Where d'you shop ....

[HauntedArmchairOfDoom]

... when you're not old, but not young?
Not poor, but not rich?
Not thin, but not all that fat?



After a period of enormous frugality I have some money with which to revitalise my rather sad old wardrobe. I do some dress-making and really love vintage stuff, so that side is kind of covered.

But I still need some of the basics - jersey tops to wear with skirts, knitwear, jackets, shirts - and don't know where to go!

I'm mid-30s but feel about 50, and I'm not big enough to need a Specialist Shop but my days of Topshop and River Island are long gone.

I need things that are really good quality so they'll last and last (the period of enormous frugality is likely to return very swiftly!), but I had a look at The Outnet and £70 for a T shirt seems a bit steep.

Any recommendations gratefully received!

[HauntedArmchairOfDoom]

Oh. No it doesn't

[JazzDalek]

SIZE doesn't work on Clearance, but it does work on the already discounted items here, if any of them take your fancy (and these offers change weekly, so it's worth checking back every Monday):

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Weekly-Offers.html

[HauntedArmchairOfDoom]

Thanks Jazz!

And if anyone can give me shoe help I have a thread here...

[HauntedArmchairOfDoom]

Issima I had always thought those 'Colour me hawt' things were emperor's new clothes until I came on MN and realised folk swear by it! I just worry that I'd be told that I need to wear peach or something. And I wont, so that's that

[SlinkyB]

Evening all! Loving the extra hints and tips, such as:

Don't panic buy
Only buy something you absolutely love, love, love
Do a spreadsheet

I promise to do two out of three of the above

That Jaeger cashmere jumper does look good Haunted, I'm just starting to worry a little about the practicalities of owning "dry clean only" fabrics, when I'm a complete klutz I have a sticky toddler running around.

Sorry I can't help you with your shoe quest, I'm rubbish as always go for comfort over style, and live in ankle boots in winter, and Birkenstocks in summer. I recently bought these hideous granny slippers which look even more horrific online. 2.3yr old DS exclaimed "Like Nana's!" when I showed him. But I don't care! 'Cos they're ridiculously comfortable.

Oh, thanks also for the tips re: my Bravissimo trip. Dsis and I are planning on getting there early, so will go there first. I too prefer t-shirt style bra's, and will want to get some pretty sets as well.

Am keeping everything crossed that your 'ship comes in' soon

[HauntedArmchairOfDoom]

KLAXON*

Brandalley has 20% off everything in the Outlet - I just bagged this Toast coat down from £195 to £47.20!

You'll have to be quick though - a Ghost top I wanted vanished in the time it took me to have a wee!

Slinky I just put my cashmere in the machine on delicates. HOWEVER I have to say I think this shrank my John Lewis cardis, so .... I am now vowing to take better care of them.

I quite like those shoes . My pal wears them, but then she's 5 foot 11 and looks like a supermodel and I think she might have actually bought hers from a Native American artisan whilst riding through America or something

[SlinkyB]

Oh dear. I just registered at Brandalley, just so I could take a look at that Toast coat you see, and am seeing lots of stuff I want!!

Looked at shoes, and saw these and thought of you for some reason Haunted? They are quite possibly not at all what you're after, but who knows? (not me!)

Love the coat, btw, looks ace. Your pun on Ghost and vanishing made me smile, too!

Oh yeah, my granny moccasins; I'm using them instead of ballet flats, as they're way more comfy. So, with slim leg jeans, and hoping to buy some tea dresses for the nicer weather we ARE SO going to have. I wish I was 5ft 11 and looked like a supermodel

[Chandon]

You can keep cashmere as new for years and years, if it is good quality to start with, and if you wash it eitehr with special cashmere detergent, OR shampoo ( really! After all, it is made out of natural hair) or, at a push, non bio liquid.

Never wash with biological detergent, ever. It is too harsh. Don't leave to soak for too long either.

It is a bit of a faf, but worth it.

[AlwaysReadyForABlether]

I made a start today and bought a top from Mint Velvet. £59 which is more than I would normally pay but sticking to the "less but better" mantra.
Also googled and found a code to get free delivery.
It looks lovely online but I have sworn to myself that I won't keep it unless it's great.
I'm also getting some John Lewis vouchers later this month that I'm going to use for new underwear - after being properly measured of course.
See - I'm reading this thread and taking it all in!

[HauntedArmchairOfDoom]

Excellent!! Linky for your top? I need inspiration! I'm still slightly on hold as I have to provide more paperwork before I get my funds

However I think this might help calm me the heck down before I start getting stuck in...I got a bit over-excited at first and a bit of a pause will help with sticking to The Rules...

[HauntedArmchairOfDoom]

Chandon - that's genius re. shampoo for cashmere. I am taking notes!

[SlinkyB]

Ooh, that is a good tip for the cashmere - will remember that when I buy some! I actually bought some Ecover for delicates/handwash stuff the other day, said it was for woollens, so think it'd be ok?

Going to go back to the beginning of the thread to find the links to good quality cashmere now.

[AlwaysReadyForABlether]

Sorry but can't link from my phone. It's called the dark navy double layer top. It is a navy and white striped vest with a navy chiffon layer over the top. I'm kind of having second thoughts now as I'm worried it'll show off too many lumps and bumps but we'll see.

[HauntedArmchairOfDoom]

Ooo, I love it. Rather French. I can't imagine it show any lumps and bumps at all with that clever layery thing going on.

[AlwaysReadyForABlether]

Thanks Haunted I think it will depend how long the top layer is. I don't want it looking like a crop top and highlighting my stomach.

[Chandon]

Ecover is very mild, so use that ( it is non bio I think?)

[Caladria]

Uniqlo t-shirts and heattech stuff lasts forever. Better quality than a lot of more expensive stuff IMO. Tabio for tights - I fell off my bike once, grazing my leg, and the tights still didn't ladder. Anthropologie sales are worth checking out.