I've found it - the school run dress for autumn winter 09

[Swedes2Turnips0]

the holy grail. Perfect for school run then on to lunch with friend?

I've just ordered mine and I intend to wear it over jeans and converse sometimes or with black Hobbs boots with coloured opaque tights.

I suspect it will look okay over turtle neck thin jewel coloured top as well?

Please don't let it be crap as I love everything about it, especially the price.

WayneKai - Well you do itchy-lacklustre-bird in the Sweater dress and I'll do Xenia Warrior Princess.

LOL at Xenia Warrior Princess.

ahem...

shouldn't you be off on the school journey now everyone...!!

This made me laugh out loud this am, so cheers all

i won't be lack lustre i will be understated chic! admittedly, if the need to enter into a kick boxing fight with a demon arises i would be better off with your option.

I'm just about to set orf. This how I'm dressed.

Grey ruffle front t-shirt (from Tesco), purple Autograph batwing scoop neck jumper, dark indigo jeans (£15 ones from M&S), silver Converse, fuschia pashmina. Spray of Jo Malone Amber & Lavender perfume.

Sadly it's quite a long way off Xenia Warrior Princess.

Oh Swedes you need to buy the same fab duvet coat from Benetton that I got for my DD - it has the sweetest stretchy sequiny belt!

For your DD, I mean

am finding it v hard to imagine op dress w/jeans/converse.

i've looked at that jig dress noddy, i thought the knit was a bit too loose and it would catch on everything. but it is a beautiful colour, much nicer than the pic.

i can imagine it with jeans, jewel top under etc. just think hart2hart, jennifer aprés ski hosting an impromtu drinks party in a pine lodge.

Bonsoir - I was hoping you would tip up. That coat sounds lovely. I actually bought DD a v plain navy duffle coat with proper wooden toggles and she looks gorgeous in it. I'd like to see the padded coat though if you have a linky? Also any ideas about shoes or boots for DD? She's a size 12. [canoe emoticon]

No, I sadly don't have a link - I have tried and tried to find one and failed. I bought said coat in Benetton on rue du Bac (!) and didn't find it in the other Benetton stores. It comes in navy (lovely) and also black, white and lilac (less lovely) and has a duvet-filled shawl collar, which is lovely as they don't then need a scarf.

DD has silver Hunter wellies (beyond fabulous) and purple suede Naturino boots (sadly no link), both of which look great with navy coats. You could call Naturino to ask about UK stockists. She also has Pepe shoes in a sort of metallic blue-grey with a velcro fastening, and I have just bought a pair of silver Elephantito shoes in the next size up (13) for when she shortly outgrows the Pepes.

You can get the Elephantito shoes here

Oh I need your help with a shop in Harpenden. My aunt bought some Mac jeans in Harpenden and she wants to know the name of the shop - it'll be some kind of independent for older ladies with lots of German brands, I'm sure you'll know of it!

Challis on the High Street, I suspect. Choc full of Gerry Weber padded gilets.

Ooh yes that sounds right. I will call them! Thanks.

Love it for a party, but def NOT schoolrun!

Bonsoir - I adore those Elephantito silver mary janes but they are sold out from that Kent store. Any idea of other stockists in the UK?

Did you just check the site, or did you call them? Because I bought them there last Wednesday ie I was physically in the shop, and there were plenty - I'm not sure the site is as reliable on stocks as all that.

Bonsoir - ah yes, only checked the site. Will call them.

Now back to this school run dress. The board is divided between approval and very loud tutting. Will it be one of those outfits I look back on and shudder at, like my Abba jumpsuits in 1984?

Is it very wrong that I am very excited at the prospect of looking like Xenia Warrior Princess at the school gate? In fact it's the look I've been aiming for all my life and I've only just realised.

Im all for the Jigsaw dress.
Ive never been in a Peacocks and not sure I ever will - its hideous!

That Jigsaw dress is totally sexless - why do that to yourself?

I think the dress in the OP is fine, as long as the rest of the outfit is sober

That Jigsaw dress is totally sexless - why do that to yourself?

I think the dress in the OP is fine, as long as the rest of the outfit is sober. I wouldn't wear it myself as I find flappy sleeves of any description very tiresome.

School run wise I think the jigsaw dress is far more suitable.

Sexless