How was your weekend? We had a Bank Holiday in the UK yesterday so it felt like an extra Sunday. The weather was atrocious so I spent it indoors with Isobel while Pete was working. I did manage to shoot these photos on Saturday while it was dry, and with Isobel’s help I did a TikTok styling these Zara floral print trousers four ways. Take a look and tell me which one is your favourite!
I haven’t bought a lot of new clothes lately, preferring to search out vintage treasures on eBay instead of “fast fashion”. But when I saw some pieces from a new collection at Zara I went straight to the website. These retro floral print trousers immediately appealed to me and I snapped them up in a flash! I also added this orange knitted vest and orange sunglasses to my basket. Although I’m trying to drastically reduce the amount of “fast fashion” I buy, when it’s garments I know that I’ll wear a lot it assuages the guilt (a little). That was where the idea for the TikTok came from; I thought if I could style four different outfits with these trousers then that would justify my purchase.
This very vibrant yellow and orange ensemble was my initial outfit idea; it’s so bright that I really needed those sunglasses! Pete said I looked very pale in comparison…I’m inclined to agree! Knitted vests are becoming rather popular right now, which gets the thumbs up from me. They’re great for layering over a thin roll neck for extra warmth without the bulk of a cardigan. I’ve been looking for an easy knitting pattern so that I can make one – I even have wool in this almost-neon orange – but finding one that’s both simple and suitable for the type of wool I have is harder than I thought.
If it had been a bit warmer I’d have worn the vest without the yellow jumper, but May hasn’t exactly wowed me with the weather and I definitely needed both layers. I piled on a bit more yellow with my cord ankle boots and chain handle bag. I made the polymer clay earrings a few weeks ago – they’re flowers but also look a bit like fried eggs! Although I love the orange sunglasses I’m not convinced they really suit me. In any case, I’ve taken the tag off so I’m keeping them now!
I know we all like to see new outfits (style blogs would be be boring if we wore the same few outfits all the time) but I think taking a statement piece and styling it different ways is both fun and useful; making the TikTok video really made me think about how to get the most wear out of these trousers. In future, whenever I’m tempted to buy something that could quite easily be worn once or twice and then forgotten, I’m going to make myself come up with three or four different ways to wear it; if I can’t I won’t buy it. Simple as that.
SHOP THE LOOK
Zara trousers, vest and sunglasses| New Look yellow jumper (old) | River Island boots (old) | bag from TKMaxx (old) | handmade earrings
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Ashley of Le Stylo Rouge, Alison of Midlife and Beyond and Johanna Grange!
It seems like we’ve both been in a tropical state of mind lately. You look divine in those pants and I adore the color combination of orange and pink. Pairing them with the orange vest and yellow accessories was a brilliant idea. What a bright and cheery ensemble.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
I love this retro look, you wear it so well. I was having a browse around Zara the other day and spotted this collection, there’s some great pieces in this print. I could’ve easily bought a few items, but reigned myself in, I too am trying my best to imagine different ways I can style an item – and most importantly asking myself the question – is it a quality item which will last? I’ve just followed your link to Tik Tok ( my first ever). I only do Instagram and that’s too much for me. Thank you for the feature Emma. xx
What a beautiful color combo! You look so beautiful and bright. I love Ashley fun and playful dress too!
Edwige | http://www.hypnozglam.com
These pants are perfect for you! I can see why you needed to snap them right up! So fun!
These trousers are so fun! Love the colors and print. Thanks so much for the link up!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Of course I headed straight over for a follow! This is brilliant Emma xx
This outfit is amazing!!
I like those trousers the best with the blue sweater! It’s the perfect trousers for you!
This really suits you Emma, what a bold 70’s style outfit you are wearing xx
These retro pants are so fun!! I just love all the bright color and how even your boots match.
Miles of smiles,
Grace
gracefulrags.com
The orange and yellow together is such a fun springy combo! It’s one I’ve only worn a few times, I need to try it more often! And it works so well with your pants! 🙂
I do the same thing – I have a goal of wearing everything I buy 30 times so I really think about ways things will work for me before I buy. I also have to be able to wear it twice in the month I buy it, or I don’t purchase it. those rules have really helped me shop less and buy things that stay in my wardrobe longer when I do shop!
Thanks for the link up 🙂
Hope that your week is going well 🙂
Oh Emma you know I absolutely love this retro look!! A person as shopping-conscientious as you should not feel guilt for shopping at Zara! And that’s because you shop there rarely, and when you do, it’s with intention and for things you know you will cherish and take care of for the longest time. That’s different than ‘fast shopping and discarding’ resulting in a large contribution to the devastation that fast fashion is responsible for. Your item, will never end up in a landfill- because you will make sure of that. That’s a huge contribution you’re making in doing your part. Love, love the whole look!!
Another stunning print! Love how you styled these pants and the retro vibe!
-Katie
http://www.hellokatiegirlblog.com/
I just love to see you in so much color Emma. It makes me happy because I think color is so important to our mood. And those pants are absolutely incredible!!
OXOX
JOdie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Retro is so you Emma & this is perfection…love the colors!
Debbie
http://www.yourstyledstory.com
I love this bright, happy, retro outfit, Emma! So pretty and so much fun!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
And the beat goes on…I really love all these retro looks you’re styling, Emma. What goes around comes around, right? And these pants and gorgeous colors have come back around!!
xx Darlene
These pants are an amazing find, Emma! They are so retro and cool! I always love how you style bright colors together and make them look fabulous. =)
I hope you are having a great week so far!
Amber
Visit AvecAmber.com
Follow Avec Amber on Bloglovin
What a head turner of an outfit – love the groovy trousers! You’re so colour confident, I aspire to being like you! xx
Emma, I was actually in Zara yesterday and I picked up that exact same vest!! I absolutely LOVE it but didn’t buy it because it’s quite thick and, well, living in Portugal, I knew I wouldn’t get much wear out of it. So I bought a thinner one (a much finer knit) in the same colour. I also saw the most fabulous pair of wide-legged floral jeans and I put them back!!!!! When I got home I immediately looked online for them because I wished I’d bought them, and I can’t find them anywhere! If the shop was closer, I’d go back but it’s almost an hour’s drive away. Oh well!
You look fabulous, I love the entire outfit on you. Zara is full of 70s stuff that’s right up your street, isn’t it?
Hugs
Suzy xx
Those trousers are so cool!!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
Emma, these pants are absolutely magnificent! I understand why you could not resist them. And I love the pairing of orange and yellow on you. So fun! I just recently added bright orange trousers and a bright orange blazer to my wardrobe and both made me think of you! I can’t wait to share them soon.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
what a fun look, such a great 70’s vibe
You are a tropical 60s dream here! And thank you so much for the feature. 🙂
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Yes, to this fun and vibrant outfit! These retro pants are so you!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
The print on those pants and the color palette give chic 70s vibes!
This is so groovy! I love the colors here, the yellow and orange and your yellow boots are so good with this. I always like seeing what colors you pair together and wear. I was going through my closet and am keeping my flares, youve inspired me with the 70s vibe!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com