Cashmere, Cold Snaps and The Squeezable Cat
The items in this post are #gifted items and links marked * are affiliate links. I have previously worked with Boden and have received samples and gifting from Boden, M&S, ME+EM and Next. Please click here for more info and my disclosure policy.
A cashmere round-up for you, if you were thinking of investing in some before the "big freeze". (Where is this big freeze? It keeps faffing about and then disappearing. I like to know where I stand with the weather, I want to know exactly how many days I have left until the spring when I can throw open my sash windows and sleep without a hat and coat on. So if this big freeze is coming then I'd rather it just bloody well got on with it and snowed us in for a few days. Big freeze? Big tease, more like.)
Where was I? Yes. My edit of the best jazzed-up cashmere; stripes and prints and colour-block sleeves. No plain knits here. These are the jumpers you can throw on with jeans (as inevitably I do) and still look as though some effort has been made. The only thing you need to rootle in your cupboard for is a t-shirt of vest top to put on underneath, though all of these jumpers are soft enough to wear against skin if that's your bag.
I personally worry about only wearing one layer - once I went to a meeting in a cashmere jumper and almost fainted because I got too hot. I couldn't take the jumper off because I didn't even have a bra on underneath - I think I must have been pregnant. I mean, imagine treating everyone to that sight in the boardroom. Saucer nipples and a sweaty torso.
Right, which lucky brand gets to follow up that visual image? Let's start with Boden and their amazing Celia jumper. Boden are getting good at sneaking rainbow stripes into unexpected places; here on the shoulders they look bright and cheery without edging into the realms of "Children's TV Presenter". You can find the Celia online here* - it's £140, but you can usually find quite a good Boden discount code online if you look. My Mum sends me them almost daily. It's an issue.
The fit of the Celia is relaxed and flattering - perfect if you hate your jumpers fitted around the tummy area. The drop shoulders make it slightly sexy and cute, I think - it's the ultimate wardrobe-cheerer. It also comes in grey, if pink isn't your thing...
You've seen the cat pics, I know, but here he is again, Mr Bear giving his best faces for the camera. He is for hire, should anyone want him to advertise Sheba or what have you. I usually feed him on Royal Canin British Shorthair biscuits but - to be honest - he's easily bought and probably dying for a bit of culinary variety.
The marvellous cashmere number I'm modelling is from Made East and is called the Tina. Those who snapped it up in the sale when I mentioned it recently will be feeling very smug because it's now back up to usual price. I have to say, the quality is up there with the best I've ever seen (and worn); the knit is really dense but very soft. Find it online here.
I've featured this Mix/J.Won roll-neck sweater before, just in a different colour. The panelled, block-coloured arms are really different and add a nice flash of coral to what would otherwise be a plain (but very chic!) knit. I think that the colour contrast really makes it modern and fun.
This roll-neck is great with jeans - the coral sleeves look particularly nice with light denim, I think. Find this at Next here* - it's £120.
And here I am seductively holding my cat. Doing "come hither" eyes whilst holding my fur baby. It's all mildly inappropriate in a way...
You might think that Mr Bear looks desperate to escape, but don't let appearances deceive you. He is, in fact, signalling for me to hold him tighter. "More!" he says, telepathically, "more squeezing! It's what cats like!"
See? He loves it. So squished he's almost flattened - it sometimes surprises me that he even has a skeletal system under all of that fluff.
This animal print jumper is from M&S (£99 here*) and is possibly the best high street example du jour when it comes to interesting, patterned cashmere. With a soft, fine knit it is relatively fitted, so could tuck into a pencil skirt or paperbag-waisted trousers if you fancied that sort of styling.
And the earrings were six quid from Topshop - I bought them a few weeks ago so I'm not sure whether or not they will have them now, but there are loads of OTT seventies-style hoops online. Which I seem to have a thing for at the moment.
Now will you just look at this absolute beauty of a top? The ME+EM Cashmere Zip Jumper is like the world's most luxe version of the tracksuit tops I wore in my teens. Something this nostalgic and well-executed just cannot fail to be cool. I felt eighteen again as soon as I put it on. I even slung a gold chain on over the top (Chloe, I've had it for ages and never find the right time to wear it) to complete the Ruth Circa 1998 look.
It's quite a saucy little top and very fitted at the bottom - not one of those comfort-zone jumpers that covers hips and keeps your kidneys warm! Although it's not cropped, so don't die of fright just yet. It looks amazing with wide-leg trousers (I'll be back with more pics) but equally, if you want to go down the Flashiest PE Teacher In Britain route then zip it on over posh jogging bottoms.
If you a) live in Gucci (or Gucci-style) trainers, b) want to inject a serious flash of colour into your life and c) need something good to take you into spring then this is your jam. When spring actually arrives, you can wear it as a jacket!
The Cashmere Zip Jumper is £249 here*.
Tell me, incurable jumper-wearers/those living in cold houses/climes; how many days in the past week have you not worn a thick sweater? It occurred to me this morning that I hadn't opened my wardrobe doors for over ten days, which means that all of my garments have come from a drawer, which in turn means that I have only worn jeans, pyjamas and jogging trousers on the bottom half and jumpers on the top. Not even a cardi! Talk about getting into a comfortable rut...