Changing Room Tales

I did one of these a while ago and you guys seemed to like it so I thought since I was trying on everything in sight yesterday I'd take some changing room snaps. We took a trip to The Bullring in Birmingham to get the last of our holiday clothes (we don't go away til the end of next month but don't get a lot of child free shopping time) so not much of what I tried on was particularly weather appropriate for the UK right now but I'm hoping what I went home with will be Vegas appropriate in Spring. I was drawn to anything with a bit of sparkle but managed to keep it 50/50 with some regular stuff I can wear in a non-Vegas setting too.. I didn't want to spend a fortune on clothes I was only going to wear for a week and was pretty lucky to hit on some great end of sales bargains, but enough.. here's what I tried on..

Dress: French Connection - here's another similar style (but cheaper)

It fit nicely but felt big.. also very thick and heavy - better for the cold weather (as little dresses go)

Shirt - Miss Selfridge / Skirt - Miss Selfridge - similar / similar

Completely in love with this shirt, the only non-sale item I bought actually and it was painful to part with £30 as it's so thin and delicate I KNOW I'll ruin it but it drapes so beautifully, feels comfortable but is also flattering - win! The skirt was a no. It's nice but something about the pattern made my waist look even wider, not what I'm aiming for.

Shirt - Miss Selfridge / Skirt Miss Selfridge - similar(ish) / similar (but long)

Same shirt (obviously) but this skirt got me.. it's not quite rose gold but not quite yellow and the sequins are matte. I love the textured look and it hung a little better on my middle.. it was £20 reduced from £45 and then at the till reduced again to £10 - don't you just LOVE when that happens??

Dress - All Saints

I had a moment where I thought I was a cool enough to wear something from All Saints.. it passed. I tried on some jeans (no picture, I forgot) at this dress which was the only one that didn't seem TOTALLY shapeless.. I think you have to be rail thin and grungy looking to shop there.. or maybe just not me ;)

Dress - TopshopI'm actually doing these backwards as I hit Topshop first after being majorly disappointed in the selection from Forever21. This was a moment of madess.. way too bodycon and felt about a size too small. Lovely on the right frame though, the 90s is definitely back with this neckline, isn't it?

Dress - Topshop

I LOVED this.. so not right for me as I prefer a skater style/something that skims my middle rather than clings but the flared skirt gave it shape and had they had it in the next size up I think I'd have had to have it, I mean it was £15! I kind of regret not picking it up actually.. but then I would probably never have worn it.

Joni Jeans - Topshop

I was a biscuit away from buying these, when do you EVER find jeans in the sale in your size?? I almost tried on a full on leopard print pair before thinking better of it. These were tempting but something about the glittery finish didn't look great on.. in theory? yes but in reality, no. No link to these unfortunately.

Vest - Topshop / Ripped Skinny Jeans - Topshop

A pair of jeans I've been looking for since Fleur De Force mentioned them, the 'no name' pair with rips were difficult to track down. Very similar in fit and style to Jamies (my favourite) so if you like those and want some distressed ones than don't just have gashes in the knees these are a great option. I decided against them on the day as I was looking specifically for holiday stuff but I'm almost certainly going back for them later.

Vest - Topshop / Sequin Harem Pants - Topshop - similar

Firstly, totally forgot I bough the vest I'm wearing here, it's the new 'U-Neck tank top' and I think I will need them in every size (and possibly need to step up the arm toning exercises) so flattering but I didn't get many good pictures of it as the camera is blocking for the most - expect to see in an OOTD soon! Now on to the exciting spangly pants.. so good they deserved TWO pictures. These were £15!!! From I believe £65 and by far my best purchase of the day. Something I would usually scoff at suddenly looked totally different when I saw them in a bright lights, big city setting. I can see myself wearing these here too, to dinner with heels and a black top or whatever but these are practically casual lounge wear by Vegas standards, right? Part of my wants to save them but part of me wants to wear them on my birthday (on Wednesday) despite the fact I'm not planning on leaving the house. LOVE!

So that's in for this edition of Changing Room Tales. I'm thinking of doing a Style At Any Size video/post dedicated to jeans and this kind of format might work for that since I obviously only buy jeans I know look 'okay' but people might want to see the good, bad, ugly etc so let me know if you like this format/would prefer something different. Just one last note about The Bullring, it's a great centre, loads of shops and a Selfridges but we mainly went for thr 3 storey Forever 21 that was there when we last visited.. that's now 1 floor with no menswear. If given the choice (and why would we not be) we'd choose The Trafford Centre (Manchester) next time.. just for those wondering.

Oh but we did try Five Guys for the first time.. AMAZING

..but then, I think there's one of those of The Trafford Centre now anyway ;)

Miss BB