I'm sure we've said on this thread before, that oversize can be tricky. I'm tallish (5'7") and quite like a bit of slouch on trousers or jeans. bani, I absolutely remember La Redoute and the big trousers, small jumper.

Today, I am in a dark green, Comptoir des Cotoniers (I originally came across them in La Redoute, too) jumper dress I bought on Vinted. It feels a bit 80s, with, slim cut, mini with slightly bat wing/bishop's sleeves. Warm, but comfy enough paired with thermal leggings for school run, taking down Christmas tree and appointment for dd2.

Voltefarce · 07/01/2022 20:06

I love the hat @microbius, and the scarf too. I do love a hat in general.

Floisme · 08/01/2022 11:14

microbius that is A Great Hat. I'm really envious if you're living near a Trinity Hospice charity shop - the first time I went in one I thought it was a fashion boutique. The bimba&lola scarf is lovely too but I also really like that paisley one you're wearing in the pic. I think that outfit is my favourite of all the ones you've posted.

And thanks for the American vintage tip-off. I never think of them for some reason but they've got a few things that look like they could do a job for me. Plus they've got this jacket which reminded me of you bo and that US penitentiary dress you tried on . Too large though sadly.

missmoon · 08/01/2022 11:20

Slightly off topic, sorry, but does anyone know when / if there is likely to be a Margaret Howell sale on the online shop? I’ve been waiting patiently as there is something I am keen to buy, although I can’t afford it at full price.

missmoon · 08/01/2022 11:22

Ps. On American Vintage, beware of their online shop as they are very disorganised and slow to respond, with almost non-existent customer service in my experience. There are some local resalers (in the UK and I’m sure elsewhere) who would be a safer bet. See the Trustpilot reviews.

Floisme · 08/01/2022 11:23

missmoon I haven't had any notification but I'm guessing it'll start next week. It's always later than the rest. I won't ask you what you want to buy in case it turns out we're after the same thing but we can compare notes later!

Floisme · 08/01/2022 11:25

And thank you for the American Vintage info. I'm not close to a local branch so that'll make me more cautious.

Original poster

botemp · 08/01/2022 11:27

How sweet that you're willing to join me for some waterboarding, Flo

I had to think of you when I saw this Loewe military jacket this morning. At least that's what I've decided in my head is what you're roughly looking for but it's not really the aristo disheveled chic of Monty Don.

OP posts:

missmoon · 08/01/2022 18:08

Thanks @Floisme, hopefully we’re not after the same thing or size! They don’t seem to sell out too quickly in the sales from memory, except maybe for the shirts and t-shirts.

Redandblue11 · 08/01/2022 19:35

That Loewe jacket is great.

The colourful Bimba y Lola scarf is nice but somehow there is something that I cannot explain what it is … maybe is that it probably wouldn’t look as nice just as a scarf (not carefully positioned for the photo), or that after a season I probably would get a bit bored of it and in general I like colour and mixing colours. Iike the aesthetics of Bimba y Lola, they have a shop in kings road (tried a few things there and maybe bought something too ages ago) and also I think in Marylebone. But, the fabric composition is a bit mmm (lots of synthetics) and sometimes I found the fit not great, in summary overpriced. But I have a couple of their stuff and look great, so I buy the brand preloved as I can get it at reasonable prices if I want something that looks good/stands out type thing… hope it makes sense, I wouldn’t pay full price for them.

microbius · 08/01/2022 20:05

Thanks everyone for feedback! I wasn't sure about the paisley scarf with the hat and I am great to hear it works well, and the whole outfit works well! Real testament to this thread. And I think bo who wrote all those years ago in the advent calendar about white jeans, hats and scarfs (and other things; I am also on the path of accumulating bracelets :).

flo Last time I bought directly from American Vintage was before the UK left the EU, and all was smooth, including returns... I don't really know what the experience would be now

RedAndBlue I know what you mean. My old childhood training of how colours should "fit" (basically be the same) made me look at this scarf, but I actually dislike animal print (although I do love blue and scarlet colours together) and I was really doubtful about the fabric

Looking forward to seeing what people want/get from MH

quirkychick · 08/01/2022 20:27

flo, I bought an American Vintage top online quite recently, but think it might have been from Anthropologie or BrandAlley rather than their website.

microbius · 08/01/2022 21:18

flo I was thinking about you saying it is your favourite of my posted outfits so far.

And I am thinking what is there that is new that I introduced; I think it might be:
-more colour, including white and maybe a bit of some bright colour
-repetition, or dialogue of certain lines or angles as well as movement and lines going across (like the scarf in its round shape)
-one unusual item (?) I guess this is usually a belt, etc

banivani · 08/01/2022 21:27

Oh that jumpsuit looks fabulous on you Red, a real stunner! I also liked your jumper Catherine, lovely colour. And hrghgh Microbius that is like my ideal scarf, I love it. Love the right paisley!

Shang, so pleased you liked the padded skirt, just a simple way to make winter easier . My other winter tips would be wool wool wool ;). And mittens rather than gloves.

Flo I think it’s genius to look in the big boys section for blazers but I’m surprised you’d find anything useful, I’d have imagined those blazers to be more of the idea of a blazer not good ones with good pockets etc?

Quirky I love that you remember the la redoute formula with me!

Floisme · 09/01/2022 10:15

On the money as always bani. The shape of teenage boys blazers is generally right but most are either made for school uniform, i.e. black polyester, already going shiny, or for weddings so with velvet collars etc. Neither type could be called well made although I can't say I blame them - who spends money on clothes for teen boys when every time you look up form the TV they've grown another inch? So when I saw this one in H&M that was a decent fabric and colour (dark blue) I just went for it. But no inside pockets and a really annoying fake handkerchief effect over the breast pocket which I'll have to unpick, assuming I keep it.

I see it as my entry level jacket because, if I like it and wear it a lot, I'll bite the bullet and invest. But that will probably mean entering the world of made to measure - there seems to be very little in between that and Sainsbury's.

microbius very good question, I'll have to think about that! The colours definitely had something to do with it - I've slipped into wearing less colour and I'm trying to get out of it so, when I see it worn well, I always take notice. The hat also takes the eye plus I'm an absolute sucker for paisley.

Floisme · 09/01/2022 10:22

bo that's a lovely Loewe blazer and, any other time, it would be right up my street, but I'm after a more straight up and down shape. It's why women's blazers just aren't doing it for me at the moment. Yes think Monty Don or Sebastian from Brideshead although I need to tone down the crumpled - that doesn't work for me any more.

faustina · 09/01/2022 15:03

Floisme, women buying a boy's blazer from the school uniform department has been a thing for decades, and if you manage to find something without the embroidered crest on the pocket (or with a crest you like!), they still do the proper 100% wool ones for a very reasonable price in very large sizes (£90!). Try John Lewis - they have them online. Not the generic polyester ones, the ones for specific schools. You will have to sift through to find the right thing - good luck!

quirkychick · 09/01/2022 16:36

faustina, that is quite dangerous knowledge! Although, I haven't worn my wool, Jigsaw blazer in ages, it feels too fitted atm. I'm fondly recalling a grey, checked blazer of my dad's I permanently "borrowed" at sixth form (complete with turned up cuffs - it was the 80s ).

faustina · 09/01/2022 16:52

@quirkychick - my father had the most amazing wardrobe and I stole most of it! Top hat and tails included!

faustina · 09/01/2022 16:53

... it was the seventies so not as odd as it sounds!

quirkychick · 09/01/2022 17:05

I also stole a corduroy Fisherman's hat and quite a few things from my mum, too!

XingMing · 10/01/2022 09:53

DS's school blazer was quite nice quality wool, but the badge was offputtingly large and bright. You might be able to trace the main manufacturer and get one direct, Flo. There's probably one company that makes them for a whole lot of independent schools.

Floisme · 10/01/2022 10:14

That's the thing, I'd like that kind of quality but I don't want the crests or the Latin mottos. I don't even want stripes. Or black. Just that shape, well made and nothing ostentatious. I'm hard to please sorry

Thanks faustina I checked out John Lewis - both school uniforms and kids formal wear - but everything I saw was polyester. Maybe it's the wrong time of year and there's a bigger range in the summer or when the wedding season starts. I didn't think of searching for individual schools though, might try that or specialists as you suggest Xing

And still no sign of the Margaret Howell sale. I was convinced it would start today. Hurry up MH, I'll have spent all my money at this rate.

Floisme · 10/01/2022 10:24

Ah I see *faustina^ - there's a 'Uniform by School' search facility. Thank you, I'd completely missed that. Well there's the rest of my morning gone.

Original poster

botemp · 10/01/2022 10:47

Have you looked at Ralph Lauren yet, they're not cheap but basically mini menswear versions utilising the same fabrica. You might find some cheaper on Yoox or similar or secondhand. I quite like the look of this one on the EU site so hope the link works.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 ··· 34 35 36 ··· 39 40