Party frocks ahoy! Avidly and wisely dressing ourselves for the party season!

[blossoming]

Sorry to hear about your dd dolcee. Hope things improve soon.
Glad to hear your family were better behaved this time ollie.

I wonder what an avid and wise Christmas party would be like. Where would we have it? What would you wear? (Complete fantasy obviously!)

All the best for the hospital visit, carciofi.

I like the blouse in that colour, yangy (called 'mystery' ). Sorry that you're feeling so stressed, I would be freaked by DH going away for 3 months, it was bad enough when he worked away before DCs. I'm sure you'll get into a routine that works, I hope the anticipation is worse that the reality.

Right, I have perused my wardrobe for 'Saturday night in a wine bar' options. I think my best bet if I shop from my wardrobe is grey skinny jeans with my Whistles paint stripe black & cream top (looks a bit zebra print -esque), with black ankle boots. I just don't have much going out stuff - which is why I am tempted to buy something new, there's clearly a gaping hole gap in my wardrobe.

If I go shopping, I think I'm after a Claudia look - not too fitted short dress with opaques and boots. Nothing too embellished though, my taste generally is to keep it simple. I have seen this and this which I like, though both very plain. F Connection are normally good at this stuff but can't see aynthing I like there. I need something that 'skims' - I'm too lumpy at the moment for tight, and too skinny for very loose fitting.

Whaddayathink?

Yangy - sorry to hear that you are stressed. There are a number of us on this thread with oft absent DHs so feel free to vent. Although I see him a couple of times a month at the moment, DH has been - and will be next year - away for up to 6 months. It is hard isn't it? The worst bit is just after they have gone, until you get into a routine - and then just before they get back when the days tick past slowly.

Apuski - I think I prefer the 2nd of those two options. They do seem quite 'dress down' colour wise, if it is a 'going out clothes' hole that you are trying to fill? But I am a bit of a magpie, so feel free to ignore! I know you said you would prefer nothing embellished, just thinking something plain but brighter perhaps?

apuski I think Chinti and Parker, and Splendid, and all those designer t-shirt brands for that matter are completely overpriced and they are trying to make fools of us. They annoy me very much. Sorry. Rant over.

I love Claudia's style too. I think my feathers dress is quite claudia'esque, if you wear it with leggings, and high heeled shoes, or if you don't want to dress up too much, with flats. What size and shape are you?

Apuski - I like both of them but as a blue fan think the second one has the edge! I always seem to have a going out gap in my wardrobe - lost count of the times I have a night out, buy something in a bit of rush which I don't really like or wear much afterwards.
Good luck at the hospital Carciofi.

I keep looking at this Mint Velvet dress here. I don't really do prints but think this one is more wishy washy than a full on print. Colour wise greys really suit me. Walked past it in John Lewis on Sat and am kicking myself for not trying it on (older sister has had enough of my faffing in Kew and wanted to look at coffee machines!). Would wear it with black opaques, suede shoe boots and poss a little black/grey cardi or shrug. Whats the W&A collective view.

I also asked a question in jest at the end of the last thread but keep thinking about it - do any of you buy new items which are more or less the same as something you already have - just cos you like the new thing more? My sister does it all the time (once brought new dishwasher and fridge in silver as she didnt like the white ones anymore) but I think I have my Mums sensible gene!

Zooming in without having caught up just to report

Monkeys check out

here

and

here

ANd also

here

and they ship internationally

Sorry yangy, I've been meaning to answer you this before. I think the 8 would fit. I think Phase 8 are a little generous. Where's my order?

ollie, I know what you mean. I do try not to though! Black boots, handbags and sunglasses and always jeans! Sucker for a new jeans brand me!

(can anyone join in?)

...there's a phase 8 long sleeved sequin number that i saw the lady in the shop wearing and have fallen in love with but it looks awful online...anyone seen it? or better still tried it on? I fear it might be too short for me...

honestly it's nicer in real life

NY, I agree that they are probably underdressing too much, and yes bloss, I think it is a lot for a long t shirt!

Gawd, thinking about this is exposing my body insecurities! I have been v self-conscious about being skinny in the past, so go for 'daywear' dresses for all occasions because the fabric tends to be heavier and seems like it adds some bulk. Though I'm not as skinny right now, I think a 10 rather than 8 (and am about 5 ft 9). I still can't do low cut despite breastfeeding! Slightly pear shaped.

I'm trawling through shopstyle as we speak!

Oh, GOD, Ollie, I do this constantly.

I went to the closet to get out a rainproof coat this morning, and I have 4 stone coloured trench coats. Altogether, have worn them fewer than ten times. Why? Well, the colour doesn't really suit me, but I would so like to look like Audrey Hepburn in them...

Also, I own both these, and these, bought within a few months of each other. See if you can spot the difference.

Hello tassisssss the more the avidder merrier that wasn't a word was it? hmm

I havent seen that dress in real life, but can honestly say that phase8 stuff tends to havea really nice fit on, from what I have anyway

lots of lovely links to drool over in a second- yay yay!

Had a crappola morning wished I was in work! Dragged DS to c.wharf for baby gap coats (none online in his size) but they have closed the store and replaced it with a Tiffany's (much better.. ehem)
But yes, poor DS is cold [bad mummy] he has grown out of everything so fast- also had day of 'work' on a file which is ridiculous and today was deadline for sumbission of document bundle and they've been submitted to the court instead of the respondent which is not good. Contemplating jumping on train and taking it there in person !
P being usual pain, luckily has gone out!!!

LOVE that Paul&Joe dress btw I wanted to buy it for young gorgeous friend of mine but realised may be slightly over budget, but still is lovely I like to be fashion fairy- Italian friend received Lily&lionel red scarf on her birthday and loves it. Voila my work is done

esher I will join you in your quest for that top. I saw some exactly like that by theory but it was A/W 09. I sooooo want it, they were beautiful.

Vin, am going to Gap with voucher tomorrow-you want me to try and get the coat. Can bung it in a jiffy, you'd have it on Sat?

Give P a sharp kick from me when he gets home.

Ooh, good suggestion Blossoming! I think you could do that dress with leggings or vv thick tights and boots if you were going for a more relaxed, funky going out look.

Or what about something likethis?

Will have another look.

Sorry that last post was directed to Apuski - with a reference to Bloss for her feathers dress suggestion!

plum I have 2 stone/beige trenches in my wardrobe (and have evicted 2 recently!) and have never worn any of them

Ah thank you plum that's really kind. There isn't a specific one I was eyeing up I was just hoping they'd have some in stock as the website's a bit sparsely populated in any size that might fit him (he's short but rather round, bless him- doomed genetics!!)

I think there is one near where I work so I will ahve a look tomorrow (avec voucher- wise!) but thank you . However perhaps they have closed down all baby gaps in the city too, not many people there buying baby clothes normally. Hmmmm

Oh PS can I wear this dress to the Christmas party?

Apuski

this

this?

Sorry - may be miles off!! Just trying to go for relatively demure, skimming but slightly more 'dressed up' than your original links.

I haven't got time to post properly as a work but does anyone need a 30% Gap voucher? If you do, please PM me with your e mail address and I can forward :)

Am still pondering the gilet question. I hear ya, LTEC and Esher, re the too-cold issue, but I am wearing this today, and feel it would be enhanced much with this. Hmmm, will ponder, until June...

Oooh, Vin - that is lovely! Apparently he is the 'hip young designer of the moment' (quoting a mag - obviously!)

With you in Erdem and me in Sass and Bide we shall stop the traffic...

Argh- harvey nichols website is always down whenerv I click on it. Ho hum.
I do love erdem notyummy- have a scarf but haven't dared to spend monthly rent get a dress yet- there are so many I love! I am seriously thinking I could possibly justify one for Christmas (probably lunch with FIL somewhere nice- a first!) I like this print because of the colours and

plum love dress- soemthing about gilets scares me! I think I am not blessed with model looks or proportions so for me it would not look fashion it would look like I was a big fat furry monster