Back in September, as I packed for Cyprus, I discovered my wardrobe already reflected the very trendy Coastal Grandmother look. I was happy in my lightweight white and blue tops, cool linen trousers, white plimsolls and brown leather sandals, and my favourite sunhat.
But as they say on Game of Thrones [not that I have ever watched it] Winter is Coming! so time to swap over between my summer and winter wardrobes.
On Monday, I took Ro and Jess to Blickling Hall, it was a drizzly, windy day. I wore my dungarees [bought with a gift token in FatFace Sale, about 10 years ago] and my LLBean lumberjack shirt [Camden Market, 2nd hand, £5] This outfit is warm and comfortable. [My hair is growing really long now, you can see the ponytail in the mirror]
I dress for comfort these days. But then I read in the Guardian yesterday that I am incredibly on trend. "Everyone is dressing like Barbara in the Good Life" - this style is called allotmentcore.
Would you believe it? The article goes on to mention clogs, gilets, woven baskets and the Norfolk based Carrier Company. CC sells Norfolk 'slops' - fisherman's smock for £90 - I got my for £4 in a CS nine years ago
“I’d describe it as Little House on the Prairie meets
Felicity Kendal in The Good Life, meets Bill and Ben,” says Mal James,
professor of fashion design at the University of Edinburgh. But he is sceptical about whether the allotmentcore look
has life beyond social media. “I haven’t seen anyone actually garden in it,
that’s for sure” Well, Mr James, you should have been in Swanton Morley last Saturday morning! I was out there weeding.
I could have given Felicity K a run for her money! Who am I kidding - I am more in the Bill and Ben league when it comes to stylishness!
Speaking of stylishness, That Beard is growing thick and fast. Bob is looking less like his much-missed brother Frank, and more like Bradley Whitford in The Diplomat....Bob has very kindly managed to save the Gressenhall Museum radio clip to an audio file. [CLICK HERE] I hope this means friends across the Pond can hear it after all.
Oh and I must say a huge thank you to Liz, who gave me a pair of IsoBaa slipper socks for my birthday, They are so thick and warm, and so brilliant to wear around the house. The grippy soles prevent slipping, and they keep my feet and ankles toasty warm. I keep my gardening clogs just inside the back door - I can slip the clogs on over my socks if I need to pop out to fetch the washing or deliver tea to Bradley Bob in the workshop
Back in September, as I packed for Cyprus, I discovered my wardrobe already reflected the very trendy Coastal Grandmother look. I was happy in my lightweight white and blue tops, cool linen trousers, white plimsolls and brown leather sandals, and my favourite sunhat.
Speaking of stylishness, That Beard is growing thick and fast. Bob is looking less like his much-missed brother Frank, and more like Bradley Whitford in The Diplomat....
Yes, it's definitely time for warmer slipper socks!
ReplyDeleteI loved listening to the clip, thank you Bob for making it possible ❤️
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DeleteI’m in the middle of doing my wardrobe switch. It’s difficult at this time of year as we still get some warmer days so some lighter clothes have to be held back (or rather on the front rail). I decided to do a full clear-out at the same time so it’s turned into a big job!
ReplyDeleteI now have dungaree envy!
Their only drawback is the complication of bathroom visits!
DeleteAh yes, I remember it well, having last owned a pair in the 1980's! Mind you, it's not as awkward as bathroom visits in a wetsuit!!
DeleteNever worn a wetsuit, so can't comment! I always assumed you had to P in the C 😂
DeleteCorrect, but it's when you get back on terra firma and the bladder is still working........all that time spent in the cold sea......
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DeleteOh you’ve made me laugh this morning Angela. Like every woman of our age I wanted to be a Barbara but was born a Margo. Hopefully not as selfish but always being organised and not good at being silly. Love the dungarees. Jill x
ReplyDeleteI am sure you were stylish as well as organised. I've never been tall or stylish!
DeleteI probably was a Barbara but found Margo’s life strangely appealing. I wear casual and comfortable clothes now and like ti be cool or warm depending on the weather. My spendy purchase was a heated throw with 20% off from Lakeland this week which will keep me warmer as winter approaches. I my head of course I still the young woman who wore the dungarees..Catriona
ReplyDeleteIn my head I'm a young woman with glossy chestnut hair, a mini skirt and heels, skipping down the street happily
DeleteHow lovely to be so 'on trend'!
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DeleteI wore dungarees in the 80's I wouldn't be able to now because of bathroom reasons, I need to act quickly. You are a fashion icon without knowing it. My hair had grown very long for me during the summer, it was easy to just wear it up in the hot summer but I had it cut on Saturday and I feel much better now, my hair is now 5 inches shorter! Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteI am growing mine until Bob shaves his beard!
DeleteAs a post script I have just listened to the clip about Gressenhall. Clever Bob, lovely to hear your voice. When our boys were quite young and we were on holiday near Dereham we took them to Gressenhall and had a great time. The stigma of the work house affected older generations everywhere. In Croydon when I was a girl, older people used to call Queen 's Road Hospital the Work House and it did used to be that but had since changed to the geriatric wing of Mayday Hospital, but in their mind it was still the Work House and they saw it as a punishment to be sent there. Sue H
ReplyDeleteIt does seem short-sightedness on the part of the planners!
DeleteI have Cornish fishermen smocks and Guernsey jumpers in the wardrobe which should fit again after many years. I have bought a wool cashmere duffle coat very much reduced at TKM, and a sheepskin gilet from eB. Fashion by coincidence, I want warm comfortable British made clothes which will last.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of "Fashion By Coincidence" Sadly I grew too large for my Guernsey after I had children. The duffle coat sounds superb. And yes to long lasting British clothing
DeleteI have very little sense of style but seem to get away with it by hurriedly wrapping a fancy scarf around my neck if I’m going out 😉😂
ReplyDeleteComfy and practical clothes are now the order of the day. Your dungarees look great.
Alison in Devon x
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DeleteI love that your are right up there at the forefront of fashion. My only nod to being a 'Barbara' is that I live in jeans and checked shirts, and yes a pair of clogs for going out into the garden are always by the back door. I no longer need my wellies. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are your man are a true Good Couple, in the spirit of Tom and Barbara - both utterly committed to hard work! Loved your recent video tour
DeleteYou looked very comfy in your dungarees, but if I wore them would have to plan loo visits. These days I dress for comfort, and as my Granny used to say if you're clean and tidy and got clean knickers on you'll do. Xx
ReplyDeleteAlways wear clean knickers in case you get run over by a bus !
DeleteThat's just what she used to say! Xx
DeleteBuses are few and far between in this village, I think I'll be OK 😊
DeleteThank you to Bob for giving us all the chance to hear the program! It was so interesting. JanF
ReplyDeleteGood to know you were able to hear it after all
DeleteLovely to hear the radio clip! I’m not a Margo, haven’t got the knack of always putting it together. I’m now in comfort mode on the outside but my insides still feel young.My hair is still quite thick and I like to keep it ‘bobbed’ but if I’m trying to save money I let it grow longer and tie it back as I can trim my own fringe. Neat,tidy and appropriate for us senior girls😂JennyP
ReplyDeleteI love my bob (haircut as well as husband) because it is manageable and suits me. And like you, I go longer between trims if I'm trying to save money.
DeleteI was delighted to be able to hear the clip, thank you Bob. I'm amused at your Canadian shirt, especially as in over 50 years I have never worn one like it. I tend more to skirts these days except round the house, when I may put on jeans, but in winter I wear thick cosy tights with the skirts. I'm contemplating buying a big cosy fleece hoody like the ones our younger family wear on a chilly day.
ReplyDeleteI love warm tights in joyful colours!
DeleteThank you, Bob, for the audio clip! I was able to listen to it and it was lovely to hear your voice, Angela. You are, indeed, quite fashionable! I used to have a pair of denim overalls back in the late 1970s/early 80s. But, not now! Love the ponytail, too. :)
ReplyDeleteI have passed on your thanks!
DeleteI think the good Professor in Edinburgh needs to get out more and have a gander around the many allotments round and about the city!There are many,many folk there adorning what you might call 'allotmentcore' but what is in fact their normal work gear! I bet his gardener wears a version too!Your ponytail is cute!xx
ReplyDeleteIt is practical on busy days - but on Sundays I try to wear it loose and a bit more stylish
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