very well priced at £36. 

I'm wearing it with jeans but it would also look dressier with a skirt in velvet or corduroy, both very on trend this winter.   I'm in my normal size, 10 (US 6) and it's true to size. 

A stylish Fair Isle jumper in dark red and cream worn by Is This Mutton's Gail Hanlon


DILEMMA 3: FLATTERING LOUNGE WEAR FOR SNUG WINTER EVENINGS AT HOME

After a huge Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, the last thing we want is to be wearing is a pair of tight jeans, a belted dress or unforgiving leggings. Comfortable velour separates are what's required, but lounge wear is often very unflattering. I had a cream wool two piece a couple of years ago that turned out to be itchy, plus it made me look two sizes bigger.

Not so with the Boheme velour blouse (£33, two colours available) and the Irresistible velour slim fit trousers (2 colours, £28).  

Finding a stylish and flattering set of lounge wear is often a challenge. Gail Hanlon from Is This Mutton in burgundy velour separates from Cotton Traders

It's such a comfortable outfit: the trousers are a great fit, flattering and the right length.I'm 5'4 but my legs are long relative to my short torso.  Even Molly (age 18) approves.  My slippers (below) are from River Island. I like to crack open a new pair for Christmas so they will be going back in the cupboard! 


I'm very pleased with my choices and can see them getting a lot of wear as the weather gets colder. Do you have any other winter outfit dilemmas?  And what category is your Christmas jumper in? Do share in the comments. 

I was gifted with four items of clothes from Cotton Traders and invited to style them for a blog post.with no need to use affiliate links or have copy approval.  

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 StylesplashTFF at Doused in Pink,Confident Twosday at IDoDeclaireRena at Fine Whatever,, #Neverendingstyle at The Grey BrunetteFancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style, Talent Sharing Tuesdays at Scribbling Boomer, Link Up Pot Pourri at My Bijou LifeTraffic 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 (Monday)

Now it's time for the #WowOnWednesday link-up.  Bloggers, Instagrammers and YouTubers are invited to share new and evergreen content. 


Last Week's Favourites - Most Clicked


Australian blogger Deb's story of her Little Black Dress: "That One Little Black Dress (LBD) a story covering 12 years". Do you have an LBD that's been worn at key events in your life?


Ways to Wear Black Pants, Part 2 from Kellyann of This Blonde's Shopping Bag. Note to UK readers:  pants are the American term for trousers. No tittering at the back! 


A delicious candy striped shirt and lots of cool accessories are in the latest capsule wardrobe for Sally of Within a World of My Own with her post "OOTD x3: Wide Leg Trouser Jeans Outfits for Fall."

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
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Wednesday 9 November 2022

Skirt Styling Fun

 & WowOnWednesday

Gail Hanlon from Is This Mutton in peacock bias skirt and bright apricot top

Dear friends. Today I'm bringing you a Skirt Special with the help of some friends, old and new.  Using the hash tag #7DaySkirtChallenge we showed a different skirt each day, or the same skirt each day but styled differently.
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Thursday 3 November 2022

October in Review: What a Great Month!

 

Dear friends. October was a very busy month. Four Meet Ups, John's birthday celebration, two Kettlewell Colour Club outings, a visit to Battersea Power Station, a sky dive and more.  Let's "dive" in.

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Wednesday 2 November 2022

Permacrisis? Let's Have a Laugh Instead

 & #WowOnWednesday

With the world in a state of "permacrisis," Is This Mutton, the London based blog for the sassy over 50s, finds some humour at Very British Problems. And two colourful outfits like this green poncho with neon orange belt and saffron yellow ankle boots

Dear friends.  We learnt this week that the Collins Dictionary word of the year is "Permacrisis,"  defined as an extended period of instability and insecurity”.

Certainly in the UK we seem to veer from one crisis to another.  This week it's the shameful conditions of a refugee camp and the nation's water companies cheerfully releasing sewage into the sea, as voted for by their coastal MPs. Not to mention the new prime minister planning not to attend the COP environmental talks. And the clocks going back.

Here at Mutton Towers, we're fed up with the permacrisis. This post focuses on a different set of Very British Problems, and lots of colour. 

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