August Purchases

So what did I buy last month?  As usual, it was a fairly eclectic mix.  First up are a couple of very practical purchases.  A sparkly zip-up top from the pound rail, brand new with tags - it will do as a cover-up after an exercise class. I've increased my classes and now do kettlebells, spinning and yoga each week.  I might as well get my money's worth out of my leisure card.

The blue lace-up shoes are Somerset by Alice Temperley at John Lewis.  An Ebay bargain.  I wear lots of different styles of flat lace-up shoe, they are my 'everyday' shoe for when I have a fairly active day.  On weekdays, I wear lace-ups for the journey to work (which invariably might involve running for a train...) and then change into other shoes in the office.  I know, very '80s, but at least they're not white trainers with socks (like in 'Working Girl', I love those scenes of the NY rush hour).




I didn't know that I needed a long polkadot skirt in my life until I found this one.  It was charity shopped, and is only from F&F at Tesco - I try to keep my purchases more upmarket these days but it's a nice weight and fully lined, so for a couple of quid I thought I'd try it.  If I don't like wearing it I will re-donate.  I haven't worn a maxi skirt since the early 00s.  Back then it was a khaki cotton tiered one from Topshop that I wore to death.



I bought this lovely Preen Studio at Debenhams dress back in July but forgot to include it.  It has quite a '70s print (I think my Mum had something similar?) and I like the kimono sleeves.  One for work this Autumn.  It's navy though, I don't know why it's black in the photo!



Before my holiday to Spain I panic-bought a number of pairs of sandals and a few other holiday items.  Panic-buying occurs without fail every year.  I really do need to start buying things in January or something when I have loads of time and people are selling off the hot weather gear cheap!  The panic-buying successes included the Clarks 'Bianca Crown' coral sandals on sale.  I wore them on holiday and they were great, though the heel did scuff terribly easily so now I need to find a coral colour marker pen to hide the marks.



The other Clarks sale sandal purchase was the 'Parram Stella' in white.  I didn't end up taking these on holiday because I had too many other pairs to fit in.  I'm having second thoughts now about whether they're too girly because of the big flower on them.  I might pack them away until next summer and perhaps I'll be delighted at the rediscovery.



Whilst in Clarks looking for practical sandals, I saw the 'Amali Jewel', also on sale, and immediately decided that I needed those too.  I took them on holiday also, and I enjoyed wearing them - they're more elegant than the usual wedges I stomp around in for evening wear.



My other panic-buying involved trying to find a new bikini.  I won't bore you with all the ones I bought and sent back because we'd be here all day.  In desperation I went to House of Fraser and happened upon the Biba range.  I bought the 'Icon' bikini in cobalt blue, on sale too.  It's the most glamorous bikini I've ever owned.  I might have to get it in other colours if they release any more next year.

The other pre-holiday panic-purchase was a pair of silk culottes.  I'm not sure now why I felt they were an essential purchase to take abroad, but I felt strongly about it at the time.  The culottes are from Warehouse in the sale (£20 down from £79), and they do brighten things up.  Alas, they don't go with anything in my holiday wardrobe, so they didn't come to Spain with me.  If I can't make them work for day/evening wear then at the very least they can be a posh pair of pyjama bottoms.

Things I bought and sent back...
Also from Warehouse was a stripe cotton dress that has been featured in the Sunday Time Style section and in other fashion editorials.  I stalked it for months, waiting for a price drop, and it finally went on sale in late August.  What a disappointment it turned out to be!  The fabric was very crease-prone - useless for holiday packing - and the sash went through a weird metal loop so that it was quite tight at the waist (not good for hot weather).




Less successful again were the 'Boho' sandals from Brakeburn that I bought before I had discovered the Clarks sale.  They are a departure from my normal sandal style, I was possibly swayed by their comfort - the down side is that they don't actually go with anything in my summer wardrobe!  Gah.  So, I'll have to flog them as it's too late to return them to the shop.

I bought a white ruffle cotton skirt from Asos, but I hated it.  The material was incredibly crease-prone, and the elastic waistband felt cheap.  I would still like a light cotton skirt for holidays, perhaps if I start making one now I'll actually finish it in time!!

Finally, I tried my luck with a pretty embroidered sun top from Topshop.  I liked it, but again it just didn't fit seamlessly in with other things I'd bought.

That was it for August! I'm shopping feverishly now in September to bring you a bumper roundup at the end of the month...