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Ongoing fashion help and advice (or virtual 'does my bum look big in this-ness'?)

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Kit-Cat Club

15:13 / 18.08.05

Oh, would you really? That would be tip-top. Though I do hope the thing has different sizings as the author is much smaller than I am...

ONLY NICE THINGS

15:18 / 18.08.05

Well, I'd suggest sorting the details with her and then telling me what's necessary.

18:57 / 20.08.05

Waistcoats: I have a plum velvet waistcoat which I bought when I was fifteen and have worn into threads -it goes well with almost everything. Warms up greys and blacks but still looks sober, deepens autumnal tweeds and greens, and complements jewel colours like peacock blue. Looks very crisp with white, or sky blue.

Might be a bit too Dark Lorde for some tastes.

Given an unlimited bespoke budget, I think I might experiment with unusual waistcoat shapes - long line with lapels, for instance.

ONLY NICE THINGS

23:18 / 20.08.05

Might be a bit too Dark Lorde for some tastes.

Dude, this is me. Plum velvet ahoy!

Kit-Cat Club

10:23 / 23.08.05

Help I need something smart for an interview - has anyone got any tips for a reasonably priced women's formal workwear shop? Marks and Sparks??

Scrubb is on a downward spiral

11:26 / 23.08.05

M&S are actually pretty expensive (or at least more than you'd imagine). I'd recommend checking out the joys of Primark or New Look if you've got one nearby - they're generally pretty good with the suity stuff.

Ariadne

12:57 / 23.08.05

Next is my default for work stuff - it's not exciting but the cut of most of their clothes is flattering to the non-skinny figure, and they're reasonably well made.

Ariadne

12:58 / 23.08.05

Ooh, and I got a nice linen suit in Oasis.

Goodness Gracious Meme

14:29 / 23.08.05

off-topic ramble but this:

a bit too Dark Lorde

gives me a lovely image of Ex, thumb stuck in pocket of plum waistcoat, standing in front of a roaring fire, critiquing compulsory heterosexuality whilst being a perfect gent.

Sorry, leaving now...

Goodness Gracious Meme

14:30 / 23.08.05

And I know I always seem to be saying this, but if you can get decents fits, Zara on Regents' Street has a decent quality:cost ration and usually has a bunch of formal styles.

Jack Vincennes

20:50 / 23.08.05

Kit Cat, I like Dotty P's for suits -that might be because they tend to be cut to fit me (huge shoulders), but they're also quite cheap. Their autumn 'wearing during the day and for parties' clothes are not so great this year (I don't think, at least), but I find the tailoring section pretty consistent.

Tryphena Absent

21:09 / 23.08.05

I bought my last suit from Next but they're cut a bit wide at the thigh for me now. I can't find trousers anywhere at the moment, I taper too much and the waist is generally fine but my legs too thin or the other way round. Smart trousers are basically the doom of female clothes shopping and if you don't want to encounter five shops worth of tragedy I recommend buying a skirt.

Kit-Cat Club

08:39 / 24.08.05

Hah, thank you all for advice. I have found a jacket that fits well enough in Oasis (I tried the ones in M&S and foudn that I fell between sizes - one right round the shoulders but a little strained at the back waist, and the other too big all round). Oasis one comes with trousers or skirt, I am steeling myself to try the trousers but am sure I will end up buying the skirt; I have visions of self looking long and elegant in trousers suits, but really I know that I am neither long nor elegant and besides, Oasis trousers never fit me.

I'm OK with spending a fair amount on this as I predict it will get a lot of use over the years...

Whisky Priestess

17:58 / 24.08.05

Crazy to try secondhand designer clothes shops then - like the one on Upper Street near the Screen on the Green?

Goodness Gracious Meme

21:42 / 24.08.05

I predict it will get a lot of use over the years...

Then buy a style as classic/with as little seasonal trimming as possible that you still like. Ideally, simple, very well-cut silhouette that can be dressed up with shirt/blouse/shoes etc over the years.

Can't emph. this enough.

10:16 / 25.08.05

Yeah, if you get a really classic cut you can always embroider a skull'n'crossbones on it, rip the arms off and throw paint at it later.

Kit-Cat Club

12:41 / 25.08.05

Thanks for all the advice again, chaps. I have done the dirty deed - went for the skirt option as the trousis looked abit strained across the thighs.

Interview is at 4 pm today. Wish me luck! Off to bone up on QAA processes argh.

Ganesh

15:25 / 25.08.05

Bona boning.

Ariadne

09:02 / 27.08.05

What's the suit like? what colour? Fabric? Did it make you feel confident for the interview? And most importantly, how did the interview go?

Triplets

09:14 / 27.08.05

Photies!

Loomis

13:29 / 23.09.05

I'd like to get some opinions on the sleeveless parka. What do you lot think of them? And where would you suggest shopping for said items? There are some stripey ones on the Topman site though I would probably go for plain black. And what would you wear them with?

Are they too Michael J Fox from Back to the Future? And is that a bad thing?

Ariadne

13:41 / 23.09.05

How's your skateboarding? Michael J Fox is never a bad thing.

I think it depends what you wear with the padded thingummy. Slouchy jeans, long sleeved t-shirt - yeah, it could work. I always think my arms would get too cold, though.

Loomis

13:51 / 23.09.05

Well that is the one problem. If it's cold enough to wear a parka, then it's cold enough to require sleeves. I suppose it would be for autumn wear only. I would wear a cardy or polo-neck jumper underneath though, not just a long-sleeved t-shirt.

Except for times when I want to feel parka on skin.

Kit-Cat Club

14:52 / 23.09.05

How long is this parka? Bottom length? Full parka length would surely look daft.

In any case I think you would be better off with a nice woolly (or in yr case artifical fibre) tank top. I do like a nice tank top. Can't get Illmatic to wear one for some strange reason, though I do think he ought to as he is a teacher now and should dress appropriately...

Ariadne

14:58 / 23.09.05

I think parka's maybe misleading - if I understand, it's more a padded gilet that Loomis has in mind.

Loomis

16:02 / 23.09.05

Maybe it's antipodean terminology. Australia is so hot that anything more than a vest it referred to as a parka.

There are some on the Topman site but I can't get the image properties to post an image here, unless my web-fu is lacking.

Kit-Cat Club

13:51 / 24.09.05

Oh, right, sorry. That makes sense. Very sportif, Loomis, I can see it working for you...

13:56 / 28.11.05

How can I, a Lady, achieve a somewhat androgynous Black Tie? Much as I'd like to do a Garbo, I don't actually own a proper dinner jacket suit that fits.

Sub-question: What about one of those nice waistcoats that are everywhere these days, with no shirt, and a long skirt or velvet trousers?

Sub-sub question: Does the above suggestion mean that I still get fashion tips through the ether from 1985 Cosmo magazine?

Ariadne

10:44 / 29.11.05

Hmm. Not only would you run the risk of looking a bit 1980s, I think most waistcoats are cut a bit wide at the arm, as they're meant to have things underneath them, and so they'd gape unattractively. And flash whatever you were (or weren't) wearing beneath.

Kit-Cat Club

10:49 / 29.11.05

Yes, I think I agree. A shirt underneath might help - but perhaps not a white one; maybe a lightweight black one (esp. in a slightly sheer or chiffony fabric)?? This should indicate 'I am dressing up' while adding 'but not in a cocktail frock thank you very much'.

Kit-Cat Club

10:51 / 29.11.05

Though I think that would work better with skirt than trousers - with the latter it would all be a bit 80s again...

12:58 / 29.11.05

Thanks, all. I have tried waistcoats, and although they fitted under the arm, I fell out of the front.
Will try it with a chiffonish shirt, if I can rustle one up. Although in a waistcoat, shirt and long skirt, I fear shouting 'upscale waitress'.

I haven't really done sensible black tie before - I keep forgetting that it's not a burlesque night. Looked at the fake fur tippets in Top Shop and thinking 'Well, that, tassels and a pair of hot pants and I'm sorted!'

Sekhmet

16:30 / 29.11.05

If you don't want to have sleeves and you really like the waiscoat look, you might try a spaghetti-strap cami underneath. (If you can find one with a nice neckline that doesn't look like underwear, that is.)

gingerbop

14:41 / 06.12.05

I would say the waistcoat alone wouldn't be very androgenous at all. Although quite fabulous, I though have thought.

On Friday, I bought a wedding dress. And a veil. And shoes. They're beautiful. Twenties style vintage, ivory, embroidered, beaded and sequinned. But I think I'm having an early mid-life crisis. I have no purpose for these garments. But they make me happy....

grant

15:38 / 06.12.05

Don't worry, we'll be sending the groom along shortly. Good luck!

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