Having spent now nearly three years working from home – I know wild – I find one of my biggest challenges in working life is getting out of pyjamas or putting on a full face of makeup. It’s something that I should be doing more of because the way I present myself is very much important for my social media. It gives me the opportunity to take photos and capture parts of my life to showcase on social media and on my humble slice of the internet – UpYourVlog. Very UK is a brand I’ve collaborated with many times before, so of course, I leapt at the chance to work with them again on the Return to Routine campaign to explore their range of blouses and shirts.
The reality for a lot of people nowadays is that they’re working from home. Whether that be full-time, part-time or a couple of days a week. The working environment has evolved into this hybrid model that I believe is a positive step forward to a healthier work-life balance. We’re told that we should be working to live, to work hard until our pension age comes in and then retire.
However, like myself and many others, we want more than that. I want to be able to travel, to see the world and do things that I love before I retire. As I approach my 30s with much more speed now – I’m 30 this November guys! – I’m so happy to see this work-life happening for more people I know.
One challenge though, that I think many people can relate to is the habit of staying in your loungewear and ‘slobbing it‘ as I like to call it. It’s easy to do but this can be helped when you have a wardrobe of pretty clothes all itching to be worn. As I shift out my summerwear and bring in my autumn clothes that have been vacuum-packed within an inch of their life, a few additions were necessary.
Colour has always been something I’ve wanted in my wardrobe during my mid to late twenties when I realised that SO much of my wardrobe was full of browns, blacks, creams and greys. Whilst that might be Pinterest-worthy to some, it doesn’t really give me personality, you know?
Starting out with the V by Very Ruffle Sleeve Printed Blouse – Floral, you’ve got a beautiful length to the shirt that goes down just around the bum. The beautiful lime green, yellow, pink and white flowers contrasted on a black background keeps that summer feeling that’s now been and gone. It’s got a nice, flattering neckline and the half sleeves make this a great transitional piece between the two seasons.
What I love about the Very UK range of blouses and shirts is how different they all are. The Venetian Dreams Blouse from Joe Browns with ruffled shoulders is just a dream. I love how floral it is and that it’s slightly sheer but not too sheer. It can be tucked into a pair of black skinny jeans or kept loose to give more length to those who are petite.
I love the boho feel of this top and despite my pale complexion, it didn’t wash me out too much. The elasticated sleeves mean I can style this as it is or roll them up to the elbows for a relaxed look.
After recently getting married, I wanted to ensure my wardrobe contained a few statement pieces that I could wear out for dinner around London with my friends. This V by Very Tie Sleeve Shell Top – Gold is perfect for a dinner date or two and I love the satin feel. The cute little bow ties on the sleeves is a nice touch and again, this shirt works well tucked into a black leather skirt or loose over a pair of jeans.
If you’re looking for women’s shirts and blouses, then a great place to shop is via the Very UK website. It’s a wonderful shopping site that brings together a mixture of brands, including V by Very – Very’s own line of clothing. I also managed to get a few other pieces from the site, including some ripped skinny jeans, a black leather skirt and a few pairs of shoes. Look out for these in a future post.
