I have had the most appalling time trying to shop just lately. Nothing is going right and nothing that I like fits as it should. Look at my rate of returns. Even the things that I thought were wonderful and keepers didn't turn out to be.
Remember the lilac v neck jumper? I thought that was going to be a real keeper. Something nice and different for me for the summer. Returned.
Why? Because I went and tried on the navy version and realised there was a whole two inch difference in the length of the jumpers. The navy was two inches shorter and didn't need me to do any kind of invisible tucking in to my jeans and sat at the perfect length on me. Not too long, not too short. After trying the navy, I didn't want the lilac - it wasn't perfect enough. And yes, I went in to the store and tried on all the lilac jumpers they had in my size just to make sure that what I had was the freak of nature one, but no, they were all long. Hmm. The irony is if I'd never tried on the navy, I would have been happy with the lilac and my wardrobe would be a much more colourful world. As it is, there is no lilac jumper for me this summer. But there is a navy one instead :o) .... I think. Or I could still change my mind again and go buy the lilac one again and return it ... and buy it ... and return it and repeat the process many times over till I'm absolutely positively sure I don't want it or I find one which is two inches shorter.
But look! I have actually taken delivery of something which is a keeper. I have even taken the tags off ! It's another one of those classic "not exactly going to set the world on fire" items that I like to buy. Meet my Uniqlo cotton lawn check shirt.
It's one I spotted a little while back but didn't go for straightaway. I needed to see what other offerings the High Street were throwing out for this spring/summer first.
This is a cotton lawn shirt - a fine woven cotton - soft and easy to wear. Cotton lawn to me is something I mainly associate with Liberty - their most famous and popular fabric being their Tana lawn. The Tana part of it is associated with Lake Tana where the cotton was originally sourced from. Just call me Sue Wiki So So :o) Anyway, I digress - what I wanted to say was - cotton lawn? Lovely. Or at least in my books. Smooth, light, soft and not too creasy.
It's also a good length on me for wearing untucked even though I'm short - 5ft 2 at a push. Some shirts are just that couple of inches too long and elongate my body too much which makes the old short legs look even shorter. It is very gently fitted - flattering yet quite accommodating of a poochy tum and a good layering shirt if you like to top off with a jumper as it's not too bulky or stiff. It's a good basic. Actually thinking about this, having bought 3 shirts from Uniqlo in total - they fit me quite well in a size small. Granted the sleeves are a cuff too long but that's par for the course and I can't possibly hold that against them - I am short - I would look ridiculous with baboon arms.
So just a little shirt to start me back on track. Black gingham instead of a traditional navy to give it a little edge. Simple and easy to wear.
A winner. And a keeper. Like I said - I took the tags off :o)
I've always had fantastic experiences with uniqlo garments! In love with their quality fabrics - they often feel grat and last ages too. I must check out this cotton lawn thing, if it's anywhere close to being as awesome as you say it is I'd be pretty stoked with it too and for 20 quid it's such a good buy! my only issue is that it's not available down under.. there's a nice navy version in a different check that i want - now i have to convince my mum to get it for me in malaysia :o)
ReplyDeletesteph / absolutely-fuzzy.com
I've not had that much from Uniqlo or rather I think I should have more from Uniqlo but my success rate has been a hit and miss. But shirts so far have been good and I have had some cashmere and they vary from good to bad as well. They always make their knitwear a little fitted and I always wish they were a little looser in the body to accommodate the ever expanding waistline. But £20 for this little shirt is good - I have to say, I am very happy with it and the finish is always that much better than most high street shops charging the same price for something similar. You kind of know that it won't be bad. And no Uniqlo and no Zara ... pffft. Time to move Steph!
Deletehaha! well there IS zara here but limited stock since it's crazy popular and only 1 store in the CBD. but i will be in europe soon with my empty suitcase! :D
DeleteAh now I'm interested! I have almost no shirts left after sports broadened my shoulders, and every one I tried on in 2013 was as you described: slightly too long, making my short legs look even shorter. If this Uniqlo model fits your body shape well, chances are it might be a win for me too. Thanks for the tip :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I have a longish body but this shirt seems to fit it in the right places and ends before it all goes too far south. A lot of shirts if they are a little fitted around the waist, pull a little below below my natural waist and don't sit right. So I either buy smock style or straighter fitting ones unless I can find more petite fits. I have broadish shoulders for a small person so I can prop up a garment quite well but if I'm not careful, I'm in danger of looking too boxy on top. I guess it's all a matter of balancing out proportions.
DeleteFab shirt Sue....perhaps your shopping fairy is ready to start playing ball & this is the turn of luck you needed...so get shopping girl ;-)
ReplyDeleteJane xx
www.mymidlifefashion.com
It's been good that I've had a run of bad luck on the old shopping front - it's pennies back in the coffers isn't it ... and gives me licence to go again!
DeleteWell done!!! I really like the shirt. You tickle me with your' capacity to return things. I ponder far too long, end up keeping items and then think "oh crap." xx
ReplyDeleteI don't have the money to leave things in the wardrobe which I'm half hearted about. If I'm not sure, I tend to get shot of before their returns date runs out. Having said that ... I still have a bright pink top in the wardrobe (eek).
DeleteI like everything about your shirt and I can imagine it will be a very useful addition to your wardobe as the weather improves. Tana lawn fabric has such a lovely feel - I was looking at it recently in Liberty. I learnt something today too. I've never really thought about what the Tana in Tana lawn meant so thanks for that snippet of information and have a good week!
ReplyDeleteI used to buy Liberty Tana lawn fabrics in my teens to run up skirts and I always loved how soft the cotton was. When I spotted the shirts on Uniqlo and it said they were made of cotton lawn, I just knew how they would feel and reckoned on them being lovely to wear. I have to say I was very happy with the shirt when it arrived and it looked and felt as I had anticipated. And I've only just found that bit about the Tana lawn as I needed to know what was so special about Liberty's Tana lawn.
DeleteI love it Sue - you are so good at 'knowing' your style - it really is you and is perfect on your frame. I wish I gravitated towards more classics...I'm always scared of shirt though due to the possibility of gaping buttons...x
ReplyDeleteJoanna - I don't think you're a classics girl - I think it might be a tad too staid for you. You like and do the rock chick thing. That's your bag and it's what makes you happy. I can't do that look - I look like I'm trying to be something I'm not. It's probably why I still don't have a leather biker jacket. You'd never guess, but I used to have a snakeskin leather jacket that I used to go clubbing in (cross my heart).
DeleteGorgeous shirt - LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteThanks Fiona!
DeleteSue, how's the wrinkling post-wash? My cotton lawn tunic (same check print) wrinkles pretty bad even if I pull it out the dryer straightaway. This looks really nice and crisp.
ReplyDeleteKristina - don't you know anything about me yet? I haven't worn it out yet. I only received it a couple of days ago but I have a good feeling about it hence the fact I took the tags off. I think the problem with your tunic is the way you're drying it ... in the dryer. It's bound to get creased. I never do shirts in the dryer - I always give them a good shake to knock out as many creases as possible and leave them on a hanger to dry. Then iron them when they are 75% dry to make the job as simple as simple as possible. I keep tumble drying to a minimum except in the winter months when some of the heavier items need a bit of extra help with the drying process as I don't want them smelling damp if the air is to cold to dry naturally. And having read that back, I really sound very anal so I will stop ....
DeleteUniqlo do good shirts don't they Sue?! I am also on my 3rd purchase! Love the gingham check....it is such a classic!! Of course it's a winner if you've already spliced the tags off!! x
ReplyDeleteThree shirts a piece then? I think you've had your moneys worth out of your check and your gingham one so far which tells you that they are good. And like you said, I took the tags off. Wonders will never cease.
DeleteLook great on you and I would say its very 'you' - but that's why it's a keeper. At least you do return and don't keep mistakes like I do now & again (albeit - Iam getting better) xx
ReplyDeleteIt is me. I had my eye on a shrunken boyfit one from Jack Wills a couple of years back in a navy check and then it was too late and they sold out. I've been on the lookout since for a similar one since but for some reason the black was more interesting to me than the classic navy this time round. I can't argue with the price for this though. And I can't believe you make mistakes Anne Marie - you're such a careful shopper.
DeleteI love this shirt on you Sue. How fine is the material - is it see-through? I want one! x
ReplyDeleteNo not really. Cotton lawn can be a little sheer sometimes but in the case of this shirt, it's not. I'm surprised you didn't spot it when you had your little sojourn in to Uniqlo last week. An extra-small would be perfect for you and would go so well with your chinos which you love.
DeleteI'm surprised I didn't too! Gutted! No more shopping at the mo, but may have to be next on my list x
DeleteYou totally rock that shirt! It looks fab on you! Ax
ReplyDeleteOoooo I do love a good cotton lawn, my no.1 summer fabric for shirts, so cool and sits well. I love that shirt, you are positively Francais in your classic, precision buying and I wish I could be more so...then I could afford the little luxury items of clothing rather than the bucket loads of tat (ie I am seriously lusting after Marlene's Chanel bag...how perfect was it?!) your shirt is beautiful and looks super chic on you xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm going to take that as a huge compliment Frances that you think I am a precision buyer when in reality I am so far from. I am so swayed by trends but have had to take a step back and think about what I am really happy wearing as to what I think I like sometimes. I also wish I had a bit more guts to try different trends like you but I don't have your flair for carrying them off and I always seem to wear a dilute version of everything so I always end up a wishy washy look instead of looking on trend and with it. And get saving ... or you could start dropping hints for when you hit the next big birthday! A little red Chanel WOC might be on the cards after all!
DeleteYour shirts always look so impeccably ironed Sue - I'm afraid ironing may have slipped a little down our way lately and creasy shirts are becoming a bit of a regular feature . I must get my fashion mojo back somehow - sort of lost the will to bother at the moment :( This looks fab on you - glad the tags are off !
ReplyDeleteSo late in my reply. Sorry.
DeleteI tend to take pictures at the start of the day if I can when I still look neat and presentable. After 3pm - it all goes to pot and I look all creasy. But hey, you have more important things to deal with these days than ironing shirts.
I love this on you. So perfectly casual without being sloppy in the least. Total keeper. And yes, I am way behind on my blog reading...
ReplyDeletewww.nomadicd.com
I get a bit behind and then find there's no way I can do catch up. I go off the boil but I'm trying to get my mojo back with the blogging. I think I was averaging one post a week and that's if and when I was really pushing the boat out. Sometimes it's good just to take a step back. Blogging can run away with you if you let it.
DeleteAnd the shirt is a definite keeper.
Amen. Sometimes you just need to step back. Unless of course blogging is your job. But since we do it for love and joy, we have to make sure it doesn't eat us up!
Delete