It's the first discount of the season...

.. oh hello River Island.  25% off thanks to Grazia.  First of the season.  Code is GRAZIAJAN16 till next Monday 25th.

Now I'm not going to lie.  River Island isn't particularly aimed at "our" age group.  As was evident when I took my best friend in the other month (who is not your typical River Island shopper by any stretch of the imagination.. ) and who was visibly shaken at the experience (wuss).  If you had to divide the stock into the "disgraceful" and "graceful" camps, you'd come away with very little that fitted into your Classic Capsule Wardrobe.  There is a lot that is made for a much much younger age group (ie about age 14).

But that's not to say that there aren't lots of hidden gems.  This is perfect hunting ground for those extra items that bring your classic look kicking and screaming into S/S16.  The odd piece that you're not going to wear forever but oh my lord, it can make such a great difference to an outfit and your daily look with not a massive investment. 

The perfect injection of something exciting, just when you're at that point of being so sick of your A/W wardrobe.

And when there's 25% off, now's the time to stick your toe into the new season water. 

I came up trumps at the weekend with my sale bargains but I then may have got carried away and had a quick nosey through New In (it was that or empty the dishwasher and procrastination is my middle name).

Starting with a coat.  I have lots of Winter coats and cardigans but come the Spring, I'm often slightly at a loss at what to wear.  I love the look of a trench but I always find them just that little bit too stiff and cumbersome to be comfortable.  This one could be the answer.  Or it is it just that I am transfixed by the shoes. 

At the same time, with a black and white breton, black wide leg pleather culottes or cropped trews, sneakers.. this would be amazing.  It's also the perfect coat for midi skirts and dresses which is always a tricky one to master.

All prices are pre the 25% discount.  As my maths isn't great.

Beige draped trench coat £80




Or in the blue/grey £80



However a perfect all occasion coat (or is it a cardigan..) could be this one. 

Beige jersey belted trench coat £65  This is so unusual.  I'm praying it's a lovely knitted Eileen Fisher style jersey as, if it is, this could be the bargain of the season.  I'm banking on this looking a LOT more expensive than it is.  (I wouldn't be teaming it with these shoes on a daily basis.  Just in case anyone was wondering).




So I can't not mention the shoes.  Top of the list of great things RIver Island do is shoes.  In fact, I have a pair of white slides that have done me two Summers now.   Which I remember, I bought with the 25% off Grazia offer (the one they do after Easter).  Leather and about £20.  Total bargain that I haven't needed to replace for two years.  So there is, in fact, longevity in their products as well - as the high street goes, the quality really isn't that bad.  Think Topshop as opposed to Primark.

I did have the beige suede ones above on the blog the other day but now with 25% off, it would be rude not to include them again.  Ignoring the fact they have skyscrapers for heels.

Beige Suede tie-up shoes £65 Yes they're taxi shoes.




But fear not, there are some great flats as well.  I spied an article earlier that said yellow was the colour of the season (that's clearly this week.  It was pink last week and no doubt it will be something else next week.  Which is handy for all, if pink and yellow aren't your thang).

These would be great though with navy, grey or black.  And a great price if you either want to edge yourself gently into the world of sneakers or fancy an extra treat boost to your Spring wardrobe.  We shall apparently be shedding out boots by the weekend and basking in temperatures of 12+ degrees.  Scorchio.  Ish.

Yellow Suede Lace Up trainers £28  Now they say yellow - I would say it's more of an ochre (check me out with my fancy terms...) 



I am definitely embracing the flats again this season and these are amazing.  Would make the world of difference to a plain outfit - for work or for play. 

Brown Leopard Print Leather Ponyskin Shoes £55



Knitwear now and a couple of great casual options.   Great for adding interest to your basic wardrobe of neutrals. 

Pink fluffy wool-blend jumper £38  Love the pockets



And in the green  This is the same colour as the M&S one I got last season and I absolutely love it with black coated skinnies.  Also works really well with grey or khaki.  Much more versatile than you'd think.






Moving onto tops now.  Well, I've mentioned my love of a slogan top but longsleeved ones are thin on the ground.  This one is definitely worth a look.  For a great price with the 25% off.  Black coated skinnies, black blazer, sneakers.  Perfect day to night outfit done.  And if you managed to pick up the New Look coated skinnies, a bargain outfit at that.  Or, I'd actually wear it as part of a trouser suit.. with sneakers for that different edge.

Black armour print longline top £26



Navy mon cheri fitted tee £18.  This is more Whistles than River Island, no?



And finishing with where I've had my most recent success - trousers.  

Starting with a sneak preview of something is almost top of my gracefully disgraceful wish list.  These are not going to everyone's cup of tea.  But I am in awe of them.  I wasn't sure of them last season, I'm not going to lie.  Suddenly though, they seem perfect.  I love the minimalism of them, in fact there's loads I love about them and have tons of ideas about how I'll be wearing them.  I have a whole blog up my sleeve on them with idea.  Do you love or hate?  

Black Contrast side panel wide leg trousers £40



So yes, I've waxed lyrical about how great they are but there IS a lot of chaff amongst the wheat.  My advice would be to order online (I always order next day delivery which is free over £100 I think - hence the random pleather culottes which I ordered to take me over the threshold and they were the only thing I kept apart from one pair of £12 jeans) and return in store.  The store can be quite intimidating - certainly not the easiest to navigate... in my experience anyway (and my friend now makes a not flattering comment if I deign to even mention River Island in her presence...).  

What makes your River Island wish list or is one of those stores that you think we should leave our daughters to shop at?  I'm going in for an order (as I already have the plethora of jeans I ordered the other day to take back and, in for a penny, in for a pound, I may as well take more back too).  Will be back with pics of what is successful and what is not. 

Finishing with my Nanook of the North look.  Gawd, it was cold today.  Super early dog walk with a friend. 


Untitled

Grey Adele Jumper - hush
Black coated jeans - New Look
Off white fleece socks - Ilse Jacobsen
Lace up wellies - Ilse Jacobsen
Parka - South at Littlewoods
Black sheepskin wrist warmers - Topshop
Black oversized scarf - Mint Velvet
Black and grey cashmere oversized beanie - Black

And later on for the rest of the day.  Had my colour done.  Greys be gone.  Having it cut next week... do I go shorter or do I go for a Keratin treatment?  Or Olaplex?  Anyone had that done?  After my colour disaster mid last year, it needs a super treatment or a chop.

Untitled


Grey Adele Jumper - hush
Black coated skinnies - New Look
Edie boots - Seven Boot Lane 
Grey poncho - Simply Be
Black and grey oversized beanie - Black
Grey cashmere wrist warmers - Black

So tomorrow I'm back with another item from the Classic Capsule Wardrobe list.  A perfect item for work but one that will easily take you out in the evening.  And I am determined to plunder the remains of the sales.  Enjoy your Tuesday night. 

Share this:

CONVERSATION

36 comentarios:

  1. Love your poncho look. I scored a fab grey knitted trench coat from the White Company oooh,at least3 years ago, it comes out every year for spring and autumn and is one of the most useful things I've bought.
    River Island - do you remember when it first started? Lots of retro American mid-west photos on the wall, posh changing rooms, and music played on a gramophone. How it's changed!
    Jo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ooh that sounds gorgeous and yes, completely ideal. Do you know what, I think I do remember RIver Island like that... it's changed a lot hasn't it. The shop can be quite scary at times - especially when there's a Rihanna collaboration on.. eek... But there do have some GREAT things to be had - if you know where to look!

      Delete
  2. Hi Kat,

    I have had Olaplex, for the last 4 sets of highlights. I think it is brilliant at ensuring further colour treatments don't cause anymore damage, and helps rebond any hair, damaged by previous mistreatment (which my hair has had to suffer a lot) I also use Olaplex 3 at home once a week as a treatment to try and make up for the constant abuse of tongs etc. I have tried the Keratin treatment too, which is also good but a bit more time consuming. There is only so many hours you can spend in a salon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is so so true.. although I do take my laptop and work now! Plus I have my colour done at home which is a far better use of my time! Thanks for that - I'll have a think xxx

      Delete
  3. Would highly recommend olaplex - worked wonders on my frizz if I even stand next to a lemonade hair - I have fine but lots of wavy coloured hair - skipping through winter sleek and shiny thanks to treatments every 8 - 10 weeks ��

    ReplyDelete
  4. River Island is a funny one....can be worth a look as you say, as you can occasionally be lucky enough to unearth a hidden gem. I'm 55 and occasionally go in with my 26 year old daughter, who is also definitely not one of their target customers (we do actually wonder just who that is!) but every so often, we both find something we like. I have to say, I'm loving some of the shoes in the pictures above....not that I could ever actually walk in any of them!
    As for hair - my daughter had the Olaplex treatment at the salon and couldn't notice any difference afterwards, so that was a thumbs down. I bought the Olaplex to use at home and have used it only a couple of times so far....can't say it has done anything but hairdresser tells me I need to keep using it weekly to see the difference....mmmm, we'll see.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, you definitely have to kiss a lot of frogs at RIver Island! That's interesting re the Olaplex..my colourist has said she's not sure how impressed I'd be.. I'm going to look at Keratin and see what they say. Thanks xxxx

      Delete
  5. Love love love wide trousers, I'm so excited to wear them when this cold snap passes.. So many new options after years of skinny..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm there with you. Full length and cropped. Have to say after a whole week in boots I might be over it already...!

      Delete
  6. Wasn't River Island Chelsea Girl in a previous existence? I remember when it started - going in there with my lovely Nan who proclaimed that 'there's no need for young girls to dress badly when you can buy such great clothes at these prices'. Does scare me a little these days, but have found a few gems online, especially the gift that is 4-way stretch denim.
    Off to google Olaplex....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Their denim is amazing. Really amazing. I shall be coming back to that shortly! Hmm was it Chelsea Girl? It may well have been...I can't even remember how old it is... I've always been on old head on young shoulders - all my friends were shopping at Tammy Girl and I thought Next was the height of sophistication! Clearly I"m making up for it now with the reverse...

      Delete
    2. Yes I believe RI was born out of Chelsea Girl.... If you google it I'm sure that's what it will tell you!

      Delete
    3. I googled it last night on Wiki, saddo that I am. Been going since about 1948 and yes, used to be Chelsea Girl and is still a privately owned business. Well, you learn something new every day!

      Delete
  7. On the rare occasion I step over RI threshold I always feel too old but did venture in last winter after you mentioned their hats, must say their accessories were much better than I had thought, so will be brave! Have your tk maxx tee shirts arrived mine have one keep two returns sizing is definately on the small side

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. God speed...!

      RIght - mine have arrived and I'm only actually keeping the v neck boxy navy one (Past present future...) In the medium. I already took the Small ones back on the day they arrived. They're totally different to the ones from previous years. I'm wondering if these are made specially for TK Maxx??....... But the navy boxy one is lovely for £15.

      Delete
    2. I always hankered after one of those Zoe bat T shirts but just got my one with the Paris one and they're both going back. I agree with you about made for TK MAX, both looked decidedly dodgy. Size, fit and colour not good even when cheap as chips

      Delete
    3. They are v different from the original ones I got three years ago. The blue one is great but the others don't work for me at all. Randomly though I ordered the long sleeved one as well on the off chance that the XS might fit (that'll be a no by the way.. spray on tee anyone?) and that's great. I'm going to check out the new stock in some boutiques I know to see if it's just the Karssen tees that have gone down in quality (or maybe it's just the fit on me? I'm not keen on the higher neckline and modal/cotton mix whereas mine are viscose) or if they are (imho very very cheekily) making things for TK Maxx.....

      Delete
  8. Don't do RI at all but I really love the knitted coaty thing & the ochre trainers. On the very rare occasion I do go to a store (looking at shoes & bags!) I feel like I have horns on my head for all the stares I get! X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I know what you mean.. .young trendies looking at you like you've got lost...!

      But honestly it's worth a look (although I do tend to do it online..!)

      Delete
    2. Online for sure! Unless I'm with my 17 year old daughter then I can pretend we are looking for her and I can sneak at look at a few bits. Their accessories and bags are always good.

      Delete
    3. Absolutely online... That's why I said it above! The shop is scary. x

      Delete
  9. I don't know but to me RI is very poor quality and tarty clothes..
    I remember about 12-10 years ago they were selling these lovely short winter flight style jackets, these were usually in cream, red or navy color for about £75.
    I bought two of them as they were very trendy at that time.
    Nowadays whenever I go in I can't find absolutely anything, all looks very cheap marketstyle to me..and it's definitely not me who perhaps got older and changed style, it's them..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh and I did go in yesterday as I have the Grazia voucher hoping to desperately like something...but nothing..

      Delete
    2. That's exactly why I recommended shopping online! Like I said above - there are some v dubious options in the shop for sure, but, like I also said, it's really really not aimed at our age (assuming you're a similar age to me?!)

      But online there really are some great options. Although I get that it's not for everyone. Best bit about that is though, is when those of us who will give it a chance, find some great bits and most people have no idea where they're from!!

      I also will say - much impressed if you haven't changed your style as you've got older. Wow - that's really unusual! Most people's style definitely change - I would say mostly for the better!!

      Delete
    3. In reply: well I am 41 but being slim i live in my skinny jeans and some good quality top- either smart with glitter for evening occasion or just basic.
      I always loved Kate Moss's style and I still dress similar to what I dressed 10-12 yrs ago.. My style hasn't changed at all I would say lol.. Though I wouldn't buy those RI cropped flight jackets I had to have a decade ago..prefer just classic khaki parka now lol..so a little change it is there...

      Delete
  10. I have been following your blog for quite some time now, and love it. I like the fact that there is a fashion market for us ladies over 40. Your style is a true inspiration for all!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so so much for your lovely comments xxxx

      Delete
  11. I agree i am 55, 10 years ago i loved shopping in RI but now i too feel to old, i sometimes go in with my daughter she is 38 just to have a look.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oh gosh, I also feel too old at the age of 42 in the shop! Definitely definitely online only xxxx (and even then, yes you have to be super discerning!!)

      Delete
  12. RI is my secret pleasure. I love it more int he summer for cheap holiday pieces.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nail. Head. xxxx (bloody giddy with my whistles take off leather culottes for a tenner. What is not to love?!!)

      Delete
    2. By the way, I am 44 and merrily go in the shop. I don't care at all! I actually find it amusing, a couple of years ago I found myself browsing the Rhianna range and had to have a word with myself.

      Delete
    3. Ha ha ha! I find it's absolutely fine to go in and find the jeans -they are the one store that always has a really good selection of size ranges in stock always but I do think it's difficult to discern what is wearable to what you may well get arrested in! The Rihanna range.. well....!

      Delete
  13. Afternoon, I go in River Island to get my jeans. Perfect fit. I also love their shoes and bags. One of the advantages of getting older ( I'm 45) is I'm getting past caring and I go in store despite the average age being about 20 and sticking out like a sore thumb . It's like I'm becoming my mum 😀 some great picks, especially like the shoes xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YOU GO!! (and yes, their jeans are amazing)

      Delete