Tiffin' Fashion Thread

[millyskate]

I don't think we've had one of these for a while and couldn't find the last one so I thought I'd start a brand new one

I need a new handbag. In fact I need two, a small and a large, but I haven't quite found what I'm looking for.

I like these styles for the small

J by Jasper Conran Navy Zip Detail Cross Body Bag | Debenhams

From the J by Jasper Conran range, this cross-body bag will make a stylish addition to your daytime accessory collection. Featuring gold-toned detailing and two pockets on the front, it is finished with a secure zip fastening, spacious interior and an adjustable shoulder strap.

www.debenhams.com

J by Jasper Conran Grey 'Belsize Park' Cross-Body Bag | Debenhams

Swing this compact cross body bag from J by Jasper Conran alongside smart and casual looks. Embellished with a gold tone metal plaque with embossed branded lettering at the front, it's fitted with an adjustable strap and three pockets.

www.debenhams.com

and would like to find this kind of style for the large, but a different colour.

Leather - Men | Debenhams

Find Leather from the Mens department at Debenhams. Shop a wide range of Men products and more at our online shop today.

www.debenhams.com

Other ones I like

Mantaray | Debenhams

Find Mantaray from the Womens department at Debenhams. Get it next day with our Unlimited Delivery.

www.debenhams.com

This one would be my favourite if it had a shoulder strap: https://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_089010204643_-1

Also need a new work dress, since I have a couple I rotate and I must have warn each several hundreds of times. Absolutely loved this in the shop but it's suede and I thought it wouldn't last 2 minutes with my clumsy lifestyle.

https://media.riuparis.fr/media/cdn/cache/product/684/auto/2011360006-robe-droite-bicolore-kaki-2011360006-2.jpg

 

[taf2002]

The suede dress is cute but it probably wouldn't last with me either. I'm going to take advantage of the sales this week & go clothes shopping. I realized that I haven't really refreshed my wardrobe in a long time. Also I need something appropriate to wear to BIL's memorial next month. And I need a bunch of new sweats to wear around the house too. I'm not looking forward to it. I hate the mall!

 

[quartz]

That dress is adorable, and I can totally see you in it with tights and cute little boots, but yeah, probably not practical for everyday sort of wear. I have a little rubber brush that I use on my suede coat and boots, freshens up the nap and removes dried on dirt - I’d have the front of that dress filthy in no time unless I wore a smock over it every time I did something messy.

 

[Desperado]

How can we not have discussed fashion in nearly 5 years? Is this thread another victim of the crud? ?

Went to Gap yesterday and found a wide leg navy cotton/linen pants unicorn in Petite (perfect hem) on sale.

I was hoping for a button waist instead of an elastic because I find the latter harder to style, but I’ll take it.

The clincher? It’s a size X-Small I haven’t worn true XS in 25 years so it’s hilarious. I’ve also bought decent Small and X-small oversized t-shirts there in the past, which is why I keep going back to the “on sale” section and look at all sizes (takes a while, I really have to have a good day for it).

Pet peeve: Gap and others calling oversized sizes “boyfriend” sizes. I hate this almost as much as the “mom jeans” moniker.

 

[Aceon6]

Back in the dark ages, I wore a 12 when there were standard sizes and a 12 corresponded to a 36” hip. During the 80s and early 90s, my 12 became a 10, then an 8, then a 6 even though I was still a 36” hip. That 6 is now a 2! My poor niece who started as a 2 in the 90s now has trouble finding anything and needs XXS.

I’ve gained weight since, but I have to try small, medium and large and/or everything from 8-12 if I’m not sure how the manufacturer sizes.

 

[Desperado]

I think European sizes have remained true but US/CA sizing is all over the place. I can’t keep up with sizing per brand to order online and I find less and less good quality items in stores.

I’m also super annoyed that I gave away a lot of good quality clothing after 5 years of being unable to fit in them (and no need during the pandemic) only to now have lost the weight and only finding cheaply made stuff and a lot of recycled plastic, even in good brands.

 

[made_in_canada]

I’m also super annoyed that I gave away a lot of good quality clothing after 5 years of being unable to fit in them (and no need during the pandemic) only to now have lost the weight and only finding cheaply made stuff and a lot of recycled plastic, even in good brands.

That drives me crazy too. I’m very tempted to start sewing again.

 

[Desperado]

That drives me crazy too. I’m very tempted to start sewing again.

I thought of taking it up, if only to be able to hem things with a machine. I can do small repairs, but invisible stitching by hand is a lot and pants in stores are soooo looong. What a waste.

ETA - I have also lost access to good seamstresses and the money charged now is through the roof for unreliable woek.

 

[Tesla]

I thought of taking it up, if only to be able to hem things with a machine. I can do small repairs, but invisible stitching by hand is a lot and pants in stores are soooo looong. What a waste.

ETA - I have also lost access to good seamstresses and the money charged now is through the roof for unreliable woek.

Knowing how to hem is a good skill, and there are hemming feet for the sewing machine. I do not know how to hem. I should probably learn. ?

 

[Aceon6]

If you plan to hem skirts, definitely get a hem marker. The tool will pay for itself in 3 hems. Pants can be done without. The key to a nice hem is to iron twice, once to set the hem so you can check it and again to flatten the hem line after it is sewn.

 

[Desperado]

If you plan to hem skirts, definitely get a hem marker. The tool will pay for itself in 3 hems. Pants can be done without. The key to a nice hem is to iron twice, once to set the hem so you can check it and again to flatten the hem line after it is sewn.

Now I remember why my sewing plans didn’t get very far. I threw out my ironing board years ago and my iron died a few years after. I bought a small handheld steamer but rarely use it.

Every beginner sewing video I watched spoke of ironing things.

 

[Tesla]

Now I remember why my sewing plans didn’t get very far. I threw out my ironing board years ago and my iron died a few years after. I bought a small handheld steamer but rarely use it.

Every beginner sewing video I watched spoke of ironing things.

You can make your own pressing board. Get a thin piece of wood (plywood or a thin wood cutting board), batting, and canvas or other heavy duty fabric. I used a staple gun but you can probably use heavy duty glue or got glue. Fold the batting so you have a few layers and can wrap to the back of the board. Glue or staple to the back. Then wrap the fabric around the board and batting, and glue or staple to the back.

As for irons, any inexpensive iron will work. You don't need anything fancy. Big or small will work.

 

[PRlady]

Italian women dress>Swiss women>American women>Israeli women.

One reason I love traveling is to assess the styles and looks in different places. I hate to say it but there really is a Gen Z uniform: crop top, baggy pants, sneakers. Here there and everywhere. Show more originality, girls.

 

[Desperado]

Italian women dress>Swiss women>American women>Israeli women.

One reason I love traveling is to assess the styles and looks in different places. I hate to say it but there really is a Gen Z uniform: crop top, baggy pants, sneakers. Here there and everywhere. Show more originality, girls.

Do French women come before or after Italian women?

I hear you about GenZ. They also add a hoodie but same, same.

 

[KCC]

Yesterday, I departed from everything I've ever worn and bought some billowy "harem" type pants that you can tie up little gathers on the outside seam (there is no elastic at the ankle). They are immensely comfortable and actually very look cute on. They have a beautiful batik-looking leafy print that I'll wear with a plain shirt and fun jewelry. Except for my array of t-shirts, everything in my closet is pretty plain - solid colors, understated, comfortable fabrics, and simple/traditional styles. Given that these pants are such a departure from my normal style, I hope I actually wear them! The plan right now is to wear them at a celebration that comes a year after DS's wedding; it is being held at a mountain campground in mid-August.

 

[quartz]

Pajamas are my thing now. Good thing there are lots of cute options.

 

[PRlady]

Do French women come before or after Italian women?

I hear you about GenZ. They also add a hoodie but same, same.

Haven’t been in France in years (we are on short trip to Switzerland/Italy.) But of course what I remember is fabulous.

 

[Aceon6]

Haven’t been in France in years (we are on short trip to Switzerland/Italy.) But of course what I remember is fabulous.

I think the French still have the best fashion strategy. Those who can afford it wear perfectly fitting, timeless basics and vary the look with accessories. The key is the fit.

I used to do interview coaching for high school students. One of the program’s benefits was a $100 GC for interview clothes. The kids who took the advise to buy one perfectly fitting pair of black pants instead of ill fitting fast fashion got more job offers.

 

[gkelly]

I think the French still have the best fashion strategy. Those who can afford it wear perfectly fitting, timeless basics and vary the look with accessories. The key is the fit.

And what is the strategy for those who can't afford it?

 

[quartz]

Thrift stores!

 

[once_upon]

There are never jeans with accurate inseam measurements.

30 inch advertised are almost always 32.

28 or 29 are almost always 30 or 31.

 

[MacMadame]

Pajamas are my thing now. Good thing there are lots of cute options.

And the kids have made it fashionable to wear them in public! (Well, pajama pants any way.)

 

[Aussie Willy]

Oooo a thread that discusses sewing.

I earn money doing clothing repairs and alterations, and then making and hemming curtains, cushions, etc. If anyone has any questions about sewing stuff happy to answer.

I am sure I am not the only one who the first thing that wears out with their jeans is between the thighs. I have been able to get greater life out of my jeans by just doing a whole lot of backward and forward straight stitching over the tear. Never zig zag as it ends up lumpy.