Hi everyone
Well, this British weather! What you have to understand about our weather is that one day you think it’s the summer with gorgeous blue skies and sun, and then a viciously cold north easterly wind blows so every time you go out you freeze! That’s what happened recently and that wind was with us for days, which made my last post a bit redundant to say the least! But apparently over the coming weekend it’s going to be mind-blowingly hot with heat warnings and calls to watch out for the vulnerable.
And the temperature for this heat we’re expecting? For those of you hitting the 100s (F) it’s all of 24-28C (that’s 75-82F). Mind you, it’s humid with it and don’t forget we don’t have air conditioning in our homes. We do seem to be wimps in comparison to some areas and nations, but remember we’re used to mild, wet summers and when the hotter weather arrives, it’s something we think we like only, it seems, to complain when it comes along!
So, this post rather like the last one is a little bit out of synch with the weather as it is all about summer jackets, an item of clothing I see as essential to us Brits.
Last week I nearly wore one of my wool jackets as that wind caught one out big time, but I resisted as in the sun you could get quite hot.
That’s an old photo! Here’s a more up-to-date one of this jacket, which you saw a couple of weeks ago. It is a favourite and bought in a charity shop for next to nothing.
Honestly it’s very hard to get it right in this kind of weather, which is often what I call not-quite-warm-enough weather!
So here’s the first summer jacket, and it’s a white denim jacket. There’s nothing like a white denim jacket in my eyes. And it goes over everything. It’s another old photo. But you get the picture.
This is such an essential part of my summer outfits and bought years ago for £3 – what a bargain! Then there’s this mustard linen jacket, which is a strong favourite for me on slightly cooler days. This wasn’t bought in a charity shop.
I like this old action shot as the photo is a reminder of our jaunts up to London. We’re beginning to do some outings locally and actually had one two days ago – did I take any photos? No, as I was all in the moment, which I think is the point, don’t you?
It really has been a ghastly winter and tbh we’re still in the recovery phase. Mr F says he’s just beginning to get back to normality, but I now have a slightly poorly back, I thought, due to gardening. However, when I told the osteopath the backstory, she said she thought the last few months might have had something to do with the state of my back! It is getting better, so no worries there.
Another jacket I have and wear a lot is a straightforward denim jacket bought some years ago now in charity shop – can’t remember for how much but it wasn’t a lot.
The trainers, btw are hardly worn and bought from Emmaus, Brighton, which you know is my favourite charity shop outlet.
Then there’s a leather jacket. Yes I do wear this M&S leather jacket in the summer as it’s exactly right when that cool breeze is around. It was bought new last year. Here I am in the restaurant on my birthday – 77 – how on earth did those years happen?!
And finally what about this beauty?
I haven’t as yet worn it so wait to see how I accessorise it. This cost £25 from the Red Cross charity shop in Lewes and was new with all its labels as it was a donation from Zara. This charity shop often gets many unsold Zara items and I always look through them but think, hmmm, no. But this one I could not resist.
That’s all for now. Enjoy the sun and hot weather. And do tell me what you’re wearing now and if you wear summer jackets. And also do tell me about any outings you’re going on. I love to hear about other people’s enjoyment and what you’re doing out and about. Tbh it encourages me to do the same 🙂
With love, Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
P.S. I would like to say here that there are parts of this post where I take a fun look at British ‘hot’ weather. Actually, I am very aware that elsewhere hot weather is no fun at all. I do hope any readers in the Quebec area and all the areas down to New York and beyond are OK and that they are able to breathe. What a thing to say! But it is the reality and ‘nice’ hot weather is now something to be wary of. I haven’t written in my other blog for months now, but I feel that this subject needs to be looked at. So, all of you suffering do take care. We are reading about your dilemma and our hearts go out to you.
It is also very hot here now. How I wish I was in Rye and could sit by the sea. Your hair is so much nicer that bit shorter, I am aware that you have this lenght for a while. I hope you get to enjoy the warm weather!
I don’t remember the weather warnings when I was younger and maybe it’s good that this happens because of our awareness of climate change, but even so the UK media does make a big drama of our hot weather, which is so much cooler than other places around the world. It is a bit daft! Have to say I don’t like it when it gets to be in the 30s – that’s too much for me!
Thanks for the kind words about the hair – it’ll stay shorter but I think I’m going to tinker with the style a bit!!
Enjoy the heat 🙂
Hello Penny. Yes, this weather is really difficult when it comes to knowing what to wear. I have a lovely oversized denim jacked from Lucy & Yak, which has some fun, reasonably priced clothes, though most of them are aimed at much younger people. I have been wearing this a lot recently!
I really enjoy your items, and wonder if you can help. I, too am 77 and about to move from a town house with 26 stairs to a two bedroom flat. I am on my own at the moment as my husband is in care. I seem to remember that you wrote a piece about moving, with a helpful list of people to contact before a move.
Forgive me if if wasn’t you, but if it was could you send me a link to it. I have tried to find it without success!
Oh I love Lucy and Yak but do find their jeans very over-sized so have sold the ones I had. next time I’m in Brighton I must visit their shop as I do like their colourful looks.
And nice to meet another 77yr-old but gosh you must have been through quite a challenging time. The move is a big one, but I know you will enjoy it – one big positive is that you will not have to do so much housework! And although I know I have written several times about down-sizing I can’t remember if I had a list of people to contact, I know one of our biggest challenges was getting rid of the furniture. Our two children weren’t interested so our local charity furniture outlet really benefitted from our donations, now I think I should have tried to sell some of it through Facebook Marketplace but that takes a bit of time and you don’t have a lot of time when you’re just about to move.
My very best wishes on your move as it’s quite a change, but I’m sure it’s a positive change. It is tiring though, I know that all too well but go for it in your new abode and ENJOY 🙂
I do like the denim jacket with the rusty red dress, really looks good on you. My taste in jackets is rather more to the formal. I don’t wear them much but recently I did get on my navy and white stripe bought in 2014 to go to Canada and a bright pink one by Precis Petite bought from a charity shop reduced rail for £4.
The heat is building today so went to our local Gardens this morning to see the paeonies, a fantastic display. My daughter bought me some for the house recently. They are beautiful but it set me wondering when it was they first became available as cut flowers; quite recently I think. It seems to me that everything is flowering in profusion this year. Everywhere you go you can hardly see leaves for flowers. Wonderful! We went somewhere new at the weekend. Shaw House is just outside Newbury & is owned by the LA who bought it to use as a school initially then built a new one. Built in the16th C it is has been restored & is now a conference and community centre with a wonderful history. Both Elizabeth 1st and Queen Anne stayed there which I don’t think many houses can boast. No period furnishings like a NT house but lovely wooden panelling and old fireplaces. Good news re: the liver enzymes this week so that’s a boost – I was feeling a bit low after my daughter went home.
First of all, very pleased about your health and the good news from the liver test – yay! Your jackets sound great and I do like formal jackets – gosh had so many when I was working and kept them for years, then off they went to the charity shop. I have to say I do regret getting rid of one or two of them.
The heat is definitely building and I hope it doesn’t get to the 30s as I really don’t like the higher temps. I wonder if we’ll start getting air con in our houses – it might come to that. But that’s when I think we have to question why is it so hot. If I was younger I would definitely become one of those radical campaigners, but I’ll shut up about that now!
Shaw House sounds lovely and as for the proliferation of flowers on Sunday we’re going to see 15 Open Gardens in Lewes. They’re open to fund raise for one of Lewes’ Bonfire Societies. Should be good.
We certainly are needing out coats and jackets on the south coast aren’t we! It’s so horribly cold even when the sun shines. I’m enjoying seeing your choices Penny and thank you for joining #Chicandstylish Jacqui xx
Yes, that was such a cold north-easterly wind and coupled with the blue skies and sun, it often fooled you until you walked out of the house!!!
Thank you for hosting the link Jacqui 🙂
Yes, the shorter hair style is the perfect length for you, Penny.
I hope you won’t be tempted to over-accessorize that lime jacket. It is a classic, which needs no embellishments to keep it at center stage. Maybe “classic” is not a word you would apply to yourself but it is worth considering having one outfit to fit that description. Simple black sheath and simple black shoes, me thinks.
Weather wise: where I live in Ecuador one might think “the Amazon” sounds like excessive heat. But, not so. The weather is temperate and pleasant all the time. When it rains it comes down in a torrent for maybe an hour and then two hours after it stops, you would never know it had rained.
Thank you Elaine, re: the kind words about the hair. And I won’t over accessorise the Zara jacket as I do think the satinny green speaks for itself. Could be dressed up and indeed down, but the colour itself is gorgeous. Thought for starters it would go well with black jeans.
It’s interesting to hear about your weather, it’s always a topic of conversation for us Brits! Thank Elaine 🙂
Some lovely outfits I agree about white denim jackets. The Zara jacket is fabulous I never seem to see anything I like there but I often see people wearing great Zara stuff. I think their turnover must be very fast. I love jackets I only have one coat. The weather what can I say? I live in Nice for over three weeks we have have storm warnings everyday and we really need some rain, in spite of the warnings we had one showery morning. The lack of bad weather made headline news in the local paper. I laughed when I read about Emmaus being your favourite our local shop’s clothes section is like a Dickensian rag merchants.
Oh gosh re: your Emmaus, but I suppose each one is autonomous and does what it can. The one in Brighton is very entrepreneurial and the second-hand clothes part is in converted chapel and looks as good as any quirky Brighton store would look. Within it the clothes are often designer and high-end High Street and they have a lot of vintage clothes as well. It is amazingly good, although I still, on occasion, walk out buying nothing, which is what you have to do when doing a charity shop shop!!!
The Zara jacket is fab, isn’t it. And tbh, we could do with some rain, but of course, this warmer weather is apparently going to bring storms and floods – the new reality, I suppose.
Thank you Penny for your kind thoughts regarding our recent weather. The last couple of days were something I have never experienced before. The strange orange light and sky, the red sun, the irritating taste and smell of the smoke from the distant fires. Even the short time I did go outside my chest hurt and my throat was sore, I could taste the fires. Thankfully today was better, I was able to get my walk in. In addition, in my immediate area we had a hail storm the likes of which I have never seen before. My poor petunias! At least they seem to be recovering.
As someone who gets cold easily, I never leave the house, even on the warmest day, without something to wear over over light Summer clothing. Most indoor spaces around here are often over air conditioned. I have three real summer jackets, a tan fitted one, the classic blue denim jean jacket and a jacket of turquoise openwork cut like a jean jacket. This last item was a gift and not something I might have thought to purchase but it does dress up simple, neutral outfits. The jean jacket I saw in front if a discount clothing store many years ago, my friend who I was walking with on our lunch hour convinced me to get it and I have been glad she did ever since. I actually would like a white jean jacket but I do have a nice cropped white cardigan which I often wear with summer dresses. I guess my summer “uniform” is white jeans with colorful tees and the above jackets, sneakers or my wedge espadrilles. As far as outings, tomorrow I have my 60th college reunion! How did I get this old? Hope you are enjoying your summer Penny, whatever the weather. Love from smoky New York, Darby
Good to hear the atmosphere is slightly better but the fires in those forests may well continue. What a life we have given to our grandchildren??? If I was younger I would be such a radical protester!
I do like the sound of your everyday look. Mine is, increasingly, a floaty dresses and very little else, apart from I like to cover my arms from the sun. The dresses are necessary because we don’t have air conditioning in either our houses and many small shops. The bigger stores might have it and some public transport but not all. I know you have humidity in New York but our heat is really unpleasant once you reach the 80s as it’s so humid. Mind you I think we might have to look into getting an air conditioning unit as our south-facing windows bring in so much heat. I really don’t like hot weather now. I’m actually nostalgic for that cold north-easterly wind!!!
Enjoy your reunion – thanks Darby 🙂
That Zara jacket is incredible. I can’t wait to see all of the ways you’ll style it. The shine and texture just make it something special.
Even in our hot, hot weather, I have a jacket with me always. For the inside of restaurants and shops.
And you don’t have AC? Wow. Obviously it’s so much cooler there. Goes to show that the definition of summer is very different depending on where you live,
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
That Zara jacket was a great find! And no we don’t have air con, even in restaurants and shops. Some big stores might have it and some public transport, but not all. That might have to change, methinks!
I think our summer is more like your winter where you live!!!!
Thanks Jodie xxx
Your collection of jackets is quite good! I really do love denim jackets and have more than two or three! And, yes…white denim jackets are a must. Your Zara find is fabulous! I can’t wait to see how you wear it.
As for weather, we had some of the “smokey” air for a day or two at the beginning of the week. I didn’t realize, at first, it was related to the wildfires in Canada. Overall, the weather here has been rather pleasant. We’ve had highs in the low 80s (27C) and lows in the 50s (10C). I could take this weather all summer long. Of course, we haven’t had any rain for many, many days. We have new grass, bushes, and trees so we must water them. I hate doing that, but you have to do it or they die.
I do hope you have a wonderful weekend, Penny!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
That Zara jacket was such a good find!! And yes, my white jacket is my favourite now.
As for this weather, I am such a wimp as I start to wilt when it reaches 24-27C (75-80s). The heat is humid and I feel I can’t breathe and that’s when the air is relatively good. Sorry to hear that you too have that bad air quality from those fires – hopefully it will improve.
I will have a better Sunday as the weather isa bit cooler and I’m off to see some gardens 🙂
Have a lovely Sunday, Marsha 🙂
Morning Penny
I’m very pleased to hear that Bill is ‘beginning to get back to normality’ and hope the same goes for ‘your slightly poorly back’. (Don’t realise how virtually every move is affect until one gets a back back!)
Thanks for the colourful parade of jackets. Like most of the previous commentators, I like the satin Zara bargain – can be dressed up or down.
The weather has caught me out several times lately – with the icy under-tow. I’m fed up with it, but don’t relish a tropical heatwave. I’m very happy with about 70o and can’t imagine how I sun bathed in places like Greece, Spain and Italy in August for years – in painful and boring pursuit of a tan.
Incidentally, I hope you enjoy your up-coming cruise, (and wonder if the Zara jacket will make the cut.) Look forward to hearing/seeing more in due course.
All the very best, Mary
Yes, that Zara jacket was a great find! I shall take it on the cruise, which we moved to the end of July (at no extra admin cost – good for Saga) primarily for Bill but I think is just as well as I could cope with the cruise but what about packing and all that bending over the suitcase!
Yes, every move you make depends on your back and Bill is having to do the watering of which the little patch is in dire necessity as it positively frizzles in this weather. Not keen on this weather at all and didn’t go out yesterday as it was farrrrr too hot for me. I am so sorry about the future of this planet and think often about my poor grandchildren’s lives. If I was younger I would be doing very radical stuff I think. Mind you I think the public is aware – it is the politicians who are so short term in their thinking.
Thanks Mary 🙂
The Zara jacket is a beaut! Look forward to seeing how you style it. I like all the jackets, particularly the wool check.
Hope we’ve seen the back of that wind for a while. I was on the bike and it was such hard work cycling into the wind (and cold ).
That wind! i was so often fooled by the sun and blue skies and then ooops as you walked out – had to dash back a couple of times for more layers.
That Zara jacket is a wowser! Think it’ll be great for the cruise and can be dressed up or down. Thanks Gail 🙂
I love your updates.. I always get new ideas! I’ve got summer jacket on my charity shop list for the exact reasons you said. My main summer jacket is a denim one (like yours with your red dress and new trainers which look great on you btw) but as I wear jeans quite a lot can look too double denim sometimes. I hadnt thought of a white one. I will keep my eyes peeled now! 👀 I did see a camouflage summer jacket recently in a charity shop I am visiting again next week so maybe if it’s still there. Thanks again Penny!
Ps the Zara jacket is gorgeous.
Hi Jen and I’m glad I was able to inspire you to look out for a white denim jacket. The camouflage summer jacket sounds good – hope it’s still there!
And yes, that Zara jacket is amazing! Thanks Jen 🙂
I am glad you and Mr. F continue to improve. Such gorgeous jackets, Penny! I am eager to see how you style the green Zara jacket. As for the unusual heat, our Pacific Northwest has suffered in the same way a few times in recent years. No air conditioning and unprecedented heat. I sincerely hope it skips everyone this summer.
Hi Penny! Weather and health seems the going conversations in my southern California 60+ crowd. The record breaking rains of this past winter brought glorious blooms to our hillsides and nourished our drought-stricken yards. New plants came up in my yard that I did NOT plant! Even this past week (in June!), we had a little rain! My veggies are enjoying the moisture but waiting for the sun to shine again!
You look ready for summer! Love each of the jackets and how you coordinated them with a dress, skirt, or pair of pants. Bright and cheery…like your writing, Penny!
You asked about what we are doing for fun? Two weeks ago, my sister and her son visited California from the east coast. I wanted to give them a California Coast adventure so we visited the Channel Island Nat’l. Park. Mind you, it takes one and a half hours BY BOAT to get there from the closest mainland point. We also signed up for a kayak guided tour. What a beautiful, full day! We saw two humpback whales leap out of the water, dozens of dolphins leaping in the wake of the ship, and deep, dark sea caves we kayaked into. The entire day was exhilarating! And, Penny, I felt like I regained a bit of myself that day. I had not done something like that in years as my husband’s health declined. It has been six months since his passing. I continue to move forward step-by-step.
Glad to hear that you and Mr. FFS are also getting back into the swing of things! Take care…Charlene
Thank you for telling me about your wonderful day out Charlene , how marvellous & memorable it must have been.
Lynda…how sweet of you to respond. As my sister said, “It was one for the books!” Hoping you are well, Lynda.
Oh wow, that kayak tour sounds just amazing with the bonus of TWO whales and dolphins galore. Sounds so isolated, with that one and a half hour trip by boat to get there, which is probably why it is so special. You are quite brave to do the kayaking – have you done some training for it?
I am so delighted that you felt the way you did, because you do have a life and probably a long one. Yes, keep moving on.
We had a little rain last night which was much needed. The soil in my little patch is very poor and needs sustenance and much rain, but we haven’t had rain for ages so the rain last night was so welcome. I think the lack of rain is the way our summers are going.
Good luck with the vegetables and onwards and upwards Charlene – you take care too 🙂
No training on the kayak. But strength and mobility training have helped! Onward and upward, indeed!!!