Another High Street Surprise

So rolling back to last week when I went shopping and for lunch with the bestie who had firstly introduced me to the wonders of Clarks and next took me into a new shop she had discovered on a chance trip in with her husband and was convinced I'd like it. 

And she was right.  Not somewhere I'd honestly ever thought of going but well, how wrong was I? 

I'd be very interested to find out if  I've just been missing a trick and everyone else has known about it for ages?

Today I'm talking about Tommy Hilfiger.  I will totally admit I had misconceptions about the brand but my friend was absolutely right - it's definitely definitely worth a look.  For a start, it's much more reasonable than I thought it was.  Misconception one was that it was really expensive.  Ok so yes, it's at the more exclusive end of the High Street but with that comes the advantage of not running into people in the same things, plus quality fabrics that feel - well... quality.

Misconception two was that it was all a bit sporty.  Dare I say (and sound like a moron...) "down with the kids"?  Wrong again.  Very very wrong. (shows just how long it is since I had a look) 

Lots and lots that caught my eye, super helpful staff and a number of items that may well work on my wish list of things that I have building.  

Speaking of wish lists, I'm still staying with the less is more theory.  I've got the dungarees - they're my "fashion statement" this season.... The full on 70s look I don't think is going to pan out for me.  I think I'm going to go down the "give it a nod" route by adding bits and bobs that give a boho edge without doing full on Charlie's Angels. 

Maybe I'm thinking more French 70s.... Charlotte Rampling en Paris in the 70s (no I know she's not French but she was married to Jean Michel Jarre who, when I was younger was the epitome of all things cool on my French Exchange, so by virtue of marriage, she summed up francophile chic)..... that'll do.  

What that does mean is that I'm on the hunt for classics that will fit right into that mould.

And who would have thought Tommy Hilfiger would have some great options. 

I love being able to find hidden gems on the High Street.  As random as it sounds, I think the High Street is getting smaller.  Well, it's certainly more accessible with all the wares being available at the click of a button.  So being able to find a shop that is just that little bit different from other offerings is refreshing.  Don't get me wrong, they're not reinventing the wheel in any way but it's great to have another alternative to go to that offer a slight twist to what everyone else is doing.

Right, so one thing on my list is a black jumper (I'm not going to say I've given up on an off white jumper but....).  This has been on my list for a while now - an alternative to a blouse for the evening/smart day out.  Or one that you can just throw on to wear for any occasion.  I love black.  I adore black.  And all my black things I own, I have worn loads and keep for years.  

Now this is more than I did want to spend but.... I have looked and looked and not found anything that's quite right.  This will be perfect (in my head...) with my leather skirt - both midi and mini, ditto my pleather peg leg trousers for those casual nights out.  And I have struggled so much with tops to go with these that if it means I suddenly have a collection of outfits that I didn't have previously, then I think it's worth it.  Plus it will be just as great with boyfriend jeans and cargos for casual days. 

Rabi Sweater £135  In the black and grey.  Lovely detailing at the back. 

They only had it in grey instore and I sized down one smaller than I think it's meant to be as I didn't want it oversized.  So that it will also fit under a blazer without any excess fabric.  So this is the Small but was plenty big.  One thing I did find is that most sizes are very roomy so you can size down (what's not to love about that?!) 




Also - thinking about my love of navy.  This reminded me of a Sandro one I tried on last year and never bought and have kicked myself about ever since. 

Uzanta Sweater £115 - I would say it's more of a sweatshirt than a sweater to us Brits.








Blouse wise - I am definitely loving the silky versions for under my beloved dungarees (wish list tastic), as well as being perfect over all those skinny jeans we have.  They are also ideal to tuck into high waisted flared jeans with a little fitted blazer over the top.  But for me - they need to have long arms and hello US brand - here we have long arms.  Now, these I did size up in.  So these are all a US 8 - a UK 12, whereas all the jumpers are in a Small as I think they come up really big.

Sod's law they don't have this in the cream online but they do instore.  Yet they have the navy online and not instore.  

Pamela Blouse £85







Another one that I loved and thought would be fab on so many levels was this striped one (adore the idea of layering this under jumpers as well) 

Anie Striped Blouse £85







Also love this, but again, didn't have this instore.  These are silk so are more expensive but I remember paying £69.99 for my black pussy bow silk blouse from Zara 6 years ago.  Which back then, from Zara, was positively super expensive.  But it has paid for itself over and over - quality and a classic design does last. 

Casandra Silk Blouse £165  Love the idea of this casual with jeans but also think it would look ace with wide leg cream trousers and sky scraper heels for Summer chic.



This - under the black or ecru dungarees.... black military little jacket or tuxedo blazer with black stilettos or heeled sandals.  In.  Love.  

Gracia Silk Blouse £155








Now I did see this in the shop but didn't pick it up.  Didn't know it could look like this - love this whole outfit.... 

Gael Blouse £140



On the sweater front, I didn't see this instore (they do only have a really small selection and according to the very helpful Sales Assistant - although he couldn't tell me where their gorgeous rug was from...- each store has a different sort of stock.  Online has the full selection) but it looks as if it could be the answer to my off white jumper woes?  Although obviously a white version of the black one I've ordered above would be perfect.  I would buy it in ever colour actually.

Raeni Fine Wool Sweater £85 in snow white  I'd bunch the bottom bit under I think (lots of other colours of this online as well as striped versions)  I like the wider neckline.



Still obviously on the dress hunt and I love this (I love the name more.....!).  Adore it with these boots but with tan heels or flat sandals, it would be just as great.  Alternatively snakeskin accessories would get my vote. 

Hetty Dress £150




Extra detailing at the back 




Ok so how amazing would this look with my Reiss cobalt and black shoes?  Perfect for the Spring (Summer, what Summer??) and just as easy to wear in the A/W as well. 

Nelly Colourblock Dress £135 (goes in the machine too.)  Alas, it doesn't seem to have pockets though....can't have everything I suppose.



Snow white and blue if perhaps the black is too dark for you in the Summer. 

Nala Colourblock Dress £135










However if I were to say what I loved best (apart from the jumper and the blouse) it would definitely be the shoes.  These are amazing and a much better price than I had thought they would be. 

Jenna Sandal £130




But even lovelier in the tan. These epitomise the "nod to the 70s" that I was waffling on about earlier.  For me, this are both boho and minimalism wrapped up in a big bow.





Could you justify both?  The perfect minimalist flat glad. 

Jada Sandal in Cognac Brown £115




And in black 



So.... is it what you thought?  Do you have a Tommy local to you and have you ever been in?  I definitely think for certain things, it's worth a look just so you don't turn up to that party in the same dress as everyone else.  And I love the slight twist on the same sort of sandals that are everywhere else on the High Street.  Plus I am hoping I've cracked my jumper dilemma..... will report back once it's arrived. 

Finishing with a photo of me doing my best impression of Dougal from The Magic Roundabout.  A pretty grim photo just to prove how not good my hair is.  Couldn't go back today as there was no football club so had all three children (and the thought of taking them with me gave me palpitations, so I'm going first thing Friday morning when Daddy Day Care is off work)  

Don't say I never give you a laugh.