What To Buy In The January Sales

Posted in Fashion.

I’m somewhat of a sucker for a good sale. I don’t like rummaging through messy racks or elbowing people out of the way for the last ill-advised printed jumpsuit but fortunately (or unfortunately, depending how you look at it), most retailers host their sales online too – with free delivery and plenty of discount codes to be found, it’s far too easy to indulge in a spot of sale shopping from your sofa.

This year, however, I had a plan. I wanted to invest. I had some money from Christmas to spend and I wanted to buy well-made, timeless pieces that would last beyond next year’s sales. So here’s what I got…

The one I’d been waiting for
january sales blog post
French Connection wool dress coat, £80 from £200

A coat was number one on my ‘must buy’ list, and I’d had my eye on this one since I saw it on Wearing It Today. It’s beautifully cut and so warm – a real bargain.

The one that nearly got away
what to buy in january sales
Zara faux fur and wool gilet, £29.99 from £69.99

I tried on this gorgeous gilet when it first hit the rails at Zara and very nearly made it to the till, but the hefty price tag put me off. When I spotted it at more than 50% off I snapped it straight up – very satisfying.

The ones I wouldn’t buy otherwise
good buys in january sales

sale purchases
Cos striped cotton top, £35 from £60 and Cos neon yellow dress, £30 from £70

Cos is a brand I admire from afar. I love the clean simplicity of their designs but always think the prices are too high for such minimalism. When I found myself browsing the online sale, I had to stop myself buying every last piece. Great reductions meant I came away with a classic breton stripe and this eye-popping dress – definitely one for Fashion Week!

The one at an amazing price
what to buy in january sales
Gap grey blazer, £14.99 from £39.99

The Gap sale is amazing. AMAZING. Clearly I have an addiction to grey tailoring, and I got my second fix with this cute blazer which I know I’ll be wearing as soon as the weather allows.

The ones I couldn’t resist
january sales blog post

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Topshop nautical jumper, £20 from £40 and Topshop lace bow jumper, £18 from £38

Okay, okay. My mission was to invest in classic pieces and these jumpers are… not. But I couldn’t resist the bright colours and quirky details. These two beauties will look great with jeans and flats. Hurry up March!

The designer one
what i bought blog post
Day Birger necklace, £24.99 from £49.99

I’m allowed one designer piece, right? This amazing necklace was calling my name from MyWardrobe.com and I simply couldn’t say no.

The practical ones
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Topshop pants, £1-2 from £4-6

Topshop’s underwear sale is a treasure trove of cheap yet pretty pants. I stock up every time to keep my underwear drawer looking beautiful.

I’m really pleased with my January Sale purchases – I didn’t go overboard, get sucked in by huge discounts or buy anything I won’t wear. I got the items I’d been stalking for months, stocked up on the practicalities and allowed myself a little bit of frivolity. And I completely revamped my wardrobe too – a job well done, I think!

Did you buy anything in the sales? What was your best (and most useful) bargain?

The Wrap Dress and Why it’s Okay to Play it Safe (Sometimes)

Posted in Daily Outfits, Fashion.

After Christmas, I set myself a little January Sales Challenge. I’m well-known for going a bit mental when things are reduced, and have three bags of clothes waiting to be eBayed to prove it. But this year, to work with my maturing style, I decided to invest in some classics. So far, so ordinary. I’ll tell you more about my January Sales Challenge later this week, but for now I just wanted to share one of the items I bought…

fashion blog daily outfit post UK fashion blogger A Little Bird Told Me daily outfit photos

daily outfit photos
Gap wrap dress, Michael Kors leather jacket via TK Maxx, Bertie boots, Zatchels bag, Day Birger necklace via MyWardrobe.com, Jana Reinhardt Sleepy Fox Ring c/o Damson Jewellery

This printed wrap dress is from Gap – a shop I don’t usually frequent for anything other than basic tees, but one I’m adding to a list entitled ‘Amazing Sales’. I paid £9.99 for this beauty, which was reduced from £40. It’s definitely one of my best bargains!

Wrap dresses are often included in articles about how to dress a ‘curvy’ body. Something about accentuating the waist and smoothing over the hips, I’m sure. But they’ve always been missing from my wardrobe because… well, they’re just so safe. Wrap dresses remind me of office workers in the mid-90s, Susannah Constantine (of Trinny and Susannah fame) and the first series of 10 Years Younger. I’m convinced the answer to every woman’s fashion woes in 1997 was a belted wrap dress.

But there’s a reason wrap dresses are so popular, despite not being particularly fashion forward. As Diane von Furstenberg knows, they are flattering for anyone with more than their fair share of T&A. When I bought this dress, I didn’t need to try it on because I knew it would suit me. And although it’s far from inspiring and not really that imaginative, I love it. Sometimes, it’s nice to wear a piece you know is doing you justice.

What’s your ‘playing it safe’ piece?

The Edit – Bib Necklaces

Posted in Fashion.

I have a big thing for statement necklaces. Love them. A bit of bling will add that fashion edge to the simplest outfit – I regularly throw my favourite ASOS necklace on over a plain t-shirt and jeans and call it a day. I prefer the higher bib style that sits on the collarbone and have a magpie eye for splashes of colour and spiky bits.

As I’m being lazy (or rather, ill-prepared and unable to take a photo today), I’ve compiled a collage of my favourite statement necklaces – The Edit, if you will. Here they are…

embellished bib necklace statement jewellery

1. Forever 21, £10.65
2. Marni, £185
3. Topshop, £28
4. DANNIJO, £320
5. Lauren Elan, £61

Re-wearing Your Wardrobe

Posted in Daily Outfits, Fashion.

I won’t lie to you. I do have quite a large clothing (and shoe and accessory and bag) collection. Some might say I have knitwear coming out of my ears. But I’m very strict with my wardrobe. I’ve mentioned this many times on Little Bird – I clear out my closet on the regular and eBay/donate/chuck anything that’s no longer suitable, whether due to a change in style, size or general preference. And that means I’m left with only the things I love.

So it’s no surprise that I wear the same pieces in quick succession. I have my favourites, and I wear them again and again and again. My tendency to wear the same necklace/coat/shoes/jeans time after time is a regular topic of discussion in the comments – apparently, lots of you wear your favourite purchases all.the.time too!

spotty Topshop trousers green polka dot jeans Topshop

UK fashion blogger daily outfit photo
French Connection coat, River Island jeans, Gap shirt, American Apparel t-shirt, Valensi flats c/o Sarenza, F21 necklace, Primark leather gloves, Zara bag

With the exception of the gloves (which were £7 in Primark – BUY THEM, they’re amazing), you’ve seen everything here before. Heck, I wore the coat-and-necklace combo mere days ago. But surely that’s just a reflection of normality? In real life, we wear the same clothes day in, day out. And why should a fashion blog be any different?

I’m so enamoured with my Zara faux fur gilet, it featured in outfit posts four times in three weeks before I decided to give it a break. And I’m sure you’re all sick of the sight of my favourite ASOS necklace. But if it can be reworked with fresh accessories, a different lipstick or new shoes, I’ll love it forever.

Take a look at how I’ve worn each piece in this outfit a different way and tell me – what’s most-worn in your wardrobe?

The grey wool coat
The spiked necklace
The white shirt
The polka dot jeans
The patent pink flats
The quilted bag

Monday Style – Keeping It Simple

Posted in Daily Outfits.

It usually takes me a few days to get into my style stride. The weekend is reserved for denim and flats, so when Monday rolls around it can take a bit of effort to get back into the fashion mindset. And sometimes, I just can’t be bothered…

how to wear a faux fur gilet uk blogger daily outfit photo

zara faux fur gilet
Zara faux fur and wool gilet, Primark jeans and tee, Zign brogues c/o Zalando, ASOS necklace, Butler and Wilson ring c/o QVC

Today was clearly one of those days! Black skinnies and a basic striped tee (both weekend Primark purchases – the jeans are particularly amazing) make for a simple outfit, but leather brogues, my favourite necklace and this amazing faux fur and wool gilet from Zara (£30 in the sale) add a fashion edge. Kind of.

Not the most inspiring outfit, but a reflection of a real Monday wardrobe. What are you wearing to start the week?