Mumsnet Vogue Vol 89 - Must try harder **Edited at the OP's request**

[shopafrolic]

SO the last 'edition' took over a year to complete. Must try harder Voguettes. Despite the fact that we are still in lockdown, and rarely out of loungewear, there is still inspiration to be found. Spring is springing, brighter days are on the horizon and homeschooling CANNOT last forever (not if miniShop wants to live anyway).
So join us for style & beauty chat, and other inspiration as we navigate our way as stylishly as possible through lockdown 3.

Stokey I’ve PM’d you x

Bumpity Bump!

Hope everyone is enjoying a bit of sunshine. Any exciting spring purchases?

Nothing from my side but it definitely feels good to be thinking about going out without duvet coat on.
Think I'm in the market from floaty skirts and dresses.

What's on others' wishlist? Has anyone made it to the actual shops yet?

I've been out to a garden of a local bar/ restaurant this week, Monday infact couldn't wait! It was so cold as soon as the sun went down and I was layered up. Out nights are still going down to freezing, it really needs to warm up for outside evening socialising!

I had a lovely wander round the shops yesterday, the only thing I bought was this Sweaty Betty sweatshirt when I was picking up some leggings from there. Old habits die hard and I'm still living in gym kit as working home until June or July. On a positive note the gym is open now so somewhere else to go.

I do feel less isolated and stuck at home now which feels nice. Still can't see my family yet as too far for a day trip but at least meeting with more than one friend for a walk is now possible.

Hi all, like vegas, I’ve been out but was wrapped up in coat/hat/blanket! It was nice to go for a walk at the weekend though in short sleeves!

I’m struggling with clothes at the moment. Nothing seems to look/feel right. I’ve been so used to wearing leggings/lounge pants that everything else seems weird.

Where are you all??
I’m having a crisis and need you all .
Like I said yesterday, nothing feels right anymore. I’ve bought so much stuff in the past year but feel I have nothing to wear. Stuff I had precovid feels like a lifetime ago and for a person I no longer feel I am.

Some stuff I bought last spring/summer doesn’t feel right as a lot of it was bought with the intent of cheering me up (which to be fair it did at the time) but I just don’t like anymore. For example there’s a few tops that I bought in colours I wouldn’t usually wear and although I loved wearing them last year to brighten up zoom calls, I don’t want to wear them this year.

I think I just feel sartorially lost.
Anyone else having a crisis or just me?

Also I look shit. My skin feels raw half the time from wearing a mask all day at work. It’s really red, especially the nose, to the point that I’ve discussed with the gp about rosacea but she feels at the moment that any prescription lotions could have irritate the skin more. I’ve barely worn make up in a year as there’s no point with the mask. The o my decent thing is my hair but even that I now colour as hormonal changes have darkened and dulled it.

I feel like I should be really excited by clothes again. And part of me is. But part of me just wants to wear my leggings. I need to find that excitement for clothes and make up and nice things again.

I'm here QueenC, I totally sympathise. I've forgotten how to dress and almost feel I resent putting real clothes on instead of enjoying them!
I went on my first proper night out last night and had no clue what to wear. I wanted to do jeans but had no nice tops with them and was worried about freezing. In the end I went for an old faithful green midi dress with heat tech top and leggings underneath and leather jacket. I also brought an emergency fleece and beanie but under the heaters, I was fine. I did feel like me at least in that, but one of my friends who I met looked great in ordinary jeans but silky black long puff sleeves top and bright green coat. Just was perfect for sitting out as no-one sees your legs anyway.
Not sure what's good for rosacea, I do quite like a facial oil though as feel my skin can just soak up loads now. So I tend to alternate facial oil and night moisturiser.

I'm hoping the excitement will return too, I think it will as the weather improves and we get used to being out and about again.

Hey stokey, such a relief to know it’s not just me.
It would be great to go out out and not have to wear a coat and gloves!

Ok....a bit of sunshine forecast and my opaques were OFF, bare legs today. And as I scraped the ice off my windscreen I realised I had totally lost the plot .....but didn’t I have the last laugh later on in my cute midi dress with surprisingly tanned legs (knee downwards obv).....same tomorrow, it’s going to be positively scorchio.
QueenC your mojo will come back because your a VOguette, believe me as I’m always right

Omg....”you’re” obv

Thanks dry. I went out with a long dress and no tights on Monday-was a bit chilly but nice to have air to the legs.

Be kind to yourself @QueenCremant you've been through a lot these past couple of years and no wonder you feel like a different person.

Maybe if you have a chance, have a try on session to see how all your clothes actually make you feel when you put them on. You've always known your style so well and got so many lovely clothes, it's got to be worth trying to pare back the wardrobe to find yourself again. Get rid of the tops in wrong colours.

Have you got any social occasions booked? Maybe if you go out for a lunch or to a bbq, and plan a nice outfit that's not leggings, it'll help?

Also you are very stylish so I'm sure the situation is not as dire as you think :) this isn't to minimise how you feel because I totally get it. Covid plus wearing a uniform at work doesn't leave much headspace for enjoying getting dressed. Hopefully now we are able to do more, you'll start to feel better.

FYI, I've had mild rosacea before and my dermatologist gave me Soolantra which is THE medication to take for it. It is a topical cream and I guess your GP knows best re potential mask irritation, but it might be worth a try?? If you do have rosacea it will help very fast.

Lastly, and @DryWhiteagainW is so right, once a Voguette always a Voguette

Such lovely words from @BlairWaldorfLovesShopping. She's right @QueenCremant. You've had a lot to deal with these last few years and are still probably feeling a bit unsettled. You have a great wardrobe but is it suitable for your new life now? Maybe you may want to experiment more, try new styles, throw away your navy rule book perhaps?

I too am in a style quandary and have worn jeans/leggings + sweat shirt for the last 4 months. As the weather is improving I'm going to become a bit unstuck as all my summer clothes from last year don't fit me - unless I lose a stone pdq. I'm not even interested in replenishing my wardrobe yet as I don't know if I need new s/s clothes as everything is still uncertain - I'm not sure I can be arsed with the faff of booking 3 PCR tests to go abroad and feel I've missed out on all the decent UK accommodations.

Well that was long and waffly. @QueenCremant no matter what as @DryWhiteagainW said you're always a Voguette. Mwhah.

And this is why I love you all!! Despite me being missing in action for months/years, you’ve taken me back into the fold. Thank you so much for your lovely words.

I’d forgotten that ages ago I’d brought some flared jeans-I’d put them away until it stopped being so rainy and cold. I wore them today and although they felt a bit weird flapping around my ankles I quite liked them.

What’s everyone else wearing at the moment?

Fleecy dressing gown and slippers

Running gear still, had a good run earlier

Need to change am really cold!

QueenC I think you look great atm with your hair and everything but I know it’s in the mind mostly

Dropping dd off at new nursery I thought dammit I need to not wear same saggy stuff every day

I definitely need my inner voguette to emerge!

I have a four hour hair appointment coming up. Do you reckon it’s ok to do that three weeks after first dose? I’d hate to get it badly at last hurdle!

@MarshaBradyo I'd say hair appointment is fine. They'll be really careful sanitising everything and everyone will be wearing masks. You'd have to be very unlucky to catch it there I'd say. Also cases in London very low now. I'm not booked in till May & am desperate to get my greys covered!

I was in harems, tee and hoody yesterday QueenC so still not really winning. Need to get my summer stuff out of the loft today though and quite fancy long skirts to lift me from the lazy trousers. I also have some cropped black flared jeans that look nice for slightly smarter wear. Bit the bullet & bought 2 sizes up rather than waiting to lose weight as who knows when that will actually happen!

Thanks Stokey I need to go in for a patch test two days before which is a bit annoying, not used to such activity, but my hair hasn’t been cut for over six months and highlights for about two years

(Update my saggy in pp was meant to be daggy Aus term phone doesn’t know)

Also even genuine Vogue people still rocking joggers although obviously looking slightly classier than I do in mine!

I’m having my hair cut today too Marsha so excited although I’m confused as everybody saying they like it longer

Re fashion I reckon the Covid legacy will be that everyone dresses down a lot more for work etc. It was going that way anyway. Tailored suits will be a thing if the past. DH’s handmade ones from corporate days are gathering dust....don’t mention ties . Yesterday I wore a dress for work with my Air and Grace crus ....felt very naughty sneaking in in trainers but they were so comfy and no one said anything. Perfect footwear for my job really and still felt smart.

But typically I’m now really lusting after a very fitted tailored blazer to wear with jeans.........

My hair appointment is not until June. I like it done by a certain person and that's her earliest availability.

I've been buying quite a bit from Baukjen recently. The jersey material is great. Comfy enough to wear around the house and smart enough to wear outdoors.

marsha you should be fine as everyone will be wearing masks. I’ve been working and seeing multiple patients everyday and haven’t caught it so you’d be really unlucky to get it at the hairdressers.
stokey I wish I could look that stylish in casual gear like that. But I fear that she could make a bin bag look good!

dry I agree that for now suits/ties etc will not be worn. But like everything it will go full circle and once everyone has got bored with casual dressing then heels and tailoring will emerge again. Especially once things like big weddings/horse racing etc can happen again.

misskitty I love some of the stuff on the baukjen website so good to know that the material is great. I’m always put off by jersey not knowing how thin it’ll be and how well it will wear.

What’s everyone’s plans for the weekend? I’m not up to much, have the kids with me but one is on crutches so can’t very well drag them out for a walk!

gorgeous shoes

who can walk in these??