Green with envy

I have a bit of a thing for green – that is the dark, rich, forest green – that is most definitely in this season. My first attempt at doing green was in the form of an itchy, shapeless, M&S mens’ jumper which I rather fetchingly wore with dark grey boys’ jeans and DM boots – not the most feminine of ensembles, particularly when paired with a boxy, checked lumberjack jacket…. I was reminded of this vision of my 15 year old self when I returned to Berlin with my husband last week for a brilliant city break, the last time having been shivering to death in December two decades previously, wearing that trusty old green wool jumper (and I don’t think I have done much in the way of green since then). There was a boy on the trip who I yearned after and couldn’t understand why my love was unrequited. Looking back on it, the garb really couldn’t have done me any favours.

So this time round, I am rather determined to banish my awkward teenage forays into what can hardly be called fashion and definitely wasn’t style, and atone for my previous sartorial errors by cutting a stylish figure in one of this season’s hottest colours. Here are my picks for the season:

The green jumper is an obvious starting point and there are several goodies out there. My favourites are these:

Two Tone Jumper £69 from Hush. This looks great styled as here with a leather skirt but also with a pair of leather/coated trousers would be amazing.

This is a bit more teal and less forest but Whistles best-selling Annie Sparkle Knit £65 is the perfect ‘Christmas Jumper’ but something you can wear to the office without feeling the remotest bit daft. Wear with tailored trousers, a soft skirt, a pencil skirt, a leather mini/midi …

A long line cardigan is another option which you can wear over denim or black bottoms of any description. &Other Stories has this Mohair and Wool Cardigan £89.

If you are after something a bit smarter then think blouse and again &Other Stories looks good with several options:

Wrap Effect Blouse £45. These are good if you have a bigger bust and/or big shoulders as the v neck/wrap combo helps to slim everything down.

Alternatively, a higher necklined style is this Puff Sleeve Blouse £35 which works well on a smaller chest or can easily be softened with a necklace. What I love about this season’s forest green shade is that it is perfect for the office but doesn’t look at all out of place in the evening. Oh and gold jewels look perfect against a backdrop of green.

Or if you want something more classic, then go for this Straight Fit Silk Shirt £69. Both these blouses are no brainers with tailored trousers and pencil skirts but can equally go with a leather skirt or trousers for an edgier look.

Whistles also has a lovely style in its Poppy Frill Front Blouse £109 which you can wear tucked in or out depending on your shape and what you are wearing it with.

A dark green coat is also a good idea as it provides a nice alternative to a black or navy. This dark green City Coat £260 from Jigsaw is one of the nicest classic shaped coats around this season and in a very lovely wool that looks and feels expensive.

Or there is this Structured Wool Coat £79.99 from Mango. Don’t be put off by the odd denim jacket/belt combo underneath as this is an easy coat to wear.

Think of a green dress as an alternative to your LBD and this Crepe Dress £49 from &Other Stories is super versatile and something you could wear to the office but also dress up with some statement earrings and heels for the evening.

If we are looking at more true party/evening options then Whistles has a couple of styles to tempt: Satin Pleated Strappy Dress £169. Pair with a velvet sandal/clutch to be top of the style charts.

Or go for their Satin Pleated Skirt £139.

This is possibly not something you would want to spend a fortune on so Mango does have a Metallic Pleated Skirt £39.99.

Also on the skirts front, this Leather Mini Skirt £240 from Hush is a gorgeous colour and will work with navy, black, camel, cream, charcoal, wine, plum to name but a few.

And if you aren’t sold on the green thing, then go for a little accessory which will give you that nod to the trend without the full immersion. Hush’s Melissa Scarf £49 is very lovely indeed and will soften a leather jacket or winter coat beautifully.

It was actually this Seraa Faux Fur Scarf £70 from Jigsaw which re-ignited my green fetish this season. Yep its a bit more petrol blue than forest green but I have an all inclusive green policy and anything would satisfy the hole in my wardrobe. Am imaging this over a leather biker or a navy coat. Very sophisticated.

The other option is a bag such as this Wide Strap Crossover Bag £89 from &Other Stories. This looks expensive and is much more interesting than a black bag. Plus it works beautifully against any of your neutral coloured coats.

Now just don’t get me started on green velvet… that’s for another week because like it or love it, velvet is big.