Having a storming season

I am talking about you, Warehouse. 

Now here's a funny thing.  I think we could be talking about two separate entities here.  The store and the website.  So firstly, the store... well, to be blunt, it's rubbish.  This may well be my nearest which is at Bluewater and it's frankly, pants.  In all fairness to them, the shape of the store is difficult (long and narrow) but it hasn't been refurbed in forever and looks exceptionally dated. 

They also seem to hold stock that's just a bit naff.  And the problem is, as a shopper, if you find yourself confronted by a host of pretty grim stuff, it's then very hard to see any gems.  It just creates the totally wrong impression - if you don't find anything inspiring in the look and feel of a store, you're far less likely to buy into the image of a brand and aren't going to be that inclined to stay and peruse when there are other shops which are so much more visually appealing. 

Is branding the be all and end all of a retailer?  Well I'm sure there are valid opinions on both sides of the fence but one thing I do think most people will agree on, is that the branding must be consistent.  And when you have a shop that looks like a dog's dinner and a website that has had a total overhaul and is exceptionally impressive, it sends a mixed message. 

So let's leave the store aside and focus on the positives. 

Their website is amazing.  And not just the website (actually to be fair, it's pretty slow so when I say amazing, I really mean their styling and photography.....) but their products. 

I've thought this for a while but yesterday when I was on the hunt for dungarees (a style which they don't appear to be adopting this season but I'll forgive them), I couldn't help but spend way too long oohing and aahing over the best of the rest. 

It also reminded me of a pic I'd papped from a magazine a week or so ago.  Absolutely love this look - to me, far more Stella McCartney than Warehouse. 



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And whilst we're on the subject of denim - there are other beauties I found that definitely warrant exploring in more detail. 

I've come to the conclusion that loading up on denim could be the perfect solution to unifying both my love of the 70s and that more minimal Parisian chic look.  (Fashion idiotic phrase/theory klaxon....)

Here is the dress that piqued my interest. 

Denim Jacket Dress £52  This is ideal for these slightly cooler days plus it doubles up as a jacket/coat as well. 



If you do want something slightly less heavy weight, then they also do a shirt dress in what looks like a chambray fabric.  

Denim Shirt Dress £42




Or a Denim Shift Dress £38 - I have to say this one would be my preference (I actually love the idea of this with the denim coat dress over the top....) 




Next up, staying with denim and a jacket with a difference.  This would work over little dresses, trousers, done up as a shirt over jeans (we're all about the double denim) or layered.

Denim Shirt Jacket £45





Moving on to bottoms now and something I will definitely explore more although I'm not going to lie - I struggle with them.  That'll be culottes.  I'm not sure if it's the length, what top to wear with them...... shoes?  I just don't know but I've so far not been tempted by any.  But I love the look of them on other people and these would be a great pair for the Spring.

Denim Culottes £45




Whilst I struggle with culottes, one thing that I have loved the last couple of seasons is my A line mini skirt.  Mine is leather but I put a suede one on my wish list way back at the beginning of Spring. 

This is the most perfect Suede skirt I've seen all season.  I love the minky grey shade of it.  Yes it's a 70's stylee but the simplicity of the cut and the minimal look to it would work perfectly with a breton and a blazer.  Perfection in a skirt for an amazing price. 



We can also look at occasional wear as well - in the form of separates.  This is easily smart enough for a First Holy Communion or Christening and you can then wear the pieces on their own as well. 

Stripe Knitted Skirt in white and navy £35 (loving the shoes too....)





Or there's a navy version of the skirt... personally I prefer the white one but in reality a knitted skirt over my cellulite ridden behind may not be the best idea in the world.... I'm hoping it's that thick, sturdy knit fabric that they make jackets out of.... (this will be in my dreams of course)




It's also definitely worth checking out their accessories.  Lots of people are always asking me about my Campomaggi cross body satchel and were I not to have that, this is an amazing buy. 

Brown Tooled Leather Satchel £55






Actually, scrap that, this would be definitely mine. 

Brown Vintage Look Cross Body Satchel £52







Jewellery wise, I still have lots to explore this season but this has definitely caught my eye.  

Multi Row Coin Tassel Necklace £16




Sandal porn now and what can I say - leather for £20.  Amazing. 

T-Bar Sandals £20



Feeling the leopard print love still and I have been looking for a pair of pointed animal print ballet flats for forever.  Search finally over.  

Pointed Ballet Pump £35




And be still my beating heart.  Where these would come into their own for me are those occasions when you want to look smart but really don't want to wear heels.  These are just the ticket.  The most elegant shoes I've seen in a very long time for an amazing price. 

Cream pointed ballet flats £35



I could honestly go on and on and on and on.   But don't take my word for it - go and have a shufty.  And let me know what you think?  Is it just my nearest Warehouse that is pap or are they all in need of a new store image?  Perhaps someone knows if that's on the cards?  And do you think they've improved their online offering?

So here we have rather tipsy photo from very late last night.  Fantastic evening and surprisingly I don't feel too shabby today. 


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Print Dress - Sandro
Cut out tan suede ankle boots - Boden

Today was up at the crack of dawn - poor 10yr old isn't well so made an emergency Dr's appt and lo and behold she now has a throat infection.  So from seemingly a full recovery yesterday when her temp went back to normal and she was fine, to full on fever and a super sore throat.  Currently pumping her full of antibiotics, cinema trip cancelled, but popcorn on, movie ready and wine on the go for the two biggest in the family. 

Looking very serious.....

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Easy Day Jumper in grey melange - Boden
Wide turn up jeans - Zara
Grey military coatigan - 3.1 Phillip Lim
Dakota skate shoes - Seven Boot Lane
Quilted leather bag - Zara 

So I have an appointment with Guardians of the Galaxy, fish pie is ready to go in the oven and I'm trying desperately to find a pair of the dark denim dungarees, seeing as they have sold out EVERYWHERE.  Can the person who called Fat Face in Sevenoaks this morning asking about them, please fess up?!  I went in today and they're sold out country wide.  Clearly I'm exceptionally late to the party - off to see if there are any left at John Lewis.....

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CONVERSATION

32 comentarios:

  1. You have just given me an idea, I have a denim shirt dress that's a little too short, would it look naff as an open long shirt ? I may try it.. It's just stays in my closet unworn

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    1. I think that sounds like an excellent idea for sure. I wore a denim shirt the other day over my dungarees like a jacket and I thought it was great. Give it a try out x

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  2. I have had an appointment with Paddington, my Sausage casserole has just been devoured and it wasn't me that cleared your' local Fat Face out of dungarees!! :0) xx

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  3. I've got those leopard pumps! Had them on the blog a cpl of weeks ago as possibles and ordered them straight after publishing!

    The culottes look fab. Tell me I'd suit them!!!

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    1. They're FAB aren't they? Oh my lord you would so so so suit culottes, deffo try them x

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    2. I think those culottes are shapeless and make the model look fat, and I am sure she isn't. I like shorts, but not culottes in general.

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    3. You see I love that minimal style shapeless look! Each to their own xxxx

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    4. Right let's book a trip to BW, I'll try them on, you can cheerlead me into wearing them!

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  4. Oh and call the Fatface where I live and I'll get them for you if they're in stock.

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    1. Thanks my love - I'm going to see what I can find online xxxx I'll keep you posted x

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  5. Love the t-bar sandals...fab!👍

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    1. They're stunning aren't they? Can I find them online? Can I heck as like....

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  6. Tell me about it... actually we also have a concession in HofF and yes that's pants too. Definitely try the culottes on - I like the styling but it's very on trend.... (way too much for me but I think they could work normally) x

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  7. Iv nailed the cullotte thing. Got the black drapey ones from M&S in the longer length - thought they were too long initially but only wearing with heels so totally perfect. In my head Im channelling my inner Victoria Beckham and finding it easy to work into existing wardrobe.
    Please leave the blue dungarees alone- you've ticked that box with the black pair and they look amazing.xx

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    1. Oh that sounds perfect. I've just found I wear heels less and less on a daily basis and I think I'd struggle with tops to wear with them on a night out. Plus I could always just wear my leather midi skirt which I don't get nearly enough wear out of. Oops. And ha ha about the dungarees (you won't want to hear I think I've found some super bargain white ones.??!)

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    2. Yes, Im definitely a trousers girl so culottes are the nearest I would get to a midi skirt. You will no doubt rock the white dungarees and I will be buying some next year - and eating my hat!!!!! Great blog- always look forward to it and its a little escapism at the end of my day.xx

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  8. Awww hope she gets better soon Kat. I have a rare night off , I'm a single mum, my 8 yr old girl is staying at her best friends, I am in bed !!. Hope you have a good night xx

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    1. Oh well enjoy it, it sounds perfect!! xxxx

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  9. Watched G of the G with my daughter - loved it! Perfect Sat night pap. here we have seabass and Miss Marple on the go - what a bunch of ravers we are!

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  10. I'm also loving Warehouse more these days, think I have bought more from there in the last 6 months than I did in the previous 10 years. Really love their dresses, never thought about their footwear but may have to investigate after seeing those leopard sandals you posted- I love them. Hope your little one is feeling better soon. Love that Sandro dress on you from last night x

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    1. I did see a couple of great dresses that I'm saving for another blog! Their footwear looks great, doesn't it. And thank you - I am really pleased with the sandro dress - definitely much more in my comfort zone!

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  11. Warehouse near me (Cambridge) is also pants - small and stuffed full of items permenantly on sale. I agree website offerings are def much better albeit slow to load up and not always mobile friendly. The one good thing about buying in store is that if they don't have an item you wish to to purchase they offer a free home delivery service. I also find their sizing a bit random - I have various items sized between 8 and 12! Not so great when deciding to order something online....

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    1. Yes, it can be very temperamental, can't it..... I didn't know that about instore, that's a great tip, thank you. And yes, their sizing is bonkers but then to be fair, I pretty much find that with most places no. Insane.x

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  12. You look gorgeous in both pics (almost ready to forgive you for the dungarees!!!) Adore that second satchel. You've been finding some gems under £100 recently ... don't suppose you've come across any interesting leopard print clutches on your travels? Xx

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    1. Hmm leopard print clutches, I can't recall seeing any. most around are what I call laptop case style which I have to say I'm not a fan of. They look like you're carrying round a computer when you don't put much in and then look like you've got cats fighting in a sack if you dare to put more than two tiny lipsticks in them. Crapppola.

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  13. I'm a big fan of Warehouse's super fit skinny jeans - they keep their shape really well, no bagging after 5 minutes. I usually buy the black ones, which do fade in the wash, but nothing Dylon can't sort out! Agree there's much more I'd be interested in of late, definitely going to check out my local one tomorrow.

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    1. Excellent idea - I so need to check out their coated skinnies x

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  14. My last 3 purchases have been something from Warehouse! Their store off Grafton St. is fab. Audrey x

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    1. Oh you lucky thing. They all seem to be pretty universally pants this side of the water!

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  15. Ohhhh, that necklace! I've been looking at it on and off and trying not to buy it - you're not helping!! The shoes are a great price too, aren't they? Love the leopard print pair xx

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