Summer is here (at M&S at least!)

The warmer (and unfortunately, wetter) weather has arrived and so I suppose we can say that Summer is finally here. However, forecasters are predicting heatwaves in July and August, so Annabel and I were keen to meet up at our favourite one stop store to give our summer wardrobes a refresh and prepare for the sun. Here are some of our top picks that, at the time of writing, are available in store and/or online and are all very reasonably priced…

  • Linen Rich Printed V-Neck Midaxi Dress £45 (available short, regular and long lengths and in black/white colourway)
  • Linen Rich Printed V-Neck Tunic in Bright Sage (also available in same lovely pattern as the dress Grace is wearing) £39.50 in short, regular and long lengths. Worn with Suede Flat Mules £39.50 and Straw Tote Bag £45
  • Pure Cotton Striped Shirt £35 worn with Lyocell Blend High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans £35 (available in three other colours and short, regular and long lengths)
  • Pure Cotton Embroidered V-Neck Beach Dress £39 (also available in black)

In addition to our personal choices for older women that we’ve featured in the photographs above, there were stylish shorts of varying lengths, plenty of sleeveless tops and dresses, some great lightweight jackets, hats, jewellery, sophisticated swimwear and super cool sunglasses.

In fact there was so much to choose from in store (not forgetting M&S’s delicious coffee and the delights of the Food Hall), but you’ll also find even more brands and styles online – either way, M&S definitely has us older women covered. Why not have a look?

Have you checked out our recent recipes yet?

SPRING CLOTHES HAUL

We had such a fun day checking out the brand new Spring range for women at the wonderfully large Camberley M&S store. Annabel and I had a delicious cappuccino in the coffee shop before we began our Spring clothes haul – essential as we love our caffeine! Then we set off around the store – our trolleys soon piled high because there was literally so much to choose from and to try on.

Am sure I’m not the only one who is a fan of layering – it makes so much sense with our unreliable British weather. It may officially be Spring but try telling the grey skies and drizzle that!

There is a wealth of neutrals to choose from – neat fitted jackets, wide leg trousers, short blazers (which seem to be very on trend at the moment), easy to wear midi and maxi dresses and an interesting range of shoes, both flat and heeled (including wide fit – sooooo comfortable). These neutrals work together so well but, of course, you could mix them with brighter colours too.

Thankfully, long is still on trend. Why do we love long? Because it is slimming and you can dress it up or down, wear with heels or sneakers. Which means you can rather handily use one outfit for day and night if you’d like to.

We’ve always been advocates of bright colours because they seem to cheer up both wearer and anyone who sees you. I know it’s early days but I’ll be ready when the sun shines again with this co-ord outfit in vivid blue or this heavenly shade of soft orange. The cashmere sweater is available as a V neck or crew neck and is worn here with the best selling ombre print sweatshirt.

Oh the denim! Sorry to wax lyrical but is there really any other place to buy your denim than M&S? They always have a huge choice of well made, quality denim jeans, shirts and dresses. Something for everyone style-wise, various leg lengths, a choice of colours and even some with super comfortable elasticated waists (the latter a guilty pleasure for many of us!).

Our overriding impression of the new Spring range at M&S has to be the endless combinations you can make from just a few key pieces. These days we have to consider both the cost and the provenance of the clothes we buy. So the more outfits you can make, the better, ringing the changes makes absolute sense, both environmentally and financially.

More style and make up tips can be found here

IT’S TIME TO PARTY!

Whether you’re having a relaxed festive family dinner, treating yourself to a fun night out with friends, or have been invited to a drinks party – well, we women usually feel the same way… what am I going to wear? Eeeek. Can’t put on my tried and trusted dress that makes me feel good because everyone’s seen it a hundred times before. So we’re usually scrabbling about trying to find something new to put on and it can be frustrating.

Grace and Annabel get ready to party - great value party wear courtesy of M&S

Like you, we know that M&S is not the only excellent store in the world, but when Annabel and I went to have a look at what party wear they had, we felt spoiled for choice. And nothing costs the earth, so we didn’t feel guilty making a purchase or two!

Let’s be bold and sparkle when we’re out. Sequins are not just for the young, we can rock glitter too!

You may have spotted this stand out sequin bomber jacket on the M&S TV Xmas ad. Great if you like a more contemporary style and looks especially good if you pair it with one other colour ie navy as Annabel has done here.

Annabel chose plain navy trousers and this sophisticated Collared Tie Neck Shirt to wear with it. Made from lamé, which lends it a subtle sheen, it’s designed in an easy regular fit, with long sleeves that have deep cuffs, creating a neat silhouette. The ribbon at the neckline is removable or can be tied into a bow. £39.50

Grace  wearing an M&S sheath dress

This simple sheath dress caught my eye immediately. Not just because of it’s unbelievably reasonable price – £35 – but because it is so very flattering, hiding any lumps and bumps you may have. It is sheer but has an opaque underslip. Such a great design.

The little gold clutch was a great sparkly addition. If you are more of a Winter or Spring colouring, you may well prefer silver accessories and there are plenty of those to choose from too (scroll down to view some of them.)

I find it very tricky to walk in heels so plumped for these really comfortable gold loafers. However, for the more naturally elegant of you, this dress would look equally good worn with the metallic kitten heels pictured below.

This Sequin Ruched Midi Column Dress is available in Petite, Regular and Long and is another bargain at £49.50.

If you’d like to add a bit of height, these knee-high sparkle boots have a stiletto heel – Annabel found them surprisingly comfortable. This is no doubt due to the design which includes Insolia® technology that helps keep your heels comfy for longer by redistributing weight away from the balls of your feet. £79

Here’s our pick of the great value silver accessories:

Really hope you approve of our party wear choices and have found our style suggestions useful.

So, if you are looking for some new party sparkle or a sophisticated dress and want to go easy on your debit card, you know which website to check out!

THE ONE-STOP CHRISTMAS VILLAGE

M&S is our favourite one-stop Christmas Village. We really look forward to our visit to Camberley (one of their largest stores) each year to see what treats they have for us all. December is so often a really busy time for women, there’s so much to organise. So why not make life easier for yourself and visit the Christmas Village either in person or online…