The only way, as far as I’m concerned, to make the sales work for you, is to search for gaps in your wardrobe for classic pieces and see if you can find any of these reduced.
Having felt recently very uninspired when it comes to new clothes, I got a rush of blood to the head the other night and bought new black jeans, khaki trousers and a pea coat.
My black jeans are getting a bit baggy and sad – I worked out that I have had them for 7 years now and they just plain old don’t fit any more. My new ones, from Frame aren’t exactly a bargain at £180 but they are so beautiful I can’t look directly at them and will be with me, I hope, for the next 7 years.
THIS IS NOT ME
Then I got a peacoat from Jigsaw via John Lewis – it was the last one so now sold out BUT I did see some others on John Lewis I thought were similarly heat-stopping; what I’m trying to say I guess is that if you don’t own a classic peacoat, or if the one you have is looking a little sad around the edges, it might be time to think about a new one.
I like this – a little longer length but nothing wrong with that (if my Jigsaw jacket ends up being a bit small, which I suspect it will, I will swap it for this, stat.)
This is a slightly more relaxed take on the pea coat cut, which I think also works:
Although it is New Look, so I cannot forswear to quality.
There is also this, 40% off at La Redoute – a site I almost never check, but there is good stuff there.
I’m pretty sure that there will be more pea coats coming along in the Spring, so if neither of these get you going, hang on for a few more weeks and we’ll find you something great.
I am VERY pleased with this proper, nailed-on sale bargain, a new pair of relaxed khakis from Vince at a whopping 50% off.
Vince is one of those places where I’m a bit like “how fucking dare you charge £220 for a stripy top?? WHO ARE YOU ANYWAY NEVER HEARD A YA VINCE!!!” so I’m quite pleased to be fleecing them for a full 50% off.
These trousers haven’t actually arrived yet, so they might be unflattering as hell, but I have high hopes. My faithful old khaki trousers from H&M, which I have now worn constantly for 5 summers straight are so old and knackered that they are really emergency trousers only – though I will never EVER throw them away because I feel like Indiana Jones when I wear them.
Love the idea of Indiana Jones trousers!
yeah they are exactly like his trousers, only green
You do make me laugh. Of course, if Vince (agree btw, who are they?) are charging £220 for a top, even at 50% off they’ve still fleeced you 😉
depends on how good these trousers are
Yes! I got a perfect denim shirt which I am already living in..
Where did you get it? I am yet to find a perfect denim shirt
have a look at J Crew’s Chambray “Keeper” x
I have a coat which makes me feel like an 18th century general (something about the buttons). It is very heavy and only suitable for very, very cold days so I don’t get to wear it very often. However, on those glorious days when I do, I stalk about talking to my children like enlisted men. I have even managed to get them to salute me and stand to attention (probably because they are boys and like anything even tangentially connected to fighting).
I get my children to call me “sir” even when I’m not wearing a greatcoat
Well I am rather over excited reading this, as last week I bought the Four Seasons pea coat in the sale. BEFORE you recommended it. I mean that practically makes me an “influencer” myself… 😂
I can doubly recommend it as I also had a very similar coat in a parka style from them FIVE years ago that has worn & lasted brilliantly.
omg INFLUENCER :((((( … my pea coat arrived yesterday and I fucking LOVE. IT. I’ve actually never had a proper pea coat before, it’s dreamy. tell me.. is the Four Seasons one very long? Or just looks a bit long in the pic?
It is definitely longer than a pea coat but is pretty flattering & practical so I’m fine with that (I’m also 46 so flattering & practical are becoming increasingly important…🙄🙄).
I had been hovering over a floor length military great coat for weeks before giving in to the “you’ll hardly wear that so cost per wear value is shit” voice in my head & removing it from my online basket.
This coat will be a much better purchase & I will ignore the part of my heart that says “yes but you won’t be mistaken for Sherlock whilstcwearing it”.
your call on the floor length military greatcoat was correct
I do feel a bit sad though, about the greatcoat thing – like mufflers and lace up ankle boots… I bought a military style coat from Toast yonks ago in the sale but realised it would take me approx 3 hrs to do up all the buttons so it had to go back. I think maybe all these things made more sense before telly and social media when killing a few hours just getting dressed was important
this is all so accurate
though in truth what social media has done to getting dressed is make everyone look the same
Agreed. 1978 jumper – check! Pleated skirt – check! Weird shit from M&S that you think you must have been on an insta-induced trip when buying – check!
However, speaking as a person who really just thought clothes were for covering her body or an elaborate form of role play/dressing up and used to buy things on the basis they were all her favourite colours at once, and gets a weird sweat/panic thing every time she walks into a shop… I MAY look like everyone else but at least I don’t look like a rainbow puked on me and deposited me in an am dram production of Oliver.
So, in short, thanks!
esther, help! i have vowed not to buy any clothes in 2018. none. i have more than enough from when i worked in chic editorial offices but now i work from home so all i need is sweatpants anyway. so far, this year (!), i have bought two t-shirts and some shorts in thailand last week, but that doesn’t count, right? cos thailand. also, i had a birthday gift voucher and yesterday i ordered a skirt from the outnet (iris and ink) and a current/elliott-t-shirt. but it is only mid-january and i am weak, so weak. but i have everything i need! how will i pull this off? i am easily bored.
MarsBars I don’t understand the question
how not to shop for clothes for a whole year (when already having bought something by mid-january)? but i guess i don’t understand it either.
oh well that’s just unrealistic. limit yourself to one thing per month I guess…
Are the Frame skinnies relatively comfy? I’ve become used to the forgiving bag of boyf jeans… x
They have a lot of stretch yes but skinnies are never *that* comfy
Ok, but what happened with the Vince pants? I’m tempted as reduced again but…
Aha! Yes, sorry – they won’t suit everyone. I got them and will keep them but might have them adjusted