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.

Stokey I love that dress from Other Stories. I saw it in black when I was last in store but decided against another black dress. Lovely though - is it the same length on you as the model? I never quite trust lengths on models.

Also yes - maxis for work. Ok or not? I guess it depends on environment but I've been wondering the same thing.

It's much longer on me Myrtle - mid-calf, but I am only 5ft3. Actually it looks better that length, bit of an odd length on the model.

Comes in orange too

Love tne necklace Belinda

Belinda (and other polyester haterz) would just love what I'm wearing at work today.

A dress from Primarni, navy blue "ponte" (is that the word?) with a black collar, cute short sleeves, fitted to under-bust, then beautifully bump-skimming, finishing just above the knee. It fits like a dream, and isn't tight under the arms, so surprisingly sweat-free. Doesn't crease at all. And it cost about 12p.

It will probably bobble like a bastard as soon as I wash it, but for today it is perfect work wear.

Cointreau - it sounds nice on you (hope the washing is OK). But, I would never wear it. Nor would you want me to if you were to spend time with me in warm weather!

Keep on keeping on hating polyester, fellow haterz!!

The thing about disposable fashion / high turnover clothes, I guess they are okay for some things. However, I find that when I buy too much at Primark etc, I tend to spend more time shopping, as I am shopping more often to replace things that get worn out quickly / don't wash well etc, and isn't time a cost, too, as well as the purchase price?

Although, since no one really keeps clothes for a lifetime, all clothing has an expiry date, but it's degrees of disposability. [clears throat after sermon]

That wasn't meant to actually sound preachy, so, sorry if it did! I was just saying that I sometimes find that if I don't pay one way (ie w £), then I pay another (ie w time).

I'm in polyester today. I can tell, but I don't think (I hope!) anybody else could.

I hear you, Belinda, but just occasionally you find gems amongst the trash. I wouldn't buy tailoring there, that's for sure, but things like their multicoloured stretch cotton camis and long sleeved layer tops are unbeatable.

I just read your black pencil skirt blog, and want to share my find from M&S. I actually bought it last year, but they are still selling it. This. OK, OK, I'll come clean right away - there are some artificial materials in there (well, mainly viscose) . It's a really heavyweight stretchy, sheeny fabric, but it has an amazing lining which holds in all the lumps and bumps. Looks sooo sleek and smart, and hasn't done that "fading" thing, which I find can happen with black garments if there's (ahem) too much cotton.

Gah, I sound like I work for the Artificial Fabrics Marketing Board, don't I?

You are right, though, Cointreau - I find that dark cotton DOES fade, which is v annoying. Esp as it often happens quite quickly. So, maybe for bottoms a bit of synthetic can be a GOOD thing, when mixed w cotton? But not so much that it gets shiny. Dear God, it's like a science to buy good clothes!

Oh Remus - I'm sure you were fine.

I think so, Belinda!

V quick one. Just had a thought - I have some dark cotton that has never faded, and some that fades quite quickly. Am going to read up and report back anything interesting that I find. Oooh that will have you on the edge of your seat, won't it?!

wah
my work smart casual crops are too short I think.

mango came! that top is nice, the L is a 14

Thanks Belinda. I can no longer find your nice reviews of what you find in particular shop on your blog. Can you point me in the right direction?

In general I think the fading thing is a function of price/ quality, though not invariably, and also colour. I find Joseph things just don't fade, and last and last... And last some more. But then I have a fabulous Zara skirt, cost £25 about 5 years ago, looks like Boss, and not faded at all, and still looks new despite being worn around 150 times. It's like The Man in the White Suit. I have had 3 John Smedley Sea Island Cotton jumpers recently. The red one faded so badly I had to send it to Oxfam, the black is holding up, just about, and the pale blue looks fresh as a daisy, and is older and finer cotton.

Bearleigh - do you mean where I try things on? Those posts are here: theworkwearedit.com/category/trying-it-on/. Has the website become less easy to use? IT isn't my forte, so maybe I have made a change that's made it less user friendly.

Ed - have your trousers shrunk, or you now don't like the length? Good news on the Mango.

forgot to say congrats to littlepinkpear on her baby DD.

And hello kefybaby I know what you mean - I go through patches where the budget seems to be everywhere but my way. Quite good to just window shop and bide your time, too, though, sometimes.

I'm not a synthetics hater, I don't like the feel and the quality can be crap.

But even with more expensive items that can be true. (I'm looking at you Marc Jacobs frock)

Cos have emailed 30% of selected dresses at the moment.

Hi Belinda yes I do mean the 'Trying it on' bit which I really enjoy. I look at the blog on an iPad and that section doesn't seem to have an obvious link: maybe it's a function of the cutdown software for an iPad.

Mmm, I have had some pricey items disappoint me, too:

• Jigsaw jumper that pilled and shed insanely. It was angora, I can't bear the stuff. Not to mention the bunnies' welfare; and
• some synthetic and viscose mix suits (anyone from Australia or familiar w Cue?) that stretched and creased awfully, within the day). New graduate error to buy spendy suits made from shoddy material.

It's beyond annoying when you spend a significant amount, and it turns out to have been a waste of money.

Ah, thanks Bearleigh, I will try and fix that next week. I find it hard to get around the site on my iPad, so need to put my IT thinking cap on. And pour myself a Big Glass of Wine or Amaretto.

Belinda - about viewing your blog on a tablet - I use Bloglovin on my Android tablet, and your blog comes through with no photos at all. I have to view the Web version. Not a major issue, but worth knowing. The only other blog I follow that is affected this way is The Londoner.

Where is everybody? I am rather tipsy and I would like to talk about clothes.

Well? Taps fingers...

I'm here. Brb

I am BORED I tell you. Drunk...and BORED...and ILL. :(

So, Remus - what would you like to talk about clothes wise? Are linen trou still acceptable?