Copy Cats

Ok so these outfits are massively summery I realise, which isn't very practical seeing as we've started seeing the colder weather rear its ugly mug...so, apologies. Let's just pretend we're all going somewhere ridiculously hot for a minute. I wanted to share a sneak peek at Jane’s celebrity style stealing – neither of us really have a celeb we take inspiration from but this is just to prove a 40 plus fashionista jolly well can copy the young hot glitterati if she so wishes.



Here we have the very popular Lily Allen dress from Oasis which Jane, in this case, did copy after seeing it in a magazine. Scabby me then decided there was no harm in “borrowing” it for a mate’s birthday – and please excuse the horrendous photo (me doing the Macarena was the best of a bad bunch of snaps from a messy night). Anyway, the great thing about this dress is the length as its not showing too much thigh for the older generation, whilst remaining young and flirty with that hot floral print. It’s got a great support in the basque which is so important on strapless numbers, and those who are worried about bingo wings showing under the arms could couple it with a light jacket or cardigan taking it from day-to-night. Gotta love a multi-function frock.


Moving onto Jane’s amazing Marithé Francois Girbaud waistcoat which has bustled material sewn into the back like some sort of incredible set of tail feathers. Oh my freakin’ Lord I want this as my own so bad I think I might eat my own face if I look at it again. Basically Sienna totally rocked her version at the Glastonbury festival in 2004 and Jane works hers with a short white embroidered dress that actually has an asymetrical hem that she didn't think worked with the waistcoat, so being innovative and fabulous, folded it up and pinned it with her grandma's (so that’s my great-grandma’s) antique blue broach. Awesome!

For Ladies Who Lunch

Jane chilled with some of her homies today at lunch and totally owned this outfit. Or in other words, Jane did lunch with a girlfriend and looked completely stunning in a sophisticated tweed jacket from Warehouse (5 years old!), faux suade Karen Millen mini skirt, chocolate tights and Russell and Bromley shoes (also 5 years old, chips in heel disguised with nail polish). Do recycle expensive clothes – look after them and they’ll save you money in the long run. Ehem…any excuse to go designer.

Tu es Très Mignon

Being into travelling about and also rather obsessed with France and anything that comes out of it, Jane often ventures across the channel for the odd French holiday – particularly in the South where those vineyards spread generously and the weather doesn’t suck serious balls like it does most of the time over here. She can speak French herself – something she tried very hard to pass over to my brother and I when we were little to no avail (Muzzy and I never really got on), but regardless, her French vacations always mean a suitcase full of great outfits.

Exhibit A: What I love about this little get-up is that it looks so effortless. Turned up Oasis boyfriend jeans and a simple, well fitted vest top (which Jane dyed black – thrifty!) are comfortable yet trendy and this is a look nearly every mature cherie can handle regardless of shape or size. Totally loving the Oasis cyan scarf as a belt too – adds a touch of chic and a pop of colour that does more than match that tablecloth.


"Biiiiiiiiicyle, biiiiiiiiicycle...I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my biiiiike". So relieved not to see any Lycra here because as far as I’m concerned cycle shorts should be banned from society unless we all start receiving invitations to some rocking neon 80’s raves. Instead, let us admire the crisp, white cotton Ted Baker v-neck dress with a crochet hem which has left me remembering why you shouldn’t listen to people who say skirts on a bike are a bad idea. The dress length means the dress doesn’t come across too young, while white ballet pumps have married together this deliciously pretty look that I think comes across rather Bardot in And God Created Woman.


I’m gritting my teeth at how cute this outfit is. I don’t even know where to start. Hawwwt Mummy! The navy blue babydoll vest top coupled with the Dorothy Perkins scarlet waist belt is an instant statement that can’t possibly go unnoticed, especially with those cleverly picked red beads around Jane’s neck (which were…wait for it…50p from a market). The skirt, although maybe a tad short for some shapes, is flirtatious and bang on trend with those layers. Nice work, Ma.

Hello, World

Finally, I’ve managed to pull myself together and organise this blog – which I have to say has taken me far longer than anticipated due to boring technical issues and plain old laziness. I’m fully aware the aesthetics are rather pants, but fear not I have my clever graphic designer beau on the case (much plugging of his work to follow I’m afraid) – so stay tuned for an awesome new look.

Right, let’s get to it. So I’ve been itching to start a blog for a while, there are many I regularly read myself and after some networking at the recent Spring/Summer 2010 London Fashion Week which I was lucky enough to intern at, I was told no wannabe journalist should be without one in this day and age. After a spot of deliberation over a subject I decided my ever-so-fashionable Mum was the perfect muse.


Introducing Jane (that’s my Ma right thurr), a self-confessed dress-up addict who never seems to put a foot wrong in the wardrobe department. Despite the laws of genetics telling me I should, with youth on my side, be perfectly capable of looking just as glamorous, I swear she’s shown me up on far more than one occasion - but I don’t care. Looking at her is like God giving me some sort of encouraging nudge towards the right direction. If I look after myself and follow her example, aging doesn’t look anywhere near as scary as everyone makes out. Sure she has rocking genes on her side to start with, but this is more about the moral of the story, don’t let your birthdays define you!

So here we are, I wanted to share with you Jane’s style, adventures, philosophies and reflections because all bias aside, she’s one wicked lady. I’ll be updating this space with Jane’s various looks which she throws together without spending horrific amounts on designer clobber (we’re never too old to thrift shop or recycle outfits people) and without breaking any Mutton-Dressed-As-Lamb golden rules. Well at least to my knowledge anyway (I’ll let you know should I find out otherwise!).

Check this out and feel inspired, or just have a nose, whatever. All feedback/comments are welcome, but most of all we want the plus 40 somethings out to know there's a whole closet of opportunity out there waiting for them - so go embrace it.

Much love,

Felicia and Jane x