Slight change of plan.

So.  I'm on the mend, which is excellent.  What is not so excellent is that I have a daughter who now has what I had.  Hence I was not at the lovely Mint Velvet Press Day, neither was I having lunch with The Husband, nor was I swanning around JCrew, wafting my credit card in the pretence that I may sell a kidney and buy something. 

I had, however, hoovered the hall, the kitchen, loaded the dishwasher, cleaned the kitchen and drunk way too much coffee.  Oh and neglected to call school to tell them that RR1 wasn't in as she was still asleep in bed and I had forgotten to let them know. Cue text message (how modern) asking if there was a reason she wasn't there.  That Mummy of the Year award clearly doesn't have my name on it this time round. 

So as I couldn't get to JCrew (even though I've heard a rumour that they won't let you take photos in store as they want to "control image".  Be eejits is more like it.   Photos or no photos, as all their images are online - yeah geniuses - I can copy their "image" to my hearts content) I thought the next best thing would be to hunt down my JCrew look online. 

With my party hat firmly on (and not even necessarily party - let's just say glam night out - hell any night out will do), as much as a dress is lovely to wear, we all know that I am totally addicted to trousers.  And as a dressier alternative to my beloved skinnies or my newly branched out into straight legs rolled up, what better option that a 7/8ths length cigarette pant. 

From whence the inspiration came.  Of course, I wouldn't plan on sticking with this purely for nighttime - since when have I not been obsessed with buying outfits that can fit more than one purpose.  Ideally I would also be looking to wear these during the day. 

Collection Cafe Capri in Tie Silk £198 Clearly these can no more be put in the washing machine as I would be likely to regularly take them to the dry cleaners. 

Collection Cafe Capri in Tattersall £288 (yes that's right)  in navy and orange.  I love them but I'm afraid on no analysis do I love them nearly £300 worth! 






And the rest from JCrew are all as insanely priced as that.  Especially insane when you think for monetary purposes, they've just exchanged a dollar for a pound.  It must get to a point where it's actually worth flying to the US, buying your clothes (plus chucking in your Uggs and Sam Edelmans, Tory Burch and DVF as well - not forgetting J Brand - if it fits you, grrrr) having a fab weekend and flying home.  Now why didn't I think of that earlier......

In the meantime however as I mull over my cunning plan in more detail, what do we have on offer here with a more palatable price tag?

Well I would stick my neck out and say that a pretty good contender to the UK JCrew throne would have to be Boden.  Apart from the fact that it's infinitely cheaper. 

And certainly, I reckon I prefer a lot of their Bistro Crop trousers anyway (hmm not that you're meant to draw a comparison at all- oh no.  Despite one being cafe and one being called bistro......) 

Until midnight tonight Thursday there is 22% off.  Tomorrow it goes down to 15% 

Wow Bistro Crop (there use of wow there not mine for the record)  £69.42



Absolutely LOVE the Spot Jacquard in black and gold for also £69.42


The black polka dot is now an absolutely bargain at £29.91.  I love the idea of these with a black or cream blouse (yes, blouse) and a pair of cobalt blue pointy kitten heels or stilettos. 


Full on Christmas in the red  £69.42 As you can see they also look fab with ballet pumps.



There are similar shapes on the market which would work just as well - a peg leg is a great slight variation.

Paisie Peg Leg Trousers in navy and black £62 (machine washable) 



Back to the classic cigarette shape in a fabulous price.  Not sure I really love it with this top at all - I'd probably team this with navy to pick up the background of the trousers or with cream.   Great things about these as because they are less high maintenance and you can fling them in the machine and so are much easier to wear on a daily basis.  These would be ideal for channelling your inner Jenna and wear with shirt and sweatshirt.  Fab with a pair of sneakers (check me out) or keeping it a little more upmarket with a pair of loafers or ballet flats (embrace the pop sock.  I know it's a dirty word but it beats having chicken plucked looking blue ankles) 

Warehouse Baroque Trousers Dark Red £32 (on price match) 




Jaeger Animal Jacquard Print in navy - £165  Absolutely love these.  So luxurious. 


Another luxury pair from Reiss - so stunning.  Would also be ideal to take you into the Spring/Summer.  Worth paying that little bit extra for. 

Paris Textured Bronze Animal Print Trousers from Reiss £125



NW3 by Hobbs Geo Jacquard trousers in french navy reduced to £77  A more classic pair with just a hint of texture. 


If purple is your thing then these from Kaliko would be super flattering with a flat front, side fastening. 

Kaliko Jacquard Slim leg trousers in purple for £68 on price match 



These Jaeger Spotty Slim leg ones are now reduced to £60 and they go in the machine! YAY.  Again, with a white shirt and black sweatshirt (oh hello Hush Liquorice one - I must put my order in tomorrow....), black stiletto court shoes, these would be perfect for Christmas day, fancy lunch - am totally and utterly in love.  I reckon these look just as expensive as any from JCrew.  Pah. 



If you'd rather a plain navy and would prefer to let your top, shoes or jewellery do the talking then these from Jaeger are an absolute must. 

Jaeger London 7/8ths slim trouser now £75  And again, they go in the machine.  Who knew?


On a role with the Jaeger sale offerings.  These are just beyond fabulous and not a dry cleaning symbol in sight. (can you tell I'm rather giddy at this discovery.  As bonkers as it sounds I'd really rather pay over the odds for trousers that I can wash as I'll get so so much more wear out of them)

Boutique By Jaeger Leopard Print Trousers £49



Moving onto festive reds, this dark red from Oasis are perfect (oh hello machine wash again) and would look fab with winter whites.  I also love red with camel - looks fab paired with camel and black.

Oasis Leila Jacquard Trousers Burgundy on price match for £28


If you did want to try them out for the Christmas season then these would be the perfect option from F&F at Tesco.  A beautiful cranberry shade of red. 

F&F Signature 7/8th Slim Leg Trousers - £20 



And so there we have a pretty good selection to get your teeth into.  To complete my alternative party outfit, also need to look at tops.  Whilst for the day I am really getting my head around a shirt (still to purchase) and sweatshirt (tick) or jumper (compiling shopping list as we speak), definitely a blouse (boak I know it's a bad word but there we are - it's what they're called and there are some fabbo ones out there) and some killer heels. 

As much as I love my ankle boots I don't think they work at all with these sorts of trousers so we can absolutely justify new shoes.   The blogs are on their way. 

So finishing with my outfit from today.  This isn't exactly what I had planned to wear for my day of escape to London town but hey ho.  A trip to Lidl was possibly the most exciting thing I got round to doing today (which is one of the reasons it has taken me so long to complete this blog - £5 gluhwein.  We have a new Lidl that has opened in town and so I'm undertaking a Public Service Broadcast project and am testing products.  Clearly it's taken me at least three glasses to ascertain my thoughts on the gluhwein.  Conclusion is - better than most as much less sweet.  You're welcome.  I take requests) 





White longsleeved tee - H&M
Navy Horsing Around sweatshirt - JCRew
Distressed biker jeans - By Malene Birger
Grey military coatigan - 3.1 Phillip Lim
Gunmetal Virgins - Ash
Grey Charelle bag - Whistles
Leather cuff - Hultquist
Grey, navy and white leopard print scarf -  Mint Velvet

So how is everyone else's Christmas Party Outfit shopping going?  Have you decided whether you're going to stick to a dress or branch out in dressy trousers?  I fear I may need more parties to go to with all of the outfits I am selecting.  Oops.