Anyone interested in forming a "shop more wisely and less compulsively", "no more expensive mistakes" and "make the most of what you already own" thread?

[LetThemEatCake]

There seems to have been a digression from the original intention of Penth's very worthy thread so, rather than cause anyone any offence or detract from what Penth and others were setting out to achieve, would anyone like to do a thread in a similar vein? Discussing potential purchases (advising each other for/ against in sensible fashion!!) and talking about how we're wearing existing pieces etc

Am off to Sunday lunch with friends but will check back in later.

Wearing purple Tam Tam dress, grey opaques, grey slouch suede boots, charcoal travelwrap for discreet bfing. Pretty exited about the sunshine so nearly cracked out the new OP sunnies but am saving for summer proper

have a good day all

i also have several pairs of these black straight leg wool lined trousres ( for work). mine are from

jesire - John Lewis sale 2008 £25

jaegar sale spring 2009 about £55

kaliko 2004 cant remember £

however i am a lollipop so cant say how they would fit anyone with a waist ( i have none)

Morning all..have been doing some early morning credit card bashing..am now armed to the teeth with moth repelling items from JLewis on the back of advice from Dexter and Letc..would hate to find beautiful crumpet dress eaten away by 2011(have get having baby and bf out of way before an option)

bunny..i used to do dressing spookily similarly to DD by accident all the time when she was a baby..is 3 now so she mainly dresses self in many layers of non matching seperates with a fairy costume thrown over the top or alternative 'outfit' of pants and vest!
...think when they are tiny and you are sleep exhausted brain struggles to conjure up 2 totally different outfits..you often don't even realise the 'theme' until someone helpfully points it out! ..well that was my excuse!

Nofashion - my mum is a pear and has a nightmare with smart trousers of the type you speak. She bought a pair last year in Hobbs and they look fab on her. She did alter the waist slightly, maybe that's the way to go.
Did anyone see Dannii Minogue's photo in Look magazine last week? Short white shorts and blouson top and oversized sunnies? Am thinking of channeling this look with boden short shorts in white and from the wardrobe, dvf kaftan, see profile page. Ooh, postman is ringing the bell!

Bodsmum - ha ha, love your DD's choice of outfit! A couple of friends have DDs and the mums are not girly at all, so guess who have the most pink fairy obsessed daughters?? One insisted on her fairy dress over her ski suit when skiing, with her grim faced mother following down the mountain - classic!!

LTEC - congrats on the compliments!! That's a great achievement in only 17 weeks!

I need to buy some great jeans, but caught between not having lost the baby stomach yet (so don't want to buy new clothes to fit temporary shape) but not quite fitting into old shape (so can't buy size 10 as won't be able to wear it yet). Rock and a hard place I tell you...

My body shape is Humpty Dumpty: long skinny legs, with a portly torso on top (12D norks and big mummy tummy), which is also a short torso. No wonder I live in mini skirts...

Esher - your outfit of yesterday sounds wonderful!! Am large of tum tum, so would that Whistles dress work (ie does it skim over the stomach or hang about and hug it)?

MM - great M&S scarf - will have a look tomorrow!

Hello all...

I have been keeping a little eye on this thread and though it was about time I posted as basically I am also doing what you are suggesting...

Has anyone had any experience of make-do-and-mend yet?

I am going to take my broken handbag and boots to the shoe-makers to see if they can keep them going for me and am keen to let you know how it goes.

I have also started collecting wood and lighting fires most evenings instead of heating - it is really much cheaper and so much more fun and heart-warming than radiators!!!

I sewed some buttons back onto a coat, so can wear it again - made it feel new teafortwo. Although dry cleaner said he could have done it for me for only £2 per button. So unlikely to bother again as took uncoordinated me ages.

Hi teafortwo,

I'm the same and keeping dipping in and out for stylish advice

I have today revived a much loved White Stuff denim skirt - the zip had broken and so I have just replaced it with velcro - tadaaa! (ok so not very stylish but at least i can wear it)

Can I suggest this great top to go with the animal print scarf. Postman bought mixed results. Me&Em stuff going back. Didn't love it.

blossoming didn't see Danni's shorts but loved the blue dress she was wearing in another magazine.
What does anyone think about trousers for spring....I can just about get my head around skinny jeans with boots,but not sure about when the weather warms up.I usually wear straight/wider leg linen or cotton trousers,but are these seriously passe now??
I think that is why I like dresses so much for summer!
tracey I saw a lovely Whistles dress in Grazia this week,cream with navy pattern.Am looking for link....
Todays outfit
Boden winter tunic in berry shades
Grey cami
Greay Autograph merino tights
Clarks berry coloured patent Mary Jane's
Autograph asymmertic wool drape cardigan,lovely and warm.
Berry necklace from Freedom yrs ago
Usual purple/berry/teal/silver scarf,hav eworn this loads this winter,was a Sainsbury's bargain!
Teal Oasis patent slouchy bag.

Georgina Look at trend watch: limbo dressing on this page.

Morning All.

Been into town to meet friend for coffee and ended up in comptoir as she was picking something up and bought a very pretty top for £30 - less than half price. But really must stop spending for a bit.

LTEC - I bet you're looking fab - friend today said I looked thinner than she'd seen me for years - but problem is it just makes me want to spend.

Georgina - I think I saw that Whistles dress in grazia but couldn't see it on their utterly rubbish website.

Blossoming - am liking the idea of white shorts but think I will go for a white denim mini as never seem to get on with shorts for some bizarre reason.

Thanks blossoming
I think I saw the picture of Nicole Ritchie in that look in Style magazine on sunday.
I probably need some more fashionable jeans,mine are bootcut,oe wider leg,or skinny.I may hae a look at the Indigo Collection ones.

Re white shorts. Have dug out the johnsons holiday skin in preparation for delivery - won best moisturiser with self tan in the instyle award - march copy already arrived!
Georgina - I have the indigo jeans. They'll look good with flats in between seasons I think.

Right!
have also read the inStyle awards,but have to say i prefer the Dove gradual tan moisturiser,find it gives a better colour.

Hi all

Not quite the day I had planned: DS1 home from Nursery poorly! All 3 having nap so here we are!

Well, I think I'm going to have to do some investing in a decent pair of jeans for starters...but any recommendations on best jeans for a squitty 5'4 incher? I'm about a 30 or 31 leg...and quite like a skinny style.
LTEC are the 74AM skinny or straight? Btw, DC3 will be 17 weeks on Friday! I have just given up bf totally. Guilt city(!) but she just didn't seem to be satisfied. Did it with all 3 up to the same point. I would have like to have done longer - at least six months and yes its great for weight loss....However, we, blissfully, have had some regular sleep throughs after 11.00 feed so she seems happy enough!Anyway, I digress; any recommendations for suitable knitted dresses? Remembering Mummy tum and all that...I do have the Agent Provocateur hold 'em in panties but they only work so hard!!!!
Today my uniform is: Boden boyfriend cardi (purple marl),Great Plains Tee (navy)and oh dear, ancient Gap jeans (but at least they are non-maternity now!!)
My DH bought me some Crew jeans which were horrid (on me)...totally wrong shape and way too long!
I really want some nice 'cas' daytime clothes and some key pieces for going out....help!

Hooray - I'm only 5ft and jeans wise like topshop baxters and marthas for cheaper ones. I've then got the 7fam roxannes which are skinny and lovely.

Am coveting current/elliott and j brand too.

Have also got 3dc's - youngest just 6 months and just about back to where I should be figure wise apart from porn star boobs from bf.

Thanks Traceybath...will look them up (74AM)...and TShop! Yeah, already missing the boobs! Mine are getting smaller and smaller...
I think a pair of cool jeans is the way to go...
Am thinking footwear too - I tend to wear boots or ballet pumps but it can all seem too booooring...any ideas on suitably funked up flats which aren't giddily and therefore ridiculously trendy but fit with a modern classic look!

God this is getting addictive - Like the Frye Campus boots - good ? Any trainers?

Hi all. Henrietta, I have Frye Campus boots, they are really comfortable and look good no matter how battered they get.

If anyone is looking for jeans, Donna Ida has a good sale on now. They have J Brand skinny cords on sale too, which I can recommend.

I can't decide between the Mulberry Alexa bag or the East-West Bayswater, or even to buy it at all, as if I do, that's all my money gone.

yessssssssssssss ... got the Antik sandals for the princely sum of £30. That's £140 that NaP won't be getting from me!!

snakeskin dress has arrived, can't wait to try on but currently standing in as human climbing frame ... hopefully later.

teafortwo - just picked up some repairs from the dry cleaners today!

traceybath well done on the skinny comment!! I know full well that I've got a ways to go but feels good to know that I'm looking thinner than at Christmas. Progress!

HH - my 7s are straight-ish, a bit bootcut. For skinnies I have Topshop Baxters. I'm 5'10 though so not much use on advising on styles for more petite women - listen to tracey, she knows her stuff! Re: knitted dresses, have heard great things from AngelinaJolly about Uniqlo merino dresses, otherwise for smarter, how do you like this? Not sure about your colouring and realise that cream is not for everyone...

where can I get some really nice thick velvety good quality tights in a dark choc brown please ladies?

LTEC, great deal on the sandals!

Hey ladies;

Loaded with cold here so feeling rubbish.

I'm desperate for new jeans - but hate hate hate shopping for trousers - Tracey can you recap best places for shortarse petite jeans? Also will not be buying before weightloss. Could do with a new denium skirt also, current one is a FCUK one that I cut far too short. Will reward self with one when I have lost a stone.

Pretty boring day here, playgroup then met dh for lunch. - Brown cashmere jumper over cream vest, aforementioned mini, brown tights and flat brown boots. Tights are Jasper Conran LTEC - They are lovely and are possibly a couple of years old, as they dont get worn much?

Does anyone know what the sale is like at LK Bennett? I have a voucher for 70% off original price on all sale stock this Thurs-Sunday - wondering whether it was worth a punt?

Whilst on the subject of recommendations,can anyone recommend good navy leggings??
Have a couple of tunic dresses tha ti could wear with them,and brown boots now,and also think they will be great in the spring.
Thanks!