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February's "shop more wisely {but no less avidly)" thread

997 replies

LetThemEatCake · 01/02/2010 12:04

Ladies, welcome to Spring

OP posts:
Hoorayhenrietta · 03/02/2010 15:17

Thanks BBFF!

LetThemEatCake · 03/02/2010 16:10

absolutely hate the way she's styled them - awful, cheap

I would love to wear with white/ black/ grey oversized tee under boyfriend blazer with high tops but would prob end up looking like a Razorlight wannabe .. esp if I pushed up the sleeves

see your point about the McQueen dress - definitely a tall bird frock.

right, am going to leave dh with the dcs and go for a run. They're all better, just a bit washed out. Am torn between wanting to catch it (would instantly lose 3lb) and horror at the idea of just how badly this house would fall apart if I were ill!!

HH - davina workouts not bad, I have The Power of Three and you can feel it the day after... their idea of fat burning is a bit though I think ... would definitely supplement with something else ... hence my skipping rope purchase, 15 sets of 100 on days when I can't run

OP posts:
roary · 03/02/2010 16:12

Monkeysmama, love the skinny chinos in both colours, though slightly prefer the stone.

V jealous of all the real people clothes out there! Will take comfort in my fabulous maternity jeans, you're right hellsbelles worth every penny.

For all you ladies wondering about nude and your colouring: I have brown hair and dark eyes with quite fair skin, and nude clothing, or indeed anything in the beige family, makes me look like a corpse. I suppose I am a classic Winter, if that sort of seasonal thing helps, in the Kate Beckinsale-minus-fake-tan colouring mode. I think you have to be a brunette with darker skin or blonde to pull it off.

roary · 03/02/2010 16:13

Oooh, actually, Monkeysmama, like the chinos in the first pic with the top but have concerns about the triangular bum piece?

LetThemEatCake · 03/02/2010 16:14

BBFF - pretty dress but looks quite short?

OP posts:
mrsjuan · 03/02/2010 16:30

latest navy finds:

ebay coast

ebay french connection

I still like the Roksander one the best.

hellsbelles · 03/02/2010 16:44

LTEC - meant to say - DH would love to hear he sounded cool (and as he is also relatively shallow he would also be especially pleased it was a gorgeous lady saying so)....I will not be telling him cause I'm mean and he is big headed enough already!

traceybath · 03/02/2010 17:05

MM grey jacket.

traceybath · 03/02/2010 17:07

Esher - for you

GeorginaWorsley · 03/02/2010 17:19

Hello ladies,late joining today as been out for late birthday lunch,and also out tonight for late birthday meal!
Monsoon Toulouse dress as recommended on this thread not yet arrived,Next jeggings have,but I haven't had chance to try on as yet.
Am also awaiting Miss Selfridge tea dress.
I like the Miss Selfridge dress Burningbunting linked to..
I can see the attraction of the black rats.Are they really dry clean only,LTEC?
Have worn today
Purple and cream dress,from Fat Face a couple of years ago
Charcoal Boden cami
Charcoal White Stuff open cardigan
Autograph purple merino tights
Clarks patent grey and black Mary Jane's.
Long purple necklace
Grey Autograph open long cardigan when out
Shades of grey/charcoal scarf,recent birtday present!
May stay like this for evening pub meal with friends.

GeorginaWorsley · 03/02/2010 17:31

Also ladies,am looking for wedge sandals for summer,either metallic or navy patent.
Any comments on any of the following

www.clarks.co.uk/find/NewLine-is-newline/Department-is-women/product-is-20339550/pgs-is-100

www.clarks.co.uk/find/product-is-20339464

www.clarks.co.uk/find/product-is-20339061

www.marksandspencer.com/Peep-Toe-Bow-Slingback-Shoes/dp/B00323GW5O?pos=PDP_cwviv_1/10_image
Bearing in mind I don't want too high!

traceybath · 03/02/2010 17:35

Georgina - not loving any of the sandals - I'm waiting for more to hit the shops.

MM - I tried on that grazia dress in whistles its on their appalling website now. Did me no favours as too small but could look fab on the right person, ie, someone tall.

Right off to do bath time.

GeorginaWorsley · 03/02/2010 17:42

That was what I thought to Tracey
They were about all I could find at the moment!
Unfortunately I want some for half term when we are off to the Canaries!

GeorginaWorsley · 03/02/2010 17:47

www.whistles.co.uk/fcp/categorylist/dept/shop?resetFilters=true#
This is the one I likes Tracey,but again I see it is dry clean only.Won't even go there!

CHOOGIRL · 03/02/2010 18:01

Hi Ladies

Just checking in before I go off for another meal out. This time it's Gauchos - highly recommended if you like Argentinian steak. Am wearing purple Karen Millen dress purchased yesterday and black boots.

Sorry to hear you all have poorly DC.

LTEC Still basking in the glow of being compared to Halle Berry. I guess I look like Halle Berry would look if she worked 12 hour days and drank too much wine. I am the same height and colouring as her - even used to have the same haircut. Sadly I am about 15Kg heavier.

Esher fantastic venue for a wedding. Are you an ex Citygirl?

carciofi · 03/02/2010 18:42

Ooh, I love Gauchos, have a good evening Choogirl. And everyone else, of course!

Have just been looking at the black rats and they do look amazing. Could I wear them to Gymboree though?!

MM, I like the jacket but not keen on the ruching detail on the skinny chinos. Grazia had a nice pair from Comptoir in yesterday's issue.

Is this a bit plain/mannish?

hellsbelles · 03/02/2010 19:10

How weird - I've just booked a business lunch at Guachos - not till next week though!

Georgi - silver wedges - am I going insane to suggest here slap me if so

for a slightly higher budget - LTEC got me onto castener and they have these in silver www.my-wardrobe.com/castaner/silver-dita-metallic-knotted-espadrille-101436

I have the black ones - and they are so so comfortable.

hellsbelles · 03/02/2010 19:12

what am I talking about - I'm going crazy! The castener ones are cheaper! I just assumed the boden ones would be. Sorry!

dexter73 · 03/02/2010 19:19

carciofi - the Mulberry bag is lovely. One of my friends has it.

eshermummy · 03/02/2010 19:48

MM - I quite like those chinos you linked to but they are really chino jeggings aren't they? - cheggings I suppose. I know there has been quite a lot of talk about whether jeggings will be acceptable come spring sans boots - I actually say yes to jeggings and sandals as I only have black denim jeggings which look like black skinnies/cigarette pants and I would put your cheggings in same category - basically just "more- comfy- than- skinnies" skinnies to be worn with long tops.

MrsJ - I like that coast dress. A lot. Don't like the fcuk one though.

Tracey - that is actually a touch too military, even for me . On the sujet of spring jackets - did you get a copy of EL this morning? There is a Phase 8 denim coloured/wool boucle jacket on page 73 that i think could be a contender - it's not on their website yet so can't link. Going off the slouchy boyf idea now as don't think i am tall enough/have enough shoulders to carry it off. I just look like someone wearing their dad's old suit jacket.

Georgina - have a lovely time out tonight.
Am not keen on any of those sandals - if you need them soon, maybe try Next as they already have full S/S range.
I can't see the whistles dress you linked to (stoopid whistles site again) but there are a few dresses I like on there. Was thinking about a tribal-ish print dress for hols at Easter.

Choo - yes, am ex-city. Used to work in and around Bank, then Canary Wharf. Now am just corporate widow as DH spends most of his waking (and sleeping ) hours at work. Gave up work 6 years ago though so feels like another lifetime.......DH likes Gaucho too

Carciofi - I am deffo planning on rocking the rats on the school run etc . Not sure about gymboree as only thing I would avoid is too much kneeling etc in them as material is quite fine and might wear/go bobbly quite easily? Apparently they wash fine in a (knotted) pillowcase. Maybe save them for seeing the HV's at babyclinic

traceybath · 03/02/2010 19:51

Georgina - sorry I'd got you and MM confused regarding the whistles dress. It was pretty but just not me.

Carciofi - I am so impatient for my jeans - haven't had a call about customs charge yet either.

I like the mulberry bag but you wouldn't get much in it says my practical side.

Blimey some nice 7/8ts j brand skinnies on nap but they're sold out already! Think they only came in this week.

traceybath · 03/02/2010 19:53

Esher - EL had Michelle Obama on cover so didn't buy it - was that the one? I was looking for the lovely Claudia.

eshermummy · 03/02/2010 19:53

Carciofi - meant to say - I see quite a few of those mulberry bags around here - have to say, am not mad keen myself but that is because I have only seen in context of a full boden ensemble as favoured round these here parts. You, on the other hand, are in far trendier Islington - no? so maybe it has a different vibe for you. It very slightly screams "hippy" to me which is so not my bag either.
Sorry, am not being very positive am I

hellsbelles · 03/02/2010 19:55

Tracey - which ones were you after? They seem to have all sizes in the black - did they have a different colour you liked.

I have some 7/8ths which I love. But I lost the ruler thing for getting them altered and I'm sure I'm wearing them at the wrong length

traceybath · 03/02/2010 19:56

I tried [http://www.hobbs.co.uk/index.cfm?page=1295 nw3 trench jacket]] on today and it looked very nice with jeans.

However it wouldn't work with dresses. Am I mad to think there is one jacket out there for spring which will do jeans and dresses - am I going to have to buy two .