Back to the drawing board

Is there anything more irritating than ordering something that in your head will solve all your party outfit problems (the caveat being when I say party EVER, I mean "vaguely dressy do").

I had high hopes for a skirt I'd seen in Zara.  And I (as it turns out - ambitiously) ordered a top that I saw online.  A (lovely looking online believe me..) wrap (LOOSE - it was loose online) blouse.  That wasn't cropped. 

When good outfits go bad.  Or it should be, when good outfits don't turn up in the first place.

Crossover Top £17.99  I'm wearing the Medium.  Clearly I need the Large.  The LARGE LARGE LARGE.  



Herringbone Pleated Skirt from Zara £29.99  I am wearing the Large.  The Medium wouldn't even do up.  Yes that is my stomach hanging over the top.   And it's really short on me too.  I had so wanted to love it.




Now I don't mind having to order in a Large or Extra Large.  I don't care.  But the fact that I'm a 10/12 and have to buy the largest size in the shop, surely isn't right.  What message does that send to our girls? (for the record, mine had no idea what size I was trying on - she thought it was hilarious that I'd ordered a "cropped" top.   Hilarity which quickly turned to mild panic when I threatened to keep it).  Plus with the average size in the UK still being a 16, to not cater for anyone larger than a 12 really doesn't seem right or sensible.

This is what I had hoped it was close to looking like... to be fair, I haven't ordered this one so it could be a massive pile of poo in the flesh but it can't be any worse than the one above.

Gold Lurex Pleated Julianna skirt from Dodo Bar Or £200




So the search goes on as these are the perfect dress me up, dress me down options for the festive period.  Hell for any time in fact.  With a sweatshirt and trainers for during the day.  Knitted silky polo neck or blouse for evening.  My favourite footwear will always be a pair of ankle boots in the Winter but there's no reason why any heels couldn't work just as well.  Or flats - I know that not everyone loves wearing heels and thank goodness there are so many fabulous flats for us now to choose from (in fact, a blog on this is definitely needed...).

So I've avoided the much loved yet slightly ubiquitous (covered numerous times by me anyway!) metallic or velvet pleated midi and have hunted some others out which are a bit more unusual. 

Lace pleated in metallic tones from M&S.  I know this is too short for me as i've tried it instore but i'm 5ft10 and so need much longer options than most.  And don't forget 20% off this weekend till midnight on Monday using the code WT6F36. 

Striped Pleated Skirt from M&S £69



Another lace option.
A Line Ballet Midi Skirt from M&S £39.50



A-line also at M&S.  This you could match with the lace top for a co-ordinated look.  A pink silk tee would dress it down.  Or a pink knit - style of your choice?  Obviously I'd go with black as I am colour averse, but for those of you more adventurous than me - this could be a great versatile skirt to invest in. 

Lace A Line Skirt from M&S £69



Now this one is interesting.  I will say that I know I can't do a straight long skirt.  I look like a party totem pole.  I am too tall and too oblong to pull this off.  A straight long skirt adds the illusion of height.  Of which I have ZERO need.  This one is reversible.  I'm not sure whether they mean you can turn it inside out (which in my book is what reversible means.. ) or whether it just means that the sequins themselves are reversible.  In that you brush them the other way so they reverse from black to gold... 

Reversible sequin skirt £59.99 from Mango





Staying with the bling.  I adore this one.  Dare I say it's a dull metallic - as opposed to full on glitz. 

Jacquard Tie A-Line Skirt from Marks and Spencer IT HAS POCKETS PEOPLE £59




A more subtle print but there's something about this shade that I find very festive.  However, it would also take you through into the Spring no problem.

Zebraic Skirt from & Other Stories £55



Now I'm going to step away from the wintery prints and bling and think of something that's slightly less obviously Christmas. 

This I am completely drawn to.  With an off white pussy bow blouse (I have a host of these coming up shortly) for an alternative Christmas outfit.  Add heels if you'd like (silver boots anyone?) or how about a pair of velvet trainers... 

Ombre Skirt from Mango £69.99



Another alternative is to off white on the skirt itself.  This with a black polo neck, black blouse or cream blouse.

Bonded Wrap Skirt by Autograph at M&S £59



Another cream option.

A line midi skirt from & Other Stories £65



Or my go to option of faux leather.  All the love for these although I don't think they'd be long enough on me..

Faux leather pleats skirt from & Other Stories £65



Or in the classic black.. again £65



So I am loving the skirts this season and into the New Year as well.  Has anyone else totally bought into them?  Or are you still a dress or trousers gal?



Blue, navy and white dress - Preen Line
Black and grey sock boots - Iro
Thurlaston bag in Camel - Village England 

Day off tomorrow as the 12yr old has an inset day so we're going to London on a girl's day out.  Which will involve some Christmas shopping - she's managed to persuade her brothers that all things Lush are an excellent idea so that's where we'll be heading first.  Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend.