Shopping, my wardrobe: #2

Whether it’s the soggy UK weather at the moment or a midlife related slump, I have been feeling tired, with a capital T. Trading a few extra mins in bed in place of an early morning run and curling up on the couch at any given opportunity, it definitely feels like huddle-down time! This seasonal/ hormonal tiredness has partially sapped my usual overflowing cup of inspiration, and following the initial surge of new season excitement, my enthusiasm for the style change over has dwindled. Do we really need to feel excited and inspired all the time? Exhausted by this week’s ‘payday hits’, Instagram’s ‘hottest products’ or ‘10 must haves for Autumn’, I’m turning to what I already own for comfort. And hence posting the second in the series of Shopping, my wardrobe 🙌🏻

With this as the focus, I felt inspired this week to re-create some key outfits from the H&M Studio A/W 2024 collection, using just that, what I already own. The collection looks incredible! Described as referencing the ‘relaxed style codes of the 1970s’ with a ‘carefree contemporary’ update, think laid back luxe vibe. You know me, I love a little dressing-up / recreation session and this one felt good. It reminded me that there is so much freedom in recognising the beauty in something, but without feeling the urge to make it your own, as per

Ochuko Akpovbovbo

’s quote (too good not to use it twice!):

To love does not always mean to own.

H&M Studio A/W 2024 collection

So here’s what I managed to put together from my own wardrobe - seven out of the ten outfits featured here. I would LOVE to see what you would recreate. I can’t seem to access the full collection on the H&M app at the time of penning this piece, but maybe that’s ok in the spirit of shopping our own wardrobes! We’re seeking inspiration not temptation.

Maxi dress + neutral heels + neutral oversized clutch

I never thought I’d say this (post circa 2015 anyway) but I really like the asymmetric hem on the featured H&M maxi dress! It really works to soften the strong graphic print. For my version, I have relied upon my Other Stories Coffee Bean dress (found preloved here), Mint Velvet beige heels (preloved) and oversized Mango knitted clutch (found preloved here). I have never put this oversized clutch together with this dress, so I’m happy to have discovered a new combo right under my nose.

Oversized suit + neutral heels + neutral clutch

I’m not much of a suit girl but I’m happy to have this combo in my armory. I have teamed my H&M Blazer (old) with my Filippa K Marlowe trousers (preloved and as seen on Anna of

The Wardrobe Edit

), same heels and clutch as above.

90s black trousers + cream top + pointed flats

This was a complete wildcard outfit comprised of items which I wouldn’t typically put together - ‘work’ trousers and ‘sportswear top’ - but something about it speaks to me! I’ve teamed my Wales Bonner x Adidas track top (found preloved here) with my Filippa K trousers, and my new ballet flats from H&M Premium (these are incredible by the way), and I like it! There’s something a bit 90s All Saints about it 😆

Oversized double denim + neutral heels

Canadian tux! My Levi’s Trucker jacket, which I used as a shirt, is the perfect tone against my Citizens of Humanity Ayla jeans. Again, these are items I wouldn’t have dreamed of combining until I challenged myself to recreate this look with what I have. I was completely inspired by

Irene Kim (김애린)

’s divine Maison Margiela heels, and managed to find these similar leather ones from Zara preloved.

Grey knit + leather midi skirt + slouchy boots

I love how simple but how much of a statement this outfit makes. This Selected Femme midi leather skirt (found preloved here) was a great buy, and is almost exactly the same as the one currently featured in the H&M A/W 2024 Studio Collection, as were these Massimo Dutti boots (found preloved here). The grey cardigan is this season COS, and one of the only new purchases of the season (other than Seafolly ‘bathers’ but more on this later).

Sheer top + black mini

Although not completely obvious from the pic, this top is sheer (found preloved here), and teamed with old Zara tailored shorts (similar here) and my new ballet flats from H&M Premium, I feel like this is a pretty darn good autumn outfit. Imagine this Totême-esque trench thrown over the top (chef’s kiss)!

Leopard print top + 90s black trousers + neutral heels

All the 90s here - I’m not sure how my younger self would feel! Leopard print top (ancient but originally from Topshop), bootcut black trousers (as above) and pointed heels (as above). This is definitely proof of if you keep something long enough, it’ll come back around!

Inspiration and wish list pieces

Seafolly swimsuit

This week’s inspiration (other than the H&M Studio collection above) and wish list pieces is a real mishmash from my week. Starting with this awe inspiring watery hideaway - the Fallen Willow Sauna - to which I was lucky enough to escape this week for an afternoon of top notch female company, cool lake dips, hot saunas, complete with sauna hats (high on comic value - look them up). Very soul fulfilling and boy did I need it. A few days beforehand I had reached for my trusty Seafolly swimsuit, only to realise that it has been loved to transparency! Not a look I want or anyone else needs! If you have ever owned Seafolly ‘bathers’, as my Aussie friends call them, you’ll know how flattering, comfortable and reliable they are. So I immediately set about searching for a similar pair with a specific cap sleeve silhouette, which is good for balancing my pear shape. Thankfully Selfridges came up with the goods, and seeing as I paid about £20 for my last pair, was happy to pay forward for these replacements.

Little Liffner bag

This wouldn’t be a My Style Rush wish list without a woven bag! I’m happy to admit that I stalk them. I love my St Agni Bagu tote and my Dragon Diffusion Santa Croce tote, I love the polished grown up vibe of this iteration, with the signature ‘Penne’ hardware, the structured shape and the warm tone of the leather. Seen on the very stylish

Natalie Borton

.

COH Horseshoe Jeans

Lucy Alston

is one of the most stylist people I’ve ever come across. She is so effortless in how she combines an outfit. This outfit is another example of her impeccable styling and wardrobe. It’s the silhouette that gets me, driven hard by these Citizen of Humanity Horseshoe jeans. I’ve been eyeballing these since last year so may ‘buy to try’ and get serious with some preloved searches.

Carhartt OG Michigan Jacket

This image of

Lucy Williams

catching the last of the summer sun and sporting this Carhartt jacket is just sooo cool! I love this brand, having bought their dungarees late last year (and featured and styled them here). I’ll be setting a preloved search for this jacket.

Thanks for reading, I hope you’ve a lovely week and to see you next weekend, Jenny x

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