3 Ways to Wear Style Challenge

*This post was written in collaboration with M&S and contains affiliate links

You know me, I love a style challenge, and even more, I love a “3 ways to wear” challenge too – so when the lovely folk at Marks & Spencer asked me to step up to the challenge plate with one of their top selling pieces this month, I jumped at the task. I’m always looking for versatile pieces which I can throw into my travel bag and use more ways than one on vacation, but also pieces that don’t cost an arm and a leg, after all, they are just going to get an overload of sun, sea and sand right?

I picked this preppy red and white striped shirt to play with and found a number of ways to make it work for different holiday scenarios. So first up let’s imagine we are all on vacay and it’s time to head poolside or even better beachside. Grab your bikini or one piece, throw on your shorts and an oversized version of this shirt and you have your beach cover up all sorted for the day. The beauty of buying a few sizes bigger than your norm is that you have room to style it up a few ways. I always like to tie a knot in the front of mine for a beach day to allow some cool breezy beach air in and stop you over-heating.

Striped shirt, white denim shorts, bikini (bought in store), skinny red belt, bling flip flops, fedora hat and circular straw shopper.

Next up I was thinking about brunch or lunch date – striped shirt, midi white denim skirt, flower chain necklace, cross-body bag, men’s pocket square (tied around bag… yes that’s still a ‘thing’ on the trend front), white trainers.

Finally, I put together a cocktails kinda look with the help of a little shirt styling trick (which you can catch if you head over to my Insta stories today @notesbyastylist) and paired the shirt with this fab pencil skirt, faux pearl bracelet, an oversized clutch and the must-have kitten heels which are selling like hot cakes.

So that’s it – my little play around with a preppy shirt 3 ways – how would you style yours? Let me know in the comments below… meanwhile here are all the pieces I wore in this post – click the images to shop.

With thanks to Marks & Spencer for including me in their style challenge this month. This was a paid collaboration with the items I chose being gifted; all the styling choices are mine. I only ever partner with brands which I love and fit with the feel of the blog. For more on disclosure and the way I work take a peek here and here for further info.

Photography by the fab Jane Looker.