Shopping off piste

Which always happens when I "pop into" TK Maxx.

Now this isn't a shop I've mentioned before I don't think as I truly have a love hate relationship with it.  I really don't buy that much from there but that's probably because I don't frequent it that often.  Mainly as once I've entered those doors, I can easily lose myself for an hour or two and I never seem to have that long. 

However yesterday I had to take the plum wedge trainers back to Matalan (first opportunity I've had to do so) and there happens to be a TK Maxx on the same retail park.

It was a toss up between TK Maxx which was 10 yards away with a big car park outside or Primark which was a schlep around three retail estates and a not entirely salubrious shopping centre.  TK Maxx won hands down.  

And boy am I pleased that I went in there.  I do happen to think that 90% of what they have in there is a ginormous pile of tat.  The stuff is sold cheaply there for a reason - basically they can't sell it at full price anywhere else.  But that's not to say that another man's meat isn't another man's poison (in the positive alcoholic sense of the word clearly) 

However what does happen when I go in there, is that I come out with absolutely nada that I remotely need.  On my list of things that might be useful at the moment are a neutral coat (I'm really hankering after a cream one.  As you do), a dress for a wedding, some black shoots and a new scarf.

Well. 

I came home with a jumper and a completely impractically coloured coatigan. 

But boy am I over the moon with both of them.   So much so that I have worn the coatigan already. (apologies upfront as I know some people utterly loathe the use of this word. However it does what it says on the tin - it's not a coat and it's not a cardigan - it's a cross between the two.  And it's easier to write than knitted coat thingy.  So I apologise - blink quickly when I use it and gloss over.)  I sign that I truly love something.

And the best bit - oh the best bit is the price.  (skips up and down giddily..)

Ok first I'll do the jumper.  Now this is acrylic which to some people is akin to saying it's made from the skin of baby koala bears - as in, unacceptable - but I happen to judge acrylic on a case by case basis.  And this one is soft and peachy as a newborn puppy's bum.  Ludicrously gentle and not remotely scratchy or "don't stand near a naked flame" concerning at all.  Gorgeously buttery knit.  A random make which I know you can probably get on the local market - QED. (there's no RRP which is always a give away of it not actually being a bargain at all) 

But I couldn't give a monkey's chuff, I completely adore it.  The longest arms (which automatically makes it look far more expensive on a Gulliver type person - cheaper brands normally always skimp on proportions, arm length being the main thing) I've seen on a jumper in years and colours which blend themselves perfectly into my wardrobe.  

Snuggly and great for dress down but easily dressed up with heels, skinnies and a blazer. 

And.....£16.99.  They did actually have quite a few in - it's not an exclusive one off by any stretch of the imagination!  


Second super bargain - a *warning - that word's coming up* coatigan from Clements Ribeiro.  Boiled wool (one of my absolute favourite fabrics for outerwear - it never bobbles, it's just the best), perfect fit and I heart beyond heart the colour.  It's actually a taupe colour rather than a pink as it looks in my photographs (M&S are you going to give me a job?  these photos truly do not do it justice) next to the plum.



I shall be wearing this A Lot.  It was originally £189, down to £59 and then proving that everyone has very different tastes (and clearly I have a more marginal taste than most TK Maxx customers) it was on the sale rail down to £37.  I would easily have paid £59 for it but am beyond ecstatic at paying the super bargainous £37!

And here I am wearing it today. I even dragged out a 90's pashmina which it has given new life to (embarrassingly this was actually bought early 2000's I think.  I was a huge pash fan.  Still love them as a scarf worn in a certain way.  It's only when they're worn shawl stylee that they need to be burnt.  Purely my opinion of course) 


Plum jumper - Dorothy Perkins
Distressed faded straight leg jeans rolled up - Zara
Camel Pashmina - So old I can't remember
Tan Rockafellas - Russell & Bromley
Stone maxi zip satchel - Anya Hindmarch
Black sunglasses - Dior
Plum arm warmers - H&M
Plum and taupe coatigan - Clemets Ribeiro 

Mad obsessive that I am, I may be taking a pile of Next stuff back tomorrow which I had bought for RR1 and there *happens* to be a TK Maxx right next door.......maybe watch this space.  So are you a TK Maxx fan or is it too jumble saletastic for your liking?  Any bargains you can report? 

And on that note, the X Factor is calling.  Enjoy your Saturday night! 

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CONVERSATION

29 comentarios:

  1. I love the coatigan but just can't do acrylic

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    1. I absolutely promise you it's not that bad. Sorry - yes, some acrylic is just hideous. That itchy, scratchy, don't stand too near a naked flame, feel to it but there is another sort of acrylic which honestly is fine! It's exceptionally few and far between I completely concede. But I'm happy to wear this one next to my skin and I have itchy atopic skin!

      But yes, normally I completely agree with you x

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  2. Can I just say the coatigan on the hanger looks pants and the coatigan on you looks fab. It's all down to the wearer!

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    1. That's v sweet of you! Actually I was really drawn to the fabric,the colour and the stripe - all win win for me. Couldn't believe it was on the clearance rail!! But v chuffed obviously, x

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  3. I think I'd have walked past the coatigan but I LOVE it - and, as you say, boiled wool is the dogs' danglies. I have a White Company blazer in boiled wool that is the best. Tend to bypass T K Maxx as can't be bothered with the jumble-sale that is often is but obviously well worth a trip if you emerge with beauties like this. Zella

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    1. I agree - I have another Ronit Zilkha coatigan that is boiled wool and it's just so so so useful. (actually may wear it tonight..hmmmmm) Yes it can be v hit & miss in TK Maxx but deffo worth a look every now and again.

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  4. I love a good browse in TK Maxx and have found some wonderful bargains there over the years.

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    1. It's definitely worth a good rummage through if you have the time (and the inclination!!)

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  5. I've been in T K Max today for the first time in years, I lasted about 10 minutes!

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    1. nooooo try harder! Allow yourself absolutely ages in there. It can be worth it, honestly. xx

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  6. Have never bought anything there as I cannot stand the jumble sale of it.Friends swear by it and have discovered beauties.
    May brave it agsin now!
    Coatigan looks fab with DP jumper.Love the colours.
    Sue

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    1. Thank you - I'm loving the colours as well. You do have to have nerves of steel to make it through a good TK Maxx rummage that's for sure. I'd recommend going very first thing x

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  7. A few tips:
    Never go in kids. Never ever...
    If you need something specific you might just find it.
    If you don't need something specific you might just find it anyway.
    Try everything on, shoes, sunglasses, bags, etc etc. Never assume cos you will have to take it back.
    Don't pop...allow yourself an hour.

    I love TK maxx, and am glad you are too feeling the love.
    Remember it takes practice to find the bargains in there.

    By the way did you know that 2 days after you posted about the DP jumper I went online to buy it and it was sold out! I wonder if they ever found out why.

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    1. GREAT tips. All absolutely spot on.

      No I didn't know that about the DP jumper - interesting!!

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  8. Was the bad shopping centre Harlow?......

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    1. ha ha! no it wasn't, it was Lakeside..... Not so bad very first thing but around lunchtime - no thank youxx

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  9. How many pairs of skinnies do you actually own? 'fess up now.......x

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    1. hmm good question! Actually I think, including summer ones as well, it's only about 15 pairs, which I really don't think is that bad considering I live in them.

      Although I may have bought two more yesterday to report.........

      In my defense I did try and buy a different style of casual trouser and absolutely nothing going at all. Not for the winter anyway. Bar harem pants. Which to be fair, I did like but they were too short.

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  10. Love the coatigan. (great word, plan to adopt it!) I'm never very sure about TK Maxx, alhtough the OH always gets great bargains there ... annoying! Don't think I have the patience for it.

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    1. I'm pleased you like the word! And feel free to adopt. It is much hated elsewhere I seem to recall. I'm so impressed your OH likes TK Maxx - mine would honestly rather poke forks in his ears! It does take practise and dedication, that's for sure x

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  11. It's a funny place TK Maxx. I agree, it's full of tat but if you can be bothered to sift through the tat there really are some great bargains to be had. I've found a few great kids things there too.

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    1. yes it does need time devoted to it. I've never had great bargains with the kids things tbh but then I don't give it that much thoght embarrassingly.x.....

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  12. I'm MASSIVE fan of TK Maxx. The one in Edinburgh always has fabulous designers at complete bargin prices- But as always you gotta dig in deep! I got my See by Chloe winter coat for £85 and I absolutely love it but my best buy was a Cavalli scarf for £15 !!!

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    1. Sounds fantastic!!! So so great to bag a bargain, isn't it?

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  13. I have to say I hate TKMaxx with a passion, and for the same reason I hate designer outlets... they sell you the tat no one else wanted to buy... and dress it up as "designer bargains".

    Do love the colours in that coat though. Lovely change from the usual drab autumn/winter colours.

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    1. I agree with you to a certain extent, although there will always be those one or two things that suits you rather than the majority of people (coatigan above is a prime example!)

      Have to say I LOVE Bicester though - I don't mind last season's handbags - or a bag that has a tiny pen mark on it (that my kids would do within 5 mins anyway) if it's half price!

      Really pleased with the colour of the coat as well xx

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  14. Totally jealous. Love the coatigan, really great autumnal colours. Sometimes you can go into that shop and get a real steal. I've had a Prada jumper and a Ralph Lauren blazer, both gorgeous and silly money.

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  15. Recently, All saints leather jerkin, reduced from £275 to £39. Ralph Lauren main line tweed jacket (poss same one as Citigirl?), reduced from £645 to £99. Then again, I generally go in and come out with nowt. You definitely have to persevere.

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  16. Do you go to the TKMaxx in Croydon? I do venture into the ones in London occasionally. Found some Superga shoes last time.

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