Anyone interested in a 'what we are buying'wearing' thread for those of us who love clothes but have a New Look/Dorothy Perkins/Primark/HM budget?

[MimikosPanda]

I love following some blogs and I liked lurking on the AW threads but I can never afford the clothes, shoes and bags that are talked about. I love looking at different styles and then have the challenge of trying to find a cheaper look on the cheaper end of the high street. I'd love to hear what others are finding to give me some ideas.
One of the blogs I follow is doesmybumlook40.blogspot.co.uk, I love Kat's style and whilst she has the odd bit from Primark or H&M there is a lot of Toast, Massimo Dutti, Jigsaw, Whistles and these are just too expensive for me.
So, does anyone fancy sharing tips on good finds on the budget highstreet?

I have 2 coats now, both Primark. One is a navy pea coat that I changed the buttons on and removed the fur collar to make it look smarter, it has lasted well and for £30 I can't complain. To have something more casual I later bought a puffa down jacket for £16 and it is really warm and I've had lots of compliments on it.
I nearly splurged and bought an £80 from DP back in October but I'm glad I took a chance on Primark.

Today is red jersey dress from Dorothy Perkins (under £20), black stretchy belt from M&S (£5), black cardigan from Sainsburys (not sure of price, it was a gift) and Primark diamond-pattern tights.

I'm in

Indigo Skinnies - DP
vests
Long body burgundy vest - H&M
Burgundy/cream stipe fine knit sweater - River Island
Bearpaw boots -TKMaxx

I'll add a scarf but not decided which yet.

Just helping at school today, so nothing exciting

Jeggings - Matalan
Blue & white striped long top - Crew
Brown Mardy boots - Caterpillar

Happy Valentine's Day, fellow bargain hunters.

Today I am wearing: black skinnies - H&M
Black, long-sleeved t-shirt - Primark
Black, suede, wedge heel boots - Wallis
This tunic, which is more of an oatmeal colour than the picture shows, - Wallis - and a nod to the date.

I'm at work again today, wearing a new skirt I bought from H&M last week. It was a bargain £5 from the sale rail, it's a mini skirt in a bright pink tweedy material, and I am beyond pleased with it.

I was a bit worried it might be a bit short for work, but no fewer than three people came up to me and admired it - result!

I wore it with a black polo-neck skinny rib jumper from Dunnes (Ireland) and long black boots.

Today I am wearing-

black blazer-zara
cream lace tea dress-primark
bow belt-primark
black and cream t-bar flats-new look
black opaques-primark
red satchel-zara

Went Matalan
Leggings grey and wooly £3 reduced from £6
Cardi cream and cost £7 reduced from 14
Dress black and cream £7 reduced from 14
And a couple of 3 teeshirts

Bargain!!!!!

Duh I meant Primark not Matalan!!!

At work:

Grey wide leg tweedy trousers, River Island sale about 4 years ago
Light blue shirt H&M
Grey cable knit wool tank top Primark

Coats:

I have a million -
Brown short puffa type one, Next
Blue duvet puffa long one, fur trim on hood, Primark
Black and grey tweedy one with black leather waist tie up, M&S
Grey tie up one, market
Black short mac type one, Peacocks
Denim jacket
several cropped jackets
Blue waterproof

I'm in

Black and Cream striped mini dress H&M( was a bargain£6 last Autumn so I bought 4 colour ways )
Red cardigan
Black Opaques Primark
Black leather and Patent brogues Dune half price sale.

I'm off to Primark on Saturday to have a proper look at their jeans, and grab some bargains.

Just back from the mahoosive Sainsbos in Epsom. I was very restrained in the end, buying a checked shirt and a scarf. All sorts of lovely clothing, though (it's not a shop I normally go to). DD2 picked up a dress and some leggings, and DD1 a sleeveless shirt.

Cointreau That was very restrained in Sainsburys! Did you see all of the new Gok range? What did you think?

I'm going to a nearby shopping centre today, yey! It has a Primark, New Look & H&M all bigger than my local ones. I'm only taking one of the DC with me so I've convinced myself that this will be just like a childfree shopping trip even though I know thats deluding myself!!

There is a Debenhams too so I'm going to see if any of the things from my wishlist the other night are in there.

Im wearing indigo skinnies from asda,
Tan ankle boots
Breton type top from m£s
Waxed parka also from m£
On my way to oxford st for some shopping.

Im wearing indigo skinnies from asda,
Tan ankle boots
Breton type top from m£s
Waxed parka also from m£
On my way to oxford st for some shopping.

Red skinnies from Sainsbos
Black and white striped long vest from Sainsbos
Black tight turtleneck with puffed upper sleeves, New Look. Liked this so much I bought it in grey and beige as well.

Indigo skinnies - H&M
Pink printed t-shirt - Internationale
Cream & black striped blazer - Matalan
Ash Thelmas

Back from my trip out, I had a really good look through all the shops but didn't buy anything because, whilst I saw plenty I liked, there wasn't anything stand out. Most of what I liked was just a slightly different version of something I already have so couldn't justify the expense.

I tried on the sweatshirt in New Look that I like the look of and it was lovely, but it is so similar to the sweatshirt I already have that it is almost a duplicate. I lookde in H&M for the sweatshirts they have been advertising but I couldn't find them at all, though I saw a couple of great sweatshirts but they were all £15+ which is more than I want to pay. I only paid £7 for the one I have.

Maybe some of Cointreau's Sainsburys restraint has rubbed off on me?! Gah, I hate being sensible!

In Primark I nearly bought some PJs, they had some lovely lightweight woven cotton PJ bottoms in lovely prints, one was very Cath Kidston-esque. They would be lovely for summer but I don't need them so I walked away
They had a lovely cream sweatshirt for about a tenner, the fabric felt a good quality, better than I expect in there. They only had it in cream though and it made me look too washed out so again I left it.

I have had a look for some sweatshirts on ebay, quite smart looking ones rather than the sporty/collegiate ones, I think they are warm and practical when playing with the DC but also look good. I saw one I really liked, pink with a grey stripe from TopShop, so I went into TopShop to see what size I'd be in their sweatshirts but they were very slouchy in style and they weren't what I was after so I'm not going to bid on ebay now. I'll keep my eye out for the one I like from New Look though just in case someone is selling one.

Today I was wearing-

navy blue with red flowers tea dress-monsoon
red cardigan-primark
navy opaques-new look
tan boots-new look
two tone coat-blue and teal-new look
teal suede bow gloves-primark

Ashoething - you always sound so beautifully dressed and coordinated.

Mimiko - shame you didn't find anything you liked, but it is a good feeling when you control your clothes-buying urge! Yes, I did look at the Gok stuff in Sainsburys - a few nice things, but nothing I particularly needed. They had some smart-looking black work trousers, but I couldn't be bothered with the faff of trying them on.

Today I had two hours to kill in Crawley while the car was having its brakes done, so DD2 (junior fashionista) and I had a quick trawl around the shops. H&M came up trumps again - DD2 bought a cute top, and I found a perfect pair of trousers on the sale rail, exactly what I was after, beige narrow-leg ankle-skimming chinos, which looked fantastic with my new Next denim shirt and ankle boots. I was a bit worried about the price because the tag wasn't stickered with a red Sale price, but they rung up at £5!! Wa-hey! Restraint? What restraint?

I know I'm late to this thread but I really need advice. I've bought my first ever jeggings/leggings. They're from Oasis so a lot more like super skinnies iyswim. Anyway, I'm now on the look out for tops. I'm cautious about tunics because I'm worried they're a bit mumsy ( although I'm 38 so I qualify for mumsy) but having never worn leggings I'm at a loss. I've posted on this thread because if I post generally I'll get suggestions way beyond my purse.
Can anybody help? Pretty please? [Smile]

Aw thank you cointreau-believe me I have my slob out days! I have found that I have really taken inspiration from vintage blogs and I try and emulate a vintage style look. So I buy a lot of cheap jewellery from primark,charity shops etc,always wear dresses and have a lot of gloves,scarves,accessories to mix and match.

For going out I like full swing dresses worn with an underskirt or wiggle dresses-these can be picked up quite cheaply on ebay.

I bought this week Next tapered jeans and Next linen t-shirt, £30 and £14 respectively.
Really chuffed, fed up with skinnies.

Those of you that wear leggings what do you wear them with? I've been in leggings daily since beginning of jan and will be till the end of march due to plaster cast up my knee their the only thing I can get over it. I've been wearing long cardigans and vests but feel as I look the same everyday and its getting pretty boring.
So thinking of buying a few new items for my top half but need suggestions x

Spottymoo - I wear lots of those very pretty but way too short dresses that New Look, Primark etc specialise in as tunics with leggings/jeggings - does that help?

Today I'm wearing cream & black lace print tea dress - pearl lowe at Peacocks, black opaques and irregular choice fresh cut grass shoes

Hair half up and backcombed and hair straightener curls in the bit that's down, and red lippy as felt quite a lot like Jabba the Hut this morning after over indulging last night...