Finding Joy

I’m sure I’m not alone in admitting this: I’ve really struggled through January. There were some quite dark days in the middle, with this interminable lockdown stretching out, no reprieve in sight. Staying motivated - arguably just sane - was a tough old slog. Short, muddy days aren’t the most inviting scenarios for a daily stroll, even with the knowledge that exercise is good for me. I finished dry January, driven not by virtue nor health, but by the simple fact that I didn’t need an actual depressant to trigger depression. It’s been hard to uncover the joy.

 

But with the longest January on record having finally come to an end, I wanted to let you in on some of the things that have brought me a little comfort over the past month.

 

Colour is a great joy-giver for me. I love a splash of anything bright (especially neon), whether that be burning ombré ribbed candles from The Tangerine Collective to accompany my weekday dinner (£6 and due to be re-stocked on Saturday, etsy.com), wrapping myself in a cheering orange cashmere stole from Johnstons of Elgin, (£399, johnstonsofelgin.com), or donning a pair of pastel coloured knickers from Dora Larsen (alas their beautiful bras don’t come larger than a DD, so not suitable for my gargantuan bust), (£38, doralarsen.com). These colourful little gems have provided me with a haven of joy in this otherwise grim time, helped by the fact that none of them require actually getting out of leggings.

Tangerine Collective dinner candles, £6 each, etsy.com

Tangerine Collective dinner candles, £6 each, etsy.com

Johnstons of Elgin stole, £399, johnstonsofelgin.com

Johnstons of Elgin stole, £399, johnstonsofelgin.com

Dora Larsen knickers, £38, doralarsen.com

Dora Larsen knickers, £38, doralarsen.com

I adore cooking for others in normal times and have been really missing the joy that feeding people brings me. But I’m trying to harness the feeling that I get when I’m cooking. I’ve never mastered sitting still, so meditation is not my bag, but finely chopping onions I find akin to mindfulness. I’ve been making litres of chicken stock to use in home-made, lean, ever-so-slightly anglicised ramen with a strong chilli kick: delicious, nourishing and warming. I love Melissa Hemsley’s Mum’s Filipino Chicken Noodle Soup recipe.

Melissa Hemsley’s Mum’s Filipino Chicken Noodle Soup, melissahemsley.com

Melissa Hemsley’s Mum’s Filipino Chicken Noodle Soup, melissahemsley.com

Finally, I’ve been lusting after these Gore-Tex trainers from Nike. Wellington boots have never complimented me – the short ones cut across my lower leg at precisely the most unflattering point (i.e. the widest part) and the long ones are often a nightmare to get over my disproportionately muscular calves. These Gore-Tex trainers, (£129.95, nike.com) as well as keeping my feet dry and being cheery in colour, are cut low enough not to shorten my already short legs, and may just be the encouragement I need to go for my daily sojourn even when the weather is uninviting.

Nike Pegasus Trail 2 GORE-TEX, £129.99, nike.com

Nike Pegasus Trail 2 GORE-TEX, £129.99, nike.com

Talking of miserable weather, if you’ve missed any of the last few week’s blogs, where I’ve been discussing all the ways to stay warm, dry and (crucially!) stylish, you can click through to them below. There is a new post every Tuesday lunchtime so look out for them here, and I’ll continue to post a reminder in my Instagram Stories (@pruewhitestylist) each week.

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Don’t Buy Another Pair of Leggings Until You’ve Read This

Your Complete Guide to the Best Leggings to Buy Now

There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather

There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather

Everything you need to stay warm and stylish on your daily constitutional

The Art of the Duvet

The Art of the Duvet

All my tips for how to avoid being swamped by the Puffer

I’ve been loving receiving your feedback on the posts. It’s so great to hear things are resonating with you, so I hope you continue to enjoy them. I want Notes on a Wardrobe to be a really helpful resource for you all, so if there is something in the style stakes that you’re struggling with, let me know and I’ll do my best to unravel it in a future post.

 

And the little bit of admin – I have started using affiliate links on the blog. My credibility is a crucial part of my business and is not worth compromising for a small kickback from any purchase you may make on here. I want you to be confident that what I am recommending is something I really rate. In turn, I think it’s useful for you to know exactly how I put together my post. The first thing I do each week is to decide on a subject (obviously). I then research it thoroughly using a lot of honest, personal experience rather than PR-speak, write it and lay it out. It’s only then, when it’s all done that I even look into what may be available as an affiliate. This is all so that you can be sure that what’s included here, is included because I really value it. And as a crucial aside, I don’t use affiliates at all in my styling consultations with individual clients.

I hope you all have a great week. May February, along with slightly longer days, bring a little more light and joy for us all.

Prue x

Your Complete Guide to the Best Leggings to Buy Now

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We’ve all reached saturation point when it comes to column inches revealing the secrets of dressing for WFH. How much help do we really need when it comes to elasticated waistbands and oversized knitwear? That being said, one of the questions I get asked most frequently is ‘what are the best leggings to buy?’. So, whilst I’m not going to sit here and tell you what sweater to spill your cereal down or what tracksuit bottoms to invest in (although, I have it on good authority that Pangaia are far and away the best), it seems we do still want help when it comes to leggings. And when the price can reach triple figures, you’re going to want to know it’s worth it before you invest.

 

First up, the caveat. My recommendations are based on three straightforward principles: all leggings must be 1) high waisted, 2) dark in colour, and 3) not be priced in the triple figures. Whether you’re running or doing the downward dog, no one wants to have to worry about that flash of soft flesh so always look for high (or even super-high) waisted styles. Secondly, I would urge you to resist the patterned styles (there is a reason they’re often discounted). Paler colours tend to be more anatomical than is strictly pleasant for elastane, whilst patterns on your legs often serve to shorten you and make your legs look chunkier than they actually are. You’re after a plain dark colour – black, deep navy, burgundy or khaki.

 

So, now we’ve got that out of the way, here are my recommendations.

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Best for Training Outdoors

Sweaty Betty’s Power Gym Legging, £75, sweatybetty.com

The Sweaty Betty Power Gym Leggings (£75, sweatybetty.com) come in three different lengths: Full (great for the 5’9” and taller), the 7/8ths (which works out as full length for those of us around 5’5”-5’7”) and the cropped (only available in black) so are great for a wide spectrum of heights. Leggings are most flattering when they leave around an inch of skin between the shoe and the hem without causing any bunching. When you find that optimum length on you, stick to it. That little bit of skin on show does wonders for lengthening legs – and that’s true of leggings, jeans and trousers. The Power Gym Leggings also have a generous zipped back pocket and a side pocket so are perfect for holding keys and a phone when you’re out and about.

LNDR Limitless

Best for that Super Sucked In Effect

LNDR’s Limitless 7/8th Legging, £98, lndr.uk

I’ve mentioned before the power clever Instagram marketing can have on me. LNDR’s social media marketing is stellar: they somehow nail my mood every time. That being said, they also manufacture some really outstanding gymwear. LNDR’s design focus is on sculpting and compression. Their Blackout Spotless leggings (£88) are a bit like Spanx (including the way they recommend that you roll them on like tights), with almost completely hidden seams and a high, wide waistband. Whilst I love the waistband (and they’re vastly more comfortable than a pair of Spanx), I actually find the absence of seams on my increasingly lumpy derriere unflattering. In turn, I prefer the Limitless 7/8ths legging (£98).

Lulu Lemon Wunder Under

Best for Stopping that Jiggle

LuluLemon’s Wunder Under High Rise Tight, £78, lululemon.co.uk

LuluLemon’s founder and former chairman infamously said “Quite frankly, some women’s bodies just actually don’t work” for leggings in reference to complaints about their yoga pants turning sheer when the wearer undertook some basic yoga poses. If the Wunder Under is anything to go by they seem to have rectified this particular problem. The thick fabric (specifically the super soft Full-On Luxtreme, or even thicker Full-On Luon) feels especially protective over the ass, so is great at minimising the jiggle during cardio. The Wunder Under is another seam-free style, which means that there are no unsightly lumps of flesh bulging either side of the seams which has happened to me with other LuluLemon products. My experts suggest sizing down for even more support.

Reebok

Best for Plus Size

Reebok’s Lux High Rise Perform Leggings, £55, reebok.co.uk

Reebok’s Lux High-Rise Perform Leggings (£55, reebok.co.uk) have an impressive compression quality that stems from their 28% elastane interlocked composition. Coupled with the high waist-band they leave the wearer feeling completely secure – just what we’re all after when working out. I’m not a fan of the mesh panels on the lower rear leg (for ‘Targeted Ventilation’ as Reebok calls it – not entirely sure what ventilation is required on my lower calf) but at least they’re at the back, so aren’t as distracting as some panels that can come half way up the leg.

M&S GoodMove

Best on the High Street

Marks & Spencer’s Go Train High Waisted 7/8th Gym Leggings, £29.50, marksandspencer.com

The Go Train High Waisted 7/8th Gym Leggings (£29.50) from Marks & Spencer’s new GoodMove collection are a winner in the style stakes. They’re made from a good quality, thick (but importantly breathable) fabric and come in navy blue or black. So far, so good. Sadly, they don’t have a draw string at the waist so are better on bodies that are straighter or rounder through the middle, if you want to avoid having to hoick up your trousers half-way around the park. They do come up small though, so go up a size.

There's no such thing as bad weather

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By the time we’ve got around to Lockdown 3.0, it’s pretty clear to all of us, just how important it is for our mental health to get outside for some fresh air and exercise – with or without a pal. I was self-isolating last week – awaiting Covid test results (fortunately negative) and the lack of fresh air and physical exercise brought on some fairly dark depression and feelings of desolation in me. But even when the option is there to exercise and we know just how vital it is, on these cold, short, dark days, it’s sometimes tricky to make yourself get out there and just do it.

 

But as Alfred Wainwright wrote in his book Coast to Coast, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”.  So what kit do you need to incentivise you to get out when it’s bucketing down? These are the pieces I’m hankering after now.

Stutterheim Rain Boot

The Rain Boot

Stutterheim Chelsea Rain Boot, £135, stutterheim.com

It may seem a strange item to top a stylist’s wishlist, but for walks in muddy parks and fields these Stutterheim rain boots are the perfect addition. Whilst I love the contrasting sole, in a pale or bright colour, they will serve to knock an inch of the length of your leg. Keeping it in a dark contrasting colour, you can still make the most of the design detail without sacrificing crucial leg length. Your trousers should meet the top of the boot, so there is very little sock on show.

Patagonia Retro-X Fleece

The Fleece

Patagonia’s Men’s Classic Retro- Fleece Jacket, £180, eu.patagonia.com

Remember when fleeces were the ultimate signifier of geek-dom? No longer. Everyone from Miu Miu (candy pink and £1145, in case you were interested), to Frame have launched fleece jackets and pullovers for that WFH wardrobe. I love the retro vibes from this Patagonia style. It is quite boxy (it is menswear) so I would go down a size, and wear it as a jacket, as opposed to a layer. Patagonia also has some really noteworthy, genuinely altruistic sustainability credentials too.

Berghaus x Kestin

The Windcheater

Berghaus Blueprints by Kestin Mera Mid-Layer, £199, kestin.co

While we’re talking of borrowing from the boys, outdoors brand Berghaus has collaborated with some Scottish talent in the shape of Kestin Hare to launch a collection of retro inspired kit. They have some brightly coloured old-school cagoules that I love, but my wardrobe is crying out for the Mera Mid-Layer. It’s insulated with a breathable fleece but the characteristic that makes it so great for us girls, is the adjustable cord hem. When tightened and tucked under itself, it won’t shorten legs the way that a hip-length jacket will, nor will it finish at what (for a lot of us) is our widest point.

M&S faux leather trousers

The Vegan trousers

Marks & Spencer Faux-Leather Evie Trousers, £14 (reduced from £39), marksandspencer.com

OK – so these may seem a bit rogue on a list of outdoor essentials, but there really is nothing worse than wet denim. Wipe clean and at the very least, water resistant, they’re faux leather (or vegan, if you prefer) and are super comfortable. I purchased them in black before Christmas (now sold out) and have recommended them to a couple of clients who have also loved them. They look great with trainers now, but will also look great with a flat pump or sandal when we’re allowed ‘out out’.

Rains rain coat

The Rain Coat

Rains belt jacket, £89, uk.rains.com

This is the second week running that I’ve recommended a Rains jacket (and also the second time I’ll urge you to ignore the model’s miserable posture), but there is a simple reason for that. A cagoule needn’t lack style nor be unflattering to be practical. This belted style has a feminine shape and is a good length for actually keeping you dry. The belt is attached, so won’t get waylaid, and it comes in six shades including this iridescent khaki that is perfect if you’re looking for something with a bit of lift – sheen next to the face is really flattering, especially on older skin.

Colourful Standard Hoody

The Bright Hoody

Colourful Standard Unisex Hoody in Sunny Orange, £60, colourfulstandard.co.uk

 I’m a sucker for some Instagram marketing, especially when it comes in a shade as jolly as this Sunny Orange. Made from 100% organic cotton, with environmentally friendly dyes, Colourful Standard specialise in delivering great basics (think organic cotton tees and sweatpants,  merino jumpers and beanies) in a huge array of colours (this hoody comes in a staggering 41 shades). This style is Unisex, so the brand recommend women go down a size which is great if you have an athletic, straight body (a tight hem will give you some shape). However, if you’re on the curvy side, you want the hem to hang loosely so that you can nail that perfect French tuck. Make sure you buy the size that works for your shape.

& Daughter Snood

The Snood

& Daughter Vera Striped Cashmere Snood, £110, and-daughter.co.uk

And finally, the snood returns in this 100% cashmere style from British brand & Daughter. & Daughter focus on producing quality products in limited runs from natural yarns sourced in Britain and Ireland. Their styles have that homespun feel to them, but with a professional finish. As well as that, 20% of the profits from sale of this snood go to Refuge to support women and children who are survivors of domestic abuse, so it’s a win-win.

And remember, Spring is coming. By the end of this week, sunset will be as late as 4:30pm, so there is cause for optimism.

The Puffer Jacket: To Buy or Not to Buy

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All you need to know to nail the puffer coat:

 

The increasingly ubiquitous longline puffer jacket seems to be on every influencer’s wishlist this winter. And you can see why. When the impetus for getting dressed in the morning is decreasing on a daily basis, any coat that can cover the coffee I spilt on my pyjama top yesterday, the fact that my leggings have a hole in them and leave me feeling like my bed isn’t actually that far away, is bound to jump to the top of my must-have list.

 

That being said, the puffer is not flattering. There – I’ve said it. It adds acres of bulk and a full length one can be even trickier to master. But with lockdown and cold weather not going anywhere for (optimistically) at least another month, perhaps that’s something we just have to get used to in order to retain some level of comfort and faith in January.

 

So, if you’re opting for a puffer, here are some of my tips:

 

1)    Puffer coats are in abundance on the High Street. Mango has several longer coats still available. For full fashion factor, I love their off white padded anorak, which has a tie belt and lapel collar, but white isn’t practical when coffee and mud are unavoidable on our daily constitutionals. Their oversize quilted coat is still available in most sizes in black and in brown, and the vertical chevron quilting is more flattering than a horizontal stripe.

 

2)    Long line is great if you’re tall (no surprises there), but if you’re short, you need to be careful that the padding isn’t too big. If it’s disproportionately puffy, odds on, you’ll end up resembling a snowman. This puffer from Marks & Spencer is fantastic. The quilting isn’t too voluminous, and it nips in ever-so-gently at the waist, so it won’t swamp you. As an aside, when choosing a longer or ¾ length coat, you’re after an A-line or straight shape on the skirt. One that starts to come in again at the hem, will only serve to accentuate your bottom – which when shrouded in quilting is not a good look. The colour may be marmite for some of you but this shade of mustard (assuming you can pull it off) looks great with blue denim, khaki, and black so is a great way to boost an otherwise dull winter wardrobe.

 

3)    Adding a belt will instantly lift a coat like this out of ‘hibernation’ territory into something more stylish and considered. I love this style from Rains (and urge you to ignore the model’s posture!). Rains, for the uninitiated, is the fashion editor’s go-to brand for utilitarian rainwear. Not only is this coat belted, and therefore instantly more feminine, it’s also waterproof and breathable. Not quite as duvet-esque as some other styles on offer, but it’s one that won’t date in quite the same way that the extremely puffy styles will. I would wear it with the zip slightly undone and open (it’s all about that V-neck) and a scarf.

 

4)    Arket’s offering of 100% recycled down and feather jackets have been a huge success this season and many of their styles are sold out but their shorter style is still available in all sizes in both black and brown. This is unapologetically 90s and is very full through the body, so is a great style on straighter, more athletic figures. Make sure you wear it with a straight or slightly wide leg trouser or jean, though (or even a silky skirt!) - skinny jeans will throw the proportions out.

 

5)    If you can afford them, Moncler consistently nail the puffer jacket. Their short puffers are so short that they make the most of a waist and elongate the legs (for the same reason, also worth keeping an eye out for is The North Face’s consistently sold out cropped Nuptse jacket), but if you’re after that longline look, their Goelo juggles style and practicality. The quilting is full but it’s neatly belted. Bear in mind, though, that a belt that sits high on the waist in a puffer jacket won’t work if you’re full in the bust.

 

Stay warm.

 

Prue x

Mango, £104.99, mango.com

Mango, £104.99, mango.com

Marks & Spencer, £69, marksandspencer.com

Marks & Spencer, £69, marksandspencer.com

Rains, £205, rains.com

Rains, £205, rains.com

Arket, £175, arket.com

Arket, £175, arket.com

Moncler, £1580, matchesfashion.com

Moncler, £1580, matchesfashion.com

NOTES ON A WARDROBE: Welcome to 2021

Some of you I have already met, some I am yet to meet, some are wondering if it’s worth meeting me, and others are dipping in for a slightly voyeuristic ride: to all of you, though, a big welcome to my long promised, inaugural monthly newsletter. At the start of a brand spanking new year (one for which we all have exceedingly high hopes, albeit tempered with measured realism) I wanted to introduce you to my little world and start as I mean to go on.

 

I don’t think any of us (Bill Gates aside) foresaw what was to happen in 2020. Long laid plans were thrown asunder; weddings, parties, holidays, promotions, house moves – all fell by the wayside. And instead, we found ourselves spending disproportionate lengths of time at home, under the same roof, with the same people for stretches of time that we simply could not have anticipated. The tenets by which we lived our lives were voided. I am, therefore, looking at 2021 as an opportunity to re-consider the principles that I want to reinstate in these now ‘precedented’ times; what’s coming with me (both theoretically and sartorially) and what I’m leaving behind in 2020.

 

Although New Years’ resolutions have never held great sway with me, I am approaching 2021 with a greater focus on habits – both making them and changing them. As the philosopher William James wrote “all our life … is but a mass of habits … systematically organised for our weal or woe”. I’ve long given up on trying to start the day with a glug of hot water and lemon, but writing to you lovely lot with my sartorial titbits and stylish anecdotes will become a greater focus for me this year. If you’re wondering what jeans to be buying in 2021, how to stay current without becoming a cliché, or simply updating your wardrobe without breaking the bank, I’m hoping my weekly blog will be here to guide you.

 

And before you get concerned and hit that unsubscribe button, fear not – I’ll only drop you a note in your inbox (assuming you’ve opted in) once a month. For my weekly hit, you’ll need to swing by here.

 

Whilst it’s unfair to put too much pressure on 2021, (after all, when was the last time something for which you had the highest expectations actually lived up to them?), I do hope that this year brings you all joy. Surely the only way from here, is up.

Prue x

 

What I’m lusting after this week:

(Click on images below to take you straight to the webpage)

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Mango Trousers

These trousers from Mango (£49.99) are fantastic – so long as you know how to wear them. Pleat front trousers can be tricky: if they pull at all, they will only serve to make you look bigger than you actually are. I always advocate trying a larger size than you would normally go for. These have a built in belt, so are a great leg-lengthening style when worn high on the waist.  

Whistles leather dress

Whistles leather dress

£449 for a dress is higher than my usual price point, but this dress is a great investment. Shirt dresses are wonderful on many body shapes (they become tricky when you’re rounder through the middle). Layer this over a fine-gauge knit and wear it with boots through winter, or wear it open at the neck and with bare legs through spring and autumn to give it the mileage it warrants. Pull the sleeves up a little to make the most of the waist on it too.

Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial

Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial

 I have especially tricky combination skin which means I suffer with both acne and eczema. The treatment for one is traditionally to dry the skin out, and the other to lather on thick moisture, so my skincare routine is a constant balancing act. With the cold weather and central heating on right now my skin is particularly dry. A few drops of Sarah Chapman’s Skinesis Overnight Facial a couple of times a week leaves my skin looking more radiant and significantly less thirsty without causing an outbreak. It’s not cheap (£54 for 15ml at cultbeauty.co.uk) but a little goes a long way, and - crucially - it really does work.