Midlife Loves

"Timeless everyday style"

Midlife Loves

A Walk on the Wild Side!

In my last post I forewarned you that there was more leopard print on the way, which as you will know from previous posts I have a HUGE love of.  Now I wasn't actually looking to add any more leopard print to my wardrobe but when I saw the items I'm featuring on my blog today I just simply had to try them, in fact I didn't even know the first item existed!

So I happened to stumble upon said first item by chance (or leopard print fate as I like to call it) as I was browsing the M&S site looking for a few extra items to add into my basket in order to secure free delivery.  Okay I may have just typed the words 'leopard print' into their search box just to see (for research purposes of course - gosh don't you just love the excuse of writing a blog!) what would come up.  But I can honestly say I never in my wildest dreams imagined that this item would appear but when it did & it was available in my size well I just had to click the button.

Any guesses?!!! If I said (justified) that it is something I will use at least four times a week (with washing of course) & makes something that is generally (well in my eyes at least) pretty darn ugly into something a little bit more exotic does that help?  No!!!

Okay so here it is.





Now some of you may be thinking well what's all the fuss about.  But to me this is just perfect, I hate sports bras with a passion they're about as sexy as a maternity bra & I know you might be thinking that they just need to serve their purpose.  However, when struggling to get up at 5:45 of a morning (or silly o'clock as my hubby calls it) to go running if I can put on a sports bra that not only performs but also looks good (well as good as a sports bra is ever going to look) & brings out my inner Bet thus making me smile then all is right in the world!  Plus for those in the smaller boob department with padding & uplift included what's not to love.  Plus with the padding no one will tell if you're feeling the cold (if you know what I mean ;) ).

So with my inner Bet satisfied in the fitness department (I have yet to find any leopard print work out gear!) it leads me onto my next potential purchase.  I always longingly look at the leopard print coats around at winter & think how lovely they are but decide they are perhaps a little too much (if that makes sense from a lover of leopard print).  Then when I see others wearing them think how stunning they look & have therefore vowed (threatened) one day just to go for it.  So with the big four-0 fast approaching (just over the half way mark now) I thought that this year was the year & after all if it's such a huge mistake it can just be passed off as a midlife crisis!

With all this in mind when I spotted this jacket from Zara & egged on by hubby (who in fact loves my leopard print fascination - although perhaps if I was dressed head to toe in it, it would be another thing!) I found myself clicking the button.  Okay I know it's a slight cop out as I had been talking coats, although of course we have yet to hit Autumn/Winter season so there is still time, but as I live in jackets I know in theory I should get more wear out of this as opposed to a coat (however if last year's winter is anything to go on it could be debatable) because at least this is something that can be worn all year round.

So here is said jacket.






So when the box arrived I'll admit I was quite excited at it's arrival (I know I don't get out that much).  I absolutely love the colours, print of the leopard print & the style of the jacket, although it is quite a thin jacket so if worn in the winter would require layers for keeping warm or of course a coat over the top.

Having tried it on I think I love it, although for someone that doesn't wear that many patterned items this is quite in your face (duh of course you're thinking it is leopard print!) so I think it may take me some time to get used to wearing it.  Also I'm not sure if I would prefer a jacket in a thicker material but having said that maybe it wouldn't look right with the leopard print design on a heavier weight jacket.  Hubby loves it (I'm secretly worried he's pushing me to have a mid-life crises big enough for the two of us) & our son simply just rolled his eyes & declared I wasn't to wear it when out with him (although having seen it on me has said he quite likes it but I'm thinking wouldn't admit this in public (or even interrogation) due to street cred!).

To try & make my mind up I tried on a few quick outfits, just to see if I'm going to get my wear out of it.  Since trying it on rather quickly I must admit as the sun has been beckoning this week, I have also thought I could possibly dress it down with boyfriend jeans & also style it with my grey skinnies & a grey top as well as all cream as shown on the above picture by the very happy & full of expression (joke!) Zara model not to mention black skinny jeans & my wax effect ones.

So seeing as I'm still undecided I thought I'd let you help me decide what to do & post pictures of the outfits I styled the jacket with.  Now depending on whether you love or hate leopard print I am either going to be responsible for giving you a deep belly filled laugh or possibly (used loosely) inspire you to perhaps give a leopard print jacket a go.


Outfit One




Hubby's favourite, where I've teamed the jacket with a plain white shirt, dark blue skinny jeans and tan accessories in the ballet shoes & belt with my J Crew bracelet.


Outfit Two





Same jeans and accessories but this time teamed with a tan coloured top from Marks & Spencer.


Outfit Three




For outfit three I have teamed some cropped black Zara trousers with a simple black top, my Mango gold chunky necklace & my Next heeled leopard print ballet shoes.


Outfit Four




Finishing with possibly the most Bet inspired outfit (I feel I should be behind the bar in the Rovers in this one) Next faux leather skirt, Zara black court shoes, a simple black top & pearls.

As the eagled eyed amongst you will have noted the label is still intact as I am still debating said jacket but leaning towards keeping it.

So over to you what do you think?

And continuing on the leopard print theme here's my outfits from the last few days starting with the preview of my leopard print harem trousers (well I did tell you I was addicted!!!).

Outfit One




Jacket - Zara
Draped Top - Zara
Leopard Print Harems - Zara
Ballet Shoes - Massimo Dutti


Outfit Two




Denim Jacket - New Look
Dress - New Look
Gladiator Sandals - Zara


Outfit Three




T-shirt - Zara
Denim Shorts - H&M
Leather Flip Flops - Abercrombie & Fitch


Outfit Four




Dress - H&M
Bracelet - J Crew
Shoes - M&S


So what do you reckon?  Am I having a mid-life crises & totally lost all dress sense?  Or are you tempted to join me in the leopard print blazer wearing journey.  Either way my inner Bet has totally been satisfied this week and I'd love to know you thoughts & if you think I should keep it.

Enjoy the rest of this sunny weekend x


20 comments

  1. I think it's a keeper. It takes a certain style and panache to carry off a leopard print jacket without looking like Bet .. and if anyone can do it, it's definitely you. I like outfit 1 and 3 the best. Not mad about it with the tan top and the combination of the jacket with the faux leather skirt is a no from me. But the other two stylings are very chic. Keep it, is my advice!

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    1. Helen you're a bad influence lol!!! But I think I've got to keep it, unless of course I spy a nicer one!

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  2. Keeper! Love it with the tan top (my fave) and the black top and trousers. Some fab outfits this week too - great to see your legs - they're amazing!!! Lynne x

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    1. Thanks Lynne, looks like it's going to be a keeper :) x

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  3. I love leopard print but I'm not so keen on the leopard jacket, even when you've styled it I think it looks a bit too 1970 s for me, strangely I love the print on the trousers

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    1. Hi Diane, I think it's going to be one of those things I've just got to go for & as I've mentioned in my blog I can always blame it on a mid-life crises! x

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  4. Love it! Definitely a keeper. Love how you've styled it especially the white & tan shirts but I would never be brave enough to wear with the leather skirt.

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    1. Thank you :) I've got another black skirt which I think would look great with the jacket so must dig that out & give it a go too x

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  5. I totally love your use of animal print, you make it look chic and stylish, and I've definitely been stealing your style in this department.
    fashion-mommy
    www.fashion-mommy.com

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  6. I love the blazer (looks amazing on you!) and the pants too.
    I am a new follower (via BBN), love your style and we are so close in age so I can relate.

    Pia
    pjmscloset.blogspot.ca

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    1. Thanks for the lovely comments Pia, lovely to meet a new follower :) x

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  7. Hmmm not sure Jane, and I usually love everything you wear, but I think the print is a bit too retro for me and maybe a bit too in yer face if u know what I mean. But I will say if you are unsure then it's probably not a keeper, that's my way of working anyway. Love the leopard trousers though. I actually just bought my first leopard print item a few weeks back, being the pumps from H&M, can't believe I survived so long without them! X

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    1. It's definitely growing on my Trea so think I'll probably end up keeping it but yes generally I work on the same principle if you have to think about it, it's not going to work. Lol, I can't believe you've not had any leopard print until a few weeks ago, I'd be lost without my leopard print shoes they just seem to go with everything!! x

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  8. Keeper, I really like it with all the trousers, but not the skirt, reminds me of my mum!!! We've always called her Bet for her love of leopard xx

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    1. Thanks Jo, I think the jacket with the skirt is too 'grown up' looking but may try it with a shorter different styled one and some biker boots x

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  9. Love it! I think you pull it off perfectly & love all the trousers looks! Such a great post Jane! The sports bra is just classic too! :) Andrea x

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    1. Thanks Andrea, must admit to being totally chuffed when I spotted that sports bra :) x

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  10. Some brilliant outfits! I love that blazer! You have styled it so well. Gorgeous!

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