This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
There is a time in every woman’s life when fashion takes a backseat to a comfortable, more classic wardrobe. I don’t mean we all have to hunker down in twinsets and pearls and read Saga magazine – no, I mean high fashion becomes something that one admires, but quality fashion takes over in our lives. No longer am I into the one-season fashion items from those un-eco-friendly high street shops that get thrown away at the end of the season. I want items that will look good for many years to come. So, where do I often look…….PATRA.
PATRA may not have an all-singing and dancing website, but their clothes are high quality, made to last, in natural fibres, comfortable and feminine styles, and often very affordable. Whenever I unpack a PATRA item, I am always impressed with the softness of the fabric – they feel luxurious.
worn with silk crew neck ribbed jumper
in Garnet £95
This morning I woke up, and it was sunny but cold, so I wanted something light and colourful but a cover-up. It is too cold for a tee shirt, and yet a wool jumper is often too much. So I found myself reaching for my PATRA silk crew neck ribbed jumper in Garnet (£95). It is warm and lightweight, adding a pop of colour in garnet. It machine washes in a wool wash cycle. I love it, and so the initial £95 investment has been worth it as I wear it in winter, under a jacket or jumper, or in summer on its own.
And Patra have the perfect jacket. This women’s reversible jacket in Prussian blue and garnet is a perfect match and is so smart.
Women’s reversible jacket in Prussian blue and garnet
Grace fell in love with the cotton polo neck in scarlet (£50) and wool mix scarf in scarlet (£38). She remarked that the cotton and lycra jeans (from £27) were such a good length for her long legs; there was no skimping. However, Grace is normally a size 12 in jeans, but these are a size 14 and fit perfectly.
The knitted top skimmed without clinging, and of course, we are all going to be wearing scarves inside and out to keep warm this winter.
The red colour is such a warm, rich tone and as we both wear a lot of navy it will be perfect with most of our wardrobes.
And yes, I did try some PATRA day dresses. I think I am comfortable wearing a dress to a party or a special event where the dress code dictates dresses. However, I am much more at ease in trousers and a top every day. As I said earlier, this Bamboo/cotton dress was a typical Patra surprise for me. I felt very comfortable in it.
Finally, I absolutely love the Patra bamboo cotton leggings (£37). They are so comfortable I don’t just wear them for Yoga. These leggings have 12% elastane which gives them just the right amount of stretch. They are not such a clingy shape as traditional sports leggings, which I prefer. Plus, they have a wide waistband which I know most women of my age like. I have teamed them up with the long-sleeve top (£38) in bamboo cotton.
PATRA is a brand that can be relied upon to produce individual items. Each of them would slot into your wardrobe and last for many seasons to come. Over the last few years, Grace and I have come to love the PATRA brand for all my reasons.