…UPPING THE ELEGANCE WITH JOANNE TOOLAN’S SLICK PICKS
Ionce read that selling your home triggers the same kind of rollercoaster emotion as divorce, illness or grief. Throw a 17-monthold into the mayhem of a mid-pandemic move and I can assure you it’s a total whirlwind. Anyone who has bought and sold homes simultaneously will probably remember the uncertainty and utter pandemonium of it.
The biggest challenge has been finalising a sale of one home whilst waiting to complete another - and then packing up our lives with no removal company (the unexpected joys of making serious life decisions during Level 5 restrictions). A 10-week stint in a rented home, well that’s another minefield! As I type, there a dozen boxes at my feet, a disassembled cot, garden furniture and a washing machine. I’m pretty sure I fit the perfect dishevelled ‘just moved’ cliché.
New beginnings can - in hindsight - seem idyllic, but driving across town and country and back again with a car bursting with boxes and a screaming toddler is not.
The silver lining has been a tiny wardrobe and a flimsy rail to hang some coats while builders renovate our beloved 1970’s ‘doer-upper’, and I must admit after a fortnight spent in bleachstained, paint-sploshed sweatpants and trainers, I’m pretty happy to be back in real clothes again.
There’s a lot to be said for dressing with intention - you know, that niggling feeling that inspires you to make an effort when you get up in the morning? The kind of motivation that coaxes you to put mascara on and opt for a swishy dress instead of leggings. Part of it comes from the feel-good school of thought and the other half comes from the realisation that at some stage of the day you know you’re going to be seen.
Perhaps having less sartorial purpose has at times what has thrown me off-kilter this year. The necessity of getting dressed every day to a certain style standard has been effectively removed, so it’s no wonder we’ve suffered with stints of lockdown latter as they always add a bit of laid-back attitude.
What matters most is the shape - generally fitted cuts are more flattering as you have a hint of definition, but it should be roomy enough so it’s easily shrugged on over a T-shirt or knit. I love the medium thickness and warmth of Iris & Ink styles at the outnet.com (pictured) or H&M and & Other Stories on the high street.
Flanking your trusty shacket is my long-time sartorial saviour - a pair of cropped wide-leg trousers which I find easier to sling on and more versatile than jeans. The key to the wide leg is simple - go high on the waist and shorter on the leg so the latter doesn’t swamp your frame. Of course this depends on your body shape but I’ve seen so many well-cut shorter calf styles complement taller frames.
For everyday ease I love Toast, Zara and Arket’s tapered styles or labels like Max Mara and Isabel Marant’s offerings paired with ankle boots, mules and espadrilles coming into warmer weather.