Look at my umbrella

This week's Grazia described  my new favourite skirt style a an 'umbrella', this describes it perfectly, the look is not just short and flicky, it needs to be a substantial fabric so that it sticks out with some panache.
I was first drawn to the style back in the Summer when I read this article...

I love how the legs look super svelte and a if they go on forever.
Also I think that subliminally I have been influenced by Bourbon and Pearls who has been championing this look for a while.
My hips are slim, but my waist is not, so I need a skirt style that fits across the hips and then flares out, and of course it needs to be in a fabric that will remain 'out'.  I had an old taffeta skirt in my cupboard (from about 1987!) with the right fit on the hips, but an awful length, just below the knee, makes me look like Worzle Gummidge's Aunt Sally, see a few post down where I am wearing the blue skirt from Coast, for a further illustration of how badly I suit longer unfitted skirts.

My lovely friend, who is much better with a needle and thread than I will ever be, cut about 12 inches off the bottom and lo and behold I have an umbrella skirt...

I wore it with a short jacket by Intrend, a secondary line from Max Mara, which is great quality and about 25% of the price and a Gap top and Emma Hope ankle boots.
Slightly anxious about mutton and lamb syndrome, I ventured to a work meeting, but was pleased to get quite a few compliments from ladies my own age.
Emboldened by success I invested in a taffeta frill dress from Top Shop that I pull down on to my hips for the same effect and wear with a fitted Valentino knit.

Just coasting

Bicester Village used to be a rare treat, but now it is 10 minutes away, I haven't visited since the Summer of last year.  Snow restricting travel, I thought the parking and restaurants might be bearable last week.
There, I rediscovered a brand that I had always worn in my plumper days; Coast.  I have been walking past without pausing, anxious about memories of squeezing into size 16s (and the sizing is generous at Coast).  But that ghost is resting and I decided to go in, afterall, if Coast can produce simple clothes that flatter a larger size, may be they can work on my new frame.  It was this train of thought, combined with the last chance saloon signs screaming, '90% off', that enticed me across the threshold.  And it was not disappointing, Bicester can often host a 'flash sale' sale second to none, I picked up corset tops, skirts and dresses all black and neutral duchesse satin and silk chiffon ranging from £5-£20.

The sage green wouldn't be a colour I would pick at first, but my skin has green hues and this tone will look a little Alberta Ferretti with a tan.  The cut reminded me of this ad, it just needs a little work, slightly shorter and the fabric used to create 'off the shoulder' sleeves.

I spotted this beautiful french blue skirt, it really does me no favours at all, but I just love the colour.  It will need quite a lot of remodelling, and the results will be seen soon, my inspiration will come from these old Chloe ads.

Finally I picked up this fantastic evening dress

With a little work, I am hoping to end up with something more like...