It’s “that” time of the year where I get the call from my local vineyard to help them bring the grapes in. If you haven’t done any grape picking before I thoroughly recommend it. There’s nothing quite like being out in the wild amongst the vines, quietly working your way along collecting the grapes to the backdrop of birdsong, the occasional wafting noise from a wind turbine and the delights of having no phone signal so you can completely switch off (unless there’s a teenager picking grapes on the next row playing music full blast to their ears and escaping the confines of their headphones!!)
Whilst it is physical work and a workout in its own right, I also find it a very mindful experience, but I can’t do it standing up!!!! It may sound strange but I kneel to collect the grapes from the vines as this means that you can see the vine from all angles to find the grapes more easily. The vines like to hide their bounty from birds and other predators so it can be hard to see the grapes sometimes as they are not all “low hanging fruit” so to speak so being able to see the vine from all angles is key – looking up, down, to the front, back and sides of the vine, it also means that as you move along the row you can look back at where you have just been and spot anything you may have missed.
It’s also interesting to see the difference in the vines too. Some are older, some are younger, some have denser vegetation, some are more sparse. You would think that the denser vegetation with lots of leaves would bear more fruit than a sparse vine that looks like a tree with no leaves in the middle of winter, but in my experience that isn’t necessarily the case and it can often be the opposite!!!
I couldn’t help but draw parallels with people (whilst mindfully working down those vines, the mind wanders all over the show)! Just like the vines, as people we are all different, we all have different body shapes, are different ages, with bodies that are constantly changing and we all bring something different to the table so being able to take a proper look at ourselves, to see our shape from different angles front, back, sides, top down & bottom up helps to find the foundation of where to start when dressing well, as only when you know what you are working with, can you work with what you’ve got!
If you are feeling a bit lost with your dress sense, or maybe have bought an item that has stayed in the wardrobe with the tag on because you like it but you are not sure when you put it on, then it could be that the garment is cut for a different type of body shape to your own or the colour of the garment (which might be one of your favourites) doesn’t suit your skin tone as part of your natural colour palette. This is where our fabulous styling team at Tortue can help! We can help you try the right colours and the right styles of clothing that will suit your body shape, hiding the bits you are not so keen on and enhancing the bits that you love with our collective expertise and styling tips.
Our #clothesforcompliments is not just a hashtag on socials – its real life experience and our customers often tell us about how many compliments they receive when wearing Tortue … too!
It’s that time of year now where the seasons are changing … a little bit nippy in the mornings, a little darker in the evenings and a bit windier in the daytime too! Autumn is creeping in and whilst still warm(ish), the subtle changes of the season are all around and layering items are your best friend like this Zipped Cape in Camel.
The zipped cape combines modernity and practicality with its high collar, metal closure at the front and drawstring waist. It’s a loose fit to the body with a handy little pocket too!
If you have visited the high street recently you can’t fail to notice that Burgundy shades (and similar variations which sound like other types of red wine) are having a moment.
True Burgundy shades will flatter a cool Winter seasonal palette best, so if you have a warmer tone to your skin, opt for a shade of burgundy with a more yellowy base rather than a darker purple base. You can also mix the burgundy in your outfit to wear it with a more flattering shade from your own seasonal colour palette closer to your face.
An easy way to wear the colour of the moment is this Faux Leather Jacket in Bordeaux. This bold urban look jacket is a slim fit with metallic details. The collar can be worn down or up in a funnel style and is fully lined.
In sizes UK6 to UK20 it looks great worn with our other burgundy pieces, or pair with paler ecru/pink or camel shades or darker navy/black shades depending on your skin tone and colour season.
Choosing a little flash of burgundy with this Iridescent top is a subtle way to wear the colour of the moment. Available in sizes UK6-UK24, it’s reversible with a choice of a V or U neckline depending on which way round you wear it. It’s also part of our Eco range too!
To go for a tonal look head to toe then opt for these fab Straight Trousers in Burgundy Available in sizes UK6 to UK20 they are practical as well as on trend featuring cargo pockets and belt loops for an urban and casual look. Crafted from 98% cotton with a little elastane these jeans are also part of our Planet Tortue eco range.
Finish off with the Jungle Print Scarf to blend the colours a little. If you are not sure which colours to pair your burgundy items with then this scarf will give you a steer. It features shades of teal, orange, ecru and black in an exotic jungle print pattern. At 85cm square its another item from our Planet Tortue Eco range.
To top it off on the nippiest of days, this Long Quilted Coat With Hood from our newly launched Coats Capsule will keep off the chill. Available in sized T0 to T5 (UK4 to UK24) this long puffer jacket has a removable fur hood and finishes below the knee. Its fully lined with a hidden front zip to keep the wind chill off … although we think that you will look cool especially when you add your favourite pair of sunglasses!
With London Fashion Week coming to a conclusion very soon, it won’t be long until we are looking at the Spring/Summer themes and trends again!! In the meantime, have fun wrapping up and staying snug – it wont be too long until the wine is mulled and that’s a completely different season!!!
Au revoir
Angela
x
