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

I'm ok with ankle straps. Have bizarro thin ankles

They cut the legs in two, and they can make ankles look bigger.

My legs are long, but my calves are short (I guess I have long shanks / thighs), so if I wear a pencil skirt, an ankle strap will make a short part of my leg look shorter. So, I will wear ankle straps w shorts or short skirts, or maybe full skirts. That way the leg shortening bit doesn't matter.

My ankles are mini, so the cankle effect doesn't apply.

Sounds like I am over thinking it, but the rules of proportion / balance etc are usually right IMO. On the bourbon and pearls blog (it's so good - pretty and witty at it's best) Tabitha read some book about balance and proportion and mentioned that it's useful re fashion / dressing.

I think too many rules not my thing at all and I don't think formula and fashion go together at all. I remember trinny and susannah and their proportions I would look like Hattie Jacques meets Denise welch.

Now Denise is a new one.

I think she is very trinny and susannah over accessorised and belted mind you this thread is about work stuff so am not really the expert on that considering I wear jeans and boots

Going off the proportions topic, I bought these today in Debenhams - www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_053010201203_-1

Someone mentioned orange shoes earlier on and the colour says red but they are a lovely orange/red shade and are really really comfy. They make a nice change from all of the black slippers I keep looking at!

Bloody Trinny and Susannah. Took me years to twig that a v neck really doesn't suit me.

Little pink they are lovely - leather lined too.

Oh yes, I see all the long, slim legged folk are out to play. I am of the short legged variety, and fecking ankle straps! I wish wish wish they would go out of fashion. Short legs made shorter! I love them, but the love isn't reciprocal.

Some of those short leg rules apply to me, most prob do, but I do wear ankle length trews and I think they're fine. Depends on the cut maybe. And current fashion. Of course I could be completely deluded and look like the back of a bus.

Bourbon and pearls is one of my friends fav blogs too, Belinda. That and the high earning Pink Peonies.

Yes they are leather lined.

I'm pretty sure it was MrsCampbellBlack and Belinda's comments over the last few months that have me seek man made fabrics and being more demanding of what I buy.

I now refuse to buy any more polyester - no matter how French it is :) if it's not got a very high natural fibre content or properly lined and finished I just refuse to buy it. Takes out most of Zara which is a shame, unless it's less than £30/35.

Seek = buy less
I can't post from my phone

Yes, such a shame about Zara and its shit poor fabrics. I used to love Zara.

Oh let's not mention Denise and Trinny and Susannah on this thread [grimace].

I love fashion, but don't you think we all follow some "rules"? Like skinnies w a not skinny top, or straight trousers w a fitted top? Trouser length variable depending on the shoes? I think we do follow rules and it's about balance and proportion, but that it becomes a bit instinctive. I haven't seen anything written about my ankle strap "position", but it's just what I thought, based on the proportion "rules" I seem to instinctively follow / find work for me.

Although, rules have exceptions, right? And, of course, sometimes the breaking of the rules eg pattern clash, pink and red etc can actually look fantastic.

I wonder if just don't like rules being set out to us? For that reason, I don't do the colour thing or watch the bossy programs etc, as it makes me contrary side bristle. However, if I'm honest, I do obv follow some rules anyway.

Enjoying my stream of consciousness?

pinkpear - well, it's MrsCB who first got me thinking about natural fibres. I used to buy polyester, but her comments made me notice how I felt when I was wearing it, how it felt to the touch etc. however, the older I get, the more pronounced my reaction (sweating) to wearing polyester gets. I still do have a few pieces that I love, but I can only wear them when it's cool weather which is pretty much year round, isn't it?.

I think there are still some great things in Zara, and I love their styling / cuts, but it's a real hunt.

Here's a question: has Zara changed, or have we ( ie become more fussy discerning)?

One more from me...

Lurking - ankle straps don't really love me, either, although I am ignoring that, to an extent. And I wear other things I like, too, even though I am not sure I should, sometimes.

I keep thinking of some high-ish evening ankle strap shoes, but now I have seen these (on the Bum40 blog) and I think they might be great: sort of ankle strappy, but more flattering? www.johnlewis.com/dune-black-hattie-leather-strappy-sandals/p1189401?colour=Black%20Metallic obv I would need a nice big discount / code.

did you all see 20% off marks shoes till 8am?

those dune ones are nice but a lot of money for a few strips of leather from ( basically) Dolcis.

thats how I rationalise Dune prices (Blinners, you might not remember dolcis,)

I think Zara has always been poor quality, with a nonchalance to go with it. Poor customer service, jumble sale shops, unloved stock, slow delivery, painful returns. The ultimate in fast fashion.

But I'm probably just getting old. I want Boden/JL customer service everywhere. Also I have no time to shop in actual shops so don't have time to search for the gems.

I do remember there being more natural fibres though.

Yes to rules. But I think I'm more confident now in my own body shape and what suits, rather than following someone else's rules.

snort at Mango order from 27th April
FINALLY it has reached Southampton

Hope you like it!

Mine is still out there, being re delivered next Thursday

Did you see Abby Clancy in papers yesterday in Perspex heels looked great with her overall outfit

Yes to rules too!

Zara has changed very much I think. I started shopping there in 1999, when visiting Barcelona. I still have a lot of older things, Zara woman was more expensive but a lot better quality.

The things I have held on to are silk, wool, cotton etc.

I would still like to shop there, I like the fit, styles and patterns but have only ever bought shoes and bags recently. Happy to go elsewhere for better customer service and clothes that are built to last.

Ah wrong thread for me then I'm off enjoy girls I am a definite no rules girl!