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

The thing is I kept saving things for best, and really, the 'best' my life gets is maybe 3 hours in a local pub once a week. And these are the sort of pubs in which my being female would be considered quite glamourous enough.

I am also in awe awe of the glamour, but it's brilliant reading and much more useful/inspiring than any magazine.

strawberry - yes - I think we should all be determined to drag out 'our best' stuff a bit more often rather than just let it sit there. I too am in awe of the glamour and hoping it starts rubbing off on me. I've already started layering which is a rather magical art and does seem to make clothes so much more adaptable!

Today I'm in comfort mode (despite being a work)...black AV long sleeved tee, purple tam tam dress, black tights, black boots.

ooh hells, one of my all-time fave outfits and one which I will no doubt trot out before the week is out

much as we have in common, sartorially speaking, I have to 'fess up and say: "Je suis une Gooneur"

Dh is a spurs loser supporter though

ha ha! i should be a gooner as I'm in Islington but somehow can't quite persuade myself to move over to the dark side

Off to google "tam tam". I have so much to learn.

Am inspired by you all to drag out lovely work coat from Selfridges and let baby DD do her worst .

Right - I've been busy - have returned my Toast grey woolly jacket and Brora vest and wristwarmers as couldn't really justify them. Sent back purple boots as too big. But bought two polo neck tops in the John Smedley sale (these are really lovely, really!) and ordered the Duo boots (which I think will probably go back but want to see what they are like). Wore Kew dress, Toast teal top and shoe boots yesterday to work as per recommendation here, felt very smart. Recommend the Falke merino tights - they were very cosy. Just need to find a few more outfits that work!

Is anybody else finding this thread keeps crashing?

Florence (since I have my eye on another colour of those boots if Toast ones don't work out) - did you find your ordinary size was too big, or did you size up and find they were too big?

hatty - it's this dress - came in brown, purple and grey and lots of us clones stylish ladies bought it.

Toast delivery came - the stripey tees with the knot detail - was it mimi1977 asking about them? they're going straight back. Fabric feels insubstantial and knot detail extends to horrible seam down front diagonal which looks 'orrid and messy. Sizing does indeed come up small, as per esher.

OurLady - bought my boots on ebay but have seen some v.similar on Next site.

where can I buy Falke tights florence?

How are you getting on with your scarf monkeys? I'm working tonight and thinking of wearing mine with long sleeve navy scoop neck top and my gorgeous grey russell&bromley boots from a few years ago over my skinnies. Could do with a cardigan to add warmth. Anyone seen a cool navy cardigan, or can charcoal work with navy?

Liking the Tam Tam dress LTEC ; not keen on the cream cable knit dress you proffered though...I'm not pale but I curiously just don't 'do' cream-never have for some reason-prefer richer colours- love browns/tans and greens (hazel eyes) but hey thanks anyway...keep ideas coming
We are with the 'Red Army' btw, and funny cos our 3.5yo DS isn't in the least interested and our 2.4 DD is!!!!! I like to think of 'our' Arsene as being the thinking man's football manager!! maybe its ze accent - oooooh

Good news is found 2 jumpers I didn't realise I still had (!)...hanging in 'dry cleaning' (you know those white company bags) on back of wardrobe door; Nicole Fahri taupe chunky cardi and cashmere leaf green cardi with MOP buttons bought from John Lewis - ages ago !! Result...
Hair looking good today (!), but clothes unremarkable...have to spruce up for night out with girls (local)....what to wear - decisions, decisions........
P.S Have decided that I am far too conservative in my spending habits judging by you lot!!! This MUST be resolved!

Thanks LTEC, will go and check it out.

{feel we need a shopping emoticon to go here -perhaps a shiny carrier bag }

Yes..Hatty agree ref lol at 'frugal' intent of this thread...I am itching to completely revamp my wardrobe, although I have to say, it has made me look at some things I own in a new light - Hobbs boots being a case in point!

Vesela - I bought my normal size but I found they came up a bit big - but I do have very skinny ankles. I liked the idea of them though - but they are very loose fit. Free delivery and returns though from Spartoo, so worth a go.

LTEC - Falke merino tights to be found in good department stores (my local stocks them) or online at sock shop. All my socks come from Falke!

thanks florence!!

Ahem. I wish to defend myself, and the other ladies, against accusations of falling off the 'frugal' wagon. Frugality was never the intention of this thread. It was, rather, wise choices. And lots of them

a random old lady in Starbucks today complimented me on my pink hat and gloves. Along the lines of brightening things up, dreary weather etc and how I had lovely colouring . Okay, so it wasn't a spunky SAHD type but I'll take what I can get, quite frankly

BTW - am selling my DKNY cozy if anyone's interested in -saving-- me the hassle of listing it on ebay. It's black, size S, and has been worn precisely twice.

LTEC - no need to apologise - I haven't been reading the title fully, or rather have just been picking up on the third phrase which is most relevant to me "make the most of what you already own"!

.

Love the compliment - what a lovely thing to say .

Another vote for Falke. I love their cashmere socks.

I am very disappointed at all the Arsenal fans on this thread.

I've been shopping! It is a while since I've been to the shops so splashed some cash. I bought lots of bits for dd but got myself a new pair of Marthas (the back pockets aren't very nice though), a lovely Breton tshirt from Dorothy Perkins! I've not been there for years but it feels lovely on and I don't look wide in it at all.

I also bought these in grey patent. They're not my usual style but I tried them with skinnies & Marthas and my feet look small and I quite like them. Well actually I really them. Have I lost it totally? Alexa Chung is not a style hero!

Am loving my scarf and have had 3 compliments already!

Hi Ladies, just very quick, been run off my feet. Love the pink hat and gloves LTEC!

Recieved my black rats which i love and am currently wearing with carbon AV tee and black cashmere cardi. Very dark i know. So on that note i'm dying for this scarf by Nicole Richie www.starstyleinc.com/out-in-los-angeles-january-11-2010-sp41224-full.html I've trawled the web and can't find anything similar, has anyone seen that colour anywhere??

BTW that website is pretty good for stealing slebs style inspiration

Sorry that link nicole richie scarf

hattie - i am also lurking and trying to pick up tips for making the most of what i already own

since New year i have bought some replacement jeans as i have lost weight and others were baggy & shabby. £10 each Gap sale. and £6 grey leather gloves. but otherwise have been fairly good

i have to confess i bought a fair amount at the beginning of the A/W 09/10 season. though in my defence i had lost weight and had very little that still fitted from previous years

but if i feel guilty i can read this thread and feel virtuous in the face of £400 handbag purchases [smug emoticon]

Is there an issue?

This is no place for issues. We are all about not feeling bad, and about enjoying (or getting rid of) what we have and celebrating what we buy.

No narkiness, please.

Quite LTEC.

Have had a rubbish day - discovered mice have been having a party in my spare room and eaten through a duvet, lovely bed linen and possibly a mattress.

But on the positive side - am wearing denim mini which looks cool. Also boden shoes arrived and are very very nice.

I also like the fact that I can post on this thread about clothes that cost more than 5p without being flamed.

MM - I do agree re. marthas back pocket - what is with the flap thing?

LTECakey my deluded Arsenal friend, do you get the ASOS magazine? It has a feature on up and coming Aussie designers which made me think of you.

Tracey - I think the pocket makes them look really, well, like something from Tammy Girl I like the fit though and the price tag.

I got Grazia today and am very pleased my dd is the height of fashion. She's wearing a dress my sister got for her in Cameroon and apparently African prints are very fashion forward.

We may need a new thread as this is taking ages to load. Perhaps we should call it "Somewhere those who love shopping go to discuss their purchases and how they're styling them". How catchy is that!

hmm...am not wishing to be narky, just trying not to feel guilty about ( for me) large clothes shopping bill

am i not allowed to be even a teeny weeny bit pleased with myself for bargains and judicious shopping????? or is showing off only allowed for those with expensive purchases?

[stamps primark trainers]