Bury Market | Poppy's Style

It never gets any easier. Every time I go across the Atlantic and come back with a bag of full of unworn clothes I tell myself that next time I will be more clever with my packing, more ruthless, and more discerning with my picks. I’ll create a packing strategy that I can turn to again and again. But no, regardless of my strategy, it is always a challenge. This time I thought that if I picked a color palette – two neutrals and two brights – it would be easy to just select items that create outfits using those colors. It worked, sort of, but I guess I underestimated how many brown, navy, orange and pink items I have. An added complication this time around is packing for two destinations with two potentially (hopefully not!) different climates – Bury and Northern Cyprus.

I have learned some things over the years:

1. The clothes need to be easy to pack and light – they need to be wrinkle free at my destination.

2. They need to be easy to wash and dry quickly.

3. Comfort is key – no tight waistbands indicating my increasing waist line while I’m away – I can repent at leisure on my return.

4. Regardless of destination they need to be adaptable for different temperatures – cool in the heat, and suitable for layering in the cooler weather.

5. I must be able to wear them casually, and then dress them up with a few trinkets, for beach to bar wear – or sofa to bar wear in Bury:)

I’m not asking too much surely? As it turns out no. I have discovered my clothing partner when it comes to travel clothes. James Perse.

The iconic West Coast brand creates fabulous soft cotton tops, skirts and trousers that are cool in all senses of the word. Low maintenance, well designed, quality clothing. I became obsessed back in February when I traveled back to England in their fine cord surplus trousers – super comfy and stylish – I wore them with sneakers and rolled up with courts/pumps. They are top of my list for this trip as again I can adapt them for day or night and wear them with sandals or flip flops. Perfect for Bury Market, and respectable enough for visiting Mosques in N.Cyrpus. Here’s how I wore them in February. I also have a couple of James Perse t-shirt dresses that are so soft and stretchy – with great ruching that hide all those lady bumps. They are comfortable enough for wearing in the house, and then I can add a statement necklace and some sandals and wear them to the Hare and Hounds.

Now at full price – the brand ain’t cheap, but hallelujah – just in time for my trip they’ve launched a James Perse Private Sample Sale!! Many of the items are 50% off and my Husband has just stocked up on menswear this morning. I’m procrastinating but have the following in my cart:

Heathered double V ringer dress – I just love this style of dress. The skirt is ruched and double layered too.

The stripe pencil skirt – similar in style to the skirt I’m wearing today – with ruching you can make it the length you want. These are SO comfortable and can be easily dressed up or down.

5 Pocket jersey pant – similar in style to the surplus trousers I have, these can easily be rolled up or worn long with sneakers. I think these are the perfect holiday trouser.

My favorite – the soft v multi layer t-shirt dress. I have a capped sleeve black dress like this that I adore. These dresses are so versatile – and I love the white. I will wear this with my Newburys, Golden Goose, sandals and flip flops. It is the perfect dress for every occasion and the white is perfect for summer to show off that golden tan!

The parachute poplin sailing pants – my Husband bought the men’s version – I adore these in white.

The cap sleeved casual tee – 100% cotton – t-shirts don’t get much better than this – I love the scoop neck with my bigger boobs – far more flattering than a crew neck.

Sheer slub casual tee in bluebell – I am in love with this color – in fact anything blue right now – completely out of character for me!

Today I am wearing a James Perse skirt, that I bought in their last sample sale, to try and demonstrate how versatile their clothes are. Later today I can slip the jacket and boots off and just add flip flops for a comfy casual look at home. I wish you could feel how soft this cotton is!

Skirt – James Perse // Jacket – Zara jersey blazer (old) // Boots – Sam Edelman Petty II (on sale) // T-shirt – Boden

Enjoy browsing but don’t wait too long to hit order – once news about these sales gets out stuff sells fast! Oh and fyi – I’m a US 6/8 and my skirt, dresses and trousers are all James Perse size 2 – they have plenty of give in them. One sweatshirt I have with a little less stretch is a size 3.

It’s hard to shop in Bury and Bolton. Nothing to do with the stores or the towns themselves – in fact both have been greatly improved, though it is a little sad to see more and more empty store fronts. Does everyone go to the Trafford Center these days? Maybe we need help from Mary Portas? Don’t get me started about Bury Market. It used to be the destination for food – pies, vegetables, deli meats and of course black pudding. Now it seems to specialize in tat.

Anyway back to why it’s hard to shop. It is bloody freezing here (though sun was seen today). It makes it impossible to imagine anywhere being too warm for a jacket, or furry boots for that matter. instead of lusting after bright colored shorts and skirts I have been drawn to woolly knits, big coats and scarves. I have to keep reminding myself that these items won’t get worn in Atlanta till Christmas – plus they’re not packing friendly.

On a couple of instances though I have managed to persuade myself that it may get worn through Spring – maybe even in the air conditioned office in the Summer. Hence I may be found guilty of the following purchases.

There is a plethora of knitted biker jackets in the stores. I love knits and I love biker jackets so guess what – I am like a bear to a honey pot when it comes to these gorgeous things. The first I spotted was in M&S. I was generally unimpressed again with M&S – they are trying to be all things to all people – but this cardigan was lovely and jumped right out at me from the racks. So lovely I got both the cream and the black. I had to go up a size, but the only review online also says it fits a bit small – especially the arms.

Mum and I went in River Island yesterday. I remember vividly when our Chelsea Girl in Bury became a River Island – so it makes me giggle that they are now proudly displaying their ‘year founded’ on the clothing labels – 1988 – seems like only yesterday when I am back here. I probably haven’t been in one since if I’m honest – and I only went in yesterday for research purposes. Well of course I saw something I needed. Now I might not get as much wear out of this until Fall, but the color, the knit and the style made it too perfect to leave behind. It is lovely and you might see me in it tomorrow if I remember to take photos when I go shopping with my sister.