When it comes to clothes shopping I’m pretty predictable. I turn to the Gap sale for jumpers and tops, ASOS for everything else and odd adventure to Topshop or Office for shoes if I’m feeling wild. I suppose I’m typically time-stretched and have made the transition from wanting to look good regardless of how many scratchy sequins that takes to prioritising comfort and a good fit; I find items I like and buy them in different colours (holla Gap Skinny Minis in blue, grey, green and aubergine). I always seem to hone in on similar colours and styles (grey raglan jumpers, breton stripes, v-neck t’s) and wear them happily over and over again.
So when I wander into a shop with no particular goal in mind I always feel a bit lost. The last time I ended up in Topshop I realised I felt a bit too old to be in there… do people really wear those outfits? I had to bid a hasty retreat to Zara where I bought yet another breton boatnecked tshirt to remind me of my fashion sensibilities. I would like to not feel this way though, to be a bit more adventurous when it comes to the clothes I wear. I want to re-discover the feeling of dressing in something I really really love rather than slipping into yet another long-sleeve jersey dream just because I’m tired and it ‘feels a bit like my pyjamas’.
So I’ve started stepping up my Pinterest fashion scrapbook habit. Ogling the fashion blogs and Instagram feeds of women closer to my age whose styles I covet (my favourites are The Frugality and Random Fashion Coolness). Throwing out clothes that no longer feel flattering or fit well so I can more clearly see the ones that do, re-discovering my Mary Poppins-esque box of scarves and accessories.
Quicksilver oversized cardigan, £60. Colourblock jumper, £38. Sous Le Sable ring, £50. New Balance trainers, £80.
This apparel upheaval came hot on the heels of an email from online fashion retailer Zalando, who wrote to me asking if I’d like £50 to spend on their site and another £50 to give away to a reader of my blog. I was like, totally, I’ll do anything for my readers, even if it means shopping.
So I got to it. I don’t know if you’re familiar with Zalando, but BOY was it easy to lose a couple of hours surfing their choice of women’s, men’s and children’s apparel. The place is simply ginormous and is stuffed full with brands you will have heard of and brands you won’t.
Sisely dress, £55. Maya bobble hat, £25. Oversized grey jumper, £32. Faux leather trousers, £35.
My final choice of purchase with my £50 was the Sous Le Sable ring; I never ever buy myself such frivolous things and I’ve been wanting to beef up my ring collection ever since I stopped wearing my wedding and engagement rings (I also love Deepa’s textured gold rings and one of these is on its way to me too). But because ‘restraint’ is not my middle name I also picked up the New Balance trainers… as much as I love my Vans I can’t wear them every day, can I?! And that bobble hat, too. Ahem.
It’s over to you: what would you spend your £50 at Zalando on? To win a £50 gift voucher just wiggle on over to their website, pick which item you’d most like to buy and stick it in the Rafflecopter widget below. It doesn’t have to be under £50 (lots of mine weren’t) or even for you!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I’m now having an attack of the guilts. Should I have bought something for the kids instead of fulfilling my own selfish shopping needs? I think this is one of those situations when I say sorry – not sorry.
Giveaway Terms & Conditions:Start date is 12am, 5th November 2013 and the closing date is 12am, 13th November 2013. The winner will be chosen at random by the random winner generator on Rafflecopter and notified within 5 working days by email. The winner must have fulfilled the mandatory requirement and posted their choice in the Rafflecopter widget. The prize is not transferable. There is no monetary alternative and your voucher will be emailed to you.