MY MOST FAVOURITE OUTFITS OF 2023

 Hello my dear readers, hope this post finds you well.

Although there is still a week and a bit until we farewell 2023, this is my last post of this year so let's sum it up.

I can't speak on behalf of you, but for me it went too fast for my liking.  I heard people saying it all the time but this year I really feel it and frankly, I don't like it.  But I should not complain even despite the fact that I had two more cancer spots on my face that needed to be removed, the one on my nose that I had in August was particularly problematic and still has not fully healed.

The biggest event that happened this year was my husband's 70th birthday that we celebrated in style by having 7 course seasonal festive dinner at Oncore run by 3-Michelin Star London renowned chef Clair Smyth followed by a big bash for our extended family and friends.

Also, this year we made our first overseas trip since 2019.  However, while in the past we would spent four to five weeks visiting several overseas destinations, this time it was just one stop trip to Bali, our all time favourite spot that we go to for a blissful time of total relaxation.

Other then that, it was business as usual: work, looking after grandchildren, going to the gym, movies, theatre, dining out etc, etc, etc.

So without further ado, let me bring up my and some of you, my dear readers, most favourite outfits of 2023:

This summer it was all about wearing a stripe shirt over white linen and this outfit was featured as the most favourite look on #WOWWEDNESDAY link-up party hosted by Gail from Is This Mutton fashion blog

I dare not to remember how many years these square checked pants have been dormant in my wardrobe until one day I decided to bring them back to life and believe or not but they scored the most favourite look of the week on #WOWWEDNEDAY link-up party hosted by Gail from Is This Mutton fashion blog.

I fell in love with this oversized jumper from Reiss in tangerine colour that featured as a favorite on #WOWWEDNESDAY link-up party hosted by Gail from Is This Mutton fashion blog

One of my most favourite purchases of 2023 was this dress from Marcs in deep pink colour that was featured on #ChickandStylish #Link-up hosted by Jacquie from Mummabstylish

In my last outfit of 2023, I raised the question of whether the women of certain vintage should wear short skirts and my answer was "YES"👍

On this high note, I would like to wish you all a very 

Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!!!

See you all in 2024

Anna

xoxoxo

MY NEW RED BLAZER AND A-SHAPE SHORT SKIRT OUTFIT

Hello my dear friends, hope you are all ok.

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you might recall my last post which was about the return of the  colour red back to the fashion radar and if you missed it, you can catch up here.

It seems that I got caught red handed (pun not intended) as this post is also about wearing red but this time it is a blazer and mini skirt combo.  As previously, both were spotted and purchased from David Jones, proudly Australian luxury department store but from two different brands.

It started with the blazer from David Lawrence.  How can anyone miss such a bright bold crimson colour?  Definitely, not me.  Besides that, I like its flattering slim silhouette and contrasting black buttons at the front fastening and along the cuffs.  There was an option to buy a pair of pants made of the same fabric but having so many various colours and styles of pants and trousers at home, I chose to skip it.

My next stop was at Marcs (the same brand from which I got my latest dress, seen here), only this time I was after a skirt.  After scanning their racks, I found what I was looking for - an A-line mini skirt in gingham check of peachy orange and dark red that potentially would be a perfect match for my newly acquired blazer and when I put them on together and checked my image in the mirror, I knew I was right. 

I was contemplating wearing my new black Mary Janes shoes seen hear but thought that a pair of black chunky loafers are more suitable to wear with the A-line skirt and would complement the sharp silhouette of the blazer. 

Then it dawned on me that since I turned 60 three years ago, I have been often seen wearing skirts and dresses that were well above my knees and on the short side that some people would describe as age-inappropriate.   This hot topic has been discussed in the blogosphere by older women for years, trying to bring awareness that growing older does not necessarily equate to wearing dark boring dresses well blow your knees, thick shapeless cardigans, lipstick and make-up free and never set your foot in fitness club or a hair and nail salon.  

Yes, I am fully aware that with age our knees sag and the skin wrinkles but this could be easily rectified by wearing stockings and if you have nicely shaped legs, then why not? Some of us are genetically blessed with good legs, while for others it is a hard work to keep them in shape.  There is ever more reason not to hide them.

When I was young, I attended a ballet school that helped me to define the muscles and shape my legs but that was over fifty years ago!!!  Since then, I've invested a lot of time and effort to keep my legs in shape:  I go to the gym at least three or four times a week, I don't work on the machines but prefer group exercises like Power Yoga, Pilates, Barre and Les Mills Shape and Body Balance classes (I am a member of Fitness First club and the names and the routine of these classes are trademarked by it).  I used to run three times a week but lately was advised against running so now I go for a long power walks three times a week instead.

And let not forget to mention that a body positivity mindset and self-confidence play an important role in determining the answer to the question of what we should and should not wear.

Please share your thoughts in the comment section below 💖.

Blazer - David Lawrence 

Skirt - Marks

Shoes - Neutralizer (similar)

Belt - Hermes

Have a great week.  Until then

Anna

xoxoxo