WIT or Wisdom? Who cares... the festive season is nearly upon us and one thing is certain: Avidity is the new black.

[LetThemEatCake]

Trick or treat! [hsmile]

Thanks Bloss. I think I need somethin more performance than Zara etc. I need something extra warm and waterproof for forest/north Italian winter. Is Landsend for older people? One of the parkas looked ok?

See, that's the thing monkeysmama. If you want performance, and you want to be dry and warm, then style does go out of the window I'm afraid (and I've done lots of research!). this is mine. Annoyed because they do it in sapphire this year, which is a wow colour on me. But I have it in black, and it copes with all the bad weather Snowdonia has to offer. It comes to below the knees. I am dry where everyone else is in skiing type jackets. The stylish option would be a wool coat I think, with a hat, and a brolly. Not practical right now for me.
There was a thread before where the merrell wakefield was popular.

Thanks Bloss. I quite like the second one but am not very good at the big coat thing. I don't really like any of them but I am fed up of being cold when everyone is else is warm and having fun.

OK, Monkeys am about to make potentially unhelpful intervention but....this is perfect although not sure you can order from Canada?

here

Style and performance. To be honest I don't think that any European made coats are really all that warm and waterproof! This little baby will take to you -20 and keep you dry. I tend to buy all my warm or wet outerwear at home.

Landsend is a good option otherwise...

Morning - not much time for a proper post or catch up - am shattered and have a nasty cold and sore throat - very long day yesterday but my other Great Aunt was pleased to see me so that what nice. Sisters behaved themselves and were civil to each other so that was good.

Had a potter round the town where my Great Aunts funeral was yesterday and saw this in Fenn Wright Manson - and it looked very nice esp if you like sequins but didnt want them covering the whole dress! blue dress here

I tried on the blue Janice - lovely, lovely dress - really flattering on me around the waist & hips area but sleeves/shoulders just didnt suit me. They also had this blouse which was v pretty - too pale for me but may suit those of you who like a delicate pink here comes in 3 other colourways too.

Am sitting here wearing my old (well this is their 3rd winter so not old old!) brown boots and thinking the Kew ones would look much better. Do any of you replace stuff (like for like) just cos you like the new item better? (In other words - help me justify buying new boots please!)

MM, I've got the Merrell Wakefield in olive - it's great for being waterproof but it isn't very padded, so won't be warm enough for the coldest days. I also ordered and promptly returned the Merrell Haven - it is nice and warm but the bottom half is really a-line and it looked very unflattering.

It's a dilemma!

I prefer that Roary. Dp is going to Canada in December....

I also really rate North Face, which tend to be a wee bit more stylish than Landsend.

uk.thenorthface.com/tnf-uk-en/women/jackets-vests/women-s-metropolis-parka.html?colour=2779

Or this one

MM - I have a down filled coat from Timberland that I bought in the sales last year.

It is very warm, light and I think reasonably stylish.

I've been looking at the North Face Metropolis parka. Might try and find somewhere to try it on this weekend. Timberland is a good idea Tracey - thank you!

Suggested on another thread. Tracey did you link to it once too? This is the coat I want I think probably because it is out of stock.

Does anyone know about vertbaudet sizing for children & babies? Generous / small / true to size? I need some things for A, but he's still in some newborn stuff at 4 months, so not sure what size I need. TIA!

Oops , just found the size guide, ignore me!

x post, thanks yangy!

I have just bought these.

in red and this in the bronze.

Morning. Am sitting in cafe with sleeping babe, post monkey music. Wearing DKNY charcoal wool sack shift with exposed zips, plus falkes, belstaffs and red jaeger coat. Feel very cosy and reasonably stylish. Rare for me!!

On which note, mm, I have the north face arctic parka which is so warm and quite slim-fitted, so not Michelin man styley. Re sequin dress I bought the £60 therapy version from house of Fraser but if you fancy a tk rummage, they abound! Priced from about £30 from memory, same style, one of the designers was Ronald zakhit or something... Those initials at least . many lace dresses to be had too.... Mine is oasis from hof again but I have bought and sent back several on my quest... There's a soo Lee one on asos reduced to 22, a decent M&S one, Tracey found a gorgeous reiss one.... Hope this helps. Mine has a nude slip which I think looks slightly odd when paired with opaques, would have preferred black slip, -yangy wdyt?

Bekstaff Lady Jen wearers.. Am loving mine more with each passing day but do you find that you kick the press stud strap free as you walk? Tres annoying.

Hope you are having lovely day fritzi

Oh I like the Aigle coat MM....but no picture of taupe coat...

I would like a lightweight but very warm longish puffer coat...for snowy days, torrential rain and freezing weather, which is what we had here yesterday...what a glorious change although it is rather chilly.

Well, we seem to be ill. Baby has some awful virus which made her throw up several times, on 2 pairs of pj's, and all over 2 sheets and assorted toys...poor lamb! I spent last night talking to the out of hours service doctors and doing regular meningitis checks as per their advice ...dh away...Emergency appointment today with lovely GP, dad to three under 5, reassuring...thinks nasty ole virus...Baby did brighten enough after cooing from doc to give him her killer smile, so fingers crossed...

Tracey - did you get any news on your offer yet? Keeping my fingers crossed for you....

Hells - yes, where is that lace (fb pic) dress from? It's beautiful...

MM- How's things...? Are you feeling bit brighter ? You sound like you are back to your old self....

Have loads to do but alas feel several more coffees in order before I can face chores...humph...

Bloss - I liked your dresses....!

Oh Happy Birthday Fritzi !!!!

Outfit sounds lovely Cake!

Oh, am sitting here in cropped chunky knit in charcoal, leopard scarf wrapped nonchalantly ( ), and black skinny cords and M and S suede heeled lace up boots..oh and red lips (Chanel)...face looked pale this morning on account of nocturnal actvity so needed a boost.

Oh, did some shopping yesterday and bought black tuxedo jacket (short) from Topshop! Lovely...imagine I shall get loads of wear....

As I was sitting in the Doctors this morning I came to realise that 'stylish' people will always bother about their appearance...even when old or ill . Amongst the rather jaded, tired and saggy fleece and elasticated waisted garment brigade, a wonderful Grande Dame emerged, (probably 80's) with silver grey bob, brilliant red lipstick, neat Barbour quilted navy jacket, and artfully knotted red silk scarf...she was a stummimg lady who clearly made a real effort...bless....I know what I'd rather be....

ummm...stummming......urggghhhhh....you know what I mean...brains gone....

Those of you who use YSL Touche Eclat, a good deal here, price inc. P&P.

Yangy - I like both dresses...classic with a twist.