Blinners and her workwear blog chatty thread

[Legologgo]

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

Massimo Dutti order arrived!

KNIT BLAZER&colorId=300 yellow blazer is lovely. Beautiful quality but too pale a yellow for me so going back.

This EFFECT BLAZER&colorId=401 jacket is a keeper. It's perfect for my work (fairly casual) and goes with lots of stuff I have already. Quality great again and although quite expensive it's comparable to Hobbs /Jaegar/LK quality wise so is pretty reasonable I think.

Still waiting for mango though - courier has given up so I'll have to chase tomorrow

I would love that yellow blazer - will have to go and look at MD soon.

I'm returning both my Mango jackets - the white one is too boxy for me (might work for a pear?) and the print one fits well but the colours are too beige based / muted for me (I guess you would say they are for someone who suits warm colours, and I suit cool. Something like that). I will look at Zara soon to see if I can find a jacket there. I actually fancy the navy and black Chanel -esque one, which is £90, which is a little steep.

I think it would suit blondes more (am brunette).

Hopeful on the red mango jacket though as I do suit warm colours.

MO MANGO HERE

lord, I just tracked it. Mango - sort out the sending from Spain thing

Bill - you ordered the same red printed jacket that I did? If so, I hope you like it. If the colours suited me, I would have been really pleased. I also liked Zara's printed jacket that they did last year but the sleeves were insanely narrow and, also, the damn thing was everywhere. I mean, every other blogger and her dog had it. Of course they did, as it was gorgeous, but that put me off a bit. Why can't Zara (and Mango) do many jackets of gorgeousness so that there is enough to go around, without us all strolling around in the same thing?

Belinda popping in to say I loved the jewellery blog. I'm looking for some necklaces. I love the look of the Zara ones but worry about them snagging on wool/silk tops and I am v v sensitive and lots of things seem to bring me out in a rash. Do you know if steel is a good option? Nickel is a complete no no for me. Also do they stay sparkly or do they tarnish?

Yes I did - baaaa!

Delivery next Wednesday so will report back.

Jewellery post? Off to look now

I love that navy and black Zara jacket! I have a navy 'fantasy' one (Chanel-esque) from a couple of years ago, I like it still, and wear it loads, but I think it needs updating. But I'd like to see it irl. And try on. Last Zara online haul all went back. V tempted tho.

MD stuff lovely.

Oh dear, don't get me started on jewellery... The Zara necklaces really are excellent quality, IMO. Properly heavy, glittering pieces. K Middy wore this one to a formal event. I have that necklace and love it. It does have a random loose wire that pokes me in the neck that I have to cut off. I really recommend people look at their jewellery as , although it can become ubiquitous, its exceptional value for money. If Mango make something you like the look of, check their quality as its on a par w Zara, so buy it if you like it. I can't always say the same about TopShop, Oasis, Dorothy Perkins (its mostly junk), Banana Republic etc. I think I am ranting, sorry.

Liberty to answer your specific questions: my Zara necklaces haven't snagged a thing. I am sensitive, but it seems to be nickel and I only really notice it re the earring posts for pierced earrings. I have been told that painting the posts with clear varnish can help, but I haven't tried that yet. I should as I have lots of earrings just gathering dust. My Zara necklaces have not tarnished, although they are only a few years old, maybe they will later. I have had one break in a couple of places after a lot of yanking by my DDs, though, so I need to try and glue the connectors back together.

Re allergies, I just read this: www.jewelryinfoplace.com/hypoallergenicjewelry.html and they say "Hypoallergenic jewelry is jewelry that is made out of pure metals such as platinum, 18k gold, titanium, copper, and stainless steel, fine silver and sterling silver." and also "Some people have found relief by simply adding a coat of clear nail polish to jewelry that irritates their skin".

I'm not sure if steel would be OK, but I am thinking that it might be as, based on what I have quickly been reading, many of the jewellery allergies are due to nickel and neither stainless steel nor steel contain nickel. This website: www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-steel-and-stainless-steel/ says

• "Steel is a combination of iron and carbon whereas stainless steel it’s the combination of chromium and carbon

• Steel can corrode fast whereas stainless steel is anti corrosive",

so you could end up with a steel necklace rusting if you let it stay in contact with water or live by the sea?

hey Blin - i thought of you at work the other day. Re Wardrobe. yes, a yellow belt

says ten hail marys

re jewellery - I am a purchaser of the atelier of LIzzy Duke

Voici and if you lose them? buy some more

Wrt big necklaces I have some ( one from H and M ) that i never wear - i think it is being short waisted with boobs - you seem to have way too much going on there. I prefer a hoop earring - but never when I am wearing glasses - ditto too much

I am a pear, generous of thigh, Kosher and they are good for me. I am a little doubtful about that length of trouser on me though and might go for ankle skimmers next time.

Thanks for the nail polish tip. When I rid myself of small people who undress me of anything sparkly as soon as they see it, I'll try that. Lots of metal makes me react too.

I tried the Zara navy and black jacket (here: theworkwearedit.com/trying-it-on-at-zara-part-1/?relatedposts_exclude=496), here is a link to it: www.zara.com/uk/en/new-this-week/woman/multicolor-woven-fabric-jacket-c363008p1823025.html and here is a pic of it and a pic of me in it. It is navy and black - both colours are woven through it. The things I like about it (apart from the price!) are:

1. I can wear it under my coats (most of my jackets don't fit easily) as its more cardi than jacket; and
2. Its navy and black so looks good with things that either colour goes with.

I'll keep thinking about it, though.

waves csnt do collarless without looking like Christine Hamilton flag ;(

"being short waisted with boobs" that me, too, but I'm not hugely bosomy. Still, I have some of the same things to be careful of that you do, too.

Oh I really want a new yellow belt! Mine is falling apart. Why the hail marys? Did I link to one for you? [forgetful. Very forgetful] I love yellow accessories.

Wow, those earrings are v well priced!

yellow ( apart form icey) is not really me but I ordered a boden one Eons ago that is now in h's wardrobe as my nod to the trend.

Off to M&S tomorrow, £10 off if I spend £50 on clothes, the kids need bits but I may be getting some shoes to make the numbers up

I like icy and buttery yellow, but want a bold yellow belt. I think LKB do a nice one, but I forgot that when they had the 25% off code. I will keep an eye out for it in the sales.

I was at Selfridges yesterday, w Eve WornOut, and we were both admiring LKB but lamenting that the cost means it's for Serious Purchases that you are Quite Sure about. Their colours are so gorgeous, though.

Bill - I copy anything I like, so am bleating w you.

Oh is it, that's good to know. I will have a look at M&S later. Hope some nice shoes fall into your shopping bag

Ooh, thanks! Will take a look at the almond toe ones you linked upthread. I am a bit bored with my Clark's brogues as well!

Christine Hamilton haha like me and Gloria hunniford in anything pastel