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Blinners and her workwear blog chatty thread

999 replies

Legologgo · 17/04/2014 10:03

oi blinners -the Mango tabbed pencil skirt how stretchy is it? I like it TIGHT as have thin legs and otherwise look like I am wearing a lampshade

www.johnlewis.com/mango-tabbed-waist-pencil-skirt-natural-white/p1265275?imageCount=2

OP posts:
Thread gallery
20
lurkingaround · 29/04/2014 17:56

Grin at poor HRT-smelling Wallis. Does anyone ever find anything there?

Handy cream silk top in a 12. Yes I'm rummaging around in French Connection.

Nibblyboy · 29/04/2014 18:08

I am the only one to keep the zara blazer. this worries me

Nibblyboy · 29/04/2014 18:08

ooh there are two different ones

lurkingaround · 29/04/2014 18:15

I love that jacket nibbly! Am gutted it doesn't suit me. It's fab!
Blue one was pretty shite on me too. Didn't even really like the colour when it arrived. I think my Zara phase must be over. Really. I haven't bought anything there this year.

Nibblyboy · 29/04/2014 18:20

god the blue's style was VILE wasnt it?

lurkingaround · 29/04/2014 18:29

Dire. I thought it would be great on me, good length, colour, nice puffy shoulders. The reality was dire.

Drywhiteplease · 29/04/2014 20:00

Hello, can I join? I've just seen your blog Belinda fab.....re pencil skirts I haven't read whole thread so sorry if I'm repeating, only got to p 3 I bought the oasis fan print pencil skirt, perfect fit on me. Love it. The rose print was too long and made me look frumpy (5 ft 3).
Agree about viscose...hate the stuff ESP the jersey type, ESP maxi dresses that cling mercilessly and show every wobble ugg
Agree with what you said about a little bit of poly with cotton is good. It also makes the colour fast which is great.

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 29/04/2014 22:29

Lurking - I'm getting old, too, as I love Massimo Dutti more than I used to. I do still love Zara, as their styling / cuts are great, but I have to look hard to dodge the shoddy stuff. I think you are right re FC - a look on their website shows that most of the skirts are short. Fine for weekends, but not for work [judgy]. Good find on that long sleeve silk top!

Thank you re the rose print - it's beauuutiful. Oasis do some fab things.

Dry - hello! The more the merrier! Oh isn't that interesting that the rose print skirt is longer than the fan print, I didn't know that. I am often impressed with some of the things in Oasis, but I have to hunt hard. God, this is a common theme - lots of looking is required in the high street stores, but some lovely things are around. It's funny re lengths - too long and you can look frumpy, too short and you can look gauche (esp pencil skirts that hit me above the knee. No. I like them elegant (bottom of knee) or foxy (mid thigh mini) and nothing in between).

Drywhiteplease · 29/04/2014 22:38

It also depends on heel height...complete mine field.
I love a good root around and finding a bargain gem, so satisfying.
Also saw you'd been to Banana Republic.....I love the Sloane fit cropped trouser for work (dry clean only though) it's a fantastic fit and the quality is fab. Have 3 pairs!

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 29/04/2014 22:43

Oh yes, high heels look the best, but can be hard to wear. Mid heels more sensible - feel ok and still look good. However, I find some brands are better than others when it comes to comfort, too. Dear me, it's a wonder that I have managed to buy so many shoes over the years Grin

Yes - the thrill of a bargain - I am hooked.

I am going back to Banana Republic soon, will try the Sloane trousers. They have a viscose and cotton content - are they ok re creasing?

Drywhiteplease · 29/04/2014 22:48

56%viscose, 39% cotton, 5% elastane......feels quite thick with stretch for a close fitting fit. But you have thinner and longer legs than me, might not fit as closely on you. They don't feel viscose-y iykwim. V hard wearing. Love them. No prob with creasing.

CointreauVersial · 29/04/2014 23:13

Belinda - I thought your print skirt blog was great - I could quite happily wear nearly all of those. My favourite print skirt is last year's green palm print number from Asda of all places, which I first spotted on Ambernectarine's blog. I love the scuba sucky-in fabric.

Stokey · 30/04/2014 10:03

I too loved the pencil skirt blog post Belinda .

Am awaiting this j-crew one but may be a little long. Also ordered their sunburst navy one as a non-pencil summer skirt.

Lurking I tried every cream jacket in Zara including yours which I thought was going to be the winner but didn't really work with my dress. The slightly frayed ones were not very good quality IMO. I saw a girl wearing their yellow coat on the street yesterday and it really suited her, but is a bit too pastel for me.

Very impressed by the amount of silk at FC.

Stokey · 30/04/2014 10:04

And on a BR dry clean note, I have been putting their stuff in machine on delicate/ hand wash cycle and so far so good!

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 30/04/2014 12:16

Thank you so much re the nice comments on the pencil skirt blog post Smile.

Oh, that's good news on the washing - I loathe spending much ££ on dry cleaning. It changes the cost per wear, quite a bit, doesn't it?!

DesperateHousewife21 · 30/04/2014 13:57

Can I join? Grin

Ive recently gone back to work after a 4 year child-rearing gap. I feel so out of touch with what is 'in' to wear to work nowadays. Ive bought a couple of pairs of black skinny trousers, some ankle grazer grey check trousers and a few tops/ blouses.

Love reading blogs so have followed yours belinda! Also love seeing what everyone else is buying/ shops to go in and avoid.

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 30/04/2014 17:18

Hi desperate! Smile. Sounds like you've made a good start on your workwear wardrobe.

Drywhiteplease · 30/04/2014 17:41

Goid news Stokey might try washing my trousers,scary though

Forlornhope · 30/04/2014 18:36

sits

I have NEWS!

the marks cheapy perspex heel shoes ( invokes not workwear exemption clause) are LOVELY for $13.
The marks dress Remus linked to is LOVELY but not for me.
( anyone want a 12? its out of stock online)

the Pied a terre dress from HoF is VERY nice in blue - and not nice in black. ( IKR!)

Forlornhope · 30/04/2014 18:37

the other pencil skirt worth looking at on new look was the minty lace type one if you want one for a smart do not work
www.newlook.com/shop/womens/skirts/blue-geo-lace-pencil-skirt_302202340

Forlornhope · 30/04/2014 18:37

plus I have a new look code if anyone wants it

CointreauVersial · 30/04/2014 18:45

I like that NL one. But when would you wear it? Tricky.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 30/04/2014 18:49

Sorry the Marks dress didn't work for you - did you not size down? Somebody at work told me they had never seen me looking so stunning when I wore it (I am absolutely not stunning but it was v lovely to hear!).

Belinda - your Oasis flowered skirt is gorgeous. I have a couple of flowered pencil skirts but I think the print on yours is nicer than any of them. I might have to have it!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 30/04/2014 18:50

I like the lace one btw - but how to avoid looking Mother of the Bride? My normal response would be boots and a biker jacket!

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 30/04/2014 18:50

Lunch with the ladies? [bursts out laughing at my fantasy life. Stops laughing when realises I have a lot of things for fantasy outings]. Wedding? christening?

I'd love a New Look code - can you post it on the thread or is it single use only?

Well done, Forlorn - you do have LOTS of news!