I’m very pleased to be working with Baukjen again today. You may remember that they were the first of my brand Spotlight Posts back in February and this time they’ve sent some of their Spring / Summer 17 collection for me to review. As always, when I work on a Spotlight post I like to assess whether a range can work hard for me by covering my key wardrobe requirements: work, weekend and evenings out.
Baukjen Spring / Summer working wardrobe
Starting with workwear, as you know, I have regular meetings during the week wearing my marketing agency head. Because office buildings so often have air conditioning turned up high in Summer, I always take a jacket with me. Nothing is quite as flattering as a good quality, well tailored ponte blazer but they are very hard to find.
This off-white blazer is really quite special. The ponte is very high quality, it fits like a glove and, most importantly, it is washable. When I reviewed Baukjen workwear last time, I mentioned that they might take the place that Whistles have always occupied in my wardrobe and it is certainly starting to pan out that way. They create pieces with the same attention to cut but the fabric and garment technology that they use is better.
I already have a darker Whistles cream blazer which is a shorter cut than this and I wear it a lot. In terms of quality, this one is leagues ahead. It is lined, made from a much heavier cloth and it fits so well that it hugs you in all of the right places. With the return of the trouser suit, longer jackets are coming to the forefront again and this one, although expensive, is an investment that will last for a long time.
Blazer; Jumpsuit; Sandals and laptop bag – past season
Another feature that is a Baukjen trademark is the attention to detail at the neckline of their garments. Because I wear blazers a lot, it means that I can enjoy the relaxed comfort of jersey with the neckline giving it a premium look. This jumpsuit is a medium weight jersey, it has sufficient give to move with your body but it didn’t stretch or go baggy at the knees. The legs are full length but I rolled them up to accommodate the ankle strap on my sandals.
The waist is elasticated; you could add a belt but I didn’t feel I needed to. The top is loose with a gentle raglan cut to the sleeves. The whole thing felt smart enough for a meeting but I would be just as happy to wear this for an evening out or with flats at the weekend. If you’re wondering why I was laughing…
Jumpsuit; Chanel sunglasses (past season)
…just look at this. This amazing mum had 14 ducklings walking neatly in line. How’s that for discipline…
…until she turned her back and mayhem broke out. It takes you back to the toddler days doesn’t it! I was transfixed by the little yellow one who was full of chutzpah. I wonder if he knows he’s different…
Back to Baukjen – I genuinely loved this outfit as an option for a day in the office. I’m just going to say (and this could be a recurring theme) that I wish Baukjen would offer more colour options. I’m happy to wear black but if they had other options in the jumpsuit I would buy them too. The same goes for the blazer.
Baukjen Spring / Summer weekend wardrobe
I was out and about early last Saturday, returning Prom Suits that I’d ordered for the middle son. Having boys, I didn’t expect to have a Prom wear saga but it appears that I’m about to!
You’ve seen me wearing Baukjen’s black boyfriend jeans a lot and so I was very pleased when they sent me the blue ones to try. As you know, my blood usually runs indigo so this mid-blue is a new shade for me. It takes me back to my Levi’s days.
They’re a very slim boyfriend cut so an easy option if you’re weaning yourself away from skinnies. As you’ve probably noticed, street stylers have decreed that tops and t-shirts should be tucked in this season. I’m wearing a Baukjen belt which I have to say is the absolute Rolls Royce of jeans belts. I like the fact that you can choose either a gold or a silver buckle. Again they’re an investment but one that will last for years.
Jersey tie neck top; Boyfriend jeans; Leather belt; (Blazer and bag – Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo; Shoes – Boden all past season)
My older two boys have been claiming the lion’s share of my attention recently with their GCSE revision and Internship interviews to prepare for. The youngest has been waiting quietly for his moment so I was really pleased that he was keen to join us.
The top is another Baukjen jersey special with a flourish at the neckline – this time it is a tie neck. The sleeves have deep cuffs with a slight ‘leg of mutton’ effect. This is starting to emerge as the style that will take over from frilled statement sleeves this Winter. They’re certainly much easier to slip under a jacket.
So, we had coffee and cake in the sunshine…
… and it was so lovely to just sit and chat that we had another coffee (but sadly no more cake). Did we solve the problem of the Prom Suit for the middle son? No. A trip to Manchester is on the cards.
Baukjen Spring/ Summer relaxed night out wardrobe
We have been blessed by the weather recently up here. I know you enjoy a village stroll so I thought you’d like to join me as we popped out for a glass of wine on Sunday evening.
I bought a simple black dress in New York in 1997 and it was my ‘go to’ for years. It was very simple and so it was easy to wear for any occasion. I have tried to replace it every Summer and this Carin dress from Baukjen is very similar.
Carin dress; Cashmere cardigan; Gold espadrilles; Clutch; Cuff bracelet
It is made from a light crepe and it has a self tie belt. Baukjen tie it at the front on the website but I prefer not to add bulk to my waistline so I turned it round (and yes we were taking a shortcut through a graveyard here but it’s a very pretty one).
Baukjen describe this dress as a chameleon and it is. I can imagine wearing it for work but also on the beach.
Carin dress; Gold espadrilles; Clutch; Cuff bracelet
I had my first glass of rosé of the Summer…
…and then we headed back home to make sure that GCSE pencil cases were duly prepared as we head into a very big week.
So, yet again I have found some truly great pieces at Baukjen. As ever I am grateful to the brands who support this blog and enable us to build this midlife community. In the interests of a balanced review, what would I like to see Baukjen do next?
Personally, I’d like to see more of their hero jersey pieces with brilliant necklines and sleeve details in a wider range of colours. I find so many styles that I would like to buy but then discover that they are only available in black or navy. More items in the very flattering off-white shade that they have used for the blazer would be a great start.
To me, as a brand, Baukjen is beginning to feel like an unflashy but very sophisticated friend – the one that you find yourself having a great conversation with at the end of the evening. It takes a while to get to know them but once you do, they remain in your mind. They launched their new collection yesterday and they are offering Midlifechic readers 25% off with free UK delivery and returns using code MIDLIFECHIC217 until 31st May (excludes sale items, footwear and jewellery).
I hope you have a lovely week. I am getting ready for Friday when I will enter a whole new decade of my life. Where did the years go..?!
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Disclosure: ‘Spotlight on Baukjen’ is a post in association with Baukjen however as always, other than sending me the clothes to try, they had no idea how the review would turn out. Without these occasional sponsored posts, I would not be able to support the costs of Midlifechic so please, do give these spotlight brands your support and feedback in return.