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Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

Rediscovering Life after Retirement

Categories: My Fashion Haus

H&M Holiday Looks: My Fashion Haus, 12.2019

H&M Holiday Looks

Fashionistas, today’s fashion haus post is featuring some H&M holiday looks I’ve been playing dress-up with.  Until recently, I would have said the clothes at H&M were too youthful for me.  And it’s not that I am all of a sudden a whole lot younger today than I was this summer!! Ha! But maybe their fall and winter collections just seem more mature or grown-up or age-appropriate – whatever that looks like for a 61 year-old grandma.

Just a reminder:  Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After occasionally uses affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link provided I may receive a very small commission.  Thank you for your support!

Favorite H&M Fall Finds

After church each Sunday, PC and I walk around the outlet mall to “get our steps in.”  Not that we can’t do that around our neighborhood or on the treadmill at the gym.  But it is more fun at the outlet mall.  And the first store I walk through each week, is…yup, you guessed it, H&M.  You might remember the H&M plaid blazer from this post.  A plaid blazer (similar, similar) was one of the pieces on the Get Your Pretty On fall 2019 capsule wardrobe.  H&M has quite the assortment of lined, double-breasted blazers in a variety of plaid patterns and silhouettes.

Another fall capsule wardrobe piece that I found at H&M was the chunky sweater.  I have purchased 3 ribbed mock neck sweaters, like this one,  in tan, olive and winter white.  And 3 turtleneck sweaters in navy, maroon, and black like this one, at my new favorite store.

H&M Holiday Looks and Try-on

As the holidays approached, my favorite outlet store rolled out racks of sequins and sparkle, tulle and faux leather.  One morning, after taking Cia to school, I decided to pop in for a holiday look try-on.  With that in mind, I had slipped my Target black tulle skirt from home into a bag to try with some of the pieces I had seen.  Have a look.  Wish the pictures were a little better but it is hard to take good photos in the confines of a fitting room full of clothes and try to look like an over-60 fashionista at the same time.

These were the tops that caught my eye on the Sunday before my try-on session.  Just snapped quick pictures of them.  Found it interesting that body suits are back.  Don’t remember them being terribly comfortable when I was younger.  Wonder if they’ve improved any?  One thing’s for sure, they stay tucked in.  And I thought that would be a plus with my tulle skirt.

sequins
H&M Holiday Looks: My Fashion Haus, 12.2019. Sharing some sparkle, sequins, leather and lace fit for the finest holiday celebration.
H&M Holiday Looks
H&M Holiday Looks: My Fashion Haus, 12.2019. Sharing some sparkle, sequins, leather and lace fit for the finest holiday celebration.
rhinestones
H&M Holiday Looks: My Fashion Haus, 12.2019. Sharing some sparkle, sequins, leather and lace fit for the finest holiday celebration.
Brooch
H&M Holiday Looks: My Fashion Haus, 12.2019. Sharing some sparkle, sequins, leather and lace fit for the finest holiday celebration.
pearls
H&M Holiday Looks: My Fashion Haus, 12.2019. Sharing some sparkle, sequins, leather and lace fit for the finest holiday celebration.
Bodysuit
H&M Holiday Looks: My Fashion Haus, 12.2019. Sharing some sparkle, sequins, leather and lace fit for the finest holiday celebration.

My Comfy Shopping Outfit

As I explained above, I had my tulle skirt in a bag along with my black pumps but I dressed comfortably in jeans and a Shein snake skin print sweatshirt for the day.  It was such fun grabbing things off the racks that I wanted to try on as if I had all the money in the world to buy them with!!

fitting room

Selected to try several colors of this dazzling sequin top (exact, similar) and this long sleeve mock neck sequin top (exact, similar) to try with my skirt from home.

Feeling Frumpy in the Tulle Skirt

Had such hopes that all of the H&M sparkle and holiday wear would look flattering and festive paired with my tulle but, alas, that wasn’t the case.  Tucked in or untucked, none of the tops seemed right with my skirt.  I kind of look like I am wearing a potato sack…and I am the potatoes!  See what I mean?

H&M Holiday Looks

Did buy the skirt before I lost weight.  Maybe it is too big?  Also noticed the sizing seemed off for the holiday tops that I tried.  Or maybe I have a skewed view of what size I am now?  Have always worn larges and mediums in tops.  These tops are medium.  Felt like I was swimming in them.  Asked the  fitting room clerk to fetch me some smalls.  She mentioned that H&M is struggling with adjusting their sizing from European standards to U.S. sizing standards.  The smalls were a better fit but something still felt off.  There was nothing else to do than to change out the tulle for another skirt.

A Little Something in Faux Leather

Wore my 3-4 year-old Loft faux leather skirt to church the other day.  Paired it for several looks in this post.  But when I got home that day, I realized the (p)leather was deeply scratched in back across my behind.  On the day of my try-on it seemed providential that H&M happened to have a half-dozen styles of midi and above-the-knee vegan leather skirts.  Selected one short style and one longer skirt and dashed back to the dressing room.

Here’s the long sleeve mock neck sequin top in a small with the short H&M skirt (exact, similar).

faux leather

Better?  Yeah, I think so.  This top was designed to be oversized (I think), so it’s roominess didn’t bother me as much.  Maybe the structure of this skirt balances better with the blousy fit of the top.

If I look red in the face, it is only because I was squeezing into this skirt.  Opted to buy the next size up so I could breath while wearing it.

Here is the same top with the longer leather skirt (similar, similar).  Having to suck things in a bit with this one, too.  But nothing a good pair of Spanx won’t contain.

faux leather

Can you tell I kind of like this look?  But I made a near fatal mistake.

midi skirt

I didn’t buy anything even though I loved the leather skirts and the smaller holiday tops.  Instead, I hid the skirts on an out of the way rack.   At the time, there was only one of each in my size in the store and I was afraid someone else would get them.  And I had to wait to closer to payday to buy them.  But wasn’t worried about the tops because there were (seemingly) plenty of them.

When I went back to buy them, the skirts were right where I had hidden them.  I know, I’m naughty.

More H&M Holiday Looks

This sequin top is available in a gold tone, black and this emerald green.  Which one do you like best?

H&M Holiday Looks

 

 

Was thinking I could even pair this great top with skinny jeans and pumps for date night.

Yes?  No?  Maybe so?  And maybe even with tennies, just for fun?

One of the pieces on the winter 2019 capsule wardrobe shopping list was faux leather pants.  I had a pair from Loft but they were a little loose when I got them and more so now.  I donated them and have been on the fence about buy another pair.  Really, really wanted to try Spanx faux leather leggings.  Just couldn’t justify the price for the number of times I thought I would wear them.  Found this pair at Express for less than a third the price, and a 5-star rating.  They will arrive tomorrow.  Stay tuned!!

Your Turn

Where have you shopped for your holiday sparkle?  Do you ever shop H&M?  Until this past spring or summer, I assumed that H&M only had clothing for teens and ‘tweens.  But I have been converted!  Now days I am hitting up H&M as often as I shop Loft Outlet.  Looking forward to wearing my H&M holiday looks in the coming weeks.

Thank you for spending a bit of your day with me.  Hope your holiday shopping is completed and now you can relax and just enjoy.  We will be having Christmas on the 25th and again on the 27th, when Brennyn, Mustafa and Cady arrive.  Lots of housecleaning and baking needs to go on over here between now and then.

Linking up with my favorite fashionistas:  Laura, Gail, Carrie, Jill, Jennie, and Nancy.

Hugs and kisses,

leslie

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About Leslie Roberts Clingan

I am an aspiring blogger and children's author, wife, mother, daughter, sister, - in-law, responsible pet owner and recently retired elementary school librarian. I hope to figure out the next chapter of my life as I transition from crazy, busy work world onto totally idle retirement and now to something in-between.

Comments

  1. Penny Struebig

    December 20, 2019 at 4:18 am

    Oh my gosh – you look adorable in all those outfits! I do love the longer leather skirt. Haven’t stopped in H&M for a long time. I think it’s time for a shopping trip there!

    Reply
  2. em

    December 20, 2019 at 6:09 am

    Wow! You look INCREDible!! Those jeans photos! That’s the tell, forget the tulle skirt, lady, you are rocking the jeans and the leather looks. Seriously, you are no longer my size twin, so I’m going to have to get moving after I finish off all the holiday candy.

    The leather skirts look fabulous… I am all in for both, but if I were choosing one AND looked like you do in them, I would have a hard time picking (but might go with the longer one bc it’s different).

    Have a wonderful celebration with PC and your family! xoxo

    Reply
  3. Juhli

    December 20, 2019 at 6:45 am

    Good choices – you look great! BTW, I think the tulle skirt needs a very fitted top to balance its fullness.

    Reply
  4. Deb

    December 20, 2019 at 6:59 am

    H&M should use use for their marketing to prove that they aren’t just for the under 30s! Love those sparkly tops, and they way you have shown how versatile they are to wear with casual jeans and smarter leather skirts. Interesting that the European sizes have skewed the size you need to buy now! I know that one of the big companies over here have made all their sizes slightly larger, so you can still buy a 10 (for example) which is now really nearer a 12 – they call it vanity sizing!

    Reply
  5. Dara

    December 20, 2019 at 8:26 am

    You look so cute! I love the tulle skirt, too bad it didn’t work.

    Reply
  6. Nancy

    December 20, 2019 at 12:22 pm

    I love the longer skirt. And the black top. Looking forward to see how you styled your leggings!

    Reply
  7. Kellyann Rohr

    December 20, 2019 at 1:00 pm

    I can’t wear a tulle skirt to save my life – they look horrid on me! The faux leather skirts look fab on you and I don’t think you were naughty at all – I think that was smart! I can’t wait to see your Express faux leather leggings – the Spanx ones are overrated and waaaaaaaay overpriced!
    xo,
    Kellyann

    Reply
  8. Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom

    December 20, 2019 at 4:13 pm

    I sometimes struggle with H&M sizing, but I love going in there and I always find something! I love the shorter leather skirt and that gold sparkly top! Gold is my favorite color! I love the gold top with that black tulle skirt. I have a black tulle skirt and I usually always get it out at least once this time of the year and I still need to do that!!!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

    Reply
  9. Laura Bambrick

    December 20, 2019 at 9:47 pm

    I love those leather skirts! They both look so cute on you! I like the gold tone sequin top, I think it would be the most versatile!

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      December 24, 2019 at 4:42 pm

      Thank you, doll!! I couldn’t decide between the short and long leather skirts so bought them both. Now to wear them!!

      Reply
  10. Amy Johnson

    December 21, 2019 at 3:11 pm

    I don’t have a H&M in my hometown so I don’t shop there. I always visit one when I’m traveling though. I really like all the outfits with the longer leather skirt on you the best. I also love the sparkly top with jeans. I did buy two new holiday items this year, which is unusual for me as I normally don’t buy a new holiday outfit every year. I bought a red dress from JCPenney (you might have seen it on my “Grandma & Me” post, and a red top from TJMaxx. I haven’t featured the top yet. I think I will save that one for Valentine’s Day.

    Reply
  11. Daenel T.

    December 21, 2019 at 10:46 pm

    Those outfits are just too cute. I really want a tulle skirt and, honestly, I can’t believe I haven’t bought one already. They just look like they’d be fun to wear. I like them with graphic tees.

    Reply
  12. Jill

    December 26, 2019 at 9:03 am

    Genius move! I love that you “hid” your favorite skirts so you could go back later to get them! The longer leather and tulle skirts are so cute on you!

    Jill – Doused in Pink

    Reply
  13. Shugunna Alexander

    December 28, 2019 at 11:49 pm

    Really like all the looks, the short leather skirt with sequence blouse is my favor!! Beautiful lady…

    Reply
  14. Laura Scott

    January 11, 2020 at 4:12 pm

    Some stunning looks here! You look so elegant.
    Thanks for sharing your looks.
    Laura xo
    http://www.shehearts.net

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      January 12, 2020 at 5:08 pm

      Thank you so much. Not sure I have ever been called elegant!! Thank you for the kind comment and for stopping by.

      Reply

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In what felt like the blink of an eye, I have gone from full-time wife to my sweet husband, hands-on mom to my two beautiful daughters and elementary school librarian to a retired, empty nester with lots of time on my hands. Join me on my journey to rediscover who I am. Glad you are here...
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