Back in my comfort zone - do I need any more?

So whilst I was on the hunt yesterday for tops to go with skirts, what did I mainly come across?  Yes that's right - obviously the one thing I have absolutely no need of but am magnetically drawn to.  

I had all sorts of problems finding the perfect fitted top but there are the most gorgeous boxy tops in abundance.  Yes I have an obsession with skinny trousers and these tops are just the ideal things to go with them.  Ridiculously easy to wear and so handy to have a plethora of in your wardrobe to drag out and throw on season after season. 

Except that I already have loads of them.  Probably the one thing in my wardrobe of which I am embarrassed to have too many.

However since I cannot justify even a small one, I am sharing them with you in the hope that I can shop vicariously. 

Having said all that, I don't have a black lace top... and one of these, over black coated skinnies with either heels, ballet flats (cute) or.. dare I say it... over the knee boots (more on these later) this would be amazing.  And no, I don't have one.  I do though have the trousers, jackets (a little black tuxedo blazer would rock with this) and shoes (if not the boots.. yet....) 

How perfect would any of these be with distressed skinnies and black heeled ankle boots for a lunch out in London (which I have a couple pencilled in in January...).  I was doing so well being abstemious as well.  I have just pressed buy on one of these. 

Rise Clara Top was £45 now £30 (would also work with a pencil skirt... just saying) 




Springfield Flower Lace Top from FCUK was £99 now £49.50   Into the Spring, this would serve you well.  I love having tops like this for those impromptu nights out with friends.  (clearly by "impromptu nights", I mean ones that have been meticulously planned months in advance as that's what happens to us all when you have kids, no?)



Silk Lace Panelled Blouse from Jaeger was £199 now £99  Or.................. oooooh












Now these below I can't justify as I do have enough knitwear and I have enough navy.  But this is such an easy to wear top - I'm just preferring the all black lace versions above (this is black and navy together though. Gorgeous detailing at the back.  Perfect with black skinnies or jeans.  My favourite sort of versatile)

Coast Estar Knit top in navy was £75 now £49





This has nothing to do with boxy tops - I just love it for the Summer and were I to have a glamourous weekend away planned somewhere super warm, this would be mine. 

Wishbone Charlie Broderie Cami in Black was £60 now £30



Moving onto more casual boxy tops now - perfect for during the day.  These are timeless - I have a similar (ok it's not similar - it's a tunic and it's bone and khaki stripe, but it's a classic shape and colour and there in lies the similarity) from Toast that I bought five years ago and I still wear it every year. 

In a blue shade from Jigsaw.  Cotton Herringbone Kimono Sleeve top in blue was £49 now £34




Another boxy patchwork top from Jigsaw - Patchwork Herringbone top was £98 now £49




Denim Patchwork Sweatshirt in blue from Jigsaw was £79 now £39  I need this one in my life.  I need this to go with all the navy things I own.   And every single pair of jeans in my wardrobe.  This is a no brainer.




Je Parle Francais Sweatshirt from Etre Cecile was £105 now £73  Some may say tacky.  I say I don't care - it's the oatmealy grey and navy that I love.  (and I can speak French. HA!)


Can you ever have too many Breton tops?  Hmm does this go against my new Resolution??  Hmmmmmmm   This isn't cheap but cost per wear, I can guarantee this would be worth it.  I can pretty much say I wouldn't be getting the shorts as well, seeing as I'm 41 and not 6.

Striped French-terry sweatshirt - T by Alexander Wang was £178 now £106 at Matches (as soon as there is an extra 10% off sales prices I am pressing buy.  I appreciate that a) I've already missed one they had and b) this will obviously have sold out by then.  Maybe I should just cave on this now.  It does remind me of a Joseph one I had when my kids were tiny (I had a 3 yr old, a 1yr old and a newborn at one point.  I rocked in a corner for years).  I had spent ages trying to justify spending £100 plus on the most stunning Breton top.  Only on its first wash for the middle child (who was then 2) to whack up the washing machine from a cold hand wash to - oh yes a 60 degree wash.  I still want to throw up when I think about it.  Scarred?  Yes I am.





So there we have some things I thought I couldn't remotely justify but have done a pretty good job of persuading myself that I'm not sure I can live without them. 

Which leads me on nicely to the over the knee boot issue.  One pair worked.  ONE PAIR.  All the rest were stupidly short on me (basically all the others in Kurt Geiger etc and Dune.)  The extra long Office ones have sold out instore and aren't available online in my size. 

So these are the Vanessa from Kurt Geiger which I love........ I am slightly concerned that they will go baggy and slide down but if they do, KG are usually excellent at accepting their stuff is faulty so I would feel confident that I could return them.  I did look at some amazing ones in Russell & Bromley - the Stuart Weitzman Lowland boots but they are £595.  Yes, you read that right.  £600 bar a fiver.  Oh.  My.  God.  I would have to wear these every day for the next year to justify them.  Not happening (wonders if they are any cheaper in the US as they're an American brand...... Or contemplates selling a child or kidney... Thank god I didn't try them on in case I loved them more than my little finger or something)  

These suddenly seem quite reasonable with the 10% off if you sign up to their newsletter..... (reasonableish....)

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And these are the Lowland if anyone had a spare £600. 


So there we have the tale of two boots.   Literally the only two boots there are that would be vaguely over the knee on me.  What to do.......??

Finishing with pic from today - car park chic again, this time at Ikea.  Which wasn't too bad.  Bluewater on the other hand - dear lord alive, I have never ever seen it so rammed.  Hideous isn't the word.  Smash and grab at Lush for the 10yr old and then queued at Game for half an hour as I promised the two small boys I would buy them a new Xbox game with their Christmas money.  For me?  Zilch.  Nada.  Didn't even have the time or inclination to fight the crowds looking.   And there's me thinking that people would have gone at the weekend... Clearly we all thought the same thing!

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Fairisle jumper - H&M
Black coated skinnies - Cos
Black Diego bag - Alexander Wang
Black buckle boots - Toga Pulla 

Off to watch Harry Potter as we promised the two oldest they could have a movie night.  I have a date on the sofa, snuggling with my 8yr old and a large glass of red. xx

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CONVERSATION

44 comentarios:

  1. I was also at BW today (returning stuff) came back with half of it as wasn't prepared to queue for hours...heaving doesn't even describe it...did manage to try on over knee boots in R&B, didn't succum because of the price tag, like you said, would have to wear them 24/7 to get anything like value for money, did however get some great skinnies with slashed (yes slashed) knees in Oasis, husband thinks I'm mad.. Happy New Year to you and your family :)

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    1. God it was awful wasn't it! And my husband thinks most of my clothing choices are "interesting"... (his code for hideous!)

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  2. You have to get that stripy top Kat! It's lovely & you would wear it loads! Just keep the younglings away from the washer! You look fab in that oversized knit too! I'm braving town with the kids tomorrow & won't hear the end of it when they realise the ice rink has been packed away for another year! x

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    1. STOP IT!! I need nothing new.... (ha ha ha ha ha!) x

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  3. Please don't! In general you have great style so pls. don't go along with this fashion fad. I think over the knee boots only look good on twenty year old, and no matter how stylish you are, over 30 s and above look a bit desparate in them.

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    1. AWww I think they look fab dressed down and with certain things! Would be a dull world if we all liked the same things though, wouldn't it?!

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  4. Kat, I love your style. You rock every outfit. But it's a big fat noooooooo to over the knee boots. Don't do it!!! X

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  5. Ignore those shouts of Oh No You Shouldn't. I'm going with Oh Yes You Should. You have lovely long slim legs and if anyone is going to look good in over the knee boots, it'll be you. Particularly at this time of year. They are perfect for thigh-smiting and hollering: "Fifty miles from London, and still no sign of Dick". You know you want to.

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  6. That fairisle jumper!! ❤️ We braved town a couple of days ago - I took 15 y.o. to spend her vouchers in Debenhams beauty hall (truly her mother's daughter!!) so I sent hubby off to Game with 5 y.o. He queued for 40 minutes *snort*!!! He was not a happy bunny! :) x

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    1. Honestly I was so shocked that everywhere was so busy. Insane in the membrane.

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  7. Those boots <3 - http://scontent-a.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xap1/t51.2885-15/10261179_1500123533582360_2062029708_n.jpg @lucywilliams02 on insta

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  8. I may be a voice in the wilderness here, but I love the boots! I'm tall like you though, so the chances of me finding a pair to suit are virtually nil. My top tip for Christmas sales shopping? Get up early on New Years Day and you'll have the place to yourself - it's my favourite shopping day of the year! I am a smug non-drinker, however, so I won't be nursing a hangover. All about the fun, me ;-)

    Becky x

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    1. That is such a good idea shopping on NYD. Chances of it happening? Nil!

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  9. Some lovely lace tops - quite fancy the Jaeger one reduced to £99. Wish I had it to hand for the new years eve lunch i'm going to in about 7 hours. Oh well. Will have to make do with what I'd already planned to wear. Happy New Year to you and your family. I love reading your blog.

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    1. Oh what a bugger - it's gorgeous, isn't it...

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  10. This might sound ridiculously melodramatic but it's NYeve and I might have already had a glass (or 3) of champagne over breakfast...I just wanted to thank you really...your blog is nothing short of utterly inspiring. For many reasons I was rather a lost soul at the start of this year but finding your blog put a smile on my face and at least helped me get dressed every day! So thank you and I wish you and your family a very happy and healthy 2015 x

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    1. I am honestly so touched by your comments thank you so so much. And here's hoping we all get to have a better 2015 xxxxxx

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  11. Look forward to your entries , love your style and fact that you have a busy hectic life with kids who need you lots, I have similar and it inspected me that you can still be stylish amongst the chaos, happy New year to you and your family. Xxx

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    1. Thank you thank you thank you - very grateful for the feedback - xxxxxxxx

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  12. Love your blog, it has given me alot of enjoyment & has given me so many new ideas and inspiration how to dress, I'm quite abit older than you but with your I advise I always look stylish or at least that's what my younger work colleagues & friends say without being prompted ;) soooo thank you so much!
    I believe the R&B long boots will give you Many years wear! they don't sag - so last the time - particularly if you get the ones that have part zip keeps it tighter around the ankle
    A very happy New Year to you and your family xxx

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    1. oh you love, thank you for the lovely lovely comments. And i am trying SO hard to justify the R&B ones. I may get the KG ones and see if they do bag.. otherwise, I am beyond tempted to bite the bullet and just for the R&B ones.... (I would honestly have to sell a kidney!) Happy New Year to you too xxx

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  13. Thank you so much, Kat, for your hard work in providing inspiring, witty and wonderful blogs all year. Best wishes for 2015 xx

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    1. And thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment. It's comments like this that make it all worthwhile, thank you xxx

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  14. I really hope you get those boots. I think they look fab -- totally disagree with the comment that they would make you look desperate. What a load of codswallop! There is altogether too much fear of looking desperate/ridiculous/mutton dressed as lamb. It is so boring! Why should we all want to adhere to such outdated and life-sucking ideas? Have fun! Wear what you want to wear, and enjoy doing so. I personally would feel my outfit were a complete failure if not a single person felt critical of it. And the more staid, boring people who hate my outfits, the better, in my book. Whoever would I care what such people think?! If you dress the way you yourself want to, you will be more likely to please (and indeed meet!) interesting people. Or at least I do. So glad I got over the fear of What Other People Think and started dressing authentically. I heartily recommend it!

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    1. Amen Sister. I have to say, randomly, it's easier to do the older you get, don't you think? I am 99% sure I'm getting a pair, it's just which ones...!!

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    2. Hurray! I agree so much with you, Anon, whoever you are! Wear whatever makes you happy and feel confident is my own mantra too. Some of the oddest, quirkiest and most unusual things I own are those for which I earn the most compliments. Why be boring by adhering to a whole load of unwritten rules on what you should and should not wear?

      So yes, Kat, get those boots - they are fabulous on you! I'd also like to join in with complimenting you on your blog. So much inspiration, even though my height is at polar opposite of yours! :-)

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    3. Agree. Tend to find nay sayers give in and buy said item 2 years after poo pooing it t- hat'd be me then! Love the blog!

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    4. Oh I think we all guilty of that at times!

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  15. I picked up the perfect black lace top in the summer sales, Isabel Marant one for £95 instead of £300 at Harvey Nicks! A bit see through, but nothing a black heattech top from Uniqlo can't fix, makes it lovely and warm too!

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    1. Oh my lord what a fabulous steal. I've ordered the first one as it's now down to £20 and just hope it's not too "don't stand near a naked flame....." For only £20 I'm not holding out much hope... In my head it's going to look amazing (ha ha ha ha)

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    1. It's just been reduced to a tenner in the H&M sale! Just picked one up on Oxford Street. Size down though - it's enormous!

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  17. Hi Kat. Love love ur blog. I work a hectic 5 day job and had been wearing the first outfit I grabbed on working days as well as weekends. But ur blog has helped give me lots of ideas and pick out more classy outfits (I think?!) more important it helps me de stress end of the day! Keep blogging .. x

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    1. oh you are more than welcome and the blog's not going anywhere! xx

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  18. Hi kat, love your blog, although may need to stop looking for the next couple of months, for the sake of my bank balance !!!! Hope you go for the over the knee boots, my sister has the R&B she wears them all the time mainly with dresses and they look lovely, although we are also both tall I tried them on and they come to my knee and look nice, but really can't justify. Happy new year and I'm sure will be sneaking a look xxx

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    1. did you try the Lowland ones on? I need to try them on Monday to scratch the itch..... Sort of hoping they're too short!

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  19. Hi Kat, love the blog and have been finding lots of lovely things to buy - I got the Boden textured off duty jumper for just over £50 with various discounts (not the cashmere but still very nice) and I also managed to bag pair of the Hobbs Delphine pumps for the bargain price of £50 and I love them so thank you for all your recommendations - not great for my bank balance but hey ho!
    Just wondering if you had any suggestions for a bag like the Alexander Wang Diego bag you have which I think it lovely but unfortunately out of my price range? Thanks so much x

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    1. ooh let me have a think about the Diego - I will do a blog on bucket bags shortly, I promise x

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    2. Brilliant, I look forward to it thanks, x

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  20. ...Just thought you may like to know kat that the me and em black shearling snood is now 44 pounds down from 140 something!....I have just got it and its lovely...x

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    1. awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww sits on hands sits on hands...........

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