You know I said there was ONE thing I couldn't master?

Well, it turns out that was an ambitious statement. 

Yes, apparently there is more than one thing I can't conquer in the wardrobe stakes - the next one being - the pleather trouser. 

They don't work.  I have not had one person say to me - ooh I have an amazing pair.  Nope, they either split (lots of them split, don't take it personally, it's the fabric... that's what I've been telling myself after my recent wardrobe malfunction anyway), they fall down, they're too hot, they're too clingy, they're criminally uncomfortable - you name it, no-one has anything positive to say about them.

I'll be honest, I haven't tried every single pair I've ever come across - I still would say the Vera Moda and Esprit ones "might" be worth a look.  But really, are they doing to be that different?  Will these companies have discovered some miracle fabric that does what no other pleather can do?  For only around the £50 I'm going with no. 

It's not just pleather in the trouser department that is a big fat fail.  One of my closest friends bought a rather gorgeous drop flared hem dress from Zara recently.  Thankfully the first outing was at a dinner party with good friends as on sitting down, the dress split down the back from the neck to the waist.  This fabric is just not meant to be used in close fitting garments that need to stretch. 

I GIVE UP.  

I do still have a shiny trouser hole in my wardrobe though.  And so yesterday when I was out and about, I remembered from a google search for coated trousers for the lankier lass, I'd seen some at New Look.

I haven't been into New Look for ages but there were actually some pretty decent things in there.  With a spare 10 mins ish and seeing as I was trying on the trousers anyway, I thought it would be a good idea to drag a huge haul of stuff into the changing room to try on. 

Starting with the coated trousers.  Are these going to last forever?  I'd go with probably not, but seeing as they're bound to last longer than two wears, I think we may be onto something.  And the best thing, is that they do them in different lengths.  Be warned.  The sizing looks very off.  The size 10 I'm trying on, honestly looked like a pair of kids' jeans, but they do stretch.  I've also got the shorter leg length on (apologies, I didn't look to see if it was 28 or 30 but they're short on me). 

These are VERY skinny.  Well they're super skinny.  So more like a legging, could easily be worn as a legging but definitely jeans with the pockets.  To me, pockets make all the difference.  No pockets = no showing of arse please.  Pockets = arse on show acceptable. (these are my woeful rules and no-one else's by the way - they need not be heeded by others!) 

Black Super Skinny Jeans £22.99 

Gotta love the classy socks and sneakers on show.  So sorry.



Then it was onto coats.  Now I don't need a navy coat - I have a pretty good one from Zara last year that was a ridiculously cheap £29.99 (I've had a cunning plan to change the buttons....) but this one I personally prefer.  It's not fur but it's a brushed fabric which is the perfect cross between smart and casual.  AND it's currently on offer!

Navy Single Button Boyfriend was £49.99 now £37.00  This is a 12 - I assumed that they'd be cut on the skimpy side.  NOPE!  Wear your normal size peeps.


Stone Brushed Texture Formal Coat £33.50 was £44.99  Looks fab here....


And not so fab.





Much more success with a yellow jumper.  Fabric feels great - this is me in a size 14, I love the oversized sleeves.  I may be onto something here...... 

Yellow Honeycomb Knit Crew Knit £19.99  A gazillion colours online apart from yellow.







Grey Leather Look Panel sleeve exposed Zip cardigan £29.99 I'm trying this in the Large - this actually doesn't come up this big - gotta love the sizing consistency.  However apart from that - All Saints, eat your heart out for less than £30.






Je Suis un Beauty Queen Sweatshirt £17.99 ADORE this - total bargain, if only I needed a grey sweat which I don't, this is a size 12.  It's absolutely enormous.





Grey Nothing To Wear t-shirt £7.99  Again, me in a 12, a much more consistent sizing - I wouldn't want this any smaller.





Now onto the scarf thingies.  
Brown Faux Fur Collar £9.99  This looks like rancid fox in this pic but honestly it's pretty darn fabulous.  I think this transforms an old coat into something completely up to date and is ideal if you don't want to do the whole full on fur hoolie.






And it was all going so well with the trying on, until this happened.  Ok so I did think it was a snood before I realised it wouldn't go over my head and so is therefore a headband (I actually have one of these somewhere - Ivana Trump eat your heart out)





Grey Faux Fur Oversized Scarf £12.99  Couldn't find this in store but I LOVE it.




Some fantastic party shoes - these are a revelation.  They can look silver or gold depending on what light you stand in.  Rather like those lipsticks you used to get from the market when you were a kid - awww what was the brand........?  The ones that looked green but then came out pink.  OOH Constance Carroll! 

Gold Glitter Metal Point Court Shoes £19.99 (I swear to god if you told me these were Jimmy Choo, I wouldn't argue with you)








I've been asked numerous times if there are any flat evening shoes that I'd recommend and hey presto, as if by magic.

Gold Lurex Pointed Pumps £12.99


Wide Fit Multicoloured Glitter Pumps £12.99 (they also have these in a neutral goldy colour, a red and a black) 








Grey Premium Leather Pointed Toe Ankle Boots £64.99  These look so so much better in the flesh than in the pics.






I did also find online a number of things I thought, oooh, that I hadn't seen instore.  

Starting with sweatshirts.  Honestly, the quality of these is as good as any others out there, I'll be totally frank with you but for a 10th of the price.  I love this one - all rather tongue in cheek obviously.

Cream Nothing To Wear long sleeved sweater £14.99




I actually gasped when I saw this one (I'm not getting out much at the moment).  This is literally identical to the navy Sandro one I ummed and ahhed over last year (and didn't buy, may I reassure you)  Except that it's grey and it doesn't cost £160. Identical. (if navy is identical to grey that is)

Misumi Dark Grey Snakeskin Jacquard Sweatshirt £19.99
Grey Buckle Side High Boots £29.99  And these remind me more than just a little of my Acne Cypress boots.  Not they're not leather but they are only £30!


And if you need a little Valentino in your life but can't justify the cost of a pair of Rockstuds, fear not, New Look to the rescue. 

Black Studded T-Bar Ankle Strap Pointed Pumps £19.99



So, there is one store where I shall be paying more of a visit.  In fact, I was looking at some of their longline basics online, anyone got any experience of them?  I need definitely to do a basics thread shortly - the time of layering is upon us. 

Outfit for today.  Am in DESPERATE need of my hair being done.  GAH!