Some of what I wore (April - May)

This isn’t a full picture of what I wore during the last couple of months, as I've been distracted by work demands and remembering to snap a photo of my outfits seems like a huge ask.

Generally, I was road-testing my newest buys, and I've been enjoying how the new items seem to be working well with old things, and give them a kind of lift. I’ve settled into a certain kind of style and vibe over the years, and I tend to be attracted to things that make the “same-old” feel fresh, rather than rewrite my dress codes.

I've bought three pairs of trousers/jeans and a pair of shorts this year, and when I think about it, it's no coincidence that I happen to be still carrying the pounds I gained last, 90 per cent of which went to my hips and thighs, it seems.

I'm not exactly short of things to wear, but denim is a staple for me (I wear jeans to work), and not being able to wear the full range of my jean collection drove me crazy. Almost all my jeans are 100% denim, and those are not forgiving of weight gain...

This weight gain experience has taught me one new thing about shopping - I now ask myself whether something will still look good or fit well if I go up or down a size. Habits and health conditions change, and who knows what weight I'd be in a few years? I'd like whatever I buy to be able to manage at least a small range of changes, to get the most out of them.

So, the Uniqlo U high-waist wide-leg trousers I bought for example, fit closely but not tightly at the waist and have adjustable tabs for some wriggle room. They're roomy at the widest part of my hips and in the leg.

I also bought the JW Anderson for Uniqlo jeans, which are a classic straight leg with a high/mid-rise. The hips are roomy, classic "Mom jean"-style, but instead of tapering, the jeans are cut straight down all the way. To eyes used to skinny jeans, these would seem practically wide-leg but I'm old enough to remember the days where these were merely straight. In any case, they're madly comfortable, even though they're 100% non-stretch, sturdy denim.

As for the Uniqlo U denim shorts, the elastic waist is comfortable and doesn't restrict even though they give a bit of shape. The shorts themselves are wide and roomy and have the best. Pockets. Ever.

Another new item in these pictures is my JW Anderson for Uniqlo plaid skirt. It's a bit of a leap for me - I avoid buying skirts because skirts are the most under-worn things in my wardrobe. The addition of this skirt makes a total of three skirts in my closet. But I was drawn to the colour and the fabric (a kind of seersucker) and in recent years I've become very fond of the retro vibe of a full skirt.

I'll do a proper mid-year review of my wish-list at some point, but in short, I've gone beyond checking off some of the items I've craved, and bought a whole lots more stuff than I intended to. Also, that Uniqlo addiction has not been reined in and it is getting ridiculous...