Blinners and her workwear blog chatty thread

[Legologgo]

oi blinners -the Mango tabbed pencil skirt how stretchy is it? I like it TIGHT as have thin legs and otherwise look like I am wearing a lampshade

www.johnlewis.com/mango-tabbed-waist-pencil-skirt-natural-white/p1265275?imageCount=2

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

Hi! When I wen to Mango and tried things on, they didn't have that skirt in my size, but it really looks good in real life (see Pic 2). Am planning a trip to Oxford St Mango tomorrow so will try and try it on, then. I think you want it to look like Kimberley Garner (Pic 1), and the only thing might be the length. KG has hers just below the knee, but on the Mango model, it's above the knee, just slightly. However, the model is quite tall, so might be fine for you? Not sure what you think of J crew prices (I think they are v high), but their No 2 skirt (£110) fits the way I like (I don't like super tight, but legs are too twiggy to wear a loose pencil skirt - think we have similar shape body). (See Pic 3)

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

Btw the Mango one should be stretchy as it has elastane and poly, but the proof will be in trying on. Will report back.

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

There is this one, too, but it's not lined so I wouldn't be going there, myself www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-High-Waisted-Pencil-Skirt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3489961&cid=2639&Rf936=2308&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=9999&sort=-1&clr=White&utm_source=Affiliate&utm_medium=LinkShare&utm_content=UKNetwork.3489961&utm_campaign=0RpXOIXA500&cvosrc=Affiliate.LinkShare.0RpXOIXA500&link=15&promo=288614&source=linkshare&MID=35718&affid=2134&WT.tsrc=Affiliate&siteID=0RpXOIXA500-vUQtQRlq1KBrCab5hFopbQ

[Legologgo]

Ooh it looks too wide at bottom. Boo

[Legologgo]

Mind you. White. Will we wear outside bare legs (can get away with that at work).
Was going to link to a nice gingham check one in new look

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

The Mango ones looks too wide at the bottom? I'll still try it on if I can, though. The other off white pencil skirts I have seen have either been unlined, lace or eyelet - annoying as they can look so good. J Crew do have good sales, so if you like the one I tried on, it might come down to a reasonable price.

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

I think you can wear a white skirt to work, just like Kimberley Garner pic. Just need to fake tan for bare legs (well, I do).

[Legologgo]

But obvs quality questionable

[Legologgo]

Oh would never pay jcrew

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

New Look does have some v good quality things, hidden amongst the tat, like this pollen print skirt for £20.

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

It's lovely in RL, stretchy cotton, although haven't tried it on.

[Legologgo]

LOVE AND My mum would go on and on about how pretty i looked

[Legologgo]

ah you see way nicer than the polyester i hadn't noticed on the gingham one
www.newlook.com/shop/womens/skirts/black-gingham-check-pencil-skirt_309499009?isRecent=true

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

Not often you find something you like to wear that also makes your Mum happy...

[Legologgo]

steady on New look - MORE cotton ( ish)
www.newlook.com/shop/womens/skirts/mint-green-geo-lace-pencil-skirt_302202337

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

Well done, New Look. Achieving something Warehouse is no longer able to do - using natural fibres.

[Legologgo]

hmm - sad you cant say same for the shoes!
www.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gallery/view-all-shoes/stone-ankle-strap-open-toe-block-heel-sandals_306201014

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

No, New Look shoes are mostly v bad. I think Office and Dune do great value leather shoes. Am getting the Office Darling d'orsay snakeskins soon.

[lurkingaround]

But there is SO much tat to wade thru in NewLook! C'est impossible! (Sounds more impossible in French, non?). I would never have found those skirts. Fancy a blog post Belinda?

[Legologgo]

yes I agree - ours is vast too and i cant stand it

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

I often go to my local New Look, as it's quite "edited". Ditto going to Selfridges to check out their TopShop and H&M, and Westfield to see Mango. But... Unless you live in central London, that's hardly a practical option. I have no idea why New Look and H&M have so much crappy stock, and Mango is so hard to shop for online. I wish I could be like Aunty Marge and Selma from The Simpsons and go through their inventory with a red pen, cutting out the racks of nasty stuff.

Tomorrow is the weekly post, so will try and include something on anything good I see in New Look, but it's really somewhere I only find casual stuff, not workwear. Although... This does raise the question of whether you can wear lace or floral print to work? Both the cotton skirts on this thread were lovely, but are they work appropriate? I expect in some cases, yes, and in some cases, no. Due to either the workplace or what the wearer feels comfortable in, or due to both? How about animal print? I can feel a blog post coming on... [opens the Amaretto...]

[Legologgo]

at a school you could, for eg. OR any public sectory job outside a court

[Legologgo]

i do animal print too. But agree some gaffs very staid. I think maybe we need a categorisation of workplaces, like a prison.
Law offices - Belmarsh.
Accountancy- Durham
School - ( outside management) Ford Open

[MrsCampbellBlack]

I'd wear those new look skirts for work, but tis very very casual.

I went into zara today - what a load of utter shit - honestly one match and teh whole store would have gone up.

[Legologgo]

i was disappointed last time I went in