Hauling and overhauling

September 26, 2018

Hauling and overhauling

It happens to me quite often. I don't know how common it is but every now and again (maybe once a year) I just get a massive need to shop until I drop and to essentially get a whole new wardrobe. It's probably the change in season but this year, I think it's also the change in job. I've gone from working in a very corporate environment where 5/7 days a week I needed to dress smart (pencil skirts etc), to working in a very casual place where most people are wearing jeans. So I carried out an extensive project; I basically wasted hours of my life looking through every single clothing website I could think of. Although it obviously wasn't a complete waste of time because I got some amazing new things! I'll take it shop by shop so let's start with boohoo. I really felt like I needed to get some animal print stuff because I love it so much and this dalmatian print shirt is exactly what I wanted. And I really like shirts for autumn, like tucked into a little skirt or something. So sticking with the shirt theme, I also got this embroidered one. I love embroidery and bright red is my colour of the moment. I especially like this shirt because it fits a little oversized (just how you'd want it to) but without being super long. Usually trying to tuck a shirt into things becomes a nightmare but this one is a great length. And because I'm obsessed with bright red and felt in need of some new night out clothes, I also got this bralet with frilled edging which fits perfectly.

The next place I ordered from was missguided, my long time favourite. And the animal print just kept going! I love this satin leopard print fabric (it's everywhere right now) and I especially wanted these shorts but they kept going out of stock. So the second I saw them in stock in my size, I seized my opportunity and I'm glad I did because they're really nice. They fit perfectly and I think they'll be great for nights out. I also got some more dalmatian print but this time with the colours inverted. Sock boots are so comfortable and I don't think you can go wrong with a statement shoe. Another thing I'd had my eye on for ages is this brown heart print white shirt. I kept re-opening it but deciding against it and I figured I may as well finally order it. My first thoughts were that it looked like a pyjama top. In fact, Katie nipped round to get something from mine while I was mid-way through trying everything on and even she thought I was in pyjamas. But actually, once the sleeves are rolled up and it's tied at the waist, I really like it. Plus I have a brown suede skirt and brown suede boots that it will match perfectly (although probably not at the same time). I am also a die-hard believer that you can never have too many black tops. So I added 2 more to my collection. I loved the milkmaid white top I got from new look so much that I decided to get the black version too (but from missguided this time), although it isn't quite as good as the new look one. Then I also got this black top with 3/4 sleeves and button up front (so it kind of looks like a done up cardigan) which I think will go with a lot.

And then the third place I ordered from was actually a completely new discovery. Well, loads of people have obviously shopped there before, but it was somewhere new for me. I saw an ad on facebook (which I usually ignore) but it was showing the prettiest jacquard dress so I thought the website was worth a look. It was SheIn and oh my god, I am totally sold. They've got the biggest collection ever (looking through it all took me a lifetime) and all the stuff is dirt cheap. Like tops for £7, dresses for £14, trousers for £10. And it was all the same stuff that the likes of missguided, boohoo and PLT were selling but half the price. I was a little skeptical of 2 things. 1, the sizing, because it was S M L which is normally a recipe for disaster. And 2, the quality, because at those prices I thought the clothes would look exactly that; cheap. But I thought I'd order anyway on the basis I could return it if it was all crap and I was so pleasantly surprised. I ordered 17 things (one of which was a present for my mum) and it only cost me £170 because as well as loads of the stuff being cheap and on sale, I also got a discount code for £30 off! So the items averaged at £10 each and there were only 2 things I didn't like; both dresses which I'll be sending back. But everything else I love! Let's start with the first lot. I love wrap blouses because they're so easy to throw on for work or for dinner and I think the navy and rust colours in this one are so nice and autumnal. Plus I can't get enough of flared sleeves (as you may have noticed). I was also on the hunt for a midi leopard print skirt for my holiday and I found a few but ended up going for this one because it's shorter at the front/side. And it's exactly what I was after! It's a crepe fabric so perfect for when it's hot (I'm not deluded, I go on holiday tomorrow) and my favourite length. I also have tailored trousers in just about every colour so I added another shade to the rainbow with these orange-rust coloured one. This is probably the item I was happiest with actually. The fabric was so soft and lovely and the fit was insanely good! You may remember I tried to order from PLT when I wrote my last haul post but still hadn't received it. Well it turns out they'd lost my order and refunded me instead but the universe has its ways because a striped skirt exactly like this one was on the order and this time I got it much cheaper!

And clearly I ordered so much stuff from SheIn that it wouldn't fit all in one photo. So I had to do it in batches; on to batch 2. As I said, the reason I loved this website so much was because they were selling the same as others but for less. I'd seen this lace, rope effect black top on new look and held off buying it; got it from SheIn for much cheaper! It's quite a thick fabric so I think it'll make a really nice autumn top. And I also had my eye on a pair of belted green shorts and again, got them here for much less. The green is slightly brighter than the new look pair but if I anything I like that more - I love this colour! I also got some bold printed tops. One is a sort of marble effect shirt which is amazing because it's quite short and fitted, rather than baggy and oversized like most. I also got this chain print mesh bodysuit which I think has gucci vibes and will look nice over a black bralet. The black, white and red leopard print shirt you've already seen. I love the flared sleeves and it's a nice fabric, although it does have a ruched, elasticated band at the bottom which I always think looks a bit tacky (personal taste) but I wore it rolled under and it hid it perfectly.

Look at the perfectly pretty palette on batch number 3. As part of my style overhaul, I'm aiming to add a few more casuals into the mix and as I've already said, pale pink and bright red is my latest favourite thing so I thought this t-shirt with embroidered rose was really cute. I also got myself another shirt (no such thing as too many apparently) but this time with embroidered flamingos. It's a pretty oversized fit but the fabric is gorgeous and it looks great tied at the waist. On to bottoms and I love myself a good par of culottes so I bought myself a pair of grey ones. Not much to say about them (especially since you can barely see them in the photo) but they do fit really nicely and they're a welcome addition to my collection. Now the skirt, I'm excited about. I love embroidery and this one is keeping to the pink and red theme again so I think it'll go with a lot. I finished off the lot with a pair of rose pink shorts; a colour I'm obsessed with. I figured my night out wardrobe needed a refresh so plenty of skirts and shorts to go at now!

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