Easy Pieces

For me, good quality basics with the Martini factor (remember this?) and a smattering of eye-catching accessories are where it's at. I don't work in a corporate environment, rarely wear head-to-toe tailoring and find casual glamour is my default setting. Effortlessly stylish separates, like a reliable work colleague, are easy to get along with during the day and good enough to take you over the road to the pub for a refreshing evening drink. So here are some of my favourite pieces for spring:

1. The tuxedo jacket - the one above is from la maison de chic separates, Comptoir des Cotonniers.

2. A jaunty blouse or shirt. Helps livens up a plain bottom half.



3. Liz Taylor earrings. Theses are classy not brassy and the quickest way to glam-up a pared-down outfit.



4. The luxury tee. That's Not My Age is a sucker for slinky jersey.



4. The maxi skirt - love this one from the Theyskens' Theory collection.



5. A pair of plimsolls. OK, after living in them for ooh, ever, I haven't worn Converse for years. Two reasons. I hit forty and found they were too flat and didn't provide enough support for my middle-aged feet. And then, David Cameron started wearing them. But the latest collaboration with Marimekko might be worth the physical/political pain.




6. The denim dress. This is from the new Spanish website, Medwinds which is worth checking out if, like That's Not My Age, you're a fan of quality basics. Though personally, I would ditch the platforms.



In fact, yesterday I wore my denim dress with navy cotton-knit tights and a pair of tan leather lace-ups...



7. The essential black trouser. My old Gap Capri pants have been working hard of late but I'm looking to upgrade to a longer length Cigarette-style. Here are a couple of hot favourites:




From DVF and Sportsmax. And hoorah! We're off to New York on Wednesday so I'm hoping a Brit-friendly-exchange-rate will lead me to the DVF pants, unless of course I happen upon a pair of fabulous leg-lengthening Theyskens first.


How do you do casual glamour? And wasn't Easy Pieces a Lloyd Cole album?



Tuxedo jacket, gingham blouse and leather lace-ups: Comptoir des Cotonniers
Earrings: Mikey
T-shirt: Eternitee
Theyskens' Theory: Net-a-Porter
Marimekko Converse: from Offspring and Converse (coming soon!)
Denim dres: Medwinds
DVF and Sportsmax trousers: Matches

Easy Style

So, get this. That's Not My Age has had a virtual wish granted, a Rag & Bone concession has popped up at The Shop at Bluebird. When Anthropologie opened in autumn, I dreamed of the other American brands I'd like to see over here. Behold the Power of the Blog! Now I've experienced its supernatural properties, I'll be using them more often. In fact, I'm going to start right now with electoral reform. Nick Clegg you know what you've got to do - step away from the Tories and give Gordon Brown a call. You'll find him at Number 10.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes. That's Not My Age is a big fan of low-key style. Simple, uncomplicated clothes that are easy to wear and effortlessly stylish are right up my strasse. Utility chic is a current obsession - an old khaki jacket from Muji has been doing the rounds recently - and I live in jeans and grey marl t-shirts. Which is why I'm pleased to see the Rag & Bone men, David Neville and Marcus Wainwright, have rocked up on our shores. It's just a shame their clothes are a bit on the pricey side - I have a pair of trousers purchased in New York (cheaper over there/where the British duo are based), and would like to add to the collection. Make that Blog Wish number two.

That's Not My Age's trademark look is casual with a twist. I'll slip a neatly tailored jacket over the t-shirt and jeans, add a mannish shoe or trainer - heels if it's a special occasion - and er, that's it. The problem with pared-down chic is that if you're not careful, it can end up looking bland, or too boyish. Which is why it's best to liven things up with a pair of diamanté earrings, an animal print scarf or some other form of embellishment. Bella Freud calls this casual glamour. Which I like. I also like this gorgeous jacket from Isabel Marant. Pure casual glamour:



And while I'm at it, how about this lovely Margaret Howell trouser suit? Perfect for summer but I'll leave the stripy tee, thank you very much. Got plenty of those already and That's Not My Age knows that greed is not good.



The queen of casual glamour is Phoebe Philo who has transformed Céline into the grown-up label du jour. Blog Wish number three is the entire S/S 10 collection, no sorry what was that about greed? Make that a pair of camel, bum-flattering trousers:





And the good thing about easy style is that you can find it on the high street. Uniqlo, Gap, Cos and Whistles are all good for simple basics. The key is to carefully select pieces from here and there to go with what you already have. Inexpensive jersey tops work with well-cut trousers, skinny military pants with a killer jacket. Take influence from the catwalk/magazines but don't go overboard, just add certain elements to your wardrobe to keep yourself looking au courant. And on that note, I'll leave you with the Goddess of Casual Glamour, the inimitable Jane Birkin, in dungarees!




Photos
Catwalk shots: style.com
Phoebe Philo: David Simms
Jane Birkin: Harper's Bazaar

Summer time and the living is easy!

What a gorgeous weekend. The sun's out and That's Not My Age gets a mention in the May edition of Easy Living magazine. Life is sweet. 'Gone surfing!' features EL's favourite websites and blogs, and this month I've made the grade!

'A snappy fashion blog that celebrates the creed, 'style begins at 40,' the spirit of which we like very much. Part amateur Sartorialist-esque street photography, part cultural commentator and part gossipy fashionista, there is much here for anyone interested in fashion - of any age. We love it.'

What a compliment, the nicest thing anyone's ever said about my blog - I think I'm going to cry (or maybe that's the hangover kicking in). As a tribute, I'm going to recreate a look from the fashion pages. That's Not My Age loves simple, easy style and thinks the colour combination of greys and neutrals is beyond chic:





I love a jersey dress. Perfect for work and I can wear it on my bike, with knitted tights, of course. This little number, by every grown-up woman's favourite designer, Vanessa Bruno is on sale at The Outnet (have I told you about my latest obsession?). That's Not My Age would wear it with this cute Mulberry leather jacket, after all it's only thirteen degrees and still a bit chilly out there - as me and Mr TNMA found out yesterday when we tried to have a picnic in the park. I find a neutral leather jacket so much chicer than a tartan travel blanket, don't you?





And don't forget....TheOutnet.com is throwing a very special birthday party, for one day only on April 16th the online fashion outlet will host a pop-up sale where all items will be available at the giveaway price of $1/£1/€1. For more information, www.theoutnet/birthday.com