I want to look like an architect

[NinaRose]

Met up with some of my old school friends last week. A couple of them are architects and looked great: edgy, quirky yet classy in a simple kind of way. Neither of them has a lot of money so I doubt they spend much on their clothes but they looked much better than some of the other people there who clearly had (spent a lot).

I desperately want the same look, where do I start? Which shops or labels do I look up?

I wore lots of Cos when PG with twins. I am 5ft 3 and enormous of boob and put on 4 stone so you can imagine how huge I was. I had two dresses from Cos that I wore to work until I was 32 weeks. And got complimented all the time (and it was geniunely amazed/baffled compliments at the fact i didn't look awful!). Their stuff is amazingly versatile. have a go. It all looks hideous in theory and then you try it on an somehow it looks amazing!

I always wanted to be an architect. Bullies made me run from school though and I left it too late.

I love all the Cos clothes. I had never heard of them before. The models all seem to be missing a waist though?

I have Aspergers and don't like print/frill/fuss on clothing. It's all so beautiful.

OneSkinnyChip I am pear shaped and I know what you mean, it does all appear to be 'no hips need apply' stuff, but I have quite a few Cos ahem pieces , and I love them. You really have to try on try on try on. They have some gorgeous stuff.

You're convincing me, thanks :o I'll be buying online though so need to check their returns policy!

I should ask are they small for their sizes? I do find that with euro sizes sometimes, especially round the chest.

The tops tend to come up v big but the skirts and trousers more true to size ime.

Thanks Remus.

OMG there's one in Glasgow....

I have to size down a lot in the tops and am used to sizing up in places like zara. The dresses are big too. The jumpers are lovely not so big more true to size and unusual colours.

Agree with the others, tops are big. Bottoms fairly true to size.

If you're buying online delivery often slow/poor, and is 6 flipping pounds. And no free returns.

NO RETURNS?

oh shiterooney

Do I have to pay for my return?
The return label provided is pre-paid so we will deduct the cost of return postage from your refund* when we receive and approve your returned items. Exchanges for the same item in a different colour or size are free!

bastards

I live about 10 mins walk from it so am glad as delivery plus returns is steep and they are the sort of things to try on

FreeButtonBee - "Their stuff is amazingly versatile. have a go. It all looks hideous in theory and then you try it on an somehow it looks amazing!" I agree. I really thought, when I first tried things on, it would look ridiculous on me. Its not the easiest place to shop in, either in store, or online, as there is lots of stock. But, if you take your time, you can find some great things. Snap - I had twins, too. Total physical blow out, looked freaky.

lurking - a small frame hides zero weight gain, but its mainly how I feel, to be honest. Sounds like you are the same?

I am small size 10, hourglass, 5'4", and if I size down to XS / size 34 (their 8), Cos clothes are skimming, which I like. Although I think some of the trousers, I had to wear size 10, which aligns w Remus' comment.

If it helps, here's a post of me trying things on there, so you can see how it works w curves (I know I am small, though): theworkwearedit.com/trying-it-on-at-cos-part-1/

kablooger - its your writing style, so I have to wait for a few of your posts so I know its you. Esp since there is someone else who writes similarly, was it RonaldMcDonald? Yes, 1 Sept sounds good.

i am PROUD TO BE ALLIED TO RONALD

Yes, have thought before that Ronald was a certain somebody else! :)

Hang on, you were Ronald, too? I give up. I'm obviously just making wild guesses as to who is who.

I tried on that chambray dress as I have the top in same fabric and similar shape which I love but it didn't work on me at all. Looks great on you though. Its a gorgeous dress

Dresses can be tricky to find, no? It was a good dress, and I imagine the top is one of those you always wear and really like

Yes I love the top so when I saw the dress I thought bingo! But looked terrible on me

Some lovely dresses in All saints atm where I rarely buy but quite expensive.

did you see this? sadly sold out
www.marksandspencer.com/rear-pleated-shell-top/p/p22316988?colour=SmokeyBlue

no. i love her though

noddy - similarly, I tried on a sleeveless Mango dress it was great. Then I bought the long sleeved version, it was just that little bit too big. God knows why there is this variance.

karblooger - no, I didn't see that top. I went in w a specific mental list of what I wanted to try on, though. If I see it, I'll let you know. It's poly, though, so not normally on my radar as I sweat in poly

Yellow hard hard, hi viz vest, safety boots and sheets of A0 paper. Hey presto you are dressed like an architect.