Hello everyone
Well it was lovely to go away and, then again, great to get back to home. But we’ve returned to the usual UK weather, which is variable to say the least! We get a couple warm days (nothing too hot) and then it’s back to grey skies and rain, and really quite cool with a breezy wind from the north lowering the temperature quite a bit.
So as a nation we are still wearing layered clothes with, yes, some women wearing dresses and I’ve even seen bare arms and shorts on these cooler days (worn invariably by the youngsters) but, mostly, it’s Spring/Autumn clothes with skirts or jeans/pants/trousers and plenty of top layers. I’m also wearing, still (!) leggings underneath my skirts on most days of the week! And at night, (is this too much information!) long woollen socks are being worn with my winter pyjamas!!!
Yes, skirts are my preferred wear as I see jeans as quite casual. Now this post is first of two, as I am showing you two types of skirts I possess: the flowered/patterned long skirt variety and the plainer ones I mostly wear out and about in the UK.
My lovely friend Jan who you saw in the pics of Spain with her glorious red hair, has a very consistent style of a long patterned skirt with a plain (usually) linen top. She wears these two items every day in Spain and it suits both her and the climate.
I think she looks great in this style. Me, I’m not so sure, what with being so pale and pasty! But I do have two skirts of this type. And here they are.
The first is one I bought in Spain.
It’s made of silk and rather lovely to touch as it is so soft.
Although I’ve worn it here with a casual white top I think this will go well with my orange tops – orange being my favourite colour this year.
Then there’s this one which is bought from a charity shop in May.
I really like this one especially as it cost all of £5!
I’m loving this skirt and will wear it with both black tops and orange tops.
But I haven’t got any photographs of these skirts outside my sitting room because we just haven’t had the weather for them. These skirts will be worn in the hot weather – and that, dear reader, will be sometime in the future. When? We never know in the UK what the weather will be, which is why it is always a topic of conversation with us Brits!
That’s all for now, but if you live in the UK do tell me about your outerwear through these unsettled months. And I do love to hear what people are wearing in hotter climes. Thanks so much for reading this everyone. The next post will show you the type of skirt that suits both me (says me!) and the current UK weather.
With love, Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
You look good in both skirts Penny! I also love a long skirt and am pairing mine with a light knit sweater while it’s cool here. But you do have to get the right length of top, and skirt, especially if you are petite like me! Still wearing mine with my cream chunky boots and either leggings or tights. Summer? What summer? 😩
Thanks Melanie, yes that’s right about the top having to be the right length. And definitely tights and/or leggings need to be worn. Today (Wednesday) it is so cold! I’ve got a vest, long sleeved top and a sweater over the top. Honestly it’s June and the days will soon be drawing in!!!
Thanks again Melanie 😊
Hello Penny,
Several months ago you were testing some Elemis eye products. Unless I missed it, I wondered how you got on with them.
Hi Miriam
I absolutely adored these Elemis products but (sigh) I just can’t afford them. They were great and I think they definitely improved the lines (of which I have many) under my eyes. Also I think the top eyelid area was better too, there was less of a droop to the flesh above the eye. Altogether I rate Elemis highly. But. The price is always a factor for me. And I just can’t. Actually if you are in the UK I now buy most of my skin products on Boots £10 Tuesday! Occasionally I allow myself to buy another higher priced product – but that is a rare occurrence.
So it’s a yes for the Elemis eye products – apart from the above ….
I packed away my thick duvet coat when the weather turned slightly warmer – oh the temptation to get it out again. What is the right garment for a single day which may include a small amount of sun (or very occasionally a lot!) plus high winds and hail!?
Oh yes, same, I packed away all my winter clothes but have got a winter skirt out and have been thinking about wearing a thicker jacket – and then the sun comes out and it’s OK and it’s almost warm. It’s so variable.
Thanks Sue 😊
Both these skirts are fabulous Penny, especially the silk one. I love long skirts as they’re so easy to wear and they look good with trainers or sandals. Roll on the warmer weather so you can wear them. 🥰
I think the patterned skirts look fabulous on my friend but I do refer my plainer skirts, and I’ll show you these next time.
Thanks Ellie, I can just picture you in your long skirts – bet you look fab 😊
I think both of these skirts are gorgeous and suit you really well. They look good with the plain tee shirt tops and your colourful jewellery. I hope you get sunny weather soon and can enjoy wearing them out and about. We had lovely sunny weather in May here in Shetland, but June isn’t living up to expectations! To be honest though, it’s usually quite cold here in June, but we love the place.
Actually tbh all through my childhood June 2nd was cold and it frequently rained during my birthday parties. Yes June can be cool, but it’s nigh on cold today – have many layers on! And the lovely Shetlands where it often rains, but yes it is a place one could really love.
Thanks Elsie 😊
Hi Penny, Love your blog but I can’t say much about skirts! I just don’t get on with them, because it’s the footwear that I have trouble with! I hate to see chunky trainers with a long skirt ,they look so clumsy to me, possibly simple flat sandals work but ,sigh, we need lovely sunshine for those. Plain plimsolls look quite nice in a French sort of way , but not on me ! So it’s stick with trousers for me , smart and tailored or wafty light linen for holidays. So comfortable.
I just noticed that your birthday is the same as mine, 2nd June. I was 85 !! How did I get so old ,inside I’m about 55, That can’t be right, my daughter is coming up to sixty !! Oh well! Life is still fun , I still love make-up and pretty costume jewellery and finding great bargains in charity shops. Best wishes Judy from Brighton
Oh wow Judy, happy belated birthday wishes to you! And I agree, even at 78 I say, how did that happen!
Skirts are good for me but I get what you are saying and lawks, this weather, it is so freekingly cold so one has to wear thick leggings or tights under them. Btw, I’m not a shoe person and I have to wear a good tight fitting shoe to stop the wobbliness, so its trainers for me every time!!!
Thanks so much Judy, best wishes to you too 😊
Hi Penny, love these skirts on you. I think the plain tee shirt with the chunky necklaces really make a great look. Btw where do you get your t-shirts. I love the crew neck with slightly longer sleeves. Best wishes
Hi Jane I got that plain white T-shirt from New Look, two for £14. Note that it is quite a cropped tee. The black t-shirt was bought new from a charity shop (Red Cross) at £5 and this t-shirt is long. I found it in the men’s section and it’s a Small (men’s) size.
Thanks Jane 😊
yep! That’s what I am wearing here since the weather thinks it’s summer already!
It’s a shame to let them sit in anticipation of warmer temperatures…I bet you could layer them over leggings or tights! 😜😜😜
Xoxo
Jodie
I am wearing skirts Jodie but not the patterned ones, you’ll see them next week. And we couldn’t go outside without thick leggings and/or tights – it is freakingly cold weather here, unusually so for the UK.
Thanks Jodie 😊
Hi Penny
The weather here in New York has been beautiful lately. warm but nor too hot and breezy. I confess I only own two skirts, One is a Summer skirt I bought about 20 years ago. A friend and I were window shopping at the mall and my friend remarked a skirt in the window would look good on me. It was actually a shop for young teens. Nevertheless I tried it on and she was right. it is a floral print with an uneven hemline, to the knee on one side and long on the other. It has made it through many closet clean outs. My other skirt is a dark navy knit from the American brand Eileen Fisher It was a bit of a splurge a couple of years ago but it can be worn year round. Tonight with inspiration from you I wore it to a book club meeting and got complements.. I do have a few Summer dresses I have purchased over the years as well, so pretty much set for Summer, I did treat myself to a pair of tan sandals which can go with any of my Sumer outfits. Always enjoy seeing what you are wearing, Love, Darby
Hi Darby. Good to hear the weather in New York is lovely and not too hot. Your two skirts are definitely keepers and sound as though they were made for you. So glad you go those compliments – it was probably a combination of you looking good, the stylishness of the skirt and wearing something different. So pleasing!
Thanks Darby and love from Lewes 😊
Oh, Penny, those skirts are fabulous, especially the first one! I can see you wearing this with so many different things and all year long (as long as it isn’t too wet). Is this unusual for your weather to still be this cold and wet? I’m beginning to think I may pack a down jacket for my trip to Scotland/Ireland in August. I’m definitely bringing lots of base layers!
I cannot wait to see Part 2! I think you must be the most fashionable woman in your town!
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I love the first skirt but it just isn’t the weather to wear it. At the moment it is unusually cold for June. June is never really warm but this June it is like winter – we put the heating on last night and it’s thick leggings and socks under the skirts that I do wear plus several layers and a jacket.
The weather always warms up in August and for both those countries absolutely and definitely (!) take rainwear, but it should be warmer.
Yup – you will see the skirts I do wear next week.
Thanks so much Marsha 😊
That first skirt is beautiful! I have a similar one also silk. It feels wonderful to your body doesn’t it! It’s winter temps here, and every day rain. What a horror spring.
Oh you’ve got the same weather as us. June is never really hot, but this is unusually cold for June as in very cold. We actually turned the heating on last night – brrr!
The skirt is lovely and the material is divine – it was good I found it. Thanks Nancy 😊
I love your two outfits, the skirts are beautiful. As for long socks and winter pyjamas that’s me every night. Looking forward, as always, to your next blog. Love Cath x
Actually last night I got my long Winter pyjamas out of storage and wore them as I had been wearing the Spring pyjamas with the wool socks! Honestly this weather! Roll on the warmer weather when I can wear these skirts, which I will but they’re firmly in the wardrobe and won’t be worn until I am warm!!!
Thanks Cath 😊
I wore my skirts a lot on vacation so now that I am back I plan to wear my flowy pants next week. I need to give all my different clothes a chance to be worn before even thinking about shopping. I do love the long skirts for the heat!
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PJ’s and socks to bed, yes I’ve done the same Penny xx
Shame its not been warm enough so far to wear those lovely long skirts as they suit you beautifully.
As much as I admire long patterned skirts on others they don’t work for me being short and pear shaped so I stick to my mainly plainer ones.
Hopefully Summer will arrive eventually .