Jigsaw

Friday 24 April 2015




I won something! I actually won something for the first time in my life. Well that's not strictly true. I did actually win something in my early twenties at a nightclub. I won a dodgy photo shoot - you know the boudoir type set up where you throw a feather boa over your bits, straddle a chair and do your best come hither look. I didn't take it up - surprise surprise! Anyway, I digress, I won something. I won a £250 gift card to spend in Jigsaw after submitting an entry in to their #ForLifeNotLandfill campaign on Instagram. I don't normally enter competitions but I have a soft spot for Jigsaw and I spent many a happy hour and lots of money in there in my BC (before children) years. BC, I had more disposable income and Jigsaw was my go to place for my working wardrobe with a few bits from M&S thrown in. Infact the Grumps preferred me buying something more expensive in Jigsaw than M&S as he liked the idea of fewer people wearing the same things as his missus. I took that as his blessing to go forth and spend money ;o) Anyway, things have changed - my budget, figure and life but every now and then I still flutter in to Jigsaw and have a touch and feel of some pretty clothes. And every now and then ... I treat myself to the odd suitable piece. because basically old habits die hard ;o)

Anyway, treat myself I did with my £250 gift card the other Tuesday. 




I had one thing I knew I definitely wanted and I reserved that over the phone so I knew it was going to be there ready and waiting for me. My new Alicia tan leather bag. Complete with dangly tassels. She's pretty yes? And soft. And squidgy. And useful. She comes with a detachable handle and a messenger strap. And enough space for me to stuff her with my usual junk with room to spare. Yup, she's a winner.





And the navy Ottoman jumper got wrapped up too. On first appearances, it's a plain navy jumper but on second glance, you will spot the little side zip detail which is not evident on the online pics. That little zip detail earns it it's bonus points. I toyed with getting it in one of the other colours just to be different but settled on the navy in the end. I don't know about you but I find when I slip on one of my comfort colours, the world basically feels good. Navy jumpers feel like I've come home and we all know what a lovely feeling that is.

And the last item was the Amelie retro stripe top. This one was not in the plan at all. The lovely sales assistant (Alexandra) in the York store suggested that I might like to layer the Ottoman jumper with a top and brought it to me. I put it on and you know when something is just right? It was just right. But I didn't buy it because I thought I already had too many stripy tops. Instead, I bought a pretty little camisole vest in Ocean blue and then I ended up returning the vest for the stripy top as I knew I would wear the top so much more than the vest. By the way, it's a perfectly cut top (for me at least) with enough shape without being overly clingy. Fab for layering. It's also very soft and a good summer weight. I have stripy tops in different fabrics so some are heavier for cooler days but this is a nice light summer top.





So these are not earth shattering pieces in the fashion world but they are strong workhorse pieces in my wardrobe and that's basically what I need right now. I don't get out much and the heels are pretty  much redundant these days but a navy jumper, a tan bag and a stripy top - they will earn their keep and go on and on and on .... which was the point behind their whole #ForLifeNotLandfill campaign.

So that's my £250 gift card spent with a bit of a top up from me. The thing is ... £250 doesn't actually go that far in Jigsaw. The clothing is not that cheap but the clothing has always been well made and finished in my eyes and that's why I have pieces which have lasted me years and years and are still in my wardrobe. Like my 20 year old cream chunky cable cotton jumper which won me my prize. 

Looks good for a 20+ year old jumper doesn't it?


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Last Note :

  • The 100% linen tees are lovely. This one is in a shade called eucalyptus and skims the body. It's a kind of deep grey/green colour which would work fabulously with the khaki shades out there currently. This is one I took in to the changing room and was on the short list before I talked myself out of it as I don't wear tees that much. #sensiblehead 

  • Jigsaw also do these fab lace trimmed vests in every colour you can wish. They are very soft and long enough to tuck in or leave out to show the trims peeking from under a jumper and they do not shrink wrap your torso as some are known to do. I took a picture of the one I initially bought but returned so you can see. 


Modal Lace Vest worn with old Jigsaw linen cardigan

  • I don't shop as much in Jigsaw these days but when I did, I have to say, I always had lovely customer service. And I remember when I did shop there a lot, I had a favourite sales assistant who always looked out for me and knew what would appeal to me and would suggest lovely pieces. I saw that happen in the York store when I was picking my goodies and it brought back some fun and happy memories. And what happened to my favourite sales assistant in Leeds? She left many years ago to go back to Spain and on her last day, I popped in to bring her a present and we had a coffee together. Nice times. Nice times :)

  • Last last thing. My budget, figure and life may have changed but I've never been happier. #blessed #apartfromthewrinkles



35 comments

  1. Sue - this is fab! I love everything, many congrats on your win - what a brilliant piece of luck. Especially love the bag - haven't mosyed into Jigsaw for a while but now definitely will be checking it out. xx

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    1. Thank you Anna. Yes, I was absolutely delighted to win the voucher - I never normally enter anything but I was talking to Michelle below who won something recently and she said, you've got to be in it to win it. So very true.

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  2. Well done Sue, you lucky girl. Lovely, fabulous purchases - exactly what I would have assumed you'd choose. The little jumper is perfect x

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    1. Thanks Donna. It was really hard to choose actually. Apart from the bag which I'd already seen earlier on but then I was a little hard pushed to pick ... and to pick the right things. I toyed with the idea of jackets and things I wouldn't normally buy but then again, I thought I probably wouldn't wear the things I wouldn't normally buy so the sensible head went on. Practical to the end.

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  3. Where is your gold square/diamond cutout necklace from? It's so nice and simple.

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    1. That little beauty was a really expensive number but I just had to have it! It was £3.99 from H&M :o)

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  4. Congratulations! What a fab prize. I like your picks, that bag is wonderful.

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    1. Thank you Louise! The bag is such a good size for bits and pieces - though I don't have to lug the boys things around these days, I still like a sensible sized bag - not too big, not too small. I'm hoping it's one of those that gets better with age and that I use it a lot to give it a slightly weathered look.

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  5. Lovely, lovely post, Sue. So pleased for you! Those three items are so very you. I have to say that I adore that bag - you chose well! The vest is pretty too, but the breton is so much more you I'd say. Lynne xx

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    1. I think I had my sensible head on when I bought the items but I know they will be far more useful to me than a pretty silk dress. The Breton is such a lovely weight and fit - I knew I needed to get that.

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  6. Total and utter bag envy! How gorgeous is it! I actually love the Breton and sweater too! I also used to shop at Jigsaw a lot when I had more disposable income but now it is out of my price comfort zone, though looking at these pieces I reckon they are definitely worth the investment! So chuffed for you that you won this....well done! xx

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    1. The prices are higher than what I remember them to be when I shopped in there. I picked up a few pieces and I really did think "really?". But then again, because the income spend is somewhat lower these days, I've got used to Uniqlo prices so I'm always comparing. And thanks for encouraging me to enter the competition - you were right, you won't win anything if you don't enter!

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  7. You so deserved to win that prize - and how well you spent your voucher. Love that bag. But most of all I love the very final comment on your post x

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    1. Thank you Helen. It was such an unexpected surprise - I was caught unawares until some lovely ladies started congratulating me on Instagram and then I'd realised I'd won a prize. That final comment is so very true. I may have had a well paid job so I could buy what I like, I may have had a better figure but I wouldn't have had my boys and I no longer do a job I didn't want to go to every day. I can't complain ... at all!

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  8. Congratulations Sue, how lovely to win something, especially something from one of your old favourites. Perfect choices, love everything you have picked. I love the jumper layered over the Breton. My mum wants a new tan bag and I am pointing her in the direction of this bag from Jigsaw, one because its gorgeous and two I could borrow it.

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    1. The jumper and the Breton are perfect mum wardrobe staples. I'm rubbish at layering and I wouldn't have tried the two together if it hadn't been suggested to me. It would be interesting to put myself in the hands of a personal shopper one day and see what they do with me and suggest. And yes, the bag is a welcome addition. I've been looking for a tan bag year after year and now I have a lovely one - definitely go and take a look.

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  9. Congrats on the win - and god it's incredible to see you still have one of their jumpers 20 years on. Fashion has become so throwaway these days I get the feeling it's going to become a less common thing. Love the pieces that you picked up too, they're so timeless! x

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    1. Fashion is incredibly throwaway but the strangest thing is though I have a number of cheap pieces from some places, they have gone the distance and I am still reluctant to get rid of things. I get more hacked off when I pay a lot for something and it doesn't last as long, wash as well as some of the cheaper pieces. My favourite top is a £6 white cotton blouse from Primark which I've had for 8 years and still gets a lot of love. I will be gutted when that gives up the ghost. And thank you re the win - I was pretty chuffed.

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  10. How exciting, congratulations! That bag is gorgeous, the jumper and Breton are great picks too. Your last comment is so true, life is not about your bank balance and how skinny you are, it's about being in a place that makes you happy with the people that matter the most x

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    1. Perfectly summed up Sue. Sometimes I look at my two boys and I just smile. That's something I never thought I'd do when I was younger - motherhood! Wouldn't change it for the world though bedtime is always good!

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  11. Oh, I love Jigsaw! I used to shop there BC too. I remember the Leeds store well, as I lived there (20+ yes ago - so old!). Their clothes are lovely and such gorgeous colours. I had a cardigan similar to your lace cami, I think I wore it to death.

    Lovely pieces, Sue. We have a new branch near us, I may have to pop in. Not cheap, but lovely quality.

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    1. There first store in Leeds was quite small and then they moved round the corner to much bigger and more impressive premises. The inside is beautiful and you can sit in the middle just looking up at the ceiling installation.

      And agreed, the pieces are not cheap so this was a bit of a treat to go and have a spend in there. I think their prices have gone up a bit in recent years.

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  12. I love this post so much - you picked so well and such timeless things that will last and last. I haven't been in to Jigsaw for a few years actually as I felt the colours were too dull but I think they have changed and I am going back in to visit after such a fab post. Enjoy your weekend Sue x

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    1. The thing with Jigsaw is the colours are never in your face. They're all quite classic and subdued. I was quite surprised with their current collection actually - it's a lot more pared down than what it has been in the past. It actually made it a little difficult to choose because you have to reconcile yourself with paying £50 for a plain tee ... even if it is a linen well made plain tee.

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  13. Fabulous, classic pieces Sue, you will wear them loads, congratulations on your win! Xx

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    1. Thank you Frances. I'm sure I will get my wear out of everything here. You can't go wrong with stripy tops and navy jumpers can you?

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  14. Congratulations on your win Sue, and I hope your choices will last you many more years to come. The bag is truly beautiful, and bigger than I expected it to be from your initial photo. And that linen top you've shown at the end has my name written all over it. The next time I am near a Jigsaw I might just have to try it...xx

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    1. Thank you! That linen top is very you Becky. You'd love it. Not the cheapest tee on the street but it does hang beautifully. And yes, strangely enough, it's much larger than you think from the initial photos and the stock photos. I can stuff loads in it ;o)

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  15. Hi Carol (waves). I think I may have seen you over on AnnMarie's blog before? But thank you for leaving a comment this time. And shame about the Alicia bag not working out for you. I've been on the lookout for a tan bag for a number of years so the voucher was a big enabler. I hope the navy jumper works out for you instead though. It's quite neat without being overly clingy and the side zips make everything a little bit more interesting.

    And I'm glad the white H&M top worked out for you! A tenner well spent!

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  16. What a fabulous prize and of course you used it wisely that bag is just gorgeous!! xxx

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    1. Aw thanks lovely. I think it was the only way I was going to get one!

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  17. Well done you! 3 lovely classic pieces Sue & all so you! x

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Susie So So