Two nights in = sensible head
So as much as I would love to do a blog on ludicrously expensive handbags and how we should all treat ourselves to one immediately, one day of holidays with the children (I'm not going to mention a ridiculously "exuberant" Aspie, who is as off the chart "excited" as I have ever seen him. And breathe....) a myriad of supermarket hell, followed by frantic last minute ordering of all those things I've forgotten, has for some reason led me to think about sensible things. Not to mention two nights not out partying (clearly a glass of wine and/or a small beer was consumed).
Well - I say sensible. I've brought myself back from the brink with all the sales emails that have been pinging into my account faster than my children can mainline Quality Street.
And have had a real think about what it makes sense to buy in the sales. Which means thinking about what I need for Spring... A task that is pretty impossible seeing as I change my mind more often than I change my knickers.
My one tip that I'm going to give for Sales Shopping is to think of an item that you desire (and I mean really desire - has been on your wish list) and then look for it. Being let loose on the internet with a credit card and a whole host of reductions (not to mention being surrounded by feral children, chocolate and alcohol) that seem "great", is a recipe of disaster. And it is of course, better to buy something that you actually need, want and will wear (not to mention "that fits") at full price, than an 80% off lime green jumpsuit. Because it's a) a bargain and b) from Net a Porter/Matches/Selfridges/Harvey Nichols and therefore MUST be amazing. It won't be.
So whilst thinking about what you want to be wearing in Spring may seem like a bit of a tall order (and I don't know about you, but my brain is so full to capacity I don't know whether to sob hysterically or just open another bottle of champagne), fear not, as I have a place for you to start.
One thing I can be sure of is my basic colour palette. And (everyone can yawn and shut their eyes...) it will come as no surprise to anyone that ... drum roll... black, navy, cream, khaki and... grey are going to feature heavily in the Spring.
Yes, most definitely grey. Now I always manage to fall in love with an accent colour and I have to say that grey for me is the perfect foil for all Spring/Summer brights.
You may also have noticed that since I went on holiday in the Summer without any blue denim, I have been able to wean myself off my previous addiction. I reckon I can count on one (maybe two) hand(s) the number of times I have worn any of my many pairs of blue jeans this A/W and I genuinely haven't missed them at all.
However it has made me consider how much I do love denim in other colours. And I know I've mentioned it before but grey jeans are very much under appreciated.
And under available. Or maybe not as under available as previously thought - and certainly lots more options than when I looked at this option in the Summer.
Starting with these which I have seen instore and in fact did make me think - I really need a pair of lighter grey jeans. I have some dark charcoal Baxters which are so dark they almost look like a pair of old black jeans I've washed too much. A lighter colour would be, I think, a lot more useful.
Skinny rebound jeans from FCUK £69
Let's head over to the sales as if these are a good fit, I can guarantee you will more than get your moneys worth out of them.
The Conductor Mid Rise Skinny Jeans from Current/Elliott were £250 now £150
Another great option - and personally I am the biggest fan ever of ASOS denim. Really good value and usually a great fit.
ASOS Ridley Skinny Ankle Grazer Jeans with punctured hem £28
A slightly darker charcoal with The Bodycon High Rise Skinny Jeans from M.I.H were £195 now £136
Charcoal again and a much loved by me, high waisted jean from Levis.
Levis 721 High Waisted Jeans £85
A slim fit now in again a darker grey from Lee.
Jade Slim fit jeans in grey £85
A similar version from M&S for a bargain price.
Relaxed Skinny jeans in grey £26
More ASOS gems.
ASOS Kimmi Shrunken Boyfriend jeans in Redwood grey wash £32 (If someone would like to explain redwood grey as a shade, I'm all ears...)
And the sale has begun at Boden and these are simply THE best fitting jeans ever. Who says you can't wear metallic during the day? To be honest, they won't be full on shiny - I have the waxed pair in black and it's a subtle sheen as opposed to full on slick look. I cannot tell you how comfortable these are and how many people I've recommended them to who rave about them.
High Rise Super Skinny metallic jeans was £69 now £55.20
Straight leg is the other option which I find fantastic for wearing with boxy jumpers that are slightly shorter, or fitted tees and blazers - they just make for slightly more flattering proportions in my book. Perfect for flats (or with the aforementioned sock boots..)
Mavi Olivia Straight leg jeans £60
Culotte style in the sale at Matches. Not for the faint hearted, style, colour or price wise.
Two tone denim culottes were £335 now £234
However my bargain of the day has to be these Maddox jeans from ASOS which, I'm hoping I can wear now with my not so sock sock boots and into the Spring with sneakers, I am banking on living in these like I lived in the All Saints ones and the ASOS Theas that I had last Summer. Clearly I have such high hopes for them, they're going to be pap. But right now, I am super excited.
ASOS Maddox Parallel Jeans in Charcoal with Abrasion and Chewed Hem were £38 now £11 (their description not mine. The mind boggles)
Well - I say sensible. I've brought myself back from the brink with all the sales emails that have been pinging into my account faster than my children can mainline Quality Street.
And have had a real think about what it makes sense to buy in the sales. Which means thinking about what I need for Spring... A task that is pretty impossible seeing as I change my mind more often than I change my knickers.
My one tip that I'm going to give for Sales Shopping is to think of an item that you desire (and I mean really desire - has been on your wish list) and then look for it. Being let loose on the internet with a credit card and a whole host of reductions (not to mention being surrounded by feral children, chocolate and alcohol) that seem "great", is a recipe of disaster. And it is of course, better to buy something that you actually need, want and will wear (not to mention "that fits") at full price, than an 80% off lime green jumpsuit. Because it's a) a bargain and b) from Net a Porter/Matches/Selfridges/Harvey Nichols and therefore MUST be amazing. It won't be.
So whilst thinking about what you want to be wearing in Spring may seem like a bit of a tall order (and I don't know about you, but my brain is so full to capacity I don't know whether to sob hysterically or just open another bottle of champagne), fear not, as I have a place for you to start.
One thing I can be sure of is my basic colour palette. And (everyone can yawn and shut their eyes...) it will come as no surprise to anyone that ... drum roll... black, navy, cream, khaki and... grey are going to feature heavily in the Spring.
Yes, most definitely grey. Now I always manage to fall in love with an accent colour and I have to say that grey for me is the perfect foil for all Spring/Summer brights.
You may also have noticed that since I went on holiday in the Summer without any blue denim, I have been able to wean myself off my previous addiction. I reckon I can count on one (maybe two) hand(s) the number of times I have worn any of my many pairs of blue jeans this A/W and I genuinely haven't missed them at all.
However it has made me consider how much I do love denim in other colours. And I know I've mentioned it before but grey jeans are very much under appreciated.
And under available. Or maybe not as under available as previously thought - and certainly lots more options than when I looked at this option in the Summer.
Starting with these which I have seen instore and in fact did make me think - I really need a pair of lighter grey jeans. I have some dark charcoal Baxters which are so dark they almost look like a pair of old black jeans I've washed too much. A lighter colour would be, I think, a lot more useful.
Skinny rebound jeans from FCUK £69
Let's head over to the sales as if these are a good fit, I can guarantee you will more than get your moneys worth out of them.
The Conductor Mid Rise Skinny Jeans from Current/Elliott were £250 now £150
Another great option - and personally I am the biggest fan ever of ASOS denim. Really good value and usually a great fit.
ASOS Ridley Skinny Ankle Grazer Jeans with punctured hem £28
A slightly darker charcoal with The Bodycon High Rise Skinny Jeans from M.I.H were £195 now £136
Charcoal again and a much loved by me, high waisted jean from Levis.
Levis 721 High Waisted Jeans £85
A slim fit now in again a darker grey from Lee.
Jade Slim fit jeans in grey £85
A similar version from M&S for a bargain price.
Relaxed Skinny jeans in grey £26
More ASOS gems.
ASOS Kimmi Shrunken Boyfriend jeans in Redwood grey wash £32 (If someone would like to explain redwood grey as a shade, I'm all ears...)
And the sale has begun at Boden and these are simply THE best fitting jeans ever. Who says you can't wear metallic during the day? To be honest, they won't be full on shiny - I have the waxed pair in black and it's a subtle sheen as opposed to full on slick look. I cannot tell you how comfortable these are and how many people I've recommended them to who rave about them.
High Rise Super Skinny metallic jeans was £69 now £55.20
Straight leg is the other option which I find fantastic for wearing with boxy jumpers that are slightly shorter, or fitted tees and blazers - they just make for slightly more flattering proportions in my book. Perfect for flats (or with the aforementioned sock boots..)
Mavi Olivia Straight leg jeans £60
Culotte style in the sale at Matches. Not for the faint hearted, style, colour or price wise.
Two tone denim culottes were £335 now £234
ASOS Maddox Parallel Jeans in Charcoal with Abrasion and Chewed Hem were £38 now £11 (their description not mine. The mind boggles)
So how will I be wearing mine? Well, like I said, grey is the perfect colour to go with all other basics. It also looks great with red (forget the 80s wallpaper your brother had - grey, black and white with a red lightening bolt, I've got over that hideous image and hey, the 80s are back in a big way - embrace the combo. Minus the lightening bolt...) and also works so well with yellow or coral (two random colours to list and I don't advocate wearing them together but both - separately - I really love, especially when it comes to accessories. So that will be scarves...)
Right now, I shall be teaming with big black jumpers and chunky scarves, ponchos or capes and biker boots. Or for the evening with a black blouse and blazer blazer - skinny sequn scarf anyone? So so many options. Are you wondering how you ever lived without a pair?! And yes, I do still need to track down the perfect paler grey ones - I may have got distracted by the bargain looser ones. So that will be following my sales rules perfectly then....
Finishing with my outfit from yesterday. Yes - a new purchase. I may have ordered A Lot over the past couple of weeks but this is the only thing I have actually kept. A complete bargain from M&S. Per Una at M&S at that. It's a whole new era... (I'm hoping that it's Per Una that have upped their game and not me who has finally got round to buying things from the Helena Bonham Carter - never knowingly under embellished - section of Marks.)
Black waxed high waisted skinnies - Boden
Black rollneck cashmere jumper - Cocoa Cashmere
Collarless leopard print coat - M&S
Brown suede block heel ankle boots - Eileen Fisher
Brown suede bag - Coccinelle
And this was Friday.
Navy jumper - M&S
Distressed denim jeans - Boden (first time I've worn blue jeans in forever)
Brown suede block heel ankle boots - Eileen Fisher
Red/brown/navy/cream cardigan - Zara
Brown suede bag - Coccinelle
So we're just getting read for the first of our Christmas parties which I am really looking forward to. Will put outfit later on Instagram (@doesmybumlook40) as I am ridiculously excited about a new addition to my wardrobe which I cannot believe I have not embraced before. Blog coming shortly.