My high street secret...

... that I've decided to share.  

I first discovered this store a couple of years ago and to be honest, it did sort of slip off my radar.  But last week when I was on a desperate jumpsuit search, I ventured in. 

Well lucky for all of us I did as......call off the dogs, have I found some gems. 

I am talking... Forever21.  Mostly the domain for those young enough to my daughter but hell, I have old elbows and can get down and dirty with the best of them.

Although to be honest, it's not needed.  Having said that, I did go on a week day and not on a Saturday where I imagine you would need a gas mask to protect you against the potent onslaught of the 2015 equivalent of Loulou from a gaggle of pubescent girls.

But during the week, as a shopping experience it really was no different to New Look or H&M and infinitely preferable to Primark.  Quality wise, I would put it on a par with the former two but with the price tag of the latter. 

And the best thing is that the chances of running into a friend wearing the same thing is virtually zero.  Something that can't be said for Whistles, Topshop and don't get me started on Zara.  It is the best kept secret on the high street. 

Yes you do have to wade through a lot of detritus that would make you suck your breath over your teeth were your teenage daughter to come sashaying down the stairs in it but there is absolutely loads that is not to be sniffed at and that I would wear in a heartbeat.  And at amazing prices, for quality that I thought was easily as good, if not better, than the other more economical High Street brands. 

eta - DISCOUNT KLAXON - some lovely lady on Twitter has just messaged me a discount code - SURVEY21 for 21% off.... 

So you're not going to be buying an outfit for a wedding there but for every day, throw on fashion then it really is worth a look.

Top of my list are those little Summer extras that might not last forever but as soon as the sun comes out, these are going to be a major part of your go to list. 

Lots of their tops are ideal, thrown over a pair of shorts or jeans.  Both the first two have adjustable straps.  I can also add that they're not skimpily cut.  Everything I've tried on (and bought) I've done so in my own size as opposed to having to size up assuming that they're cut for the "tinier boned" (ie not had their body ravaged by childbirth) teen market. 

Geo Print Cami top £12.00 




Striped Floral Print Cami £12




Embroidered Gauze Peasant Top £21



Similar version again £21



A plain white version - 100% cotton.  Absolutely adore this one.   There are loads loads more of this ilk online. 

Cap-sleeve peasant blouse £15



Moving onto dresses and these are actually very wearable.  More tunic than boho smock.  I'm loving them at this price for flinging on on a warm day with flat sandals. 

Abstract Print Tunic Dress £19



Floral Print Shift Dress £18




Fear not if boho isn't your thing, I was also particularly taken with their chambray. 

Life in Progress Chambray Round Collar Shirt £19




And chambray joggers - absolutely adore adore adore these.... 

Life in Progress Chambray Joggers £21



Speaking of trousers - couldn't help but spy these in my beloved olive. 

Woven Cargo Joggers - £22



Going back to denim - I defy anyone to guess where this is from.  Toast?  Perhaps......Forever 21?  Never.  This with anything high waisted - jeans, pencil skirts, culottes - simply so amazing.

Cotton Denim shirt in Denim £18



And in the light denim again £18



Staying with denim and it was always going to be a slippery slope from dungarees to a dress version.  Absolutely love this - and look at the price.

Suspender Button-Down Maxi Dress £19





And of course the reason I went in originally - to hunt down a jumpsuit.  The more I look at these pics, the more I am kicking myself for not buying this.  What a numpty.  This is amazing.  FOOL!  And you can also see how lovely the changing rooms are.  Spacious, clean with excellent lighting. 

Denim Utility Jumpsuit £30 



This is me in a medium (I think... actually I can't remember, it might be the small.... sorry, that's not remotely helpful, is it?!) 


Untitled


Two other things to note that I saw and, if I didn't already have very similar, I would definitely have got. 

Starting with a smarter navy coat - I have one from H&M that was a total steal a couple of years and I have never ever seen since.  I am constantly being asked where it's from and this is the most similar I've ever seen. 

Cuffed-sleeve Crepe Topcoat £26 Wear over jeans or to a wedding.  I promise you will have this for years and years and years. 



And the fabulous olive drawstring utility jacket £38  This is a drapey fabric as opposed to a twill sort of utility.  Perfect for the slightly warmer days but when you still want some coverage.





Untitled Untitled


But what did I come home with?

These.  Beauties.

Crackled Metallic Lace-up Sandals £15



Except I bought them in the black and the tan - not the gold.  I have to say, not sure the gold would be on my list of wants but I bought the black and the tan as I couldn't decide which ones to keep and there weren't many left.  Well, clearly I'm going to keep both for £15 each.  They are unbelievably like the Ancient Greek ones and whilst they're not leather, for a tenth of the cost, I can live with that. 

Here are the black ones I got.  



Untitled


Similar but in white are still available. 

Strappy toe loop sandals £7




And my pick of the rest would be these rather fabulous Espadrille Flatform Slides £15



Also available in the white



And with a bit more detail - the faux leather espadrille sandals £15



And pure, chic simplicity in red - faux leather crisscross sandals £14 also available online in white.



So.... thoughts?  I honestly was more than impressed and can't wait to go back and try on some of their basic tees which looked great but the proof will be in the changing room.  And maybe think about sneaking that jumpsuit into my basket..... Well - if the weather isn't going to get any better any time soon....

Speaking of weather - what on earth to wear?  Frankly today I couldn't be bothered.  Day of working from home and catching up on paperwork, along with the round robin of school runs and supermarket. 


Untitled

Off white jumper - Kin by John Lewis
Paint splattered khaki chinos - Zara
Leopard print pony skin skater shoes - Next
Trench coat - Banana Republic
Cognac cross body bag - Campomaggi from Plumo

Will be back tomorrow and I am determined to nail something that has been eluding me all Summer....

Share this:

CONVERSATION

43 comentarios:

  1. Rachelle SanfordWednesday, 06 May, 2015

    I recently discovered Forever 21 and although a lot of their stock is aimed at a younger/thinner market, I did buy a couple of jackets from their 'contemporary' line which look so much more expensive than they were. I went to the Bluewater store on a Monday and it was so quiet and tidy! Was impressed and will definitely go back! Xox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's not too bad at all, is it?! I was very surprised with the quality of their fabrics. x

      Delete
  2. Bloody he'll Kat, you little beauty. Those dresses are the perfect shape. I'm fed up of trawling websites and you come up with a couple of pearlers. And the cargo pants too. Off for a browse. You've made my night x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YAY!!!!! NOW! Use SURVEY21 for 21% off!

      Delete
  3. I agree, it's not too bad for the odd little thing. My 13 year old is a fan so I am in quite a lot. Love the sandals you got and at £15, what's not to love! Lorraine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have no doubt that I will be moving in shortly with my 10yr old. At the moment, we're all over Zara , Hollister and Jack Wills so looking forward to the more reasonable Forever21! Just need the weather for the sandals now....

      Delete
  4. Great sandals - they are identical to the Ancient Greeks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're not bad for £15 are they?! (do you think this now means I can get the Marant ones I REALLY want....?)

      Delete
  5. The thing I like most about F21 is the materials - a lot of the tops and jumpers are 100% cotton, not the synthetic crap that you get from other cheaper retailers. And I love the Aztec/Navajo patterns they use. Best bargain I ever got in there was a genuine turquoise bracelet for a fiver!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I also love their jewellery. HAve some amazing earrings that are identical to the Stella & Dot ones but for about a fiver! And yes, lots of cotton, lyocell and viscose as opposed to polyester. I was so so impressed.

      Delete
  6. You promise I won't look like I've stolen my daughter's clothes? OK....I'm in!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love forever 21. Just wish there was one near me! Have ordered online before but the service wasn't great which is a shame x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh that's a shame, hopefully they've improved it like lots of retailers!!

      Delete
  8. Ooh I've not been in there for ages. Love the jumpsuit and the olive cargos, definitely need a visit soon.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Kat you are an angel. I've been trawling the internet trying to find a pinafore dress after spying a beautiful Urban Outfitters one on Instagram (despite begging, they aren't stocking it over here). Then, as if by magic, you have one on your blog. Just ordered this, and the jumpsuit (can't justify a Citizens of Humanity one!!). You have made my night, and stopped hours of pointless searches. Thank you Lou xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oh I am SO SO pleased!! I am sure you won't be disappointed xx

      Delete
  10. I nearly went in F21 today but chickened out. Wish I had now. Doh! I will definitely have a look next time but not on a Saturday! Marie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't imagine it's the best on a Saturday ......

      Delete
  11. Replies
    1. Ha ha ha - have to say I preferred Anais Anais and the Benetton perfume! Before I graduated onto the heady whiffs of Red by Giorgio Beverley Hills and Poison! (god the clue was in the title, wasn't it?!)

      Delete
  12. A word of warning about the tassles on F21 tops: they disappear in the wash and end up inside the rubber seal or all over your wash! Apart from that, yes their clothes are great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh thanks for that . I have a pair of joggers from a couple of years ago and they've served me well thank goodness!

      Delete
  13. I buy from F21 every once in awhile, I really like this retailer for trendy things. I like their contemporary and life in progress line for clothes. There's usually a hidden gem in the shoe department and I was getting their jewelry too several years ago (but stopped because anything gold-tone didn't stay that way for long).

    Love those sandals and you should have bought the chambray jumpsuit, it looked great on you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I may have to go back for the jumpsuit.. love it!

      Delete
  14. I have recently discovered, that I prefer high street style. I had the notion to start buying quality designer items, but there's very little that I like! Everything is boxy, out of shape, black/grey/white - high street is much more my kind of thing. There's no Forever 21 in Denmark, but I guess they ship here :-). Will have a look - thanks for posting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's an excellent point. So long as it fits well and the fabric isn't eye wateringly shit (my issue is with creasing...) then there can be some fabulous options!

      Delete
  15. fabulous finds. love the khaki jacket - looks fab. on you.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Go with elbows at the ready or first thing but it's definitely worth it (and with time... you need time...)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ooh thanks so much for this post! Have now bought the white cap sleeved top and the khaki joggers. Agree that you should buy the jumpsuit...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you love them - I am SO going back for that jumpsuit!

      Delete
  18. At this rate, everyone you know will soon be wearing F21 :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's enough choice for everyone I reckon! It's such a great find I think x

      Delete
  19. I always walk straight past, but based on this I will go in next time. Also, '2015 equivalent of Loulou' so funny! I personally swapped between that and Anais Anais before Graduating to Samsara ;) brilliantly researched and written! X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OOOH samsara... that used to give me a headache! Mind you, how on earth I wore Poison without a permanent migraine is beyond me! Definitely head in and be prepared to root around and you'll be surprised!

      Delete
  20. I have just ordered the black pinafore/dungaree dress I blame you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It looks fab - I so hope you like it xx

      Delete
  21. All of these clothes look fab and I love the chambray joggers but as a fellow tallie I worry they will be short on me, what are their lengths like?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually not too bag at all - I was super surprised. Ok so I wouldn't buy kick flares but anything that looks ok slightly cropped is absolutely fine with me x

      Delete
  22. I too love forever21....I haven't been in for a while but looking at these pics I need to take another visit xx

    ReplyDelete