MNV Vol 88 - start of a new roaring 20's??

[libertyonhertravels]

New year, new decade, new thread. Come join us for friendly fashion chat, you can agonise over the right length to wear your jeans or deliberate the exact tone of lippy. A frivolous space in tricky times. All welcome.

Picking up from here

@VivaVegas I was on the Harrods website earlier and saw 3 things that made me think of your hat question. I liked this beanie though I think it would be better in cream/silver/black to go with the widest variety of outfits. Love the soft pink though.

I love this trilby. Definitely an evening hat and very elegant too as well as sartorial. I think this would totally suit. Sadly wouldn’t suit my head shape but love it.

Love this fedora too.

All expensive but all lovely!

Great hat choices caroline
Good to hear the date went well viva

I'm keen to hear your verdict on the animal print coats apple and I love the ski jumpers.

We had a early birthday party / farewell party for DD today. Went to a big indoor venue and hired zorbs. 2 stressful hours as kids fell out of them, fell off them, got stuck upside down in them, needed time out to deal with nausea . Dealt with tears from at least half the attendees. I spent pick up time briefing parents on injuries and apologising. The verdict from DD is 'best party EVER' and I have several messages from parents saying how their kids (a) loved it and (b) want the same party for their birthday. I'm on the wine and completely exhausted

I’ve always fancied Zorbing liberty

Fabulous links Apple.
I’m now really dressing up for work......not sequins yet but won’t be long! It’s freezing up North....man made Christmas jumpers are not warm at all.
I had a traumatic day at work when my laptop died.......I couldn’t help myself and started sobbing on the phone to IT support.....Think it pushed me over the edge. Rioja is helping........

Hello!

@libertyonhertravels that made me properly LOL 😂

@MarshaBradyo was so lovely to see you and dd the other week too.

Good solid buy @stokey , really like Arket, think it’s the best of the high st by far.

I went to the office for first time in ages, was actually quite fun! Felt like a massive faff getting everything ready though, just planning what I needed, making sure ds has everything he needs for after school activities, sorting the logistics etc. Can’t believe I did this every day no problem.

Got a prêt veggie Christmas sandwich for lunch which was really looking forward to but built it up too much as was just ok . Outfit was good though, Bella Freud grey cashmere polo neck with indigo skinnies, CP chunky boots, black half moon bag, Stella M Prince of Wales check oversize wool coat, black Cos cashmere beanie plus backpack for laptop which spoiled the look a bit but obvs necessary.

Outfit sounds fab mara. Isn't it just unbelievable how much daily life has changed this year that a normal work day is such a novelty?

dry hope you are feeling better today. I think we are all having these moments.

Tomorrow the packers arrive at the house and it will be my last day at work. Trying to keep calm and not get too overwhelmed. I know moving is the right thing to do but it's such hard work. Has been such a full on 3 years.

On a lighter note - 3 colleagues from different departments made references in my going away card to the fact that they are going to miss fashion chats with me . I have been steadfastly staying vogue through it all!!

Hello! Place marking.
Does anybody else struggle with clothes? I love them I love buying them I love browsing them have a reasonable clothing budgetband love how everybody else puts stuff together but I have no eye for it on me I seem to just have 'bits' that I put on at the same time but it never looks put together? (does that make any sense?) on top of that I'm a size 18 which doesn't help with a lot of fashion choices... Or does my post make zero sense ha.

Hi and welcome @S0CKS. I know what you mean when you say putting bits on at the same time. I think it helps to have time to try things on - and look to see what you like on other people for inspiration.

For me, playing with ‘the bits’ is part of the fun. Although it is always more fun for me when I’m happy with my weight

Most people have something physical they want to work with to feel good in their clothes. For me it is my short legs.

Being size 18 may impact how you feel but believe me it doesn’t have to limit how good you look. The best dressed woman in my office is a size 18-20 and in her late 50s. Pre Covid, when we were at work every day she looked so incredible. Well fitting clothes, she was classic but dramatic dresser and wore colours that suited her (clear winter jewel colours). Perfectly groomed, she had strong sense of who she was.

I know she wore quite a bit of Boden and also J Crew. Eg crisp white shirts with tailored dark denim jeans and a great blazer. Fitted black dress with long gold zip etc.

Are there any people you admire for their fashion sense? Or someone who has same body type / height you would like to emulate? What brands /labels do you love (even if they are not what you buy)?

Good advice @Applefairy. Socks I generally think I know what suits me and what are big no-nos. I'm quite short-waisted with big boobs so avoid things that tie around the waist, shirt dresses etc and things that are very high necked. Have put on weight this year so it's making it harder to style things. I'm so in a jeans rut, really need a new pair but no style seems quite right. I tend to look best in dresses but there not as good when you're just mooching around in the house all day.

Lib hope the move went well. Your Zorb story made me laugh. Dd1 had been saying it was the perfect socially distanced party so am glad we didn't attempt it.

Mara love the sound of your outfit for work, very classy.

I'm going out out on Monday trying to see old friends before we get put into tier 3. Very exciting, think I'll probably wear Whistles green cord jumpsuit with new gold boots and Arket coat for warmth. Feels like an absolute age since I've done anything properly sociable!

Thanks for the hat suggestions Caroline, I liked the styles which if not really thought of before and bought this fedora from Mint Velvet. Wore it yesterday and felt good despite my initial reservations that it was a bit ott! There were lots of women in various hats sat outside the restaurant we went to, and sadly inside was pretty empty which is so sad when it would normally be bustling on a late December afternoon. Out again tonight outside (fortunately both are undercover and have heaters) so will be wearing it again. Assuming we remain in tier 2 I think it could get a lot of wear!

I tried to channel this look, obviously I'm older and shorter than her but I think I had a good go!

That's such a good look Viva

Loving all the outfit descriptions and great coats and jumpers Apple

Lib dd's party sounded great. Good luck with the new move. Sounds exciting.

Hello and welcome Socks. Apple gave some great advice. You have to work out what you need clothes for, ie work, casual, what you like to wear, trousers, dresses, skirts and what what colours suit you. For example I hate restrictive clothes ie slim skirts and I never wear these. I prefer jumpers to blouses/shirts. I also know that pastels make me look ill.

I'm enjoying reading how everyone's style is being adjusted for current times. In fact I bought a pair of the infamous Sweaty Betty leggings that everyone raves about. I bought for the gym and to wear round the house. I NEVER wear leggings except for when I'm going to the gym however they're great and I now get the hype. I even wore them to the supermarket and I'll definitely buy more. I'm a convert.

Kitty I absolutely love my SB leggings & wear all the time around the house. (I've still hung on to some old M&S yoga pants tho!)Like you I don't like tight clothing & love a baggy jumper.

Hope the move has gone well Lib. The zorb party sounded exhausting!

Hi Socks, some great advice here re style-I don't think size necessarily has a lot to do with being stylish or not-like Apple I have a stylish friend who is about your size. She embraces the Fat Face/Joules/White Stuff look, it suits her body shape, her hair & makeup are always spot on too.

Have a look in your wardrobe & see which items you feel good in, the colours, style etc and have a try on session to see what goes with what, including shoes. Get rid of what doesn't make you feel good (sell, charity shop) and what is left is a good starting point to add to.

Actually, where's Shop? She's really good at this sort of thing!

need to read back. Hang on for a while

@S0CKS size doesn’t matter at all unless it bothers you?
If you have the money, the best thing I ever did (on the advice of previous Voguettes and Avid & Wisers was get my colours done by House Of Colour, and within that I learnt about my body shape, the length of clothes that suit me, shape of collar, size of prints etc.
Take a look at your wardrobe and think about the things that you reach for again and again. Lay them out on your bed and see if you can figure out why? Colour? Shape? Print? Fabric?
Then do the same for the stuff you never wear. If you haven’t worn it for 2 years (unless it’s occasion wear) then get rid of it - give it to charity, or friends.
Then think about the life you live, not the one you dream of, the real one e.g. if I had my way I’d be in sparkly heels every day but the reality is I’m a school run mum so I invest in denim, good boots and knitwear.
If my social life was even a thing now and I had an event to go to I would probably hire a designer outfit rather than spend £250 on a dress I will only wear once
Does this help?

How is everyone?
I’ve been really struggling. Autumn into Christmas is normally my time. My birthday is in Nov and then the party continues on through Dec. I so miss seeing people. I can’t take risks because I am looking after my 84 year old Mum.
I feel so flat and fed up. Normally at this time people knock on our door to deliver a Christmas card and we end up on an impromptu session for the day / eve - I love it. Just so quiet.
Sorry for the winge.
I’ve ordered some long coveted boots from the Grenson sale - due tomorrow - will link if any good.
Love to you all.
I am in desperate need of a MU.

Just realised I basically said the same as @Themarvellousmrsm

I bought some Sweaty Betty 7/8 power leggings in their Black Friday discount and love them, great for running and the gym but also just for casual wear. I'll definitely get some more.

Shop I can relate as that's how I felt last month, lockdowns are so hard and for working from home and not being able to see friends is soul destroying. The same if you're a stay at home parent. If I didn't go for a walk and a take out coffee in my lunch, when my son wasn't with me I could go for days without seeing anyone else. My birthday was the day after the lockdown started so that was all plans cancelled. It just makes you feel so fed up. I referred to it as existing and not living.

Now we can socialise to a degree, albeit outside that's made a massive difference, just getting dressed up and feeling like you're going out makes a huge difference. Going to the gym too makes me feel better as well.

I assume you're tier 2? Can you do some outside socialising? Not the same but better than nothing and minimises the risks. Places round here have really upped their game to make people comfortable for outside get togethers.

Can you get to any gym classes if that's what you normally do? Exercise makes you feel so much better too, even a walk with a friend and take out coffee and a chat can boost how you feel.

It is rubbish though, all the normal things we'd all probably be doing now and you just can't.

Yes Tier 2 @VivaVegas
My yoga classes were all cancelled as the studio is tiny - so just doing lots of dog walking.
Is anyone watching the Strictly results show? I’ve just ordered Claudia’s play suit - I have nowhere to wear it but I bloody love it!

Not watching Strictly so you'll have to link the jumpsuit Shop it's so weird to not have anywhere to go and yes a bit despressing too. Hope you get to wear the jumpsuit soon.

Sophie E Bextor is coming to my area next year but I'm unsure as to whether to buy tickets. Will it get cancelled? Who knows? I've really enjoyed her Kitchen Discos - wasn't a fan before but I have a new found respect for her and think she's quite cool.

Viva those were the legging I bought and at the same time too; the 7/8 come down to my ankles as I'm such a short arse.

Love Sophie EB @MissKittyKitty - I’m sure she’ll refund if she has to cancel?

@shopafrolic you said what I meant but more eloquently! Sorry to hear you're really struggling atm.

Morning all. I’ve decided to try and change my attitude - sorry for the moan yesterday.
I think I’m struggling about the thought of Christmas without Dad this year too. For some reason this one feels harder than last year (maybe because Mum will be staying with us).
Grensons are due today so will report back.
Off to get dressed and get my armour (make up) on.

It's ok to moan shop. Sometimes just the act of writing it down helps. I think the second Christmas without a loved one makes the fact they are gone very real.

We're staying with my MIL for a few days and she's driving me nuts. She getting a bit more forgetful but still does an excellent line in passive aggressive barbs. Her current fave is commenting to DH about how 'tolerant' I am with DD. Just rolling my eyes and focusing my best appreciation mindset on the fact that 5pm is wine o'clock in her house

Taking DD to H&M tomorrow so she is very excited. I need to buy a swimsuit. I threw out my collection of tatty swimwear (most of which dates from my honeymoon, 14 years and about the same about of lbs ago) so I need one as we're spending a few days at Hamner Springs next week.

Any hints or tips on swimwear gratefully received. I am tempted in my current shape to buy board shorts and a rash vest.

Deep breaths @libertyonhertravels
In terms of swimwear and assuming you are going for a one piece? I just keep it simple and black. I love this one
Definitely worth paying a bit more for a swimwear brand - I really rate Seafolly and buy in the sales. Boning and underwiring really help.

My Grenson boots have arrived. I’ve been stalking them for ages and I got them reduced in the sale. I love them and will wear them loads.
As a result I have changed from a hoody and joggers into black skinnies, an oversized roll neck black jumper from Hush and the new boots.
I’ve also finally found my perfect nude lipstick. Jewel Winters take note......
Mac Viva Glam II here