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

Porridge - not too far at all - my sis is an occasional MNer and she's in Aylsham. I take the children up every Monday for the day. I am also jealous of your hair!

Hana - my hair is the same as yours. Very fine and can't do much with it if I want a fancy up-do. It just slides out again! But I'm glad it's so low-maintenance. I do find it looks better if I just straighten the front when I wear it down. Otherwise it does kink where I push it behind my ears and I feel like a schoolgirl.

Uggh, ghastly couple of days. Outfits have been very much of the jeans and a tee accessorised with a scowl type, but had a call this afternoon about the possibility of some regular freelance work, and have a meeting with the editor on Monday, so am feeling much more chipper.

Am off to hairdresser tomorrow to have SOMETHING done. Giving birth plus moving house stress = horrendo-tufty regrowth. It may be drastic measures time, I think.

ps. LTEC-if you do sell yr Tam Tam frocks, first dibs on the plum, please!

AnyFucker am so pleased to see you on this thread! will you be hanging around?

porridge - am so pleased you like the Marc Jacobs dress, I love it, Bought it while pg in the expectation that I would be 'back to normal' by my birthday (3 months after the arrival of dc3) .. of course that didn't happen.. but my best friend's dp is having his 40th beginning of April so I reckon that's the time to give it a showing. I have an (also unworn) pair of Choos that will look fab with it. Glad to hear I am not alone in my shopping habits! HUrry up with the profile pic!

Georgina - silk dresses and wool tights sounds very gorgeous. I agree, the absence of snow has given a bit more scope for choice!

bunny - Brora and Pure are generally mentioned on here as having the best cashmere, both reasonably £££ but you can almost always get discount codes and offers for Pure. I came across this site the other day, not sure about the quality but the prices are certainly more reasonable than some. I always rave on here about my Travelwrap - very versatile and cosy yet glamorous.

re breastfeeding, I've fed the other 2 dcs up until 10 months and imagine I'll do the same this time .. but I usually start weaning around 5 months (only a month from now) so obviously the feeding will decrease from there ..as will my weight!!! Although someone told me today that I was looking 'skinny' which made me

hells your outfit sounds amazing. Gorgeous!

carciofi gorgeous profile pic! You look like you'd suit greens & browns, would you wear them? Like you, I was today in jeans, Ash trainers and a black top, with my Isabella Oliver cable cosy ... am quite bored of myself

bodsmum you sound like the most fabulous pregnant lady EVER!!Leatherlook leggings at 7 months? Amazing, you must have looked hot.

tracey - yes, frequently!! Usually in a shop window or somewhere similar. Frightful. I linked to a turn of the screw blouse for you in another thread, did you see it?

hana - lovely pic!!

badietbuddy - love a bargain, well done!!

Welcome whelk!

so ... I went on John Lewis site last night and bought a load of anti-moth paraphernalia, debobblers, delinters etc in an effort to take more care of the clothes I have. I also took a few things including this in deep pink to the drycleaner to have them repaired - tiny holes, nothing major but the sort of thing that would usually make me resign things to the back of the closet and go out and buy something new.

Re; hair - mine is long (nearly waist length) but always bundled up as I am too lazy busy to do anything with it. When it's been blowdried it looks good, but that's once in a blue moon. Also, I wonder whether I have reached that age that people talk about where I am too old for long hair?? Might it be dragging my face down more? Most recent pic on profile is holding the baby, granted he was only 2 weeks old so I maybe look more knackered than usual but otherwise it's a pretty accurate representation of how haggard I am I look Should I chop it all off and go for something like this?

Okay, major essay, apols all, hopefully you are still awake and drooling and snoring over your laptops

Goodness, you are all very freshfaced and gorgeous aren't you?

Bit cross with self today as rush ordered this outnet jacket on sunday night just before the extra 40% off promotion ended. I like the shape/cut but having looked at it onscreen in daylight again I think the fabric isn't just flecked I think it is lurex flecked with that tinsel like fibre in it in which case it's a non merci.
So another tenner to Mr DHL - this is my own personal cardinal sin - I think I may have to resolve not to click on outnet anymore. I have had the odd good buy but the majority of it goes straight back, my hit rate is really low

Slightly more positively, I bought 2 DKNY long sleeve tshirts, one cream, one grey/cream stripe at 75% off. Am thinking of paring everything right back for spring and going for a jeans, t-shirt and killer jacket combo enlivened with bold accessories.

Might have to start a thread about the search for the killer jacket!

OK girls.
I need you to help me decide if I need this or not.
I linked to this on another thread. I tried it on today and loved it.
Do you think, hand on heart, you could dress it down as well as up and not look an idiot?? I am thinking it would look fab with skinnies and my newly aquired boots, as well as opaques and black heels on a night out. Am I deluding myself because I want it??? It would mean I have one more thing to wear with skinnies, as I really only have 2 knitted tunic thingies. And it would give me another option for a night out

Esher - its very annoying when online purchases don't work out. My hear always sinks as wasted p&p and then either courier or post office hell.

Badiet - I love that dress. Do you know I think Miss S is a very under rated shop. Also reminds me of my teen years when it was my fave shop ever.

Oooh got back from school run (which was a nightmare due to tantrumming 2 year old and playground politics) to find brora sale stuff arrived. Very pleased with v neck thermal top and sage colour cropped cardigan. Also managed to do up size 8 baxters - ok another couple of pounds will mean I can breathe - but am getting there.

LTEC - I do feel my long hair drags me down a bit hence decision to go shorter. Am lucky as bil is hairdresser so I can be vague and he'll do something cool hopefully.

Anyone read Grazia today - big feature about Halston Heritage. All looks fab.

Forgot to say about hair - seem to be lots of fellow straight and fine haired people on this thread , me too.
I also have the issue that my hair only really looks ok if it is washed and blow dried every day and I simply do not have time to do this in the morning anymore. I often wash and dry it the night before but tbh it looks rubbish after I've slept on it so am sort of resigned to having rubbish hair Mon - Fri at the moment!
I did notice that it was looking particularly awful at mo though - it's highlighted and the roots look really dark (and greasy so have booked to have it done.
I did have a short choppy bob, slightly graduated at the back but have been growing it since the summer as want to be able to put in a ponytail on particularly hardpressed for time mornings.
Also toying with idea of a fringe. After LTEC extolled their youth-enhancing properties I remembered that one of the reasons I didn't have a fringe in my twenties was coz it made me look about 12 - if it knocked the same number of years off now I'd be bloody delighted!

Oooh halston heritage.

But I must not get hoodwinked into thinking I live the same type of life as Carrie Bradshaw. Do love the white jersey dress and one shouldered blue number in the top line.

Tracey - it's bad enough when online purchases don't work out when they arrive but I've not even yet received this stupid parcel (due tomorrow) and I already know it's no good. (Luckily I have an arrangement with the DHL driver to leave it in a particular location so not tied to being in to sign for it!)

badiet - I do like that dress but is it not very lowcut? am not really seeing it as daywear although it is very nice.

Wish I had a friend/relative hairdresser. I have only cut my hair once since August (though having regular colour) in a bid to grow out my layers and get it to a decent length and I have been seriously considering going to a topflight salon to have it cut in about 3-6 months time and have it totally restyled by a maestro . I think it was on S&B that someone was raving about Richard Ward?

Evening Ladies I am officially joining this thread - if you will have me. I love shopping for clothes. I rarely make mistakes with shoes and bags, but have a wardrobe full of expensive purchases that have never seen the light of day.

My habit has definitely got worse since Net-a-Porter/Outnet. Where else can I get wonderful pieces delivered at the click of a mouse within a few hours?

Mumsnet hasn't done anything for my habit either as you all link to some beautiful outfits that I simply must have. That Brora dress would never have crossed my radar were it not for my BFF LTEC.

So remind me how this works again - do I need to post here before I buy??

about time you showed up!!

did you buy the Brora dress?

you can post before or after you buy - either!! After all, we can always advise you to return stuff ...

badiet - I'm with esher, I can't see that as daywear, not even over jeans. But it is nice and not too £££ so even if you only wear it by night, it's a good buy?

esher - hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised by the coat?? fingers crossed .. I'm going to strip it back to basics for S/S too - have got 2 looks in mind and am planning to stick to them. But when I see Halston Heritage my resolve weakens as I imagine myself in a liquid maxi or jumpsuit ...

I knew you'd like the jumpsuit cake!

So what are the 2 looks?

I also know my problem will be - get to goal weight, stop bf and a whole new world of clothes will open itself to me

Saw a wonderful Miss Selfridge tea dress in Heat magazine,am searching now.....
Have decided my summer look(ooh,get me) will be silk or/cotton/jersey dresses,just above knee length,with flats.
Add a cropped cardigan if cold.
I have already got quite a few,but may have a couple more for my birthday.
Can wear with leggings/tights now.

LTEC - I've been trying to work out how to use this new iphone. Did you know there is an app for Net-a-Porter

Brora dress is on it's way, but not sure I will keep it. May save up for SS10 collection.

I love the gold cocktail dress, but I'm a sucker for shiny dresses! Not much chance to wear them.

I'd wear the Miss S dress in the daytime but with coloured wooly tights, rather than jeans, underneath. I'd put a vest under it and a cardi on top, or a rollneck under it. Anything so it wasn't too low cut.

Have put pic on my profile so I can join the ranks properly. Couldn't find one of me on my own though as I'm usually behind the camera, so you get DH into the bargain

right, that's it, Fleecy you are ridiculously attractive .

There is no way I am able to put a pic of myself on here.
You will all just have to use your imaginations....suffice to say I am considerably uglier than yoooowse !

I think I might love you eshermummy!

'tis a good pic though or I wouldn't have posted it

See what I mean about the hair though. Low-maintenance it may be but I have no idea how to get any oomph into it or to put it up without it slipping down again!

Badiet - love it, buy it.

LTEC - can attest to life enhancing qualities of a fringe. Have the chop - you'll wear it down more often.

Esher - so glad that you're back - I shop vicariously through you (very ) and imagine that you have wardrobes and wardrobes of wondrous things.

Tracybath - fancy mentioning Halston on here. Pure evil genius. I had talked myself out of a jumpsuit that I loved after seeing Lily Allen wearing a fab grey one and now I want it all over again.

Choogirl - anyone with a name like that HAS to be welcome.

yeah right, esher - I don't believe that for a moment. Have got such a mental image of you and it's not ugly in the slightest!

I agree about Fleecy though - Hotty McHot Hot.

Choo- my IPhone is virtually app-free, I may as well have one of those old bricks ... I did know about the NaP app though since dh, aka enabler extraordinaire, told me about it

Your summer looks sounds fab Georgina. Mine is going to be on those LA lines (although, truth be told, it's a very Sydney look too ..) denim bottoms (skinny or straight jeans/ mini) with vaguely rock-y t-shirts (bought this yesterday]] or plain thin tees a la AV AND lots and lots of dresses - have got this maxi in purple and charcoal from last year which will be good dressed up or down plus lots of summery, haltery things from Leona Edmiston.

What do you think? and what do you think re hair??

I know what you mean though Tracey - once I'm at goal weight will be very hard to not go mad ... keep me away from that jumpsuit!!

LTECI love those dresses,will look great in summer.
I like the LA luxe look but on me I fear it would look a bit plain or mumsy.Am 5 ft 3 with 36DDchest,size 12 ish,trying to lose a few pounds!
I like the Fearne/Holly pretty dress type thing funked up a bit,although not too much as am 43.
Having said that I like denims plus pure white well fitting vest/tee,large bangle,flip flops a la Jennifer Aniston too.
With regard to your hair,I like your wedding day,wavy look.I think aforesaid Jennifer's look would suit you.
Am of your ability to do without make up though!

Thanks LTEC - like I said, was good flattering pic though. Not usually quite so photogenic!

I love the maxis, wish I could wear them. Am 5'8" so should be able to really - my mum wears them a lot as she is petite and looks cute in them, so when I bought a gorgeous maxi last summer, DD said "Mummy, you look fab. You look like Granny." And it went straight back to the shop!

Much as I love my mum (and to be fair to her, she generally dresses very well), don't want to be her just yet!

Agree with your wedding style hair - gorgeous. Am v envious of all those with good hair!

Georgina, SNAP! I'm nearly the same proportions as you - 5'2" and 32EE chest. Do you find that sooo many dresses and tunics look fine on the model/mannequin but look rubbish on our vertically-challenged frame. It makes me very