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Workwear orientated fashion blogs?

221 replies

snowgirl1 · 05/03/2014 10:26

I lot of the fashion blogs I've looked at tend to be more 'school gate' fashion - great for inspiration for weekend wear, but I work full-time and would really like some inspiration for workwear. I follow twentymumthings blog as that's got some workwear, but are there any others that you could recommend?

OP posts:
princessdave · 21/03/2014 14:24

Hmm that's a good start, can't even get a simple emoticon or link to work. Doh.

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 21/03/2014 14:41

Here's a clicky link: whatlouwore365.blogspot.com/ (waves hello as you comment on the AWO blog sometimes). I think this is a friendly thread Smile

princessdave · 21/03/2014 14:45

Ha ha I wondered if it was you! It was the "worked out" rather than worn out bit that made me think not :)

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 21/03/2014 14:55

Oh, I was being witty Hmm Blush

Redoubtable · 21/03/2014 15:12

princesdave, I really like that F&F scarf.....I was in Tesco last evening; as DS and DD2 were with me, I had no time to browse. I would have been tempted by that.

princessdave · 21/03/2014 15:39

£5 Redoutable! I rarely go to the shop but left my toddler at home with my sister playing trains so my Mum and I could go for a quick browse. There were some really lovely bags and scarves. Matalan had some lovely scarves too come to think of it.

I don't really know how to wear them properly so I just sort of drape them around my neck to add a bit of colour :D

Redoubtable · 21/03/2014 17:39

Yes £5..I saw that on your Tesco link. Might pop out later ....a new accessory keeps me going when I dont have money time to shop properly.

Belinda...those Jigsaw heels you featured...mmmm. I love the shape altho' they're probably too high for me, for my work. I need something around 60mm, pointy toe, leather, stack heel not stiletto.

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 24/03/2014 15:11

Redoubtable - M&S have 20% off at the moment, are these any good? Ponyskin, though... www.marksandspencer.com/footglove-ponyskin-wide-fit-pointed-toe-court-shoes/p/p22277613

Get your leopard on: www.marksandspencer.com/leather-wide-fit-leopard-print-shoes-with-insolia/p/p22286751

The red suede version are reduced to £20! www.marksandspencer.com/suede-wide-fit-pointed-toe-shoes-with-insolia/p/p22277485

Ta da? www.marksandspencer.com/leather-wide-fit-pointed-toe-shoes-with-insolia/p/p22277484 only £20 now!

Is that the sort of thing that you were looking for? Low heel is no problem if you don't mind stiletto shape as there are lots of kitten heels about, but a low, stacked heel is a bit harder to find. Did you go to Clarks?

Redoubtable · 24/03/2014 15:14

Wow, Belinda, that's a mind-melt. i just sat down to finish some over-due reports and here you are tempting me!

Redoubtable · 24/03/2014 15:20

I have a basket full online with Marks (other bits...I bought this which is lovely soft jersey and much nicer IRL....so am getting another)

I got very very boring-but-functional black leather stack heeled shoes in Clarks but still looking for something with a bit of va-va-voom.

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 24/03/2014 15:24

How about some animal print kitten heels? The Dune Alfa ones are great (I tried them on): www.pinterest.com/pin/414401603184847857/ (snakeskin) and www.pinterest.com/pin/414401603184847817/ (leopard). Something to think about while you do the reports...

Nice jersey - M&S can be v good, but there is SO much to wade through. Ditto Mango. Anyway, good luck w the reports!

Redoubtable · 24/03/2014 15:32

Thanks B. It's like having my own personal devil shopper Grin
Some shoes have fallen into my online M&S basket...ooops.

I like the Dune snakeskin...good for summer. I find Dune comfortable; my black knee high winter boots have just come through their 4th winter of heavy rotation, and still get admired as if new.

Must go earn some money to pay for stuff!!

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 24/03/2014 15:53

Smile. I am good at shopping. Dune have surprised me w how comfortable their shoes are.

princessdave · 24/03/2014 16:27

I saw a lovely pair of Dune wedge sandals advertised in Red recently Belinda, they had one leopard strap and one cobalt strap. Went straight online but nowhere to be seen. I must remember to have another look for them.

Redoubtable · 24/03/2014 17:36

Not cobalt and black by any chance

wiltingfast · 24/03/2014 17:40

Ah yes Belinda, I hear you on the "know your workplace" but against that I work in a very traditional profession which was almost fully suited until the last few years when someone appears to have thrown away the rule book as well as sources of good suits! I'm just not convinced those old rules apply any more unless you are somewhere exceptionally limited (undertakers?! Grin) which is great!

But also a bit nerve racking hence my constant trawling of blogs and pinterest...

I'm actually wearing old clothes today, herringbone trousers, black t shirt and black jacket and I feel quite frumpy... would have been completely usual a few years ago.

LordPalmerston · 25/03/2014 07:42

oioi

suits
I need one about twice a month. want one that is wool and normally as you know, Next is not that place, but LOOK AT THIS

www.next.co.uk/women/tailored-looks/delft/20

there is a black premium one too

do they have these in store? has anyone seen them? I suit a gap trouser - short in waist and thin on thigh..

Redoubtable · 25/03/2014 09:36

M'Lud that is an avenue that will have to be investigated. 70% wool trousers that have a lining!!!!
I havent seen them instore....but I find my local Next marvellous to order stuff in and I can try and leave if not suitable.

i shall have no money for food Sad Grin

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 25/03/2014 09:55

I don't normally "get on" with Next, and stopped bothering to look (I tried some sandals recently, though, and they were so uncomfortable, which was v annoying as they look good and are a good price). However, that Next suiting looks promising, so I will keep my eye out for it and report back.

There is a real gap in the market for well priced, stylish suiting. The J Crew wool suiting looks beautiful, but its very £££ here. Some of the Banana Republic suiting is well priced, but the shapes of the trousers and skirts are a bit dated. Jigsaw is too £££ for dated shapes, too (they have the odd lovely item, though). I just did a post on an interview outfit for £100, but at that price point, I could only find a cotton suit (Mango SHANGHAI2 cotton sateen). Its lovely, but cotton is a different look to wool.

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 25/03/2014 10:30

Oh, look what I have just seen in on sale - M&S Autograph wool rich pinstriped coat: www.marksandspencer.com/wool-rich-peak-lapel-pinstriped-coat/p/p22266773. Now £50.

wiltingfast · 25/03/2014 11:03

God Next, I quit going there ages ago! They sent me their catalogue recently but the adult stuff is just awful. I do buy the dc stuff there though all the time.

That suit does look promising but generally I find the quality isn't great in Next? Have a huge Next near where I live so might have a nose over the weekend.

Quin & Donnelly used to be great for quality suits here in Ireland but they ran into a commercial dispute with one of their suppliers and disappeared Sad

Jesiree was also good in the past but is another brand that seems to have disappeared. Jigsaw left a few years ago.

No Banana Republic here at all or J Crew. Not actually familiar with either brand other than what I see on blogs.

Reiss have suits but they are made for taller people than me, too long in the back.

Hobbs is really nearly the only place doing any kind of suitable suit here at an ok price point. And they tend to be a bit dull. Despite all my prouncements above I would actually love a good modern black trouser suit. Why is it so hard to find? You'd think it would be a classic?

wiltingfast · 25/03/2014 11:05

Though I would ask if it is a "wool blend" why is it then described as "premium polyester fabric" Hmm

wiltingfast · 25/03/2014 11:27

Hobbs have a sale btw, though I can't see any trouser suits in it.

I thought this looked interesting though:

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0114-7859-9125L00&productvarid=0114-7859-9125L00-GREEN MULTI-18&refpage=promotions/sale-highlights

And not bad for 118. Probably much better quality than Next...

This would be very wearable where I work and is 74:

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0213-5819-9044L00&productvarid=0213-5819-9044L00-BLACK MULTI-10&refpage=promotions/sale-highlights/clothing

This too but sleeveless is a nuisance and I would probably see if a t shirt would work underneath, only 44 though!

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0213-5769-9061L00&productvarid=0213-5769-9061L00-NUDE BLACK-8&refpage=promotions/sale-highlights/clothing

I like this too and would put a white shirt underneath:

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0114-5363-3501L00&productvarid=0114-5363-3501L00-NAVY-10&refpage=promotions/sale-highlights/clothing

120 though, a bit pricier...

hmm, must make a trip to Hobbs actually...

Sorry for the lack of clickable links, I could not get them to work even with square brackets but if you copy and paste you should be able to see them... Blush

BeattieBow · 25/03/2014 13:48

I used to be a corporate lawyer and would never wear a skirt or dress without tights. would never wear open toed shoes, and in fact (back in the 90s) as a trainee, I had to ask a female partner whether it was ok to wear a trouser suit.

We also had to always wear jackets. I think this is slightly relaxed now, although the majority of female lawyers I come across still wear court shoes and sheer tights.

I now work for a charity so don't have to wear suits, although old habits die hard and I find it difficult to dress down.

My workwear is mostly from Whistles at the moment. I also like Gap and Cos (dresses, sorry). I generally always wear high heels as they smarten up any outfit. i am doing that blogger look today of boyfriend jeans and high heels. With a jacket too (can take the girl out of the law etc..).

I follow loads of blogs, but not many of them seem to wear suits and corporate wear. I like yours Belinda - are you going to sign up to bloglovin? (I'm a lazy follower of blogs). I personally like WIT, although won't be doing the leather trousers look, other blogs I like are

Fashnchips
South molton street style
The frugality
Liberty London Girl

sorry I'm at work and not meant to be doing this, so I'm not going to post links. There's a couple of others too, but I can't remember their names at the moment.

I don't need to wear suits and most of my colleagues wear jeans so these blogs are fine for me.

They do all seem to do the bare legs and high heels thing which is pretty impractical imo.

I also like Andy Heart - she wears some lovely clothes in my view. although she's a size 1 californian, unlike me.

LordPalmerston · 25/03/2014 18:09

the banana rep one I tried last week
looked cheap and the size 12 trousers were ENORME