Mumsnet Talk

benchmarking.
Was reading this thread last week and thought it was fab. Was just about to order a couple of tops then ran out of time. Searched today, and had trouble finding it.

So benchmarked.

Will this be a runnign thread? Part 1,2 and 3 etc. So that I can come back every few months and find out what other cheap things you are buying? Hope so.

Great thread for reminding myself that not only one who wears cheap and cheerful/second hand stuff. All the mum's on the school run seem über glam like the ones in the New Easy Living feature that shows mums At the school gates with their mix of designer and high street combos! In my dreams!
Best purchase recently has been the Gok Wan Skinny jeans from Sainsburys. Have a black and a blue pair. Really nice dark navy denim, with the just the right amount of stretch and so far no baggy knees. Wear them to death with the latest charity shop find. Top tip from a friend was to scour the charity shops on a Tuesday as they get in and sort their new stock on a Monday. Have become such a bargain addict not sure I could ever go back to spending loads of money on clothes even if we did ever have any money again!

Since I have washed my New Look khaki skinny jeans, they fit better and I love them, so much so I decided to order a couple more pairs in different colours. They came the other day and they are huge! I am not joking, they are a 10 and are about 3 inches too big on the thighs and hips and about 2 inches too big on the waist. How can the sizes vary so much it makes no sense?

So, then I tried on my 'telephone dress' from M&S. It fits perfectly on the waist and hips, but the zip won't meet by about 4 inches across my boobs. The print is lovely, but the material is nasty, like something that a bank worker would wear, so it is going back!

Land I haven't washed my Khaki ones yet so hopefully mine will fit better too. They are ok as they are but just a little tight over my thighs, I do have rugby player thighs though so can't really blame it on the jeans. You're right the sizing is crazy. I have the same ones in burgundy so just ordered the khaki in the same size but they were really tight. I ended up swapping them in-store for another pair of the same size that fit, very weird that there can be that muchy variation.

Oblomov For a while it looked like the thread would be a long running thread but I think the steam ran out last week, I think the Frugal thread is more active now.

I love this thread, it's a great way to see what other people are wearing. Do any of you go in zara? I never went in it appeared too expensive. I went with a friend a few months ago and found a few nice things not expensive so maybe I need to broaden my horizons now! I like internationale as well but as my daughter is 14 and she loves the shop always feel a bit old for it. Not bought anything this last week as I have been in hospital having surgery on my back again, although recouperating is a great way browse on line! I have to wait until I get paid at the end of the month now to buy anything new

I've been on the Frugal thread but it isn't in my nature to build a classic capsule wardrobe, I just get so bored of wearing the same things. I want to cut down on buying things but I still love the high street (or ASOS!).

Today I am wearing:
*Black jeggings (M&S)
*Khaki boyfriend cardigan (Florence & Fred)
*Black l/s top (Primark)
*khaki, coral and black scarf
*black studded ankle boots (matalan)

And a bright red nose due to a horrible cold!

Just incase you ladies are interested Gap have a flash sale on.

I Have just bought these in navy and khaki.

Today I am wearing
- Cornflower blue skinnies (new look)
- Black shoestring vest (new look)
- Russian doll print white oversize vest (primark)
- Pink and yellow Little Miss socks (sports direct)
- A green fleece slanket (xmas gift)

I know, I know, I am so ultra stylish.

Just to give you the heads up if you don't already know - the Next mid season sale is this weekend. I've looked through the preview and there isn't that much that is really exciting, but you never know what you might find in store.

I've been paid so I'm off shopping tomorrow, I just don't know if I have the heart to buy spring clothes given that we are still ankle deep in snow here! If I don't though I know that as soon as the weather turns nice (she says with her fingers crossed) I won't be able to find anything. So what should I be buying for spring?

Is this thread dead/finished?? I hope not. I loved it. Delurked to ask advice about what top would go with a skirt I just bought! Anyone there?

Just hopping on board! Only just found this thread but loving it.

I bought some wine skinnies from New Look a few months ago and wore them so often I wore them out. Went back for more, and also got black and navy. The person who said about the sizes, my first pair were a perfect fit but when I put several pairs next to each other in the shop that were supposedly the same size, they were all visibly different! Definitely need to try on in advance.

My favourite cheapy purchase at the moment is a scarf from Primark. It's oversized, mostly cream, with birds on. It was £4 and I get loads of compliments on it.

Today I bought a lovely sugar skull print scarf from Primark. Chuffed because I love sugar skulls and at £4, it was a bargain too.

Has anyone seen any nice studded black ballet pumps looking round the £10-£20 Mark.

Also i'm quite liking the denim shirt idea but i'd like to wear them with black trousors all the trousors i have a boot leg would like something that finishes at the ankle and strightish but with some style any recomendations

I got some nice ones from New Look SpottyMoo but they don't seem to have them on the website, they did have some other black studded online though.

Mine a little flat studs all over, I also have them in red with gold studs - those ones are called my strawberry shoes! They are soo comfy, wish I'd doubled up but couldn't afford to.

We have a new look in town ill have to pay a visit tomorrow also like the idea of your strawberry shoes