Halston and Hasbeens and Harems, oh my! Wise and avid gals this way, please!

[PlumSykes]

Wonder how quickly we'll fill this one?

I haven't had time to do the quiz yet but I fear I may have made an unwise purchase . Late last night I impulse bought this. Now what I need is a dress I can wear to the five! weddings we're going to this year including the one in Italy but what with the extra 20% off this was so bargainous I couldn't resist... Anyway, I will stop waffling, what do you think?

Roman, I hadn't read your post properly, I'm really sorry to hear you didn't get the job.

Roman - so very sorry. What a bummer! Are these people crazy?!

grumpy - I like it but not the way they've dressed it. I'd have a shorter necklace that didn't interfere with the dress, and a lighter bag and shoes.

Also I have to say, I'd be tempted to remove the thinner strap for this year and wear it as a one-shoulder number - you could always re-attach it if you wanted to?

Gorgeous colour and I'd imagine it would be nice and flattering too (although I'm sure you don't need it, I tend to think of how forgiving things will be around my middle!)

Frances I agree one should be careful about 'classics'. Wise shopping is the thing. Really think about when/where/whether you're going to wear what you're buying, and factor that into your budget.

There are some worthwhile classics though. I know I would wear a Burberry Trench for years (dh - who is v.stylish) has had the same one for about 15 years. I am thinking of getting one.

Oddly enough a Burberry trench is on my wishlist at the moment, along with black and nude CLs! But I still buy too much disposable fashion to be able to afford them at the moment and have given myself until I'm 40 to buy then - 'tis just over 7 years so I think I should manage it!

How busy chatting have you lot been today when I've been out?!!

Had a nightmare journey through blizzards and snow covered country roads to get to my lunch date in Chester. I was so scared, I almost gave up to stop and phone dh to come and get me! Was worth it to catch up with my only single friend though, although I do reek of garlic now. Bought another breton. Is 4 too much? I bought the jigsaw one, sort of slate grey stripe. Well I won't tell dh.

Thanks a lot ltec for those links. I fear I'll only get to do one thing for myself, and that's going to be shopping in Le bon marche.

I came out as inspired americana too. That's a bit crazy though. I've always been a bit classic, I've never shopped in topshop or newlook or any of those. I used to live in 501s and converse and grunge shirts in uni, then had a style crisis for years when combats and crop tops were in. Then I grew my hair, found dh, started wearing heels and 7s and white shirts, watching T&S and Gok, and now I've had the colours thing, I feel confident that I look as good as I can. It's safe, but then I'm 40 later this year.

I was glad to see you back mrsJ. In Look magazine yesterday they had a navy dress like the one we lusted after a few threads back. It was asos, and £40.00. Can't find it to link to though sorry.
Also in Look there was a voucher for 20% off Jones bootmaker. Was in there today as Russell & Bromley was still closed but the shoes were uncomfortable. LK Bennett had just opened too. Their shoes pinch.
I have an essay for you: the only comfortable heels are R&B or Jimmy Choo. Discuss(!)

I have some Peacocks heels that are super comfy - they cost £15 about two years ago and I always get compliments on them. They're just black strappy sandals but they're the only heels I don't have to take off to dance (well, flail and bob around) so I always plan my going out clothes around them.

Don't know what I'll do when they wear out. Maybe I'll just have to fork out for Choos!

Roman, so sorry you didnt get the job. They must be mad!

grumpy - lovely dress, think it was pretty wise for an impulse purchase. You will be able to find plenty of opportunities to wear it. I like the idea of wearing it one shoulder too!

Frances - hello!

Hello all

Roman - sorry to hear you didn't get it

Reallygrumpy - I like that dress , really nice.

I can't open the link to the quiz , otherwise I would do it. I am definitely someone who flits between more than one look although I think I now have some key features which I always tend to incorporate.

I have just posted on the permanent blowdry thread - I would love it if there was a way to ooomph my superfine hair which always looks a bit rubbish due to my cackhandedness with a hairdryer.

Can you help with something please? I bought these a few weeks back and am struggling to find a suitable top to wear with them. When I bought them I thought, navy blue slouchy tee, fine, that's easy to find but now am really struggling to find one with the right proportions. The leggings are navy blue with cobalt stripe so imo black or grey doesn't look right. Must cover arse, ideally mid thigh. Anyone seen anything?

roman these people are either mad or intimidated. You are clearly overqualified and over-fabulous for such mundane folk. Get the CLs anyway. Why should you lower your standards?

blossoming glad you made your date - and a purchase! not sure about the heels/ comfort thing ... my £6 Primark heeled ankle boots that I wore the other night are super-comfy

glad to see more delurkers! completely agree on the classics thing; the only real investment piece I have is this Chloe one which has a cut-out back and will hopefully stand the test of time.

grumpy I think that dress is very wise ... can it not be worn to a wedding?

oh spider I meant to say - pretty butterfly dress, report back!!

esher I saw some in Zara, I bought in sand and coral. £15. Cover my bum so almost certainly mid-thigh for you?

look how cute and how cheap!! Love it in orange/ red too

Hi! Popping in to do my periodic delurk. Can't stand LK Bennett shoes. They hurt my feet. Took 4 pairs to realise this though!

Have a black Burberry trench, which I bought at half price in the summer sales last year. I love it. People always comment on it and it makes everything look great, no matter what you have under it. Also have a khaki green very dressy Burberry trench which I bought (also half price) from NAP when I was pregnant. The theory being that as I was pregnant and wouldn't be buying much, that I should invest in good pieces. (Well that theory fell flat on its face!)

At the moment I am searching for cool boots to wear with skinnies for the summer. Ideally small cuban type heel. Ankle boot. Remember those Isabel Marant ones Claudia Schieffer rocked last winter? (sighs wistfully) Or a cowboy boot like these beauties

Love, love love this thread. It's the highlight of my day! And that dress is fabultastic grumpy. A go anywhere dress!

esher - there are a couple on asos. do any of these fit the bill?

this comes in navy
not sure if long enough
looks ideal
oasis again
love this one

Really like the dress Grumpy - it would be lovely for a summer wedding.

Received this cute owl print top today - ideal for summer hols and a bargin.

Love that dress LTEC what a bargain find.
I like the red/orange colour best

Very pretty dress ltec - I don't think I've ever been in matalan.

Are you going to order it?

What do you think of this summer dress?
Am wondering if it will look good with my black hasbeens...

Cake - thanks for the Zara tip, unfortunately my local Zara is really crap so don't hold out much hope of finding anything decent there.

Rufus - I can't open your link but I bought a fantastic pair of rip-off Schiffer-Marants in Dorothy Perkins. I saw them on a v. up to the minute friend and shamelessly copied . But that was before Christmas and I have checked online and they don't have them anymore. For some reason Aldo keeps coming into my head as a good place to look?

Have been thinking a lot about trench coats recently......I need something to sling over my leggings/long tops/ash hi-tops combos that now appear to be the mainstay of my wardrobe.
As ever, however, having now obsessed about it ad nauseam, it has now assumed the status of mythical item that I will never find as my mind's eye has decreed it must be
truly waterproof (maybe waxed cotton like a barbour)
the perfect shade of sludgey taupe - not too brown, not too cream, not greyish
Channels Chung rather than Columbo

Are Burberry trenches fully waterproof - can you stand outside school gates in the tipping rain for say 15 minutes and not be soaked through?

Will report back, Cake

Ended up buying lots in Matalan...the Falmer white skinnies come in short leg (hurrah)

Wonder ifthis might work with your leggings esher

Am looking forward to getting

this denim shirt which could also be an esher match; and

this with cute nurse's belt

Felix - thanks for the links, will check out the Oasis long pocket tee.
I think part of the problem is that I wanted to wear the leggings now with black/grey croc Ash hi-tops but when I try to imagine with navy tee it all just seems too grungy teen.
I think they will look fine later with cute tan or metallic glads and a long navy sleeveless tee (as you suggested) but it is far too cold for that yet.
May try and see if a white/cream oversized top works for now instead with a long navy cardi-coat (already have) over the top for warmth.

That black and white summer dress looks cute except I am always wary of shirred waist items. In fact it has just dawned on me that I steer clear of shirred items altogether . I find the shirred bit never sits right on me but you could always cover with a belt i suppose?

I'm not sure about the black and white dress .. there's a bit too much going on, I think?

Should I order the Matalan dress? It's £8, seems silly not to .. or is that more avid than wise?

esher I am goingto have to go into Zara before I go away to exchange a dress I bought for dd (too short!!) - shall I pick up a tee for you and send with trilby? haven't had a msg from you btw

Moneyspider - the shape of that Matalan tee looks almost perfect but I fear the combo of tie-dye leggings and ombre tee may be too much and can only further be accessorised by multiple piercings and a dog on a string

The denim shirtdress is a good idea though, not keen on the detailing on that one though. someone linked to a good one a few days ago, anyone remember where it was from?

I don't think we have a Matalan near here, have certainly never come across one.