I’m going to talk at length about layering clothes after the summer as I’m still holding out hope that we won’t need to layer up properly until the end of September - perhaps a sun dance is called for - but whilst we’re here, a quick note on what I am wearing this week. A simple way of layering effectively with maximum impact and minimum effort is to choose colours in your wardrobe that are the same colour but different textures (fabrics). So I am wearing a lightly ribbed tank top with a crinkled cotton shirt and a mohair jumper around my shoulders. The bolder the colour, the more impact. For a subtle version, white and cream layer beautifully together, as does navy blue and shades of oatmeal/beige. Organising the tops in your wardrobe into groups of the same colour (with similar materials clustered together) can really help make this process easier. It can also help you to notice combinations that you might not have otherwise thought of. We have used the same principal with mum’s dark denim jacket and navy cardigan - both of which are pieces that she already had in her wardrobe.

So you know, quite a lot of the clothes that we wear on Graham St are lent to us by the brands. I contact the labels that we love, and the ones that I think that you do (or will) love, and they kindly send us the pieces of my choice to borrow - much like the magazines. My intention is for this blog to be as much about inspiring you to delve into your own wardrobe, as it is to buy new pieces. If we can feature an array of clothes, then hopefully we will cover all bases. Mum and I do not own everything that gets featured here, but we do love everything.

The jumpsuit that mum is wearing was lent to us by Toast. It is a stand out piece that will represent that special outfit summer after summer, I think that it is perfect. It won’t be in everyone’s budget though. To find those stand-out items with a smaller price tag, a site like Vinted is a great place to start. I saw a pair of Toast corduroy trousers that I had had my eye on for a while. They have a wonderful clothes swapping initiative called Toast Exchange to improve longevity and sustainability. Buying second hand is another thing that I intend to talk more about in the Autumn, once my youngest has gone to school and I have a bit more time back…!

Until then, all join me for a sun dance?