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....

So glad the top was a success QueenC

I never normally wear jewellery unless it's silver (or silver-coloured at any rate) but that is a beautiful colour Nowhere and it's an unusual piece. Would look great as a splash of colour with a monochrome outfit. There are some beautiful cobalt blues pieces on that site too.

I was browsing the Kettlewell website last night after you'd mentioned it a few pages back - the colours are fab and it's very handy having them grouped into seasons like that. I'm hoping they'll have a decent January sale ...

Every time kettlewell has a sale everything I might want has gone in my size. I need some lace camisoles, but can't quite bring myself to pay £25 for them.

Hi winters

Apologies again for my raincoat obsession but I've just seen this recommended on the workwear blog - could a winter wear it or is it too muted?

Will catch up properly in a bit!

Oh I mean the aubergine colour not black linked [face palm]

MrPop on my phone the Aubergine colour looks too light - not rich enough to be winter, but it might be my screen.

I think I'm sending most of my kettlewell order back. I do love the colours but I seem to be between sizes. M is too big and the shoulders are too narrow on the S. The twist top was ok in M, so might keep that.

I think Kettlewell do half price on colours/styles that they are discontinuing. Fingers crossed there will be more after Christmas, June! I wonder if they announce their sales by email too as nice colours seem to sell out in the sale pretty quickly.

I also ordered a jewel blue v neck cardigan from Pure Collection so will report back once it arrives. And I got a grey long cardigan from Warehouse today:

m.johnlewis.com/mt/www.johnlewis.com/warehouse-long-side-split-cardigan-dark-grey/p1781469#page_loaded

Most unlike me, I normally look at lots of clothes online, but rarely actually buy them.

Reporting back on the first phase of "lipstick impossible: today we go bright ". Ended up with Mac Russian red gloss. Terrifying. But a light coat is like baby steps. Very properly red, I might need something a bit more blue but any shade will take some adjustment.

I need to go up thread (not so easy on my phone right now) - whoever suggested Chanel cico in rivoli it's been discontinued. A new range will replace it in March but with different names so if it's your favourite save the last bit to allow colour matching. Estee Lauder was out of dominant and red ego looked too bright in the 2 mins I had before running to the gate. Oh and Chanel were out of allure but the sales assistant loves it. So a bit hit and miss. I'll start taking recommendations for round two of my mission - perhaps less pillar box red and more pink/purple this time ?

I find the Red Ego to be quite a dense dark red but then I am very used to bright lipsticks now! Have you looked at the Clinique Chubby Sticks? They're very light and sheer. The Voluptuous Violet is lovely but tbh doesn't really show up on me. Happy to send it to you if you want to try it.

sorrel that's mighty generous of you and I'd like to take you up on your offer. I found a happy medium with the Russian red this morning (I was giving a lecture so needed something) with a first layer of Russian and then a lighter gloss top coat. Of course that was 6 hours ago so it may have all gone by now !

I'll pm you if that's OK. This is mn karma - I posted a Revlon lip butter that didn't work for me earlier this year. Thank you.

Ooh, my Pure Jewel Blue cardigan arrived. I haven't been able to try it on yet, but the colour is gorgeous and definitely winter friendly.

40% off all Pure Collection shirts and blouses and it includes this silk t-shirt which I've had my eye on for a while (in silver).

Hello my lovely winters! I am wearing this to a wedding next week. I need some help styling it. What accessories will it need?

I have to reluctantly concede that just as Hopefully told me on my stytle day, I can't wear cardigans without looking scruffy! Therefore I need a couple of jackets that I can wear with skirts, dresses and trousers for work (and prefereably also with jeans). Not black as I have a perfect black jacket (Selected Femme) which is a cross between a blazer and a tux jacket. Nothing too angular or too drapey, definitely single breasted. Blue, purple, grey, green?

I also have a classic light navy, Gap blue blazer with stripey lining so need to avoid that style/look too if possible.

Any ideas?

What about this purple one?

m.houseoffraser.co.uk/Max+Mara+Studio+Sesia+long+sleeve+buttoned+jacket/D384449,default,pd.html

The shape is great, sadly not available in my size. It's hard to tell but on my screen it looks a bit muted?

wedding outfit - heels, a statement necklace and perhaps a fascinator as well if you can find one to go with the necklace.

Yes, might be too light/muted although I thought it looked a bit better in the close-up. Always tricky to tell from pictures.

Neither- thank you. Definitely don't need a fascinator- the wedding is in the USA and they think we are nuts/ twee wearing hats to weddings.

My favourite part of going to a wedding is wearing something big/magnificent/slightly bonkers (choose one or more) on my head. If not however, how about something sparkly? I was looking at bracelets last week and kept getting drawn to the glitzy clips and things. Would look lovely with an up do. Something like this. Lovely dress by the way. What's the sizing like?

ForSaleChesterDraws Definitely some killer heels. What about a really bright blue to contrast or alternatively, something sparkly? If you're not keen on anything too high, the Dune Alina is very nice and comes in a selection of colours and finishes. I can also recommend my J by Jasper Conran Cobalt blue court shoes, very comfy!

Has anyone had anything from Scott & Scott London Cashmere? There's some of their range on Brand Alley at the moment. I'm eyeing up a black crew neck jumper for £59.50 and a white v neck jumper for the same price. They also have cardigans...

Anyone take a UK shoe size 3? Just spotted these beauties. Extra 20% off today with code MERRYOUTLET takes them down to £191. I love these but there's no size 5.

Thanks Nowhere I'd seen the silver one but was after some thing a bit more textural. Love the Dolphin one, it looks thinner than the Hush ones though.

Great dress ForSale, I'd like a white furry jacket over it.

I quite like Zara for non-stuructured jackets Sorrel - something like this or this?

Thanks Stokey I fear that the crossover front on the first one would make me look a bit busty. I like the shape of the second on (I'm quite keen on the idea of a Chanel style jacket actualyl) but not sure about the pattern/colour? I wonder how 'red' the red bits are?

This jacket is a bit different. Luckily it isn't available in my size

The Pure Collection silver silk t-shirt arrived this morning and it's lovely. Nicer shape than the picture indicates and really nice thick silk. Better all round than the Boden Ravello IMHO.

I'm really tempted by that t-shirt Sorrel. I can't justify/afford any more new clothes this side of Christmas so I've bookmarked it in the hope that the price will drop a bit further in the sales ...

Having gone through my wardrobe with a critical HoC eye, I realise that it is pitiful - not half a dozen tops in a decent colour and the rest are all dreary black or dark blue. I know black is a Winter colour but I also know that - particularly as I get older - black on its own doesn't do me any favours and nothing flatters like a true jewel colour.

I blame my children! Too many years spent on mat leave, skint, being dribbled on, with neither the time, money or shopping opportunities to buy anything decent to wear. We've also been on a tight budget for the last 18 months or so while we sort our finances out. But my youngest starts school next year and our income is increasing, so I'm determined to sort out my wardrobe in 2015. It's going to be a cool and clear year