I’ve been shopping.
Surprise.
I’ve been finding me a few Autumn wardrobe items for both work and play. And frankly, the weather has been rubbish. Rain, then sun, then more rain…..what is with this British summer? how is anybody supposed to dress appropriately?!
Lord knows what you late summer UK ‘moon folk are packing, it must be a minefield. Or just a REALLY LARGE suitcase.
Anyway, I needed a frock. Not a posh number or an evening gown – a kind of business-but-a-bit-sexy type of frock.
I found this grey and black dress “Madame Mary” in French Connection, it is super flattering, holds you in in all the right places and is quite smart – I feel as though when I wear it I look as though I am making an effort.
The shoes were a bargain from Aldo at ASOS, they have a concealed platform so are super high but surprisingly easy to walk in.
For those of you that have ever read my various fashion related posts you will know that I am not a fan of my legs. They are stumpy, and a bit too muscular for my liking but I’m kind of….over it. They are healthy, they get me from A to B, I don’t want to be an O.A.P and wishing I hadn’t restricted myself to long skirts and trousers for all eternity.
Decided to do a one-eighty actually, invest in some cute city shorts… If you’re going to do it may as well do it properly and all that.
The first pair are a bargain from new season H & M - £19.99. I usually pair them with a tucked-in shirt, this one is from Mango.
And I am having a bit of a braces moment. I have both a burgundy and a grey pair – from Rokit Vintage. I am aware it makes me look a little bit like Oliver Twist but I kind of like it, especially when paired with the new season H & M flatcap.
A few weeks ago I went even shorter, All Saints do these cute khaki/beige pair and they were in the sale. They would look cool with bare legs and flats, I tend to wear mine out with these man’s vests from All Saints tied at the back (I like the bagginess and the fact you can layer them over smaller girls-only items).
My go-to black tights are Walford 80 denier opaque matt. They are soft, smooth and last ages (well worth the *scary* £21 a pair).
It’s no secret I am generally a heels girl however, walking up those stairs to RMW HQ and across the cobbled carpark is leaving me with a desire for funky flats…so I bought these French Connection brogues in the sale. Gorgeous shade of pale blue but I’ll be honest, what the ruddy hell are you supposed to wear them with?!
So far it’s been black skinny jeans or um….black skinny jeans.
But I did find this lovely Topshop new season pointe boyfriend blazer. It fits really well and the shade of grey/blue is uber pretty.
Oh and it’s only forty quid.
On the whole I’m not a huge Reiss buyer, I think some of the pieces are beautiful I just find on a whole the clothes don’t fit my petite/short arse frame that well. This “bubble” top is delicious though, and goes with just about everything.
And it’s half price in the sale – reduced from £79 to £39…..bargain.
Any of you lovelies the proud owners of brogues? What do you wear with them?
Have you discovered any immense sale bargains recently? do share your finds in the comments box below, particularly flat footwear and…..shorts (OBSESSED).
And is there any part of your anatomy that you have never been a huge fan of but just thought “sod it” – it’s about time I just wore what I want regardless?
Do let me know.
Big New Season Love
Charlotte xxx
Woo child, those legs are hot! What are you on about?
I’ve had a little two year love affair with brogues and it ain’t going away, perfs with black skinnies or shorts and a bf blazer. I am a heels girl, but for general knocking about I enjoy a brogue. They go nice with a cute little knitted dress too, or a bodycon skirt/baggy vest combo.
How good is new season H&M by the way? xx
I wish my legs were longer. I’d love to have Kylie’s proportions. Anyway, I LOVE the shorts and braces combo you’re sporting – very cute and I bet, super comfortable.
After seeing your Zara blazer purchase a few months ago, I bought the navy one and have work it endlessly. Thanks for introducing me to a new wardrobe staple. I need a brighter, more ‘fresh’ coloured one now so will shop about. Unseasonal, I know.
Morning!
Loving the shorts, I just got myself a wee dark tartan pair for the colder months, I too big braces fan been rocking them for a month or two, bit of a jive vibe.
Also love a brogue, few years ago I got a White patent pumpesq pair from primarni and wear them ALL of the time. Need to replace.
Think the bubble top is my fave!
Morning lovelies!
@Karen – thanks pet, I’m over it to be honest, I’m never going to be leggy so time to move on!
When you wear a dress with brogues do you wear tights? and if not what kind of sock?!
@KIrsten – Yep, I’d love Kylie proportions too, I got the long body though – never mind. Glad you found the Zara blazer! they still do some brighter colours, a nice hot pink I believe.
@One Jolly Girl – Tartan?! where do I find tartan?! And what do you wear these white patent brogues with?
Charlotte xxx
@Charlotte I usually belt the dress and wear tights yeah. I’m too old for socks now, but I used to wear a little ankle sock – you know the schoolie type ones with the holes in? Better in summer with a little ra-ra skirt (if a little Lolita-esque) xxx
Charlotte your legs are amazing! I love your fashion posts, very inspiring. You always manage to look so effortlessly chic.
Boden have a British Tweed Mini which I just bought and adore. It can be worn with cute ankle socks and brogues/loafers, tights and riding style boots, the list goes on. Loving the heritage vibe. I’m going to add your FC Madame Mary dress and H&M Flatcap to my Autumn wishlist xxx
I’ve got that blazer in black (it’s so nice, even the inside is lovely with white lining and some coral piping!) – but now I think I may need another colour for the new season. If the lorry driver tells me I’ve got too many clothes already can I blame it on RMW please?!
I’ve got a pair of black brogues but they’ve been languishing in the frock room all summer as I can only wear them with tights or they give me blisters. I should be rocking them out in a few weeks though – my fave look for them is black opaques, a little 60s-esque jersey shift dress and the broques. Black stuff rocks my world, shame I’ve never been invited to a front-row catwalk situation!x
yay for the shorts – for someone who is often moaning about my proportions I have a growing collection of shorts! I can’t help myself – everytim I go shopping I am somehow drawn to them! I generally tend to wear them with thick black opaque tights but have braved the natural tights recently (don’t do bare legs – they are just far too pasty!! haha). am loving the braces though, they look fab
Sadly work have just bought in a new fussier dress code policy & yup – no shorts allowed?!!! No fair
As for brogues I love my primarni pair – I wear them all the time, in fact i’m on my second pair! Mine are cute tan coloured ones & go with everything, from skinny jeans to shorts & even some dresses.
I usually wear them with tights, black or natural. Still haven’t got the guts to wear with cute little socks as I’m too worried they’ll make my legs look even shorter! :-\
xx
I tend to wear brogues with pretty much what you’ve just invested in… city shorts, tights and I layer a knee high sock on over the tights.
My ankles are way too skinny to get away with brogues and a dress.
I envy you for being able to wear city shorts and heels. I have long pins so they tend to make me look stupidly lanky (and/or tarty). Maybe this is my body/fashion hang up to get over. I’ll wear some to RMW HQ and you can tell me if I look like a berk. xo
Snap – just got some similar blue brogues from Clarks a couple of months ago and I lurve them but no idea what to wear them with! Not helped by fiancee’s (fiancee of 3 days!) comment of “granny shoes”. Also as a fellow short arse of 5ft2 I wish I was as slim as you and not have my ridiculous bosom that refuses to fit nicely in shirts or my huge size 7 feet! Gorg new items Charlotte
@karen – where might one get a ra ra skirt? I have always swayed towards the lolita dress code, I must own about 50 pairs of heart-shaped glasses
@Gwin – You are so sweet! bless you. You know, I have never bought anything from Boden, the ridiculously perfect people in the catalogue scare me a bit – I feel like I could never wear the pieces in the right way! I am definitely going to check out this mini though. I am having a legging/short dress moment for work wear right now.
@Lou – Tell the lorry driver you need a grey/blue one, it is a matter of national emergency….and a 60′s shift? that sounds cool, where is yours from?
Charlotte xxx
I am so fearful of a brogue it is unreal…there are some lovely patent ones in Kurt Geiger at the moment but I put them on and just feel butch! I am so envious of you ladies that can rock them!
I too have always hated my legs…with a passion…and I’ve always kind of gone down the sports luxe route – cool, tapered trousers, vest and statement necklace – in order to hide them…
However, after watching all seven (or is it eight) series of Desperate Housewives in a row, I am now committed to working a style that has been described as Bree van de Camp on crack…
I have discovered that I can do a pencil skirt that finishes at the knee and thanks to my lack of curves (serious boy hips) peplums are actually proving my friend…I’ve just bought this leopard print pencil skirt from the M&S Limited Collection that is muted nude and grey colours and it was a bargain £35!!! It’s online at the moment and looks miles better on than in the photos! Oh and cause it’s good old M&S sizes I’m a size 6! Mwah ha ha ha ha – never seen one of them anywhere else! Would it be uncouth to walk around with the label hanging out?
The other discovery that I have had recently that has also made baring the pins somewhat easier is Sally Hensen spray on legs…erm, what did I used to do without this????? And does anyone know how to remove it from your bathroom tiles, toilet seat, bathroom shelves and basically anything else white in your bathroom?!
And, can I ask people’s thoughts on this wedge trainers that seem to be everywhere…at first I was like ‘Oooooo lord, what are those hideous things’ and then I saw this girl in them who looked amazing….legging, slouchy jumper, hairtie, hoop earrings…I followed her for about ten minutes and then realised I had to go to work!
xo
@Rebecca – Me too. I also bought some green ones from Topshop, for non short wearer I seem to be getting myself quite a big collection!
@Naomi – There is no way you can look lanky! and what is this knee high socks over tights combo? what kind of tights? I love knee high socks! think you need to send me a picture…
Charlotte xxx
Charlotte I love your style, never mind Oliver twist those braces look fabulous, I am so going out to get a pair.
Plus the brogues love them in the pale blue but yep bit of a conundrum what to wear that particular colour with…. Being a wedding photographer I need flatties and I just love brogues, mine are brown though so maybe a bit more versatile… I wear them with everything, cropped jeans, tee shirt & jacket,they go perfectly with a skinny leg suit for weddings, and I’ve even paired them with leggings and a long line white shirt…. I’m so looking forward to winter when I can wear them with thick chunky tights and a jumperdress.
I’m so off to H&M later for a pair of those shorts…
Lesley
I am a fan of the brogue – bought a lovely little red pair in the sale @ Dune and they are so comfy! I quite like them with tights and a skirt (feel my legs look uber stumpy in jeans with them) and have been known to rock a tartan pencil skirt from River Island with them (its not the garish BRIGHT RED tartan but a muted one with purple and bottle green as the main colours and a subtle red through it).
Have recently invested in a pair of leather nike high-tops in a burgandy colour called ‘Bordeaux’- loves them I do and they look particularly good with skinnies!
That has been my only fashion investment of late so this post is great inpiration
@Annie – my love of a hi-top will never die…and burgundy ones would rock my world. Bet they look immense with grey skinnies.
Oh Charlotte, I envy your short wearing ability and would love a petite frame!
Great buys as always, I must be really rubbish at shopping as I spent all day last Saturday in town on my own and couldn’t find anything in the sales, it was all rubbish!
I was looking for something to wear for Pretty Naughty, and ended up spending over £100 on new season stuff from Oasis!
Kept shoes and the nice blazer, but when I got home I realised I probably had to return the £65 partly pleather dress…I couldn’t really afford it and also it involved PLEATHER!
@Claire – congratulations on your engagement!! Mr O’Shea also calls them “granny shoes” but he’s used to me wearing clothes of an 80 year-old
@Pamela – The Peplum, I think I need one then. I don’t have any hips either (but do have an arse) and for these photo’s I was like “Adam, don’t make me look like a boy, can you make it look like a girl is wearing this dress please? what about if I lean to the right a bit or something? Like this?”
Adam: ” You just look like a weirdo – and what are you doing with your face?!”
@Lesley – Oh! I am loving the leggings and long line shirt idea, kind of like a tortured artist? where do I find a shirt that is long but kind of fitted?
Charlotte xxx
@naomi – same! I have long legs so look like a prozzie in shorts and heels.
@pamela – do I need a peplum? I don’t have one! Hopefully you wore that amazing effort to San Carlo the other night!
@charlotte – my ra-ra was a top shop number circa 2008, heeled shoe boots, ankle socks and a leather biker jacket. One of my all time fave outfits
x
@Pamela I know what you mean about feeling butch in brogues. I too am envious of anyone that can rock a Brogue still whilst looking girlishly bohemian at the same time. I can’t. The rest of my family can.
Bizarrely the only boot I look good in too is a Wellington. A WELLLINGTON for crying out loud. Where other than a festival or on a farm can you legitimately wear them?!
@Kitty please explain to this ignorant soul what is Pleather?
@Naomi get away with you. I would happily swop my chicken leg stumps for your lovely pins!
@Charlotte – Arrgghh – you made me crease…and I ran for 40 minutes up hill last night and have a bad back so giggling hurts. Poor Adam. When i try and pose on photos my friend always tells me to channel Kim Kardashian…she is a twit granted but she knows how to stand.
Erm, peplums are hard. Some look just plain weird and some just add bulk…I’ve really had to search high and low for good ones…but when you find the right one…I think they’re magic!!!! I have in my head that I want a fushia pink shirt to wear with a cream pussybow blouse and some amber earrings (Bet Lynch style) but I am still to find the skirt…it’s stuck in my head but has not filtered down to the high street.
@Karen – Hehehehe the dress did indeed get worn and I kind of got asked to go out on a date. Which I think I may, just may, be going on…I basically have a week to decide, pull an outfit and lose a few lbs but I reckon I’ll be being sick so much with nerves they’ll come off anyway…Oh, and he is kind of a fair bit older than me, like a whole other generation…but then it’s all part of single girl adventures isn’t it…Had one of my best mates boyfriends round for tea last night so we could all watch the Great British Bake Off and we showed him some outfit options, “That pencil skirt thingy is nice, but he’s older and it might excite him a bit too much…” Hahahahahaha. Also, Paul Hollywood – he is my perfect man. I’d wear whatever he blinking well told me to.
xoxo
@Lauren – ooooo pleather! It’s faux leather, dearie! In fact, there is an amazing pleather jacket in Warehouse at the moment for £58 and I swear, unless you were Karl of Chanel then you wouldn’t know. Well, you wouldnt know the black version, the beige version is just a bit beige and cheapo, but the black is good…
And, I too love a Wellington! My black shiny hunters, stripy tshirt and a fishtail plait is my go-to shopping outfit! Even when it is not raining. It may be a northern thing but wellies are perfectly acceptable as a fashion statement.
@Charlotte – P.S. There are RaRa skirts in H&M kids at the momento…and they go up to age 12 and I reckon with your Mingoue-esque waist it would potentially be a goer. Although, you would match my eight week old niece, but then she rocks my world and is already a very stylish Miss P. (Poppy, not Pamela, can you Adam and Eve it that my sister didn’t name her kid after me. Seriously, there were words had at the hospital).
@Pamela – oooooh!!!! You get back on that horse girl! How bloody exciting. I say pencil skirt is GO, give that fella a little thrill. I miss dating so much, I used to have all the best stories. Make sure you report back!! xx
We need a whole new blog so Pamela can tell us all about her dating adventures….
@Annie – A high top? I am so out of the fashion loop – where pray tell does one find these types of shoe candy?
Charlotte xxx
@Pamela I’ll be checking that jacket out then. I’m also lusting after an actual leather dress from New Look which is due to arrive in September. It is YUM!
Maybe I can wear them together….
As for the Wellies – if you wear them shopping then I am so rocking them on my next trip out… complete with fishtail plait.
Sooo jel of you snake-hipped peplum-rocking ladies – I’ve got what my mum optimistically refers to as ‘child-bearers’ so I’ve not even tried a peplum on lest it lead to a changing room meltdown scenario! @Charlotte – the shift is Topshop from about 5 years ago – it’s one of those pieces that you really wish you’d bough more than one of! Washes really well, looks good with everything and makes me look thin, it’s a happy frock!
I’m also joining the ‘shorts + high heels = prozzie’ gang – 34″ inside leg doesn’t help! Once I got dressed for a night out in black shorts, black tights and black patent T-bar shoes, and I was sent upstairs to change on the grounds that I looked like I was about to join the chorus of Chicago!
@Pamela- with you on the wedge trainers, at first I thought they were preposterous but they’re growing on me. Wonder if anywhere does a studded pair?x
@Lolly, sorry! It’s like fake plastic leather… It kind of looked good and would have been perfect for Pretty Naughty but when would I wear it again!?
This is it: http://www.oasis-stores.com/rebecca-faux-leather-bandeau/dresses/oasis/fcp-product/4840000301
@Pamela. Sally Hansen is my bessy mate! I LOVE her, I stumbled upon her many years ago and have been firm friends ever since. You are so right about the bathroom mess though. Tip: Stand in the bath to apply, I spray my legs, not my hands and then rub it in, works a treat. Unfortunately it does require a whip ’round with Mr Muscle, but at least it’s just the bath and not the whole bathroom. One day Aubergine bathroom suites with be all the rage again and Sally will be even more perfect! ;o)
@Karen – Well, I still believe in true love. I do, I do, I do! Broken but not defeated and all that…bla bla bla! And, seriously, my friend’s boyfriend’s face said it all when I told him how old he was, but sometimes someone just has ‘it’ don’t they. Oooooo I sould like the dating version of Simon Cowell!
@Charlotte – seriously, there is no blog big enough for my dating escapades. I have already asked my friend, Helen, 101 questions every single day, and I’ve made her promise me that we can have a practise at the awkward goodbye kiss on the cheek when sat in a car! First lesson is booked in in her Yaris on Saturday afternoon. You would like to think I am kidding, but I am not!
Nike High Tops, black wet look leggings, big vest, ghetto jewellery, hair in a topknot, complete with dancing sweat. When you come to Manchester you need to drop in one night at the WHP (Warehouse Project) – it’s like a lesson in how to rock a trainer and still look sexy. I am always in awe of the chiccas in there.
@Lauren – Pleather on leather would deffo work. I am a fan of a print on print also. Sometimes things are so bizarre they are just right.
@Lou – I know. I remember when I was in sixth form and pointed heels came back and everyone was like ‘urgh’ and now I am a-craving their return!
xo
@McDuff – seriously, we took six cans of ‘Sally’ for four nights in Ibiza and used every single one! We also had pretty much stained the hotel bathroom and had to make a ‘contribution’ to the cleaning of it before we left. I just wish I could coat my entire body in it you know!
@Charlotte – I have one that is a little old from All Saints that I love, but I also stumbled across this one in Mint Velevet although its a little on the baggy side so maybe a belt to pull it in and it also looks far better in the flesh than in the pictures… or there is a bargain to be had on the John Lewis website a Frech Connection one in the sale
@Pam – age aint nothing but a number as Aaliyah once said! go fer it!! Loving the sound of the high tops at WHP, brings back fond mems.
Down but not out girl, I went through something similar 6 years ago and it was the absolute making of me. You’re a warrior! yeah!!! xxx
It’s the dancing, Charlotte! I totally blame excessive early childhood traipsing around on tippy toes for my stupid muscular (footballer’s) calves. It’s the number one reason I cannot wear 98% of all boots and have even been sent into the “oversized” department! For shoes!!!
I decided to embrace my legs however and am going with muscular and fit rather than stumpy and bulky. Heels help of course. And shorts are a staple in my daily wardrobe whether it’s winter or summer. They go well with (oversized) boots, you know. ; )
I shall go looking for braces now.
@McDuff @Pamela – Ah ha!, I forgot to mention Sally Hansen! I discovered her years ago in the U.S of A – LOVE her.
@ Charlotte – Nike high-tops can be found mostly at Office however I was finding that they never had my size either instore or online (anything smaller than a 7 is diffifult for some reason)…that was until I found Urban Outfitters online who have a tasty selection and most sizes (theres also a light grey which I considered but they’re a bit in your face in a I HAVE NEW CLEAN TRAINERS ON way :s). Checks this link – http://www.office.co.uk/mens/nike/blazer_mid_vintage_leathe/21/11644/32530/1/1?fs=11644
Or this – http://www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk/nike-blazer-bordeaux-mid-trainers/invt/5319408124444/&bklist=