Hello everyone!
Before I say anything else – can I apologise profusely to the people who have had problems either subscribing or commenting. The situation is, we think we’ve fixed it and then again it might not be quite right for you. We can’t tell. We suggest, if last time you had a problem commenting, only write a couple of sentences to test your comment. Thereafter we hope everything will be OK. We are so very sorry to cause this kind of annoyance.
And if, heaven forbid, you cannot comment, could you return to the Frugal blog and describe the issue exactly as you are seeing it. That’s really important as we will strive to get things right. And apologies again for all the botheration!
And now as promised, I am writing a style blog as style, and how the outside world sees me, is still incredibly important to me as an older woman. Expect this category to come into your in-box about once a month.
I think you all know that I live in a small town, and I can walk to absolutely everything (I do many steps every day at least 5,000 and sometimes my Fitbit says I’ve done up to 10,000 and more) so there is no need to get into the car for anything, apart from visiting friends who live further afield or maybe for a big grocery shop (although we do mainly get our groceries delivered). In addition, Lewes is hilly and I can power up those hills, no problem. (But see my next post for a bit more info on my mobility). But breathless, I am not. Then, if we go to an art exhibition in London it’s always by public transport, which is, on the whole, great and there’s nothing I like better than a train trip to London.
What I wear to walk in this small town is, of course, very much influenced by our weather. And OMG this winter has been a bit grim. Now when I say grim, I’m talking British grim, so that’s weather that’s neither too excessive, or disastrous, apart from those Brits who live in flood plains where flooding is occurring more and more these days. We’re a small island and our housing stock is always in need of renewal, so new builds are always being built and often in the wrong place including areas near rivers that should not be built on at all.
No, the British grimness is the greyness. We are used to rain, and the damp cold, and OK, the wind now is a bit excessive, not hurricane force you understand, but it is far windier than it used to be, The thing is for days and days we don’t see the sun. Instead, we see grey clouds overhead with every now and then, perhaps the tiniest, teeniest hint of a ray of sun peeping through – if we’re lucky. There’s seems to be nothing else to brighten these dark gloomy days.
Oh, but wait a minute – actually you can brighten the day with what you wear. What do people see as you walk into town? Your outer wear! Your coat.
And this, dear reader is why I adore my coats. In fact, I have more than several, I have many coats! The reason I have quite a number is to brighten my day and go with my mood as to what I wear. But with our weather and especially the damp cold I will, of course, choose the warmest of coats! 😄
The warmest coat I have is one I bought new some years ago from the online company called Hush, a very eco-friendly and sustainable brand. Mind you when you look at their prices…. so I always buy items in their sales.
Just for fun, here is a very old photo of me wearing it.
This was taken in the days of Covid when I didn’t go to the hairdressers for about 2 years! The coat is beautifully warm as it’s made of 100% wool and thickly lined as well with a padded material. You could not be warmer wearing this coat.
I have another 100% wool coat, which I will show you shortly, but a great favourite of mine this winter is a coat that is slightly less warmer. I bought this one much earlier in the winter and I absolutely love the colour.
This coat is from a charity shop and, cost amazingly, £10. It’s a UK size 24 (ha-ha) I am a size UK 14, but I absolutely love it and wear it a lot. Accessories are important and with the cold winds that whip along the Lewes streets I have a number of scarves and warm hats that I can pick up and wear to brighten the outfit even more.
Another slightly too cool (!) a coat is this one which you have seen before.
I shall wait until the Spring before I wear this one. Again it’s a charity shop coat and cost all of £12.50!
Do you remember I had a long black coat? It was quite the maxi. Unfortunately it wasn’t very practical when on public transport – the skirt trailed on the floor far too much when I sat down or went up and down stairs. So I sold that one (for a profit) and found this, which I bought just last week for a mighty £30. But it’s vintage so I say, why not.
It’s a black 100% wool swagger coat and I wore it yesterday for a Sunday pub lunch with friends. which was a fabulous treat.
And here I am with my pink beret and scarf – a rather winning combo, don’t you think!
Btw, someone who knows a little bit about my balance situation wondered why I was buying yet another coat when I don’t go out all that much now. On the contrary, I told her, I get out every day. I will tell you more about my health and the frustrations therein very soon.
The thing is I am not good at taking photos whilst I’m out – I’m too much in the moment, which I think is the best way to be anyway.
And finally another coat that, despite our cold weather, I don’t wear all that often. But there was one day when it was freezing, so I wore this faux fur coat. I was so toasty in it.
And just to show you I do get out. Last week was a week of hospital appointments and on both days we walked along the Brighton seafront, but instead of showing you the sea I’d like to show you the quirky side of Brighton.
Inside two red telephone boxes (in a state of disrepair because they are no longer in use) were two, I suppose you’d call them, flower sculptures.
Only in Brighton!
If you think I look a bit scruffy and tired we’d been at the hospital incredibly early and had been there for hours (for a cataract assessment, people, so nothing alarming) But more about this and that, and eyes, and everything else very soon.
That’s all for now, but don’t forget if you encounter any problems with commenting – go over to the Frugal blog and tell us exactly what is going on including details of the browser you use. This helps us to find out more.
Thank you so much everyone for coming over 😄
With love to you all, Penny
P.S. I think the weather has changed – it’s was sunny yesterday and again today!
Testing my comment and to say I love your costs and getting to see a bit of lovely Brighton. We’re hoping to live next year and want somewhere, like you, where we can walk to most things easily.
Yay – your comment has come through no problem. And thanks re: the coat, it was a great find 😀
Testing.. testing.. Hope this comment reaches you. Love the black coat and pink hat and scarf combo. The pink really suits you.
Yes, three cheers – your comment works! Thanks so much re: kind words about the coat and pink colours 😀
*coats!
😁
Love the new black coat, looks especially nice with the pink 😊
Thanks so much Gill 😀
Love the coats you can never have too many in the UK. A warmer long coat is needed which will naturally be a charity shop. Test to see if this message goes.
I’m with you 100% – we need our coats in the UK! And yes your comment has come in which is great but we are having some issues with commenting. We are having a big think about it all.
Thanks Lindsey 🙂
It took a while to see the comment section, it didn’t pop up immediately. Impressive that you can climb the Lewes hills, they are steap! Fantastic coat collection
Hiya Nancy – yes your comment is here. But we are having such awful IT issues we are having a big think about it – too many of my lovely followers are being excluded soooo….. we have to do something soon. I shall be posting about this on both blogs shortly. Thanks Nancy 😊
Fabulous coats Penny and we certainly need them in this cold weather. I had stopped wearing black outerwear but seeing you with the lovely pink scarf and beret near to your face I can see it works perfectly.
Yes, the pink does brighten the black up – and yes, we sure need our coats in this weather. But – it’s sunny today!
Thanks Lynda 😀
Love the new blog, your coats, the pink hat scarf combo and the telephone boxes. I’ll look out for those on my trip to Brighton next month.
Testing my comment using a very old iPad on Safari.
Three cheers – I can see you, it works! The phone boxes are on the Kemp Town seafront quite a way from the centre part of Brighton. Kemp Town and especially St George’s Road is the best part and I highly recommend that area. Thanks Pauline 😀
I have always love your collection of coats and that you get to wear them (my jackets some years just hang in the closet if it’s not cold enough). Love the pairings with the bright scarves and hats. Delightful!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
We are a cold country Mireille. Not cold like Canada as it’s never exceedingly low temperatures – it’s the damp cold that gets to you – so coats especially if you don’t use a car are just the most essential piece of kit. But coats are great! Thanks Mireille 😀
Love you coat selections. I’m in Ottawa Canada and we too believe in outerwear! It’s fun to have a selection for different activities.
Shoes and coats are actually tools, not just clothing.😉
Oh yes, indeed, you understand so well the need for coats and for making your outerwear look good. It is exactly that – it’s fun to wear different coats on different days! Thanks Janet 😀
It was you who got me started with coats! I now have several wool coats in bright colours. The black swagger coat is a great style. I love the pink scarf and beret combination.,
Funnily enough I tried to sell that pink scarf and beret and they didn’t sell. So I wore them the very next day and thought, oh they’re great!!!
So glad you too love your coats – thanks Gail 😀
I love that blue plaid coat. I have a heavy wool shirt very similar that belonged to my dad. Every time I wear it, it feels like a hug from heaven.
Oh yes I can see that – the blue plaid coat has a shirt-like look. You put that so well – a lovely thought ❤️
Thanks so much 😊
Your enthusiasm for films, books, going to London, exhibitions and, of course, clothes is great.
Awww – thanks for those kind words Isa 😄
The sidebar says I am subscribed, but I haven’t received an e-mail about the new post. Let’s see whether the comment comes through.
And I like your scarf! (which one? I like them all!)
Lizzie-Ann hi and thank you for keeping me up-to-date. We are having a very big think about the entire operation of creating a new blog as it has caused so many IT issues for people I care about. Hmmmm! Not totally made up my mind, but very soon I intend to put a post on both blogs and set out my views on what’s been occurring.
Yes, those scarves – I’ve collected them over the years but they are good to lighten up a black coat for instance or just add to a good colour combo.
Thanks again Lizzie-Ann 😊
Testing, testing! Love your new black swing coat, also the leopard print one. Coats, coats , love them. Especially when you find great bargains ! Also hope you get some sunshine soon.
Yes, you are here and I can see you! Coats are fun aren’t they, especially if one can get them at rock bottom prices. The black one for instance is stylish and warm, at such a great price.
We had sun for two days!!! Not so much now or for the next few days – that’s the way it goes here!
Thanks Maisie 😊
Testing…love the new black coat with pink! I’m afraid my colorful coats are all puffer coats and all I’ve worn this winter!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Hiya Marsha – I can see you! Thanks re: the black coat. For me it is essential to look good in my outdoor gear. For me it’s as important as indoors!
Thanks Marsha 😀
I particularly love your faux fur coat. It’s gorgeous. I seemed to have posted a successful comment to your previous blog post but I’m only being notified of you posting something new from frugal shopper. I seem to remember having a problem with this at one point with frugal shopper and I resubscribed with a different email address and everything was fine. Google seemed to be fine and it was yahoo (which I used this time) which seemed to be the problem.
Hi Sylvia – I think the IT arm of WordPress has become a lot more sensitive to browsers. The new blog is also denying commenters and we think it sees these as Spam. When we set up My Other Blog in 2016 we had not one single issue – this time…..
We are having a very big think about this whole enterprise – and I will be posting on both blogs quite shortly about this. It’s been very challenging and we never expected that. I just want to write and I expect most followers just want to read what I write!!!
Thanks for keeping me up-to-date Sylvia and yes the faux fur coat is lovely – bought years ago actually 😊
I love all your coat/scarf combos; you definitely wear them with panache!
Awww – thank you so much Penny for those kind words. And it’s great to meet another Penny 😀
Oh dear Penny. This came into my emails then disappeared completely ☹️
I clicked on the frugal fashion shopper link to find you again 🤔
Thank you so much Eve for telling me about this. After today we are seriously thinking of gong back to the frugal blog – there are so many people who are having problems with this new blog and we can’t solve them. So sorry!
Hi Penny,
Love the different coats featured in the blog. I live in Canada, and I am dealing with cold temperatures and lots of snow. I wear a knee length jacket where I can wear a tunic top or a bamboo sweatshirt underneath without making me look bulky. I also own two coatigans from Aran Wools in Ireland – I switch in spring and fall.
Ah Canada – greetings to you in that in snowy and brave (because of ….) country. Yes, I do see why you can’t wear a long coat when there’s deep snow. Glad you like my coats – thanks Cindy 😀
I especially like the black and pink combo, the pink looks really good next to your face/hair.
I love the phone-box flowers, they make me think of The Day of the Triffids.
Thank you so much Jacqui – the pink scarf and beret are good aren’t they! 😊
Thanks Jacqui – the pink scarf and beret are great aren’t they! 😊
Only someone who walks or uses public transport most days would understand the necessity of a good coat! Like you I have several and move them on when I feel they have served me long enough. With the constantly changing weather in the UK we need coats of several weights!
Exactly so, you need a coat to keep you warm whilst waiting at the bus stop!
Also I’ve met up with friends who’ve come in to Lewes by car and they just have a jacket! they soon realise it’s…. cold. Actually Lewes has some very cold streets where the winds seem to whip along, so no matter what direction they’re meant to be coming – they come at you!
Great to meet another lover of coats 😀
This post came through perfectly Penny. I was unsure if my last comment worked at the time but noticed it did.
I always admire your coats and the faux fur is lovely . The black vintage with the pink looks great.
I can imagine the stress involved in the new blog process.
That’s great Jill – and yes, it’s been a nightmare as there is a small but significant number of people who cannot comment at all. And I really care about these people as I am not interested in numbers but i do care about the connections that have been made on the Frugal blog so to have this IT arm blocking them is appalling. It is probably to do with with the multiple ways we get to the internet – phones, laptops, PCs and Macs all using different software that needs to be up-to-date.
We’re having big think and I will post on this very soon. I mean all I want to do is write and I expect all people want to do is read it!!! Instead……
And coats – that black coat has a very good cut to it. Very pleased that I found it – it is a keeper!
Thanks Jill 😊
You and your blog are fantastic. Positive in all ways. Thank you.
Awww, Dee, thanks so much for those kind words 😄
Looks like my problem has been fixed. Thank you to Bill as well.
I actually just purchased another coat this week, a pastel purple blend, and love it. Not for the very cold, but will work into spring. We have thigh high snow right now and I am so over it.
Do hope I can continue to comment
I cannot imagine thigh high snow and what it does to the sidewalks/pavements. The last time that happened was the winter of 1962 when I was still doing that long journey to school. Snow continued to be piled up either side of the pavement (so you walked in this kind of tunnel area) until April!!!
It’s never been as cold since, and yet only until recently we did have snow down south – not so much now and it never settles. Scotland still has lots of snow though.
And the IT issues seem to have resolved – phew! Thanks Diane 😀
Well, no problems with this one . But I need to look at the other new ones as well. Look fwd to reading more of the conversations.
As to coats, love your choices. I have a wardrobe of Lands End coats, some very old and still going. Old friend is very old feather one which washes and washes and is very cosy for watching dressage, New friend (well, two or three years old) a wonderful nike one bought new on Ebay at great price but discounted at a pretty big amount too. Pale purple withba bright purple lining, hood thst actuslly fits,, deep pockets and goes right down to my lower shins. The great discovery I reckon is the lightness of man made fabrics, especially for us oldies. And like you I like to wear different colours thst match the rest of my clothing. Look fwd to more of the new blog. I have been treating myself to the amazing the Rest is Politics blog from Rory Stuart and Alistair Campbell. Lovevtheir conversations and feel helped to understand the world more. Xx
At last Wendy I will be able to sit down and just write – up to now there have been a lot of IT issues to deal with. It has been quite challenging.
Yes, I do love a long coat – not too long but shin level is great. As for man-made fibre coats, I agree they are lighter but a thinner man-made fabric coat I find is never warm enough whilst waiting for a bus! And isn’t it great to match the coat with what you’re wearing underneath.
I am so glad you like Rory and Alistair’s podcasts – I find their podcasts so good in their depth and context. It is also such a relief to have two intelligent people discussing world events and issues in such a rational and intelligent way. What’s more they are never disagreeable when they disagree – so important these days.
Thanks Wendy – great to see you on this new blog 😀
So many grand coats. Of course, with my love of green, that one has to be my fave. But love the faux fur so much, too. And you were made for animal print. So pretty with your coloring. I had a blue faux fur coat I loved in middle school. Saw one similar this fall at Old Navy and should have scooped it up but didn’t.
Fabulous coats, Penny, and given our climate and length of winter; of course we need several! You looked lovely in all your coats and I loved the berets and scarves you wore with them.
I have 3 everyday coats 2 knee length and one is mid-calf. I have been looking for a long coat to wear over long skirts/dresses but haven’t found one yet. Having written that I’ve just remembered I have a long cape but it still won’ t be long enough. As well as my 3 everyday coats I have a heavy fur coat for warmth and 2 black ‘smart’ coats…don’t get me started on the jackets