Outfit: Saturday Shopping

It was raining and not so warm out this morning so I thought a long sleeve top and jacket would be a good idea. When I got into the city it turned out to be far warmer than expected and I was soon too hot. Oh well.

Black jacket – Long Tall Sally
Black top – Tall Girls (eBay)
Dark skinny jeans – Gap
Red patent shoes – Dorothy Perkins
Red beads – eBay

eBay Bargain: Pink Jacket

I won this jacket on eBay on Thursday and it arrived today. Fantastic service from the seller. It is a Long Tall Sally one and cost me just £5.50.

Online Shopping

I got this fantastically retro tankini from the Long Tall Sally website last week.

Shrugs

As I was writing my outfit post earlier today, I got to thinking about shrugs. These sort of mini cardigans form a staple part of my wardrobe as I find their use to be so versatile.

Good old Wikipedia has this to say about them:
"A shrug or bolero jacket is an article of clothing, a sleeved sweater that covers the chest, shoulders and/or arms. It is usually worn by women. Generally, a shrug covers less of the body than a vest would, but it is more tailored than a shawl. It is shorter than a vest, covering a small portion of the upper body. When worn, some shrugs are tied together just below the breasts, while another style is cut-off at the sides, exposing the breasts. Shrugs are typically worn as the top layer of an outfit, with a full shirt or tank top beneath. It is typically called a shrug when it is a sweater or made of knitted material. Another name for this is bolero jacket. These are not knitted and are considered slightly more formal. They are simply short tailored jackets."

I don’t know who came up with the idea originally, or indeed whether they made an appearance in fashion history prior to the late 1990s, but I can remember the first time I saw one. I was in my university house watching Top of the Pops with my housemate and Whitney Houston came on singing ‘It’s Not Right, But It’s OK’. Her ensemble was all black – trousers, a strapless top and this odd looking little cardigan thing. All through the performance we were willing her to turn around so we could figure out just what she was wearing. A couple of weeks later I was on the bus home from the city centre when I spotted a billboard advertisement for Geri Halliwell’s first solo single ‘Look At Me’. She was lying on the floor sporting black trousers, a black tank and a pink shrug, an outfit that was to make a reappearance in part of the video for the song. Well, that was it. I was on a shopping mission to get one of these mini cardigans (I was only to learn later that they were called shrugs).

I think what attracted me to them initially, and indeed still attracts me to them today, is the versatility. You can cover up your shoulders and arms whilst wearing a strappy dress, cami, tank, or use it to layer over a long sleeve top or dress. It allows coverage and waist definition (a longer cardigan can often cover up and hide your waist if left un-buttoned and un-belted) without adding bulk, and makes strappy tops instantly work appropriate in the summer without adding a full extra layer. This is especially useful in warmer weather.

Whilst shrugs had their fashion moment back in 1998-99, I never stopped wearing them and in the last few years they have been enjoying something of resurgence. In fact, they have become somewhat a summer staple (the fact that they have an entry on Wikipedia is surely a testament to that) and are in plentiful supply in the shops at present. Finally the retail world has cottoned on to how useful such a piece can be and a shrug is now a perfectly respectable (fashion-wise) alternative to a cardi. I’ve said it before and I’ll stay it again: fashion follows me!

Outfit: Thrifty Friday

Sometimes, despite having planned and laid out my outfit the night before, I end up wearing something different to what I’d originally thought I would. Today, for example, I was going to wear a turquoise top and black shoes. However, having faked tanned my arms and shoulders, I was reluctant to cover them up immediately and so opted for this sleeveless t shirt/dress instead. The shoes were then switched to add a bit of colour against the grey. Rain is forecast later so I may regret the choice of peeptoe shoes, but I don’t think I have to go anywhere after work, just straight to my parents’ house, so it will be OK.

This whole outfit with the exception of the belt and shrug was bought second hand. This is also another example of a ‘vintage’ shrug – it was bought whilst I was still at university I think, or very shortly after I finished. The label has long since been chopped out for scratching my neck and consequently, I have no idea where I bought it.

Black shrug – unknown
Grey t shirt dress – Next (charity shop)
Blue jeans – Next (charity shop)
Turquoise shoes – New Look (charity shop)
Turquoise bangles – Oxfam
Silver belt – Primark

Outfit: Sunny Thursday

A friend of mine was complaining this morning that it was too sunny to wear the dress & boots combo she’d planned. I am just pleased that it’s sunny as I get to wear my fab sunglasses when I’m outside. I can’t remember posting a pic of them on here before, so we’ll have one today.

The cost per wear (CPW) of this entire outfit must be pretty low. I have had this shrug for ages – I had it at university so it must be at least 8 years old by now and is still in constant rotation in my wardrobe. It’s a bit big for me really, it’s a size 16, but that makes the sleeves a little longer and I still love it. I can’t remember how much it cost but it’s been worn so much over the years that the CPW must be minimal by now. The blue top cost £2 last summer and was worn to death last year. So I will be in pence with the CPW on that too, though that would actually have only taken 4 wears. The jeans were £2.99 in January I think and have been worn at least once a week on average since. And the shoes were £5 and anyone who reads this site regularly will know I wear them frequently. I had them on last night for goodness sake too!

Blue shrug – Dorothy Perkins
Blue smock top – Primark
Blue jeans – Next (charity shop)
Blue patent shoes – New Look
Blue silk scarf – Florence & Fred at Tesco
Blue & silver bangles – Oxfam

Outfit: The Young Man’s Birthday Meal

Last night a group of us headed to TGI Friday to celebrate the young man’s birthday and the birthday of a friend, R. We had good time, they put out balloons and R made party bags just like you used to get at parties when you were 8.
I took my blue coat but in the end it was so warm I didn’t need it, but there’s a pic with it on anyway because I love it.

Blue coat – Topshop (eBay)
Black shrug – New Look
Black & silver cami – New Look
Long & Lean jeans – Gap
Blue patent shoes – New Look
Turquoise flower – Primark

Outfit: Waistcoat

It’s funny how we call various items of clothing by different names depending which country we’re from. I’m wearing a waistcoat today which to anyone in the US is better known as a vest. To me a vest is the strappy cami top I was wearing yesterday but to an Australian, that would be a singlet. Catwalk Queen posted a Shiny Fashion TV video about this a while ago, comparing the UK, US, Australian and New Zealand names for various items.

Anyway, I have taken my inspiration today from several pictures in the May issue of Lucky magazine featuring waistcoats. I’ve had this waistcoat several years but don’t wear it very often. I’m not sure why that is. But since it only cost £8 originally the cost-per-wear is low even if it has only been worn 4 or 5 times.

Blue velvet waistcoat – Primark
White t – Tall Girls
Long & Lean jeans – Gap
Navy patent shoes – Magrit (outlet mall)
Blue scarf – charity shop

Outfit: Variation on a Theme

I changed into jeans to go for tea at the young man’s parents’ house last night. I liked the shrug over shirt effect I had going on with the dress yesterday so I switched my dress for a shirt and jeans, keeping the brown/black thing too. Fortunately the rain had stopped by the time I set out to walk up, but I wasn’t taking any chances so I stuck with boots.

Brown shrug – Ann Taylor Loft (charity shop)
Black shirt – Lee Jeans (Luxuriously Tall)
White cami – Topshop
Blue jeans – Next (charity shop)
Brown belt – bought in Crete
Brown boots – New Look (eBay)

Outfit: Torrential Rain Tuesday

Well, it’s not quite torrential rain but it’s very heavy. And there’s some localised flooding. Hence the boots. If the sun comes out by dinnertime I’m sure I’ll be too warm this afternoon but the boots are perfect for the weather this morning.

Black dress – George @ ASDA
White cami – Topshop
Brown shrug – Ann Taylor Loft (charity shop)
Brown belt – Dorothy Perkins
Black & brown boots – ASOS
Brown pendant – Scope
Brown & silver bangles – Dorothy Perkins

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing boots if it rains as much as the forecast says it’s going to
…reading ‘Remember Me’ by Sophie Kinsella
…watching the Sex & The City Movie
…listening to the Mamma Mia soundtrack
…eating out at TGI Friday in celebration of 2 birthdays this week
…shopping on eBay. Maybe.

Outfit: Back to Work

Well my week’s holiday is over and I’m back in the office, ploughing through my emails and catching up with everything I’ve missed (not a lot!). At least I am in the second office today – it’s nearer home and I can wear my jeans. I’ve added a flower in my lapel again for a splash of colour. Perhaps this can become my signature accessory for the summer.

Black jacket – Long Tall Sally
Turquoise tank – Topshop
Long & Lean jeans – Gap
Leopard print shoes – New Look (eBay)
Pink flower – Primark
Pink necklace – Scope
Pink bangles – gift from a friend

Outfit: Sex And The City Movie

We went to the cinema last night as I mentioned below, and then to the American Exchange bar & grill to eat. I decided to dress up a little as I was dying to wear my new coat. And I had to pay homage to Carrie Bradshaw in a small way by wearing a flower on my lapel. Unfortunately my original shoe plans were scuppered by the rain but it’s nice to wear boots occasionally in the summer. I was in a bit of a hurry taking a picture so it’s come out a bit dark unfortunately. I will have to see if I can persuade the young man to gift one of his cameras to me I think.

Blue coat – Topshop (eBay)
Turquoise cami – Long Tall Sally
Teal shrug – Ann Taylor Loft (charity shop)
Long & Lean jeans – Gap
Teal boots – Faith
Turquoise flower – Primark
Turquoise bead necklace – Accessorize
Turquoise earrings – Accessorize

Outfit: Lazy Sunday

“Although it is June and the sun is not sunny, we shall have lots of good fun that is funny.” (‘The Cat in the Hat’, Dr Seuss)

Yes it’s June 1st and it’s raining. Quelle surprise. I just hope this is not an indication of things to come for the rest of the summer. It was around this time last year that it started raining and didn’t stop for 10 weeks.

This is not going to be a lazy Sunday for long it turns out. We are going to visit the young man’s aunt & her husband (the ones whose caravan we stayed in last week) this afternoon to return the key to them. And then we’re meeting some friends to go to the cinema. The girls are going to see Sex & The City and the boys are going to see the new Indiana Jones.

But first up I have to go bake some caramel shortbread.

Blue t – Levi’s (contest prize)
Black long sleeve t – Long Tall Sally
Blue jeans – Miss Selfridge
Brown slippers – Ethel Austin

All My Shoes

I love to see pictures of other people’s shoe collections, and so I thought I’d post mine on here for other people to see.

My boots are kept in my wardrobe so they are not included here, apart from a couple of 'over flow' pairs.

New Shoes: Keep or eBay?

I got these shoes in a charity shop for £3.50 this morning. They are grey with a cream stripe and are leather. Yes they are old lady-ish but I can’t decide whether it’s in a good way or not. They are brand new and I can’t decide whether to keep them or part with them by selling them on eBay. What do you think?

Outfit: Saturday Errands

I’ve just been doing my Tesco shopping this morning and running various errands on my local high street so something comfortable was necessary. I put my brown cord jacket over this ensemble to go out in.

Pale blue t – Long Tall Sally
Crop jeans – Next (charity shop)
Blue flats – Ethel Austin
Brown cord jacket – Topshop (charity shop)

This Week I Have Been Mostly…

…wearing jeans and tees and a sweater – with trainers
…reading ‘That Extra Half an Inch’ by Victoria Beckham
…watching just the 4 TV channels available in the caravan
…listening to cassettes in the young man’s car
…eating out at the pubs in the village we were staying near
…shopping in a few charity shops – no clothes or shoes though – just a book for the young man and an ABBA LP for me

Outfit: Friday Night Pub

It’s been half term this week so that meant no youth work for me last night. Instead the young man and I headed to our local pub to meet some friends. It was nice to dress up a little and do something different on a Friday night for a change.

Black cami with silver trim – New Look
Red shrug – charity shop
Crop jeans – Next (charity shop)
Red patent flats – Dorothy Perkins
Red bangles – Primark
Red heart necklace – Claire’s

I’m Back

Just a short post to say that I’m back from my hols and will be posting again with tonight’s outfit tomorrow or Sunday. We’ve been in the Lake District and ended up staying away a little longer than planned, hence the prolonged absence. There are no outfit shots from this week as everything I wore was pretty similar – jeans, t shirts and the same black sweater everyday as it turned colder than I thought it would. In a bid to be lower maintenance than usual, I only took 2 pairs of footwear – trainers and my silver flats. The Lake District is a whole other world as far as fashion is concerned. Most people staying there are either camping or at least out walking so there is no need to dress up. Every shop you pass sells walking boots or sports gear. Even in the evenings in the pub, many people are just in walking gear or casual jeans and flat shoes (me). It’s nice to be back in the real world and to make an effort with my outfits once more.

Outfit: Pink and Green

This is a colour combination that I think works really well together. My sister is coming over today and we’re going to look for a photo frame for my mum & dad. We’re framing a photo of their wedding as it is their 30th anniversary.

Teal shrug – Ann Taylor Loft (charity shop)
Green tank – Topshop
Blue jeans – Next (charity shop)
Silver flats – Faith
Pink necklace – Scope
Pink bangles – Gift from a friend

Bank Holiday - And a Week Off!

Just a quick note to let you all know that posting will be sporadic over the next week. It's Spring Bank Holiday on Monday in the UK and I have all of next week booked off work. The young man and I will be heading away for a few days so there will be no posts. I'll try to make up for it when I return.

Outfit: Back to Black

I’ve not worn these shoes yet and they are black so I had to balance them out with something else black. Plus it’s Friday so a fairly simple outfit was in order, especially as I was watching the Eurovision Song Contest semi final whilst trying to plan it, so my mind wasn’t entirely focussed.

Teal shrug – Ann Taylor Loft (charity shop)
Black tank – Cherokee at Tesco
Long & Lean jeans – Gap
Black platform shoes – Ethel Austin
Heart necklace – Scope

DCGF Contest Winner!

Me! I won! I actually won! I never win anything usually so I’m kind of still in shock.

A few weeks back the DC Goodwill Fashionista held a competition on her blog where you had to send in a picture of something you had made out of a pair of thrifted jeans. It could be customisation of those jeans or a whole new item entirely. I sent in this picture. I made this bag a few years back out of a pair of children’s jeans I found in a charity shop. The strap was made from the cut off legs and it’s lined inside with a pink pillow case my mum let me have. Well, mine was one of two entries put to the vote on the DCGF blog and mine won!

My prize arrived in the mail today. I won 2 Levi’s t shirts. One is a girl’s shirt, the one I am wearing. I’m not sure if it’s a little short on its own but that is easily remedied by putting a black long sleeve t underneath it. I love the face design on it and the blue colour is perfect for me. The other one is more of a man’s t so I have made a gift of it to the young man. I hope that’s OK Em!

eBay Bargain: Topshop Coat

I won this on eBay a couple of weeks ago for a whole £2.64. It arrived earlier this week but needed ironing and I‘ve only just got around to taking a picture of it. It’s a light weight evening style coat but could be worn in the day for a wedding or just for some drama really. I love the petrol blue colour and hope to get plenty of wear out of it now the weather is warming up again.

Outfit: Feeling Fifties

I was longing to wear my new red skirt and as it is such a full style I thought I’d go all out and create a 50s-esque look. We’re singing various pieces from musicals in my local drama group. Dressed like this I could be an extra in ‘Grease’!

White long sleeve t – Tall Girls
Red & white spot skirt – New Look
Red & white spot scarf – belt from the skirt
Silver belt – Primark
Red patent flats – Dorothy Perkins
Red bangles – Primark
Silver hoop earrings – gift from the young man

Mitch & Co

The purple top I am wearing today is by a company called Mitch & Co. As I had never heard of them when I picked up the top on Friday afternoon, I Googled them to see what I could find out. And the answer is: not a lot. They are part of Tchibo, a company I would have only associated with coffee cups. The top I have has super long sleeves and a very long body so I was wondering whether this might be a new resource for Tall clothing, but it seems not. There is not a separate Mitch & Co website but items from the range can be purchased from the Tchibo site. Sadly (for me) the garments all look to be a normal size. However, they are not expensive and so it’s worth a look if you are not as tall as me. Whether this top was some freakily long second, or whether it has stretched out beyond recognition, I don’t know. I’m just pleased I found it for 99p.

Outfit: Bright Colour

So after concluding yesterday that I wear too much black, a full technicolour-dreamcoat style outfit was in order. Once again it incorporates new items – Becky Bloomwood (in the Shopaholic books) once said that no one would mind going to work if they had something new to wear every day. And she could be right.

Purple wrap top – Mitch & Co (charity shop)
Green t – Long Tall Sally
Long & Lean jeans – Gap
Yellow shoes – New Look (eBay)
Silver glitter belt – local boutique
Silver shoe necklace – Claire’s Accessories
Silver hoop earrings – Gift from the young man

Cat - belongs to the young man's parents

Ethel Austin Update

I posted a few weeks ago about fashion chain Ethel Austin going into administration. Well it seems that the store may have been saved this week with news that Elaine McPherson, former boss of MK One, has bought the chain. The full story is here.

Labelling Finished & What I Have Learned About Colour

A quick glance at the newly finished colour labelling system tells me one thing: I wear too much black! Of the 407 outfit posts, 204 of them include black. I feel a challenge coming on…
And there are a few items I will be getting rid of when I go home – having looked back at all of my previous outfit posts I can see with hindsight when something didn’t work so well as something else.

Outfit: Bargain Boots!

Although it looks nice and sunny outside, the temperature has dipped considerably from what it was last week. And so I decided to grab the opportunity to wear my lastest eBay footwear purchase: these New Look boots that cost me just 99p! They are the same as the brown pair I bought recently, with the fold over top part. The brown ones are so comfortable that when I saw the black pair for sale I just had to bid on them. When they arrived they were not in the good condition the seller had stated but new heel tips and a bit of black marker pen later and they are as good as new.

Black cashmere cardi – Florence + Fred at Tesco
Pink t – Long Tall Sally
Black skirt – Dunnes
Black boots – New Look (eBay)
Pink bangles – gift from a friend

This Week I Will Be Mostly…

…wearing my new purchases
…reading the ‘Caitlin’ trilogies – just got the Forever trilogy to finish
…watching whatever I want on Thursday night as the young man is out for the evening
…listening to my Summer 2004 mix CD in my car
…eating flapjack
…shopping for nothing – I bought quite enough at the weekend!