Something you don't hear me say very often.
..... I have found something for the men. It's something that I don't say very often as The Husband has very specific taste in clothes which normally don't include anything selected by me. Many years ago we came to the arrangement of me purchasing him a Christmas Jumper. (which is code for - I came to the arrangement and he just went along with it)
Fret not, they were never adorned with a comedy pic, but were carefully selected from the wonderful mecca of knitwear on Bond Street that was Pringle. (actually on reflection, one year there was a navy zip up jumper/cardigan that did have a stag thingymajig - the Pringle logo - on one arm. I promise it was ok at the time.....) This was when I had an important job that paid me lots of money. Many many many moons ago.
Fortunately, as I gave up the job and moved to the country (aka the middle class version of the country which is spitting distance from the M25 - less country more burb), The Husband fessed up that he far preferred the M&S v neck wool jumpers which were about an eight of the price of the Pringle ones. There were no tears shed by me, that's for sure.
So years on, the M&S jumper section and myself have an annual reunion as I pick up normally a grey and a navy one to replace the ones from the previous year. Occasionally I try and sneak in an off piste colour - I think there may be an oatmeal one in there. I did try a raspberry one I recall. Lead balloon.
This year however, I have discovered gold. Cheap gold. But gold nonetheless. Hello Matalan. Now I can't lie - I have to say I wasn't particularly impressed with the ladies clothing range - although admittedly I didn't look in great detail. I was, however, very taken with their homewares (more of that in a bit) and their men's 100% lambswool jumpers. Identical to the M&S ones but half the price at £16. Yup, 100% lambswool for £16.
I picked up the charcoal grey one which The Husband is over the moon with.
And am going to feign ignorance and try and sneak the raspberry one in too..... The chances of me ending up wearing it over a pair of grey joggers as hungover loungewear on a wet weekend? High.
If any male member of your family is into his lambswool v neck jumpers, then honestly I can't recommend these highly enough. And size down - an XL in M&S is an L at Matalan - what's not to love?!
Now I just quickly have to share my homeware bargain as well - a carved wooden candlestick for.... drumroll........£8. With candle costing £1.50. I got two for pride of place on the dining table sitting either side of a large Lombok glass and stone lantern. Beyond chuffed.
Finishing with what I've been wearing since Saturday. No pic from Sunday as we didn't get home till late after being out all day and the photo is literally too dark to see. Not a particularly exciting outfit anyway it has to be said.
The first outfit is definitely my new favourite outfit, closely followed by my new coatigan (and of course the Anya which is still making me smile every day)
Striped jumper - QED London
Grey military coatigan - 3.1 Phillip Lim
Blush jersey scarf - Mint Velvet
Beige Kirsten jeans - Topshop
Clay Thelmas - Ash
Black sunglasses - Dior
Stone Maxi zip satchel - Anya Hindmarch
Wine jumper - Dorothy Perkins
Wine & blush Coatigan - Clements Ribeiro
Distressed biker jeans - By Malene Birger
Blush & fuchsia Camel scarf - Virginia Johnson
Clay Thelmas - Ash
Black sunglasses - Dior
Stone maxi zip satchel - Anya Hindmarch
And today with absolutely minimal make up as I had a complete sneezing fit in John Lewis (trying new Liz Earle perfume) which resulted in my make up being smeared all over my face. Wiped clean and I look exhausted! Will try harder tomorrow.
Silk leopard print blouse - Zara
Knitted camel blazer - Whistles
Indigo straight leg jeans turned up - Earl
Black velvet slippers - Primark
Stone Maxi Zip satchel - Anya Hindmarch
Will you be buying an early Christmas present for your husband, brother, dad or son? Let me know what you think!
Can't get overly excited 'bout v neck jumpers but always good to get a bargain! V excited to hear you've sniffed the new Liz Earle perfume however! What did you think - I'm normally a Jo Malone kinda gal but love the original LE and interested to see how the new one compares.
ReplyDeleteOooh looks like matalan have upped their game, at least in men's and homewares! Still loving the new coatigan, lushious colour x
ReplyDeleteThe Husband is not a clothes man. He does an annual smash and grab styleeee shop at the John Lewis xmas sale and then accepts anything I buy for him. Although I am banned from buying more floral shirts. I love. The Husband apparently does not.
ReplyDeleteMy mum tends to buy him a couple of the M&S jumpers for xmas. I may well point her in the direction of Matalan now.
The Husband is not a clothes man. He does an annual smash and grab styleeee shop at the John Lewis xmas sale and then accepts anything I buy for him. Although I am banned from buying more floral shirts. I love. The Husband apparently does not.
ReplyDeleteMy mum tends to buy him a couple of the M&S jumpers for xmas. I may well point her in the direction of Matalan now.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteCan I ask where you bought your beautiful frames, especially the White, multi-image one?
Thanks!
I think Matalan are actually quite good on on quality - their stitching and finish is far better than Primark but their prices are just a few pounds more consequently. They do lack that little edge but every now and then they throw in a few good pieces. The menswear is really good - I buy for the Grumps sometimes and try to glaze over the fact of where his clothes came from. If he had his way, he would be in Hackett and Ted Baker (do nice jumpers too) but the prices are in another sphere consequently.
ReplyDeleteThey look to have a nice navy military styled coat in there at the moment for £40. I've included the link for the LONGER length one for you.
http://www.matalan.co.uk/fcp/product/fashion-to-buy-online/Coats-&-Jackets/Longer-Length-Military-Coat/65525&resultsPerPage=100&attrList=Dept,brand
Might do the job for a quick coat fix for this winter. I've not actually seen it I hasten to add but I might go out to see what their latest offerings are later today.
I was really impressed with their menswear too. I picked up a few things for himself and he was pleased with them. This is no mean fear as 5 years ago this man couldn't be got out of Boss or Part 2, he was such a clothes snob, but I have changed him! Lol
ReplyDeletekeep it coming. Thanks to you I got my Christmas shopping started. Yes my sister in law is getting the candlesticks from Matalan. they look great.
ReplyDelete