A LITTLE BIT BRIGHT

DAY FIFTEEN: Yellow paisley trousers, Warehouse

So, as long as the sun is shining and it's technically still summer, I thought I might return to brights. I picked these trousers up in the Warehouse sale when I first came back from Turkey. Suffering the worst case of heat rash that I'd ever experienced (bet you wanted to know that) I couldn't wear anything with even a hint of polyester or that touched my skin, lest I wished to experience the feeling of a cheese grater on the back of my knees.

I'd seen these trousers in the Warehouse sale before I'd left and had regretted not picking them up as they're super soft and just the thing that I wanted to bum around in. I call them my pyjama trousers because that's pretty much what they look like and I wear them whenever I'm having one of those days where I just want to feel like any second I could still go back to bed. Of course, I can't because I'm usually sitting at my desk in the office but y'know, a girl can pretend, right?

Annoyingly, they appear to have disappeared off the Warehouse website where they were only £10 yesterday, marked down from £45 but you may still be able to hunt down a pair in the remains of the sales in your local branch. If you do, I'd fully recommend the purchase.

Quite why they're called Desert Trek trousers is beyond me - I know noone who'd go trekking in the desert in yellow paisley. But then, maybe I haven't lived.

Worn with: Grey tee, H&M; necklaces, Nocturne & H&M; aviators, Ray-Ban; sandals, Topshop.

BRIGHTS: DAY SIX

DAY SIX: Tropical print trousers, George at Asda

We all know how much I love a statement trouser, so when I clapped eyes on these a few months ago at the George press day, I made it my mission to get my hands on a pair for the summer. Much like my River Island pair, they're lightweight, super comfortable and about as close as wearing my PJs to the office as I can get. They're also great in this heat and the best bit? They're only £14. You can pick up a pair online [here].

Worn with: grey tee and neon necklace, both H&M; leopard print sandals, Birkenstocks; sunglasses, Valentino.

TRANSITION: DAY EIGHTEEN

DAY EIGHTEEN: Grey chinos, Banana Republic

Just when I was getting into the swing of spring things, y'know, breaking down my preconceptions of pastels, florals and the such, nature has a way of throwing you a curve ball. It's like someone somewhere decided that you can have too much of a good thing and it was time to reign in the sunshine. Whoever that person was, I'd like to take a moment to say YOU BASTARD.

When I woke up this morning to grey skies, an icy wind whipping through the open windows and an insanely sore throat building, it was like the light had just gone out of everything - even my previously jolly neon orange toenails looked a little sad in the lacklustre light. However, I'm a firm believer in silver linings - finally a chance to wear my favourite black waffle jumper again without looking like a tool and the opportunity to wear my new grey chinos from Banana Republic which arrived at the office yesterday.

When we were offered the choice of either pink or grey at the press day, I went for grey simply because I already owned a pink pair - my bright pink pair of chinos from Zara that I bought last summer. I then spent the next few weeks regretting my choice, thinking that actually the dusky deep raspberry would've been great but when they arrived, I knew I'd made the right decision - I need some smarter, preppier trousers in my wardrobe for when jeans, pajama pants or bright colours aren't appropriate. I get the feeling that I'll get a lot of wear out of these.

Worn with: black waffle jumper, Topshop; Black high tops, Converse.

TRANSITION: DAY SEVENTEEN

DAY SEVENTEEN: Pastel floral tuxedo trousers, River Island

While I would never advocate being drunk in public, sometimes a little bit of, ahem, influenced shopping can lead to very interesting purchases finding their way into my wardrobe. A prime examples is the really rather extraordinary sunglasses that I bought on the last day of term at Uni after a celebratory lunch with one of my flatmates that I most definitely not even looked at otherwise.

Last night, after the whirlwind of press days and launches that had been my afternoon, I found myself in River Island on Oxford Street standing in front of these trousers and thinking 'oh yep, totally'. When I'd been in there the other day with a friend, I'd checked them out but as I pointed out to my friend, they broke the two biggest rules in my book:

1. They are a proper floral. Not some weird abstract/neon/watercolour floral but an actual proper 'oh look, petals' kind of floral. Look!:

2. They are pastel. As many of my regular readers will now probably know, I have a weird thing against pastels. Having been brought up on a diet of monochrome and never allowed to wear sugary colours as a child, I developed an allergy to any pale candy colours that has lasted into adulthood.

So not only do these trousers have pastel coloured flowers all over them, they also have a lavender tuxedo-style stripe down the sides. Now, tuxedo stripes are very flattering to the leg, so this time I'll allow the lavender even if it is a colour that I absolutely detest normally simply because it works here.

To end this story, imagine my surprise when all sensibility went flying out of the window and I found myself at the till, ready to spend what little money I have on PASTEL FLORAL TROUSERS.

The mind boggles. But the legs like.

Worn with: grey tee, H&M; necklace, Nocturne; Satchel, Marks & Spencer; Nude pumps, Office. Tortoiseshell Wayfarers, Ray-Ban; jacket, unknown.

TRANSITION: DAY FOURTEEN

DAY FOURTEEN: Blue polka dot trousers, Topshop 

If these look familiar, your eyes are not deceiving you – you might recall that a few months back, I featured these trousers in green [here]. I loved them so much that when Topshop reissued them in blue, I ran as fast as my little legs would carry me to grab a pair before they sold out, which of course they duly did and quickly.

I’ve been wearing them pretty much constantly, as have several other members of the fashion department - leading to some near-misses in the identical outfit stakes but they’re so versatile and comfy that its inevitable that one day two of us will eventually turn up in the same trews.

While they sold out at the speed of light, there were several pairs hanging out on eBay waiting for a good home when I looked earlier today and for bargain prices too. I’m hoping that Topshop will release another colourway soon, maybe a deep pink would be nice? What colour would you like to see them in?

Worn with: grey tee, H&M; necklace, Nocturne; Black pumps, Office.

TRANSITION: DAY TEN

DAY TEN: Floral trophy trousers, Limited at New Look


To a certain degree, whatever I'm working on at work seems to seep into my personal wardrobe at home. This week, I've been working on a trophy trousers page and already a fan of printed trousers, I couldn't help but add this pair from the Limited range at New Look to my collection. 


If you follow me on twitter (@adulescent), you might have seen that I conducted a quick straw poll on Saturday to gauge reactions - these are a little bit brighter than my normal styles but the flashes of green neon clinched the deal for me and clearly they did for you guys as it was a runaway 11-1 in favour of keeping them.


With the glorious sunshine today, I thought it was the perfect weather to debut them. What do you all think? Would you rock a pair of trophy trousers or are these a trend too far? 

Available at selected stores for £29.99, currently not online.

Worn with: grey cashmere sweater, Gap; Blue necklace, Freedom Premium; Black quilted pumps, Office; Folding Wayfarers, Ray-Ban.

AUTUMN: DAY FOURTEEN

DAY FOURTEEN: Polka dot trousers, Topshop

When I first came across these trousers, I was convinced that they would not be flattering in the least but there is something magical about them. I don't know what it is but the second I put them on, I felt like I'd lost half a stone and hence they came straight home with me. Sadly, they've since sold out but River Island are doing a pair of jeans that are incredibly similar [here] and for a fraction of the price of the Topshop pair. I'm tempted to buy them in the black-on-black version [here]

Worn with: Latin tee, Marc by Marc Jacobs; necklace, Freedom Premium; polka dot pochette, Aryn K; nude pumps, Office; Sunglasses, Ray-Ban.

AUTUMN: DAY FIVE

DAY FIVE: Leather fronted trousers, Oasis

By the time you read this, I will have been awake since 6am and knee deep in London Fashion Week. I had to find a replacement for my beloved Topshop leather skinnies that famously split on the bum during last season’s Menswear day and I found these on a lunchtime breeze through my local branch of Oasis. They’re a bit high-waisted for my liking but when worn with a tee, they’re fine. I will no doubt also be wearing these at some point during LFW so keep an eye out for their reappearance.

Worn with: slogan tee, Wrangler; Black plimsolls, Converse; Gold chain, Vintage.