Broadly speaking I look for one of two emotions when I’m trying on something new, they’re the gut instinct signals that tell me whether I should buy something or not. The first is the solid and more prosaic satisfaction that says, ‘this is going to work really hard for a long time’ and that’s good – it indicates the discovery of a wardrobe lynchpin that will pull lots of pieces together. The second turns up less often and it’s a shiver that bursts out from an outfit that states, ‘this is who I am and it’s how I want the world to see me.’ Sometimes (just sometimes) the two feelings come along together and for me they most often coincide with a Me+Em try-on which is unfortunate because their clothes stretch my budget but… I find they’re worth it. Somehow they manage to create clothes that take you anywhere, each piece has so much style that even the most basic of t-shirts has panache so let’s talk about Me+Em.
The first item I ever bought from them was a navy jumpsuit back in 2018. To this day it continues to be my catchall outfit, the piece I turn to whenever I don’t know what to wear because it always works, wherever I go and whoever I’m meeting. I was heartbroken last year when the middle son helpfully transferred it from the washing machine’s most delicate setting to a full heat cycle in the tumble dryer but, despite the strict instructions to handle it with the utmost care, it was absolutely fine… and so now I love it even more.
Since then, as you see from my ‘what I’ve been wearing’ posts, I’ve slowly built up a collection. Not everything from Me+Em suits me, there’s a line of their clothing that I picture worn by high flying urban architects, it’s loose and angular, it looks great on the models but it doesn’t work on my body. The patterned pieces are the same, beautiful but worn by a different kind of woman with a different kind of life to mine. But then there are the structured basics, sometimes in bold colours, sometimes in neutrals… impeccably cut to make the most of the lines and planes of your body. It’s this focused attention on cut that ensures something as fundamental as a jeans and t-shirt outfit brings out the very best in you. That’s the beauty of Me+Em for me, their clothes elevate without any shouting and as a result, you wear the clothes rather than the clothes wearing you.
I’m speaking from the heart here, this isn’t a sponsored post although Me+Em have invited me to choose a few new pieces to add to the ones I’ve already bought this season. So I’m going to talk through my top choices from the current collection and use the photos to chat through the specific details that make them stand apart from most other high street collections. The thing is that increasingly big retailers are dialling down on their in-house design, they work hard on creating a few topline showstoppers but then farm the rest of their collection out. More and more often they’re buying in from manufacturers who present pre-prepared ranges that can have the retailer’s label sewn into them. This means that the clothes have been designed principally with production efficiency in mind – the imperatives are minimum wastage on fabric and high speed on making up. Equations such as the weight and the cost of packing and shipping are taken into account when it comes to selecting materials. It’s more of a mathematical process than a creative one, there’s very little of the human eye and touch involved and that’s why clothes so often fail to delight us in the way that we hope they will.
I have no behind the scenes insight at Me+Em but the way that their clothes fit and feel suggests to me that this doesn’t happen there. I believe them when they say that each piece is carefully designed to work perfectly with every other in their range. And that’s why the capsule that I’m building slowly, piece by piece, brings me so much pleasure – every jacket/jumper/t-shirt/pair of jeans just slots together like Lego. So let’s talk about Me+Em and look at a few of this season’s pieces.
Let’s talk about Me+Em – Try-on
Flared denim jumpsuit
I’m starting with this denim jumpsuit which I bought as soon as I saw it back in February because I really wanted to take it to Colombia. It arrived days before I was due to leave but unfortunately in my usual size 12 it was too big so there was no time for an exchange. When we got home after our trip I found I’d lost half a stone (that’s what a week of salsa immersion will do for you!) and I’ve been doing my best to keep it off. I still wasn’t sure about ordering a size 10 though but here it is and it fits perfectly. Let’s examine the cut so that I can illustrate why I find Me+Em clothes so good. There’s an elasticated panel at the back in the small of the waist which cinches it in comfortably so that it doesn’t look too Mike and The Mechanics as denim jumpsuits often do. At the front, the panelled waistband sits just at the bottom of your ribs following the rule of two thirds which adds visual inches to the length of your legs.
Denim jumpsuit (gifted SS25); Trainers
Other than that one horizontal line you’ll notice that the rest are all vertical, so there’s a grid to this jumpsuit almost like the one you find on your phone camera that tells you where to place your subject to comply with the rule of thirds. Note the seams that run from shoulders to toes which make the eye travel down the body rather than across – another visual streamlining technique. The adjustable zip front means that you can adapt it to your bust and it gives the outfit an arrowhead that points to the floor, once again making the vertical lines flow. And the flared leg mirrors the flared sleeve at the shoulder creating an hourglass effect. On top of that, the fading and whiskering on the hips and thighs narrows that area. It’s the most beautifully constructed jumpsuit and I’ll wear it for festivals and concerts, for parties, for lunch with friends – it’s going to be another of those ‘don’t know what to wear’ problem solvers.
Denim jumpsuit (gifted SS25); Trainers
Let’s talk about Me+Em
Fluid Crepe Jersey Dress
Almost all of my favourite dresses come from Me+Em but I haven’t bought any for a couple of years because they’ve stopped doing the panelled waist (like the one in the jumpsuit above). It’s always been such an important feature for me that I’ve been sulking. However Mal spotted this on the cover of the April catalogue when it arrived and (very unusually) said I had to try it. It was such an surprise that I wasn’t going to argue but I didn’t really think it would work on me because it doesn’t have the horizontal leg lengthening features that I usually like. However, it turns out that the ruching has a magic all of its own.
The fabric is a heavy crepe with a breathable viscose lining. The result is that the dress is heavier than it looks which is good because it means it has swing in the hem as it moves. That, along with the ruching gives it sinuous movement.
Ruched jersey crepe dress (gifted SS25)
It also has a very clever neckline feature which is brilliant if you’re doing desk to dinner or you’re going to a wedding perhaps. You see you can start the day conservatively with the zip pulled to the top as I have it here…
Later on you can open it up, securing it with the hook and eye for a keyhole effect (you can choose how far to lower the zip, depending on your mood).
You can undo the top fastening and wear the zip open to halfway down as I have in the main picture. And then for evening you can move into full Sylvie from Emily in Paris mode and wear it at its lowest point. The drape of the bodice means that it’s quite secure – although you might need to exercise caution if you’re reaching for the gravy. Worn this way it just hugs your curves and if you have more curves than I do it’ll look incredible. I’m wearing a 12 and it’s true to size.
Let’s talk about Me+Em
Not just any jeans and a t-shirt
This polo top is another piece that I bought straight away. As soon as I saw it I know it would be a perfect wardrobe update because it fits with the marine, the boho and the sporty trends that are around this summer. And yes there are cheaper polo shirts but this one is special. Why? Because it’s made from a soft cotton knit in a narrow rib which gives it a great fit on your body. It’s slightly off white so less harsh on most complexions than bright white. The half sleeves are longer and leaner than than on most polos and they end at the point where your waist starts to narrow so when you have your hands by your sides, the horizontal line that’s created isn’t emphasising width. And the low V falls to exactly the right point, so often V necks are too high which means they can end up looking a bit prison warden.
Soft knitted polo shirt; Palazzo flared jeans (gifted SS25)
You already know that these flares are my version of jeans heaven. I bought my first pair in indigo when they were initially released three years ago. Since then I’ve repurchased them in black and in the very light blue wash that you see me wearing a lot. Now they’re available in this deeper blue wash. As you can see they have the same figure hugging cut at the top which sweeps into a dramatic flare that does wonders for your shape. I always find you need to go an inch smaller than you usually would on these – it makes all the difference on fit. If I wear my usual size they look nothing on me but if I go one size tighter they’re magical and as they’re designed for travel there’s a lot of stretch in the denim. I usually buy a 28 but I’m wearing a 27 here and they’re perfect.
Soft knitted polo shirt; Palazzo flared jeans (gifted SS25)
Stunning new jewellery from Claudia
Now, I just want to talk about the jewellery I’m wearing which is hot off the anvil from my friend Claudia Bradby (actually I’m not sure that she uses an anvil but I do like the thought of it!). It’s from her new collection which was inspired by a trip to Iceland last year. Its molten effect makes me think of fire and ice and the finish of each piece is more undulating than usual because Claudia was keen to echo the organic Icelandic landscape. In the shorter necklace here you can see that she’s used a rare Biwa pearl which is almost like a small tusk, it works beautifully with the longer silver drop that looks like melting ice.
Soft knitted polo shirt; Siren mermaid long pendant (gifted SS25); Biwa pearl toggle necklace (gifted SS25)
The biwa collection is a very limited run because Claudia hand selected each pearl. I love the way that it feels as though it’s been casually tucked into the silver hoop, even though lots of careful engineering has gone into it to make sure it’s secure. It’s just such a modern take on a pearl necklace and as always, it’s available in gold as well as silver.
I’m also wearing the new siren mermaid earrings with their hammered effect. It feels as though Claudia’s moving into a new phase at the moment as we all do in midlife and it’s reflected in this new, relaxed jewellery design that’s so easy to wear with a casual outfit like this. As always, you get a special Midlifechic discount on Claudia’s jewellery – just use MIDLIFECHIC20 whenever you check out – and don’t forget that the Biwa pearls are a limited edition.
Soft knitted polo shirt; Siren mermaid earrings; Siren mermaid long pendant (gifted SS25); Biwa pearl toggle necklace (gifted SS25)
Textured navy jumpsuit
Knowing how much I rely on my navy jumpsuit I’ve always been on the lookout for a summer equivalent. I wear jumpsuits so much that they have to be washable but practical fabrics with a great cut are hard to find. Then along came this one in jersey and because it’s textured, it doesn’t have the problems with stretching out of shape at the knees that you often find with smooth cotton jersey. It’s such a simple but effective piece and it will cover the range of my life from meetings to weekends to travel – I never feel as put together as I do in something like this. As you can see, it’s comfortable with its drawstring waist and the 45 degree cut on the sleeves is kind to the arms. This picture shows once again how the sculpted sleeves work to echo the way that the jumpsuit curves in at the waist, out at the hips and then begins the undulation again with the sweep of the flared leg. It’s all so well thought through and beautifully balanced.
Textured navy jumpsuit (gifted SS25)
Note how the collar is slightly raised at the back, tudor style, for a face framing effect too. I do think you need to size down on this though, I’m wearing a size 12 and as with the denim jumpsuit it’s too loose and long. If you’re in between sizes order two to compare.
Let’s talk about Me+Em
Easy weekend look
And my last look is the easiest of them all. I bought these jeans when the spring sunshine appeared from nowhere (hasn’t it been fantastic?). The problem up here is that I want to dress for sunshine but it’s still too chilly for bare legs and so that’s where white or cream jeans come in. These are in a very lightweight summer denim and they have my favourite patch pockets at the front which, as you know, break up the expanse of your hips on jeans with a higher waist. The flare isn’t as dramatic as other Me+Em options so they’re a good way of easing yourself into the look if you haven’t tried it yet. I like the fact that they aren’t too long, it makes them easier to wear for both sides of my life. The problem is that everyone else is buying for the sunshine too and they’ve almost sold out this week.
Soft knit turquoise jumper (gifted SS25); Patch pocket jeans
The short sleeved jumper is a soft cotton knit so it’s good for cooler sunny days, I just don’t think you can beat this colour for summer. It’s beautifully sculpted at the shoulders which is a relief if you have big shoulders like mine and it has a split hem too so that it’s easy to tuck in to the front as I have here. I automatically ordered the jeans in my usual size 29 and they’re a bit big at the moment but they probably won’t be for long – let’s see how a summer of music and dancing plays out!
Soft knit turquoise jumper (gifted SS25); Patch pocket jeans
And so that’s my Me+Em round-up for now, you may have seen that there’s been a whole new drop this week, the biggest one of the season so far so there are all kinds of new styles to look through – you can find them all here. I know I can be very enthusiastic about their clothes but I hope breaking down the detail like this has helped to illustrate why I think it’s worth paying a bit more for the way that their pieces work with your body. Some of you are going to say that it’s ok for me because I’m 5ft 8 but they’re slowly starting to introduce shorter lengths on their jeans and trousers. I can imagine that it’s a detailed transition for them because of their obsession with fit but let’s hope they start reworking all of their styles for a smaller frame. It would make sense because so many GenX women are below 5ft5 in height – and we’re the ones who are more likely to have the budget to shop with them after all. If there’s anything else you’d like to say to them though this is your chance – so do leave a comment for them to see.
Newcastle weekends
I still haven’t had time for a Midlife Lately catch-up so I’m feeding little updates into each post for now. Ah Newcastle, if ever there was a city that’s having a moment this is where it is. Two new luxury hotels are opening up along with a number of new restaurants and cocktail bars and need I mention the football?! The whole world has suddenly been paying attention to the ‘one city, one club’ success and what must be the most united town on the planet. If you aren’t a follower of football, last month they faced Liverpool in the final of the Carabao Cup and won their first major competition for 70 years. The beauty of it though is that even before they set off for London they had the whole city behind them and it’s been so wonderful being part of the collective joy over there for the last few weeks. I think it’s the fact that there’s only one football club there that pulls everyone together and as they approached the final every single local was behind it – the bridges were decorated, the wards in the hospital were decked out in black and white, the cheesemonger in the market was selling black and white striped cheese, the council switched all of the civic flags over to Toon Army, Fenwick’s dressed their shop window mannequins in black and white outfits, the station was decorated and so were the trains… I could go on and on.
We had a reader couple staying in the flat on the weekend of the Carabao Cup so we couldn’t watch it there. Instead we headed out on the bus to watch it locally and WhatsApped this photo to the boys who sent back pictures of themselves glued to their screens in London, Leeds and Manchester. We were heading into Lancaster in search of some atmosphere… (and I know I’m wearing the away strip but I prefer the colours).
Of course being on the West coast we found ourselves the only Geordie supporters in a sea of staunch Liverpool fans…
… but before too long we were joined by a group of students who held our corner with us. And of course Newcastle wiped the floor with the opposition. It was the first domestic trophy they’ve won at Wembley since 1955. So many fans, Mal’s dad and brothers included, have supported the club through thick and thin without ever seeing them win anything like this.
Once again because the boys all came home for Mother’s Day we weren’t in Newcastle for the team’s homecoming parade but here’s a recap from Ant and Dec who, as local lads, were central to the celebrations. At a time when the whole world feels like a difficult place I want to share this with you because you can’t help but feel moved by so much unity and celebration, it lifts the soul. Even if you aren’t a football fan, just watch this and feel the collective effervescence.
Extending our Newcastle free night offer
Why am I telling you this? Because joy right now is hard to track down but Newcastle is overflowing with it, there just can’t be a more uplifting city for a weekend away. As you know we only let our apartment out to friends which includes all of you and for the winter months we trialled an offer giving you the Sunday night free if you booked a weekend there. So many people said that it made the journey to the far north worthwhile that we’re going to extend it for a bit.
On top of that I’ve finally finished writing a Midlifechic Insiders’ Guide to the city, giving you the lowdown on all of the best places to go so that you’ll feel like a local as soon as you arrive. We’ll send that to you as soon as you book so that you have plenty of time to make plans. All you need to do is mention the free Sunday night offer to Mal when he gets in touch to confirm your stay.
I wish we could go over every weekend but we can’t – we don’t have the stamina – and there’s no point in the flat sitting empty. Now is the best time to visit, you can watch the kittiwakes that have started nesting on the Baltic Gallery as you look through the windows… I can’t guarantee hot weather but the sun shines a lot on The Tyne… you have the city at your feet and the whole of the Northumbria coast just a short drive away… and the whole place is quivering with positivity and joy. You can find all of the details along with availability here.
So that’s it from me today – from Me+Em to football, the sublime to the ridiculous some would say. I’ll be back next week with a cornucopia of things I’ve been meaning to tell you about, in the meantime enjoy the sunshine – there’s snow forecast for Easter I’m told!
