Workwear chatty thread Part 2

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

Let's talk workwear. Maybe a little bit of non workwear fashion chat, too.

My blog is at theworkwearedit.com but our chat goes above and beyond that.

I've just ordered a black j Crew Tippi jumper. I have the navy, and wasn't sure about the straight shape, but it's grown on me. And, to be honest, reading Laura Fantacci (WIT) and someone else in Red magazine, rave about them has tipped me over the edge into getting another. I've bought it BNWT from the US, where it will be £40, w import duties. Will buy a grey one in the UK sale.

Belinda I am wearing the grey tippi now. It's lovely I get a lot of wear out of it, a very pretty grey.

What do people think of the old lady brands out there ( like viyella and austin reed)? I have a v important court hearing coming up, and to boost confidence I have ordered a couple of suits from austin reed. This one www.austinreed.co.uk/fcp/product/austinreed/Workwear/AR-RED-Black-Stretch-Jacket/12665 and www.austinreed.co.uk/fcp/product/austinreed/Workwear/AR-RED-True-Blue-Jacket/13577 with the matching skirts. Seems v good value for pure wool. I'm looking for a short sleeved cream shell top, round neck, not totally poly. Have come across one in the viyella Ella range, and one on jaeger outlet. But although I need to be very conservative, I don't really want to be channeling early 60s Tory wife .....

Have also bought the office darling dorsay in black as I love the snakeskin so much. But not for court ...

Brillenbar - oh that is good to know re Tippi, thank you! I always went for classic styling and the best quality I could afford w my suits. Fashiony tops or shoes, or accessories, but always classic suits. Those Austin Reed jackets look to be fantastic value, esp for stretchy wool - they should fit and wear well.

When is this brand going to come to the UK?? www.uterque.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductPage?storeId=74009656&langId=-1&catalogId=80220426&categoryId=96546&productId=3607072&keyWord=Pointed%20snake%20print%20ballerinas#

Brill - how about this top? Not too Tory? www.johnlewis.com/ted-baker-violla-pleated-front-panels-top-cream/p1193688

Some of those Austin Reed suits look very good. You might need to have the skirts tapered in a little to de-Toryfy them, but otherwise there seemed to be some good basics. I must pop in next time I am passing. I haven't been to Austin Reed for years.

I will need to get the skirts altered as I am 5 ft 1 and have to get everything that is not petite fit altered, and I'd never thought about a bit of tapering, but it makes sense, so will see how they fit. Have a good local tailor. Also have a sewing machine but I never quite get round to it.

Thanks Belinda the Ted baker top is lovely and I'd much prefer silk for all the usual reasons. I am kicking myself for not having bought the one I wanted a few months back in banana republic, but it's always the way.

Am I alone in finding jaeger and austin reed websites utterly depressing? I mean the stuff is nice, but it's just presented so badly!

Belinda I've been meaning to ask have you sorted your pointy silver flat dilemma yet?

Those websites are depressing! As are Jones the Bootmaker and TM Lewin's websites. Dire.

I bought a sewing machine recently. Still not used it. Soon, soon. [hopeful]

No! Still no silver pointed flats. I'd happily take almond toed, too. I am thinking of buying a pair on eBay (BNWT) from America. The problem is that I only want leather, and no frills or bows. I've been wondering whether I should just get the BODEN mini wedges? I'm not a wedges fan, but maybe it's fine when it's a low wedge.

Blinners - have you seen the Jones the Bootmakers silver flats? They look lovely and free delivery and returns so low risk. I fancy them in navy patent.
www.jonesbootmaker.com/catalog?params=fh_location%3d%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB%2fpr_occasion%3e%7bsummersavings%7d%2fpr_agecategory%3e%7bladies%7d%26fh_lister_pos%3d49%26fh_view_size%3d40%26fh_user_date%3d20140524%26fh_refview%3dlister%26user_time%3d05242335%26fh_user_date%3d20140524%26channel%3dDesktop%26fh_secondid%3d2610244598%26fh_sort_by%3d%252B%2b%2bva_salesprice

Sorry the link isn't great. The site's awful but if you search for flats and sort by price they're about £36.

Has anybody seen any nice, colourful work trousers that are not carrot-shaped? I can't wear the tapered ones, way too tight on my lower legs, but miles of room around waist, but that's all there seems to be this year. That or black/beige/gray.

Belinda I am going to the states next week and will be going to a BR outlet store will look for the silver flats for you

Peeks out from under a milky muslin, hello ladies I'm still trying to keep up! Lots of packages this week but I've had no time to try anything on properly as DD is feeding like a maniac.
I have a massive boden order, ASOS and oasis stuff to try sitting in the hall. I caved and got some new black Birkenstock Madrid sandals (fashion sheep I am)
Spotted a few things on the JCrew FB feed I like that I will try to order.
Like everyone else, my mango order has not arrived.... (The blue £40 blazer Belinda linked to at the start of the thread).
One handed shopping during the night feeds is bad for my wallet

Mango best ordered from JL

Belinda, on the sewing front I joined the local WI sewing group when I bought a machine last year.

The ladies are all extremely knowledgable and have been a fantastic bunch to help me take things up/in and out. I've saved money on a tailor and the things I would never wear again. It's £2 a week, there's cake and tea and the chatter is hilarious. Best thing for my wardrobe I've ever done.

Eduardo, I guess so. I wonder if I order it today it will get here before the mango order

Belinda I thought of you and your silver flats hunt yesterday - there was a pair of perfectly unadorned pointy silver Dune flats in TK Maxx. Just the one pair though.

Littlepinkpear thanks, that's a fab tip about the WI. I just can't get the hang of my sewing machine (after 6 years that's pretty pathetic) and I really need someone to explain it to me!

Hmm, I DID out this morning, but the MN servers hung and ate my post. Hopefully they get their server issues sorted as it's v annoying, what w the slow posting etc.

Cromwell - oh the Jones website makes me both sad and irritated. Some of their things are really nice, but the website is abysmal. Anyway, I couldn't find the silver flats, but will look again, tonight, soon.

Brillenbar - you are going to the US And to a BR outlet? I daren't even get excited that they will have the silver flats, but if they do and they are US 8.5 (UK6.5/39.5), then I would be Oh So Happy! These shoes are like the Holy Grail!

I can find vinyl, I can find wedges, I can find tassles, I can find sling backs, and I can find ballets. But I cannot find simple leather silver pointed / almond toe flats.

That WI group sounds charming, pear. When the DCs are older, I hope it gets easier to do things like that. It's the dream, right? Says me to the lady with the newborn!

Myrtle - oh, thanks, will check the TKMaxx website. I went into my local one the other week and they didnt have anything, but will try online. I have spent hours looking for these shoes. God, why the hell didn't I just buy them when BR did them last year? "patience is a virtue", "good things come to those who wait"? No. Just buy the well priced shoes, if you like them and will use them. I think I need a red wine, don't I?!

I did "post" not "out". [eye roll]

I have to go back to my class ASAP. 9 willing and experienced babysitters are dying to meet DD2!

Hi there, I've just discovered your blog! As someone who struggles with styling for work this is a pleasure to read.

Would you consider looking at styling work clothes for short people one week??

love this
www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-micro-moss-stitch-jumper/p/p22292531?OmnitureToPDP=micro+moss&ddkey=http:MSSearchResultsDisplayCmd

pinkpear - 9 babysitters to choose from? Sounds super!

numpty - sure, I will do a post about workwear for short / petite people.

Ed - oh that top is so pretty! I need to have a good look at M&S' latest offerings.

Button back and lovely colour. Will report

The colour looks really lovely.