Midlife Loves

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Midlife Loves

New Clarks Sandals & Bag & What I'm Wearing Today

A couple of decades ago there was no way you'd get me even entering the Clarks website let alone glancing in their shop front as I walked passed but these days it's a whole different ballgame after Clarks have become 'cool' again & have really upped their game in the style stakes.

So when they recently got in touch & asked me to review a pair of their shoes & one of their gorgeous bags I was like a child in a sweet shop, oohing & ahhing over all their lovely collection.

Finally after much deliberation I decided to settle on a pair of sandals for the summer & our summer hols together with a lovely clutch bag that could be teamed with said new shoes or worn independently.

Now firstly it's not only their shoes that have been given a whole makeover but also their shoe boxes!!!  If you're like me you'll remember the days when said boxes were green & once a year (maybe twice - dependent on growing spurts) you'd go & get your feet measured & choose between a lace up (for winter) or sandal (with cut outs) for summer for your school shoes & would then proceed to scuff them as quickly as you could to stop them looking so new!!!  Well now said boxes are stylish & black & very much represent the new branding that is Clarks & the last thing you want to be doing is scuffing said beautiful shoes that are lying within!




So let's get onto the sandals that were in the box....are you ready?!!!  Then here they are!






Now you can't have missed that the fugly shoe is huge this season & whilst it's not a look that appeals to me these sandals incorporate parts of the trend that I love - low, simple sandals with a double strap but these babies are more f-lovely!!!  They still look elegant, pretty & most importantly bling-tastic, I soooo love the gorgeous black stones that just add that extra detailing not to mention the hair textured black leather.

Of course the big plus of Clarks shoes is that they come in both a normal or wide fitting with a leather footbed and soft wear cushioning.  So all in all a VERY comfortable pair of sandals that are going to be a joy to wear even when the temperatures increase & my feet swell.....bliss!  

Sizing wise I ordered my normal size, even though I went for the wider fitting & despite worrying that they would be too big or slip of my heels they fit perfectly, rather like Cinderella, although unfortunately they didn't come with Prince Charming!!!  Plus the strap on the ankle can even be adjusted to avoid any ankle slippage.

So onto my new bag.....again it wasn't an easy decision to make but I finally decided on this lovely clutch.  As surprisingly I didn't have a black clutch in my ever increasing collection & of course it goes perfectly with my new sandals too, not to mention it will look fab with my existing black suede courts.

Naturally the bag is 100% leather & even comes with a detachable wrist strap, which is perfect if you're going to use it for daytime use too.  It's also a great size (29.5cm x 3cm x 18cm) so will easily accommodate all the essentials - purse, mobile, make up, tissues not to mention easily those sunglasses & massive case!






And if you're interested they even do matching heeled shoes to compliment the clutch, which are available in either the mushroom or black.










So after tearing open my new packages I had to of course have a mini try on session & I was eager to see how the sandals would look with one of my new summer dresses.  So for my first outfit I've teamed the shoes and bag with a lace summer dress layered under a simple denim jacket.




Denim Jacket - Zara
Dress - Zara £39.99
Bracelet - J Crew £95
Sandals - Clarks £49.99








For my next outfit I wanted to dress the sandals down & have simply teamed the bag & sandals with some distressed boyfriend jeans & a simple draped black top.  As you can see they make the perfect finishing accessories to the simplest of outfits & I think the sandals look stunning when teamed with loose fitting trousers.




Jeans - Zara
Sandals - Clarks £49.99
Bracelet - J Crew £95


Finally I couldn't resist teaming my new sandals & clutch with my quilted Mango jacket, a simple white tee & my faux leather trousers.




Jacket - Mango £59.99
T-shirt - Zara £17.99
Bracelet - J Crew £95
Faux Leather Trousers - Zara £29.99
Sandals - Clarks £49.99


Finishing with my outfit for today, for a sneaky day off work!  Yup I'm heading to London for my first ever press day....eeekkk!!! Now if that wasn't scary enough trying to decide what to wear was a complete & utter nightmare!

So after much outfit trying on & a mound of clothes the size of Everest (well maybe a slight exaggeration!) ending up on the floor I've finally decided on wearing my Zara navy blazer with some light grey trousers, my sequinned breton & a bit of 'Bet' as not only do I love leopard print & stripes it's a great sized bag for fitting everything in that I need & means I can be hands free should I happen to take a detour on the way back to the train station via the shops ;-)




Blazer - Zara
Sequinned Breton - Zara
Pearls - Bought in Majorca
Trousers - Zara
Bag - Boden
Boots - Marks & Spencer


Shop my style here.


Pattern Clash


Blazer - Zara £79.99
Breton Sweatshirt - Boden £27.30
Trousers - Zara £29.99
Bag - Boden £66
Boots - Next £68


So what do you think?  Have I chosen wisely for the day ahead & more importantly have you been tempted into Clarks recently?  If so what gorgeous temptations have made it into your wardrobe?  Isn't it lovely to be able to have comfort, quality & style all in the one pair of shoes that don't cost the earth.....I mean seriously what have we been thinking of not going to Clarks first!!!

Have a great Wednesday, wish me luck for today as I'm feeling a tad nervous & I'll see you in the morning!

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31 comments

  1. Oh well done on the 'flovely' sandals!!! I'm like you ... can't quite get my head around the fugly look this summer, but the addition of bling makes a huge difference. Good choice!

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    1. Yup the bling got me Helen & they're not as chunky as the fugly sandal so perfect for embracing the trend without going all out!
      Jane xx

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  2. I'd already spotted these sandals but in the green shade - they are on my wishlist. I've bought about 3 pairs of shoes from them recently - black brogues with leopard print (sale) and electric blue and fawn suede wedges (again in sale). I think I might have to nip into town and treat myself this afternoon after planting up the veg. Rain forecast so HAVE to go shopping. By the way, love your outfit.

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    1. Hi & thank you :-) Loving the sound of your black brogues with leopard print not to mention the electric blue & fawn wedges.
      Did you manage a sneaky trip to the shops to purchase the sandals? I'm totally loving your reasoning *excuse* with the weather ;-) They're gorgeous in the green too aren't they?!
      Jane xx

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  3. Clarks shoes are so comfortable... What a pleasure to have shoes actually meant for walking. By the way, I just loved your last two outfits. Leopard print can be tricky, but you make it look very stylish, and classy.

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    1. Hi Tina yes they're so comfy aren't they that it makes you wonder why we even look anywhere else for shoes!!
      And thank you for the lovely comment too :-)
      Jane xx

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  4. Beautiful sandals and bag Jane, love the sandals with the boyfriends best! xx

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    1. Thanks Michelle, they're a great sandal for teaming with trousers aren't they?! I just need the weather to heat up now as I'm good to go!!
      Jane xx

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  5. I have been looking at this sandals for the fugly trend and they look so much like designer...... I love the look with the boyfriend jeans but look 3 comes a close 2nd. You look great for your 1st press day.....really you which I think is great! x

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    1. Aww thanks Annmarie. They're a great sandal & obviously being Clarks so well made too plus I love the extra detailing with the hair detailing/pony skin on the sandals & the bag is just going to be super useful too :-)
      Jane xx

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  6. I must take a look at Clarks Jane those sandals are fab:) Hope you had a lovely day in London!
    ~Anne xx

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    1. Yes you must definitely check Clarks out Anne as they have some great shoes & bags, I was spoilt for choice.
      I had a great time in London :-)
      Jane xx

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  7. I love Clarks. I like the look with the boyfriend jeans but also the faux leather trousers. ( my pair don't get enough wear ) H xx

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    1. Thanks Helen & Clarks have definitely upped their game recently, I shall most definitely be stalking their website in the future ;-)
      Jane xx

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  8. The sandals look fab in you, a glamorous take on the fugly trend, the zara trousers look fab too xx

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  9. I'm the same Jane, after years of wearing Clarks school shoes I wouldn't have been seen dead in them during my 20's!! I now have a few pairs of Carks shoes/boots from the last few seasons & they have certainly done a great job of re-branding themselves (either that or I'm getting old?!). I do love that their shoes are still so comfy (again, must be an old age thing!!). Love the sandals, you will get so much wear out of them! x

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    1. Thanks Sian & yes Clarks have definitely done a fab job of re-branding & there's nothing wrong with a bit of comfort ;-)
      Jane xx

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  10. Firstly - I am loving your hair at the moment - have you gone darker/shorter or have I just not been paying you enough attention?!!? Secondly, the boxes make a difference don't they! Those shoes are fab, so not what I would expect of Clarks and I would never have guessed that bag was theirs. But that Mango jacket, I sooooo want it....x

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    1. Aww thanks Nataile - I had a fringe cut in a couple of months ago & I guess like everyone I have good & bad hair days - when these pictures were taken must have been a good one!!
      I love the black shoe boxes - they just ooze glamour don't they & as you say the shoes & the bag are so not what you would expect when you hear the word Clarks but they have some amazing pieces in at the moment.
      As for the Mango jacket....I simply couldn't resist ;-0
      Jane xx

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  11. I love your mango jacket and I'm thinking that I should invest in something similar or just simply copy and buy the exact same thing.

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    1. Hi it's a great jacket isn't it?! Go for it - I know I love mine :-)
      Jane xx

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  12. Comfortable yet stylish - perfect combination, isn't it? I also love the heels you showed. Just checked the Clarks' website and they do have a great selection!
    I love the style mix of your LBD with a denim jacket and beautifully paired with your leather trousers and Mango jacket.

    Annette | Lady of Style

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    1. Hi Annette & thank you. Yes they have some stunning shoes & bags - I might just have my eye on a great black & cobalt blue pair!!
      Jane xx

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  13. I agree with how comfortable the black sandals are. I tried them on a couple of weeks back and they are really flattering on the foot too. And the black bling is a winner in my eyes.

    I love looks 2 & 3. Work it girl!

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    1. Lol thanks Sue! Yes it was definitely the bling that did it for me!
      Jane xx

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  14. My favourite pair of brown ankle boots are from Clarks. About 2 years old, maybe more now but I love them & will be gutted when they are no longer wearable. Before that though I would never have thought to ventured in store. X

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    1. Hi Amanda, don't you just hate it when you've got the perfect pair of boots & know that one day they're going to have to go to shoe heaven :-( Hopefully by the time that happens Clarks will have brought out just as great if not a better pair!!
      Jane xx

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  15. Thanks for your comment, I'll certainly take a peak at your blog!
    Jane xx

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  16. I have 8 pairs of Clarks shoes here! the platform heeled ones are gorgeous online but in reality they are WAY too high for ANYONE above 5ft!

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    1. Wow 8 pairs you lucky girl! For me flats are just so practical & these sandals are perfect a very small heel - means comfort, practical, stylish & happy feet :-)
      Jane xx

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