Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: honeybun on April 13, 2015, 07:04:59 PM
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I know it's maybe a little early....especially up here in Scotland where it's still very cold....
But...
I was having a little look at my summer stuff from last year. I seem to have a lot of T shirts which I have decided are really not for me this year....bit too unforgiving for a thickened waist line.
So I need new stuff but don't really have a clue where to start. I'm not a very dressed up kind of person...,don't do fussy stuff....live in jeans jumpers and boots in the winter.
What's your summer wardrobe going to be.
Anyone got any words of wisdom.
Honeybun
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For work: long skirts as I can go bare-legged and wear mules and long tops go with anything.
Casual wear: I like cropped trousers and don't wear fitted tops, again love wearing mules so my feet get some air and I don't need to wear socks or tights.
I think we've to get a good summer 8)
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I used to like wearing summer dresses, no longer, I need something to break the mass up.
So, long tops which reach my bottom.
Long sleeve polo tops or rugby shirts (Lands End oops Meant Cotton Traders ::)) with jeans.
M&S did some very usable scoop neck T shirts / tops last year. These go well with either jeans or longer skirts (denim or patterned) Quite flattering & comfy with the skirts.
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Oh good thread. Was thinking earlier that I ought to have a 'go through' to see what I'm keeping - some of it didn't see the light of day last year ::)
I am a jeans, layered tops, socks, slippers type of Girl ;). Can't bear tights/stockings. Can't bear bare legs ……. so it has to be very long skirts (frumpy look) or light weight trews/jeans. I've been perusing cotton traders catalogue recently ;) as they have 27" length in bright colours - then I can co-ordinate tops without problems.
Sleeves or not?
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I like maxi dresses for hot days, or wide leg lightweight trousers with nice cotton top that sits on waistline
I was born with a foot deformity, otherwise it'd be denim mini and strappy sandals ! Lol
Xx
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I've ditched much of my stuff for similar reasons. I do like leggings & tunic style tops for everyday wear, but have kept my linen trousers. I bought some nice tops last summer which are not too fitted, but still look tailored.
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Linen's lovely - until it requires ironing
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It's a bit of a shock seeing my arms uncovered!! Sleeveless tops definitely not as flattering as they used to be!
Taz x :D
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Back to layers this morning as it's chilly outside ::)
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It's a bit of a shock seeing my arms uncovered!! Sleeveless tops definitely not as flattering as they used to be!
Taz x :D
I know what you mean! I have wrinkly elbows! :o ;D
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I haven't ventured to look at my elbows yet!!
Taz x ;D
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2/3 sleeves cover a multitude of sins
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I would love to wear sleevelss tops, they really suit me, until I lift my arms....and as for waving with my arm in the air :o (http://:o) that's a definate no go!
I see people a lot worse and they don't seem to worry, I wish I could be that carefree!
Great topic
PN x x
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My wardrobe is quite old (the clothes not the furniture).
It all suits me but gets a bit samey. I would like some new, different stuff but also find changing rooms difficult.
Bon Marche is good for my age but it is hard to get size 12 there as they favour plus size more now.
I don't like online as the things never look the same when they arrive and usually have to be returned.
I also don't like skirts because tights are so uncomfortable. I like lightweight leggings and tunic tops so long as they don't look too 'girly'. Cotton traders are quite nice but I find jeans a nightmare as I am a size 13 so 12 is too tight and 14 is too big. And elastic waist trousers really aren't a good look on me. Makes my tummy look even bigger.
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I just got myself a nice tunic top in Next, navy & jade with elbow length sleeves.
I still wear sleeveless tops, despite bat wings, but usually have a cardi on hand. ::)
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I like cotton traders for trousers they seem to fit ok, we also have M and Co locally and they have really nice tops and cardigans in a good range of colours. Not keen on on-line shopping for clothes except MS for underwear when I have a code I can put in. Have been through my wardrobe as we got a charity bag through the door so managed to find things for that!! Would like a couple of summery skirts, long if possible and full but not seen any yet- don't do pencil skirts any more!. Your top sounds nice cubagirl, jade seems to be in this year and burnt orange from the shops I've been in.
Thorntrees
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Oh forget M&Co - 2 stores within an hour's driving for us ;)
This morning it's gardening jeans on top of socks, old slippers, a couple of thermal tops 1 of which I now need to shed and a hand knitted tank top which is probably over 20 years old.
I hate anything tight around my belly. So no skirts or tights for me !
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I like M & Co. They have some really nice stuff. Trousers are an issue there for me as they never fit properly.
As for arms... :o covered up a bit when I'm away from the house this year I think.
Really must go and have a look around and see what's on offer. Primark is okay for a few bits and bobs.
Honeybun
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I am careful with my upper arms as, as well as my mum's batwings which could knock someone out if I clapped my hands too loudly, I also have a tattoo on one upper arm.
I am not ashamed of it but it isn't always fitting to have it on display.
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:o …… picture BabyJane? ;)
I stopped a guy recently to talk to him about his body 'art work' - it was on show so I asked ::)
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Light-weight knee-length skirts for me, short sleeved tops, non-wool cardi's, and sandals with a bit of a heel - as long as the foot that I sprained two weeks ago can take them, otherwise it's ballet-pump flatties.
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I spend my life in jeans and tunic tops. So for this summer I have bought a pair of wide floral trousers and a pair of wide multi pattern trousers. I shall team them with self coloured t-shirts. Just for a change. That's if we get the weather to wear short sleeved tshirts!
Bramble
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Would be nice if we at least got the heat up here. Miss the weather we had in England last week.
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I live and die in jeans, must have 2 dozen pairs.
Day time outfit is usually straight leg jeans, plain/stripy tunic top with elbow length sleeves, ballet flats or Converse pumps. I am very dull.
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I just can't wear wide trousers. I'm just too short. When I was really slim it was not such an issue but despite being around the same weight everything seems to have ended up around my now non existent waist. It has to be lightly tailored or I just look like a blob.
I'm going through a stage where I look in a mirror and just don't like what I see......gets you down a bit don't you think ?
I don't like my hairstyle, not happy with my skin on my face or anywhere else come to that. Just feel as if I'm stuck in a rut and need a good make over to feel better.
Not sure why I bother to be honest because I'm sure I could go around in a sack and hubby would never even notice. A compliment occasionally would be nice ::).....hmmm some hope. When you have to ask if you look nice you really wonder why you bother.
Sorry for the moan
Honeybun
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i know that feeling i dont ever seem to look right, iam too big around the middle, i got 2 pairs of lovely cotton wide trousers last summer but once shortened i felt enormous, never seem to know what to wear anymore, i have big boobs as well so i feel frumpy now my middle has disappeared :'(
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At the moment my hair, my skin & my nails need some TLC. Can't keep hair in style for much more than 2 weeks these days. Just seems to end up like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards. Nails are peeling again & skin is blotchy.
I can't wear many of the cropped trousers as they flap around & make my already short legs look shorter. Shorts make my knees look fat. As for big boobs, well I can sympathise kerrieann. If I could afford to purchase more stuff from pepperberry, it would be fine, but even they can make me look frumpy occasionally.
Never really had much of a waist even when skinny. Don't I sound beautiful? ;D
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cubagirl, you have big boobs too ? i have tried minimiser bras but still not happy, just dont know what to do with them at times ;D have you had much success with bras ?
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At least I'm not alone in feeling a right mess. The feeling of being even just a little bit attractive has gone to be honest. I told my daughter the other night that I feel invisible....so why bother. She gave me a hard time for that comment.
I wish I could just find a style that suited and flattered...oh and that I could afford. ;D
Still got to make the best of what we have got.....kaftan and a hat anyone ::)
Honeybun
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i just dont feel right in anything really, i can wear cropped trousers that are narrow because the bottom of my legs are quite slim, but the cropped wide ones make my legs look like 2 bits of string hanging out the bottom, dont get me started on my skin its so blotchy :(
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Chicken skin thighs and chunky knees don't help either ;D
Heck, don't we all paint such a lovely picture. Between big boobs, short legs, stringy legs, bingo wings ;D
Don't know whether to laugh or cry. ::)
Honeybun
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I wonder if others see us the same way we see ourselves.
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at least we can say how we feel on here and know we are not alone with our changing bodies, i dont think other people notice as much as we do, someone once said to why worry, what makes you think everyone is looking at you BUT i do worry if i think i look awful :(
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I have never seen a middle aged lady who looks as badly put together as I think I look, so I reckon we don't see ourselves as we truly are. If I looked as awful as I think, I am sure someone in my family would tell me. But during the menopause I think your self esteem and self image are low and we don't think we are worth very much.
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I think we see ourselves more harshly than others do.
Ooh - I hope so .............
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i now have more respect for middle aged ladies who i can see have made an effort, may not look prefect, but i know how hard it is :)
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But do you not just want to kick the ones who look just great. Might be a scarf or a necklace or a pair of shoes that make them look so good but how on earth do they do it.
I never seem to be able to just throw something on and look really great.
As for the so called " key pieces " ummmmm jeans ::) ;D
Honeybun
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In the last 2 years I have just felt 'old'. And look it too. And feel it most days. The perkiness I had in both mind and body has just gone and everything has sagged. Especially my face. Most days I only give the mirror a swift glance as it is depressing.
Bramble
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i have tried the accessories thing pretty scarves etc but i dont like fussy, its jeans and t shirt, longish jumper (enough to cover tummy and bun, not too long though) or sometimes a shirt, have to be carefull of shirts though as big boobs can make the shirt hang away from the top of my legs, oh dear me i think everything looks wrong at the minute
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i have tried the accessories thing pretty scarves etc but i dont like fussy, its jeans and t shirt, longish jumper (enough to cover tummy and bun, not too long though) or sometimes a shirt, have to be carefull of shirts though as big boobs can make the shirt hang away from the top of my legs, oh dear me i think everything looks wrong at the minute
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Kerrieann I'm a Bravissimo girl. Mind you if I'm lucky I can get odd bargain in Debenhams. Expensive business are big boobs! Dresses can be a nightmare. Need bigger size for boobs, but depending on cut, end up looking like I'm wearing a tent.
Has anyone successfully managed a capsule wardrobe?
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thats it exactly like a tent ;D as i said with shirts they stick out from my boobs and hang a few inches out at the front :(
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It's not flattering that's for sure. Empire line styles are the best, but not many out there. This year it seems to be dropped waistlines, which are so-so. That and shirt dresses. According to Gok anyone can wear a shirt dress, I'm still not convinced. I just see big boobs.
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yes a dropped waist is better, dont think i can do a shirt dress though :-\
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I did succomb to a shirt dress, but it's also got a dropped waist, so think it looks OK.
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havent seen any dropped waist anywhere have you ?
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Next have some. Nothing in M&S though that I've seen.
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I didn't fell too bad till I read this thread. ;D
I'm not going to look in a mirror any time soon.
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thanks cubagirl will look on next
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There are a few tunic tops with a dropped waist and a yellow linen dress (other colours too). Dress is a bit harder to find, but if you opt for yellow dress it comes up in first row.
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Bought some Jeans from Sainsburys, they are the best fit I have had for ages. Plus, they were only £16.
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I got fed up with ladies t-shirts that were too clingy, had plunging necklines or stopped just at the right level to make my rear end look enormous! Now I buy plain colour, crew-neck, cotton, men's t-shirts for day-to-day wear. The sleeves come to just above my elbows, the hemline covers the bulgy bits on my hips and they can't look too bad as I've had several friends asking where I get them! I'm a size 14 and find M&S Blue Harbour size L fits well. As a bonus, I find the quality & price is better than plain women's t-shirts.
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off to Sainsbury's next week............................... :thankyou: littleminnie
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We've got to get the proportions right and think about our "outline". And by that, I mean side to side, not front to back. Whatever our weight and where it lies most, our outline doesn't change, whether we're menopausal or not. Short/long-waisted means always short/long-waisted. Curvy/flat hips means always curvy/flat hips. Ditto narrow/wide shoulders, straight/shapely calves, length of neck etc. etc. If we dress to flatter the way we're actually built (bone structure), we can disguise a multitude of sins and draw people's attention away from our worst pudgy bits, and back to our best features. Please do try - it works for me! :)
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The trouble is I'm not sure what flatters my shape any more because it has changed in my mid region ::)
Oh well trial and error and a very honest daughter helps :)
Honeybun
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The trouble is I'm not sure what flatters my shape any more because it has changed in my mid region ::)
HoneybunX
It can be difficult, but the actual proportions between our top half and lower half don't change. So if, say, you're short-waisted and have always been flattered by longer tops, then they should still flatter. The bits to measure are arm-pits to waist, and from waist to hip bone - they'll either be similar, or one will be longer than the other. Then if you can find the right length of top (or waistband in a dress) to complement these proportions, the effect will be flattering and take the eye off any less-preferred areas.
Hope this helps, HB!
D.
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I wish Gok would appear ;) ::)
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I wish Gok would appear ;) ::)
:)
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Would we be brave enough if he did a programme for 'ladies of a certain age' ............ ?
I need knickers :-\
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That's what my son asked for his birthday....pants ;D
Why can men never buy pants and socks ::). I did get him more than pants though. Think he might be a bit let down if that's all he got ;D
Honeybun
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......... an iron to smooth the pants ....... ;)
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Jumpers and T shirts, oh and a very swanky herb pot for his kitchen.....he loves to cook.
Honeybun
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So does my DH .......... he has a drawer full of spices and a fish smoker now ::)
Doesn't know where the dishwasher powder is though - doesn't need to, thinks his clothing arrives back via the Laundry Fairy ;)
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My son does have a laundry fairy.....only thing is he pays this one ;D
Honeybun
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My MIL used to place pants & socks under rug in front of fire to iron them! You'd be sitting there quite the thing watching TV, suddenly she'd lift the rug & remove her "ironed" items. Took me all my time not to laugh!
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Dulciana I know what you mean. I have been various sizes over the years but always the same short (petite) pear shape with a pot belly. I have always been one size smaller top than bottom too so dresses are definitely out.
I bought a lovely Jacques Vert dress for my daughter's wedding last year and had to pay almost as much again for a seamstress to adjust it to fit my shape.
I need an outfit for her best friend's wedding in September so will be looking at separates that I can buy in 2 different sizes :)
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I went through my wardrobe yesterday to weed out clothes that no longer fit and rediscover clothes that that didn't fit, but now do. I managed to go down a size last year and quite a few clothes are really baggy. I've packed away clothes that I really like just in case... :o. My daughter went through the rest and went home with a bag full! And she has said she wouldn't be seen dead in my clothes in the past!
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You are probably now 'retro' then ;) - do you feel cleansed?
I found some knickers! Washed, aired and hidden under a pile of towels in the utility room ::) ;D
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Do you know who they belong to CLKD? ;D ;D
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Well CLKD - At least they are clean ;D
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;D ….. well they fit me 8)
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Sounds like a win win situation ;)
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So far - I have put them into the airing cupboard …….. but will still need to buy more ;)
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I'm a bit obsessed with buying knickers, I have a drawer full.
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I love new knickers, new shampoo, new bubble bath - but not new dusters, hoover-thingies, window cleaner ;)
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Oh heck I love cleaning products....how sad is that.
;D
Honeybun
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me too honeybun, trouble is even at my age i still fall for the hype ::) half the time the old stuff is better such as the old window cleaner windolene sp never found a better one kerrie
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Cream cleanser - so old but so good
Xx
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I love buying new clothes, make up and toiletries. Expensive hobby though. All make up is 3 for 2 at Superdrug at the moment. Done 2 orders already.
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Got me some new leggings yesterday, new shirt & T-shirt. Looking out the window today & it looks like summer. Unfortunately temperature says otherwise.
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yes annie thats another one, good old cream cleaner cant beat it, still the same even though they changed the name kerrie
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The Trinny and Susannah principle is good - we have to play up our best bits , even if its only an elegant wrist they say. Love those
two - blunt as you like but they know their stuff. Took me a while to suss out my body shape according to the list and now I know what to avoid and it helped
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Same here this morning - bright blue sky but very chilly wind - off to add another layer ::)
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My Marisota catalogue came this morning. Does anyone have any experience with this company?
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Nope.
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Babyjane, I've used a couple of times. Things I've bought were good.
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Babyjane - Yes, things were good.
Also, last year they had stuff from Nightingales which I used a lot years ago, it cheered me up to be able to get it again.
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Gosh - Nightingales, now that rings bells - they were franchised at one point so that Ladies could sell from home.
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Never knew that CLKD
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Had a little bit of a shopping spree with DD today.
I have said before I love charity shops. We have a few really good ones. I got a lovely summer dress..Per Una....brand new with tags on for £10. Fits perfectly and I'm delighted with it. Also bought a lovely draped, not clingy summer top from M&Co.
It's a start. Not that many skirts about that I could see except for really big flowing ones which do nothing for me.
I'm determined not to spend the summer in jeans and T shirts this year.
Honeybun
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Not sad to like cleaning stuff Honeybun - when you've done yours, your Mum's, have a drive down here? ;)
I LOVE Charity shops and around here we have lots :P
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Bought some new clothes today for my holiday from Bon Marche, which seems to suit me.
Nearly all tops because I HATE buying trousers as they never fit. Nice to have some new stuff though. I am wearing one since 3 pm and husband has not yet noticed - bother the man :(
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So will it be the new tops and just knickers BJ. ;D
I have problems with trousers too. I'm looking for some nice cotton ones as I'm sick of wearing jeans....oh and more jeans....and sometimes black jeans ::)
Honeybun
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I buy jeans from cotton traders of M&Co in bright colours - tend to wear dark jeans and light coloured tops/jumpers in the Summer, bright jeans and layers of thicker tops when it's colder.
I stripped off 2 layers today!
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So will it be the new tops and just knickers BJ. ;D
Do you think husband might notice something then? ;D
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So will it be the new tops and just knickers BJ. ;D
:oops:
Do you think husband might notice something then? ;D
possibly not ::)