A confession: I'm not very good at casualwear.

[Pinkjenny]

We spent the weekend in a caravan with bf and her family. I took lots of ridiculously inappropriate clothes, skinny jeans and the like, and I was ludicrously uncomfortable most of the time. It struck me that I am just not very good at casualwear. Activewear, y'know, that kind of malarkey.

Have ordered a couple of things from The White Company, and am in the market for a nice The North Face jacket, but does anyone have any ideas?

How do I look fashionable, chic and comfortable all at once?

[ColonelBrandonsBiggestGroupie]

I'm rubbish at it, so watching this space!

Today I am wearing - long draped charcoal maxi skirt, White Company white and grey striped vest top, denim shirt worn open, flat sandals. It's comfortable and looks okay but I do feel a bit 'old fat lady in comfortable clothing' in it!

[Pinkjenny]

We must be the only ones, Colonel. Have just ordered a couple of things from Hush, if you want to take a look over there.

[ColonelBrandonsBiggestGroupie]

Will do. What did you order from the White Company? I've got a couple of bits from there and do like them but their range is v limited.

[Pinkjenny]

I ordered this and this and these and this from The White Company. And this and this from Hush.

[ColonelBrandonsBiggestGroupie]

Love the two Hush things. The White Company jersey dresses are good - v comfortable and feel lovely to wear.

[Soups]

I'm no good with smart wear :)

What was the problem with what you took? More active than usual? Not warm enough? Too restrictive? ... because you were slobbing around outside, rather than in a hotel bar? Were you in a mobile home caravan, or a caravan caravan, where maybe you where toddling off to the toilet block?

I'm imagining you turning up with 2 spray on dresses + a pair of killer heels

For summer tent camping I take things that can be layered easily as the temp changes and that I can move in easily. I do take skinny jeans + wedges for nice wear, my skinnies are stretchy. I find that dresses with leggings are a really useful combo. If we go to a mobile home I'm smarter but follow similar rules.

I like all the bits you ordered :)

[cyb]

Hmm. I dont like casual stuff either really, but I would wear sort of soft harem style cropped trews and a top or something comfy like that

Or a jersey dress. I reckon its what its made of rather thhan the style thats more important, IYSWIM

[Ellie02]

Am watching this space too with interest :)

[prolificwillybreeder]

I am another who just can't do casual wear well.
I look ridiculous anytime I have tried.
I love the clothes you have linked to but I can't wear a hood sadly I just look awful :(
I watch with interest.
Thank you for introducing me to Hush though- some great stuff.
Also- if you have bought from White Company before, how is their fit? Do the t shirts wash well? Very sorry for all the questions!

[Soups]

Agree cyb, it's not so much the style but the material and how it allows you to move.

I have recently bought some soft harem style trousers, not very saggy bottomed, for such purposes. I wouldn't wear them into town but perfect for sitting outside with a bottle of wine, they look fine with a vest top, and I can layer when it's cold and dark.

[ColonelBrandonsBiggestGroupie]

White Company - the fit is generally slightly on the bigger side ime - their mediums are loose on me and their smalls are generally good in dresses etc (although I prefer t-shirts looser and am v norky). I'm a 10-12 on the bottom and a 12-14 on top, generally.

I don't 'do' hoodies but I do have a grey linen and cotton mix open front cardigan (no waterfall!) which comes to around mid-thigh length and which I love as a layer over anything from a breton style dress, to skinny combats, to a denim skirt.

[JamInMyWellies]

PJ are you going to try and out casual wear us when we do our camping trip. Actually must get that sorted...

What is wrong with skinnies?

I agree hush does lovely stuff. I am coveting their cashmere v neck sweaters. I have a couple of pairs of their pj bottoms which are super comfy.

[Vizzini]

I have the Hush Byron dress - it's lovely. I also have the tulip skirt and some of the 'boxy jumpers'. I adore Hush and I wish I could just buy everything they sell. That'd be my casual wear sorted!

[Pinkjenny]

Jam - No, my love. I would never attempt to out-style someone as cool as you

I just felt a bit overdressed with my skinnies on, somehow. And they aren't exactly what I would describe as comfortable.

Looking forward to camping, let me know if I can do anything.

Soups - I took a pair of killer heels and felt like the world's biggest twat in the evening wearing them. I think I just didn't go casual enough, I looked less ready for a boat trip on Windermere, and more ready for a day shopping with friends. Not that I ever do that either!

We were at Haven, in a mobile home caravan. Very nice it was, too. Although I fear I spent the entire weekend saying, 'At Centerparcs...' and our friends wanted to throttle me.

prolific - I've only ever ordered nightwear and homewear from TWC - will keep you posted!

[Pinkjenny]

Colonel - loved all the Hush items. White Company stuff was gorgeous too, the only thing I'm returning is that Henley top, which is hideous.