I hold the mini stollen fully responsible.

Kat 12/06/2014 13 Comments Edit

For my expanding waistband. Thank you Lidl. And therefore the need to wear nothing but warm and snuggly clothing. At this rate, I shall be heading out to a party tonight in a onesie.... I can't even contemplate anything ladylike, I need full on woolly coverage.

So. That meant yesterday when I was on a trip to Bluewater to pick up the tvs I didn't have time to load into the car yesterday (I sort of neglected to realise that there would be 30 people in the Collections queue when I thought it would take about 3 mins. Duh)

And yesterday afternoon we had the Christmas Fayre at school which is delicious but not exactly a relaxing affair... I therefore took advantage in the morning of being in amongst the general maelstrom (it was rather busy to say the least) to go on a jumper hunt.

I needed jumpers to cover both the expanding waistline (this may have something more to do with the small snifters of wine I find myself needing every night....) and because it is so darned cold. I know it's December and this is not unseasonal weather but personally it seems to have come from nowhere. My feet are well and truly ensconced in boots and layers and cover ups are the order of the day. I couldn't even contemplate wearing a shirt or blouse in this weather, I am all about the snuggly.

So a jumper shopping I went - whilst I should have been quizzing the tv dept about flat wall brackets and plug issues as I had been directed to do by The Husband. Whatever Trevor.

And I found some goodies.

Starting with probably my fave and it does help that it was in the sale. Wishbone in fact have some great bargains at the moment.

Wishbone Melodie Tweed Jumper was £85 now £42 in black and white.

This wasn't actually the one that I tried on however. I didn't see the jumper in store but I did try on the dress version. Which, seeing as I'm 5ft10 and it was the perfect length on me, is probably going to be too long on most people and the jumper is a much better bet. Can't find the dress online but here is a pic. This is a Medium. I am loving the idea of this with leather leggings... (I do have a pair of pleather ancient ones with an embarrassing stretched seam from Topshop but it would be covered in this)

Staying with chunky polo necks and one from Reiss & one from Whistles. These are both investment jumpers. For me, it was the Reiss one I preferred.

Reiss Locke Roll Neck Jumper £125

It has pockets! This was a Medium.

Whistles currently have 30% off their knitwear and this one is a great one to buy now because it's not cheap to begin with - the ultimate in chunky luxury.

Whistles Funnel Neck Cashmere jumper now £122 Again I've got the medium on.

I definitely think I could make good use of a pale pink jumper and I love this turtle neck one from Whistles. My only only point would be that personally I prefer a roll/polo neck to a turtle neck. For me, a turtle neck is neither one nor t'other but I do have a long neck, being tall. I think that most people would probably prefer this style.

Whistles Turtle Neck in pale pink now £52 I've got the size 14 on.

Black - got to have some black....

Whistles Milano Knit Cocoon Boxy Jumper in Black now £81.20 Again the medium on me here.

However even with the 30% discount, my choice would be this boxy jumper from Kin.

Kin Reverse Seam Jumper in Charcoal now £49

I don't do green but I do get why other people love this colour. Ruined for me courtesy of my school uniform.

Sorry, not green, Pine Cove £59

I tried it in the black. This is in the Medium (as is the one above) I would probably change to a large though...

Whilst there were some fab options in John Lewis, to be honest, I could actually have bought any of them, I did opt for another jumper style - to be revealed v shortly... it has been on my Wish List since the beginning of the season.

It was then off to Uniqlo where I had heard they had some bargains on their cashmere. In fact they do - lots of cashmere offers (but be quick, limited sizes AND there is free delivery)

This is what I had my eye on.

Light Cashmere Gray now £39 usually £49 Be warned their knitwear does come up on the small side - I have large on in both these pics.

And I didn't buy it. Why? Why oh why oh why. I have a cheapo rubbish one like this from H&M which is basically made from knitted plastic but I love the shape of it so much, I've had it for about three years and wear it all the time. It really is the most vile fabric (ok so it's not that bad.. it looks ok, it just doesn't feel very nice) but I adore it.

This one is identical but gorgeous and in a colour I am desperate to have something in. Plus as much as I love my chunky knits, this is the perfect layering jumper. Thin enough to wear under a blazer even.

Did I buy it? No. What sort of a tool does that make me? The sort of tool who is dashing back tomorrow morning to pick it up. Turn me over and yes, I have moron tattooed on my behind.

Other ones that are on my radar are from Hush and they now have £10 off some of my faves. (more online)

Stripe Jumper from Hush were £75 now £65 Ecru and black. This has my name all over it. Perfect with my entire wardrobe - camels, greys or black. For me, a stripe is up there with leopard print as virtually a neutral and can go with pretty much anything. This is also the perfect jumper to take you through into Spring. Classic French style. Yes. Please.

Grey Lattice Stitch Jumper from Hush was £75 now £65

Still also after a camel jumper were £75 now £65

Baukjen have this week launched a whole new set of seasonal goodies - really part of their Spring collection but the knitwear especially is perfect for wearing now and keeping to wear into next season.

And speaking of camel, this is my favourite jumper. Mainly because this look (photo below) I think is ace. Absolutely adore it. Just to make it even more palatable, I have found a 25% off voucher including free delivery and free returns. OCADO814 for orders over £59 (this works on all clothing not already reduced by the way.....)

Hayley Jumper in Summer Camel £89 (pre 25% off)

I'm not a big fan of the way they've styled it on that page but in the magazine it looks A.Mazing. (my children have hidden the mag so I had to pap this from the screen therefore it's a PANTS photo, but it gives you an idea on the outfit which I think is perfect. Simply perfect)

They also do it in a deep sky blue which I think would look amazing with black for the Winter.

I now have to go and have a shower and get myself ready for later as I'm off to get the 10year old from a party (and pray then that my outfit works....)

Outfit from yesterday. Am officially in love with this cardigan. And the berry jumper underneath despite my regular protestations that I don't like this colour, when you team it with camel or pink, I am sold sold sold.

Photo bombing 8yr old free of charge.