Anyone interested in a 'what we are buying'wearing' thread for those of us who love clothes but have a New Look/Dorothy Perkins/Primark/HM budget?

[MimikosPanda]

I love following some blogs and I liked lurking on the AW threads but I can never afford the clothes, shoes and bags that are talked about. I love looking at different styles and then have the challenge of trying to find a cheaper look on the cheaper end of the high street. I'd love to hear what others are finding to give me some ideas.
One of the blogs I follow is doesmybumlook40.blogspot.co.uk, I love Kat's style and whilst she has the odd bit from Primark or H&M there is a lot of Toast, Massimo Dutti, Jigsaw, Whistles and these are just too expensive for me.
So, does anyone fancy sharing tips on good finds on the budget highstreet?

Sorry, not sure what happened in that title! I didn't type "H&am p;M budget?"

Sounds good, are you happy to include supermarkets in that list too? I'm mostly fitted out by Sainsbury's at the moment, if nothing else I find the long sized jeans fit me quite nicely, without showing off my never recovered from two children midriff off too much.

Yes! I'm in.

Sounds like the thread for meeee

I love Sainsburys, especially their bras. I think they are the best supermarket for underwear, far better quality than Asda. I wish they would put the clothes online though because I get lots for the DC from there too.

This week from Sainsburys I got a purple t-shirt bra which fitted like a glove and two pairs of matching knickers for £8. I've had t-shirt bras from them before so know it should keep its shape and last for ages.

I'm bit over Asda clothes at the moment, they just never seem to have anything I like in, but I keep going in to have a browse anyway. The town I've moved to doesn't have a big Tesco so I'm missing my Tesco clothes shopping sadly, but sometimes I order online and do the click and collect. My winter boots this year are Tesco, they aren't real leather, but I've had lots of compliments on them and they were only £18.

My friend was wearing a lovely shirt dress from TU

it was black and white will see if I can link

I'm Definately in, but am also trying to be bit more 'investment' with my small budget. My last purchases were a cashmere swing tunic jumper from uniqlo that was on the sale. Very simple, but so warm and snug. And I also bought a lovely shirt type top from the indigo bit of m&s(had a gift voucher to use). It's also quite simple, but I was bored of winter stuff and needed a spring purchase, it has silver thread running through (sounds crap), but with a warm cardi it made a change with my usual skinnies and boots that I seem to put on most days throughout the winter.
In fact I've basically rotated my 3 fave skinnies with boots this winter( sometimes I wear a jumper dress), and I'm now in need of a new pair of skinnies as mine have gone a bit baggy at the knees- any recommendations?

If DS2 is with me, sitting in the trolley seat, and manages to tug something into the trolley, it's a fair bet it's a winner. He's done this three times with tops I've been looking at from the sale rail and I've been complimented every time. Two patterned floaty-light tops and a stripey tee-shirt.

I've never tried their bras though, might have a look next time I'm in.

This is me! The clothes are always super expensive.

Today, Dotty P jeans, H&M jumper. Bra Bravissimo and knickers Tesco.

I guess I should say what I do wear then, I seem to have fallen into a bit of a uniform really. Most of the time I'm wearing

tan or grey boots (somewhere between cowboy and chelsea boots in style) skinny jeans (dark wash, indigo, burgandy)
layers of vest tops
long sleeve, slighty swing top with scarf

Otherwise I am scruffy in converse, jeans, t-shirt and a hoody - not my best look because I am starting to look to old for it (33 rather than 23 )

My going out look is similar to Kat from doesmybum here farm9.staticflickr.com/8515/8423796379_c386f324d3_c.jpg or here farm9.staticflickr.com/8223/8315105836_7e409ca899_c.jpg but is irrelevant really as I never go out!

I struggle to finish outfits well because the odd cheap pair of printed Primark skinnies with a Micheal Kors watch and an LK Bennett pair of boots can look good, the cheap pants with cheap Tesco boots and a watch from New Look doesn't work as well

Yes - great thread idea! My most recent purchase was actually a pair of purple shimmer 8 hole Dr Martens, which is very extravagant by my usual standards. I think they're worth it though, because I recently realised that they help to stabilise my very weak and clunky ankles, and they're a bit more appropriate for S/S than my black patent pair.

I'm now trying to work out what I can wear with them when the weather improves - does anybody have any ideas? At present I have: lovely indigo skinny jeans, a few nice skirts (denim micro-mini which demands leggings underneath, Aztec print midi in black and cream, and a few a-line wrap skirts made of patchwork silk), and lots of Primark vest tops. Also, a nice cropped denim jacket, a pale pink silk blazer, and a cream blazer.

I'm thinking of buying a v-neck cardigan from Fat Face in cream to go with jeans, and I really want some long hippy skirts (you know, the fair-tradey sort that used to be really easy to find at street markets in Bristol, Bath etc). I'd be really grateful if anybody has other suggestions for making the Docs look right with S/S clothes, or indeed where to find long floaty hippy skirts for sensible money! In case it's relevant, I'm about 5'2, size 10, early 20s, very very pronounced hourglass shape, with Mediterranean colouring, and I don't wear anything shorter than 2" above my knees...

Spooky My indigo skinnies are from DP and I love them so much I'm on my 3rd pair, they are either the Bailey or the Brooke, I can't tell from the pictures online. My burgandy ones are YesYes from New Look and I am amazed at how well they have kept their shape. The girl in the shop told me to size down and I think she was right, they still fit great.

That's my budget too! I'm liking some of the labels DP is stocking at the moment - Purple, Izabel etc. Got some nice things in the sale from there and H & M!

Don't know what's happened to DPs skinnies though - lived in mine from last year but need a new pair and they're suddenly all baggy around the thigh when I tried some on

Electric NewLook usually have some nice tea dresses in once S/S properly comes in. Your docs with tights, a tea dress and a pretty cross body handbag would look cool, I like masculine docs being teamed with pretty prints and girly bags. Tea dresses look amazing on hourglass figures too.

ElectricMonk have you tried Gloucester Rd in Bristol for floaty ethnic stuff?

This is a brilliant idea for a thread!

Today - a H & M knitted purple jumper dress with apron pockets, thick black tights from Sainsburys, and debenhams knee high black leather boots.

Would also love some tips on what budget cosmetics are worth trying. I love painting my nails, its a cheap treat to make myself feel like I'm looking good and love trying new colours, despite predictably always reverting to shades of nude and browns,but don't like to waste money on trying new brands if I don't know if they will be any good.
I like Rimmel and Maybelline but I've seen some cheaper brands in Superdrug and can never decide if I should give them a try.

I've tried MUA and Miss Sporty Nail varnishes from Superdrug and both have chipped quickly, the MUA one had a terrible brush too, random bristles sticking out sideways.

Not sure about cosmetics but I'm completely converted to Aldi skincare. I used to be a Clarins/Clinique snob before I had two smalls draining my bank account every month.

Sadly with nail varnish I think you have to spend more to get the good stuff. Cheap brands just don't last as long.

Thanks WhoKnows

Top of my wishlist at the moment for clothes are jeans like these Selma Blair is wearing i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/12/19/article-2250846-16967972000005DC-44_634x962.jpg. I have a top like that and converse would go I think, but haven't seen any jeans.

I think with nail varnish you need to pay around £4+. I often buy them on 3 for 2 in Boots and have had good ones from Rimmel, Maybelline, 17, L'Oreal (the tiny bottle ones) and Revlon (also the tiny bottle ones). I don't think spending more than about a fiver necessarily gets you better quality. Rimmel are probably my overall favourite.

MUA eyeshadows are fabulous though, going back to the budget brands.

I wish there was an Aldi near me, nearest is about 25 miles away so I've never been.

I don't buy supermarket clothes but I have some bits from H&M.

Revlon nail varnish is excellent imho - just as good as the expensive stuff.

I'm probably not allowed on here, but I really rate Barry M for nail polish. Better than Chanel IMO. Rimmel and Mavala also good.

Amber Everyone is welcome! just don't tempt us with lovely expensive and gorgeous things we can't afford

Barry M nail varnish is very good. I have had problems getting good non streaky coverage with the light pastel shades they do but the darks and brights last brilliantly.