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

[QueenCardigan]

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....

[QueenCardigan]

Ooh carrie that's gorgeous and very me. I'm a bit weird though and tend to stick to neutral tops (navy/grey/white) so that they go with all my cardigans. I've tried the coloured top and coloured cardi combo but feel a bit too colourful.

tatty I'm blonde too and definitely not a classic Snow White winter. I always thought I'd be a summer because of it but I'm definitely better in bright rather than muted colours.

[Stokey]

Hello Tatty - I guess you're the real Tatty Devine, I love your jewellery, really fun. Can you send us a few links you recommend for us winters?

I got diagnosed with my Mum who is also a jewel winter (I'm sultry) and have been encouraging her to buy a few brighter coloured things. Her boss is taking the mick out of her for wearing her "Asian" colours - she is Asian - but I've told her to ignore him as she looks great. She lives in Australia though and has said since she has got back, she finds the colours a bit bright under the Ozzie sun, especially the lipstick.

Those tops are lovely Carrie but am on an enforced spending ban til September after buying one of the Roland Mouret dresses.

[carrie74]

Totally get it QueenC, I think a top like that is best worn alone anyway, and summer is fading :(

Loving the Liberty shirts, but don't have the guts to wear them!

Ooh, Stokey which RM dress did you get? I'm trying not to spend at the moment as had an expensive month - new fridge freezer (oh the glamour...), H's 40th, and we're off on hols next week. Also have a long weekend in NYC lined up for October, so looking forward to some spending there...

I've got the J Crew shorts, and the bright blue ones are great. The 4 and the 6 both fit, but I prefer the slightly looser fit of the 6, so will be keeping. The grey ones are also good (although H was less keen).

[Stokey]

I got the lace sleeve dress Carrie. I tried on the pink sleeveless ones in the shop and the blue leopardskin one, but SA said this was the best on me.

[carrie74]

That looks really pretty stokey, good choice!

[QueenCardigan]

carrie is that a child free weekend in NY

Here are my new boots. I love them. Slightly more feminine that the Chelsea boots that I also liked and linked too so suit me much better.

[QueenCardigan]

Oh, and having tried the next emerald cardi on again I think I may have changed my mind and may send it back. I don't know why I seem to have such a hard time with emerald when it's meant to be one of my best.

[ThePerfectNegroni]

I think I am going to order another one or two Woolovers cardies. I bought a cashmere and merino one last winter and I think I might get a charcoal grey and blueberry ones this year. I like a good cardie, but need v neck, not round neck.

[IsItFridayYetPlease]

Emerald is one of my * colours too Queen*, but I just can't take to it. I've tried on so many green tops and cardigans in shops and always hate them, so I've given up on the colour now.

I've just had the Woolovers sale catalogue and was tempted with quite a bit. I've a couple of the silk/cotton tops and a cardigan, which have lasted really well. I bought them pre-HoC, but are a really good match - Rich Rose and Cerise (I think). I have missed it, but what sort of winter are you ThePerfectNegroni ? I'm a jewel, so head towards the brights, but this time I might get a grey and a navy cardi.

I am also drawn towards this Breton but I'm not sure about the colours. I like the bright pink, but the smaller stripe is pale pink.

[TattyDevine]

Sorry I'm not the "real" Tatty Devine, I called myself that before I started making jewellery, but never changed it.

I can certainly send you links to winter-porn jewellery, and not my own either (I don't have lots of "stock" at the mo and am not trying to flog anything!) but I am well and truly schooled up on Winter jewellery and all the seasons in fact (I have all the swatch wallets).

You are lucky indeed with your palette, lots of fab jewel colours and silver backdrop makes it all the more affordable.

[MissScatterbrain]

I love emerald but I think its a difficult colour to wear without looking like a cast from Robin Hood. I think its a fab colour for dresses, coats, t-shirts and cardigans - but not as successful for trousers or skirts.

I also think it depends on how you style it - for some strange reason I love it with dark denim but not with navy blue.

[MissScatterbrain]

Another note about ** colours and style personality - just because its highly rated, it does not mean you should wear it. Although strong pinks are highly rated in my swatch book, I don't feel right wearing these colours and I think this is linked to my personal style/personality. I know someone else who feels the same about red.

[QueenCardigan]

miss it's me that feels that about red! It's reassuring that you all feel similar about emerald. I guess I just expected to look amazing in it as it's one of my best rated colours. I have a green cardi already which looks ok but is probably more of a summer green rather than true emerald and I've been searching for the right colour for months so it's a bitter disappointment that it doesn't look wow . I also feel a bit like a Christmas tree! Maybe I'll just stick to emerald accessories!

[cardigal]

Hi, I'm a sultry winter and according to my style day I'm a natural classic with a sprinkle of ingénue :)

I think I look better in high contrast so am wondering how to work the deep colours into my A/W wardrobe.

I have bought this www.jigsaw-online.com/products/winter-gingham-pencil-skirt-9134 which I love and will wear with a white or light grey plain top and navy or grey cardi but can't seem to work out how to ad in the damsons and burgundy type colours as can only see myself wearing them with black.

[cardigal]

Oh and pine green is a ** but not sure how to accommodate it

[cardigal]

One more thing - do any of you like Dior Lip Glow? I tried it and like the pink effect.

[MissScatterbrain]

I think pine green is easier to wear than emerald as its not as bright - unfortunately its very rarely seen in the shops (I am a sultry winter as well).

Burgundy looks great with navy and goes well with the more vivid colours if these are used as accessories.

[IsItFridayYetPlease]

I love a good cardigan (like a few on here I guess) and have plenty of this sort and ordered a couple more of these

However I want to start looking a bit smarter at work and would prefer to wear a jacket over tops and jumpers instead. I'm a gamine (but size 14/16!) prefer something shaped and fairly short - hip bone length? I'm not keen on 3/4 sleeves. Colours need to work with my jewel winter wardrobe (black, grey, navy, purple, bright blue and bright pink, with just a bit of burgundy) and not be too dull and corporate. Despite my size petites often seem to fit best and I need narrower lapels. Being washable would be a huge plus (primary school teacher!). I'm close to 60, so nothing too trendy.

Anyone got any ideas for that extensive wish list please?

[MrPop]

isit there is a blue blazer in the whistles sale section - might be an option? On I pad so can't link at mo but will try to do so later.

I really like emerald green but agree it is a hard colour to find.

[QueenCardigan]

cardigal I really like damson and royal purple with navy.
isit i own 2 jackets and they're both from gap. I know they do petite trousers but not sure about jackets.

[MissScatterbrain]

On the subject of emerald - I am wearing my green cardigan with a cobalt t-shirt (from Oasis) and indigo jeans. Plum nails and lipstick. Pretty summery but not too in your face I hope

[ThePerfectNegroni]

Some lovely sounding colour combos going on!

Oh queencardigan I need your help. I was perusing the Uniqlo website and now can't decide if I should get my v necks in merino from there or in a cashmere and merino blend from woolovers. Have you tried both? Which do you recommend for layering for A/W?

[MissScatterbrain]

I have the uniqlo merino/cashmere jumper - I love wearing it but it bobbles. Quite badly.

[cardigal]

Thanks for the navy tip queencardigan

Wandered around town today and found nothing I liked at all :( I nearly bought a navy pencil skirt in Marks for 19.50 and a purple cardi from their Classic range - would've done but my HoC lady said I should buy less and spend more so I decided they were too cheap!

[cardigal]

johnlewis.scene7.com/is/image/JohnLewis/001427248?$prod_grid3$

Nearly bought this as the colours are perfect but didn't know what to wear with it. Also had another test of Dior Lip Glow and can't decide!

Not a fruitful day at all.