WIW On my way to Brighton - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW On my way to Brighton

Jane

Veteran

Good Morning! I am about to go to Brighton for a bit of shop and to relax (I love shopping!). I took a photo of my curves because, thanks to YLF, I am learning to own! I'm on the hunt for a pretty summer skirt. I will probably go to Karen Millen. I am also hoping KM might have the matching purse for my flowery shirt. If there is a good work skirt or wide leg trousers, I would be pleased.

Also below is a picture of me at work, in a Day et Birger (?) skirt (I have the jacket too), and Karen Millen shirt. I've always wanted a job where I can wear super high heels - and this is the job that justifies it, but my feet hurt on Fridays, so I may well soon be giving up on the heels. I have only one pair and I've the same shoes with a lower heel, so that I can change later in the day. All very formal, serious attire! Company policy to wear tights, which I'm fine with but it makes the whole look very heavy. I'm yet to find lighter colour tights I like.

Thank you for looking. Very best wishes to all.

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28 replies

Latest reply was from Beth Ann

Anonymous

Jane you look gorgeous in both outfits. I do love that floral blouse on you. Such pretty colours. I like the poncho topper choice. Bet you'll have a blast in Brighton. I've only ever looked at KM online...nice clothes!

You look very smart in your work outfit too. My feet would probably ache at the end of a week in heels too, but they look sooooo fab. Do you ever like to wear nude coloured tights? I've found a sheer Pretty Polly shade that looks perfect on my pale limbs.

skylurker

Veteran

Wow, Jane, you look fantastic. So polished and chic.
I love that the pumps are patent, so they don't disappear against the black opaque hosiery.
And the floral blouse is so pretty on you.

May I ask why you love high heels, do they look powerful to you ? I'm curious because, practicality aside, I've never been attracted to their style.

Jane

Veteran

Di and Skylurker thank you so much for your kind comments

On tights, I've never had much luck with the nude shade. Di, please may you let me know which shade in PP you wear.

Do you think I should cut / shorten the jeans?

On heels, they do kind of help I think on one level. I work for a property development company, on the construction side. It's rare for me to have meetings with other women, usual to have meetings with 10 or so men. I take it as part of my persona to be as smart presentation wise when I can, but do show emotions, and genuinely enjoy those I work with. They make efforts in respect of shirts and ties and suits. I feel by wearing heels I'm matching their appearance. I think but don't know that I have a little bit of extra command.

My boss likes heels too. He's a very good boss, wears super smart clothes and I like to know that when he and I are in meeting, appearance wise, I cut it!

I acknowledge my fickleness but I'm there to do the best I can, and pay a huge personal price on the commute. So to me wearing heels is kind of part of it. Every so often I wear flats, and that's good too because im super fast then, whizzing around! When I leave the office I wear geox trainers, which means I'm comfortable and can walk fast. On building sites it's site boots, and high viz. I'm over sharing re my thoughts on heels, but it's nice to do.

My DH is not overly bothered about heels or not. His view is the same as mine, if I'm there, I'm to do the best I can. He loves me very much, isn't jealous and that's helpful to me, given what I do and how I do it! I love him too, In part because he gives me freedom to be who I want to be. I'm very fortunate.

Anonymous

Here you go Jane :http://www.prettypolly.co.uk/p.....hts-s/Skin

I wear the palest shade called Barely There and I actually wear the hold ups myself as I'm not fond of the elastic round my waist which is quite thick compared to my other measurements. The tights come in the same shades though. BTW they are quite sheer so if you decide you like the colour on yourself, I'd get a few pairs in case of holes. Sometimes though, by sheer fluke I have a pair that will stand up to a few washes and wears.

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Jane

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Thank you Di.

Here's where I'm up to on the shopping front. Nothing really grabs me yet but fun trying!

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Anonymous

Ooh, the Brighton Pavillion isn't it? Lovely!

Fun to try on things eh. I like the colours of the two dresses. Nice striped top too.

skylurker

Veteran

Thank you for taking the time to answer. I do feel heels are more formal than flats and I completely understand how they can smart up your presentation at work. I'm relieved I don't have to do that myself (I work with men too, but they don't wear suits) because I commute on foot and I'd probably have to carry heels in my bag and switch shoes at work.

Re shortening the jeans : that's a question for Angie, our pedantic pant length queen personally, I like this classic length for high vamp shoes in F/W and I roll them up in S/S - as there's no contrasting colour with white jeans, I think the roll is not too "RATE" or leg shortening.
I'm afraid if I shorten my cream jeans, they will become less versatile and become a Spring only item, because high shaft boots are still hard to find.

Jane

Veteran

yeah!

I've bought this dress and top....

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Meredith

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Jane, I love your polished skirt look and the jeans and floral top are fab! Very nice finds on your shopping trip as well. I particularly love the top! Hollyhocks steal the show, though!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The Brighton Pavilion! Thank you for sharing those.

Jane, you look amazing in the printed top in your first photos and the crisp white jeans. The work blouse is also pretty on you and I see Di has got you sorted with nude hose.

Very interesting to hear your reflections on heels. So much of this is situational and contextual, isn't it? I don't think heels per se are expected here in workplaces (even conservative ones) but dressy footwear certainly would be. It's just that a heel would not be the marker of dressiness or authority; however I do see how wearing heels can help those of us who are shorter to feel more authoritative. I do feel this at times as a shorter woman; I will wear heels if I want to "stand up" to someone taller!

I love your new blouse -- absolutely stunning on you. I think the colours in the dress are also going to work exceptionally well. You look lovely.

Summer

Veteran

You look very polished in your work outfit, Jane, but I couldn't do the heels! (used to, though). Also, I love the white jeans and pretty top on you.

It looks as if you have had a successful shopping trip to Brighton. The new blouse is gorgeous - beautiful colours.

Love the pavilion and hollyhocks pictures, too.

chouette22

Veteran

It was fun following you on your shopping trip. Love the blouse and also your reflections on heels.

My first stay in an English-speaking country was in Brighton, for 3 months, great memories!

JAileen

Veteran

Your work outfit is lovely. I personally don't like to wear heels, but I do think they look nice.

Look what I found on my refrigerator:

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rachylou

Veteran

Sheer black stockings? Or are those not warm enough?

Love your buys...have to tell you, you look amazing in brights...and the pavilion is where my mother accused me, as a teen, of not taking time to appreciate and challenged me to tell her how many pieces of silverware were on the table - and I got her!

I'm like Rain Man. Wrong challenge. Hehe

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love the floral blouse - perhaps a coral bag could work if you don't find a floral one?

I LOVE the boho top that you just bought too. Gorgeous with the white jeans. Happy shopping.

Jane

Veteran

Thank you all so much. It really is so confidence inspiring.

I had supper with my mum. I wore my new top, although changed to dark jeans and a dark cami in the end. And I wore my green poncho, rather than my jacket.

On the bus, to Brighton, I sat next to a mum, who was taking her two teenage daughters to the pier and shopping. It was so nice to chat to her, and her girls were buzzing to be in Brighton!

I know that table Rachylou, there is an absolute tonne of numerous pieces of silverware on the dining table

. JAileen, great fridge magnet! I really wanted the sun to come out, because the pavillion does look better with a bright blue sky. Hey ho, english summers!

Meredith, the holly hocks were such soft pretty colours, and huge.

Suz, I think the heels thing is a short lived venture for me....may be this time next year, the heels will be consigned to the back of the cupboard.

Thank you for looking. Particularly, Angie, on your birthday!

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Brooklyn

Veteran

Love your white jeans outfit. And your new top with the jeans. Lovely colour. I like it with the leather jacket too. Fun following your shopping trip

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, that top looks even better on you in the light!! Absolutely brilliant with your colouring and so very pretty.

Jane

Veteran

Phew Suz! It was a dark and moody shop where I bought it, so I'm pleased you say that! Thank you!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Jane you look wonderful in both outfits!

Anonymous

The new purchases are great Jane! Lovely colours and fabrics. The outfit you wore to see you mum is smashing. I like how you added a bit of tough with the leather jacket. Nice white sandals btw.

skylurker

Veteran

New dress and top look great. Hope you show us the dress in a better light one day, I have a feeling the store light doesn't do justice to the pattern - I like the vertical orange stripes.
(I went to Brighton once, I remember the pier, and I think there's a crazy ornate music room in that pavilion?)

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Jane, you look impeccable and so feminine in both your outfits (ETA: all 3 in fact ). They all show different side of you and it's a treat to see.

Have you tried Falke hosiery? One of their ranges called Seidenglatt which comes in different DENs and also different shades of both brighter (nude) or darker (anthracite, black) colours, so you can probably find the right ones for you, I like that range because there is some shine to them which makes elevates that heaviness in the overall look (except 100 DEN ones, but those are more wintery anyway).

Joy

Veteran

You made some great choices in your shopping. I especially like the top with your jeans. It reminds me a little of Angie's bright floral top that she got this spring. ( in find below)

CeCe By Cynthia Steffe 'Ditsy Chorus' Floral Print Handkerchief Hem Blouse

View Info

Top Pick

26

Jane

Veteran

Joy, I agree, I had in mind Angie's top when I walked out of the shop and had a little smile on my face remembering. I also reread the post and see that although my top is very roomy, so is Angie's!

Hi Ornella, thank you, I'm pleased that I look feminine. Thank you for the recommendation on the tights.

Skylurker, there is a pretty wildly decorated music room in the Pavillion. Good memory!

Thank you Shevia!

Girls, I am worried about the dress though! It isn't what I normally buy, which is a good thing. But...

I may have a play this evening.

Thank you for looking.

Jane

Veteran

Di, thank you for the compliment on the white sandals. I really like them, but they are uncomfortable! I even bought some foot glide (thank you Angie!) but although helps, it doesn't get me much further than the end of the road before I feel uncomfortable!

kkards

Veteran

Have you tried Kitten heels---- they give you the feeling/ look of heels without (at least IMO) without the pain.

Beth Ann

Veteran

What a wonderful day of shopping! I love your new finds, and think you look terrific in your floral blouse, too! I like the way you soften the business look with the pretty blouse.

As for heels -- I find it most helpful to vary the shoes I wear from day to day. If I needed to wear heels daily, I'd look into Cole Haan's pumps with Nike technology. It really makes a difference! Also, I learned to size up for a bit more room in the toe, while adding more cushioning with foot petals (ball of foot inserts) in my fancier shoes.