Midlife Loves

"Timeless everyday style"

Midlife Loves

A New Jacket & My Outfit Of The Day

Now before you ask do I REALLY need a new jacket.....I can hand on heart say YES!!!  That's because when hubby first announced plans to take us walking in the Lake District this Easter I started to worry & question 'what on earth I was to wear'?!!!!  As funnily enough I could sort of work out that a blazer & some Bet-tastic shoes weren't exactly going to cut it ;-)  

At first I thought I could perhaps get away with my Zara winter parka but hadn't got round to discussing this with the hubby who I knew would say no a sensible anorak or heaven forbid cagoule would be be required.  But if you're anything like me I hate wearing clothes just to be practical as I just don't feel me & this then seems to affect my mood, factor in a long day walking & a long car journey too well I guess you're getting the picture.

However, luckily for me Anne at Protected Species happened to get in touch about a week before our expedition & kindly offered to gift me a jacket that was both waterproof & windproof not to mention stylish & the answer to all my walking dilemmas......how lucky am I?!!!

So before I show you my stylish new walking coat let me tell you a little bit about the brand.  Protected Species must seriously have been created for ladies like me as they describe their jackets as 'performance outerwear that doesn't compromise on style' to 'give you effortless, modern style'.  Well on those words alone they had me at 'doesn't compromise on style'!!!  The fact that the jackets have also been designed to perform & are also waterproof, wind resistant, breathable & crease-free with a lightness & stretch is a real Brucie bonus.

They currently do two different designed jackets.  Firstly a mac which even comes with a detachable hood - very handy when you don't have enough hands for battling the elements with an umbrella.  Plus this would look great for a stylish waterproof when it's tipping down & you're wanting to stay dry on your way to work not to mention great for dressing down for the school run too.






And this stylish parka, which has a very handy foldable hood.






And is also available in Cobblestone (grey).




Naturally for hill walking I thought it best to opt for the parka & I also though it would be the perfect parka for walking the dog at home too when we're braced with that wet stuff that seems to come from the sky a high proportion of time ;-)

So here's a few piccies of me wearing said parka before heading off into the Lakes....note I DID change my shoes to sensible walking boots - the one thing I knew had to be sensible, practical & boring....although if anyone knows of a company that do stylish walking shoes - preferable leopard print ;-) I'd love to hear!










Scarf - Zara
Jumper - Next
T-Shirt - Zara
Jeans - French Connection


The jackets are available in three sizes 1 (size 6-8), 2 (size 10-12) & 3 (size14-16).  I'm generally a UK 8 although can sometimes take a size 10 dependent on brand & fit but went for size 1 & it was perfect.  I still had plenty of room to layer up should the elements require it but without feeling as if the parka was too big if  I just had a lightweight top on.

And after a day's full on walking & testing of said parka I can quite happily say yes I felt stylish in my new jacket & not only that it kept me warm it didn't crease once!  Plus of course the handy deep pockets were great for storing the essential lippy & sweeties too - so a very happy girl!!!  I just know this jacket is going to be with me a lifetime & save me from many a potential soakings to come.  Luckily for us the weather was gorgeous so I was unable to test the waterproof element of the coat but have no doubt that it will keep me dry.  

I can't recommend visiting the Lake District enough it really is such a spectacular & beautiful area as you can glimpse from these couple of pictures below.






Luckily apart from feeling a little jaded after all the fresh air & our mammoth walk off we all survived with no blisters to report, so it's quiet Easter Sunday for us spent in front of the fire with bubbles & no doubt a bucket full of chocolate.....well it is Easter - the fact we probably will need to go for another walk on Monday to start burning off the calories is another thing entirely!!!

So for an R'nR kind of day here's what I'm wearing.




Shirt - Massimo Dutti
Scarf - H&M
Combats - Zara
Pumps - Boden


Shop my style here.


Chambray & Combats


Shirt - Next £24
Scarf - Mango £17.99
Joggers - Zara £19.99
Pumps - Next £25


So what do you think?  Have you got a faithful & stylish waterproof that won't let you down or have you been on the look out for something that's stylish & practical?  If so I can highly recommend these jackets, even when the wind picked up after the sun disappeared behind a cloud I was lovely & toasty & that's with only a couple of thin layers & from someone that feels the cold!  

Happy Easter & here's to lots of chocolate consumption ;-)

See you in the morning.

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14 comments

  1. What a fab parka, Jane! Stylish and practical. I have my Target Dry Emily parka which is practical and (hopefully) stylish too and it's great for walking. Whereabouts in the Lakes did you go? We love it up there and have spent many a weekend walking there (before little one came along!). Looking gorgeous as always. Lynne x

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    1. Thanks Lynne & I bet you look super stylish in your parka too. We went to Grassmere & couldn't have chosen a better day lovely blue skies & the to see the sun glistening on the lakes was just stunning.
      Jane xx

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    2. Grassmere is beautiful! Looks like a perfect day x

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    3. It was lovely Lynne & such a picturesque place to visit - just perfect!
      Jane xx

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  2. Stylish and practical, you can't go wrong Jane, love it and just what you needed xx

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    1. It was indeed perfect for our adventure Sharron & I just know it's going to be getting a lot of use over the coming years. No excuse for not leaving the house no matter what the occasion of weather now!!
      Jane xx

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  3. How B cool do you look to go for a walk...!!!?? I am very jealous! Love that coat on you, style and colour are perfect. I have a Barbour but need to order a hood as I always get caught out in the rain on school runs and it's no fun! x

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    1. Ahh thanks Natalie & yes you definitely need to invest in the hood, the amount of times I've tried to battle the rain & wind with an umbrella only to have it turn inside out one me!!
      Jane xx

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  4. A great jacket for the great outdoors Jane!! Looking super stylish for your walk at the lakes xx

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    1. Thanks Michelle, I can't believe how warm & toasty I felt even when the wind picked up - just fab as I hate wearing heavy coats.
      Jane xx

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  5. Looks like the perfect coat for ladies - warm, waterproof and stylish!

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  6. Oh wow that really is a stylish practical coat & I love the colour too! It looks so beautiful there Jane & you are rocking those walking boots! xx

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    1. Haha thanks Andrea, not sure walking boots will become part of my daily attire & I'm still on the look out for leopard print ones!!!
      Jane xx

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