How to look 'expensive' 2

[IkeaGoddess]

(old thread got to 1000 posts)

I have 2 puffa coats and I never have any intention of feeling anything else but cosy while I wear them - I rarely see anyone looking chic in puffa but that's not the point. I hate being cold. I'll reveal my inner chic in the spring - like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon...and I'll immediately look a stone lighter

I'm not a puffa coat person but I think some women look stylish in them - especially the jackets in neutral colours with a neat belt , worn with boots and scarves

I have a "puffa" type coat which is fabulously warm in this miserable weather. However Prince George was wearing something similar on his first day at nursery school. It doesn't look good that I'm wearing something similar to a two year old ... It's definitely not chic so I've confined it to dog walking and going out when I know I won't meet someone I know.

I've just bought an Austrian-make of down puffa. It's very plain, mid thigh length and as these garments go, I am happy that it would pass the test in most cities in cold climates. It also goes over almost anything I am likely to wear and looks more than decent.

Black puffas- I just bought this as needed a warm, practical, casual coat.

www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/goods/146585?r=8566522081688249334

I think husband made the point best, he said "It looks like something the slightly rough kids I teach wear." I responded that I knew quite a few chic older women who have one then I realised my problem with it. I think this style of coat is probably owned by something like 1/6 women so there are lovely versions and awful versions but it's hard to differentiate (unless you do like the other person mentioned and wear with heeled boots, but then it defeats point for me as I have much smarter coats I would wear for smarter occasions). I think if I want a really warm coat, I'm going to keep in mind the mantra that chic is only chic if it's appropriate and just buy either a Rab or Northface coat for family walks etc.

Re: manners- I think that's true to a point. If someone is spitting or wearing lovely clothes with a blatant sunbed tan and a fag hanging out their mouth. However, I certainly don't think it takes away from a person's aura if they order their own food or make a bread bun faux pas! Do people really pay attention to such things? I may follow certain elements of etiquette such as pitting knife and fork together when i've finished eating but I certainly don't notice of anyone else does.

Cressetmama- link please! I'm still on the hunt for a good, warm coat.

OK - talking about coats. Does anyone like these coats ?

I've not bought from Rydale before but realise they are cheap versions of Ariat etc. Not totally won over by the big pockets but does seem practical and I love the elbow detail. If anyone can comment on the quality, please let us know as they seem far more an affordable price point, especially their boots!

Thanks!

Natural fibres IMO always look more expensive on coats.

Cookie- could you try a Barbour coat? They are very similar and they have outlets (or ebay). I think the jacket itself is nice but for some reason (perhaps bad photo), the belt buckle cheapens it.

I bought a Rydale shirt a while ago for DH. It was OK but didn't wear/wash well and now looks rather tired. I think you'll get what you pay for.

Thanks Methen. How about this one without the [[http://www.rydale.com/collections/ladies-jackets/products/ladies-gembling-jacket?variant=5592696068 belt? ]]

Every other mum at my school gate wears Barbour and I want something that is smart but doesn't scream too obvious ''school run mum coat''.

I'll take another look at Barbour again and see if I can pick out a coat that no one else has round here!!

I've got a few rydale tweeds that I quite literally live in. They are fab, however their non tweed stuff is very cheap looking (add to that their tweed with the hot pink details)

Have a look at caldene, much better coats and pretty much the same price. I've a few of them too and the waxy cotton ones are lovely

Cookie- second one is nicer (in my opinion). Very few Barbour wearers round my parts but flipping loads of the black one I bought.

I looked at Seasalt as they seem fully waterproof and some are quite chic but still a bit fun/not too frumpy. Just not sure how warm they would be? This is one I had my eye on (looks awful with what model wears but think it would go with colours I wear), just a shame it is short as don't want soggy thighs when watching kids at rugby:

www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/m/waterproof-outdoor-technical-jackets/rain_coats/bowline-womens-lightweight-waterproof-raincoat_galley.htm

I have spent a lot of money in Gap and Zara this week

Oooo, Methy that Seasalt coat is really nice - will definitely take a look at their website and Caldene as mentioned by pp . I'm tempted by the Rydale tweeds because it would be nice to have a classic casual jacket and still look smart. What do you wear your tweed with tweedjacket?

Ikea I have three of the Uniqlo ultra light down coats and find them really warm. They fold down to almost nothing and spring back into shape.

Holly- are they waterproof/ resistant?

What amazing threads I've pretty much spent the weekend reading through these, following the links and having a HUGE cull of my wardrobe.

Spent quite a bit of money replacing too but I've had a good long think and I actually don't need 80% of the stuff thats in there, most of it is already on its way out of fashion!

I lost alot of weight after my second, I don't drive and have two kids under 5 on my own (whilst working too) so went from a curvy hourglass 12 which really suited me to a small 8. I still have my boobs but look a bit lollipop now. So I was constantly panick buying from primark, newlook, supermarkets etc trying to bulk out my wardrobe (23 and was trying to keep up with "trends").

This thread has made me realise its all a bit pointless! Apart from my workwear which I've always invested in, my casual clothes are a jumble of cheap, poor quality "100 items but not 1 outfit" mess.

So I've looked at my colours (pale, dark hair green eyes) and started a capsule wardrobe got a lovely pair of new dark blue skinny hudson jeans from ebay for £40 they were £200! A beautiful burgundy belted jacket from Oasis. I've discovered Hush and ordered a nice midnight blue tunic and a wine silk dress shirt, £30 each in the sale. All will look good with my Kendra boots and have also bought a nice pair of tan knee high flat boots too (have to wear boots due to compression stockings).

And I've also discovered Mint Velvet thanks to this thread! I wanted everything. Managed to pick up one sale item but a couple were full price, although I did get 20% student discount.

From this day forward I will no longer be a slave to Primark and cheap thrills. I feel like I've invested in a good base and will gradually add to this, replacing cheap items with higher end quality stuff sticking to a range of colours which suit me and will be easily interchangeable. Now I just need to book in for some highlights

Thanks for all the great advice, I've loved this thread!

It depends on the type of tweed really but for a blazer anything from a plain white vest top, or a plain tee, at the moment I'm loving a mango sheer type (but not see though) burgundy top and a dark check skirt. Or jeans with classic shirt,

With a field coat tweed, pretty much anything underneath, but I love the look of it open with a jumper which has a coloured hem/faux shirt and a patterned scarf, all teamed with a pair of brown ankle boots. I actually got told I looked very polished when at some m5 services last weekend; I wonder if it was another mumsnetter!

Thanks Tweed. I've never owned a tweed before as I think it can make you look frumpy if you don't dress right or get the fit spot on. Great tips!

Good nails aren't expensive and make you feel great. I just visit a local place for a mani pedi and then do the re-varnish at home in between visits. No acrylics!!! Just a regular file and polish makes you look much more elegant.

Clean, regularly washed hair.

Threaded eyebrows - thick ones. Not plucked within an inch of their lives! Use castor oil brushed on to thicken them up.

Glowing skin - a good cleansing balm helps this!

No loud garish prints, investment pieces mixed with cheaper ones. Choose high street buys carefully - Zara is always a safe bet.

On the subject of puff coats - I think this blogger wears hers really well

the-northernlight.com/?p=62934

She also in general manages to look "expensive" much of the time so worth checking her other posts out...

I liked both the Rydale jackets and the Sea Salt one. I'd have gone for the 'biker' jacket (at least, I would if I weren't fat & broke) as I thought it was cute - and, er, witty. They'd done a nice job of blending styles which very rarely comes off well :)

But the Sea Salt one's much more classy I mean safer. Plus, they're reliable quality-wise; I don't know about Rydale.

This is my 'proper' winter coat - actually, last year's version which is slightly different, but close enough. The wool's a bit stiff, as you might expect for the price, but it's a good cut that moves well and, crucially, very long. My legs get cold

Most of the time I wear a goretex storm jacket or one of my two () fake suede/sheepskin/fur coats. One's rainproof and the other two keep my neck & wrists warm.

Marking place

Can I ask what people do with their swishy hair, if it's past shoulder length, when wearing a coat and scarf?

My hair is just in so bra strap length and thick. Freshly cut and shiny so looks nice normally. I tried to tuck it in, drape it over one shoulder, put it over the fur hood etc. Tucked in it kept bobbing up and looked like a head scarf, draped out was a bit yeti like over my scarf, over the hood looked silly. Up in a ponytail looked frumpy with the coat and any other do wouldn't look casual enough.

I was possibly overthinking it because of this thread though.