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

Hello folks. Everyone sounding lovely and gorgeous and buying fabulous stuff, well done!

I am currently eyeing up some mid-rise skinny dark blue Nobody denim and the ubiquitous Sass & bide black rats. I have been almost swayed on here and am very curious.

Experts on these - do you think the S&B Rats are ok for the school run? 5 year birthday party etc, I wear pretty much anything so what do you think?

Also am looking for softness itself in the form of a slouchy tan bag for summer, will let you know if I see anything Carciofi.

Am wearing bright stuff today in an effort to kick start spring - bright coral AV tshirt, Theory soft grey cashmere cardi with bright yellow trimming, ecru (! - chalk white I believe) Wolford tights and wait for it a 10 year old miniskirt from back of closet, Bravo!

Thanks carciofi!

The scarf is 1.5m long and is fab - $160 from ebay! I went into the Zadig and Voltaire shop in Notting Hill last year and swooned, beautiful colours and everything felt gorgeous.

Now, what do you all think of this cashmere?

Dh owes me a christmas pressie and I'm thinking of this. I'm the sort of person who even wears cashmere in summer, I REALLY fell the cold. I know I'd wear it a lot.

I've been trying to find an Alexa to examine in RL, but have only found the small version which I wasn't mad about. I think it's one of those bags that looks better when it's taken a bit of a bashing, rather than brand new IYKWIM.

I got great jegging in Urban Outfitters and am totally converted, have ditched my baxters!

LTEC, I see what you mean about the length of that Zara, I'm only 5'3" and it's just right on me!

Great Marsha, looking forward to your findings!

I like the cardigan, it looks very snuggly, Verity. What colour are you thinking of?

The oatmeal I think, I can't wear black, I'm too pale and grey is not great on me either.

Marsha, in my mental picture of you you'd be the envy of the school run in black rats

Love that pink esher - quelle surprise, eh? ;-)

Marsha did you gain any weight while pregnant?? . Not sure about the black rats for the school run. I probably wouldn't but also probably don't have your aplomb!

Lovely cashmere verity and I think I have a discount code for them if you decide to get it.

Have just done a conservative dress count... Not including the 3 I have given away this week, nor the ones at the cleaner's or packed away, I have 35. Ridiculous.

will watch the bag hunt with interest - I usually get it wrong so will steal borrow you ideas!

Marsha - agree with LTEC that it's possible black rats might be tricky for the school run...but then again...with Fleecy's styling ideas they may just work

LTEC - do you have a dressing room? Where do you keep all those 35 dresses? I think you should have an intention to wear a different dress every day next month

Well, LTEC, you will be living in sunny climes again soon so will probably need them!

I tried to sell a dress on eBay, a lovely blue Cacharel dress with the label still but it didn't sell.

I like some of the wrap tops on Me&Em, anyone have those?

Ooo, yes please LTEC

I am so well dressed in my cashmere layers today, while rushing around cleaning the house as all dc are having friends over after school, which means 8 children for lunch and 3 mums collecting later one of whom has a house fit for Elle Deco. I should really be redirecting my spending towards a new sofa and more storage

I love the sound of your Cacharel dress, the problem with ebay is it is so big now, it's hard to trawl through all the rubbish to find the good stuff. Maybe we could set up our own alternative to ebay, even if we had to pay MN a fee the audience here might be more appreciative of our cast offs?

Oh yes ltec I did. But the skirt has some give and is a bit snug. It is also why I am trying to avoid jeans, the sizing on those buggers stare at you with undeniable honesty.

I need to start running again am very envious of your 5 miles.

I want to start desperately, longer days will help eventually as can run when dh gets home. Come on spring.

Can't link from iPhone but could someone please look at £150 blue Ossie Clark sweater on outnet and tell me one good reason why I shouldn't

This one? you might even be able to bf in it

must get back to hoovering

verity - Enter code SLP1509 at checkout for 15% at meandem

I saw that LTEC and think it's beautiful. Hovered over the purchase button but stopped just in time (large norks and cut outs not a good look for me).

But I can now live vicariously through you....I suspect it would look amazing....

Did I see someone refer to free delivery at Hush on this thread?
Does anyoen have the code ref? Am thinking of ordering a cardigown...
TIA

Love the colour LTEC. I have issues with exposing my neck and chest (I am a bit odd) but I think it should be yours.

I wasn't that keen on much on the Aussie pages in the ASOS magazine though I am quite interested in looking at some of more of Staple's offerings. I understand the metallic look is set to be big and I think I like it. I may only wear drab colours muted tones but I have a wild passion for gold sparkly chain covered metallic animal print. Antipodium I've heard of before and thought I had something by them but a quick glance in the wardrobe this morning and I couldn't find it.

I do like the look of the grey Calvin Klein pleated waist trousers on page 15. How do you think they should be worn?

I've made a schoolboy error with my outfit today - black opaques, black over the knee flat boots, black polo neck mini dress and wore a red mac when we went out dancing. I don't have an underskirt on though and the dress and tights are sticking together driving me mad. I own several underdress things (slips?) but I never seem to have one the right length for my dresses.

I am loving the idea of some of you doing the school run in the Black Rats. Dd is only 20mo I don't do a school run yet but there is a school at the end of our road and so I get to witness one 5 days a week. Johnny Boden is pretty popular. I think people spend a lot on comfy clothes. I might get some Black Rats and save them til I can take dd there. My neighbours will expect nothing less.

Which Oushka bag did you get Hells? I had a nightmare with my Pheonix in Ash, zip broke on day one, sent it back and it took a over week to come back but it was the same bloody bag they sent!!! And the zip broke first time I opened it. So annoyed. Sent back yesterday and confess to a bit of foot stamping!

Think we all have the colour issue.

Got a family 60th coming up stretching over a weekend and am going to try and go through wardrobe to find outfits. Seem to have a real bloated stomach at the moment (more than just my mummy tummy!) and some of the stuff I could wear pre-DD are so unflattering. But planning baby number 2 so don't want to splash out too much but think I'm going to have to change some of my styles of dresses etc.

Teafortwo - defo get new boots!!

Started writing my post ages ago and got sidetracked so missed a load of posts!

I love that cardigan Verity!

How many dresses LTEC?! I'm impressed and very envious

What's the hush stuff like Carciofi? Not had before but ordered some stuff as looks so snuggly!

monkeysmama there's an animal print zara boyf cardi on eBay, shot through with metallic I think.. Can't link but have a look. Size m iirc

Think those new shoes will look great by the way. A friend has a pair and they don't quite work bc she is heavy of thigh, but on your slim legs will be fine.

LOL hells no, just a built-in, floor to ceiling closet running length of room. Officially I share with dh. In practice however.....

Btw, dh looked at Ossie sweater and hated it. I quote: "looks like something that woman off the good life would wear but that's ok cos you are her anyway". This, as I bade the cleaner farewell and wished her a nice weekend

Monkeysmama I didn't order the Black Rats but got Nobody dark indigo skinnies, now I've read your post I wish I had! I rang My-Wardrobe they won't add the two together in one delivery.

How silly is it that after spending loads I feel I don't want to pay twice for delivery. The delivery fees bug me!

ps I am in a fairly Boden free zone thankfully but still.. can I do it, not sure, would have to see them on....

mimi - i have the oakley here but mine was grey and about £65 in the sale - they seem to have sold out!

How frustrating about the zip thing. I had a similar thing happen with the stardust bag from tabitha....first one smelt like mothballs...sent it back...and got another mothball special in it's place

I've added the Black Rats....MW have taken delivery off. Crikey am in a tizz today.

Need my hair cut. Think it's effecting me.

LTEC had a look at it - I have a similar one already . Mine has angora in it though so is very fluffy and that one looks a lot thinner and is only £7 atm. Could look good in summer. What do you look for on Ebay? I've never really got in to it.

Can I join ladies I have been lurking for a while and find you all such an inspiration..... can't be asked to read all the mags. My younger sister is an aspiring stylist, but wardrobe wise you would think we are related

I am returning to work in a couple of weeks time after a year at home but means I can now fund new wardrobe .

I am putting together my new work wardrobe, I have a nice coat Great Plains bargain, few sensible basic bits from Marks and Spencer (shareholders discount and gift vouchers)

I am searching for a nice leather handbag, I have a budget of £100, but may push up if worth it. Pref. boring black and able to carry A4 papers/folder for when I go to meetings.

Thanks ladies

Welcome SimBob. What kind of work do you do? Does it need to be boring and black? I wear lots of black and greys but love a bright handbag for a dash of colour.