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

yes hells - you have already said that that the rats were both leg lengthening and flattering so what more do you want from a pair of leggings?
Am going to see if I can get my mitts on a pair tomorrow, failing which I will order from my wardrobe.

this thread moves so fast that I keep forgetting things I wanted to add/comment on but here's a few:

tights - I always look at www.mytights.co.uk and www.tightsplease.co.uk - one of them offers free p&p can't remember which. Levante is cheaper than falke and also makes good merino tights.

breton stripes - J'adore and have seen some fabby examples online at oasis (am loving the exposed zip one)

here

here

and here

Also saw some straight leg jeans in H&M that looked promising but couldn't try them on as dd2 was being a poncetastic middleclass toddler and demanding to be taken to "Looochios"

Hoxton - how did you get on in the end with the pink Pauric and squeezing all your stuff in. I was really surprised when you said it came up small as it looked quite big online, so annoying when that happens. I ordered great chunky woollen scarf from outnet a while ago and when it turned up I kid you not it was 3 metres long - they must have soooo artfully wound it round the manniquin's neck for it not to show in the pics

Know you're no Boden fan LTEC but....

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Knitwear/Cardigans/WK554/Womens-Boyfriend-Cardigan.html

thanks Mimi

ooh aye esher I love that exposed zip dress. Do you think i could wear it backwards for breastfeeding purposes?

god I am so meant to be working... no discipline, me.

• at all Breton stuff!!!

(MIL lives in Brittany so dd has been Bretoned up since birth!!!)

So... you know I was going to get me boots mended... well...

I now have a new frugal "uuuurrrrrmmmm"...

My uuuuuurrrrrmmm is this:

Is it more frugal to get said boots mended or buy a new pair that are reduced to only 30euros in der saaaale and in the long run will probably last longer than patching up old ones that are a real wreck????

I have asked DH this question lots of times.. when his eyes started to rapidly roll I realised I hadn't chosen the right audience and immediately searched for this thread for advice...

Evening all! I've been very adventurous this week and added a silver and grey scarf to my usual jeans and grey jumper uniform . I hope you are proud of me.

Tomorrow I am planning on wearing a knitted dress (grey of course) and leggings. This is a massive departure for me so am already having palpitations at the thought of it!

Have decided I could do with losing a bit of weight before I can look my best - am about half a stone heavier than just before I got pregnant with DD, although that was the thinnest I'd been in years. Any ideas? Have been doing some running but I really hate it. Just find it so boring.

LTEC, lovely long cashmere/silk mix black cardigans in Zara, nearly half price. I have one in grey/lilac and it has worn well.

Someone looking for breton top, saw lots in topshop but can't find them on their site. The real deal in bretons is Armor Lux the fabric is so soft and they wash beautifully.

My pmt cashmere purchases arrived and are a great success, crushed raspberry Anthropologie boyfriend cardi for $80, and a Zadig and Voltaire scarf that is a nearly identical match and feels like a fluffy cloud.The cashmere-isation continues with grey wristwarmers from Autograph which may well be the most useful things I have ever purchased - who'd of thought it, I mean wristwarmers?? Would never have tried them on if I hadn't read it hear first

LTEC - a good boyf cardy is (imo) hard to find
I have a very nice grey alpaca one from winter 09 (farhi) and I have been looking for another one since forever

I wasn't sure about the stars cardy tbh - I didn't hate it but I wasn't keen tbh, not really a fan of knitted patterns

Mrsj - You know, if you really don't like leggings you don't have to wear them!!!

I wore them under long dresses unbuttoned with DMs in the 90s and looking back have no idea why I thought it looked so great!?!

A friend of mind gave me some skinny jeans. I was a bit scared to start with as I usually like my clothes fairly baggy. I am enjoying wearing them now... but in terms of tightness of trousers ooooh... they really are my absolute 100% limit nowadays!

I think if leggings are not your thing just don't do it... but if you deep down really want to GO FOR IT!!! You only live once!

I really like the sound of your knitted dress... will you play it simple or jazz it up with a few big bangles or a scarf?

What will you put on your feet?

About those black rats.

Well if you're gonna keep 'em...

I'd wear them for day with a long chunky cardigan, layered tees, wooly scarf and flat boots.

Or with a plaid shirt.

Could you wear them with hi-tops?

teafor I do want to wear the leggings and I think they look ok - especially with dress to cover my arse

It's just the fact that it's different and I hate the thought of people thinking I have tried too hard.

I think I'll add a scarf. Jewelry is tricky because DD is like a magpie

LTEC You could probably get away with the stars cardi because you are supercool already . On it's own it looks a bit but I think you could pull an outfit together if you wanted. I'm sure there are better things you could find though.

aw shucks MrsJ

not much help on the exercise front since I love running, but lack of childcare makes it hard for me to go as often as I'd like ... have recently bought the Davina McCall Power of 3 dvd though and it's not bad ... also a skipping rope.

Outfit tomorrow sounds great, you will look aces I know what you mean about looking like you've tried too hard though ... I think that is part of the reason why I'm so scruffy in my personal grooming, can't bear for people to think that I actually cared enough to brush my hair and put on makeup!! Could get away with it when I was younger and prettier more confident, need to lift my game a bit now though. The thing is, unless you;re really WAGging or a poncey earnest art student or wannabe media type, you couldn't possibly look too try-hard.

love the sound of your cashmere Verity, were they ebay buys? Have got a Zara silk/ cashmere cardi in charcoal from 2008, wasn't keen on the black 2009 ones though, they were a bit shorter or something? Thanks for the Pure rec hana, I've tried them before and again, the lengths aren't quite right for me

MrsJ... ha ha ha...

Don't be scared you will look fab!

Last time I had a feeling like that it was about a party dress that I ended up sleeping in!!!

So... do I buy new boots I saw in the sale or mend old ones...???

both!

Ahaaa haaaa haaaaa!!!

That is sweet - thank you letthemeatcake!!!

I was feeling VERY bad about having to buy/repair boots for me thinking it was a terrible extravagance after Christmas - you have really cheered me up!!!

Jeggings - am knackered and can't find who asked. I have loads and Oasis is the way to go. Hold in muffins, tight and keep their shape. I am not keen on the Next ones but I do have long legs.

The DP Breton top isn't clingy at all though I am usually a 12 on top and the one I got is a 16. I didn't realise until I got it home but it fits .

I'll take a photo of my feet in my brogues tomorrow! LTEC has a funny story about being asked for that I seem to recall. Glad some people like them. I wore them for my book club and got lots of compliments.

LTEC I'm not convinced about the star cardigan. I second the Zara cashmere mix ones for a long black one - I have several and they're doing well months later. I have a Boden one dp bought me and it bobbled first wear .

Night all.

what do we think of this in the pink?
Toast sale is now free p&p

was considering the dreariness of how much grey/navy/black there is in my winter wardrobe - was thinking I could layer this under things to add splash of colour, yes/no?

Did anyone order the toast merino poloneck that can advise on fit?

Hi guys, you lot have been busy on here tonight! I'll read tomorrow, on iPhone now. Just been to Les Mis - just swapped my cardi for shoulderpadded tux jacked and boots for heels and added long gold pendant. Had 2 compliments on my black rats today!

Read up to page 3 so far, and aiming to read the rest, but just wanted to say, bought Primark 'longer length' white t-shirt the other day (£2.00) - they do them in lots of colours, and it is fab - feels great, and a lovely length - down to bottom of bum i think. Might age badly- don't know yet, but worth considering for layering and hiding baby belly. Will be going back to get more at that price.

My MIL looks fabulous all the time and I've been studying her to see how she does it ( we don't get along at all but even I have to admit she is very elegant.
She is on the fat side, which suits women of her age (65) but I think its all in the colours. You need to know which colours suit you. I think some women (especially larger women) make the mistake of going for black, thinking its slimming, but I don't think it works (unless they're very expensive black clothes).
I have been applying this to my own clothes and it has been working. I got a pinkish jumper last month; my husband told me I looked like I did when we first met (fresh, young!).

Another hint I have is to look around for a good second hand shop. Not a charity shop, but a second hand shop. There is a difference. Charity shops are not for profit so although they are doing good work you rarely find good clothes in there. If you find a second hand shop thats in it for the money you can get lots of lovely things. They only accept good clothes they know they can sell on, so rich women who clear out their wardrobe every season sell their clothes there. These have been my godsend. I dress much more stylishly since shopping at my local one. Because the clothes are so cheap I take more fashion risks. Also ,you end up wearing much better quality clothes than you otherwise could afford.

Call off the search! The boden long island cardigan in slate is amazing on, and great with navy. Really!

teafortwo - seriously though. I am still wearing a pair of boots I bought at the age of 21 (am now 37) and I get them reconditioned every year or so. But I still buy a new pair of boots every winter or so and yours sound bargainous!!

mrsjuan - you sound like me! This thread is inspiring me - but I'm taking it in babysteps

Sakura - you are so right about colour...and when I do wear it everybody comments (in a good way)...I just find it so hard knowing what to wear with what and black/grey/white is so easy in that sense.

Blossoming - will check it out.

Today I'm in a kain black heavy tee...supposed to be a dress actually but works as a long tee-shirt on me! Plus grey current elliot jeggings which are so so comfortable I may sleep in them. my oushka grey bag (as recommended by our leader - and it's gorgeous). And will wear with black thomas wilde biker (ish) boots and possibly some sort of colour introduced by a scarf!

Have DD at home today - totally a treat as she is at a gorgeous age right now. But have to take her to gymboree later and I'm sure she'll pick up some horrid lurgey as normal and the rest of the week will be spent mopping up sick and mucous!

oh and LTEC - I may be off sick the day we do the monthly tally of things bought - I don't think I can bear to see it written down in one place (and also for evidence to be there for all to see!)

Hi all, DD has been ill so have not been on.

That pink poloneck is a nice colour, Eshermummy. Veritybrulee, I love the sound of your cashmere.

That was a lovely compliment, LTEC.

I am wearing True Religion skinny jeans, black biker boots and a red DKNY cozy. We are just going to the park and for coffee afterwards.

I bought another Hush cardiwrap, at that price and with free delivery it would be rude not to.

I am looking for handbag suggestions, I'd like a slouchy tan handbag, the type that looks all the better with age. I am still keen on the Mulberry Alexa or a Vanessa Bruno, anything else? Will spend up to £550 (selling my old LVs to fund it).

I am so bored of this grey weather, bring on the sun!