Why your autumn 26 wardrobe feels dull – and the Boden fix

By |2026-09-11T15:50:52+01:00September 11th, 2026|Categories: Style, Style Seminars|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

My goodness the season seems to have turned quickly doesn't it? Even for those of us who've been living in perma-April it feels different and I think it's mostly down to the quality of light and the noticeably darker evenings. So as we begin packing the summer brights away, it feels like the right time to be starting to talk about new clothes. I'm taking an angle that I don't usually discuss until February when everybody starts complaining about [...]

Read More
 2

What’s going on at John Lewis, Spring 26?

By |2026-06-25T16:49:13+01:00April 2nd, 2026|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Today I'm doing something that always makes me happy - crunching data and bringing it to life for you. And I'm trying on a couple of completely new looks as trends are slowly starting to take a new turn. So today's going to be a catch-up with what's going on at John Lewis, Spring 26 but first I just want to say an enormous thank you to everyone who came along to last weekend's Midlifechic Retreat. Once again it [...]

Read More
 80

Feeling bien dans ma peau

By |2025-10-31T17:31:39+00:00October 31st, 2025|Categories: Midlife, Project Happier, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

It's a bit of a different post today. Before we plunge into the busy-ness of Christmas I want to tell you about a special project that I've been working on and the thinking that brought it to life. Its focus is identity - specifically the way a woman's sense of identity changes as she gets older. For some menopause brings a feeling of rebirth while others report a slide into invisibility. Whichever way it is there's almost always a [...]

Read More
 58

What’s going on at John Lewis AW25?

By |2026-05-20T14:12:16+01:00October 17th, 2025|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

It's been a while since we've done a department store shop so let's look at what's going on at John Lewis AW25. As I explained in my last JL post back in May there's a lot happening behind the scenes as the new team continues to regenerate the brand. Stores are gradually going into a multi-million pound refurbishment project with the beauty halls as the priority and beyond the shops, the build-to-rent project continues with over 1000 new rental [...]

Read More
 44

Boden is most certainly back!

By |2026-05-20T14:04:58+01:00October 10th, 2025|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

After last weekend's storms I think we can safely say that the season has changed and it's no longer a case of just playing around with ideas for autumn outfits. With that in mind I have a try-on for you which is going to focus mostly on using brown as a base - although for those of us who have a lot of blue in our wardrobes I have a strong navy option too. I'm looking at Boden today [...]

Read More
 36

Let’s talk about AW25 at M&S

By |2025-09-04T12:54:33+01:00September 5th, 2025|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

So here we are in September - those of us who are summer lovers have to remind ourselves that it's a beautiful month, as is October.  And actually having been to Medellin in Colombia this year where they live in an eternal spring with temperatures always around the mid-20s and the sun rising and setting at around 6am/pm every day of the year, I'm feeling newly enthusiastic about our changing seasons. After the loose days of summer I'm ready [...]

Read More
 48

Outfits for changeable summer days

By |2026-05-20T14:10:08+01:00June 13th, 2025|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

As the weather's continuing to play silly games I'm carrying on with the requests I've been having for more outfit ideas with sleeves. I've just done a huge clearout of my dressing room and I've worked out that summer sleeves are what I'm missing too. I have plenty of summer clothes for hot dreamy holidays but not enough outfits for changeable summer days which, let's face it, [...]

Read More
 30

Midlife outfits for sunny weather & styling tips

By |2026-05-20T14:10:25+01:00May 16th, 2025|Categories: Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

I'm back and firing on all cylinders today - if there's one thing that last year taught me it's that it's no longer worth pushing your midlife body through when you're under the weather. Of course this glorious weather helps, I know the farmers desperately need some rain but it's such a joy living in a world when every day brings sunshine isn't it? Anyway I haven't looked at Boden since before Christmas so today I'm doing a bumper [...]

Read More
 47

What’s going on at John Lewis SS25?

By |2026-05-20T14:12:18+01:00May 15th, 2025|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

I haven't had the opportunity to do many retail updates this year and yet I know from the survey I did in January that it's your favourite department store so let's have a look at what's going on at John Lewis. I do have a new season try-on today as promised but first I thought I'd give you a quick update on what's been happening since Peter Ruis was appointed Executive Director last spring. I'm sure you'll remember the [...]

Read More
 42

Visible signs of ageing – can they be tackled?

By |2025-04-25T16:57:50+01:00April 25th, 2025|Categories: Hair & Beauty, Midlife, Product review|Tags: , , , , |

I don't often talk about the visible signs of ageing on here - as you know I believe we all need to approach our advancing years with a positive mindset. By midlife most of us have become increasingly aware of what a privilege it is to grow older. The years of being a 50-something are known as sniper's alley for good reason and if we make it through, complaining about looking as though we've lived feels like the biggest [...]

Read More
 27

Let’s talk about Me+Em

By |2025-04-11T17:00:07+01:00April 11th, 2025|Categories: Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

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 [...]

Read More
 40

M&S – what to buy now for SS25

By |2026-05-20T14:11:20+01:00April 4th, 2025|Categories: Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Wow - the sun's really out isn't it?! As promised, I have a new season try-on for you today and I'm looking at Spring wardrobe building blocks 2025 from M&S. When their big Spring drop arrived last week they invited me to pull together a small Midlifechic edit of my favourite pieces. As we saw in Friday's Spring Fashion Trends post they have a strong focus on the key colour palette of the season which is a tonal collection of [...]

Read More
 19

Rewind to 1985 – a 40 year style celebration

By |2026-06-06T22:29:42+01:00March 21st, 2025|Categories: Project Happier, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

I'm sure you're already aware that we're living through a period of nostalgia - it's been happening for a while, people looking back to safer, simpler feeling times. You see it with the throwbacks that are going on everywhere - in fashion, in food, in music... amongst the older generations who remember an offline era that was slower and less pressured... and throughout the younger generations too. Top of the Gen Z Christmas wishlist was a 'vintage' 90s digital camera, [...]

Read More
 49

Winter outfit building – working with texture

By |2026-06-06T22:33:50+01:00November 8th, 2024|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

Bonfire night has passed and so in the retail calendar it is now officially time for Christmas to begin. At least that was the rule when I worked in various head offices, these days it starts popping up after August Bank Holiday but we won't go there. Anyway today I'm easing you into it gently with some simple elevated outfits that aren't just for Christmas, they're things that you can wear throughout the winter season and even beyond. I'm working [...]

Read More
 0

Casual chic for country life

By |2026-06-06T22:29:49+01:00September 24th, 2024|Categories: Style|Tags: , , , , |

Hello, it's a surprise me popping up on a Tuesday I know but I'm heading away this weekend so my schedule's all mixed up. I have a new try-on for you today - this time I'm wearing White Stuff my way. Every so often somebody will write in and ask me to show more of my village life at home so that they can see how I do casual chic for country life. The thing is that when I'm [...]

Read More
 0

M&S – what’s in store for AW24?

By |2024-09-24T17:11:46+01:00September 20th, 2024|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

So here we are, this weekend brings with it the autumn equinox. As I type I'm looking out at a garden shrouded in early morning mist, the apple tree is heavy with fruit but it's been a poor year for the pears. The morello cherries have gone to the birds... again. There's a single day where the fruit suddenly turns sweet and somehow they know. As I mentioned last week, after being reminded that we don't have endless autumns in [...]

Read More
 0

Summer at M&S – from casual to dressed up & midlife lately

By |2024-06-15T18:24:49+01:00June 14th, 2024|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

I think this will be my last post on the main SS24 collections. We're approaching the longest day so we're growing ever closer to sale season but as you'll have seen from the new TV ad, M&S have gloriously defied the traditional retail calendar with a new release that's bursting with colourful style. And it makes sense doesn't it? Summer has barely shown its face yet in the UK so there's no way that any of us want to see [...]

Read More
 0

Me+Em review – Retailer Spotlight

By |2026-06-06T22:29:52+01:00June 4th, 2024|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

I've had lots of people requesting a return to the brand specific spotlight posts that I ran in the autumn. SS24 has been a bit of a juggle in terms of work, travel and blog so I haven't had time to put a consistent series together but today I'm delighted to be bringing you another one, this time it's a Me+Em review - Retailer Spotlight. Me+Em - brand background in a nutshell Disclosure: [...]

Read More
 0

White Stuff update – and can you help?

By |2026-06-07T09:47:16+01:00May 10th, 2024|Categories: Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Another new season try-on today with a look at the continuing evolution of White Stuff. A few of you have been saying that you're missing the retail insight posts that I ran back in the autumn so I'm going to go a little deeper into the the brand background on this one. As you know, I've been following their progress for a while now, ever since they undertook what they called their "quiet" rebrand in 2021. As a retailer [...]

Read More
 0

New styles for spring from John Lewis

By |2026-05-20T15:04:03+01:00April 5th, 2024|Categories: Style, Style Seminars|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

Now that our minds are focused firmly towards better weather I'm bringing you another new season try-on today, this time focusing on new styles for spring from John Lewis. So let's have a catch-up on what's been going on there since I last covered them in October. As you probably know it's all change at the top with the return of Peter Ruis as executive director. He first joined the store in 2005 and was responsible for the huge fashion [...]

Read More
 0

M&S review – Retailer Spotlight

By |2023-10-31T19:54:37+00:00October 31st, 2023|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , |

Thank you for the feedback on these retail spotlight posts, I'm so glad that so many of you are enjoying them. Today it's Marks & Spencer's turn, a brand whose focus is on affordability at a time when we're all thinking hard about it. It's a retailer I haven't looked at for a long time so here we go, M&S review - Retailer Spotlight, let's see what's been going on there. M&S - brand background [...]

Read More
 1

Jigsaw Review – Retailer Spotlight

By |2026-06-06T22:30:22+01:00October 24th, 2023|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , |

A new Tuesday and another retail spotlight. This week I'm looking at Jigsaw because after a while in the doldrums, changes are afoot. With a midlife female CEO at the helm there's a store reopening programme, the aesthetic has been updated and there are some beautiful investment pieces that will live in your wardrobe forever. So here we go, Jigsaw review - retailer spotlight, let me tell you more. Jigsaw - brand background in a [...]

Read More
 1

Using texture with winter outfits

By |2023-10-20T17:33:54+01:00October 20th, 2023|Categories: Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

I'm continuing with my series of easy style tips today - in last Friday's post we talked about using accessories to add new life to outfits, this week I want to look a little more at using texture with winter outfits. You see texture is a tool that you can't use as well in summer but at this time of year it comes into its own. Before we get into it though, as I go on to talk about [...]

Read More
 10

Mango review – retailer spotlight

By |2026-06-06T22:30:24+01:00October 17th, 2023|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

The second in my series of mini-posts in response to the reader survey. Today I'm looking at Mango which in my view is one of the best and yet perhaps most under-rated brands at the lower end of the price scale. So here we go, Mango review - retailer spotlight, let me tell you more. Mango - brand background in a nutshell Disclosure: as with the majority of blogs, products featured on Midlifechic [...]

Read More
 0

Easy AW23 outfit updates

By |2026-06-03T20:31:28+01:00October 13th, 2023|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

I'm moving on with the highly requested style tips today. In the survey, 85% of you said that you were looking for advice on how to add a bit of oomph to the more relaxed end of your wardrobe. It was no surprise to hear that 49% of you are buying fewer clothes and trying to find ways of working with what you already have, adding updates here and there. Today I'm looking at easy AW23 outfit updates from [...]

Read More
 25

Cos review – retailer spotlight

By |2026-06-03T21:26:17+01:00October 10th, 2023|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

This is the first in a series of mini-posts I'm planning to run in response to the reader survey. I'm going to give you the lowdown on a specific UK retailer each Tuesday and pull out their strengths. The intention is that you'll have an edit on what to buy, from where, and why. I'm starting with Cos because it's a brand turnaround that I've been watching closely. So here we go, Cos review - retailer spotlight, let me [...]

Read More
 0

Stepping into Autumn 23 – new wardrobe additions

By |2023-09-15T19:17:44+01:00September 15th, 2023|Categories: Product review, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

And so as summer's last gasp starts to recede, it's time to think about a more autumnal look and that's where I'm beginning with this month's Boden edit which is all about stepping into Autumn 23 - new wardrobe additions. If you read last week's post about the AW23 trends, you'll see I'm working them in little ways as I think carefully about how to expand the outfits that I already have and love. Boden's first big Autumn drop landed [...]

Read More
 25

Midlife – as your family moves on, so does your life

By |2023-07-28T17:24:15+01:00July 28th, 2023|Categories: Family, Project Happier, Relationships, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

And so, as you'll know if you follow my Instagram feed, there was a big day for our family a couple of weeks ago. It was the middle one's graduation, a day I found myself completely unprepared for in terms of impact. It was a bit like pregnancy when you find yourself so focused on the birth that it's almost a shock when you have to take the baby home with you afterwards and you realise that in the [...]

Read More
 54

John Lewis Sale SS23 – The Edit

By |2026-05-20T14:12:21+01:00June 22nd, 2023|Categories: Retail Review, Sale|Tags: , , , |

Boo! I'm early this week because the John Lewis Sale SS23 has just gone live and so I'm bringing you an early edit to help you pick your way through the many great offers. We're also heading away for an extended weekend and I have lots of work to finish before we set off, hopefully we'll be leaving the rain behind - I'd got used to living in endless days of warm weather. Anyway at least it makes it a [...]

Read More
 4

Boden’s high summer drop – a try-on & midlife lately

By |2026-06-03T20:06:05+01:00June 9th, 2023|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

A Boden outfit try-on today and it's always the one that gives me a bit of a lump in my throat because we've arrived at the last of the high summer drops. After the June deliveries, retailers will be moving into sale and then season transition which brings more autumnal colours and a change of mood. Anyway let's not think about that until we have to, for now we've reached the apex of clothes for warm sunshine and amazingly [...]

Read More
 46

A Spring 23 wardrobe capsule and try-on

By |2023-04-14T16:59:33+01:00April 14th, 2023|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Despite the arctic blasts that are ripping through the garden outside my window I'm full of the joys of Spring 23 again today, this time with a look at Boden. With sustainability in mind they have a focus on 'buy less and wear more' this season and they've pulled together a useful section on their site that they're calling Spring Uniform - an edit of everyday clothes that work together and are easy to wear repeatedly. It fits with the [...]

Read More
 44

Midlife jeans try-on – the best-selling styles at John Lewis

By |2026-05-20T14:12:34+01:00April 6th, 2023|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Happy Easter to you, I hope the sun is shining where you are and that you have a special weekend ahead. All of my chicks are back in the nest so I'm looking forward to having a few days off with them. Hopefully the Easter bunny will come on Sunday despite their now advanced years (and Ted's enthusiasm for joining in any hunt - he's already swiped one pack of Easter chocolates and spent an afternoon feeling worse for [...]

Read More
 49

Thoughtful sale buys for the new year

By |2026-05-20T14:12:39+01:00January 6th, 2023|Categories: Retail Review, Sale, Style|Tags: , , , , , |

Hello and Happy New Year to you - I hope you've had a really good Christmas break and avoided the wretched cold/cough virus that's going around. I had it when I left you last and only started to feel better on Christmas Day which was a bit of a shame as it meant the build-up week when the boys first came home was a bit muffled - but at least it meant we could enjoy Christmas itself. I smiled sympathetically [...]

Read More
 38

Early Christmas moments – savouring November

By |2026-05-20T14:12:13+01:00November 4th, 2022|Categories: Christmas, Interiors, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

It's always a bit of a shock isn't it? Over the last few years life has started to tip straight from Autumn and Halloween into Christmas. This year it's worth being organised though because we're all watching our budgets and nothing makes you overspend as much as a bout of unplanned, late and therefore frenzy driven shopping. So today I'm going to break you gently into a little bit of early Christmas prep with John Lewis and Partners by [...]

Read More
 65

AW22 everyday edits – Boden

By |2022-10-27T19:12:50+01:00October 21st, 2022|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

It's the last of my AW22 everyday edits today and I'm as pleased as ever to be working with one of my all time favourite brands, Boden. As always with them there are lots of tempting statement outfits but I'm sticking to my pledge to focus on long-lasting wardrobe workhorses this season as I suspect most of us are squeezing our budgets hard. It really has been a case of sitting on my hands, especially when I saw pieces [...]

Read More
 45

Summer cornucopia – outfits, travel & The Telegraph!

By |2026-06-06T21:40:33+01:00July 7th, 2022|Categories: Style, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

I'm popping up on strange days again - I'm early this week because we have a family wedding tomorrow which is exciting and I think it might be slightly haphazard all summer but I'll get back into a regular routine when autumn comes. As you know, retail is in full sale so rather than a focused post, it's a summer cornucopia with outfits, travel & The Telegraph. So let's get going. Welcome to new readers I'm starting with something quite [...]

Read More
 95

John Lewis & Partners Sale – clearance and half price edit

By |2026-05-20T14:12:22+01:00June 23rd, 2022|Categories: Retail Review, Sale, Style|Tags: , , , |

A big summer sale started last night at John Lewis & Partners with some really good clearance offers so I'm getting this week's post out to you early. I can see things are disappearing fast and so I'll pick out my highlights and then leave you to look through the rest in your own time. There are particularly good offers on some of our favourite brands including Boden where you can find items that have actually been sold out for [...]

Read More
 10

New summer basics from ANYDAY – home, fashion and a try-on

By |2026-05-20T14:12:47+01:00May 20th, 2022|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

Well hello, I hope you're enjoying this week's wonderful sunshine - dare I say that spring has sprung at last? It nearly always shines on my birthday week... as long as I haven't planned some kind of outdoor party that is and then it rains! Today I'm going back to basics and bringing you an update on some of the new arrivals from John Lewis & Partners' ANYDAY range as it heads into its first summer season. I think we're [...]

Read More
 43

On growing older contentedly – and bold SS22 looks

By |2026-05-20T14:56:27+01:00April 8th, 2022|Categories: Midlife, Project Happier, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

It's a bit of a different post today, it includes clothes (of course) but it's also about growing older contentedly. When I was down in London a couple of weeks ago I met up with Nayna McIntosh from Hope and after we'd looked through the glorious new season pieces that I'll show you in a few minutes, we got chatting about things like the true markers of success as we approach the end of this phase we call midlife. You [...]

Read More
 64

Estée Lauder – testing new products at John Lewis & Partners

By |2026-05-20T14:12:28+01:00March 25th, 2022|Categories: Hair & Beauty, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , |

It's been a while since we've talked beauty and today I'm looking at the industry's ultimate grande dame, Estée Lauder. They came up in conversation with our friends John Lewis & Partners just after Christmas and I had to admit that while I haven't really used their products, I was enjoying a large sample of their new Advanced Night Repair formula that I'd discovered in my JL&P advent calendar. So, they suggested that I trial a few more of their [...]

Read More
 66

Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo SS22 launches today – a quick try-on

By |2026-06-06T22:02:04+01:00March 3rd, 2022|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

I have to say I was getting worried - my favourite Uniqlo collab usually comes out at the end of January and this year there was no sign of it but of course everything in retail has been upended and at last here it is - Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo SS22. This year's inspiration comes from Marrakech and we see the introduction of a red rose print along with cotton pieces with easy box pleats, designed to feel [...]

Read More
 15

White Stuff review – a brand with renewed direction

By |2026-06-06T22:30:58+01:00February 28th, 2022|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Today I'm focusing on a brand I haven't covered before with a White Stuff review. I've had to think hard about why I've so rarely included their clothes on here and I think it's because for a very long time I haven't felt as if I'm their customer. However, a little while ago I was contacted by the new team there which I was thrilled to see now includes some great people I know who've moved over from other brands [...]

Read More
 112

The best jeans cuts for midlifers – SS22 denim try-on

By |2026-05-20T14:12:36+01:00February 18th, 2022|Categories: Style, Style Seminars|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Well as you may have guessed from the picture above, I have something a little different for you today - Mr MC is making his modelling debut on Midlifechic... for one post only. When John Lewis & Partners wondered out loud if we might do a his and hers jeans try-on I wasn't sure how he'd react but he was thrilled by the thought of being at the other side of the lens for a change. His only stipulation was [...]

Read More
 100

Christmas shopping shortcuts with John Lewis & Partners

By |2026-06-03T21:23:53+01:00November 12th, 2021|Categories: Christmas, Gift ideas, Retail Review|Tags: , , , , , |

And drum roll... just like that it's time for the first of my Christmas gift posts. Today I'm taking you on a virtual shopping trip with me and showing you some Christmas shopping shortcuts at John Lewis & Partners. Over the next two weeks I'll have three more gift ideas posts including all kinds of things dedicated to: teens/young adults, men and women and I'll try to include suggestions that you might not have thought of before. I do have [...]

Read More
 41

A different way of dressing for Christmas 2021

By |2026-06-03T20:02:27+01:00November 9th, 2021|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

This is a gentler opening of my Christmas posts than I imagined back in the summer months when I first started planning my calendar with the retailers who do so much to support this blog. You see we're all going to find the landscape quite different at the upper end of the high street this year as we start to think about what to wear over the festive season. A lot of retailers are giving us a different way of [...]

Read More
 45

Autumn wardrobe planning – a new start for a new way of life

By |2026-06-06T22:31:06+01:00September 17th, 2021|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Autumn wardrobe planning - a new start for a new way of life I might be a bit later than the back to schoolers but I certainly have a feeling of new term butterflies in my tummy this week - a mix of worry and excitement about what lies ahead. Of course for us this season (and this weekend in particular) really is a new start as we empty nest but I'm sensing that lots of people are feeling the [...]

Read More
 61

Exclusive – trying on Inès de la Fressange at Uniqlo AW21

By |2026-06-06T22:34:34+01:00August 26th, 2021|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

And so here we are with the first post of the Autumn season and it's an exclusive - trying on Inès de la Fressange at Uniqlo AW21. I'm so sorry that it's late, the samples just didn't arrive and so today we've had a mad trip to the Manchester store to try the pieces I wanted to show you so that we could photograph them and send this post live. It's been a crazy day in hot sunshine and I [...]

Read More
 64

Shopping the Summer Sales – What To Look Out For

By |2026-06-06T22:31:13+01:00June 25th, 2021|Categories: Retail Review, Sale|Tags: , , , |

There are always sure signs that Summer is here aren't there? The build up to Wimbledon, strawberries starting to taste as they should, pea pods in the shops... and the start of the sales. This year they should be interesting because the world of retail has continued to be turned upside down by Covid; some categories such as garden furniture and packable jackets have sold out whereas others have a surplus of stock so it's going to  be a bit [...]

Read More
 24

Preparing for the empty nest – our new place is done

By |2026-06-06T22:31:15+01:00June 18th, 2021|Categories: Interiors, Midlife, Project Happier, Retail Review|Tags: , , , , , , , |

And at last, our city apartment is just about finished. All we have left to do is find a few pieces of art for empty spots and update the bathrooms - but that will have to wait until there's no longer a global shortage of sanitary ware or plumbers working to six month waiting lists. As we sat back with a glass of wine on Sunday evening and looked around us, it struck us both that we'd done something we'd [...]

Read More
 63

Style cornucopia – new brands & old favourites

By |2026-06-06T22:34:37+01:00May 28th, 2021|Categories: Style|Tags: , , , , , |

Well here we are with a Bank Holiday weekend ahead of us in the UK and as I type this (on Thursday) it's warm and sunny - could it be that the weather has finally caught up with the date? I'm taking next week off because we're going to be in Newcastle for the final push, hopefully getting the apartment finished so I'm signing off for a while with a style cornucopia - new brands & old favourites. Style cornucopia [...]

Read More
 28

Summer 2021 ahead – the gentle lifting of lockdown

By |2026-06-06T22:31:18+01:00May 14th, 2021|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

Slowly, slowly the warmer days are creeping in as the temperature starts to rise. We've been feeling impatient for it and when you think about it we were all spoilt by last year's glorious Spring because it's usually still a bit chilly in May. I know when the boys were little I always used to refuse to go camping before 1st June because although they didn't care, I wasn't keen on sleeping in a woolly hat and hiking socks, it [...]

Read More
 46

New season try-ons – Bank Holiday Bumper Post!

By |2026-06-06T22:31:21+01:00April 30th, 2021|Categories: Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

And hurray for a Bank Holiday weekend in the UK, don't you just love this time of year? It has to be said that if any month deserves not one but two Bank Holidays it's May so I hope you have plans that include at least one pop of joy. We're currently over in Newcastle starting to bring our ideas to life. As you know all we've done so far is paint the whole place white, not because that's the [...]

Read More
 43

Linen for a British summer & midlife lately

By |2026-06-06T22:31:24+01:00April 16th, 2021|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

Well hello, I hope you've had a good couple of weeks. Ours have been busy - I never want to paint another wall again, especially with Mr MC as my foreman, he has levels of perfection that way exceed my skills (and thankfully I think we're agreed on that so I may be reassigned to something that plays more to my strengths... such as shopping!). So how has 're-entry' felt for you this week if you're in the UK? Different [...]

Read More
 49

What’s going on at John Lewis & Partners?

By |2026-06-06T22:31:26+01:00March 19th, 2021|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Thank goodness - on Sunday we'll reach the Spring equinox and then in a week's time the clocks go forward. These are the little things that mean such a lot at the moment because they'll make a significant difference to the lives we're living. Today's post is all about new season, this time with a focus on more everyday outfits that will take us from lockdown to beyond. I'm pleased to be working with one of my favourite retailers again [...]

Read More
 95

Launching SS21 – Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo

By |2026-06-06T22:31:27+01:00February 18th, 2021|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

Today I'm working with Uniqlo to kick off the new season by launching SS21 - Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo. Like the first snowdrops, for me this shoot is always the sign of brighter times ahead and it feels particularly victorious to still be able to bring it to you this year despite the added hurdles that are impacting retailers everywhere. We're slightly later than I hoped to be because the clothes samples only arrived at lunchtime today so [...]

Read More
 68

Stitch Fix review, beauty recommendations and a singalong

By |2026-06-06T22:32:02+01:00July 31st, 2020|Categories: Family, Hair & Beauty, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

It's been a much quieter week here this week, we've been balancing our leap out of lockdown by being home-based again in a strange kind of exposure equation. It means I don't have anything exciting to report on but I have been trying out a few new things so I'll tell you about those instead with a cornucopia including a Stitch Fix review, some honest beauty recommendations and a singalong. Stitch Fix review I'm starting with a Stitch Fix review. [...]

Read More
 27

The future of retail after Covid-19

By |2026-06-06T22:32:09+01:00May 22nd, 2020|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Hello and first of all thank you to everyone who took the time to send a birthday wish on Tuesday. I was showered with messages from every corner of the internet and it was lovely to know that so many people had me in their thoughts, in fact I couldn't wish for anything more. I'll tell you more about what we did next week when we have a catch-up but in the meantime I want us to start thinking about [...]

Read More
 36

What to look for when you’re buying jeans & a try-on

By |2024-03-26T12:14:21+00:00February 25th, 2020|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

What to look for when you're buying jeans It's another denim try-on today, this time I'm working with John Lewis & Partners, looking at their And/Or range which is good because last time I did this, I found the jeans that have been my go-to pair for the last two years. When I asked in the reader survey which looks were most relevant to your lifestyle, smart casual (jeans with a blazer) and relaxed casual (jeans with trainers) scored 82% [...]

Read More
 11

M&S SS20 – core denim try-on

By |2026-05-20T14:20:52+01:00February 7th, 2020|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

It's a retailer try-on today with my first M&S edit of the year so let's have a look at what's going on there. As we discussed back in September, there's a new womenswear team on board with a strategy to address the basics. Their view is that the marketplace is already well served with fast fashion retailers chasing the latest trends so the role of M&S should be to get the core basics right - which is something I think [...]

Read More
 3

Inès de la Fressange at Uniqlo SS20 preview

By |2026-06-06T22:32:32+01:00January 23rd, 2020|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , |

Here's a sign that Spring is on its way, heralded by one of my favourite posts of the season – the Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo SS20 preview. We’ve been granted an exclusive early look at the collection again but before I show you the clothes, remember that with this range you have to be quick. The online allocation often sells out by midday and just because something is in your basket, it doesn’t mean it’s yours - if [...]

Read More
 0

Christmas cornucopia from M&S – things you may have missed

By |2026-05-20T14:20:52+01:00December 10th, 2019|Categories: Christmas, Gift ideas, Retail Review|Tags: , , , , , , |

I don't know about you but I think I can say that I'm more or less ready for Christmas now and so for my last M&S post of the year, I thought I'd put together a 'Christmas cornucopia'. I'm focusing on the things I've found that you may have missed along with some little bits and pieces to make your time extra special. So let's go on one last virtual shopping trip together - after this one, my posts will [...]

Read More
 0

Wrapping up Christmas – a more sustainable approach

By |2026-06-03T20:06:49+01:00December 6th, 2019|Categories: Christmas, Gift ideas, Retail Review|Tags: , , , , |

Today I'm bringing you the last of my John Lewis & Partners' posts for 2019, I've loved working with them again this year. Of all of the brands on the high street, they have to be the most dynamic in their determination to find a new approach to bricks and mortar retail. As I've mentioned before, they have a whole department dedicated to retail innovation which makes them exciting to work with because they're always revealing another 'well I never!' [...]

Read More
 0

A Christmas what to wear – Boden edit

By |2019-11-19T16:50:12+00:00November 19th, 2019|Categories: Christmas, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

It's the last of my Christmas 'what to wear' posts today and I'm pleased to be working with Boden, bringing you my edit of their current collection. The great news is that in celebration of their 28th birthday, they're offering 28% off almost everything including the pieces I've featured in here until Thursday 21st November with code 6T2C so hopefully I'm bringing you these ideas at just the right time. I'm operating within the Four Pillars of Festive Style that [...]

Read More
 0

British brands – three you should know

By |2026-06-06T22:35:16+01:00October 29th, 2019|Categories: Interiors, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Something a bit different for you today because thinking we were going to be almost through to the other side of Brexit, I planned a British brand focus. As it happens we're not (why am I surprised?) but I'm going to talk about three of them anyway. Before I start though, I have an apology. One of the enquiry forms on Darryll and Bettina's website for The D'Azur failed on Saturday and so all of the enquiries that you sent [...]

Read More
 0

What’s going on at hush and an AW19 try-on

By |2019-10-22T16:24:26+01:00October 22nd, 2019|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

It's been a while since I've worked with them and a few of you have been asking me what's going on at hush. It's a small company that has found itself growing so fast that it's suddenly had to switch its focus towards gearing up for growth in a big way. Everybody here of course has known and loved hush for a long time, but two years ago when they launched at John Lewis & Partners, they were introduced to [...]

Read More
 0

Winter outfit ideas – John Lewis & Partners

By |2026-06-03T21:27:23+01:00October 18th, 2019|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , |

As you know, I spent some time in Leeds this week getting ready for the Midlifechic reader event next month. I love being there because it's one of my favourite John Lewis & Partners sites. It's the anchor store for Victoria Leeds, a shopping centre that opened in 2016 incorporating some of the restored Victorian arcades and I don't think I've seen a more architecturally beautiful shopping centre in the UK. The new glass buildings compliment the old iron structures [...]

Read More
 0

Hope springs at Marks & Spencer – AW19 collection

By |2026-06-03T21:24:57+01:00September 13th, 2019|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , |

Today's post is all about M&S but it isn't just my usual monthly try-on of new styles in store, I want to talk a little about why I'm making the statement that 'hope springs at Marks and Spencer.' And yes I know the first thought that's going to come into your mind is that last week they dropped out of the FTSE 100 for the first time ever. I'm sure when that result was announced you could quickly reel off [...]

Read More
 70

A Uniqlo trying-on session SS19

By |2026-06-06T22:32:57+01:00April 16th, 2019|Categories: Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

So many of you have mentioned your newfound love of Uniqlo in the comments recently that I thought it was time to have a look at them in more depth. Rather than focusing on a particular range like IdLF, this time I thought I'd examine their specific strengths. Before we start, I should say that this post is in collaboration with them and they kindly sent me the products I wanted to try however it is an independent review. Understanding [...]

Read More
 0

Spotlight on John Lewis & Partners own label collections SS19

By |2026-06-03T20:06:53+01:00April 9th, 2019|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , |

It's lovely to be working with John Lewis & Partners again. Rather than write a general new season review, I thought I'd have a look at their own label collections and define what each brand stands for. Then I'll move on to a show-and-tell as I try some of the pieces myself and tell you what I think. It makes sense for John Lewis & Partners to continue developing their own ranges. Traditionally, department stores have operated as a 'house [...]

Read More
 0

Marks and Spencer trying-on session – Spring 2019

By |2026-06-06T22:35:32+01:00February 26th, 2019|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

The sun is shining, in fact the tabloids are calling it the Moroccan Melt so to everyone who asked me to bring the weather back with me from Marrakech, you're welcome! It means that for once, the new Spring collections that are arriving feel timely. It's usually hard to imagine spring in February but this week retail sales have been booming as everyone casts off their winter layers. I'm sure we'll have another stretch of jumpers and boots next week [...]

Read More
 11

Exclusive: Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo SS19 review

By |2026-06-06T22:35:33+01:00February 21st, 2019|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

At last we're moving into Spring and once again I'm delighted to bring you the exclusive on the new collection from Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo. As I say every time, Inès is my ultimate style icon so it's a huge honour when Uniqlo give me this opportunity to be her English counterpart. The collection launches here today at 7am in the UK and here in the US. Sorry Australian readers - I couldn't get any info for you [...]

Read More
 11

Everything Christmas at John Lewis & Partners

By |2026-05-20T14:14:20+01:00November 15th, 2018|Categories: Christmas, Gift ideas, Interiors, Retail Review|Tags: , , , , , , |

You seemed to enjoy our last virtual wander round John Lewis & Partners in May so when I was thinking about my Christmas posts, there seemed no better place to spend a day. It has to be said that they really have become the kings of Christmas in the UK. Some of my friends now say that they refuse to even think about Christmas until the TV ad comes out - they see it as the official launch of the [...]

Read More
 4

Winter wardrobe building blocks from Uniqlo

By |2026-06-06T22:36:13+01:00October 19th, 2018|Categories: Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Well hello, I'm back and if you're reading this it means you're still here. I thank you for sticking with me during my absence, I just needed to take some time away. Anyway, I'll update you with a 'midlife lately' next week but today I'm easing myself back in with a look at one of my favourite brands, Uniqlo. You see as I've been collating your feedback on some of the retailer-specific posts that I've done this season, the cry [...]

Read More
 1

Midlifechic edit – Marks & Spencer AW18

By |2018-09-21T16:48:12+01:00September 21st, 2018|Categories: Retail Review, Shoes, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

One of the things that I often hear people say about Marks & Spencer fashion is that there's just too much of it, that it's too hard to know where to begin. So I've spent some time going through the current collection identifying the particular strengths that I can see at the moment. Of course it makes sense to look at what I see as being their hero areas, however they're pretty strong on some of the new season trends [...]

Read More
 21

John Lewis & Partners new women’s clothing collection review

By |2026-06-03T20:07:06+01:00September 14th, 2018|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , |

In my posts about trend and colour, I included some of the press shots from the John Lewis & Partners new women's clothing collection which, it has to be said, are lovely. But then PR shots always are - so what I really wanted to do next was road test some of the styles to see how they look on a normal woman (me) shot in less than ideal conditions (the incessant rain and wind that we're experiencing in the [...]

Read More
 5

Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo Autumn 2018 Review

By |2026-06-06T22:36:21+01:00August 30th, 2018|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

It's time - I'm excited to bring you my Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo Autumn 2018 Review. Yet again they've identified Midlifechic readers as their core audience and so I've had the chance to examine some of the pieces early - I can't tell you how happy this makes me. For US readers it should be going live for you today too. Just in case you're a new reader, what's so great about this Uniqlo collection? It consists of a [...]

Read More
 13

Spotlight on John Lewis – a virtual afternoon in store

By |2026-06-06T22:36:59+01:00April 6th, 2018|Categories: Hair & Beauty, Interiors, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Please note that this is a sponsored post in collaboration with John Lewis. As such, links are affiliated and upon purchase, a small commission may be paid to Midlifechic. The retailer pays so this costs nothing to readers but it enables me to continue bringing you two posts a week. Now that Midlifechic is being viewed over half a million times a month, It costs into the thousands of pounds to keep it running and loading smoothly. I thank you [...]

Read More
 9

Spotlight on Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo SS18 – EXCLUSIVE

By |2026-06-06T22:37:13+01:00February 15th, 2018|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

At last it feels as though Spring is really on its way. As always it's heralded by one of my favourite posts of the season - Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo SS18. We've been given an exclusive preview again. Before I show you the clothes, remember that with this collection you have to be quick. The online allocation tends to sell out by midday. Just because something is in your basket doesn't mean it's yours. If someone else checks [...]

Read More
 6

Winter Florals: a Midlifechic edit with John Lewis

By |2026-06-03T19:58:15+01:00December 12th, 2017|Categories: Christmas, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

It's an exciting day for our Midlifechic community - we have come to the attention of John Lewis. Because of my day job, I don't have much time to pursue relationships with brands but I have been hoping and wondering all year if they would spot us... and they have! So it is with a feeling of great honour that I have taken my first challenge from them - to create a post about Winter Florals. Knowing me as you [...]

Read More
 21

Hush Christmas Edit – join me for a virtual evening at John Lewis

By |2026-06-06T22:37:39+01:00November 10th, 2017|Categories: Christmas, Product review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Hush Christmas Edit. Christmas started for me with a bang this week when I went to do a talk for Hush at the “My John Lewis” shopping evening on Wednesday. My brief was to pull out my favourite Hush pieces and discuss them. So, I took lots of lovely ladies through five specific capsules that I’d created for days that are likely to crop up in our Christmas calendar. At the end so many of them came to tell me that they'd [...]

Read More
 17

Spotlight on the relaunch of Issa at House of Fraser

By |2026-06-06T22:37:49+01:00September 12th, 2017|Categories: Accessories, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

So, as you will already know if you follow me on Instagram, last week I was invited to celebrate relaunch of Issa at House of Fraser. The venue was Kensington Palace which, of course, is where William, Kate and Harry all live. It was an especially auspicious time to go there because it was the day that Kate's third pregnancy was announced. Our event was in the Orangery but I couldn't help looking across at the Palace and feeling sorry [...]

Read More
 16

Spotlight on Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo AW17 – for women and men

By |2026-06-06T22:37:53+01:00August 31st, 2017|Categories: Family, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

So we're kicking off Autumn 2017 with my favourite post of the season - the launch of Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo AW17. It is live now in the UK and launches at 9pm ET in the US (although be prepared - it launched an hour earlier than advertised in the UK). I think everybody who reads Midlifechic knows that Inès is my ultimate style icon. Other than Helen Mirren, I don't think there is anyone like her in terms of [...]

Read More
 26

Spotlight on Specsavers – new specs appeal

By |2026-06-03T21:28:36+01:00July 5th, 2017|Categories: Accessories, Health, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , |

As a break from the summer sale madness, today I thought I'd talk to you about my new glasses. I've been aware that I need some for quite a while but, in the same way that some people dread going to the dentist, I dread the opticians - so I always put it off. The reason for this is that my mum had Macular Degeneration and was nearly blind towards the end of her life. Watching her lose her sight [...]

Read More
 36

Spotlight on Baukjen – sunny days and nights

By |2026-06-06T21:45:33+01:00May 16th, 2017|Categories: Retail Review, Style, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

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, [...]

Read More
 22

Can you create a holiday wardrobe from Marks & Spencer?

By |2026-06-06T22:38:21+01:00May 12th, 2017|Categories: Accessories, Hair & Beauty, Style, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , |

I've set myself a completely different kind of challenge today. Let me tell you how it all came about. Over the last Bank Holiday weekend, Mr MC and I were reminiscing about the different holidays we've had. He asked me which was the best one and although it was hard to choose, one that really stands out is our first holiday abroad as a family when the youngest was very small. He asked me why I'd chosen that one and there [...]

Read More
 20

Spotlight on linen and denim at Uniqlo

By |2026-06-06T22:38:26+01:00April 7th, 2017|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Happy Friday everyone. As we count down to the Easter weekend I'm hoping you can feel that Spring is in the air. Today I'm reviewing Uniqlo's new collection. As you already know, Uniqlo is a brand that I rate very highly. One of the the things I like most about them is the balance of their retail mix. They launch limited edition collections which are collaborations with brands and people ranging from Inès de La Fressange to Miffy. This means there is always something new to see. [...]

Read More
 20

Sézane and Kitri – 2 young brands you should know

By |2026-06-06T22:38:27+01:00March 30th, 2017|Categories: Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

As you can imagine I spend a lot of time looking at the websites of our favourite brands at Midlifechic and sometimes I find myself yearning for something new. Today I'm bringing you two new ones that are on my radar - Sézane and Kitri. Before I start I should say that I have no connection to either brand and I haven't tried their clothes yet but I suspect that as usual, I will end up shopping my own post! [...]

Read More
 23

Spotlight on Pure Collection – brand review

By |2026-06-06T22:38:30+01:00March 17th, 2017|Categories: Accessories, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

So it is with great pleasure that I bring you the second of my spotlight posts which, as you will remember are the posts where I focus in greater depth on a single brand. Today I am looking at Pure Collection. I will be honest and say that when they first got in touch with me before Christmas, I told them that I wasn't convinced that they were the right fit for Midlifechic readers. Although I knew that they made great cashmere, I didn't [...]

Read More
 29

Finery Review Spring 17

By |2026-06-03T21:23:26+01:00March 13th, 2017|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

It's great to be working with my friends at the Over4Collective again today. We've been so busy getting our website together that we haven't had time to do a project for a while so I decided it was time to introduce them to one of my favourite brands, Finery so that we could bring you a Finery Review Spring 17 . I've spoken before about how fond I am of my contact at Finery, a young French woman who never questions the [...]

Read More
 51

Spotlight on Baukjen… and midlife love

By |2026-06-06T22:38:44+01:00February 14th, 2017|Categories: Midlife, Product review, Project Happier, Retail Review, Style, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I am very pleased to bring you the first of the spotlight posts. It's a big thank you to Baukjen for being the first brand to come on board as part of this series and I'm particularly pleased to be working with someone that I haven't featured before. I have only one Baukjen piece in my wardrobe and it is a jumpsuit that I bought in a hurry after seeing it featured in a magazine last year. For some reason [...]

Read More
 37

Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo Spring 17 launch

By |2026-06-06T22:38:46+01:00February 2nd, 2017|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

So, I am proud (very proud) to be the first blogger to bring you the new collection from Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo. As I have said many times before, if I could align Midlifechic with any woman in the world, it would be Inès. I have been eagerly (and rather nervously) awaiting the launch of the Spring range. Why nervously? Because I didn't feel that SS16 was as strong as the Autumn ranges and I hoped that wouldn't [...]

Read More
 62

What to wear for a formal party – women over 40

By |2026-06-03T21:23:28+01:00November 8th, 2016|Categories: Christmas, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Well hello everybody and happy November. There's no avoiding it any longer, we're on the Christmas countdown. I'm diving in head first with another party dressing feature (there will be a few). This time we're looking at what to wear for a formal party. So let me give you a bit of background. We've had a 'save the date' in our diary for a long time. A client who has become a friend is having a special celebration in a [...]

Read More
 27

Chic layering using Uniqlo technical clothing

By |2026-06-07T09:46:22+01:00October 26th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , |

You may remember that when I went to Paris in May, one of the things I commented on was that lots of Parisians were demonstrating the art of chic layering by wearing a Uniqlo quilt underneath their coat. I have since discovered that Uniqlo is a big thing in France. When they opened a new store in Bordeaux recently, the police had to be called in to control the excited crowd. Of course I'd just like to add that living in the frozen North, [...]

Read More
 21

Chic Autumn outfit updates – and a special competition

By |2026-06-06T21:46:11+01:00October 14th, 2016|Categories: Accessories, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

I thought we'd take a break from clothes today and look at chic Autumn outfit updates to add to the clothes you already have in your wardrobe. We talked about the difference that a pair of statement shoes or boots can make a few weeks ago. Now we're going to look at affordable bags and jewellery because they make such a difference. I have lovely memories of helping my dad buy a khaki handbag for my mum, not knowing that it [...]

Read More
 23

Dressing for quiet confidence – Winser London

By |2026-05-31T22:21:05+01:00October 10th, 2016|Categories: Product review, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

I don't know about you, but every so often an occasion crops up when I use what I'm wearing to boost my confidence. It's almost like putting on a suit of armour to help face something bigger than an ordinary day. Usually for me, it's a meeting with a tricky client but last week, as you know, I went to my middle son's school for the preview of the BBC documentary that he has been taking part in. We were only given a [...]

Read More
 18

Cashmere review – the best on the high street

By |2026-06-07T09:45:48+01:00October 7th, 2016|Categories: Product review, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

As the nights grow darker, my usual Autumn treat to myself is a cashmere jumper. Every year however, prices seem to climb higher so I decided to set myself the task of looking into my little indulgence as carefully as possible. When I was in London last week, I had a couple of hours to spare between meetings which gave me the perfect opportunity to compare as many stores as possible so that I could write a cashmere review. Anyone who knows [...]

Read More
 38

Finery Review – standout chic for Autumn

By |2026-06-06T22:38:57+01:00September 30th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

I don't know about you, but when I get to this point in the season, I'm over the excitement of Autumn clothes because I've become accustomed to the new trends. It feels as though each retailer is simply offering a slightly adjusted version of the same thing and I yearn for something that stands apart. There are a handful places that I turn to for visual refreshment: Cos, Me+Em, Kin at John Lewis (not Modern Rarity - I feel like I'm the [...]

Read More
 29

The new Autumn collection from Hope Fashion

By |2016-09-20T16:38:19+01:00September 20th, 2016|Categories: Style|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Hopefully you remember that back in July, just before the schools broke up, I went down to see the new Autumn collection from Hope Fashion and spend a day with the team shooting their 'real women' campaign. There was no point in me telling you about the clothes then because they weren't available online. You can now see photos of the day on their website and they have just released the Autumn collection so it's time for me to show you how [...]

Read More
 13

Marks and Spencer fashion for women over 40 – a style challenge

By |2026-06-06T21:46:25+01:00September 16th, 2016|Categories: Product review, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Today we're looking at Marks and Spencer fashion for women over 40. As you know, ever since I went down to the press day I've been excited about their new looks for this season. My favourite pieces still haven't been released but I think they're off to a good start. To launch the new season they are running a blogger challenge. A couple of weeks ago they gave a number of us a look book which contained about 40 different items [...]

Read More
 28

48 hours of Hush – from work to weekend

By |2026-06-06T22:39:01+01:00September 13th, 2016|Categories: Product review, Relationships, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Today I'm talking about Hush, another of our favourite Midlifechic brands. I've been trying to meet the team there for a while and it has become almost a running joke between us that whenever one of us suggests a date in London, the other can't make it. In the end serendipity played a part when I went down to London for the John Lewis 'Christmas in July' event. I'll tell you more about that soon but the important thing for today [...]

Read More
 51

Inès de la Fressange at Uniqlo – Autumn 2016

By |2026-06-06T21:46:28+01:00September 8th, 2016|Categories: Hair & Beauty, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

I'll come straight out and say it - this is my biggest blogging high to date. Uniqlo has selected our community at Midlifechic to be the first to see their new Inès de La Fressange collection. I feel so proud that we are being recognised by brands as a group of intelligent, vocal women who deserve their attention. They are beginning to realise that just because we are over 40, we have not given up on style and Uniqlo is [...]

Read More
 71

Autumn 2016 at The White Company – a review

By |2016-09-07T13:18:52+01:00September 7th, 2016|Categories: Fragrance, Product review, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , |

A mystery package arrived this week and it was lovely to open it and find that The White Company had sent me their new Autumn candle to review. As you know, Home Fragrance is really important to me and you could say that it was a brave move to send it to someone who spent last year working as a certified 'nose' for the UK's biggest home fragrance manufacturer! Industry knowledge means that I know quite a lot about The White [...]

Read More
 15

Over 40 style blogger challenge – white shirt & denim

By |2026-06-06T22:39:08+01:00July 19th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

I was chatting to my blogger friends in the Over 40 Collective recently about how difficult it is to know what to blog about during this fallow period when the sales are on, especially when the weather is as mixed as it has been. We talked about paring things back to simplicity and from there an over 40 style blogger challenge arose - styling a white shirt with denim. Of course the sale period was a problem until somebody suggested Marks and [...]

Read More
 22

A day working with the team at Hope Fashion

By |2016-07-15T15:28:12+01:00July 15th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style, Work life balance|Tags: , , , |

As you know, I spent Tuesday with the team at Hope Fashion taking part in their Autumn shoot in which they decided to use real, everyday women rather than models. As you can imagine, it was great fun. All of the clothes were hanging on rails and they quite simply let us loose to see what we would do with them and then they shot the outfits we had put together. I'm not going to show you those pictures now because [...]

Read More
 11

The merits of the Boden sale

By |2026-06-06T21:46:45+01:00June 24th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Sale|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Last week I shared the restrictions I impose on myself before I click on a 'sale started' link. I still stand by the suggestion that you should limit your high summer pieces to about 10% of your total wardrobe. However there is one sale that I shop a little differently and that is the Boden sale. I've found that every time I've had a conversation about Boden this season people have been suggesting that it's a brand that has lost its way. In fact it's [...]

Read More
 34

A sassy look for an evening in Paris

By |2026-06-03T21:28:54+01:00May 28th, 2016|Categories: Project Happier, Retail Review, Style, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , |

As I looked around the plane on the way to Paris, I could see lots of excited little girls dressed as princesses on their way to EuroDisney. I don't think we ever grow out of that fairytale dress dream - although perhaps our tastes become a little more sophisticated and I had the same flame of excitement burning inside me knowing that I had two special dresses in my suitcase. I am now quite often approached with offers of clothing (and [...]

Read More
 22

Guess where these new season looks come from

By |2026-06-07T09:50:54+01:00May 13th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

I had a very busy day down in London yesterday meeting up with some of my favourite brands and gently putting our midlife views across to them. We're beginning to gain traction ladies - they're noticing the number of discussions that take place on this blog and slowly, we're starting to be taken more seriously. I'll share some of the things I learned with you over the next few weeks but first I just want to show you some pictures of [...]

Read More
 34

Hope Fashion London – a career opportunity for you?

By |2026-06-06T21:46:58+01:00May 3rd, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

As you know, I'm really keen for my blog to help other midlife women to succeed in the second half of their lives. As such, there are certain brands that capture my imagination because they are run by women like us who have put everything on the line to follow their dreams. They include Finery, Winser, RachelWears, Baukjen, M+EM and Hope. Today I want to talk to you about the baby of the group, Hope Fashion. I introduced you to [...]

Read More
 15

Fashion for women over 40, looking at Mango and The White Company

By |2016-04-22T00:44:19+01:00April 7th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Last weekend I finally achieved my Marie Kondo session and decluttered my dressing room. I had felt a bit cynical  about the book's title "The life-changing magic of tidying" but in fact it is gradually feeling a bit life changing. Our bedroom is now very minimalist and I'm finding I'm sleeping better as a result. I sent ten bin bags of clothes to the hospice that cared so well for my mum and dad in the last weeks of their lives. [...]

Read More
 33

New Spring fashion for women over 40 from John Lewis

By |2026-06-06T22:39:11+01:00March 18th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style, Travel|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

We've had bright sunshine all week in the Lake District. The daffodils are out, the lambs are gambolling and it feels as though a new season is finally rolling in. This always makes me feel as though I have nothing to wear. Suddenly the core wardrobe of camel and grey that I've loved all winter feels dark and dull so I'm very much in the mood for some new season shopping. Last Autumn I focused on specific retailers which you seemed [...]

Read More
 23

Boden Shoes Spring 2016 – trying them on

By |2026-06-06T21:47:18+01:00February 26th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Hurray - I'm free! Thank you so much for your very supportive words over the last week, I'll tell you all about it in more detail soon but I'm rushing now because I'm off to spend the weekend with some of my favourite bloggers including Annette from Lady of Style and Catherine from Not Dressed As Lamb. In the meantime, two things have kept me smiling during this life changing week - your fabulously considerate comments and the thought that I would celebrate [...]

Read More
 15

Uniqlo Spring 2016 review and Project Happier #4

By |2026-06-06T21:47:24+01:00January 30th, 2016|Categories: Project Happier, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

We've nearly made it to the end of January which has to be the toughest month. Actually it would have been tougher for me if I hadn't been doing Project Happier - although I've stumbled at times, it's kept me focused. Today is my first day of not working for 12 days and I apologise if you were looking out for my adventure with my reader Sarah on Instagram on Thursday but all my plans had to be changed at the last [...]

Read More
 40

Next, Boden and Jaeger – great new season & sale buys

By |2026-06-06T21:47:25+01:00January 22nd, 2016|Categories: Sale, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

Everyone I speak to seems to have had 'one of those weeks.' It makes you wonder whether all the media hype about Blue Monday brings it to fruition. I knew it was coming but my work week has been tougher than I anticipated. We have a number of big exhibitions and launches coming up on top of our usual workload and these are the times when I really miss my days of working for big corporations with large teams. As Head [...]

Read More
 10

6 great pieces in the Hush January 2016 sale

By |2017-03-18T15:08:58+00:00January 5th, 2016|Categories: Retail Review, Sale, Style|Tags: , , , , , |

A quick post from me because it's a school night and I'm helping the boys with their homework which requires more and more concentration these days. However, with one eye I'm perusing the Hush January 2016 sale which started this morning and I thought I'd tip you off with what I think are the best buys. This wrap shirt is my favourite and I've ordered it to replace the Mango one that I wore over Christmas because the cleavage on [...]

Read More
 0

Hero beauty products for women over 40

By |2026-06-06T21:47:37+01:00December 5th, 2015|Categories: Christmas, Hair & Beauty, Retail Review|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I don't often do beauty posts but there are a few things I've been using recently that I wanted to share with you. I don't know about you but I'm feeling like the very cliché of a midlife woman at the moment: exhausted. Work has been relentless since I came back from holiday in August. Because my department is new, there is no path to follow, so I never know what is coming next. My new girl enthusiasm has meant [...]

Read More
 37

New brands for women with curves

By |2026-06-07T09:50:45+01:00November 29th, 2015|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

At last - I know some of you have been asking me to cover new brands for women with curves for a long time. The thing is that because my year has been so busy with my new job, I haven't been able to look beyond my own horizons for a while however I have two new brands to talk about today. Like most women, I've collected all kinds of different friends over the years. The fabulously fashionable ones are [...]

Read More
 18

Rediscovering Links of London

By |2026-06-06T21:47:42+01:00November 18th, 2015|Categories: Accessories, Christmas, Product review, Retail Review|Tags: , , , , , |

A little while ago Links of London got in touch with me to see if I would join them in celebrating their 25th anniversary. I must start by saying that I felt really honoured that they had chosen Midlifechic and I see it as a sign of recognition of you - my intelligent, classy readers. Gradually I think that we are becoming known as a highly engaged group of intelligent women and the traction that we are starting to generate is partly [...]

Read More
 27

Kin by John Lewis Autumn 15 – a review

By |2026-06-07T09:50:24+01:00October 2nd, 2015|Categories: Accessories, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the supportive emails and comments after my last post about the end of days, every single one has lifted my spirits. Even Mr MC came out of hiding and posted his first comment - who knew he reads my blog - not me - until now! Because we moved to the North from London when my eldest was 7, my everyday friends here are the ones that I made via the younger [...]

Read More
 38

Time to put on your pearls girls!

By |2026-06-06T21:47:59+01:00September 18th, 2015|Categories: Accessories, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , |

Something a little different for you today. As Midlifechic grows I'm finding that I'm being approached by lots of brands who are keen to work with me. This is immensely flattering and in another life I'd try running a hugely commercial blog and accept all of their offers. However as things stand, I just don't have time to write about anything I don't genuinely think is great so 98% of the time I take a deep breath and gently turn the [...]

Read More
 33

My Hush Autumn Winter 2015 Order

By |2026-06-06T21:48:03+01:00September 4th, 2015|Categories: Fragrance, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I've given up - although the sun is shining in these photos, the Indian Summer doesn't seem to be showing any signs of arriving so I've been busy placing Autumn orders. My Hush parcel arrived today. I like Hush but it doesn't usually suit me. Even though I love their look, I think I'm too much of a neat freak for their clothes to work on me. However this season I received an email saying they'd been paying more attention [...]

Read More
 19

A Boden review Spring / Summer 2015

By |2026-06-07T09:44:35+01:00June 19th, 2015|Categories: Family, Product review, Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

You might want to make a cup of tea - I've got lots to talk about this week! First of all it's been very exciting to be approached by Boden. Lots of you have been commenting on their growing relationship with bloggers and how they seem to have been focusing on the younger 20-somethings who, realistically, have never been their core audience. There have been  a few threads discussing it on Mumsnet with women noting that whereas most brands are making [...]

Read More
 68

Finery London review of my delivery

By |2026-06-06T21:48:45+01:00February 7th, 2015|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , |

I know I'm late posting this week but I wanted to do a Finery London review as soon as my delivery arrived. If you've missed the excitement, Finery launched on Thursday and currently ships to the UK, Canada and the US. They describe their range as "design that's contemporary but forever, beautiful but accessible, for women who love clothes as much as we do". I also like the fact that they say "I think we understand that women don’t shop by age, [...]

Read More
 43

Ines de la Fressange at Uniqlo review

By |2026-06-07T09:43:50+01:00January 26th, 2015|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

I think the lack of sleep and inability to do my hair properly is really starting to show in these pictures but I wanted to do an Inés de la Fressange at Uniqlo review before I sort out my returns. As you will know if you are a regular reader, Inés is my style icon so I get very excited when a new range comes out although I still think the Autumn ranges tend to be better than the Spring. However before we start, here [...]

Read More
 28

My pick of the Boden Winter Sale 2014

By |2026-06-07T09:50:12+01:00December 13th, 2014|Categories: Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

After weeks of discounts you need a clear head to navigate the Boden Winter sale this year. So here it is, my Boden Winter sale 2014 edit. I've tried to make sure that there is plenty of stock of everything that I have recommended and I've picked out the best bargains. They fall into one of two categories, either wardrobe workhorses that you'll wear again and again or wardrobe heroes that will lift ordinary outfits when you need them to. [...]

Read More
 14

I’ve found the perfect pea coat

By |2026-06-03T21:22:00+01:00September 9th, 2014|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

It's time to talk about Winter coats. Even though the sun is shining and we seem to be having a lovely Indian summer, it seems that if you haven't committed yourself by the end of September the best have gone. I think it's important to look at coats as investment purchases that will last a few years. Cheap fabric shows  and coats with a high proportion of man made fibre tend to look stiff and feel scratchy. Let's face it, [...]

Read More
 19

The Boden party to end all Boden parties

By |2026-05-20T14:11:31+01:00May 23rd, 2014|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

I can imagine that in the South, Boden parties are ten a penny, a bit like Pampered Chef, but up here there only seems to be one a year - but boy is it a good one to go to. Last year my friend and I were unsuspecting, just putting the postcode into the satnav to see where it would take us and were quite alarmed when it took us down a mile-long sweeping drive bordered by trees until we [...]

Read More
 11

Let loose in London

By |2026-06-03T21:29:27+01:00April 28th, 2014|Categories: Retail Review, Style|Tags: , , , , , |

Happy Monday everybody. I'm comfortably back in the North after my hectic time last week. So, picking up where we left off, I arrived in London with just enough time to get to the hotel and change. I knew it was pretty close to Covent Garden tube but when I got above ground Google maps wouldn't work on my phone so there was nothing else for it but to take a cab...or...a rickshaw - made me smile! So which outfit [...]

Read More
 11

New favourite for wardrobe staples 2014 – Gap!

By |2026-06-06T22:40:26+01:00February 17th, 2014|Categories: Retail Review|Tags: , , , |

I had a really big surprise when I was down in London last week for meetings. Joy of joys we finished early and happened to be on Kensington High Street. Mr MC was with me and wanted to pop into Gap for some new jeans so I went in to have a look around the womenswear on the ground floor and boy is it back on form. Of course I'd read about their Spring/Summer 14 collection and new creative director Rebekka [...]

Read More
 0
This website uses cookies and third party services.
Ok
Go to Top