Well that went well....


not.  I am talking about the trying on of midi skirts.  In particular silver ones - the two that I had on my blog here 

Ok are you ready for some truly hideous pictures (and actually these pics don't actually relay the full monstrosities of these if I'm honest) 

Suffice to say, a skirt on the waist doesn't work for me.  I look like a tree trunk.  

Here is the Warehouse one which was hugely disappointing - the lining actually ended mid thigh and the fabric is unbelievably thin and woofy  You can see by my impressed expression on my face how over the moon I am with them.  This is a 12 by the way and it's uncomfortably tight on my waist.  Randomly the length was ok - maybe I should have tried on a 14 to see if it would sit on my hips but the thin element to them really didn't inspire me to make them work. 

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Slightly more success at three times the cost at Whistles.  I did learn that pockets are a must.  And that on the waist is definitely an exceptionally bad idea for me (and I would go so far as to way for anyone without a defined natural waist) 

It's easy to see why this one is more expensive as the quality is on a different plant from the Warehouse one.   Again it doesn't look too bad here but it really does need to be not so tight  (I genuinely couldn't really breathe!) 

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Rubbish photographs here as you can't really see the length difference or that it does look better sat on my hips as opposed to right tight on my waist - again I tried on a 12 here.  

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To prove how tight it was and that I would actually need a 14, here we are.  And I know I have my trousers still on (this was after I'd tried on a gazillion blazers and had almost lost the will to live) but it really wouldn't have made that much difference. 

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Or I could just can that idea and accept that a full midi skirt which is supposed to sit on the waist is a very bad idea for someone with a barrel torso and instead look at alternatives like..... 

Culottes?!

I know I know, from the sublime to the ridiculous but honestly these are not nearly as rubbish an idea as even I thought they would be. 

I just happened to pick these up in Warehouse to try on for a giggle and well... I loved them.  I didn't love the fact that these clearly hadn't been steamed and had been screwed up in a ball for ages in a container/warehouse somewhere but the fit was fantastic.  Ditto the length. 

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And by pure coincidence, later that day I happened to be looking on ASOS and one of their features is on... culottes.   Whilst I was out shopping, I did try and find some more midi skirts and culottes to try on and failed hugely miserably.  Had a lovely chat with the SAs in Whistles who said they'd also been to look for culottes and there were officially none in the whole of Bluewater, ditto midi skirts.  Online or a trendier place than rural Kent is where you need to shop. 

So looking at culottes - I think if you are taller and not blessed with curves then these are in fact a great alternative to the midi skirt.  These are designed to sit on the hips and give the same illusion as a midi skirt whilst being more flattering.  I am slightly perturbed by the excessive amount of crop tops that these skirts/culottes are teamed with in most pics but I honestly think a jumper finishing on the waist or a thin shirt/tee tucked in and slightly bunching over is ok. 




These are the Warehouse ones 

Warehouse Soft Pleat Culottes for £45




These from ASOS are more wide trouser like as opposed to skirtlike.  

ASOS Wide leg trousers in awkward length £22 (ASOS clearly borrowing the title maker from M&S for the day) 




Lots in black - the classic Warehouse ones. I didn't see this in Warehouse last week so I'm not sure if they're the same as the cream ones but they look very similar and equally as gorgeous.  I do think for Spring/Summer I'd prefer the cream ones. 

Warehouse Culotte £45 (I think these may be slightly more tailored)



But also a more skirt like version with a wrap front from Monki at a great price to suck it and see.  I very nearly bought some like this from Zara last year but they were in cream and completely see through. 

Monki Drape Detail Trouser £25




Black Jersey Midi Culottes from New look £14.99  These are a great casual alternative.  I think these would look fab as a variation for summer on a drawstring trouser and would look fab with a lightweight sweatshirt. 






A couple of Print pairs at ASOS too (honestly they're like rocking horse poo everywhere else unless you want shorty versions.  Which I'll shelve until another day - one culotte step at a time) 

ASOS Cropped Trousers in Printed Mesh £35  I'm going to just mention at this juncture that at no point this season do I foresee me sporting a floral garland.  Just throwing it out there as you do. 


A blue print at River Island - again this would look gorgeous with navy. 

Blue Floral Print Culottes £32


And another version which River Island call Wide Crop Palazzo pants in a scarf print  £35


A lovely summery print from New Look. 

White floral print midi culottes from New Look £19.99


Variations in colour from black or cream are thin on the ground but there is a coral pair at New Look. 

Coral Plain Midi Culottes £17.99

And an orange straight leg pair at ASOS £30  (I think I prefer the pleated ones that are more skirt like but that may be because a) that's what I tried on and b) I was really after a skirt....) 



Whistles Silk Culottes in navy £185







Pleated Front Wide Leg Culottes in navy £35 from M&S in three different lengths



So - barking?

I honestly wouldn't have considered these in the slightest, had I not tried the Warehouse ones one.  The photos are pants as they do look so so much better and I am exceptionally tempted to give them a whirl.  My other fall back option is going to be the Wishbone Leather skirt which, whilst it wasn't full or straight - was definitely A line, was the most flattering skirt I've tried on in years and the perfect length.  Sometimes, it's all very well having ideas and seeing things on other people that work, but at the end of the day, it comes down to trying things on and finding what works for you. 

Next step, I'm going back to dresses.  Whilst on my blazer/skirt/culotte hunt I came across a gazillion dresses that I could have bought in a heartbeat so tomorrow I shall be indulging in all things frock. 

Finishing with my outfit from Thursday. (and yes, I have been to the hairdressers - Easter trip to the lovely Daniel Jordan in Sevenoaks as I hadn't been in ages and The Husband and I had decided on an impromptu night out in London as we were having a familytastic relaxed weekend) 



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White tee - Baukjen
Boyfriend Saxby Jeans - ASOS 
Tan belt - Primark
Scarf print silk jacket - Zara
Stone necklace - Anthropologie
Gold fretwork flats - Jimmy Choo
Stone maxi zip satchel - Anya Hindmarch

And out for a night out with The Husband in London on Thursday night.  Went for drinks an dinner to Les Terroirs just off The Strand which I can highly recommend. 


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Black top with coated short sleeves - Cos
Midnight boucle jacket - Zara
Real Straight jeans - Gap
Saxon peep toe boots - Kurt Geiger
Pegasus necklace - Stella & Dot
Leopard Print logo clutch - Tory Burch

And yesterday for a big lunch out with all the family - mother in law is over from Ireland and so lunch with the cousins was a lovely early Easter celebration .


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Navy and white Izzy stripe top - Whistles
White skinny jeans - Next
Ponyskin cheetah print skater shoes - Next
Navy dress coat - H&M
Stone maxi zip satchel - Anya Hindmarch

I am off to salivate over the dresses now.   See you tomorrow (when it's supposed to be pouring with rain - that'll make for a soggy Easter Egg Hunt!) 

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CONVERSATION

26 comentarios:

  1. You may have won me over on the culotte front!! Though I'll be honest they are a bit of a fad item for me so I would probably go for the bargain ASOS ones! If you can find the right pair of fuglies they would be spot on!! The midi skirt...noooo! If you can't pull it.....not a chance in hell for me either.....loving all the experimentation though.....no stone unturned xx

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    1. I think they'd look great with fuglies, for sure. x

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  2. Wow - can't believe I've been converted to culottes! Loving the navy coat in last pic - is it recent? In fact I adore that last outfit!

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    1. HA ha!! Ah no the coat isn't unfortunately - bought it last Sep I think. And thank you - yes I was v pleased with that outfit xxx

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  3. I can't imagine ever wearing all of those culottes but then I do tend to be resistant to new trends. However, midi skirts would work fine. Different body shape to you and no trend suits everyone!
    Love the white jeans and your hair looks fab.

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    1. Yes definitely, different things suit different peeps, for sure! And thank you - tis down to my hairdresser and not me!

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  4. Love all your jackets!!!! your hair looks gorgoeus too xx

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  5. Where is the amazing pendant necklace you are wearing in the trying on photos from? It's lovely!

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    1. It's from Kenneth J Lane and I bought it from My Wardrobe in the Jan sales last year. Thank you! xxx

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  6. Oh I cringe at those skirts on me. Gathering around the waist is a big no-no. I look awful. Now culottes are a different matter. Flat fronted, below the knee. Yes yes and double yes. Love all your outfits Kat particularly th dress coat from H&M. Hope you had a fab time with hubster xxx

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    1. Had a lovely evening thank you darling xx

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  7. I am fessing up to having tried the whistles silver foil skirt as I can't resist something shiny. Magpie moi?? Anyway I loved it and the size 10 fitted my waist. Have to say I am usually a size 10 My daughter who is my harshest critic said it looked good but I didn't get it because whilst I might have the waist years of running have left me sporting the biggest calves in Christendom and the skirt finished at a point which exaggerated this feature Tricky one Having seen you looking fab in your white jeans I will have to dig mine out of the back of the wardrobe.

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    1. I have to say white jeans are so much easier to wear than the silver skirt!! xxx

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  8. Crikey the state of those culottes, do they really expect people to buy their products if they are in SUCH a state on the shop floor?!!?? I don't gate culottes as a concept though although I did wear them to school in the 90s. Some pretty options here!

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    1. I actually told them instore as well and they couldn't have cared less. Woeful. The culottes are so much better than I'd thought though!

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  9. Hi Kat
    I am a regular reader of your blog.

    I spotted this skirt on another blog (The Frugality) and thought that it would really suit you!

    http://www.wallis.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33058&storeId=12557&productId=13777676&langId=-1&categoryId=&parent_category_rn=&searchTerm=WL242007005&resultCount=1&geoip=home

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    1. ooh I'll have a look a that, thank you xxx

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  10. Great to see real life changing room photos recently, thank you. I am not convinced by culottes yet, and even if the midis are not for you then you should know all the jackets from the previous post looked great and I wanted ALL of them. It makes for a much more enjoyable blog when you show the rough with the smooth. Thanks again.

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  11. Ok, thinking I'm too lazy to wear skirts, or culottes for that matter to difficult to match tops and then shoes - bring on the frocks!

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    1. Hopefully you liked the blog from yesterday then! Much more up my street to be sure xx

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  12. I cannot wear a midi skirt. I look very strange in one. I'll stick to what I can wear.
    LOVE your outfits over the past few days - love love love the open toe tan shoes/boots/whatever

    Fiona

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    1. I do think it's much more difficult being tall for sure x

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  13. Hmmmm I'm not great with elasticated waists on skirts unless they're on a very wide waistband? Otherwise the risk is they bunch up around the waist.... And you still have the top issue. Drawstring could work I guess. I may just stick to trousers and dresses.... I think it's a case of if it ain't broke?! xx

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  14. Love all 3 of your outfits & the Zara scarf print jacket is so gorgeous! Midis look dreadful on me too & I am so going down the culotte path instead! My SIL just gave me a navy pair which I'm yet to try on! xx

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