Calling all HOC winters.....

[QueenCadbury]

So, I had my colours done yesterday and I am now a sprinter winter. My best colours being royal blue, electric blue, damson, lagoon blue and light emerald.

Of course a shopping trip is now required so I'm just after any inspiration by what you fellow winters have recently bought...

I am not a huge fan of Uniqlo so only popped in because a poster on here (Queen I think) is thinking of buying from there. However I have to say that I was impressed with the knitwear, esp their cable knit jumpers.

I was in Uniqlo today as well! One of the Oxford St branches. Lots of lovely colourful stuff. I also went into American Apparel and Urban Outfitters and thought both full of rubbish (at least fabric wise, perhaps not the best person to comment on fashion).

Miss Selfridge had some nice dark pink jackets but the largest size on display was 12 and I'm a 14. I was in a huge rush - and would've been embarrassing to ask for a larger size. Silly. Some pine green trousers and a skirt.

Two unexpected purchases of lipsticks. I'll link later when I get on the laptop. BTW neither the huge John Lewis nor HOF had MAC counters :( and I just couldn't spend the extra 10 min to go to Selfridges. Nearly missed the train home to collect the DDs.

I go to London in 3 weeks and uniqlo will be my first port of call! I'm hoping to finally find my elusive Chinese blue and emerald cardigans

@ Queen.

LC Hammer - I actually quite like the rock chick look but agree that there is far too much rubbish fabric. I have to be careful not to wear too many man made layers as these make me sweat horribly. I find wearing cotton t shirts/vests underneath helps. Look forward to seeing your new lipsticks.

My bistro trousers have arrived, I'm pleased with these although it was the petite pair that fitted me best (and I am not petite but Boden's cut tend to suit pear shapes so usually order the petite version of their trousers).

Lipsticks: I bought the <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=2.bp.blogspot.com/-d-zEigddX8g/TzSznFYX3eI/AAAAAAAABIc/gxZlbLSg56g/s1600/LRiL381B.png&imgrefurl=www.theraeviewer.com/2012/02/lancome-rouge-in-love-corail-in-love.html&h=418&w=6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lancome violette coquette which is nowhere near as purple or as dramatic on my lips. Quite glossy. I like it but I think I wanted darker once I'd made up my mind to go for it. I tried it in the shop on top of something i already had and i was in a big hurry.

Also Lancome Pense a moi which is quite dark on my lips and matte. I might give this one to a friend, I haven't worn so dark in years. I received a couple of tiny sample ones which I haven't tried yet. And I sneaked in a MAC Russian Red in a Debenhams order for a shirt for DH (to qualify for free delivery).

try again for Lancome violette coquette

Re: the trousers, mine are from previous years, but they generally keep the cut the same.

QC: do you have a plan of action for the day? I was on Oxford St yesterday though v briefly. I used to work nearby and knew it very well. Lots of changes, loads of mobile phone shops and schools of English. Clarkes seemed to have nice shoes! Only what I saw in the shop window, I didn't go in.

Lancome absolu 132 this is the one I have as a sample and it's more 'me' than the dark red/burgundy one.

Nice lipsticks!

LC I arrive in London at 10 and plan to head to regent st as there's pretty much everything I want that we don't have in bristol-uniqlo, massimo dutti, banana republic, cos and other stories. I'm then meeting friends at 1 so I'm hoping that a couple of hours is enough .

I bought this top yesterday. I would never have considered it before as it has stone in but I can see how it tones in with everything else. I'm wearing it today with black jeans and a damson cardi.

I like the top. Looks soft. Did it go well with magenta?

I can't believe Bristol doesn't have those shops! Although a small branch wouldn't do justice to the whole range that a bigger shop would have to offer. Hmm, so 2 hours for Regent Street. That's quite optimistic :)

MAC in Russian Red arrived. It's lovely, smells nice. It's definitely matte! And strong. It's darker than other reds I've worn but definitely not burgundy. I like it. Thank you for the recommendation Kezz. No more lipsticks for me :)

Does this look the right icy colour for a winter? I'm OK with the darks and brights, but struggling with the icy colours (not really drawn to them much but do need some for basic mix and match bits)

That looks really lovely. It's perhaps slightly darker than an icy lilac. Do you have that shade in your book? I had a shirt from MD in that hue and I got rid of it a few weeks ago as I'd only worn it on a couple if occasions. It should have suited me better but in fact it didn't. It was linen whereas the one you linked to is viscose and has a shine, this might make all the difference. Do you have a MD shop nearby? My nearest is 5 miles away and I'm planning a half day browsing or shopping soon (lots of other shops to try).

Yes, icy lilac is a two ticks at 75%. But no, no store anywhere near me.
I was thinking of wearing it with dark (black or navy) trousers and a longline cardi or jacket that I can take off at work when I have a hot flush! My capsule wardrobe is nearly complete and it is just a couple of tops that I am looking for. I have bright and black tops but I wanted something to replace the pastels I had before.
Never shopped from MD before, is the quality OK and the fit true?

Sounds good. With 75% I thought it was not supposed to go near your face. I might be wrong, though. I think MD quality is good. Some items are quite thin. Sizing is on the small side.

Hi all, I've been trying to keep up with the thread when I can!

I've been a bit naughty and bought some trousers that are not a winter colour, oops! But I really like them and am going to keep them.

I was chatting to the personal stylist lady in John Lewis and she said that basically it doesn't matter what you wear on your bottom half (within reason), it's only really what's near your face that is important. So I figure I can wear those with grey, navy or white tops for example and they would be fine.

It's these in the khaki. I actually ordered the navy too but they are too similar to some other jeans I have so not going to keep them. I feel very rebellious!

I have been looking for a nice belt to add a splash of colour. Just seen this website has loads of really nice, well priced ones in good winter colours like pink, green, plums etc.

Hi Sunny. I can't open the link but it's great if you liked them so much to flaunt the 'rules'. My only reservation with this would be that it might not match other things I already have. And no more website links :) I haven't been working for 6 weeks now, i have time on my hands for the first time in years and spending loads. Must stop :)

Fab trousers. Confession time - I have a bit of khaki in my wardrobe, but as I am a sultry winter, I get away with it and I am careful to pair it with black or grey.

That lilac looks like a good contender for a winter wardrobe.

Ooh sunny you rebel . I debated a lot about getting rid of a couple of khaki bottoms in my wardrobe as it is a great neutral colour that I think works well with most colours. I decided just to relegate them to the gardening/dirty work pile.

lC I think the top should go with magenta as it seems to work well with cobalt and damson. And, yes' 2h in regents st is optimistic but at least it will keep me focused! I meet friends for lunch but my train back to bristol isn't until 8 so plenty more time to shop after prosecco .

I got rid of khakis and browns and kept only one animal print item.

From the Boden things I ordered: the Diana coat in blue is going back. Nothing to do with the colour but the waist is a bit high and the back feels tight. The fabric feels scratchy. The tweed skirt in navy is going back. Fits ok and is decent enough for the price but it's a bit boring. I have plenty of 'safe' skirts. The cardi with round neck in pink - a keeper. Even the buttons are grey so should work nicely with other things. It's quite thin.

What's everyone wearing these days and have you slipped back to old habits & colours? :) I am on a deck uttering mission and quite the bag lady with daily charity shop runs.

Deck uttering? De-cluttering.

Deck uttering

I'm in the process of re-discovering my A/W clothes - wearing old favourites such as breton tops of which I have loads , fine knit jumpers, scarves and dark jeans (black or indigo).

I'm still working through my de-cluttering, have been ebaying, gifting and charity shop depositing.

I am keeping tan / brown shoes if I still like and wear them, same with bags. I've got rid of most of my leopard print though, which was hard!!

Have also been scouring charity shops for things in my best colours as I have very few of these in my wardrobe.

Got a compliment yesterday when wearing indigo.