Mn Vogue vol. 2

[MarshaBrady]

For anyone who likes to talk about style, nice stuff that they've bought and so on.

I got told I was a classic dramatic but I need to investigate what that means (my colours weren't done by HoC) but I do know I am warm Deep autumn.....
This is a whole new journey for me and I'm loving it!

Just sneaked a peek on here as supposed to be watching X-factor now with DCs (after a blissfully quiet supper with DH in the garden.....filet steak & Chilean carmenere - a grape I've never tried before but wholeheartedly recommend - FairTrade from Co-Op [oops])

Marsha - I have no idea about the demise of the W&A threads and clearly there is no need to re-hash here. Just seems a shame since I lurked regularly and posted very occasionally (once asked for advice for Maldives holiday wardrobe advice under my old MN name) and it always seemed a lovely thread to be involved in.

I have never met anyone here IRL, to my knowledge.

Dona - I have huge lifestyle envy. I want to people watch in an Italian park at dusk on a regular basis . Oh and as for the Lidl reference: I live in posh part of Bucks and the nearest Lidl is always packed out with Range Rover drivers

I have never had my colours done. It has been a process of trial and error (ie navy makes me look glowing, black I can just about get away with as long as I have prepped with Chanel's Vitalumiere and Rouge Orage).

And I agree with Marsha about budget. I think some people feel intimidated by a few designer label mentions which makes me feel rather sad. I don't have a designer label budget and even if I did I cant imagine wearing head to toe designer as there are elements of the high street and vintage/charity shop buys that I adore far too much to turn my back on.

that should have been rather than "oops"

Ujjayi Maldives, I like your style. (lots are on fb now. so still going really). Btw do you use pinterest?

Re budget yes no one should feel bad. Just good about what they buy. Whatever it is. I love a good bargain, so the outnet is one of my faves.

But it doesn't matter at all.

Shop really great that you are enjoying it!

Now there seems to be a New W&A thread for people who don't do designer...

I don't want to be the person who creates label frenzy and label envy. For most of my life, I've happily worn anonymous high street and deparment store clothes. However, of late, they have almost stopping making clothes I want and need - I want cotton, silk and pure wool. As a classic dresser, I'm tired of trend-driven poor quality tat. A few years ago, you could get pure silk and cotton dresses at Zara. Now most of them are made of polyester or viscose. End result: I am more willing to buy great quality clothes 2nd hand or save up for some time and then invest. My body shape changed after having children (from size 10 to 12) so I've had to redo most of of my clothes over the last two years.

I'm not a supermodel but I love fashion and people often compliment my outfits. I'll try to explain my clothes buying system. Please do understand that I'm a classic dresser and wear many of my clothes for a decade...

• Dresses (solid color plain black and navy and red) from wherever I find great quality-price ratio. Recent purchases - COS; Esprit; Gerard Darel; Celtic Sheepskin; Escada Sport on sale; Burberry on sale; Maxmara Weekend on sale; Calvin Klein from US outlets. Price per item usually about 100 GBP or less.
• I loved H&M maternity jeans. After experimenting with H&M denim post pregnancy and never finding a good fit I've realized I get much better fit and longer life from higher quality jeans. Two makes, 7FAM and MiH, fit me perfectly. Both can be had from Yoox, other discounters and boutique end of season sales or eBay quite inexpensively - I've gotten mine for about 60 GBP per item and my oldest pair will be 10 years in January (and is perfectly on trend again).
• I love structured jackets and blazers, especially the collarless Chanel type. I've worn the two oldest I have for about a decade. Spending some money on these is smart because I will get lots of wear from them. My priciest ones come from Tory Burch, D&G, Tara Jarmon and DAY Birger Mikkelsen (nearly all on sale), but I also have a great one from Zara (20 GBP on sale) And a lovely black leather one from Vila (about 50 GBP). Plus I wore three black cotton/linen blazers from H&M for almost decade - they were extremely well-made at 30 USD each Don't do suits any more, have just one left. Have found two grat jackets in thrift stores recently. *Skirts. I used to love them - have lots of quirky prints from indie labels in New York, Brazil and Scandinavia plus one superb quality dark denim one from from C&A. *I've struggled with tops and blouses. I used to do high street but never found ones that looked good - like structured ones. Have recently found great ones from COS, Matches sale, the Outnet plus have bought two for full price from Marc Jacobs. My all-time favorite top is a white tuxedo shirt found for about 20GBP in C&A in Brazil. Still going strong after 5 years of constant use. *cardigans, sweaters and twinset - I have a selection of good merino and cashmere and supima cotton ones, for a maximum of 100 GBP per item. Best ones were bought from Benetton in 2000 - moths ate them when we lived in Brazil *coat dresses: amazingly versatile items, perfect for fall, spring and cool summers. Two from Marni Outnet), one from Anna Sui (5 years of heavy use)
• party dresses: Zara, Outnet, US outlets, Matches sale.
• I buy T-shirts and vests from H&M, sometimes from the Outnet. *I buy underwear from high street and department stores (Calvin Klein and Maidenform fit me best) - and Lidl. Latin America is great for knickers, women there are obsessed with looking good on limited budgets - my faves are from street markets in Mexico and small stores in Argentina, less than 1 GBP apiece and they are excellent quality. *I buy sheer tights from a local supermarket and Lidl, opaques from department stores. Am not convinced Wolford and Falke are worth the up-front investment. *Coats, various sources including an inherited mink coat and hand-me-down vintage wool coats. Best coat: a full-length black wool coat from circa 1995. *I don't do designer shoes. Zara has been a good source, also love Vagabond, Stylesnob and Castaner, plus Ilse Jacobsen for rubber boots. *have both non-designer and designer bags (classics - I don't do it bags). Best quality bags I've ever found were leather bags from Argentina - incredible quality for about 80 GBP per item. My current favorite bags are inexpensive Zatchels. *jewellery. I have a lot of silver brooches and cocktail rings purchased as souvenirs from various countries. I love big pieces and colorful semi-precious stones and wear a big cocktail ring every day. Also have a thing for pearls. No earrings and no diamonds.

Had a look at eBay yesterday. If you know your style and what you need, you can get Alaia, Pucci, Missoni or Erdem for below high-street prices (I collected a basket full or items - none of them would be over 100 GBP). Personally, I would rather buy Pucci than Jigsaw, but this does not mean others should do the same. We all have different preferences and tastes and it's fine.

Sorry for the monster Behemoth post - now that's all in here I'll omit labels from my future posts - but can we really do Vogue without labels?

Labels are fine. It's just a place to be excited / happy about stuff. Old, new, vintage, NaP, sales bargain whatever.

And to talk about style. No one should feel bad no matter what they spend. Just enjoy it I say.

Another glorious day. School tomorrow labels to sew

And I love all the lovely life in other cities/ doing different things posts too, so much more than labels. Dona great list!

dona and everyone else please please keep posting the labels and the links. I love seeing them. Frankly it is up to me whether I buy a designer item or use it as inspiration on the high street. I'd much rather hear about a named jumper from Pure or crumpet than read endless anonymous reports about "lovely jumpers" people have spotted!!!

So in the spirit of linking to actual clothes here is what I bought yesterday

www.gap.eu/browse/product.do?cid=57359&vid=1&pid=www.thewhitecompany.com/clothing/jewellery/teardrop-pendant-necklace--pebble/

dona purchase was inspired by discussion of chambray shirts recently x

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.gap.eu/browse/product.do?cid=57359&vid=1&pid=www.thewhitecompany.com/clothing/jewellery/teardrop-pendant-necklace--pebble/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.gap.eu/browse/product.do?cid=57359&vid=1&pid=www.thewhitecompany.com/clothing/jewellery/teardrop-pendant-necklace--pebble/

Oops!!!

Personally I have no problem with labels: Like Dona, I love a good bargain and agree it is only a bargain if the quality is excellent, natural fibres rather than synthetics and you adore it. I've also become very despondent about high street shopping because I loathe polyester and yet it seems every store is awash with it. Don't even get me started on the ridiculous cost of acrylic knitwear.

I also loathe the way in which fast fashion has taken over. It's as if we don't care how long clothes last - from either a style or quality perspective - as long as we are being fed this constant diet of fad over function & true personal style.

Dona (and anyone else reading this) please don't feel that you cannot mention labels. During my time posting here I have mentioned everything from Dior to Boden . There is no need for anyone to feel that they cannot join in or to feel somehow "inferior". I don't feel inferior when I flick through Vogue, why should I feel inferior or unwelcome on here?

It makes me sad. Fashion and style is just fun - an extension of yourself and should be frivolous and light. Let's not make it anything other.

Also bought this in local boutique yesterday. Had never heard of label but I did a handbrake turn when I saw this in the window and now it is mine!!!

www.anamiandjanine.com/winter-2012/lakshmi-goddess-edie-tea-dress-sapphire.html

No no no! No one should be embarrassed about how much or how little they spend!! Please keep posting the labels and lovely links. There are plenty of threads in MN with high st links. I like this thread for the links to items that are over budget for me!!

Excellent Ants! Love the dress, will look great on you. (Gap's not loading on phone for some reason).

Lovely posts Pop Ujjayi and Trixy. Am out so just reading.

popcornia I thought the same - I love the mix of budgets and styles on here. I think maybe people forget that 90% of links/purchases on here are Zara/Topshop type prices, a bit of whistles/Hobbs price, and very occasionally insane designer prices for special treats and/ogling

Ugh, off to do a workout.

Yep ladies - this is all about having fun, feeling good, sharing!
And a great bargain triggers my hunter-gatherer instincts...

I have no problems with work and formal looks but struggle with casual / SAHM outfits and need your inspiratin for getting them right. Have enjoyed this thread and its predecessors - have learned so much and love the feedback. (Definitely investigating chambray/leather/pearls).

I've done the all-supermarket look too (during cash-poor student times maternity leave). Some people are able to rock it, I wasn't. Except that Lidl knickers and tights rule...

Almost finished with Nina Garcias's book. Have realized that must be doing something right because own most of the items mentioned there - but very intrigued by Army/Navy stores and lucite jewellery... Also, have found some amazing suppliers by googling her hints Will really know where to shop when it's time to replace some basics.

Oh and love the vintage vibe here too... Ujjayi and others keep telling about your finds!

Ants love the necklace, very sophisticated.
Marsha enjoy the labeling madness.

Outfit of the day: bare feet and legs, sleeveless Mondrian-print cotton dress, red lipstick, toenails finally printed with Essie Ballet Slippers (Nina Garcia likes it too!)?

Sorry, atrocious copy editing...
Ants absolutely stunning dress!
Popcornia your post should be the motto of this thread... Apropos, the dress I'm wearing right now is high street but inspired by iconic 1960s YSL looks that were briefly revived a few seasons ago. YSL was inspired by Mondrian, a painter who started with landscapes and gradually simplified them and ended up colorful grids. My dress makes me think of all this. And it is beautiful and timeless...

About the supermarket look: I have a black jersey grecian style one-shoulder dress which I wear wear with either flat gold leather sandals (on holiday) or gold or tan strappy heels (UK). It looks like Halston, gets so many compliments (the latest from an incredibly chic label-adorned Italian lady) and yet.........cost me £8 in Tesco. Yes. Tesco.

My other great evening wear purchase was a stunning red strapless jersey maxi which I first wore to a fundraiser organised by some very wealthy friends of ours. It was like walking through Harvey Nicks, ticking off label after label (am convinced even the waiting staff were clad in Gucci, they were so sharp). And yet the hostess told me that everyone wanted to know who was the woman in the strapless red maxi and I gracefully accepted many direct compliments that night too . Twas a bargainous Dorothy Perkins purchase at a mere £18. I still own it and wore it for my 40th.

Dona is absolutely on the nail when she describes the process of inspiration with designers. Few ideas are true original thought. Rare is the moment when a designer simply takes pencil and sketchbook and plucks an idea from thin air. All design calls on inspiration from other sources: art, music, architecture, vintage or historical fashions, soft furnishings etc. For an insight into how this works there is a beautiful book by Christian Lacroix called Diary of a Collection. It takes you through his process from a painting to the runway.

As an aside, a little bit of trivia: Lacroix is unable to create using his own name now. He always ran his business at a huge loss despite his haute couture and RTW always being in demand - but the cost of design and development far outweighed the income from sales. As a result, the label was bought. He now collaborates with other designers and labels and produced a gorgeous collection for Desigual under the name "Monsieur C Lacroix". Imagine not being able to use your own name!

Yes the leather leggings are not for me, I wish they were, but size, budget and opportunities to wear them mean they wouldn't be a wise purchase. However I do like the look of them on other people and the styling of them and living vicariously through those that they are for. I'll just wear black skinnies in their place!

Off out to see a friend's new house and for lunch wearing petrol skinnies, black Oasis vest and the Zara leopard cardigan I pinned. I think I need some accessories though. Maybe a cuff as the sleeves are 3/4?

Love that dress ants. Bet the smug factor was pretty high that night ujjayi, that dress sounds like a major bargain!

oh and today I am wearing:

Michael Kors bikini (TK Maxx bargain)
White kaftan which totally channels Jade Jagger poolside in Ibiza (Tesco)

Ujjayji supermarkets are clearly getting better! Sadly no Tesco or Primark near us. And yes, my mother has always looked stunningly stylish in very inexpensive clothes - she taught me to sew, dye, thrift, shop in outlets and scan cheap and unlikely places. But she also bought designer shoes in 1970s when it was not a mainstream activity. And I've seen her in Givenchy...

My supermarket looks were pretty tragic: ill-fitting clothes slightly too big, ugly shoes plus endless ribbed turtlenecks and long-sleeved tees that got more and more formless with each wash

Designers, particularly the diffusion lines, use a lot of atrocious materials too. I used to love RED Valentino but over the past seasons it has gotten too synthetic - am not interested in an acrylic sweaters at any price point. This is why I am scanning more and more charity and consignment shops.

Poor Christian L! He made an entrance to high fashion when I started reading Vogue - I've always liked his over the top looks (and wore balloon skirts; one of my early fashion creations was inspired by him... I bought a pillarbox red longline knit blazer in a thrift shop and made a red balloon jersey skirt to match and sewed them together. One of the lost pieces I miss...).

Trixy I'm not stepping on the leather legging train either. I'm no good with lambskin, can see the kneebags, olive oil stains and snot marks...