HoC Winter Thread; the cool and clear chat continues PART 5

[AsBrightAsAJewel]

Following on from part 4

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

sorrell really like those Zara boots.

I don't tend to wear plain tees anymore but I did like h&m for basics. Does anyone else find that the uniqlo heatech ones ride up or is it just me because I have a long body. It's really annoying as I get a cold draught!

I've ordered the Zara ones!

QueenCardigan is not being able to wear pointy shoes part of the natural clothing personality or is it an ingenue thing?

Hello ladies, may I join you?

I had my colours done about 20 years ago - blimey - and have more or less been wearing wintry colours ever since. A lot of what the consultant told me has stayed with me and I know what suits me, but I do get lazy and buy colours that don't really flatter in the way that the lovely jewel-bright winter colours do.

I went shopping today and while I was out I made a resolution only to buy clothes that make me feel really good from now on. Life's too short! I tried on lots of things that were 'quite nice' and then I tried on this and zing, my skin looked amazing and my whole face was lit up. It's more of a purplish-blue than it looks on the website - so flattering for a winter.

So from now on, only clothes that have that effect I have dipped into these threads before and have my new favourite lipstick (Revlon Red Velvet Lip Butter) to thank for it. I'm terrible for lurking rather than posting but will try to be more forthcoming

Hi June lovely top! Glad to hear the diagnosis still stands. I've tried to stop buying any "that'll do" clothes, and instead buy smarter and (I think) fewer (I suspect H sees no difference!).

Beautiful top June. I sometimes end up buying "OK" or "almost right" rather than "great" items out of desperation for an event or when I need something to wear with something I've already got. It is always a mistake and I'll wear it a few times then relegate it to the back of the cupboard.

I've fallen for this dress - just not sure if I can justify it as I don't really go to events.

asbright - love that dress. I don't dress up either so we can not buy it together !

Well the only decision is the colour then didireallysaythat - Black is classic and drew me to the dress, but the other colours are rather lovely too!

Thank you for the welcome carrie and Jewel

I'm definitely going to try and buy fewer clothes, less 'disposable' fashion and more pieces that really feel like 'me'. I'm going to go through my wardrobe over the next week and be really ruthless about chucking out anything that doesn't make me feel good. I'll probably end up with only four items of clothing but I think in the long run it will make me feel better.

That dress is beautiful, Jewel - in all the colours. I wish I had an excuse to buy beautiful evening wear, or alternatively the funds that meant I didn't need an excuse!

But it'll be perfect for any event that may turn up, and then you won't have to buy something not quite right because there's nothing available when you need it. I think purple. You know you want to....

Yes, I was drawn to the purple as it was a bit different to a LBD and looks classy! Still not sure, as £91 is a lot of money for something that may never be worn. My social life is walking the dogs, pub meals and lunches at friends. I've not been to the theatre, a fancy restaurant or even a dressy meal at a friends house for years!

My social life is similar and I've recently started a new job working from home (was previously office-based) - I'm still adjusting sartorially! I could wear nothing but jeans all day every day, and sensible shoes, as I do the school run twice a day and it can get muddy so no point wearing anything smart. But I want to wear nice things too and not just feel like a slob. I don't have a huge amount of disposable income so if I'm going to get value for money, the things I buy have to be practical as well as pretty. I'm still figuring it out ...

You need to get theatre tickets, Jewel!

The nearest I'll get to theatre tickets may be taking the grandchildren to the local village pantomime! Twenty years ago it was part of my and my friends life but now not a chance.

I'm a part-time primary school teacher, so although I occasionally wear a dress to work it is washable to remove paint, glue or worse!

I went to my 3 year old nieces birthday meal, held in a very casual pizzeria, in a net skirt, sparkly sweater and sequinned shoes. I just felt like dressing up, and felt all the better for it. I've vowed to do that more often!

Good for you, mimi I'm going to make more of an effort too, starting with more lipstick - that's the cardinal rule for Winters, isn't it? I rarely wear it even though I know it brightens up my face.

I've got two daughters and with their clothes, I've always had the attitude that it's a shame to save things for best - so if they want to wear party dresses on non-party days, that's ok with me. Maybe I should adopt the same approach.

asbright I'm going to not buy it in black I think.

I can't really buy a dressing up dress as I've been using the lack of one for my reason not to attend work parties for years now !

June as you explore lipsticks I'd like to hear how you get on. I lost all mine so I need to find one that works. Red velvet was too dark for me but I'm going through Heathrow later this week so I'm looking for a beginner's red lippie.

june welcome. I love that top so much that I may have just ordered it! I know what you mean about being at home and trying not to fall into the slobbing out thing. I'm a sahm and on the days that I'm doing heavy housework I make myself look nice for the school run, change into housework clothes on my return and get changed in the afternoon again. Some people may find this incredibly shallow but otherwise I'd risk never wearing anything but old sweatpants and bleach stained tops again .

nowhere not really sure whether it's either a natural or an ingenue thing but more to do with my body shape. Because I'm more curved than angular I suit those shapes better iyswim. Almond toe would be fine but anything too pointy/angular/severe looks wrong on me. Does that make sense? Also naturals like to be comfortable as if "they could run in the woods at any time" (hoc words, not mine!) and I've never found pointy toes comfortable.

Thank you Queen! I was just intrigued as I don't like pointy shoes at all - I think they look weird on me, sort of like I'm dressing up. Plus pointy toes make my size 8 feet look even bigger.

That blue top is such a beautiful colour. Welcome to the thread June

Welcome June Agree re making the effort, I often work from home and have dogs to walk etc so my clothes need to be practical and it is easy to get stuck in a rut but I really do feel better in myself if I look nice.

My blazers, cardigans, scarves and lipsticks are what I use to help make my boring jeans and t shirt outfit look decent. Having a trench coat makes a huge difference as well - I only use anoraks for dog walking.

Love pointy shoes, have a pair of black pointy heels that I've had for years - maybe its the gamine/dramatic in me?

Welcome June

Yesterday I had a ticket to visit a discount cosmetics (all Estee Lauder group) event. I bought:

Clinique Chubby Stick in Voluptuous Violet. Not as opaque a colour as the Pudgy Peony but definietly a 'cool' shade and will go well with my purple jumper and cardigan.

These three don't appear on the EL website so must be discontinued.

Estee Lauder Gelee Eye Shadow in Lights Out, a dark charcoal. I've used it this morning for 'push lining' my eyes and I'm very pleased. A good, intense colour.

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Sheer Shine Lipstick in 01 Hit Fuse. This is a very sheer but quite bright, pinky red. Ideal for day time/work and it's nice and glossy without being sticky. Darker and more red in colour than the pic linked to above.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Cheek Rush Gel Blush in 3 X-Pose Rose. This is lovely! A really sheer liquid blush. There are four shades and I would say that Techno Jam and Pink Patent would also work for Winters. The other shade Hot Fuse was too corally, which is interesting as technically it should match the lipstick I bought. It doesn't!

I struggled with dressing "correctly" on slob at home days - but I may have it cracked for now. Black trousers, black jumper and then a bright scarf or cardigan (or fleece when it is really cold). Add a slick of bright lipstick, my silver watch and I think I'll pass! Three colours - check. All from my ** - check, suitably gamine - check. ( covered in white, swatch 13 & swatch 14 doghairs - check )

I also find the right blusher makes a big difference and that only takes a moment, so I'm trying hard to put that on even when I don't do a "full face".

Are any of you romantics? How in the name of all that is sparkly am I meant to get 14-15 points of interest (or whatever that bit was called)? I'm not sure I have enough bits to put on for that.

Today's slob at home outfit is black sweatpants, cobalt tee and black hooded fleece. Not a great look and not one I'd venture into public wearing but oh so comfortable for doing nothing.

neither I must get out of the habit of constantly by default wearing the North face/Barbour anoraks I have. On dry days I don't need them and am trying to wear my smarter pea coat instead.

Mimi I know what you mean. I get nowhere close. I'd have to get my ears pierced, wear glasses, wear a ring with a stone and a watch to get half way there. So I'm not getting to 15 but hopefully I'm getting past 5 most days...