Essentials that you could buy now, that will easily transition into your Spring Wardrobe…
Darlings … welcome back!
Wow, time is running away at the moment. I explained a little bit about my absence in my latest CCL Diaries blog, but in all honestly, I have had a lot going on, and on top of that I have found this lockdown very tricky to navigate through. I haven’t wanted to post half-heartedly, and I have also had to look after myself a little bit! I hate admitting to being human – but I think sometimes we have to.
I have really missed posting, blogging is such a huge part of me, it feels odd having put a little bit of space between us. However, I think this was required, but I have had lots of time to work on some projects! If you don’t want to miss any upcoming posts, don’t forget that you can get my posts straight to your inbox by subscribing at the bottom of the page 🤍.
Winter to Spring Essentials
Spring is definitely feeling more on the way than ever now, with the nights getting noticeably lighter, and those warmer, lighter days almost in reach. We have even been treated to a little bit of the Spring sunshine already haven’t we! I suppose one trouble with this time of year, is that you may want to update or invest in some items for your wardrobe, but you don’t want to purchase things which will potentially be put into storage, or be packed away, in a few weeks time. We still have minus temperatures here currently, so it can be tricky in those in-between transitions to know what to wear, and what to buy!
I am very much about making your wardrobe work for you, and for me, it’s essential to add items into a wardrobe, which aren’t packed away season to season, but have the ability to be versatile across all seasons. I am happy to invest in clothing, footwear and accessories, but only if I can ensure that these items are timeless, and are worth it.
There are several items which you could invest in now, which can remain in your wardrobe all year long – providing that all important lower cost per wear, and making your money go further. With fast fashion on the mind of many now, it has never felt more important to avoid quick, cheap trends, and pursue timeless pieces which will last.
So, with that being said, I’ve teamed up with the incredible brand Ella and Cherry, to show you some of my favourite items which will work for your wardrobe all year round.
Who are Ella and Cherry?
Founded in 2013, Ella and Cherry took to the market with the aim of creating striking but practical shirts, which were comfortable enough to wear on a daily basis. Founder Cherry had struggled to find shirts on the high street which were unique, and became frustrated by the same designs being shared. With a focus on the collars and cuffs, Cherry drew up shirt designs with soft pure white cotton materials, and beautiful cuff and collar combinations. The name Ella & Cherry comes from founder Cherry, and her daughter, Ella, who was born shorting before launching the brand.
The brand now consists of a full range of shirts, knitwear and accessories.
The full range of Ella and Cherry products are beautiful. It is the sort of website that you go on, and you just want everything (you have been warned!!). I have been so excited to show you some of the products I have chosen, these are the items I think are just perfect for every wardrobe. I am so impressed by the quality and feel of all of the items. I have had these for a couple of month now, so I have had a really good chance to try out these items, wash them etc. I like to have the opportunity to really try out products and see how they actually stand up to real life, before reporting back to you! All of the items have fit into my wardrobe completely seamlessly, I know you’re going to love what I am about to share with you ….
My Winter to Spring Essentials…
✨ESSENTIAL ONE✨
A Shirt Collar
Blossom Shirt Collar
The hack you didn’t know you needed!
These are such a fantastic idea! I had seen these before, but I have never really appreciated just how fantastic they are, until I saw Jackie from Townmouse.Countrymouse talk about one on her Instagram page. I got talking to Jackie, and realised just how much of an essential these are.
My favourite wardrobe essentials are those pieces which are a ‘hack’. People always assume I spend hours getting ready, carefully planning every detail of my outfit. However, this is very far from the truth. If you’re a regular here, you’ll know I rarely outfit plan, and I base my wardrobe around easy, ‘cheat’ pieces, which enable me to put together outfits with minimal effort!
Sometimes you just don’t actually want to wear a full shirt. Whether it may be too warm for one underneath knitwear, you don’t want something too restrictive under another layer, or you simply just want the effect of a collar to poke out the top of your knitwear layer. I have always been a huge fan of shirts, these are what my wardrobe only ever used to consist of, but I somehow reach less for them now, I don’t quite know why, but what I do know is this collar has really helped me to fall back in love with the look of a shirt collar again. This collar allows you to still be creative with your style too.
I was drawn to the Blossom collar over the other designs on the website, as I loved the 3 tier design, which contains clever wire boning, meaning you can tweak the style and shape of the collar to a desired look. This collar features a zip, so you can simply undo the zip, and pop your arms through the side straps, which are fully adjustable for maximum comfort. These could not be any easier to wear, and I love it peaking out the top of a jumper collar.
CCL Top Tip: These are amazing under a poncho too! You know just how much I love to layer under ponchos, and this offers a smart collar, whilst still enabling you to wear much warmer clothes over the top, without spoiling the look.
The Blossom is easily machine washable, so if you’re like me and end up getting some make up on your collars, you can easily wash these! Also one of the best things – minimal ironing!!! Available in size Small, Medium and Large, size guide available on the website.
Currently priced at £49.00
✨ESSENTIAL TWO✨
A Classic White Shirt
Alexia Shirt
A wardrobe staple for everyone!
I have already spoken in several blogs about how a classic white shirt is a wardrobe essential for everyone, and that is has its place in every single wardrobe out there, for every season, and every style.
There is something very elegant about a well fitting white shirt, and the style opportunities are completely endless, with it matching everything you own in your wardrobe. It is such a great place to start with any wardrobe, and it has the ability to really elevate the look of an outfit. Pairing with a tweed skirt creates a very classically country look, whilst pairing with denim jeans offers a more casual look. White is so easy to wear as you can pair with any other colour, and it will work all year round.
I have very occasionally felt a plain white shirt can look a little office or school uniform like, so the addition of a feature collar or cuff can really help to move away from this, and create an incredibly versatile, classy look. The wire boning which is interwoven into the collar and cuffs of this shirt allow you to create the perfect ruffle, whilst also preventing the collar from drooping. The cuffs can also be turned back. This is such a clever addition to the style – I have had many shirts previously where you have had to try and perfectly iron the ruffles to get the desired effect, and then they STILL droop! No fear of that with this design!
CCL Top Tip: You don’t have to overcomplicate your outfit if you are wearing a white shirt. Keep it simple with jeans, or style up with a simple tweed skirt and boots.
Machine washable, and available in UK sizes 8 – 18.
Priced at £125.00
✨ESSENTIAL THREE✨
That ‘Jeans & A Nice Top’ Top
The Jazz Top
“What are you wearing?” “IDK…. Jeans and a nice top?…”
My wardrobe features a lot of jumpers, shirts and blouses or more summery/dressy tops. I feel like I am definitely lacking on practical long sleeve tees, which are flattering, and that you actually want to reach for and style. If I was going to wear a plain round neck long sleeve top, I would probably just always reach for a thin ribbed jumper instead. So, there was definitely room in my wardrobe for a long sleeve top, that had something a little more special to it. And that’s when I met Jazz…
It could have gone one of two ways with this top, I was either going to love it, and have really found something for that gap in my wardrobe, or I was going to feel the same about it, and just not end up reaching for it, opting for an easy jumper instead. I can confirm I have been LIVING in this. It is definitely one of those ‘jeans and a nice top’ tops. The slight gathering to the front creates an extreme flattering look, the material is beautifully soft and shapely, and it is comfort level 1000.
Once again, having an easy go to white top in your wardrobe is never going to be a bad thing. To be able to reach for something this easy, which can just give a bit more of something to a simple outfit is just the dream. This is also one of those perfect WFH outfits, super comfortable, but when you get that unexpected ‘can you just turn your camera on’ on zoom, you’re totally prepared!
I know this comes in my favourite navy colour too, but I honestly wish it came in even more colours, because it is really that easy to pair with everything! This is going to be a great stand alone piece for the warmer weather, but it equally looks great under a jacket or gilet at the moment whilst the weather is still that bit cooler.
CCL Top Tip: This is the perfect every day top – pair with some coloured jeans or your favourite skirt for an easy , go to look.
Sizes 8 – 18.
Priced at: £79.00
✨ESSENTIAL FOUR✨
An Every Day Poncho
Abigail Fine Knit Poncho
Day to night, whatever the weather, whatever the dress code!
Ponchos are such an easy to wear item, essential for any Country wardrobe. I love the ease of throwing on a poncho to finish a look, with minimal effort. I generally reach for these slightly more than jackets, particularly in the winter, because you can layer up so much underneath them, without the hassle of feeling like the layers are bunching or you can’t move your arms! If you have ever seen my Racing outfits, you’ll know I am the queen of layering – I am not being cold stood outside all day – hence why I have such a love affair with ponchos over jackets!
The Abigail is designed so beautifully with a curved bottom edge, this not only creates a really flattering look, but also gives the poncho what can only be described as a ‘swish’. It is made from a lightweight material, ensuring that this will be a perfect addition for your wardrobe, versatile across all seasons. This also has a slightly different neckline, which is ever so slightly longer, creating a really lovely shape around the neck, and creating a really good opening for a shirt collar or roll neck to peep through.
In the Autumn/Winter months, you can layer up as much as required underneath, for a flawless winter wonderland look. In the Spring/Summer, this is the most perfect lightweight layer to throw over a shirt or jumper, for those cooler days or chilly evenings.
I love the shape of this cape, it is unique, and offers something a little different to the squarer cut ponchos available. I think it does look super flattering, and gives a great finish to outfits.
CCL Top Tip: Pair over a shirt which has a ruffled sleeve, the sleeve will poke out of the poncho adding a nice, subtle detail to your outfit.
One size fits UK size 8-18.
Priced at £49.00
✨ESSENTIAL FIVE✨
A Perfect Piece of Outerwear
Fur Collar Poncho Asymmetrical
Dress up or down all seasons!
Another poncho to add to the collection, with an extra bit of Country chic, is the Faux Fur Collar Poncho. This is very much ‘classic Country style’ and is a perfect wardrobe addition for all ages and wardrobe styles.
The faux fur collar looks very realistic on this piece, something which can often be compromised. I have very torn thoughts on faux fur, particularity with how tatty and scruffy some pieces can look very very quickly. This collar sets itself apart and is really a cut above the rest when it comes to the quality.
This piece is available in a variety of beautiful pastel tones, which transition seamlessly into the S/S wardrobe colour palette. Pastel can actually work well all year round, giving off more icy tones during A/W, but softer vibes in the S/S.
This style of poncho is effortlessly easy to style in a multitude of ways. Whether you want to dress up for the races, or dress down for brunch, this is a go to option for any occasion. With the shows hopefully making a comeback towards the end of the year too, these are a must have for the perfect Country Show style.
I love teaming items under a poncho which have a frill or ruffle to the collars and sleeves. These are the main elements of the outfit underneath that can be seen, and ruffle poking out can add a really chic finish to the outfit.
This is a slightly thicker poncho than the Abigail, with the classic straight cut design. The poncho is super soft – it is one of those pieces that won’t want to be taken off. These are a perfect go to all year round, great for layering underneath in the Winter, or using to keep the breeze off in the Summer evenings!
CCL Top Tip: Wear these multiple ways – wear to the side, with one long piece falling to the side, or wear to the centre, with the shortest piece of the poncho to the front.
One Size.
Priced at £69.00
✨ESSENTIAL SIX✨
A Classic Knit
Natalie Small Stars Emboss Jumper
A fun, easy, everyday essential!
There is something about having nice knitwear in your wardrobe. It is easy to opt for the basics, simple rollnecks and crew necks are perfect foundations to build your wardrobe from. But what about those slightly nice pieces you want to add in?
These star jumpers add something a little different to your wardrobe, whilst still being really cosy and practical.
These jumpers are cosy enough to wear in the Winter, and easy enough to add an additional layer underneath as well as layering over the top of. But they are also loose and lighter enough to transition you easily enough into your Spring wardrobe.
Featuring a lovely relaxed fit, this jumper is sure to be the perfect addition to your wardrobe all year round. Both baby blue and baby pink are also easy to style all year round. These 2 shades offer an ‘icy’ colour to your winter wardrobe, but transitioning to a softer colour when paired with Spring outfits.
CCL Top Tip: Pair with black Jeans to complete your favourite A/W look, and white jeans for a brighter S/S look.
Available in a baby pink and baby blue.
One Size.
Priced at £49.00
Follow the Ella and Cherry Journey:
So there we have it, six really easy pieces to add into your wardrobe now, which will take you season to season with no worries. I have loved playing around with all of these, and I can’t wait to show you how well they transition into my S/S wardrobe – don’t forget to keep an eye on my instagram for pictures – @Countryclassiclucinda.
That’s all for now Darlings. I am currently working tirelessly on lots of new content, so there is going to be an increase in posts over the next few weeks. I have so many exciting projects on the go – I, like so many of you, struggle with needing more hours in the day!
I am not currently working to a set upload date, so don’t forget to use the button at the bottom of this page to subscribe if you don’t want to miss anything.
Keep safe my Darlings, and speak soon.
Lots of Love, Lucinda xo
“Spring will come and so will happiness. Hold on. Life will get warmer.”
Anita Krizzan
{Please note that I have a working relationship with Ella and Cherry, however, these thoughts are my own and have not been influenced by the brand. The links used in this blog are not affiliate links. All information was correct at the time of publishing}
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