Highs and lows

It's been a day of two halves.   Success and big fat failure. 

So I had some meetings in London today and as I knew I was going to be there, I had ordered my M&S Alexa goodies to pick up from there (how I love click and collect) and went, yet again, on a denim hunt.

I'll start with the denim.  *insert all the swear words*.  Oh seriously HOW is it so hard to find decent jeans?

I appreciate I sound slightly like a stuck record but all I want is a pair of straight leg, loose (remember this), black cropped jeans.  With a fray edge.  

This surely shouldn't be this difficult?  Well it is when apparently straight leg jeans are all spray on skinny.  Now I'm not moronic enough to realise that I don't have particularly chunky legs but one could be forgiven for developing a serious flobbo leg complex.

I do not want to spend uber money on a pair of jeans.  I have a complete mix of costs of denim in my wardrobe and I genuinely can't say that I prefer the more expensive to the cheaper.  It's all about the fit and the colour.  Mostly the fit. 

Which I am struggling with.  To put it mildly.

Let's just go straight in and see how awful these are.  Although to be fair, I'll start with a pair that I have to say, were I not a freaking giant, these would definitely have worked.  As it is, I looked like an extra from Les Mis.  Ragged boy, fourth from the back.  Not what I had in mind.

They're basically too short for me.  Other than that, for £42, I have to say they are absolutely amazing.  Especially love the frayed detailing on the waistband.  When I say they're too short on me, the problem is that they finish on my calves when they're supposed to end on the ankles and so they are tight. 

Black Frayed Cropped Boyfriend Jeans from River Island £42 (seriously though, would you describe these as boyfriend??  I would say even on her, a vaguely loose skinny but surely boyfriend jeans are looser?).

I actually ordered mine from ASOS as they have free next day delivery.

However I refuse to be defeated and so I've ordered them in a size up in the hope that they'll hang slightly lower and I'll look less ragamuffin... (yes I am desperate...) 

Here I am.  All hum together, "do you hear the people sing?".


And then these are what I did buy.  In a panic.  Which I don't think are going to work.  The look from the 12yr old said it all when I showed her them on.  It was less ridicule and more total pity.  To be fair, the chap in Oxford Circus who was helping me was wearing them (!) and he said they did loosen up loads when wearing.  On me, again, they were not this straight.  They were skinny. 

MOTO Tassel Hem Straight from Topshop £45



They don't work quite as well on me... I tried on with two pairs of boots (which I want to wear them with) for reference.  Making them even more not great.  Maybe I should have sized up? 




And then these, which arrived the day before I went on holiday and were a total impulse purchase.  Ok that's not true, I've had my eye on them for a while but at £300+ (yup. *vomit*) they weren't an option.  But I had a £100 off a £300 spend from Matches which made them (vaguely) more palatable.

But do I love them enough?

Rachel Comey Slim Leg High Rise Jeans £325



They're good.  But are they £225 good?  With boots.  I will also be wearing them with sneakers, loafers and other heels.  However to say I couldn't be fagged to photograph all of them would be true.



I'm wondering whether these may have been better?  Which is a moot point as I've wasted my voucher which has run out anyway.  Let's all agree - no - these aren't any better... are they?

Trigger frayed mid-rise cropped jeans from Rachel Comey £336




However I also have these arriving tomorrow from Warehouse.  They look perfect.  Clearly they will look like pap on me.

Frayed Hem Jeans £49



Then I found these... now I had discounted a kick flare as I have mastered black trousers in this style (sneak preview of what's coming tomorrow) but could these work? 

Joan Mid Rise Cropped Jeans £142 from Grlfrnd





So highs are going to have to wait till tomorrow.  This has taken me way longer to write than I had hoped - darn children and stuff getting in the way.  The *stuff* being catching up on The X Factor and The Apprentice.  And drinking wine.  

In the meantime, a couple of outfits which are far more seasonal than I have been showing of late.  Have to say, am loving loving being able to wear all my Autumn gems.



Slouch turtleneck in black and white cashmere and merino - Me+Em
Black coated skinnies - New Look
Black Mario bag - Jerome Dreyfuss
Superstar sneakers - Golden Goose



Black and white striped polo neck - Second Female at Collen & Clare
Trench coat - Zara
Fluid cropped trousers - Whistles
Red loafers - Gucci
Black Half moon bag - APC

Tomorrow I will be back, hopefully early doors with my high story.  Which sounds all the wrong.  Highs, as in success stories.   Of which there are a couple.  There may been a big fat fail on the denim front but I have some absolute great finds to bring you.  In the meantime, more Apprentice (and more wine.  With Kettle Chips as the husband is out.  Tis the law, no?)