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?

[CareerGirl01]

Great - like!!
For the record I'm 26 weeks pregnant and work from home (7am-3pm so I can do the school run1)

Reiss A Line 'leather' skirt (cost £35 in last summer's sale)
Next white maternity long sleeve t-shirt
Mama spanx in black
Top Shop shiny leather look maternity leggings
Ugg grey cardie boots - bought from local Facebook selling page £45
Taking my £20 black Hunter wellies (bought also from Facebook selling page) with me on school run just in case.
Have even managed to use some Klorane dry shampoo on hair and Garnier BB cream (ran out today - may try the L'Oreal Revitalift on offer in Boots - keep using the tester when I go in there).

[cocolepew]

I like those harem trousers, I has simikar from Sainsburys a few years ago.
I usually dress down and work in a special school so need to dress appropriately.

Today

Boyfriend jeans from Asda, they had a hole in the crotch, I only discovered it because it was draughty!
Black, long vest from Primark.
Black Rolling Stones t shirt from Primark.
Stripey scarf with roses on it, Primark.
Navy, suede Converse.
Grey cardi from Asda, with a funny hem
Bra and knickers from Sainsburys..

[MimikosPanda]

In a haze of cold and flu tablets and calpol I decided we needed to get out to get some fresh air. I took the buggy (and the DC) for a walk into town, I tried on the tapered trousers that Cocolepew told me about. They are lovely but they are too low rise for me so the search continues. Next on my route was Primark. I was meant to be looking for the navy patent pumps, but I got way laid in the underwear department. All my bras simultaneously fell apart over Christmas so I've been looking for a new stash, I found some lovely matching sets in Primark and when I tried them on they fit perfectly. I got 4 bras and 6 knickers for £23 which I think is pretty good and I'm more impressed with the quality than I thought I'd be. The cheapest t-shirt bras were cheap feeling and were a funny shape on me, but the slightly more expensive ones were great.

But, like a total idiot I forgot to look for the navy pumps

[katykoo]

I have the Next harems as well Cointreau, haven't worn them yet but plan on wearing them Friday night with some high pointed black courts ( H & M ) and black silk t-shirt ( New Look).

Today
Black leggings ( Warehouse)
Denim Shirt ( H & M)
Blue leopard print scarf ( New Look)
Black leather biker jacket ( Lipsy)
Black wedge ankle boots ( H & M )

[AlwaysReadyForABlether]

I have been very boring today as in the office
Black & cream 3/4 sleeve round neck jumper. Next
Black wide leg trousers. M&S
Black patent dolly shoes. Next

Pretty much my uniform for work (but with different tops)

[GingerLemonTea]

Cointreau, I have tried the hareem trousers in & they are lovely! The material is so soft, they are very comfy.
I didn't buy them as I'm not sure how to style them. I could wear them lounging about the house, going to gym, but that's a waste.
What will you wear with them?

[CointreauVersial]

Good question, Ginger.

I imagine I will have to avoid anything too baggy or long on top. I'm not even sure if they will be smart or casual, but I certainly like the look modelled online. I'm hoping they will be a refreshing change from the perpetual skinny jeans anyway.

[GingerLemonTea]

I have posted separately as I want to buy them & probably will anyway as they will get me out of my leggings that I have been wearing forever, had a baby last year.
They are lovely! I want to wear them out, but am not sure what to wear. I tried heels but it didn't look right, maybe gladiator sandals when it heats up a bit, not sure. Looking for inspiration!

[MimikosPanda]

Snow! Its impossible to look good in the snow. I get so cold I always look like the michelin man with all my clothes on at the same time! I think I can add to my wishlist one of those duvet coats, I think they are called quilted down coats? Bet they are £££ though.

[Roopoo]

Harem pants are lovely. Im ordering them. Seem to have lived in nothing but leggings since having DS.

Would you think ballet pumps would go with them?

[HarrogateMum]

ah I love cheap shops! Today I am in plum coloured DP jeggings (tall range, very few places have them long enough) and a black Primark sweater and multicoloured Primark scarf. Not very exciting but brrrr it's freezing!

[freddiefrog]

I like those hareems! I've got a biscuity coloured pair, but I usually only wear them in the summer with flipflops/sandals or if I'm going out-out with heels. I'm not quite sure what footwear to wear with them in the winter.

Today's outfit it

Blue H&M skinnies
Blue and white striped dress - Crew
Really dark grey boots - Amazon bargain
Blue with white dots scarf from Crew

[JammySplodger]

Mimikos down jackets are AMAZING! But not always waterproof, so I always end up with another jacket over the top, also ending up looking like the Michelin Man.

DH got me my down jacket at Decathalon last Christmas as I always get cold camping, and it'd been the envy of everyone at the school gate on cold clear mornings. I'm sure they have a spring sale so might have some going cheaply if you can wait.

[JammySplodger]

And I'm happy this morning as I've just got a lovely blue top off ebay and have a couple of other bids in on things I might well see if I can source in the shops if I don't get them - including a New Look tea dress I reckon would suit me.

[Doshusallie]

today:

plum patent mary jane court shoes - Barratts
brown/black/plum plaid/check wide leg trousers - Next
plum chiffon shirt with lace panels - New Look
Brown smart button cardi - Primark

(in office)

[peachypips]

I love cheap shops too! Great idea for a thread OP. I absolutely love H and M- I have a few lovely short jumpers in metallic colours I got in the sale for £5 each!
I normally wear skinnies, a longer vest top and a short bright ish jumper with some kind of boots.
Today I am being daring and am wearing:
A very short very flared sticky-outy skirt from Primark that my sis gave me
Red opaque tights from tesco
A black tight round neck jumper- Primark
Biker boots- red or dead but in sale for £30
A scarf
I always wear light clothes on Tues as I go to WW!!!

[JammySplodger]

Today I am wearing:

Dark blue boot leg Sainsburys jeans (they're better for keeping the snow out of my walking boots)
DH's blue ancient wooly Fat Face jumper
A blue jersey cotton tee-shirt (prob also Sainsburys)
Lovely warm walking socks.

[CointreauVersial]

At work again today, wearing:

The famous M&S Owl Dress
Grey merino long cardigan (Gap sale)
Black opaques
Heeled brogues (Clarks)

[cocolepew]

I had a poke through my wardrobe and found dome jeans like Selma was wearing! They are skinnies from Evans, a size 14 but are generous. I stopped wearing them because there is no stretch in them, but have lost a few pounds so they fit better. They are definitely more tapered than skinny.
Wearing with oversized Primark stripey scarf and a long sleeved blue and white striped top from Sainsburys and brown leather Converse.

[CointreauVersial]

I am also planning to dig out some of my old jeans and see if they can be given the "boyfriend" treatment. I am a good stone lighter than I was three years ago, so I'm bound to have something suitable in the loft (and I am handy with a sewing machine!)

[JammySplodger]

I love the owl dress!

[Doshusallie]

I do too, out of stock though

[MimikosPanda]

Coco It sounds like you are definitely channelling Selma today! I'm going to have a root through my straight leg jeans later to see if any of them will do, I don't think so but maybe I've got some old ones I've forgotten about.

My evening is free for rooting out jeans now because I've decided that I'm not going out to the gym through the snow. We've just got back in and the DC and I are wet and cold, we got completely covered, so thats it for today, I'm not going out again.

Today I ended up wearing:

Navy wellies - Town & Country
Fleece lines tights - Primark
Dark wash skinnies - DP
Vests - H&M, Primark
Long Sleeve jersey top - Topshop years ago
Boxy breton style jumper - H&M
Scarf - Primark
Navy Coat, hat, gloves

[Trills]

Today I am wearing
Uniqlo cords (about £30 when I bought them)
A cardigan that I got from ebay (£35)
Oasis vest top with 3 little buttons (found in a shared house about 6 years ago, the other two girls said it was not theirs so it became mine)

I bought this gypsy top from ebay too and it's very nice. Thin material and probably very cheaply constructed but I like it - probably New Look quality.