Cut off point

I was quite surprised to see that some of the London free hand out papers are still covering Summer clothing on their Fashion pages, especially this article on Cut off Denim Shorts.





Cut offs hit most of the Fashion pages months ago, but are a wardrobe summer staple which don't really go in and out of fashion each year as you will always see girls slipping on a pair of denim shorts over their bikini's when you are on holiday or sporting them in this country with a vest top and gladiators on hot days. The thing that really got me about this article was the cost of the garments. The cheapest items being from Topshop or Asos at £25, Current Elliott at £155 and True Religion at an astonishing £199! £200 seems an awful lot of money for a pair of what is basically "jeans without legs"! Then I remembered 2 things. 1. The pair of True Religion jeans I have upstairs which have "gone" at the top of the legs and got me thinking that if I cut off the legs in the same way as in the pic i.e. from the holes in an upward slant going under the pockets, that these wonderful jeans which I loved so, will still be completely useable and thus saved from the Charity Bag and
2. How many times have I shared the asos.com outlet section with you guys, when I have told you about the premium denim brands such as True Religion, Superfine and Earnest Sewn, where the jeans can start as low as £35 and go up to approx £70 for what normally would be anywhere between £150 and £200. If you are looking for a cheaper option, I saw in New Look yesterday, rails of reduced jeans are starting at £7 and the great thing about doing your own version of cut - offs is they can be done from any style whether skinny, straight, bootcut or flared, plus you can cut them as high or as long as you like.



In the newspaper, the article shows Lynsey Lohan, Rihanna, Agy Deyn and VB all sporting the trend and they seem to have turn-ups on the cut offs with the pockets hanging down below at the front. So an easy look to achieve. In a Recession, fashion is often about making do, and there is no easier trend to achieve than this! The Times did an article a while back, saying that women over 40 could buy into this trend - Recessionista Advice - Yes if on holiday or the Beach - only in the Supermarket if you have the body of Demi Moore!
The summer may soon be over, but lots of you will still be going on holiday and this trend will be wearable year after year, so what are you waiting for - grab those sissors!

More Sales Shopping Advice

There seems little point in updating you on what shops have gone onsale since my last "Sales" post, just to say that most shops are now on Summer Sale. If you are still unsure what to buy there is my "Hot Picks" post here and also this article from "The Times" gives its own version of what to buy. This previous post of mine covers my own version of what The Times is saying and it does differ from the professional fashion jurno point of view so is well worth a look so that you can pick your own list of wardrobe staples and best buys from both articles.

A great way to keep in control of your Sales Shopping, is to write a list of what you want to buy, but on the back of an envelope. That way you can use the envelope to put your receipts in as you make your purchases, this will help you to keep a track on your spending aswell as to be able to locate your receipt, should you need to exchange or return something. Before you pay for your purchases, always ask for the returns policy as they can change with sales merchandise, sometimes shops will not refund, only exchange or credit note. Always make sure you try on what you are buying as in the Recession, you don't want to be left with credit notes that won't go very far on full priced merchandise when the Sales are over.
Maybe make a list of say, 5 items that you really need to build a staple wardrobe and then underneath write another 5 as back up, just incase you can't get all of your first choices. That way you won't end up buying things that you really don't need and wasting your allocated budget!

Shopping the Sales in the Recession

The onset of the summer sales, may be the first chance many of you have had to treat yourself and your wardrobe to an injection of this seasons essentials. Many Personal Finance Bloggers have stopped buying clothes completely since the Recession took hold, but now they, along with you, may be in desperate need of a shopping spree either because they have a holiday coming up, a wedding to attend, or are just so fed up with not buying, may want to inject a few wardrobe staples into their closet, so here is the Recessionista (UK) guide to what to buy in the sales.

1. A dress - go for a classic style, that is not too cocktail but would work for a wedding with heels, or holiday evenings. Strapless with a tulip style skirt are all the rage for youngsters at the moment but depending on age, may not be suitable. Avoid Black, keep that for winter, although a black background with a bold floral print looks good for all seasons.

2. Basic t-shirts - Neutral colours are best, white, black, navy, taupe, khaki and beige go with everything and can be layered in winter. Go for short sleeves and vests.

3. A tulip shape skirt - either floral to wear with plain vests (pick out the colours and get a couple of vest tops to create a different look) or cami or a block colour with a tie belt or bow on the front.

4. Bottoms - look for classic styles that will last years. The sales are a good time for buying Premium Denim, go for dark skinny or straight leg styles for evening, boyfriend cuts for daytime and white for summer if you dare. Linen trousers and cropped styles are a summer essential, so if you don't already have any, then now is the time. City shorts are a smart option for either the workplace or evenings out with a pretty blouse.

5. A pretty blouse or coloured tunic - An item like this will work for evenings out or can be dressed down with casual bottoms and flip flops.

6. Cardigan - often needed on cloudy days and for chilly holiday evenings. If you can only afford one, go for black as it will do for the winter season aswell. If not, go for a brightly coloured one, pick out a colour from the lovely blouse or tunic you bought at No.5 above! Not only will it go with the lovely top you bought it will sit nicely over those black and white vests you bought at No.2! If you can afford Cashmere in the sale, then get it! If not try M&S and Gap.

7. Sandals - Flats for day, Gladiator or similar styles work well, go for black, white or any metallic colour as these go with everything. Styles with Stones/Diamante on, make a great alternative for evening wear when you don't want to wear heels.

8. Heels - Again go for the same colours as mentioned for Sandals, as this eliminates the need for lots of pairs.

9. Clutch Bag - A clutch is essential for evenings out, weddings etc. Match to your chosen shoe colours

10. Flip Flops - Havianas usually go onsale at Office either online or instore or grab a pair of classic Birkenstocks. Again consider colour so that you only have to take one pair on holiday.

11. Tote Bag - A large bag for everyday can double up as a travel/beach bag for holidays again to eliminate the need for more than one go neutral, black, tan or beige. Canvas styles will of course, be cheaper. Zara do great tote bags.

12. Hat - Not essential if you are not going on holiday (although still worn by the stylish), essential if you are. Straw trilbys are big news this season. Jigsaw do a great one, Accessorize is cheaper.

13. Swimwear - Whether you want Pucci poolside or Primark, don't waste money buying loads, I never travel with more than 3. A good black one, from a High End brand will last you more than one holiday. White looks fab on a great figure with a tan but can go off-white really quickly if you are constantly in the pool.

14. Sunglasses - can't afford high end? M:UK available at House of Fraser are reasonably priced (even better in the sales) or try Karen Millen or Jigsaw. Go for either big and black (aka Jackie O) or aviator styles as both are timeless classics. If going for aviators, if you wear white gold jewellery and have silver sandals, go for silver coloured arms/rims to give a real polished look to any outfit (apply the same rules for yellow gold).

15. Watch - If you need a new one, the sales is the time to grab a great timepiece. Match bracelet watches to the colour of your other jewellery.

Golden Rules for sale shopping.

1. Do check sale start dates at your favourite stores.
2. Make a list of what you feel is missing from your wardrobe, what needs replacing or what you actually need for your holiday etc
3. Visit stores in advance of sale starting to check out stock and to see who has the pieces you need.
4. Bear in mind some shops will bring out past seasons stock to clear if they still have any. This is fine if there is a classic piece you need but never be afraid to ask for a further reduction if you know a garment was from the stores s/s 08 season.
5. Remember that most stores will have a better sale range instore than online. I have recently been in to 2 Whistles shops who have had some lovely pieces in the Sale, but when I checked online, nothing I have seen was on the website. So to get the best stuff you may have to leave the armchair. This will save you having to pay delivery charges, traipsing to the post office for returns that don't fit and waiting ages for the refund to your card. I only recently got a refund for an item I returned to House of Fraser 6 weeks before!
6. If you shop at local, small, Independent Boutiques, ask about Sale preview evenings. At shops like these you may be able to put stock on hold at close of business the day before the sale starts to ensure you get the pieces you want.
7. Maxi Dresses can be shortened when the style is no longer fashionable - so their is no need to avoid if you see a great dress in the sale but don't like long billowing dresses.

Never forget that the Sales are a great time for buying gifts and presents in advance to save money in the long term. Is it your Mums birthday next month, would she love that great jumper currently at 1/2 price? Would those Champagne Flutes currently on sale in the Department store do for your cousins wedding present in September? Think ahead and outside of the box to utilise the Sales to your full advantage - they are not just about Fashion (believe it or not!).

Sincere Apologises to Hobbs - oops!

Oh dear, I feel such an idiot!
I rang Hobbs this morning and explained about the missing t-shirt. The very nice man on the end of the phone at customer service advised me that an email had been sent, telling me that the yellow t-shirt was in fact, out of stock. I muttered my apologises about not reading my emails properly and promptly hung up whilst I logged on to read my spam.
OK so I am a fool, but why did the item not say "out of stock" when I put it in the shopping basket? lots of other things came up with an "out of stock" message so why not that? and, and why was there no message on the dispatch note?
So you see it is still their fault, sort of, but thought I had better admit to you all what happened before my comments caused the downfall of yet another High Street Store and Hobbs fell off your shopping radar. So apologises Hobbs and I may even shop with you again when you reduce that gorgeous black and white £199 dress!

Easter Shopping Frenzy that all went wrong!

My little Easter clothes shopping frenzy turned into a bit of a nightmare. The grey dress that I thought would be so figure flattering and an ideal wardrobe staple, in fact looked bloody awful on. I was so disappointed but hey ho, that will be returned to HOF pronto today.

The Hobbs delivery filled me with angst, as, upon opening the lovely box which was supposed to hold 2 basic summer t-shirts, it in fact only contained one! Yes guys, can you seriously believe it, only the white top was enclosed. I scrutinised the enclosed invoice, looking for a message saying that the yellow T, was on its way, but it had the yellow one written on it, as if it was in the parcel! The package arrived late on Friday (Couriers at 6.20pm?) and I didn’t actually open it until Saturday evening. I have never bought from Hobbs before, either online or instore and as you can well imagine, this experience has put me off for life! OK so the top was only £9 but that really is not the point, it could have been a £199 dress. Will they believe me when I ring them today? Only time will tell and I will let you know later, how I get on. I am seriously worried that in a few weeks when summer really has arrived and I wear my yellow patent Lanvin pumps that have hardly seen the light of day as they don‘t go with anything in my wardrobe, that my husband will say “where is the yellow top you bought to go with those shoes?” you see I can’t bring myself to tell him yet! Oh and the good news on the pumps is that Lanvin have done yellow again and they are currently on the Matches website for £278! Thank God I never sold them on Ebay which is where loads of my stuff went in an effort to raise money and declutter. So many things I got rid of last year, now sit in the "regret" portion of my brain but I guess Bills and School fees were more important than Missoni cardigans and Jimmy Choos, weren’t they?


Anyway back to dresses for the wedding, I was trying to think of websites that I hadn’t yet checked out and realised that even though I have a link on this blog and that they currently have 11% off, plus free delivery and free returns, that I hadn’t yet looked at Boden. I saw this gorgeous dress which is only £57.85 with discount deducted and I am totally loving the rose clutch bag. The dress is not the right style for my figure (unless I don’t eat anything for the next 6 weeks) but thought I should share it with you incase anyone else is looking for something special for a wedding, the races etc.
Happy Shopping!

French Connection goes into the red!

French Connection has plunged into the red reporting a pre-tax loss of £5.5 million for the year ended January 31.

The £5.5m loss was against a £3.1m profit in the previous year and was blamed on the global economic downturn.

I know we are all a bit sick of hearing this stuff, but I have only reported on this as FC is not only one of our fave shops (middle daughter has loads of FC dresses mostly bought by herself and always in the Sale!) but it is also, so very often, worn by celebs. FC have certain dresses each season that go down a storm and are usually in the £130 - £150 price range and are often seen on red carpets being worn by the likes of Fearne Cotton, Mylenne Klass etc. My daughters comments, when I told her the news was "well they should put their bloody prices down then" trust a teenager to say it as it is!