The one we've all been waiting for.
Yes it's that time of year - only happens bi-annually - 25% off Whistles with the code WH25AW16 (thanking you kindly Grazia).
And I have had my thinking head on (makes a change) and went yesterday to have a good old try on and ordered this morning.
Although obviously, in the true spirit of trying to snag a bargain and failing massively, the trousers I really wanted are not available online. Which means a trip back to Whistles. Or maybe I could do a phone order...
But I did have a huge amount of luck with a top I wasn't sure of, tried on and LOVED. And yes, have ordered and yes, will be wearing again and again and again into the Autumn. Since I've already mentioned Christmas, the floodgates are legitimately open and yes, this is the perfect top for the party season (for those people who seem to go to parties... I will be wearing this to serve pizza for the kids, watching Strictly and remembering all the parties I used to go. Whilst swigging red wine. That's a party chez moi and yes, I shall be wearing a glittery top for that).
All prices are pre discount as maths is not my strong point.
Cold Shoulder Sparkle Knit £95
And here I am in said knit. I LOVE this. Really didn't think I would but it's fab. Will look amazing with just plain black trews, as well as with culottes, jeans and my beloved midi skirts. I am wearing a 12 here (Whistles, in my experience is not cut on the generous side. Or I may just be bigger than I think I am!).
Other knits that you could easily wear from day to night, from work to with jeans at the weekend.
Annie Sparkle Knit in khaki £65
Did try this on in the khaki and I did like but for me, I would want it to be more fitted at the bottom. This side split hem will work for some and not for others. Having said that, with the 25% off it's a super useful top. *rethinks* (again, I've got the 12 on here).
Which they also have in a navy (but didn't have in my size) again £65
The other thing I wanted to buy were trousers. I absolutely love the navy Alexa trousers that I have from M&S and have been searching for a pair that are similar in black.
Lo and behold....
Whistles Fluid Cropped Trousers £110
Yes, you've guessed it.. in the 12 (I am so clearly a 12 and not a 10. Although in some shops, a 10 - go figure).
Other trousers which are definitely an option although I fear they are definitely dry clean only and I'm an "all about the washing machine" girl are the Sadies. These are a really good price with 25% off. Obviously I'm in the 12. A 10 would not have done up round my waist At All. These are also the regular length as opposed to the long. I prefer this as I don't want them full length - I personally like the 7/8ths look. Or that may just be as I am so used to it being Gulliver.
Sadie Slim Leg Trousers £95
Going back to what we were talking about the other day - the good old mini. And this is perhaps the most wearable of them all. The A-line not too mini mini. With 25% off, you will have this for years.
Rita Leather Skirt £170
The perfect tops for those of us who may be wider around the middle are the tie side rib sweater. I saw this in there and it looked like diddly squat on the hangar but looking at these, I should definitely have tried it on. Perfect for those mini skirts I mentioned.
Tie Side Rib Sweater £120 in navy
I am going to return to the cardigan which is proving to be my bete noir of the season - this was lovely but not quite right. I'm looking for longer. Although I'm stupidly tall so on most of you, this will probably be long enough. A lovely weight and knit to it.
Boiled Wool Cardigan £130 in camel,
This is me trying it in the grey. And to be honest, I could do with a medium as this is only a small. I would like it to be a tad baggier (seeing as I've only got a tee underneath it).
And of course I couldn't not point out the longline sheepskin gilet... with 25% off?
Longline Sheepskin Gilet £695
Finishing off clotheswise with an exceptionally useful jumpsuit. I have to say, none of the dresses this season I'm particularly loving, but this is a gem. Perfect for work, I'd happily wear dressed with a biker or sneakers and hell, since I've clearly got Christmas on my mind, this could definitely be a Christmas Day contender.
Cherry Print Jumpsuit in Red £230
Moving onto shoes - or boots. Of which I need neither.
OR do I....
Ambrose Square Toe Loafer Boot £195
Alternatively there's the tan, again £195
Now a pair that I can acknowledge that I really don't need as I already have a pair of pointed ankle boots. I can though, share how completely useful they are.
Belmont Leopard Chelsea Boot £225
However, torn between cutting my feet off and pressing buy on these. Surely everyone needs a pair of metallic boots in their life. Oh my heavens, I can feel floodgates of research opening. I genuinely started this paragraph thinking - oh they'd be nice and am now frothing at the mouth with the NEED for shiny boots. Bum.
Belmont Point Chelsea Boots in pewter £185
So I've made my order (very abstemiously having just ordered the jumper although am going to definitely track down the Fluid trousers) and am hovering over the metallic boots.. though I fear the Chloe nude ones from yesterday have branded themselves, cow on a ranch style, in my mind.
And the trousers, I'm sending my best friend to pick up for me in the morning. Result.
In the meantime, here I am today, thanking the lord that my hair is being coloured tomorrow. We've reached "one shade off Russian mail order bride, complete with roots".
Breton - Joseph
Wide leg tailored jeans - Me+Em
Soft trench - Zara
Red loafers - Gucci
Half moon bag - APC
In the meantime however, I have homework to tackle. Send gin. Send a crate of gin. I may have ordered a pair of boots by the time the night is out. As after homework I have 60 mins of football to watch. On the upside, it's indoors and I get to take my laptop and the boys are exhausted when they get home. Where I have gin waiting.... And I may also do some more loitering on the Whistles website *just in case*. Do tell me if there's anything I've missed - my bank manager will LOVE you for it.
I have only one question - can a girl have too many navy sweaters? I'm writing this having just received the Boden merino sweater with cream stripes at cuff and hem, that I'm really pleased with, not to mention the cream and navy Breton I have on at the moment, and several others lurking in my wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a sparkly one though (unless I count a navy cardigan with zigzag metallic navy stripes!).
I am tempted big time, must consider carefully! How long is that discount code valid? The trouble is I'm stalking a cashmere sweater on mango, not navy - would love a discount code for that one!!
Danish Pastry
The code is usually valid for a week, but I will check. Mango did loads of great discount codes a couple of years back but alas have stopped now. I don't know about in Denmark, but they've shut loads of stores here too which is really sad. My nearest one now is miles away. Although of course could always order online... Have to say, haven't seen much I love from there this year though. SHOCK!
DeleteIf you should find yourself needing another pair of leopard ankle boots I would recommend Ivylee copenhagen Stella boots. Seen a metallic version of this gorgeous boot too on instagram and am currently frantically searching for UK sellers:)
ReplyDeleteAHA now I do know a stockist- the lovely Quattro Rish in Reigate http://www.quattrorish.com/ It's definitely worth giving Ivy the owner a ring to see if she's getting these in. I got my tan studded pair from there which I LOVE.
DeleteOooh thanks Kat. I fear they are previous season though but worth a try :)
DeleteThat leather skirt! Thanks for the tip off x
ReplyDeleteHope it's not sold out!
DeleteOh, the cold shoulder and tie front sweaters have my name all over them, although I've gone a bit 'sweater-happy' lately (I think I've bought four in the past week -oops). Love your description of 'Russian mail-order bride'! My husband has a similar one of 'Lithuanian taxi-driver' for when he's wearing his more casual attire. I wish I was Russian mail order, my hair is more 'ginger/grey fleece' at the moment as I have deferred hair colouring until next week due to going to France for a wedding the following day and not wanting to give the hair a chance to do its usual rebellion beforehand.
ReplyDeleteYou see I've decided that I prefer a sweater to a shirt or blouse. The latter two I don't wear nearly as much as I do a good old knit. I wear them in the day, evening and at the weekend. They are just so so so easy. And I find look *neater* to wear. So I say GO FOR IT. You can never have too many....
DeleteI am crying laughing at the thought of Lithuanian taxi driver and alas, know exactly what you mean!
That leather skirt is in the Next Sale. I just got it for £85...
ReplyDeleteOh now that's genius!
DeleteBut I agree on sizes.... not good for the ego, but leather stretches right ?!
DeleteYES leather does stretch. don't do what I did and buy it a size up as it will be too big. Oh yes, like my Whistles midi.... *weeps*
DeleteI tried some of those trousers on recently too.....normally a 10, they we're too small, so I'm going with their sizes being small rather than us being big!!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't spotted that cold shoulder top though .....gorgeous, must have immediately! (Although like Michelle ^^^ I've also gone jumper mad....but no fine knits, sparkles or cold shoulder - I'm in!! 😂
Oh thank goodness!! I'm loving that it's not just me who's not grown!
DeleteAnd yes, that jumper - I tried it on on a whim as I do think they've always had a whiff of Corrie barmaid to me but this one I think really does work. Try and see!
Whistles Rita leather skirt sold out in my (and most) sizes...but I managed to get the same one without the pocket details. Love your longline cardie in grey but they don't have that color online. So was very abstemious too and only ordered the one thing. 😇 Thanks so so much for the code! 😘
ReplyDeleteBut will you go back before the week is up.... (I fear I may!)
DeleteSparkle knit tops online, 'me before you' on the telly and no alarm clock tomorrow because I'm on hols. Bliss
ReplyDeleteThat's called winning at Wednesday.
DeleteYou write about slogan jumpers....winning at Wednesday.......I'd buy it printed on to something
DeleteBut would you only be able to wear it on a Wednesday...?
DeleteI'm a 32F/G and I don't like polo necks or turtle necks on me, makes me feel like my boobs start just under my chin! Even some high crew necks are too high!
ReplyDeleteI'm not very tall, and I think a bit of height does make them easier to wear. I've lost a bit of weight recently and that helps too.
In my opinion, it depends on your proportions, as not all boobs are equal ��. The taller you are (and to a point) thinner you are, the more you can get away with!
Danish Pastry
No, no, no you definitely cannot have too many navy jumpers (or grey for that matter). That is an actual fact... I do have a sparkly m&s navy jumper that is remarkably versatile in a kind of dress up, dress down way.
ReplyDeleteLovely picks! I am sometimes a 10 and sometimes a 12 (and anything goes in m&s sizes...) I wish sizes were more standard.
Funny you should mention grey sweaters, they are my second addiction after navy at the moment!
DeleteA few years ago I realised exactly how much grey knitwear I actually owned, and made a decision to cut back on new additions, only to take stock a year later to find navy has taken pole position, although with a bit more variation.
Kat, a question about the size of sparkly sweater (in navy of course!), I'm usually a size 12, and wouldn't want it too tight, so judging by your experience I'm thinking of sizing up to a size 14 - what is your take?
Danish Pastry
GOD I so agree - grey grey and more grey... Right - if you're a normal size 1... hmm I would suggest yes size up as I don't have any boobs and it wasn't overly generous over the bust....!
DeleteLol at mail order bride! My hairdresser and I laugh at "blorange" the colour I don't want to go.
ReplyDeleteWell I've managed to go even blonder. Which is not what I had anticipated *weeps*
DeleteTide Side Rib Sweater in grey, gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, isn't it?!
DeleteLove the tie side sweaters...
ReplyDeleteAlso loving the mail order bride comment, I had my colour done yesterday, roots were so dark and obvious my look was almost ombré! Also had an inch and a half off, feels so much shorter, but I needed to get rid of split ends.
I'm loving the boots at Whistles, did you see the zebra ones?
I HATE Mine. *sobs*. Anyway - I saw the Zebra ones in Selfridges yesterday and they're amazing!
DeleteOh Carol, I am SO SO sorry for not getting back to you sooner, only just seen this. Ok.. so no not remotely itchy. And the higher neck... I think you have to try it and see. (sorry, that's not helpful...). Slogan wise, you could look at the Hades wool ones although I have to say they're a tad too trendy for me and I'd rather have one with Spandau or Duran on. The. Shame.
ReplyDeleteI do love the Orwell +Austin one - it's not remotely itchy, it's a merino and cashmere mix. But it does have a slightly higher neck which is perfect for me but won't work for everyone.
And culottes wise.. hmm I didn't size down but I wore my usual size as opposed to sizing up in trousers which I do these days have to do... Clearly I'm no longer a true size 10!!!! It's SO SO bloody difficult isn't it?!
Oh gutted! Next time xxxx
ReplyDelete