in search of the perfect white linen shirt

[bananasaredelicious]

I'm looking for a perfect white linen shirt, soft, and machine washable please. Last year I had an inexpensive one from H&M which was great, but a little stiff. I don't want to spend a fortune as I'm going to wear it over a bikini like a cover up, for breakfast, lunch etc, and I don't want to get upset when I get suncream all over it (hence I can't wear the one I bought last year as it is v stained). I could order a new one from H&M but thought I would see if there is anything better that anyone would recommend please? Thank you 😊

These are the Zara trousers in case anyone is interested. They come up quite large - I had to get XS when I would usually get S

@@MakemineaGandT It sounds like you've done very well! The link for the trousers doesn't seem to work, but they sound great. I just love it when a purchase works out like that. I've done well in that, like you, I've felt more put together, but I still feel I've overspent, and not made best use of everything I own.

Yes, I know what you mean re wedges - everybody, of all ages and shapes and sizes and smart/casual, is wearing trainers or v flat, ugly sandals. What will winter footwear have in store?

I'm wondering when is the best time to put autumn/winter things on Vinted and I'd like to really try to shave down my wardrobe by a long way. It is so try what they say about only wearing something like 20% of your wardrobe, and I'd really like to get rid of the other 80%, or at least 50%.

But, I find that in the winter, come December thru Feb, I am so bored with my clothes, and so cold I do wear quite a lot of what I own.

However, my plan is to try to resist the buys as they appear in the shop, and wait for Black Friday, or the December sales, and really try to crack it this year. It really is time I slow down the spending and get better wear out of what I have.

What are your plans for next season? I'm struggling with handbags - my Uniqlo bag is great, but so boring, yet since lockdown I really don't use all my lovely handbags.

Have a lovely weekend :)

Hi @bananasaredelicious I’m in the same boat as you - I do need some new trousers this winter but am going to try to hold off until I find a bargain or track down the perfect pair, no compromising! I have a lovely coat bought in the sales right at the end of last winter so I’m looking forward to getting that out. And some boots bought in the sales which I’m yet to wear. I’m on the lookout for the perfect slouchy black leather handbag - I have a structured ‘work’ one already, but I’d like a more casual one.

Like you, I also plan to do some Vinted listing - I’d like to make room in my wardrobe as it’s all a bit squashed in there. There are definitely things that can go…. Is it too late to list summer things do you think? I have a few summer dresses which I haven’t worn this year, and wonder if I ever will. They just don’t seem quite right on me any more and each time I’ve tried them on I’ve thought ‘no’ and put them back in the wardrobe!

@MakemineaGandT I'm not very good with trousers, I'm in jeans too much. I've bought some v lovely ones from Zadig & Voltaire, in Bicester, and been very happy with them for a couple of years. I put them on last week and they suddenly felt a bit dated tho so not sure about them now, but I have had good wear from them.

I think you may just be able to sell summer stuff still, but there's no harm in trying. I read that the end of the working day, around pay day, and weekends, are good times to upload, and upload one or two items a day so you keep featuring as 'newest items' rather than listing all at once. Not sure if this is the case in reality, but no harm trying.

I've got my eye on a puffa I saw in Rains last winter, and hope they repeat this year. I'll keep an eye out for a slouchy black leather bag for you.

I've got a few things like you, where I put it on and then put back in the wardrobe. But yesterday, I pulled out a fairly old skirt, (from Hush, in 2016), it is deep blue/purple and white. I tried it with a deep blue halter neck top I have and I've never thought of that combination before. it was a great outfit :)
Both items have been in my mind to put on Vinted and I'm glad I hadn't yet! That's the problem really, the items sell for a fraction of the cost, and therefore sometimes it isn't worth it.

I am trying to think along the lines of 'how many' of an item do I need. How many summer skirts do I actually need? I have at least 8, as well as dresses. (some are 10 years old), but do I need 8??

Hi @bananasaredelicious well done on shopping your wardrobe! I’m trying to give everything I have at least one wear this year to decide if I still like things. I have quite a few summer dresses dating back up to 15 years (and one from 1997 still in my wardrobe! Though more for sentimental reasons!). Some things just don’t feel right any more so I’m happily going to part with them.

I know exactly what you mean on ‘how many do I need’? But the trouble is they’re all subtly different and once you’ve already spent the money to buy them, you might as well hang onto them if you have the space! My problem is storage….and my poor husband is gradually being squeezed out of our wardrobe space! I had a look through my things to see if I could weed anything out, but there are reasons for wanting to keep almost all of it, even if it doesn’t get worn often!

Thanks for the extra pair of eyes for a slouchy black bag! I’ve also got a hankering for some black tuxedo type trousers….so let me know if you spot any of them too! Thank you :)

La Redoute have several white linen shirts

https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350346753.aspx#shoppingtool=treestructureguidednavigation&shoppingtool=treestructureguidednavigation

I'm not very good with trousers, but I'll keep an eye out for you. What sort of brands/designers are you thinking of for your bag? How slouchy are you thinking? An investment designer bag, or high st? & Other Stories has had some lovely bags recently.

I went into Liberty at the weekend, and was looking at the Loewe raffia bag. The sales assistant swiftly took my details and has started a WhatsApp chat with me, and sent me photos of it etc etc!! Makes it hard to walk away!

I did think of you when I was looking at the lovely Acne black bags, but they aren't slouchy.

Me too I have a few things that are 10-15 years old. It is so hard. One skirt is silk, one is pleated, one has ruffles, one is flat fronted with pleats, and so it goes on. It isn't worth selling them for next to nothing on Vinted, but it also isn't necessary to keep them. I have still about 60 items on Vinted that haven't yet sold, I'm guessing they won't now for summer. I think I'll remove most of them, and re add them next spring. Will start listing winter things soon.