Shall we Avidly sprint to the sales for some Wise purchases? Trench coats and cover ups, sadly.....

[notyummy]

There we go!

Fleecy I did, as it was just much too classic for me. I felt like I was dressing like somebody's mother, positively frumpy. Although when I've seen it on other women it looks really stylish. Just not right for my personality or body type (broad shoulders + cap sleeves = ugh)

That makes sense - whereas for a pear it's great because it widens the shoulders and balances the hips.

I ordered a Davina some time ago and had to return it (I like classic shapes and I think they look good on me). I normally wear size 10 but Davina in 10 was much too small for me. I also thought it was cut for a much curvier person than I am - going a size or two up probably not solve the problem.

Most clothes in stores fit me well off the peg (my success rate with online purchases is over 80%). In general, I'm fairly happy with my shape. Should I define my body type, "column" would be probably about right. So if you have my body type, this might not be the the best alternative.

I think it's very important to understand one's body type and personality. I have long limbs and am fairly tall and thin. Anything cropped makes me look like a beggar (I'll give cropped jeans and capris a pass - full 32 or 34 inches for me, please). Boxy, angular shapes make me look even more angular; loose, unstrutured items look like binliners. Classic tailored shapes look just right as long as they don't require big breasts (mine aren't) or a hourglass figure.

Sorry if this is long rant - Davina is a lovely dress and flattering on most people, but don't feel bad if it's not right for you.

Fabulous day had.

On the train home, necking back a can of mojito cocktail from M&S.

Dead classy.

Will do full purchase report when home.

That's a great poem Annie.

at the can of Mojito.

In fact I would LOVE to be sitting outside a stylish bar in the sunshine right now drinking a cocktail. You have put an image in my head MIM.

Wanted to give you a brief style report from Rome, but it's not very easy. During the day, my part of town is populated by 80-y-olds and their Ukranian nurses. (Fitflops, Birkenstocks, all types of sensible shoes immediately place you in the latter category.)

Today is 35C. In general, all women wear something that is either a knee-length skirt or full-length jeans or trousers paired with flat non-blingy small sandals on bare feet (never flipflops). Some wedges, a few pairs of short and light summer boots; obviously no tall boots. Shorts and capris are unusual, maxis seen only on sunburned tourists. Most women wear sleeveless but modest tops or slightly dressier silks.

Italians overdress rather than underdress. This doesn't mean excessive details - rather, good materials and good tailoring. The emphasis is on good materials (silk, cotton). Most women wear a designer purse (real or knockoff). Sunglasses are a must. The general impression is modest, classic, toned down, conservative, not baring too much.

Some stylish ladies from my neighborhood: a woman cycling down the street in white knee-length grecian dress and flat red patent leather sandals. A middle-aged lady sweeping the floor in a yellow leather pencil skirt, pure white tee and gold sandals. Sounds tacky and mishmashy but because the cut was perfect and the materials superb she looked ready for a Marni photoshoot.

Well I am just pissed on the 4.15 out of Waterloo rather than sitting in a breezy cocktail lounge.

Least it wasn't a lager.

Dona. I NEED a job looking after an 80 Roman.

Tell me how you can get that gig!

mim

dona thank you! I can see how the yellow leather could be amazing on a pulled together kind of person.

I was looking at the ladies in Valencia when we were there the other week and noticed how even the younger people dress in more of a classic style than here. Also noticed how there are very few fat women over there. Even the ladies in their 60s looked very slim and chic on the whole.

sounds good MIM! Looking forward to purchase report.

Dona sounds idyllic, style-wise.

Have just had a lovely big tuna nicoise salad for dinner, feel all healthy. Am now going to shatter the illusion by consuming rhubarb crumble and cream.

Sadly bad news for DH on one job, they just couldn't pull the money together to afford him. A shame, but we're not too disappointed as it would be so much easier logistically if he was jobless when we move.

What a fab poem annie

Another sale fail here today with matches dvf dress arriving and having too much baby pink in it. Then by the time I got onto the outnet the dress I fancied had gone. I think I will focus on a/w wear now!

mim hope the mojito is delicious! Sounds rather lovely.....quite fancy one!

Annie I loved the poem. Thank you.

MiM I can't wait to hear all about your day. Living vicariously and all that.

Suburban thank you very much in anticipation of Primark prowling.

Have had an interesting afternoon - popped to one of DS' chum's house after school and it turns out his Mum is becoming a childminder. She's a lovely, lovely woman; very calm and considered. She can definitely take DD and possibly DS for one or two of the days (and lives 5 mins from nursery), but it would mean only paying for a term-time place, which could potentially save us 4k thinks of the handbags. I also had a call from work to let me know I'm working Mon-Weds, which seems great and half of my timetable is A'level teaching; even better. They've already signed me up for a course in London in September, which I'm excited about already; never thought I'd see the day!

That's great, Red. It would be nice to have some money left over!

Fleecy, good luck on Thurs. The Davina will be perfect, I think.

You're making me want to book a flight to Rome, DonaAna.

MiM, did you try the grey jeans??

DH will be working again this weekend. When will it end????

20% off at Dorothy Perkins with the code DPSUMMER20. I ordered this dress despite the bad review.

Shame about the job offer, Hopefully but at least the timing is better for your move now.

I'm interested in the Whistles and Russell & Bromley sales, then I'm drawing a line under summer!

Great poem fleecy. I think you'll rock the davina.
I'm envious of Rome too decam. I just bought some stuff in the Sweaty Betty sale: a cycling top, some shredding shorts, umm a fur hat(!) I did lust after it in winter, and seems stupid not to purchase now it's in the sale, and a parka which I first linked to over a year ago, half price.
emerald VL wasn't for me, and will go back to free up some money!

fur hat
parka

Ok.

Firstly, can you all remind me that I cannot spend anymore money for a long,long time. CC was flexed, and needed to come up with some elaborate payment plan this evening to justify purchases to DH. Luckily, I am still riding on the post pregnancy, 'I have nothing to wear, and look how I have sacrificed my body for these children' wave. However, after today my time is up on that one.

No navy pumps in Primark at all, so Suburban if you do find a size 5 I'd be really grateful. Will obviously re-pay you along with P+P.

So, had a look around Selfridges. Massive discounts in denim, but mostly odd sizes left. The pink floral JBrands were down to £20!! Nothing caught my eye. Bloss I looked at this Balenciaga for you, and goodness, it is lovely.

Had a wander down to Whistles, where I used some remaining vouchers on a lovely grey and white soft jersey dress. Needs to be worn belted, but works well with bare legs and hopefully tights and boots in the winter. Its new in, but cannot find a picture anywhere to link.

Had a look at the 7's Decam, they are lovely. Very soft, nice grey wash and a good length. Liked them so much that I bought them! I sized down to a 28 though as they have a lot of give in them. I also found myself in Donna Ida, and picked up some Indigo 811's. Fabulous fit.

Two pairs of expensive jeans in one day is excessive, but they are classics in terms of colour and style.

Had lunch at Yalla, Yalla. The food was fantastic, but its rather noisy in there.

Have walked loads so am MN'ing in bed, DD snoring away, DH watching football downstairs.

Glad you had a lovely day, MiM, you deserved it. Are you normally a 29? Did you get them from Selfridges or Donna Ida? I have a babysitter next Tues for a few hours. :)

The Sweaty Betty sale is on??? Hide my credit cards!

Just back from a cocktail party. I used to do them a lot more (had about 20 maternity cocktail dresses). Challenge: 35 degree heat, stylish Italians.
Has this ever happened to you? On my bed a pile of party dresses: some too tight, some too dowdy, almost all made of heavyish fabrics. Discarded the flowery option (don't want to be a wallflower, plus this is not a country wedding). DvF perfect but just used last week with partially overlapping people. Anything with a jacket too hot. Black too formal. Anything with a bolero too dressy, too contrived. The chiffon dress - mutton goes lamb. The Helmut Lang, absolutely perfect, and I even had the shoes and bag for it - but its viscose and it wrinkled me when I put it on (sadly not a great deconstructed look, just sloppy and tired). Final solution: coral Nicole Farhi - dirt cheap and fresh from Outnet. In fact, I had worn it around the house yesterday . But it was thick silk, cool enough, very effortless, and, most importantly, made me feel good. Paired it with my Castaners (had heard we would stay outside, did not want the heels sinking in grass feeling all night) and my 2.55 and felt immediately very good.

And it was a good choice. Not perhaps the best outfit, but made me feel happy, relaxed and talkative. i enjoyed the evening. That's the think - wear whatever makes you feel good.

Get yourselves and your party frocks on an Easyjet, and I'll organize the meetup party right here!

Now excuse me, I need to get some exercise gear...

Sorry, lots of prosecco and iPad induced typos