Trouser suit and casual T-shirt + Style With a Smile link up

I’m a big fan of trouser suits; you can dress them up with heels and a blouse, or style them casually with trainers and a T-shirt. Splitting the jacket and trousers up provides endless styling options. I bought this suit in the January sales but didn’t get around to wearing it for a couple of months.

The funny thing about these photos is that I’d completely forgotten about them. We’d shot them along with two other outfits, with this being the last. A couple of weeks later I was sure I had another set of outfit photos from that day but had no recollection whatsoever of the outfit. I couldn’t even find them on the laptop. It was only when I was moving clothes around and saw this suit that it suddenly jolted my memory! Once I knew what I was looking for in the ever-expanding folder of outfit photos they were much easier to locate.

Needless to say, this River Island trouser suit is no longer available, but I have linked to some alternatives. The only other trouser suit I own is by Scotch and Soda, which was considerably more expensive than this one. While it’s true that you get what you pay for, the sizing of the trousers is not perfect with either suit. I’m wearing a size 10 and they are very loose on the waist, hence the belt. Without it they hang low on the crotch which is not a flattering look. It’s a shame because I like the tapered leg style, and the fabric quality is pretty good for the price point.

Many an outfit has been saved by a belt, and in this case it does improve the outfit as well as serve a practical purpose.

The Scotch and Soda snow leopard print trousers are also not true to size; you may remember that I had to return the medium for a small, which are still loose on the waist. Maybe this is what’s known as”vanity sizing”?  I seriously considered returning these trousers, but then I’d have had to return the jacket as well. The size 8 was sold out online, but it was showing as in stock at the Trafford Centre. Unfortunately when I got there it turned out to be a waste of time; the sales assistant informed me it was a case of “lost stock”, whatever that means. Luckily the trousers have belt loops! Many an outfit has been saved by a belt, and in this case it does improve the outfit as well as serve a practical purpose.

The jacket doesn’t have buttons so it naturally falls open. This gives it a more casual look, which I’ve played on by wearing a T-shirt under it. The black and white stripes going across the T-shirt mirror those in the suit print, while the red makes it feel more modern and fun. I added my go-with-everything red M&S shoes and Zara crossbody bag, although trainers and my Jennifer Hamley black tote bag would also work well.

Are you a fan of trouser suits? Would you wear them with trainers or stick to heels for a more classic look?

SHOP THE LOOK

Jacket and trousers from River Island | M&S shoes (similar) | Zara bag |  Emilio Pucci sunglasses | T-shirt from Boohoo (old, first seen here)

This is where I link up!

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Last week’s favourites were…

Andrea of Living on Cloud Nine, Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots and Kathrine Eldridge!