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 don't wear Jack Wills Mimiko, mainly because of my kids. They had their heads in their hands when I showed them what I bought today! Apparently I am not allowed to wear anything their friends might wear. When I said it won't be long till I get my Converse out, DS1 said I should "stop now and start dressing to my age!"

If you want to wear it though,I reckon you should. I actually enjoyed shopping with DH this morning. He was quite encouraging of me to try different things, if I like the jeans when I try them on tomorrow I might go back and get some more. They had some in khaki which would be a nice change I reckon and I noticed they were putting more summery tops out too.

My twin nieces, who are 11, are obsessed with Jack Wills. It's soooo pricy for what it is.

DD1, who is also 11, thinks it's overpriced branded nonsense, and is perfectly happy with the new top I bought her in Sainsbos (like mother, like daughter!)

Tis definitely aimed at teens and early 20s; I wouldn't buy my clothes there.

4theloveofBob I've just had a look at Boohoo.com, there's some nice stuff on there.

My 11 year old likes Jack Wills, and Hollister.

I have a hoody somewhere which usually makes DD's eyes rolls in an alarming fashion

I went a bit mad in the shops today.

In River Island I got a slouchy jumper in stone with a heart made out of studs on the front and a cream and navy striped top.
In H&M I got a couple of basic vests and two cotton round necked cardigans for work - one black and one royal blue.
Then in Primark I got two snoods and a pair of navy work trousers to replace ones that are too big for me.
I could have done with one of you there for advice though. I tried on some of the supersoft jeggings in Dorothy Perkins. They were a good fit and very comfy but they made my knees look really fat! Could havw done with a second opinion.

Dorothy Perkins had some nice olive green jeggings that I was quite tempted by, £23.

I thought those might be the answers sbout JW . A friend has offered me some JW stuff that she is too big for now and before I reply I wanted to know what age normally wears it. I'm early thirties so probably too okd, don't want to be mutton! I think I'll say I'd love to have the stuff to try on and I'll return anything that doesn't fit for her to ebay or pass elsewhere. Don't want to seem ungrateful. Thanks all. Sorry to not properly post, am out (nowhere exciting, just the gym) using free wifi and phone nearly dead.

Doshusallie Primark have olive green supersoft skinnies for £7.90 ATM.

Thanks land!! Must get there. Primark are a client of mine and I know for a fact they won't be going online in the near future which is really annoying. They are worried that their supply chain couldn't cope with the inevitable demand - going from 0 to 80 million units in a year!!!

Having a tour of their Oxford street store from basement, warehouse to all floors was eye opening......particularly as we did it in the hottest day of last year..... People were buying suitcases and then going back in to fill them up.....

I tried on skinnies in Primark today. Well, I say tried on - I couldn't even get them over my calves!

What are primark jeans like? Are they quite a bad fit? Or are they ok?
I'm wearing...
Blue jumper - Dp
Jeggings - m&s
Slippers

Today I am wearing-

blue and white polka dot dress-pearl lowe at peacocks
red cardigan-primark
navy leggings-sainsburys
red patent mary janes-kurt geiger
denim jacket-peacocks
red flower clip in hair-primark

Need to look good but casual today, trying to make good first impression with someone so pulled out some of my favourites:

Tan ankle boots - Tesco
Burgandy skinnies - New Look
Vests
Oatmeal slightly slouch knitted jumper - Logo H&M
Pink/beige/grey print scarf - Primark
and proper make up / hair instead of a rush job

Need to look good but casual today, trying to make good first impression with someone so pulled out some of my favourites:

Tan ankle boots - Tesco
Burgandy skinnies - New Look
Vests
Oatmeal slightly slouch knitted jumper - Logo H&M
Pink/beige/grey print scarf - Primark
and proper make up / hair instead of a rush job

We're having a quiet one today, it's quite warm and sunny here so walking the dog and going to the beach so I'm just in scruffs

Light blue jeans - Animal
Blue & white striped sweater - Fat Face
Cream body warmer - Weird Fish
Red Converse

The ASOS Mango stripey dress is v nice - quite short, well above my knee (I'm 5'7 and wouldn't want it any shorter).

Remember that Mango sizes are not generous - I am a 10-12 and have medium.

Material is thinnish, which is good because thicker would not stretch/bend/fll so well.

Sleeves are just above my elbow. V-neck is not low or cleavage-revealing. The slightly ribbed bit around the waist works well.

Gah, Trills, I was hoping you'd say it sucked.

Today I'm feeling spring-like, so wearing:

Skinny jeans, Zara
Black teeshirt with yellow/white daisy print in a heart shape, Asda
Yellow cotton cardi, H&M, via charity shop
Silver and pearl ring and bracelet, birthday presents from DH.

Later on I shall change into a smarter top, because DH is taking me out for dinner.

Melody, the Primark jeans are OK. Like everything else I buy from Primark I sized up. I will probably go back and get the olive green ones and may be the beige ones.

Today I am in
Navy denim above knee length skirt.
Navy vest
Red checked shirt
Navy opaques
Chestnut Uggs

I knew you were going to say the Mango dress was nice Trills. I am so tempted!

I was in Primark today looking for a new ,denim jacket, I got one for £16 and a navy and brown striped snood for £4. I'm a 14 but always look at the 16's or 18's in Primark. I got an 18 in the jacket so it will fit over a jumper.

I'm going into Belfast tomorrow where the is a much bigger Primark and a H&M, so hopefully I'll see something nice.

Primark had nice Converse style spotty boots , but I'm snobby over Converse so never got them .

I am looking for a cheapish coat for wearing over tunics with leggings etc. Fed up of wearing a winter duvet of a coat! Anyone any suggestions? Please.

There's some nice ones on New Look's website, do you want it to cover the tunic? Primark had a lovely faux leather caramel coloured biker jacket.

Yes it must cover the tunic (i.e. my bum!) . Thank you cocolepew, will take a gander at their website.

I have a long, lightish parka that I wear loads. I got it in Dunnes but its an Irish store and I dont know if there are any anywhere else.

So today I am wearing

blue dress from New Look with paler blue/cream/coral flowers - so old I can't find a pic online. lace topped vest from M&S layered underneath,
Long grey boyfriend cardigan from Top Shop ages ago,
a silver cuff bracelet,
black leggings, because dress is quite short as well as low cut!
and blue wedge boots these.

Have ordered this and this (first image - has gone from their website although it was there yesterday! Need to reign in the spending - have spent a small fortune recently...

I bought this in the grey last week Fimbo - Faux fur wrap as I was fed up with my winter duvet coat. It is lovely and drapey and covers up all my longer tops and bum, I've had lots of compliments on it. You need to be wearing long sleeves under it on cold days though.