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'm having serious withdrawal symptoms from the thread but work has been so manic and last night DS was a mascot at a football match (tottenham hotspur!) and I've only just about thawed out now I to go out again tonight!

So sorry I can't catch up but a quick update. Black Rats arrived...are very flattering...if you chop off my head. I'm in no way cool or stylish enough to pull them off. They are shiny black with sort of gathers up the side. Very flattering but I just would not ever feel confident enough to wear them. So back they go.

Wedges however as recommended by our illustrious leader are fab and easy to walk in and gorgeous - so they are in the wardrobe ready for their summer debut (will find link later if anyone wants it)

Alas I have to go and get ready for night out (I'm so knackered)...hope to catch up t/m

hooray re dresses to cover tum this or this.

For me it has to be Wolford for tights.

Will post properly later; am on iPhone at mo but geordie, i've got a denim dress you can have... Size12, short sleeve, button front. Looks great over long sleeve tee tights and boots but just too short on me. Welcome to it if you want it , was just going to charity shop it x

Oh that would be lovely thanks. Will fb you.

If anyone wants the LKBennet voucher emailing let me know,.

xxx

Only just checking in now.
Been in a bit of a grump all day. Started this morning when realised clothes I had laid out last night (I always do this, have done since my teens) didn't work together so had to ditch plan to wear colour and ended up wearing

black merino tights
black wool/flannel above knee length dirndl (think that's the right description) skirt (very old zara, actually too big now so cinched at waist with wide black patent belt
charcoal grey merino turtleneck with long victorian style buttoned cuffs (also very old karen cole)
grey short boxy zip up cardy with 3/4 sleeves (day birger)
grey with navy and ornage spots/stripes fine wool scarf (kew)
brown knee boots
black H&M puffa

Felt a bit grey and dreary today. I need more colour in my winter wardrobe.

On the plus side the toast cavalry boots arrived today and I am delighted . I do feel a little bit guilty to be buying knee high boots so late in the season but figure they are an investment for next winter too. Really good quality leather too. If anyone is still considering them then I say yes to toast cavalrys.

Went to space nk for some tinted moisturiser and bought the chantecaille rather than my usual laura mercier. Will report back in due course.

I also wanted the strivectin hand cream because my hands are a disgrace and need a heavy duty solution but space nk no longer stock it apparently. Any of you lot tried it?

I'm not really much of a cosmetics/potions junkie - the other day I moisturised body with junior oilatum as that was all I could find in bathroom

Who asked about the whistles dress and tummies? It's a pretty body-con style so not much room to hide under but I would think the draped front is quite good for drawing attention away from a tum. I am always more worried about how my bum looks in it actually.

Hells - do you really think the black rats are unwearable even with knee boots and a tunic?

Geordie for jeans although I'm just 5ft I tend to buy a 32inch lengt and get them taken up about an inch as always wear heels and hate too short jeans.

So I like topshop baxters for skinny, marthas for straight leg. Am currently wearing 7FAM roxannes (expensive skinnies but lovely) and am awaiting delivery of Current Elliott skinnies as recommended by Carciofi.

But if you're losing weight you could do worse than the next jeggings - £18 and just look like normal skinnies under tunics.

Oh and Geordie and MrsJ - walked past french connection earlier and popped in and ended up buying a denim mini in the sale as recommended by you both. Its a good length as mid-thigh rather than bottom skimming.

So will be wearing the skirt tomorrow - am enjoying wearing skirts/dresses.

March's InStyle magazine has a 20% off ASOS voucher in.

Message withdrawn

snakeskin dress is heaven. Looks fab, so, dare I say, will look even better when the rest of the mess that dc3 left behind has been starved worked off. Went for a run tonight, at the end of which I was kindly informed by Lance Armstrong that I had just achieved a new personal best for the mile.

very pleased about the wedges, hells You see what I mean about the Black rats though .. I have struggled to wear them here in London, I feel much mumsier here than I do at home, although maybe that's just because people at home knew me before I was a mum?? Anyway, they are flattering aren't they.

Today I wore:
Black leggings
l/s, long-line stripey tee (not quite a tunic)
Grey suede slouch boots
Charcoal travel wrap secured by dragonfly pin
black slouchy hat

was a bit colourless but am sure my dcs compensated - dd was working the Breton look that seems to elude me ...

Now, I know I love stars so I may be delusional about this, and I also know that they are soooo SS08, not current at all... but am I totally wrong in thinking that a variation on today's outfit could feature this?

Wasnt that keen on cardigan at first but seeing on model (who looks a bit Lily Allen-esque?), it looks good... without the uggs of course

need your address chica - FB me x

Already done.

Ladies, we are probably going to need to start a thread soon if anyone wants to access it via WAP/GPRS? I know it's taking an age to load on my fone when I try to surf while at playgroup

Ooh - tracey - glad you liked the skirt.

I have come across this website today: tedsshed

Lots of bargainous Ted Baker stuff if that's anyone's thing.

Evening girls

I've got a horrible cold & committed fashion crimes today involving 10yr old Gap combats, a body warmer & odd socks.

Hells I share a Spurs season ticket. Well done minihells!

Gerorgina I recommend American Aparrel (spg?) can't link as iPhone playing up but I have navy ones & they're great, wash well, hold in muffin etc.

LTEC I think we have special dispensation to rock the stars look for as long as we like . I wear a star round my neck & my favourite comfort item of clothing is a black & silver star scarf.

Struggled to post office today to return loads of stuff. Uniqlo purchases arrived & kept all but the stripey Breton tshirt which was a medium but baggy on my F cup boobs? The £29.99 cashmere/cotton cardigan is great for the price & heat tech tops never go unworn.

Anyone got capsule wardrobe suggestions for weekend in Paris? Off week Saturday & despairing at ever finding my mojo again atm.

LTEC well done on your run. I've never dieted in my life but have realised this mummy tummy ain't going nowhere without some work. I was a champion kick boxer until my twenties & since the day I stopped I've done nothing at all apart from pay for (often numerous) gym memberships. 2010 is my year of getting organised so next week I'm starting driving lessons & seeing a personal trainer.

Right-better get some sleep.

Hi all - I've been mainly lurking here as I'm such a lightweight - have been inspired though, and I'm on track to achieve my aim not to wear jeans and a little jumper every day - dresses have started to come in to the equation.

On that note, I was wondering where you got your grey slouchy boots from LTEC. I bought some in America before Christmas, and 'twas only when I got them home that I realized they droop rather than slouch, so the only way I can wear them is under jeans which kind of defeats the object.

I was quite liking Kookai this week, bought a flowery scarf (prematurely planning for spring as it turns out), and a long navy cardi. Might go back and get the dark red one.

I also noticed some zipped, collarless leather jackets, which would look crap on me, but am I right in thinking someone was asking about them recently?

Can't link as the website just seems to be showing sale stuff - frustrating.

Escher - LTEC is right about the Rats flattering qualities - they do make you look thinner and longer limbed....but I just don't know when I'd wear them. For me they are evening wear (they are very shiny) and I have more than enough of that already.

Really now on the search for some very nice day time ones.

This thread cracks me up - I keep reading it thinking it will be frugal clothes reusing and it's all about shopping! I have bought more as a result of reading it than I would have otherwise!

Uniqlo - monkeymama - I had the same disappointment with the Breton tops. I ordered medium and they were tent like on me. Shame as they looked like a great wardrobe basic. Undecided as to whether to try again with the small.

These looked suprisingly good on though -I still have a bit of a baby belly from DD3 and www.uniqlo.co.uk/catalogue/women/uts/383846-gray-outa-uni-collaboration-34-sleeve-t-a these fitted suprisngly well - skimming the tummy but made of a nice thick jersey which hangs well. Had ordered a few of a similar style mainly for running - and kept them instead.

Does that qualify as shopping more frugally?

OurLady - it was me looking at leather jackets. Thanks for the suggestion - I'll have a look next time I am out shopping.

Hatty how long is the t-shirt you linked to? I like it. I considered ordering a smaller Breton top too but have decided against it. I liked the thickness of it but know I'd rarely wear it. I don't really do that kind of top as I never know what to wear them with. I feel so frumpy when I wear t-shirts with jeans. Have you tried their Heat Tech tops? They have some in the sale and they're really good for layering.

Going to try the M&S ballerinas on again today and see if they fit or if they're going back too.

Today I am feeling a bit better and am wearing an outfit I quite like. A denim mini I've not worn for years but dug out after all the chat about them on here (Top Shop years ago) with grey opaques, flat black boots, a grey polo neck with fluted sleeves from Warehouse I bought a few years ago and have never worn, my new M&S leopard print grey, red and blue scarf (very colourful for me!) and am going to try my new pea coat over the top for a quick trip out to buy some wine for wine book club later.

Right, there's a homemade scone with jam and clotted cream my mamma left for me in the fridge that is calling my name .

Monkeysmama - I'm 5ft7 and low waisted - and the top comes down to a good length on me - I can reach up my arms without it riding up but it's not too long. Is that any help at all??

I also got the top with the pink rocking horse on and that's also a good shape.

I wore it yesterday with black mohair cardigan and skinny jeans, boots and a thin scarf and actually found myself feeling quite elegant for once! I think the 3/4 length sleeves work well as they stop me feeling frumpy like long sleeved t-shirts do.

Must do some work..I work at home and it's agony for not shopping online.

Cheers Hatty - is it bum covering length?

Like many others of you, I have decided to get some new jeans. I want a straight leg pair I can wear this spring that are quite high waisted to hold my mummy tummy in. Can I have a reminder of good ones for the long of leg please.

No, stops at hipbones length -so not bum covering.

I have gap long and lean jeans as am also long legged - they fit nicely over remaining mummy tummy.

Hattyyellow - my thoughts exactly - have now ordered the uniqlo t shirt... I am making more of what I have but also buying quite a lot (mainly ebay or charity shops, but still...).

Today am wearing black skinnies (topshop) with Gaps attempt at a Breton top, which even they would admit is an abject failure and a uniqlo cashmere jumper so the baby has something soft to be sick on.

Hope you like the top! .

Love the idea of cashmere for the baby to be sick onto. I have a lovely work wardrobe full of black, dry clean only delicate things - from pre-children days.

Would love to be able to wear some of my work winter coats. However, do not love the idea of getting them drycleaned on a daily basis, youngest DD is only 1 and is a droolmonster at the moment with her teeth. .

Have just paid over half of my one remaining cc balance. Feel very virtuous. And just about ready to spend again