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HOC winter thread. The cool and clear chat continues. Part 4.

999 replies

QueenCardigan · 03/08/2014 20:03

Following on from part 3.

If you're a winter then come and join us for chat and links about clothes/bags/make up/hair....

OP posts:
Thread gallery
24
SorrelForbes · 26/08/2014 08:59

And therein lies the problem Sad. Anything structured would probably be too hot and constricting (I think?). I'll try and find the RC 'guidelines' that I posted before...

SorrelForbes · 26/08/2014 09:02

Found it on Thread 3:

Immaculate grooming
Discreetly sexy
Structured curves
Grown up glamour
Soft, tactile texture and layers
Accessories with expensive detail
Effortless elegance
Medium to large scale with a twinkle
Sophisticated feminine formal
Expensive
Good quality
Classic design

Structure: Soft tailored feminine lines; curve and drape, excellent quality in all clothes, both casual and business wear.

Fabrics: Soft luxurious sensuous fabrics: angora, lamb's wool, cashmere, jersey, silk, satin, crepe, fur, velvet, soft suede and chenille.

Patterns: Medium scale

Jackets: Shorter structured jackets benefit from curved lapels or edges

Dresses: Use quality and expensive looking fabrics to add elegance

Skirts: Tailored skirts with ease or curve in the cut, wrap, slit, tulip, flutes and bias can work well.

Necklines: Feminine such as cowl, drape, scoop and sweetheart, ensuring they are not too low. Romantic Classics often look better with hints of flesh at the neckline rather than explicit cleavage.

Handbags: Soft or constructed with rounded shapes in medium scale. For evening you can add lots of sparkle.

Accessories: Quality and expensive details in medium scale. Jewellery needs to be 'real' and excellent quality with sheen and sparkle.

Hairstyle: Quality cuts and softness

Make-up: Add some element of sparkle to a Classic look to ensure your Romantic is present.

For casual: Smart casual works better than casual (a very casual look can sabotage the balance between our Romantic and your Classic). Use luxurious fabrics and quality cuts)

In Summary: This is an elegant, sophisticated and glamorous clothing personality that balances the mix of excellent quality and clean lines with drape and curve.

Avoid: Sever, masculine, checks, pinstripes, tweeds, double breasted, pleats, shirt collars. Cheap clothes, anything tight, skimpy or flimsy.

SorrelForbes · 26/08/2014 09:12

This
looks a good colour and I like the slight pleat in the skirt.

SorrelForbes · 26/08/2014 09:23

Too muted and too slouchy?

this is what I'm drawn to but it's lined, probably too 'gamine' and I think I need to stop buying stripey clothes for a while!

I like this shape but not sure about the print.

Anyway, moving on to A/W Grin

OhIDoLikeToBeBesideTheSeaside · 26/08/2014 09:48

I can't open the link for the third one on my phone for some reason, but the others are lovely. The nipped in waist gives them much more definition and structure. Much more romantic classic Smile.

OhIDoLikeToBeBesideTheSeaside · 26/08/2014 10:05

I managed to open the Simply Be dress. It is gorgeous!

MissScatterbrain · 26/08/2014 11:15

Thanks for posting the profile - not an easy task I can see when it comes to casual wear! However reading it made me think Phase Eight could be a good match for you? There is a huge sale section on their website with summer clothes.

JanaOfTheJungle · 26/08/2014 15:05

Just got this cobalt jumper on sale. Lovely.

Also found a few other bits which I will post later. Grin

SorrelForbes · 26/08/2014 18:15

MissScatterbrain Quite a few people have suggested Phase Eight to me but I never see anything there that I would even want to try on. It always stricks me as a bit 'old' but I guess I need to keep reminding myself that I am in my 40s Grin. My problem is that I'm a edgy, hipster in my head and a curvy serving wench type in real life.

I've had a browse of the web site, specifically at the Sale Dresses and Skirts sections. These were ok:

Stripey Maxi - Ok ish, but would be about 15cm too long.

Silk Maxi - probably too floaty and the wrong colour (and out of stock)

Everything else was either lined, sleeveless, floaty or just too busy.

Maybe I need someone else to choose things for me? I'm really beginning to doubt my own wisdom around what suits me! Actually the Reiss dress (thread 3) was perfect so maybe I shall have to stick to non-beach, city breaks in the future Grin.

NowhereNow · 26/08/2014 18:26

Ooh Jana, lovely jumper. What's the sizing like?

JanaOfTheJungle · 26/08/2014 18:36

Linea jumper is an XL and fits nicely, but I am normally an L.

Sorrel, I tried this dress on and thought of you. The colour is ice aqua I reckon. It didn't suit me in various ways but I reckon it might be a winter colour?

mimiasovitch · 26/08/2014 18:37

How about this? I love it, but am unsure of whether there'd be too much fabric blousing around when belted, and unbelted is a definite no-no for me, and I'm guessing you too.

MissScatterbrain · 26/08/2014 18:40

Had another look at Phase Eight and saw these tops that may suit? I know Phase Eight is a bit more for the more mature ladies but they use a lot of silk and their styles are romantic and yet have some structure.

petty white top

another white top

cobalt top

ice blue?

pretty blouse - not sure if its right though

JanaOfTheJungle · 26/08/2014 18:45

I'm pretty sure I'm going to wear this black dress from Damsel in A Dress to that garden party. It looks great on me and not boring at all somehow. I reckon with the right accessories it will look okay for a garden party.

I've just remembered it was last year's works summer party that made me do the HOC stuff. My DH was working with some fashion people and it was terrifying. I just felt so at sea with how to dress and look good. I spent the whole party worrying about whether I looked okay. Not this year! Grin

JanaOfTheJungle · 26/08/2014 18:53

I love those Phase Eight clothes. Sadly they would look awful on me, as would all the floaty beachwear your friends wore, Sorrel. I would just look so wobbly and old. I have also struggled with summer wear but found a hot pink shift dress with scoop neck which I loved (linked in last thread).

SorrelForbes · 26/08/2014 19:42

JanaOfTheJungle Thank you for thinking of me! I really like the colour (50% at *). But... it just screams (to me) MoB. Sorry Blush

mimiasovitch I love that. I might not work (perhaps with a better belt?) but at that price it's worth a go. When you click the colour, a different pic comes up and the blue looks quite different. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's the Royal Blue shade shown in the pictures at the side. I like this too.

MissScatterbrain Thank you for persevering for with me!

  1. I can't do proper cap sleeves I'm afraid - too girly for my style.
  2. I like this - will probably order.
  3. great colour - no sleeves so a no-go. Too high a neck as well for my 30GGs!
  4. Cap sleeves, ruche and cowl all no-gos I'm afraid.
  5. Too girly, sorry.

Hey 1/5 is good! It's better than I usually do.

I think the thing about Romantic Classic is balancing the two without veering into Nigella Lawson territory.

Jana Was the pink dress from Atterley Road? If so, I loved it too but it was too long in the body for me and gave me a hunch back shape! Shame.

SorrelForbes · 26/08/2014 19:42

Bugger, just noticed the elasticated bottom on that blouse - boo.

fooogle · 26/08/2014 19:44

Oops mimi I may have just ordered that aliumb dress and another one off their site! Good reduction. Will see how I fair...
Knoe what you mean about phase eight sorrel but maybe there are good bits mixed in. Do you always wear dresses? I am often more of a skirt and top person though maybe that's cos I usually go for long sleeves (scarred arm) and nice long sleeve dresses are hard to find.

SorrelForbes · 26/08/2014 19:50

Just been having a browse on Massimo Dutti. Not much in our colours but I like:

Guipure lace dress

Dress with leather. I could try and replace the leather bits!
Plain shirt

Black t-shirt

SorrelForbes · 26/08/2014 19:51

I love skirts but struggle a bit to find ones that fit both my waist and hips (12-13" difference)!

fooogle · 26/08/2014 20:35

Yes sorrel I have hips with quite a difference to my waist too, bloody annoying for jeans especially. Sadly I don't have the upper bust to balance them out either unlike you Grin
I ordered the 'Susana' dress from aliumb in navy. It's silk but may be a bit I sufficiently sleek for ya.

fooogle · 26/08/2014 20:35

Insufficiently silly iPhone

MissScatterbrain · 26/08/2014 20:58

Love the Allium dress and the M Dutti clothes - these are the kind of stuff I would happily wear.

ThePerfectNegroni · 26/08/2014 21:21

mimiasovitch I remember you saying you were interested in a grey coat. I spotted [[http://www.massimodutti.com/gb/en/women/coats/view-all/coat-with-belt-c1116501p4525880.html?colorId=802 this on the Massimo Dutti website}}

ThePerfectNegroni · 26/08/2014 21:21

Oops, lets try again