Hear that sound?

That is me scraping the barrel of things to buy whilst out shopping today with my little girl (although we did get her some new trainers.  One thing off the list of things to buy for back to school.  A teensy tiny victory in a quagmire of not a lot else victorious)

There is a reason why shopping online is such a joy - so I discovered.  Firstly it took 90 minutes in traffic jams to do what is usually a 20 min journey.  Then there was just diddly squat to drool over.  So much tat I can't tell you.  The dregs of summer sale stuff that to be totally honest with you, I had little interest in at full price.  This year it does seem to be dregstatic. 

And then a half hearted attempt at more Summer stuff, which is so similar to the tat that's already reduced, I honestly don't know why they're bothering.  To add insult to injury, I was looking for a swimsuit.  Oh I know, I know, I should have done this earlier but I sort of forgot/Queen of Procrastination struck again and I now have less than two weeks to find one that doesn't make me look like Dame Edna Everage. 

On the upside, on a normal year I would have left it with only a matter of days to find one and this time I have more than a week.  Check out my glass is half full attitude. *punches air*.  On the downside, I have come back with some costumes that I fear normally reside on the back pages of the Saga magazine but them's the breaks if you leave it till the 11th hour.  EEJIT. 

I perhaps wouldn't have minded but there was absolutely nothing decent new season wise either.  

The two things I really had wanted to look for, per my last couple of blogs, were a knitted cape cardigan longline thingy (it was a very moveable feast and still I found booger all) or some wide cropped trousers (aka long culottes...).  Struck out on both counts.

Which led me to come home after picking up the boys and an extra we managed to accrue for supper, and after feeding the troops, sit down and see what there I could unearth online. 

It's a story of two halves.  Nada or very expensive.  Quelle surprise.

And actually, just to make matters worse, I've also just realised that this blog was due to be entitled "Things you wish you hadn't thrown away" as last night when I was thinking about longline capey cardigany thingies, I remembered a cream Joseph one I had.  Oh my lord, I loved it.  And the moths loved it too. 

So last year, during a massive clear out, it was resigned to the bin bag (not even good enough for the charity shop - those moths really had had a proper love in with it).  Whilst I think now that I could have rescued it, I do know that it had had its day and was well past its sell by date. Not only was it holey, it was bobbly with lots of pulled threads too.

But surely I could replace it? 

Apparently not.  I'm hoping that it's too early in the season as I was looking back at some blogs from November last year when there were loads of EXACTLY what I want in ASOS.  But they are scant on the ground at this time of the season (as it appears is anything decent) and these are the only ones I've found.. hence the scraping of the barrel.....and ending up resorting to high end...

So today I've come back and ordered this Midi Cape Cardigan for £35 from ASOS that I had on the blog the other day.

As I mentioned before there is also a khaki version online but I think I have too much khaki for it to complement. 

Having said that, I came across this and thought - for £20 it might be worth a go......

ASOS Fluffy Cardigan in longline length was £40 now £20




If pink is your colour then I've come across these.  Much more fitted than I had anticipated - I was very much looking for a throw on as opposed to a fitted cardigan but if you're not too bothered, these definitely could fill a hole in your cover up arsenal.

ASOS longline cardigan in mohair in rose pink was £38 now £22



And in black but not reduced £38




I then went a wandering and found very little - all very fitted..... 

Grey from Iris & Ink - The Outnet's own brand £120




I then had to extend the brief as I was drawing a blank at the longline version but I do still think a shorter one could work.

Maje Macreau oversized long cardigan was £299 now £149.50



Another one that wouldn't be long enough for me but if you were more petite then this could definitely work. 

Maje Draped Leather trim cardigan was £369 now £184.50



Whilst we're on the investment front, I came across this rather fabulous one at Acne.  I have to say, if I didn't have my black Ronit Zilkah one that I have for about five years now, I would definitely definitely get this.  Perfect for so many things, easy to wear and just timeless. 

Acne Studios Alan Cardigan Cape £261 exchange rate permitting as it's from Shopbop and is charged in US Dollars.




They've also got a grey version at My Theresa £300 - actually I think they must be the same and the one is also charcoal. 



Ok now I I can't stop thinking about it - another way of styling and another way to wear it at Net A Porter.  Oh lordy, I need this.

Alan ribbed cape cardigan £300



If we're talking shorter - and we do seem to have meandered off topic due to my ineptitude at finding more of what I want - this from Mango could be useful. 

Fringe Knit Cape £44.99





And other that, I have found SQUAT.  GAH.  In the meantime, I have high hopes for my £35 number from ASOS and shall report back as soon as I've tried it on.  Of course, what I really want is the Acne one - a cardigan I didn't even realise I remotely needed until I came across it. 

So here's what I wore today.  Not what I expected to be sporting in July......


Black and white stripe jumper - hush
Turned up jeans - Zara
Cream boucle jacket - Massimo Dutti
Black oversized buckle sandals - Zara
Black Harker hands free bag - Anya Hindmarch

So I now have to go and try on my old lady swimsuits (although I did managed to snag The Topshop bikini.  Alas I fear that my 42 yr old dead hamsters masquerading as boobs may just be too small to fit it properly.  The.  Shame). 

I also simply refuse to believe that there aren't some bargains left to snag in the sales.   Summer wise, I am OVER it.  Having said that, I'm sure there must be at least a couple of things I can think of that I can snaffle for holiday and then wear into Autumn.  I have some cunning plans coming up.....