You could be forgiven for thinking we’ve gone straight from Spring to Autumn and bypassed Summer altogether, the weather being as cool as it has been over the last few weeks. But hey, this is England, and we should be used to it by now. So why do we keep buying lightweight summer clothing knowing full well it will hardly ever get worn? 

Here are five transitional key pieces I’ve recently purchased to take me through this very unseasonable and unpredictable August weather into Autumn/Fall, for us over 50 women who need comfort as well as style, who need warmth but also the ability to cool ourselves off if a hot flush or flash should suddenly present itself. 

1 Cos Linen Trousers

Why are these good for us over 50 women? They are both stylish and comfortable, loose around the waist and tum, will work well for sitting at home and going out, can be dressed up or down, room for leggings or tights underneath if it’s a bit chilly, can take a shirt, T shirt or jumper over them, and look good with trainers or Birkies!  I had them tailored – pockets sewn up and bottom taken in – but so worth it! They also come in white, but low in stock – but half price – £69 or £34.50 for the white ones.

Comes in Sizes 32 to 44 – I’m size 38 which is comfortable and roomy even though my waist is around 29 ½ inches.

Buy here:

 2  Hush Leggings

Why good for us over 50 women? To feel dressed at home, stylish but comfortable, can wear anything on top, sweatshirt or say linen jumper/long sleeved t shirt, really good workhouse item in my wardrobe.

Comes in sizes 6 to 18, regular and long – I take a size 10 regular – come in black and grey. Long in the leg even in the regular, which I like. NB Grey is available late August.

Soft fabric, really comfortable against the skin. I feel dressed when I’m wearing them, not like the Uniqlo Heat tech leggings which are really for underneath dressing!  £25 a pair.

Buy here: https://www.hush-uk.com/essential-leggings-black/000739-2809.html

3.  Lilysilk black blouse

Why good for 50 plus women? 

Smart casual, loose for comfort, looks stylish without looking too much like you’ve tried, if you know what I mean – what this old thing?

Bought this as I thought it would work really well for the odd occasion I go out, over jeans of any colour, and i could wear a long sleeved Uniqlo heat tech top underneath in the winter to keep warm as it’s loose enough.

• 18 Momme Crepe De Chine Silk, Lightweight & Wrinkle-Resistant
• Momme count? What is that?!  It’s the weight and quality determined by taking a large piece of silk, 100 feet by 45 inches, and weighing it. If the weight is 15 pounds, then the momme weight is 15. For most silks, the standard momme is between 12 and 19. Those silks with a momme weight of 16 to 19 are considered high quality.  So now you know!

Lilysilk’s description says that it’s shiny – I don’t think it is, and I’m glad it’s not because I’m not keen on shiny fabrics, and can be handwashed.

Comes in 10 colours and in sizes XS to XXS – I have it in a size XS. Price £95 but they often have sales so worth signing up to their newsletter for 10% off.

Buy here: https://www.lilysilk.com/uk/elegant-long-sleeve-silk-shirt.html?cs=catalogimagehref

4  Lilysilk cashmere hoody – they call it a sweater.

Loose and comfortable – there’s a theme going on here! Stylish and modern, so ideal for wfh without compromising style. Comfortable – if I’m honest it’s not quite a soft as I’d like but I probably would wear one of those Uniqlo heat tech long sleeve tops underneath. 

Comes in 3 sizes, S, M and L – the S is very roomy. It’s £99 but I got it in the sale, along with the silk shirt ,so I paid £160 including a hair scrunchy for a fiver, and free shipping – although the shipping did take a little while longer than I thought. There is a sale on at the mo so worth taking a look, before 31 August.

Buy here: https://www.lilysilk.com/uk/cashmere?cs=productdes&cn=9.19cashmere

5 Barbour jacket 

Why oh why did I want a Barbour jacket? Because I’d given up trying to find a leather one I liked. What i really wanted was one like my husband’s without an overload of metal zips, fastenings etc…and longer than biker style. I did actually find one at American Vintage but I was really disappointed in the fit and the leather, so returned it. I’d seen Audrey Coyne on YouTube wearing one, and because I’m small boned with narrow shoulders, I thought it might suit me and work well as an autumn spring piece, alongside the workhorse winter coats. Comes in sizes 4 to 22 and although on the Barbour site it retails for £209, John Lewis are currently selling it for r£165.  And you can find them second hand on Ebay or Vestiaire Collective for around £60.

Why good for over 50 women? TBH it might not be – I am not really up with the green welly brigade so I don,t know whether you simply need to add a headscarf and hunters to look as though you’ve just stepped out of a Jilly Cooper novel, but if you are looking for a something that you can wear over jeans to sit outside of an autumn evening, or pop to the shops without having to reach for the woolly winter coat, this might just be the answer!

Buy here: https://jland.partners/3BfkoTU