Lots to catch up on! TheOtherGirl, wrt the brown suede coat, it's like a classic 70s combo to do denim and a white tee or cream roll neck with it but personally I'd be stealing quirky's rediscovered red pashmina and wear it as a scarf, adding on a thin red belt if it doesn't already have a belt, and stealing MeThen's fedora hat. Although lately I''ve been 'feeling' orange, which would also be fab with brown but that's probably a bit out there.
It depends per person, but I always struggle a bit with collarless as it's so shapeless, it's fine in a blouse or shirt but in a coat it always looks a bit off unless you can wear it open like a deep V, but if you've got a nice long elegant neck you're ahead.
I briefly had leather blazer madness for a bit, surprisingly there's loads on Vestiaire for not crazy money. I really wanted a proper nineties one though, with thinner lapels and a straighter fit (I'm thinking Calvin Klein did these back then and Gwyneth Paltrow wore them in Sliding Doors but maybe I'm making that up) which was easier to find in the men's section but then sizing is a complete gamble as I do want it fitted on the shoulder but haven't really come across many in the flesh yet.
Sock, I saw some comparable Me + Em jeans added to the COS sale the other day. They were far too big for me (I don't know why I torture myself at COS, I know only about 4% of their stock could fit me and it's usually the stuff I don't like) but the shape was good and only slightly too long for me (mere cms, since you're 5cm taller than me I'd think they'd be ideal length). I took a picture will post later when on my phone, and provide link.
I do that too, Elle, the higher the hemline - the lower the heel and vice versa, although I quite like a flat under floor length with a bit of movement to it. I was actually planning on getting some Vejas (esploo or similar sounding name, the ones that look like Stan Smiths) whilst in Paris but then I came across the Isabel Marants. May still have a look, I do remember admiring them years ago when they had a colab with CdC, they were really still unknown cult shoes back then, they seem much more well known now. I think their only claim to ethics is really the supply chain and that they use sustainable rubber that doesn't harm the Amazon. Maybe the vegan versions are a new thing but I prefer the leather ones.
Would love to see a pic of the Raey skirt as I'd quite like it in burgundy but think it won't be short enough on me.
Flo, I tried on a pair of U jeans and unlike the Uniqlo jeans, they came in very small. May have had to do with the fact that they were 100% cotton which is always problematic with my shape but there was definitely a difference.
schmalex, I think with charity shops you have to pop in often and at unusual times. I found out there's a new one from a larger charity that presorts the 'better' stuff into one select store but the prices are still reasonable, I'm going to go have a look tomorrow. I also recently read in the Guardian that Oxfam do a similar thing but they sell it on their online website. Didn't know they even had an online webshop.
The velvet allure matte lipsticks from Chanel are great, they're my favourite. Though in all honesty, I haven't tried many.
Did some minor damage in H&M yesterday, some really delicate string bracelets which will work well in amongst others, and it was a 1+1 free offer so got a set of stacked rings for free with it. Also discovered some premade overknee tights, they were discounted but seem to be full price on the website. Hadn't noticed they were control tights, but at the very least they should stop me having to pull up my overknee socks all the time. I remember Wolford had a similar pair a few years ago but they were ludicrously expensive.