Haunted I tell you

By the things we don't buy. 

I'm sure there are lots of things I can list (although to be honest, if they're not first and foremost in my mind, then chances are I can't regret not buying them "that" much) 

One is a pair of Chie Mihara pale tan leather ankle strap flipflops from probably 10 years ago.  Every single year I think they'd be perfect.   Even though they'd probably have given up the ghost eons ago.  In my head they'd be pristinely battered and vintage looking......moving swiftly on. 

Another is an oak Mulberry Bayswater - when they used to cost £415.  They now cost THREE times that much.  Seriously?  To me, Mulberry have honestly become a bit of a joke - primarily due to their ridiculously inflated prices for identical products  (I'm sure they'll try and claim there's a change in the leather etc etc but to your average consumer - me - who can't tell the difference, sorry chaps, I just feel like I'm getting ripped off)  Considering it was cheaper than a LV scarf all those years ago which yes, has gone up in price but by a much much smaller percentage that I can't work out as I'm pants at maths.  Suffice to say I think they're around the £600 mark.  Not over a grand, that's for sure)  So after saying all of that, I don't really know why it irks me that I didn't buy one - probably because I think they look a ton better bashed up and lived in (you can see why I like the Golden Goose, can't you?) and by now, it would look amazing.  However it's not like I don't love all my handbags so I can live with that one. 

But I can't live with another one that got away with is the over the knee boots.  Firstly I didn't buy a pair of black Pied A Terre ones from their gorgeous shop they used to have on South Molton Street (lordy I bought so much from that shop way back when.  Well, way back when they were actually a shoe brand and hadn't been swallowed up into the Dune family and dissolved.  Sob).  They were over the knee but they were properly over the knee.  For tall people. 

Unlike most of the over the knee boots today which, if you have vaguely long legs, are somewhere on or just below the knee.  Wrong diddly.  Well not if you want knee high boots but if you're looking for over the knee jobs, these fall somewhat short of the mark.  Literally. 

So then I nearly bought the Stuart Weitzman Loden green boots last Winter.  I even got round to boring myself with these.  And I didn't buy them. 

I SO WISH I HAD.  As I still really really really want them.  But they are scarily expensive.  And they're green suede.  Considering the amount of rain we've had in the past two days alone in what is allegedly our Summer - the chances of these lasting a British Autumn, god forbid a Winter, in one piece, aren't the best. 

But that doesn't stop me wanting them and not being able to stop thinking about them.  It doesn't stop me making outfits up around them.  I even bought a cape thingy (to be revealed...) in a khaki colour to put me off them as I couldn't wear both together without looking like an elf.  It hasn't worked.  I still want them. 

Or at the very least I now want a pair in black as well.  Or grey.. or even berry.   A camel or tan pair wouldn't go amiss either.  As you can see, haunted is the word. 

So on this day of more rain, I can't help but think about over the knee boots (and red wine but that's only because I said I wasn't going to drink this week.  Why?  Why would I do that?)

And do you know what's really scary?  So many are already sold out.  WHAT???  I'm assuming that this means there will be loads more coming through but how can I be late to the party when it's still August.  

Nothing like a bit of a panic sell out to make me start searching high and low for a pair that might work. 

Firstly ASOS where they have actual suede ones. 

So I'm looking for flat ones as I'm 5ft 10 and fear that a heel will have me spiralling into tranny territory but these look great for a chunky heel (which I feel is pretty important with over the knee boots to avoid the Pretty Woman vibe)

ASOS Kickster Boots £85



However shovelling humble pie in like a looner as I would so have tried them in the tan suede.  Except that they're... oh yes, Sold. Out.  In my size....

ASOS Kickster in tan £85



These look like they might be worth a try though...

London Rebel was £55 now £40



Now there is a fine line between Parisian chic and gestapo disaster when it comes to over the knee leather boots but these I think would definitely have you firmly looking French.  Am totally gutted they're sold out in my size.

Vantage Black Flat Knee Boots from KG were £220 now £79


Now it does clearly depend on how long your legs are and these, alas I know wouldn't work for me but they look like a great close fit if you don't have stilts instead of legs. 

Tamaris over the knee boots £65 in cigar.  Not nearly as nice in the black version.  Clearly not leather.



However for an extra couple of ££ I would stretch to these.  The difference is massive and whilst they're not as close fitting on the leg - I LOVE them.  I might even be tempted to try them.. (free delivery and free returns at Zalando)  Simply love love this colour.

Zign Over the knee boots £95




Also though love them in the bordeaux





But these are the ones that stop my heart.  Are they worth ALL that money? (have to say I think I know the answer to that already - especially compared to ones like the Zign ones....) 

Stuart Weitzman Lowland Boots in Loden £650



The only ones that also come close are from Office.  Now I'm not sure that these are as long as they look but they must be worth a go for that much less than the SW ones?




Office Eden Stretch Over the Knee Boots £110




Which I actually think I might prefer in the Bordo (the fact they spell it like this is almost enough to put me off buying them..... I'm assuming they meant Bordeaux..... one would perhaps like to think they're trying to be down with the kids a la text speak as opposed to someone not being able to spell) 

Office Eden in Bordo (boak) £110 




So there we have what I've found so far.  Now are you going to be indulging?  In my head, these with an oversized jumper, cape and scarf - and we're off.  Or with a short dress, blazer and scarf for those Autumn days.... How about a leather mini skirt, polo neck and wrap coat...... You see now why I'm haunted?

Here I am today.  So earlier on the weather really wasn't that bad and we went for an hour long walk in the park.  It then turned into the monsoon season and yes, I was woefully underdressed to pick the 10yr old and her friend up from their course.  A house full of friends all afternoon and for supper - hunkering down from the rain.  AND I've still managed to maintain a wine free week.  Chances of me caving tomorrow night are very very high. 

Untitled

Horsing around sweatshirt - JCrew
Denim shorts - Warehouse
Cracked leather Stan Smiths - adidas 

Tomorrow, yet again it's due to pour, so we're off to the cinema.  Big discussions about what to watch......Think the 10yr old may do Paper something or other with her friends whilst I take the boys to see Pixels.  Although I quite fancy The Fantastic Four myself.......


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41 comentarios:

  1. I bought some navy suede OTK boots at the very tail end of last winter, in the sales. They were Faith ones from Debenhams, with a very small chunky heel, which were £120 down to £40 - and with a £20 voucher from Christmas, they were only £20 to me!! Never got to wear them, so I'm looking forward to getting them out. I tried them over my skinny indigo jeans and they looked super cool, so I can't wait until it's proper boot weather!

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  2. The SW boots are amazing. I don't think any other pair look, or fit, even remotely like them. Can't wait to,start wearing mine which I have in the grey. I did buy the black first, which I also adore, but as I can't justify both I've just listed them on eBay at £550. If anybody is interested I could sell privately at £520 if you message me. These have totally sold out in the 40 already Kat in R&B and I was told they only order about 7 pairs of each size! And, bonus, my husband adores them! Xxx

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    1. *FINGERS IN EARS FINGERS IN EARS*!!!!!

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    2. I might just have to plan another trip to NY to buy them then..!

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    3. Definitely get the trip to NY planned. I'm going in April so already got the shopping list in the planning! However, couldn't wait for these gorgeous boots till then!! Xx

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    4. They're no cheaper over there than they are here. Plus you have to find room in your suitcase... I bought literally NOTHING when I went... So should have just bought these. EEJIT

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  3. Love the SW boots, wonder if they come up true to size? Slightly off the topic I'm loving the Tommy Hilfiger khaki cargo jeans you wear, please can you tell me the exact name of these as I would like to get them :-)

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    1. I'd say they're definitely not big... true to size - if anything half a size on the large side (I may have tried them on loads....!) Right, I don't know what their name is as I just got them from TK Maxx. But I have tried on their cargo trousers they had last season and they were identical (although I"m not sure if they still do them..) SO sorry!

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  4. I honestly think you should take a deep breath and go for it. Buy the KG ones Kat !

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    1. Do you mean the SW ones...??!

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    2. OOOPS yes sorry meant the SW ones !! Am all in a fluster too about them. They're too gorgeous- you have to!

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    3. I know but £650??!!!!!!

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  5. I love the SW boots, have them in grey and would like another pair in black. The Mulberry Bayswater is a great bag, and I think you will find them at a tad less than £900, compared to many other big brands it could have been a lot worse.
    Tx

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    1. You're so right, it absolutely is. But I could swear it definitely did go up in price to almost £1200 as I looked. It was almost £800 at Bicester!! They had a huge rethink of their pricing structure last year and I think this may have been one of their main points of conjecture! It's a gorgeous classic classic bag - I should probably just try & buy a vintage one! Would much rather buy a Chloe or an Anya these days though. Or a newer brand like Wang or Dreyfuss (that's me trying to convince myself I'm young and trendy in my old age....FOOL!!)

      Oh and the grey SW boots are to die for. I prefer the grey and the berry and the loden to the black as if you wear opaques you can't actually see the top of the boots!!

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    2. You're absolutely right, its tricky with black over knees and black leggings and opaques. But the black SW ones are lustworthy all the same. They do look great with black 40 deniers btw. I agree about investing in bags from Chloe and Jerome Dreyfuss etc. I am after a grey Chloe Drew myself. Shame Mulberry have inflated the prices, but the good old Bayswater is still a coveted piece. Cant send you a link just now, but the Bays in oak with gold hardware is £895 at Mulberrys own website.
      Tx

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  6. I feel your pain. I bought a flat black suede OTN pair from Duo (who are no more) a couple of years back and they were perfect but In some sort of guilty moment I sent them back as I thought I wouldn't get much wear out of them. Regrets! I have a Mulberry Bayswater that I bought from a friend second hand as she no longer wanted it. I agree Mulberry prices are way too high. I always buy mine in the sale.

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    1. Noooo - well you're in good company! Yes, definitely worth buying them in the sale x

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  7. Yes, why have Mulbery inflated their prices so much ?, get the SW boots, I would !

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    1. I think they got very carried away with their popularity... or maybe because they thought they wanted to make the brand more exclusive? (which has ironically meant a drop in their profits...) Perhaps they were worried it would go the same way as Burberry? Who have made a massive turn around anyway. Maybe Mulberry can do the same. Such a shame as it was such an iconic British Brand (and maybe to some people it still is?) Have to say I do still use my Mulberry bags and love them - I just prefer their older styles!

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  8. You've need to get this out of your system and just buy them. Imagine £s per wear already had you got them last year. I fear they would look like fisherman waders on me though so I'll stand back and watch from the sideline!

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    1. I KNOWWWWWWWWW! (not the bit about you in waders by the way!)

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  9. ........have you seen that in their new AW range H&M have brought out a fine knit cotton-mix jumper in a sneakily similar design to your JCrew sweatshirt (which I have oft admired) - at £15 it's got to be worth a punt! Love those ASOS boots, BTW.....

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    1. I know. I want to throw up a tiny bit. Wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't a BLATANT copy. Yes, they all *copy* the designer brands (not that JCrew is designer to be fair!) but they usually at least change the words or the animal (or the colour for god's sake!)

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    2. I tried it on today and it is scratchy on the skin (I think it is because it has a tiny amount of alpaca in it). Otherwise it looks identical!

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    3. ......well I suppose the horses are in a slightly different position...... *clutches at straws*.....

      I always wear jumpers layered over l.s. tees or shirts anyway, so am hoping scratchiness not an issue. Just got to wait about a month now for the parcel to arrive....(sort it out, H&M! Seriously!)

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    4. oh no actually their delivery has got a load load better! Usually less than a week now x

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  10. OMG missy, just get the damn boots, you have lusted after them for MORE than long enough to justify the purchase!!

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  11. I remember that pier d terre shop in south molton street i bought loads from there my god some of those shose would be perfect for this autum/winter. I cant do onk boots at 5 ft 3 its a bit much

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    1. It was fabulous wasn't it? Such a great brand and so so much better than Dune. Eejits

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  12. I'm with the buy it brigade for the SW boots! They'll look striking on you and you'll wear them so well plus you know they'll make a wide range of other outfits really special as sometimes one expensive, beautifully crafted item does. So life's short and if they're going to make you feel fab, why not ! I love your blog and have to take a breath reading it sometimes, all those dinner parties and 3 children, so a treat for yourself sounds absolutely reasonable! xx

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    1. oh gosh you talk sense....! (looking forward to a well earned break next week for sure!!) Thank you xxxxx

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  13. Take it from me the SW are SO worth the money x

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  14. SO SO SO much gorgeousness!!! xxx

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  15. BUY THE SW BOOTS! The others don't come close. You will only buy the one pair so make it the best ones you can.
    x

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