Time for some retail therapy and some reader events to look forward to. Now that we’re back at our desks and in a position to start planning again, I’m delighted to announce a reader trip that we’ve been working on for ages. Places will go on sale next Friday and there are only 17 – it’s something I’m really proud of but I’ll tell you about it at the end of the post. First let’s talk about what’s in the shops, some of the great buys that are appearing and why they’re worth buying.
With my ‘gearing up to sixty’ project underway I’m focusing hard on how I want to dress for the next decade or more and so I’ve become even more aware of what’s missing from my wardrobe. I want to buy investment pieces now while I’m earning and so I’m thinking hard about outerwear and good quality footwear – the things that always make an outfit look polished. As I look ahead to what will probably become an even more casual lifestyle, I want to find the finishing touch pieces that will make sure I don’t end up looking the way that I did when I was a practicality steered mum.
So, I’m going to talk you through the sales that have started and they’re going to be big this year because in April retail sales tumbled by the most in 40 years. They’ve picked up a little since then but with the weather being continually miserable (until now – isn’t this glorious?), sales have been soft so there’s a lot of stock around. Now, I know you’re sweltering in the south (right now is a Golidilocks time to live by the coast in the north). However it’s all going to change again soon so put that out of your mind and remember that the best place to start with sale shopping is always the opposite season. At the moment it’s with winter clothes. Retailers have to get old stock out of the way because the new AW26 deliveries will be arriving any day so they need the warehouse space.
Decent summer stock won’t really start filtering into the sales for a few weeks yet – most of what you see around is the stuff that absolutely nobody has liked and is that really what you want to be wearing? So come shopping with me and I’ll show you what I’m looking at personally.
High quality sale jackets
Once again forget that it’s hot outside. Jackets are something that you usually need from March to June and September until January in this country. The actual coat season is as short as the spaghetti strap one these days. I’ve had two jackets in my basket for ages waiting for the sale to start and they’re now on their way. For me they tick various boxes. Firstly I know my jacket sweetspot in terms of length and that’s something we should all carry in our heads. Because I’m always trying to readjust my silhouette by making my legs appear longer, I’m always on the lookout for a jacket that is less than 55 cm long and they’re really hard to find.
Smart jackets are important to me because I wear jeans a lot. I can sit at my desk and work, take Ted out for a walk in a more casual jacket but then I just have to switch to a smart one when I get back and I’m set for a meeting or coffee with a friend. A smart jacket with jeans gives you that high:low that you’re always looking for in an ageless outfit. Remember the older you get, the harder it is to get away with an outfit that’s 100% smart (unless it’s an occasion) – you just end up looking too Bridge Club. It’s always better to have a dressed down element like jeans for relaxed chic.
I have about as many navy jackets as I have navy jumpers. They’re a weakspot for me and it’s only recently that I’ve discovered that I keep on buying them because they never have as much impact as I think they will. Looking back at old Midlifechic photos recently made me realise that what I’m lacking is a black one. A black jacket works in the same way as adding 10% black to an interiors scheme, it anchors things and sharpens them up. As you know, I avoid black on the whole but a black jacket won’t drain your skintone if it has a V neckline. The colour that pops out from underneath is the one that will be nearest to your face.
For the past few seasons the trend has been for hugely oversized blazers worn with hugely oversized everything else. I’m going to be shot down when I say this but I’m going to anyway – it looks cool… but it doesn’t look good. Fortunately the catwalks for AW26, Dior and Chanel especially, shrunk their jackets which is heaven for anyone who likes a wide jean (the barrel jean seems to be shuffling away thank goodness).
So if you like wide or flared jeans, now is the time to look for shorter, waist defining jackets in the sale (they can give the appearance of a waist even if you don’t have one). This is the black one that I’ve had waiting in my basket and it’s now out for delivery.
What’s so special about this one? It’s the texture, it means the black isn’t too draining because the light bounces around on it. And it will work with any other blacks in your wardrobe because the texture adds contrast. The architecture at the front stops it from hanging down shapelessly when it’s worn open, instead the eye will move around. And the slight fringing on the pockets and lapels softens the edges.
The next jacket is this one, again at my catnip length. I spend a lot of time in spring, autumn and winter dressed in a solid column of navy so this is exactly what I need to give my outfits impact when I’m out and about. It has great contouring and soft texture for the colder months. Summer is about crisp looks but in winter we aim for soft.
Here’s one in the sale that I already have and have worn a lot. It’s the right length, mid-weight so not too warm on an average day and the white stitching really lifts an outfit – plus the well placed pocket detail visually flattens the midriff. It’s only available in larger sizes now but returns may be incoming.
And here’s another one that I’ve been wearing endlessly until the sun finally came out this week and so many of my friends have since bought it in the sale. The nubbly soft cotton texture means that it doesn’t pick up dirt as badly as other cream jackets but it gives the same outfit lift. It’s hard to photograph, you have to see it in real life to appreciate it.
Ivory jacket (4 colours available)
Great tops
So, what do we wear beneath our new jackets at this time of year? Well there are two options, one is the blouse, the other a t-shirt. For me blouses are a problem unless they have a simple, straight mandarin-style collar. A shirt-style collar underneath a jacket just annoys me because it won’t sit right but that’s a personal thing. I’m very particular about plain blouses, they have to have something that makes them special otherwise you look like everybody else. The distinct feature on this is the weighted frill on one side which acts like the Sezane Chlo to hold the collar open slightly and give you that flattering vertical line. The voile is also slightly translucent which is much more alluring than a solid blouse. It isn’t in the sale but it was subtly distinctive enough for me to order it at full price.
With everyday sitting at my desk in mind I’ve been stocking up on comfortable jersey blouses with smocking that requires minimal ironing. This is one of my favourites, now half price in the sale and also available in navy.
T-shirts often fit my ‘age is style’ brief better though when I’m wearing a jacket. They give a clean, confident, unfussy impression. The best option is a graphic t-shirt and slogans have been back this year. They have the same effect of breaking up an expanse of space in an outfit as a breton does. If you get them right though they’re far cooler; they just say insouciance. The stumbling block is that there’s a fine line between cool and deeply uncool. My rules to self with slogans are never preach (“be kind,” “love” and that kind of thing), don’t do a location (“Paris” “LA”), don’t do a rock band unless you’re genuinely a fan (and then absolutely do), don’t state the obvious (a flower graphic with the word “flower” on it… even if it’s in French), don’t give yourself an implied compliment (jolie, disco diva) and avoid dodgy typefaces.
My favourite buy this year has been this one – it’s beautiful quality, the cut is perfect, it fits like a dream, it gives everyone a wry smile and profits are shared with ‘Room to Read’, a girls’ literacy charity.
The following are in the sale and they come up very oversized. For a fit that will go with a neat jacket, size down (I’d buy XS) and roll the sleeves twice (James Dean style) so that you have a more flattering 45 degree angle on the arm.
This one isn’t in the sale but it’s such good quality and this picture shows how these boxy looking tees can be styled to fit.
And here are a few other bits and pieces that I’ve loved this season. There have been far fewer outfit posts than usual I know, it’s been a strange six months. I’m starting with these sandals because I’m wearing them such a lot at the moment. They go with everything and they’re so comfortable to walk in because both the sole and the straps are padded. True to size and now reduced to clear – as is the bag.
Snake sandals; black and cream bag
This uber-flattering ruched vest has just gone into the sale.
And almost all of this beautiful lingerie has been heavily reduced along with the rest of the range. The mantra that the women of the second Midlifechic Retreat developed was that ‘every day should be best knicker day.’ Well now’s your chance!
Huge lingerie clearance here (most sizes still available)
A couple of good value beauty buys
And I’ll end with a couple of pieces of beauty. If you’re a fan of the outstandingly good Lauder night potions then this is incredible value in clearance.
And the long awaited summer beauty box has arrived – £230 worth of products for £40.
Something to look forward to – a reader trip
Everybody who’s been to the Midlifechic weekend events has said that they’d love to do more of them. So, we’ve been working really hard over the last few months with a bespoke travel expert to build something unique and special. Next March I’m planning a Midlifechic trip to Marrakech and I’ll be opening bookings in next week’s blog post.
I know that a lot of you reading this have probably been to Marrakech before as I have, many times, but others won’t. So we’ve put together a trip that will include the very important Jardin Majorelle but also Le Jardin Secret, seen efficiently, avoiding the queues. There’s a self-guided shopping tour which gives us the chance to wander around a few recommended style boutiques and concept stores together. We’ll spend a morning at an artisan workshop with the chance to work with the makers on slippers or weaving – an opportunity to do something with your hands. We’ll enjoy lazy lunches and relaxed dinners with an evening at the famous Cafe Clock and (my favourite bit) we’ll go out into the Agafy desert for a dinner under the stars. There will also be time to relax at the beautiful riad where you can either rest restoratively on your own, or chat to others in the group.
Marrakech is such a special place, I’ve been five times now and it still always manages to show me something I wasn’t expecting. So this will be a different side of Marrakech with a few new things to see – and if you haven’t been before you’ll get a really good flavour of it. I’m hoping to give you some time out from your everyday life, away from the people who always need something. Three nights somewhere lovely with your own room to retreat to and a small group of like-minded women around you.
The details
The dates are 17th to 20th March 2027. We arrive on the Wednesday and go home on the Saturday so it’s three nights in total.
I chose that particular week because the Marrakech winter has lost its edge; the days are (usually) warm but not too hot and filled with golden light (temperatures between 20 – 23 degrees centigrade). It also avoids both Ramadan and the Easter scramble so as well as being warm during the day, the city won’t be too busy.
A few other things so that you can picture it properly:
- We have reserved a riad exclusively for our group so we will have the whole place to ourselves
- You will have your own en-suite room and there are only a seventeen places which means nothing about it will feel remotely like a coach trip.
- Mal will be there throughout to take care of the practical side of things so that I can spend my time with you.
- It’s a proper Midlifechic Escape – a truly beautiful riad tucked inside the medina with lunches and dinners that go on a little longer than they should. There will be some unique experiences as well as some time doing absolutely nothing at all.
I’m saving the full details for the launch next week so where we’re staying, the full itinerary and the price are all still to come. I think it’s worth the wait.
How to be first
There are so few places that I really want to be fair about who gets first go at them.
Everything goes live next Friday on 3rd July but you can get in ahead of that. If you register your interest now then you’ll be sent the details two hours early. And everyone else is very welcome to book when it opens to all on Friday 3rd July.
If the idea of a small trip to Marrakech with likeminded women captures your imagination then do pop your name down below so that you’re near the front of the queue. With numbers this small those couple of hours could genuinely make the difference.
More very soon…
Bristol get together – 22nd August 2027
We have had a late cancellation for our Bristol night together on Saturday 22nd August. If you’d like to join us for an afternoon and evening of conversation and laughter we would absolutely love to absorb you into the group. And if you’re wondering about the Marrakech trip, it might be an easy way of trying out how it feels to meet a group of women that you didn’t previously know who rapidly feel like new friends. All of the Bristol details are here, it isn’t a retreat, there’s no thinking to be done, it’s just an evening of time with other thinking women.
Loneliness is one of the biggest factors that people face in later life. Researchers find that the biggest obstacle to making new friends at this stage is finding people who you have something in common with. I know now from experience that you’ll walk into a Midlifechic event and have some of the best conversations that you’ve had for months. You’ll leave wishing that everybody lived in the same village and wondering when you can do it all over again.
We have the opportunity to build a group of like-minds who continue to meet up for years to come. Be part of it.
Colombia salsa – August 2027
Don’t forget that a small group of us are heading to Medellin in Colombia in September (20th – 27th) for a week learning salsa and experiencing the culture out there. I know a few of you were worried about the political antics of a certain man in the US which delayed your booking. He seems to have his hands full with other things at the moment though so if you’d like to join us on what will probably be the biggest and most exciting trip that we ever do. I’m confident that it’s going to be so much fun so come along with a group of people that you’re bound to get along with and do something that you’d never have imagined doing. All details are here and I’m happy to talk through it with you at any time – just email me and we can set up a call.
Midlifechic Retreat – October 2027
Unexpectedly we have an opening on the Midlifechic Retreat in October (16th – 18th). Come and join us for the last of these events where we take you through a series of talks, workshops and exercises to help you envision the next stage of your life. You’ll leave with a filled-out workbook and a visual plan to make sure that you’re ready to put all of the things that you might not previously have considered into action.
And we’ll have fun too, there’s a lot of laughter and warmth – and tears too when it’s time to leave because we build something confidential and special over that weekend. In a trusted space, people share their hopes and fears of what is to come.
You’ll find all of the details here – I do hope you can join us.
And that’s it – I have to run without even proofreading this because I’m late for a meeting. I will get to the comments – it’s been a crazy week trying to catch up with everything. Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts!
