How to look 'expensive' 2

[IkeaGoddess]

(old thread got to 1000 posts)

I tried that Seasalt coat on a few months back and it is more a summer jacket than a winter one I think. It's also pretty narrow, so if you have any kind of boobage it looks a bit odd. I ended up buying a Joules parka in the end, and alternate it with a Carhartt one.

Methy my coat is this shape, but not this fabric or colour, and it did not cost this much. Mine is a dark purple-y brown in nylon, and cost just under £200 in a sale. www.peterhahn.co.uk/schneiders-salzburg-down-coat-putty-119644.html

DS16 calls it a drug dealers coat!

In that case , a lot of women at the school gate this morning are drug dealers ( it's snowy here )

m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/Missguided/Missguided-Expensive-Sweatshirt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=6099256&cid=2623&sh=0&pge=3&pgesize=50&sort=-1&clr=Black&totalstyles=616&gridsize=3&un_jtt_v_frompage=3

waggle

That's all anyone needs, Waggle!

These threads gave been so useful. I'm feeling a bit lost in my clothing identity these days, I'm almost 35 and mum to an almost 2yo. I've been feeling stuck in a rut as I find so much stuff on the high street is too "young" or too old/frumpy for me.

I work in an office 3 days a week and like to make a bit of an effort, though my colleagues tend to dress casual (no denim though).

I love LK Bennet though only ever buy in their sale or from eBay! I've also got an addiction (!) to Issa dresses which I also buy on eBay. I should wear them more but feel they're too "good" for work. I think I just need to get over myself and say sod what other people wear to work, I'll wear what I want!

Has anyone got any tips on what fabrics to avoid (or go for) in order to get a polished "expensive look"..

My order arrived from Mint Velvet.. I wasn't all that impressed I've never spent anything close to £70 on a simple tshirt before and just expected it to look better than my old pri-look stuff. It didn't really.

So I think its maybe fabric thats letting me down? I'm on House of Fraser website now as returning most of the MV stuff tomorrow.. Anyone got any recommendations? I'm quite happy to spend £70 on a basic item, I've learned the hard way quality over quantity- but I want it to look quality!

Hamil- I'm not that clued up on fabric but I got a few 100% linen t-shirts from Boden that have a V at front and back and are lovely. They do crease but the weight of the fabric is lovely, think and a bit of weight yet finely meshed together; even when they crease a bit, they still look lovely. Will try to hunt out a link later.

Woman at work had lovely coat on that was warm waterproof but was £250. Bit reluctant to spend that as will be used for 'proper' walking and knowing my luck, I'd snag it on barbed wire within a week! Thinking around £100 mark.

I agree re Mint Velvet. I spent a fortune in there and took it all back. It didn't look any better quality than New Look.

m.boden.co.uk/en-gb/clearance/womens-tops-t-shirts/short-sleeved-tops/wl906/womens-mariella-tee

This is it, bought it about a year ago in off-white, dusky pink an grey. They are probably worn once a week as ideal for layering and both smart and casual (depending what worn with)and look as nice as first day I got them. They aren't tight but just seem to drape and cling to all the right places. They also flash a bit of collarbone which I love as sexy but subtle. Mmm, now talking myself into seeing if they have the striped one in my size for summer...

My only (personal) criticism is that I have teeny tiny boobs and as V is quite deep, I have to wear a vest top under. That depends on lifestyle though too, I'm always bending over to pick up kids etc so don't want to flash and teach and don't think I want to be flashing the students!

I think when choosing clothes there is no substitute for actually going shopping so you can see the fabric, the weave, the shade and feel the weight - just looking at an item on a rack or in a changing room next to half a dozen others helps - let alone being able to try stuff on. Does anyone else find that sometimes the mist uninspiring things on the hanger look incredible on? The other thing I've learnt is to buy stuff when you see it. I shall regret forever the black/grey coat with a fur collar I tried on in Jigsaw and made me feel fabulous but didn't buy because my smart winter coat would "do" another year and I went out for something more casual.

MV is mostly made made fabrics now.

Go for fabrics with a high percentage of silk, cotton, wool etc. You need to be prepared to look after these properly - hand washes, cool washes, low speed spins, ironing etc. With wool, I usually wear a long sleeved vest underneath so that I don't have to hand wash jumpers after only one or two wears.

MV is very cheap looking when you get to see it in reality. I went shopping for a few wardrobe basics and liked a couple of jumpers I had seen online. In reality the materials were cheap, the designs had a whiff of the Per Una and the colours really washed out. Now I like grey but it was a collection of horrible marled and dishwater greys with added studs

I was impressed with Phase Eight,Hobbs,John Lewis Collection and Whistles cashmere. Online -Jaeger outlet has been excellent although you have to choose carefully as some of it is a bit Tory Wife and oversized. Boden is okay for layering tops. Autograph cashmere is good.

Thanks for the reccomendations everyone. I'm off to Frasers this morning to return the MV things and start work on a capsule wardrobe. I quite like the look of Phase Eight so will see if I can find anything not cheap looking there.

Also have a £75 m&s voucher I got for Christmas.. I don't really like the style of most of their clothing so might just invest in a nice cashmere cardi.

Going to check out Boden too!

Happy shopping, Hamil :) I've got some t-shirts I bought from Joseph 20 years ago, that are still good - they've backpacked round the world, been in the sea, machine washed hundreds of times. I also have some other, equally resilient, 20-year-old cotton things that were promotional freebies and from What She Wants or New Look! I completely agree you have to feel the quality - and check the stitching. Remember prints won't last as well as woven/knitted in.

My fearsomely expensive sweaters from the same era didn't last, though, and neither did the silk. Reason: moths go straight for the softest & purest items, the little bastards!

GUYS, GUYS!

Fantastic handbag shop

I may accidentally have ordered two.

I have a 5 month old. I've gone from a well-turned-out size ten with vintage, elegant style to being a dowdy, doughy lump who feels like she's had a day spa if she manages to shower/brush teeth in the AM.

I don't want to spend money on size 14 clothes. Instead of making the best of myself in the here and now I jut throw on long tops and leggings every day. I have a big night out with my painfully elegant best friend this Saturday and instead of looking forward to it (as I haven't been out since Halloween 2014) I'm consumed with how shit I am going to look in comparison.

Shopping trip tomorrow to find a nice outfit...suggestions would be great!
I'm 5ft5", size 14 with 32HH boobs and a big gelatinous flub-belly (sigh!)

PS Budget around £100. I have lots of beautiful shoes already and will either be taking a Lulu Guinness Large Eyelet Anna bag or Mulberry East West Bayswater in Deer Brown.

Maidrin I would buy a dress from Cos in a plain colour. Since you already have lovely bags and shoes, I'm guessing you have some good jewellery too.

Cos dresses drape over mummy tummy but you need to watch for high necks with huge Bf boobs . I'm guessing you have good legs to show off ( tastefully of course ) . They are often made of Jersey which is forgiving size wise .

If Cos isnt your style, buy someonthing similar from your fav shop . Avoid tailoring as it shows off the extra post baby pounds .

I hope you have a great time . I bet your Bf is jealous of your gorgeous baby

Maidrin. How about Phase 8. I always think there stuff would be perfect if I were a few inches shorter, ie, about 5'5". Some of their stuff is also very forgiving for tums.

Yes, lovely shop - I'll be very close to it on Friday - might post a pic if am well enough - hosp apt at nearby clinic.

Wouldn't it make sense to consult with your friend? She knows your looks and your style. She might have some good suggestions in your locality, and you can send her photos as you try things on.

Shopping's a bit miserable if you're feeling down on yourself, and a friendly second pair of eyes can make all the difference.

Jigsaw?
£89, viscose, 14
£59, silk, 16
£39, linen, 16

Great advice ladies! Thank you!

The lower legs are, thankfully, still in good fettle...I'll obviously not be in anything above the knee! I'm thinking that I should go for something dark, nipped in at the waist (my belly is a disaster but, owning to the big boobs, my waist appears smaller) with some volume from the waist down...and definitely sleeves!