This thread is about as French as a Sainsbury's baguette

[AuldAlliance]

But we'll still enjoy it...

Flo, I tend to call consignment shops '2nd hand shops', they usually take a 50% cut so they tend to be quite pricey. We don't really have a name for them here, the French call them 'Depot Vente' AFAIK. I call anything a vintage shop that basically buys in its own stock which isn't new. There is a lively flea market trade here but I just can't be arsed with that, I'm sure there are great things out there but they just overwhelm me. Have heard the ones in Antwerp can be amazing, lots of design houses go there and buy up in bulk to use as starting points for their collections.

I'm on the fence with Cos and Arket. The latter has a sustainable and somewhat ethical business model but they're both still part of the H&M group, which, despite their 'better' track record, I still consider FF. Also, the only doors I darken in terms of FF are Mango, the Zara Group or the H&M group. Think if I allowed in Cos and Arket it wouldn't be much of an abstention really. May argue the complete opposite in the near future when I find something that can't be left behind though

Yes, Catherine, Mango tend to on the ball when it comes to accessories. Though the finishing on the leather goods has left me a bit disappointed. I'd be happier if they charged just that bit more and had a more consistent quality than Zara rather than batting in the same league and forever coming in second.

If you're still hunting for work appropriate shirt dresses, the outlet section on the Margaux Lonnberg site has a lot of new things added to it (new stuff currently at 30%). Saw attached dress which may be of interest? Lots of other pieces of interest too, currently contemplating if I should switch swap my desire for a navy windowpane trouser for A/W for a green jumpsuit version instead...

Oooh - I'll have a look at those dresses, they look very good.

I have some nice Mango necklaces and a plaited belt I like. Agree about the finishing on the leather but I'm still hoping to lose a bit more weight so I didn't want to spend too much. I love the earrings but I don't have pierced ears and I'm on the fence about ever getting them done, so I will have to look and admire from afar.

The last few times I've wandered around a Zara, all of the clothes looked really badly put together - seams coming apart, loose threads, pulls - and that was before they'd been worn even once. None of my recent Mango orders have felt as bad.

I did see a James Lakeland shirt dress I liked on the House of Fraser website, but there's only a size 8 left. If it was a Next dress I'd probably risk it. I'm usually 12 right now, sometimes a 10.

Has anyone ever found anything good in a Next? Again last time I went in the quality just looked so poor.

Positive point about Cos and Arket is the quality- proper hems, for instance, which to me makes them rise above disposable fashion.

Mango styling on instagram is brilliant but such a disappointment in store when you see the fabric quality.

I suppose the prices do reflect the quality...it's just that they make it look SO good in photos.

Ha! I read all of your comments and then there is a Mango pop up ad at the bottom.

Another cardigan fan here, possibly due to the ever changing weather.

I too feel I have 'enough', so had a look at what I really need for the summer. Swimwear is top of the list so last night I spent £150 on swimwear from ASOS, not sure if I'll keep any of it but I wanted somewhere with free delivery /returns (with lots of styles) as a starting point. I think I'll have to bite the bullet at some point and do real life shopping. Not that I have issues with swimwear as such, just that I have such a specic criteria, I feel it may take several hours/trips to find something that really suits.

If you are bored and fancy a swimwear hunt on my behalf, I'm after:

1. Something quite high waisted (about 1.5 inches under belly button) to cover crepey skin.
2. Something that boosts small 'sloped' bottom heavy breasts, but that isn't heavily padded.
3. Something that won't easily allow 'boobs pop out' while playing in the water with kids/swimming.
4. No more than £50 for set-ideally free returns/delivery.

Not that I'm asking much

I've always been bemused by the Zara love as well. I think I've mentioned it enough times but the prices really don't reflect the quality. Thing is, I've never commented on something being nice and asking where it's from on someone and heard Zara in response but have come across plenty of people giddy and exclaiming how great their new find is from Zara but it wouldn't have ever been something I'd ask about. I do occasionally find something in there and then utterly resent that I wouldn't be able to find similar elsewhere, but it's rare. Unlike with some shops, it's not as if I'd want to buy up the whole shop in the magical fantasy world where I had a body that suited everything and funds were limitless.

True about Arket and Cos, Midlife, but I've decided to exclude them anyhow. I've found some lovely things at Cos in the last few months/weeks that I'd love to own but once I've done the maths on all the alterations needed or find I can only wear something one specific way (always tucked in and it's always only so-so). I really need to stop torturing myself in there and I'd mostly be buying workwear in both which I won't have much need of in the next few weeks and by autumn Cos should be stocking things in smaller sizes, so best just to wait it out.

And yes, yes, to Mango and their impeccable styling. These shoes look amazing online, I saw them in store and they were the cheapest flimsiest looking things ever. For the hell of it I tried them on as I did really like the shape (looking for a spendier version as a result, if anyone's seen any, let me know) and when I photographed them on they looked a lot nicer too. I think that's also one of those influencer/media issues, a lot can look very good in photos, especially with a few filters thrown on but in RL it can look very different.

Methen, I was going to say Seafolly has been the best I've come across in my, albeit very limited, swimwear hunt. Both in terms of flattering bottoms if you've got a bit of a tum and good padding for bottom heavy boobs without screaming look at my boobs and keeping them in place. You'd have to shop around a bit in the sales though as they're not under £50 at full price. Boden always seems to get a lot of love for swimwear on here with similar criteria. In store I saw a few nice things at TKMAXX, there were a few Heidi Klein bikinis that were really flattering, I couldn't find a good bottom and top match but otherwise would have gotten one of those. Did you ever get on with the Calvin Klein bras? They do bikini versions of a lot of their bras with slight padding in neutral colours.

Ahem, Elle, in case you were still contemplating the black version

Thank you botemp - I have bought them. Thanks for the links. Those Mango shoes look to have been very heavily influenced by the Coco shoe from The Row. They have a tiny heel though and are mega spendy.

My sister arrived with the Everlane slingbacks. Thankfully they’re a perfect fit. Pics to follow.

I know that strictly speaking fast fashion is about turning looks around quickly, but I always tend to think of it in terms of having 3 prongs:

Firstly, the quick turnaround of trends and the feeling that most of the stock will be out of fashion in 3 years’ time.

Secondly, scant regard for ethical and environmental considerations including workers’ conditions.

Thirdly, although really it’s a consequence of 1 and 2, poor quality fabrics and finishing.

On that basis Cos (IMO) only fits criteria 2 and Arket only fits 1 and maybe a touch of 3 and only for some items, some are very classic.

I used to buy a reasonably frequently in Zara when I started working, as it was in my price point and had trousers long enough for me. Absolutely nothing I bought from there lasted though.

Curious to see the Toulon trousers on you, Elle. If we ever meet up we'll look like reverse piano keys It's funny, whenever I wear the Dries skirt we both bought without each other's knowledge, I always wonder if you're wearing yours too. Am well about the Everlane flats.

I tend to categorise fast fashion as anything overly trend driven (not the same as fashion to me, fashion has a sort of 50/50 chance of going the distance or being a mere of the moment thing. Instagram for example is much more trend than fashion imo) and generally manufacturers in the developing world and has more seasons than the traditional 2-4. Those criteria actually encompass some higher end brands, particularly the US brands. Under normal circumstances I approach it on a per item basis, rather than condemning the whole brand (unless it's a general ethos throughout the company structure that I struggle to reconcile with) as some brands do both, entry level trend pieces for the bottom line alongside the more permanent pieces of higher quality and prices.

Hmm, those The Row ones wouldn't work for me with the kitten heels, they feel more trend than fashion for me when The Row is usually quite timeless, but it's good to know they're a likely candidate as the original. I was looking at Proenza Schouler convinced they had a version.

Oh, Elle so glad you got the trousers. Interesting what you say about Cos and Arket, neither of which I know that we'll. I have had some success with h&m, in fact I'm wearing one of my favourite t-shirts from them, which was a conscious collection one, charcoal grey and slubby organic cotton. I've had it for years, wish I'd bought more!

This thread is really helping me with summer style, as I usually find it a bit tricky. I think the very simplicity of it means that what you wear needs to fit and flatter you well.

A very poor attempt at a selfie, but I'm wearing my mango tulip skirt and new grey gladiators (it's very hot today).

I really like the shape of that skirt quirky. Good find!

I've been a massive H&M for years but I'm losing patience. Even their £9.99 cotton cardis have had a quiet 'redesign' and are now vicose or acrylic - can't remember which. Cos and I have a love-hate relationship and whenever there's a thread about them I usually end up arguing with both sides. I've yet to buy anything from Arket.

Anyway I've broken my charity shop dry spell with some Loewe cotton ankle length trousers, narrow leg. I'm feeling a bit guilty as they probably didn't recognise the label so only charged £3, but I'm a regular there so they get plenty of money from me. Plus they're only going to work when I'm at my fighting weight so I won't be able to reach for them every day.

Wow Flo! Some find! Even if they only fit a couple of days a week.

I am still firmly sitting on my click to buy finger. I went to chat to the posh frock shop lady today, and just ignored the stock in favour of conversation. There is nothing new I need for summer, so I shall wait to see what the A/W ranges bring in September. Hoping my wide leg jeans will have been tailored by then!

Great skirt quirky! Lovely with the Greek sandals as well. However, is everyone intent on turning me green with envy over their astonishing charity shop and regionally exclusive shoe buys today?

Though I shouldn't complain, I found an Equipment black camisole dress on the UW app today in mint condition for ten euros this morning. Though I ended up not buying it after some stern talking to myself as the price was making me grabby. It's a size too big (I'm really a firm XS with them) and as nice as camisoles are on me this one had a rounded neck which is less flattering than the two v's on me as it makes me quite round and camisole dresses in general do that anyhow.

Did come across some wool window pane trousers in the sale from Won Hundred when I finally managed to get my Zara return in today. They're not navy but a sort of vintage brown with navy lines and I was quite taken with them. They were too big but they're transferring a smaller size from another shop for me so hopefully they'll be a perfect fit. Bonus points for not having to take them in as they're cropped. A nice change from all the wide legs to a slimmer fit, it was a bit horrific 80s yuppie with the cream jumper I tried it with, felt I needed a diamond tennis bracelet with it or something but I think it'll be good with a navy jumper or contemporary cut white shirt.

It's not that warm here, just shy of 20°, increasingly warmer from Wednesday onwards, so today wore my Mango red trousers with Isabel Marant white fitted vest and silk T by Alexander Wang shirt and Hugo Boss sandals. Really couldn't get away with my usual bag choices (really must find something soon, argh) so dug out an old Essentiel Antwerp beach bag that fortunately didn't feel too beachy. So long as it isn't filled too full the proportions are manageable unlike a lot of my other bags which just feel too big on me now. Whomever said shoes and bags always fit, no matter your size clearly wasn't thinking of me

Thanks, flo, I think we both like sculptured, tailored things . I can't compete with your monkey mask, though. Your trousers sound lovely. OCSock I hope you get them soon! Justine has a video on minimalism featuring lots of gorgeous tailoring from PP at Celine and Jill Sander.

I've watched the first part of that Elles series, bo and have yet to catch up with the rest.

Lovely photos, bo, I'm particularly pleased with the greek sandals, as my difficult feet seem to be tolerating the very flat soles, which opens up a whole new world of sandals. Lovely trousers I hope the smaller fit work well, I have a really nice long, dark, chambray skirt from Won Hundred, the quality is really good.

I really liked that Justine video too, quirky. I was so pleased to find someone else grumbling about the misappropriation of minimalism and it really reaffirmed my stance on what I love about luxury fashion in that genre. Still pissed Phoebe Philo isn't working anywhere, will be hunting the Paris depot ventes for anything resembling those stunning runway pics. Though I've only ever managed to find one Celine piece, ever, and it was pre-PP. Oh well, one can dream.

Very interesting and informative video Bo. Thanks for sharing.

Oh I don't think I will become a regular poster here as struggling time-wise but still enjoying lurking

You're welcome to lurk, SophieLion, and to contribute too, obviously .

Thanks Quirkychick . It's a great thread.

Aren't we all but lurkers at the end of the day?

Welcome to lurk, Sophie

I actually had another interesting YouTube account show up on my suggested feed. Dearly Bethany. She's petite but not teeny tiny and recently started a series with tips and tricks when you're shorter which I'm sure are useful for the petites on here. She's US based, lots of Everlane and similar brands, quasi ethical very millenial

First day of the French sales today, my inbox is overflowing. Keeping a careful distance, heading to Antwerp the weekend after this and starting on forming A/W lists.

In other news, being a cheap fucker has its rewards. Received my new order from Zara last night and the new blouse is cut smaller than the one I returned despite being the same size. So for once, hurray for inconsistent sizes as this one fits much better and mean I won't need to spend more money on it by getting it altered.

May I join the Small Waist brigade? I used to be quite a pneumatic hourglass, but having spent most of the last 15 years either pregnant or breastfeeding, my top half has shrunk A LOT, and my waist and hips are a bit bigger than they were: h-38", w-27", b-33". Think I'm probably more of a pear now. I'm under 5'2", and have only approx a 4" gap between my natural waist and the bottom of my bra-band!

I tend to stick with what I know flatters my shape best, i.e. weirdly, more volume in skirts rather than less, stopping just under my knees (hate my knees); defined, nipped-in waist, and then a bit of volume on top, with defined shoulders to balance out my hips. Plain dark trousers, skinny or tapered, more colour/pattern/texture on my top half. Simple, sculptural jewellery.

These threads have really helped me to re-find my interest in clothes, and spend that little bit longer thinking about outfits, and only buying what really suits me (all second-hand at the moment) - so thank you all

eBay/Etsy experts - if I want 'circular' swing skirts, with a waist and then fairly full skirt, what search terms should I be using..?

That's so nice to hear Chester I sometimes think MN should really have an annual lurker appreciation day when prolific posters have their posting rights suspended, forcing the lurkers out. Lurkers always say the nicest things. Know you're not a lurker, Chester, but your nice words reminded me of it.

I know what you mean about being able to take more volume in cloth when you have less in the breast department, mine can go either way depending on bra and top type, playing them down definitely allows me to take different silhouettes that a fuller hourglass wouldn't be able to.

Sorry not much help on the skirt terminology, I use eBay for 'the ones that got away' pieces with specific searches and I'm just trying to get the grasp of Etsy. Although I suppose searching for New Look pieces would probably yield a good selection of proper vintage and replicas?

Well, if we’re all delurking... I’ve been lurking the threads since the first one but lost track a lot. I find them very informative, but sadly I can’t follow the fashion recs very well, being in Sweden - land of Filippa K, Odd Molly and fuck all else. Like Floisme I prefer a real shop to paying money to try stuff on (ie ordering online). Maybe I should start budgeting for bi-monthly shopping trips to Stockholm? However that is also just paying money to try stuff on... but Stockholm is at least pretty?

Am currently in Croatia where the clothes offered to tourists are linen/light cotton tunics and shirts mostly. I’m thinking it might be worth my time digging through the racks a little because the fabrics are natural after all, but sellers are a little pushy so I dunno. Might buy my daughter a striped shirtdress. I did buy a jumpsuit in the Zara sale here because I had tried it on at home and it’s pretty good ... also have a pair of mad trousers in the same sale in my online basket haha.

Hi Chester, if I were you, I would type in "50s full skirt 27" into etsy and see what came up. I can also recommend the etsy shops "sartorialmatters" and "advantageinvintage" (I think you have to search for the term with all the words smooshed together) which are UK based and usually pretty good on the fuller skirt stuff.

Because I am a fuller hourglass in the bust, I can only do swing skirts with a deep v or wide off shoulder (or halterneck) neckline. Anything else makes me look too blousy, I think. Ah, I also have a tweed dress with a full skirt but it is more of a tulip shape. And it nips in a LOT at the waist (with a thin matching belt to cinch it in further). So that also helps.

We are off to Italy today and I have taken my full skirt 50s dresses (never with a petticoat. It does not suit me): navy and white off-shoulder; blue/turquoise print and pale orange halterneck. Together with tan accessories, a panama hat and huge sunglasses, I should hopefully remain cool and unsunburned!