Blazer // GAP //
Black Sheer T-Shirt // ASOS
Grey Skinny Jeans // Oasis
Black Patent Kitten Heel Courts // Marks & Spencers
Black Leather Croc Print Tote Bag // Mulberry

Since I’ve been living in my French Connection Pea Coat all Winter, I figured with all the good weather we’ve been having that I better invest in something that can see me through from spring to summer.

A good blazer is a wardrobe staple. It can be smartened up, dressed down, or just thrown on top of your favourite ditsy floral dress when the weather isn’t as warm as one might hope. The only problem I find is actually finding the perfect one. I’ve looked at plenty – tuxedo style, jersey, draped and preppy. On the high-street the material tends to be too thin. So, I went a bit further afield..

Banana Republic had the perfect blue blazer edged with ribbon in dark green. I tried it on with a shirt and a pleated skirt and then realised I was pretty much wearing my second school uniform, but I loved the quality and forgiving fit of the thick luxurious cotton. What I didn’t love, however, was the price. As much as I love Banana Republic for staples, at £110, I didn’t feel comfortable that I was purchasing an everlasting piece – something that would be a go-to of my wardrobe for years to come. So, I left (feeling a bit sad as I had my eye on a rather nice necklace too) and gave up with shopping for the day.

Then I had a blazer brainwave. I’ve never been much of a fan of Gap (I’m not really a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl) but I remembered their perchant for multitudes of blazers. And they are Banana Republic’s slightly more accessible, uglier sibling! In I went, and low and behold (with an added 40% off!) was this beauty. The material isn’t quite as nice as the BR blazer, and the fit isn’t quite as forgiving, but it has the ribboning and was a steal at around £30.

My new baby, straight from Paris (something to remember the trip by, ok!) is pictured above. I’m going to write a whole post about the bag-buying process as it was rather long and drawn out. I went into Mulberry to get an Alexa after giving up trying to find something more classic. But seeing the croc print in the flesh made me go full-circle and get my hopefully ‘forever’ handbag!

Another point on this outfit (which is very smart for me I must say) is these ‘Footglove’ kitten heeled patent courts by M&S. On the off-chance that I do have to look smart, or want to wear jeans, I needed something that wasn’t going to cripple me after hobbling 5 minutes out of my flat. And I feel like I can almost run in these beauties!