MNV Volume 75......the Christmas edition

[Drywhitethanks]

It's time to get out your sparkle. Over here for festive fashion cheer, friendship and anything frivolous.

Cpw - cost per wear...

Stokey I love that Pin.
I do love wide legged trousers but I think the issue is that I went cheap and bought those grey ones from GAP and they aren't structured enough - they sag at the knee and go loose after one wear. So I guess my next quest is for wide legged trousers in a longer leg length for around £100 - £150. Any ideas?
Everyone I like the idea of shirts too - I wear them on nights out sometimes but I always feel a bit too formal by day. I did wonder about getting a layering shirt......
One perhaps it will be easier to get the acupuncture you need on the NHS when you move? I would assume there are more options in London perhaps? Very frustrating.

Paige fit guide for Karcheer

Oh and Stokey I've said it before but I love how well you know your style. That striped jumper is perfect for you :)

What about a plaid shirt shop? this type of thing I guess structured shirts could be a bit formal but maybe a patterned shirt under a plain thinninsh plain jumper might be more casual? A bit like mara was doing with her camo shirt and cream jumper and amber with her MU shirt and black jumper? There's some looks I like but am just never sure if they suit me or if I could get away with it or whether it's just because it's different from what I usually buy/wear.

stokey impressive speed shopping!

I'm loving all the embroidered details on the High St this Spring. Picked this sweater up today. Looks lovely with jeans or my grey work skirt. 100% washable cotton. QueenC it's navy.

dry I knew as soon as you'd said navy embroidered jumper that it would be that oasis one. It's lovely isn't it.
shop I can really see you in wide legs. I'll have a hunt on pin.

Wrt jeans, I've never tried designer brands. I've worn gap for years and love them and apart from the really dark denim fading they last really well. I've recently got into oasis ones too.

Randomly, whilst running earlier, I was thinking of what I wore in sixth form/early uni days and it made me realise that that was when I felt really dressed like me. Jeans, docs, blouses, cardigans, beads, long skirts, shorts and tights. It all changed a bit after that as I moved to London, became aware of proper fashion and dressed a bit more grown up to fit in with my life at the time. Now, again, I feel like properly me. Does that make sense?

So, my question is...what era in your life did you feel that you looked/felt most like you?

Definitely now QueenC, I have the confidence to push the envelope and the finances to indulge my tastes!

Age 21-24, felt very free and loved the clothes I wore. Had a bit of attitude, but not too much. But also worked out that I could be quite laid back with stuff and feel comfortable and good.

And now. Tg!

Hi everyone! Thanks for all your lovely messages of support. Not much on the fashion front from me. Yes Shop, the bling went straight back on.I am wearing a hospital gown and surgical socks and 4 rings - Tiffany's solitaire, eternity ring and wedding band on left and Boodles raindance on the right. I will aim for the chemise tomorrow

Blingy.

Shop I'll try look for pins at weekend but my thoughts are:

1. swop the proportions so wide trousers and fitted tops
2. a layering shirt for under the sweaters would instantly give a different look. One of the Me&Em layering shirts could replace a heatech.
3. jumpsuit like the Hush one would be different look while still comfy etc
4. try some different colours or textures like velvet skinnies or review your HoC cards and pick a colour you haven't worn much and get a new sweater
5. look for a knitted biker style cardigan - again still warm and comfortable but changes the look.

QueenC I felt most comfortable in my style at university. Had a black, cream and purple capsule wardrobe and felt great! Key pieces were a purple wool blazer, some long skirts, Doc martens and converse. Totally lost my way in my 20's mostly because I needed a professional wardrobe and never felt comfortable and also because I moved from Dublin to north Donegal and my style didn't work there at all. Donegal women like their fake tan and heels and I was permanently underdressed. Now I feel more together but still not completely confident with my style.

And on a completely non S&B note can I encourage all of you to go to citizenAID.org and download the citizen aid app? It gives you excellent information on what to do if you are unlucky enough to be caught up in a terrorist incident. It can take ages for emergency services to be able to get to casualties and the app explains for lay people how to assess risk, how to triage casualties and how to do life saving things like applying a tourniquet. The more people who have the information the safer everyone will be. I have worked in health for over 20 years and it's the best triage tool I have ever seen.

Lol blingy! Even an op can't cramp your style.

queenc I think my late thirties/early fourties (the last few years, so basically being on MNV) was when I started feeling and dressing most like Me.

As a teenager I lacked self-confidence and a DM who was holding the purse strings coupled with a very strong opinion on what she thought I should wear meant I dressed in clothes that didn't suit me nor my personality.

My twenties were a bit better but I still had no clue really on what suited me so I stuck to the safe Preppy/BCBG style I thought suited me.

My late twenties/early thirties were ok-ish as I met DH and he helped me feel more confident but the weight gain after two babies in my mid thirties made me lose my confidence all over again.

MNV really has inspired me to find out what my 'style personality' really was and also made me consider clothes and styles that previously I would never had considered, like trainers.

I sometimes feel a bit sad about all those 'lost' years where I could have enjoyed fashion more and looked and felt better, but that is a bit pointless so I prefer to be grateful for what I have now.

shop if you look at my boards I've done one for you. I agree with everything lib said, especially about adding more colour. My other thoughts are :
-plaid shirt open over breton
-coloured or patterned trousers-couldn't find any pins I liked but have seen good ones on nap before. Maybe more of a s/s than winter thing though.
-do you have biker boots? Would make a change from pistols
-can you do the cropped flares and boots look
-accessories-a skinny scarf or earrings
I'm sure you always look fab but sounds like you're just stuck in a rut.

lib, I'm surprised you say that you're not confident in your look now as you seem to have really found a style that works.
Hello blingy

QueenC I was saying it to Marsha (about not feeling confident in my style) recently too and she said same as you. I'm not sure what it is really, I think it's probably more that with work, study and relocation plans I have a lot on and it's all making me feel a bit anxious and that anxiety is making me feel a bit under confident generally.

lib you do have a lot on but your OOTD always sound so well put together and your purchases always seem considered (what suits style wise, what colours suit you, what goes with what), so I think it must be more how you feel rather than your style itself (if that makes sense?)

I think when I was late 20s/early 30s was my favourite time clothes wise. I had a good disposable income and went out loads, so had a great 'going out' wardrobe. And as my ideal style tends to be dressier, I could indulge myself. Post kids I've now found a style that I'm comfortable with and that suits me and my lifestyle but I still lust after all the nice dressier stuff online!

Meant to say, great to hear from you blingy and glad to hear you haven't disappointed with the bling!

You guys are absolutely brilliant - thank you so so much. Lots of links, Pins and ideas to look at.
Lib loved your thoughts. A biker cardigan could be a great idea. And you are all right about swapping the proportions. So I am on the hunt for some more tailored wide leg trousers. There are some lovely HL ones on the Outnet - just not sure on what fabric to go for.....
I looked at Me&em for layering shirts but they don't do one with just a normal shirt collar weirdly. Has anyone seen versions elsewhere? I was by how £££ everything is on their website now. £195 for a blouse anyone?
QueenC I dug my biker boots out of the cupboard may have forgotten they were there and have them on today but still with black skinnies and my black chunky Vince sweater. Will look at your Pin board properly after lunch

In terms of your question, I felt very confident with my style 16-20 - I experimented a lot and customised tops and jeans. Then again in my full on clubbing years 27-32 the drugs may have boosted the confidence though
I am confident in what I wear now but I feel as though it is all a bit samey. Hence my request to you all for help :)
Blingy I hope today is a good day and that you are toasty warm and comfy - nurseShop says go easy on the visitors.

Loads of good stuff in final reduction in the Anna sale incl Current Elliot, Grenson brogues, Frame Denim, Zadie & Voltaire and IM etoile.

Zadig!

Happy Birthday to long standing Voguettes One and Sleep Hope you are having wonderful days xx

I'm a lurker but can I join? At the moment I am mainly windowshopping but as suddenly find myself an unintentional size 6 and am rebooting my life in quite dramatic ways, I hope to start getting one or two things (that will last).

bloomed everyone is welcome to join here, there are no entry requirements why don't you tell us a bti about yourself, i'm sure one of us will have some advice for you about the things you want to buy for your reboot. oh, and welcome in

thank you shop

happy birthday, birthday twin sleep

Of course Bloomed all welcome here :)

As in rather than a cheap pile of tat (such as that which I just abandoned in a move from one country to another).