Oh fgs hardly style but I really need ideas please

[BelligerentGhoul]

Stupid, stupid new rule at work and we all have to wear jackets at all times. How the heck we're supposed to teach 'interesting and interactive' lessons whilst straight-jacketed is a mystery to me but that's what The Powers That Be now decree.

What the heck can I wear that won't make me look like a police woman and that I can actually move in? And that won't make me sweat in a stupidly hot, non-air-conditioned classroom?

And that won't need dry cleaning every week?

Or cost a fortune?

SO cross about this.

Hey Ghostie... a nightmare.

Have you tried Gap ? On a hot day last week after a day trawling round London at meetings. Last meeting was with a director at a tall building in Canary Wharf. Felt hot, messy, sweaty and not 'up' to the meeting... Anyway to cut a long story short - bought stripey vest and ponte jacket - sits just below waist, and 3/4 sleeves. Strikes me as ideal for work - machine washable, nicely fitted (in a loose way ) and just a bit more formal than jersey. Though it was black. Plus best bit for unnneeded purchases £20 for both. A quick visit to freshen up and I felt fit to meet a director.

Thanks both.

Everything - that is very kind of you but green is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad on me!

Boogie - looked in Gap today and they hadn't got anything.

I bought a black military style one in the M&S sale - 3 quarter sleeves and quite loose-fitting in a size 12. I am very tempted to wear it with a striped top to look like a pirate!

Depends where you are (would need to be down south if you want to go to a store) but i bought a Uniqlo jacket thats a dinner jacket style (single button, skinny lapels) but its made from very lightweight very stable (ie not stretchy) polyester jersey. Its possibly one of the most versatile things i have ever bought as it works casual or smart. Its really comfy, cool and light and I can screw it up in a ball and it wont crease, Only draw back is its dry clean only however i have worn it all summer and only now thinking it needs cleaning and i am very tempted to give it a hand wash instead. It might be worth looking on their website, don't think that particular style is on there but there are quite a few others that might suit and they are pretty inexpensive. there is also currently 50% off a sale on.

also bear in mind brand MASSIVELY hedge their bets with care labeling. If you find something you really like that is dry clean but is a bargain then (theres not as much to lose) it might be worth giving it a cool hand wash instead.

Just bought a loose, canvasy-linen jacket in Kookai. Is a slightly unstructered blazer style, slightly cropped length with sleeves that can be rolled up, or not. Goes in washer, cost about £40. Looks good-am not usually the jacket kind (big boobs, curvy waist), but it surprised me how nice it looked.

please get this

Plum - I am very tempted indeed by that one!

Hadn't thought of Uniqlo and will probably be going to London over the hol, so that is a good idea.

And I haven't looked in Kookai for years, so that is also a good idea.

Thanks both...

The thing I have recently realised with Kookai is that although it used to be the house of dodgy logo-ed/jewelled polyester awfulness, it's gone all insouciant Frenchy these days, so that kind of loose, unstructured tailored style that looks so chic with a breton tee and too much red lippie can be found in abundance.

wore my uniqlo jacket with a stripe tee and black jeans and OH said i looked like Marcel Marceau (cheeky sod but he might have had a point)

I've got that Uniqlo jacket as well and can vouch for its versatility and scrunchabilty. I prefer to think I look like Kim Wild when I wear it with a striped t shirt

How daft and afraid it would bring out the militant in me. How about this?

Can't you tell them the cardis are knitted jackets and that you spent a fortune on them. Could you also get away with long line cardigans?

kew
topshop

kew2

or fraser

Nope, we're deffo not allowed cardigans. Tis a bloody pain as I have many nice cardigans, which look perfectly smart with dresses or pencil skirts.

Are these any good? Only £14.99

Sorry Said but I don't like those.

Uniqlo does always look crap online, I admit. Wish they has more shops, I live in their stuff

buy one jacket, wear it for a minute, then hang it over the back of your chair.

and repeat.

done!

Mortar and gown?

Chandon - we HAVE to keep it on whilst teaching. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Dinah - v tempting!

thing is how do they define jcacekt
a lot of stores have jersey jackets in - so are soft and stretchy - zara for eg
zara is BEST for jackets

I think a jersey one would be okay but I haven't found one I actually like yet. Haven't looked in Zara yet though - will do.

I'd wear one of these every day, just to see if anyone noticed

Love it - and a bit easier to teach in than a straight jacket!