These wool town coats are absolutely lovely. Like many mixed fabric things they don't last forever, but most people would tell you to expect something like this to last 2-4 years, especially in brighter colours. Whilst its something of a luxury for some, I'd brand it an absolute necessity for others. The coat is medium in length, so just goes to the top of my thighs. Its belted, so helps to create or enhance your shape nicely. The collar is brilliant, allowing for scarves, stylish, but warm in its own right. I have a red one, and they're superb, but I've seen them in other colours and even in black. It starts to defeat the point in black, but if for example you dress all in black it could be worthwhile.
As far as durability, I have worn it most days in the winter/wintery months for about two and a half years. It had one minor tear along a seam which I got fixed professionally, and after that it held together. The threads on the buttons have a tendency to have issues, I do need to cut them somewhat regularly. Clear nail polish helped the problem but didn't stop it. None of the buttons has ever fallen off, though. It fits closely or allows thinner jumpers, struggles with thicker ones, but can be forgiving of a bit of extra fat centrally. After two and a half years it has definitely started to show some wear patches, but probably can be gotten away with for errands in this age of austerity without being entirely shabby.
I'd love to replace it but can't afford to so am wearing country coats in London right now - my tweed or my waterproof riding/hacking/hiking one. I would class it as essential to have this or similar for someone who lives/works/studies exclusively in a city or large town (I originally lived in York.) I would class it as a luxury for someone who is mostly village or countryside, and if you go between the two only you can say. Its a perfect fashion point, but not an infinitely durable one.
Also, when I wear it with a shorter skirt or shorts teamed with leg warmers I get called 'manga detective' owing in part to the cute japanese leg warmers and utter lack of being able to tell I'm wearing a skirt/shorts. This is by someone more into anime than fashion - its a good belted wool coat with buttons and a flashy quasi-military collar. Still, its fun.
Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 5
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 4 (I do want to give it more, but I'm forced to admit its lower)
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 5
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 8
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 7 (With variability from 2-10)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 8
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 9
*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES, BUT MY LIFE WOULDN'T BE AS GOOD
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Teenagers, People living in cities / large towns, People who regularly travel to cities/towns, Fashion conscious
Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
Mango Jeans Shorts
To clarify, I can handle English grammar. Mango Jeans is the full brand name! Anyway, I have them in ordinary denim, and at the time the only ones they sold have slight distressed rubs on the front (fashion will change this eventually.) They have been very very sturdy. Due to slightly odd circumstances, I've practically lived in them for almost a year, sometimes with tights sometimes bare legs. In that time, and despite gaining weight, they've only got a coupe rubs on the crotch - nothing to yet stop me from wearing them although they may need a patch soon. The original distressed marks haven't gotten any bigger or frayed.
They've been easy to clean, they fit great, and they do allow a small amount of leeway in weight change. There are a couple of very slight colour fades on the back pockets, which almost blend in with the design. They're a great colour, too. They're wonderfully short shorts, but they still fit nicely and don't slide around - I don't really have much bad to say! I own another pair for my lower weight - I'm looking forward to being to wear those, too :)
This is like what denim clothing should be, and has often stopped being in this day and age. Brilliant!
Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 5
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 10
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 9
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 8
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 7
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 6 (I have sexy legs, this is a reason for smiling!)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 8 (This might be generous for brand and short jean shorts alone, but see above about sexy legs)
*Do I think its the best in its field: POSSIBLY
*Could I live without it: YES, BUT MY LIFE WOULDN'T BE AS GOOD
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Teenagers, Anyone with good legs,
Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.
They've been easy to clean, they fit great, and they do allow a small amount of leeway in weight change. There are a couple of very slight colour fades on the back pockets, which almost blend in with the design. They're a great colour, too. They're wonderfully short shorts, but they still fit nicely and don't slide around - I don't really have much bad to say! I own another pair for my lower weight - I'm looking forward to being to wear those, too :)
This is like what denim clothing should be, and has often stopped being in this day and age. Brilliant!
Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 5
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 10
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 9
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 8
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 7
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 6 (I have sexy legs, this is a reason for smiling!)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 8 (This might be generous for brand and short jean shorts alone, but see above about sexy legs)
*Do I think its the best in its field: POSSIBLY
*Could I live without it: YES, BUT MY LIFE WOULDN'T BE AS GOOD
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Teenagers, Anyone with good legs,
Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Bravissimo Cleo Beige Bra
I admit I would probably try to avoid buying this bra again, but I wouldn't rule it out completely. On the positive side, it has lovely back support, and no pressure on the shoulders either. I haven't gotten to have many size 30 bras, but I have tried some on that fell short of this. Its easily the best I've ever tried in that respect, but for someone size 32 or higher this may be less abnormal. On the negative side, I don't feel it really supports my breasts, just sort of letting them hang out in their soft cups without really in any way helping.
I've used it pretty hard, and there isn't any sign of undue stretching or breakage. On the other hand, it got stained with sweat fairly early on and I've been unable to remove this. I imagine its because its cut somewhat higher under the arm than others, something I was less fond of, but it remains a blemish and prevents me from easily wearing it with many tops.
On the subject of wearing it with clothes - despite being beige it can stand out a bit compared to your skin under thin tops, although anyone who sees you wearing it alone might think you're naked if they're not paying attention. Yes, from personal experience! It has a small amount of lace which can be tucked in well enough, but its a fairly high cut and also it separates your breasts a bit, limited the types of collars you can have. In terms of the over-separation, it doesn't look as good, and I had rubs on my skin at the top of the frame for awhile, which has settled into a slight discolouring of the skin. Still, it was the best fit in a 30FF/30F that was neutral toned to go under my light silk dress, and for that it worked admirably.
Finally, its just incredibly stupidly unsexy. I knew this was at least likely even when I tried it on, but that is an additional negative in my book. I've had other plain bras that did look better, even if there is a limitation on how good plain can look.
Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 4
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 5
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 5
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 7
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 8 (With bras as a whole being ten, but having a skin tone one lower)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Teenagers, People with large breasts, People with small ribcages, People wearing thin clothes, People wearing light coloured clothes
Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.
I've used it pretty hard, and there isn't any sign of undue stretching or breakage. On the other hand, it got stained with sweat fairly early on and I've been unable to remove this. I imagine its because its cut somewhat higher under the arm than others, something I was less fond of, but it remains a blemish and prevents me from easily wearing it with many tops.
On the subject of wearing it with clothes - despite being beige it can stand out a bit compared to your skin under thin tops, although anyone who sees you wearing it alone might think you're naked if they're not paying attention. Yes, from personal experience! It has a small amount of lace which can be tucked in well enough, but its a fairly high cut and also it separates your breasts a bit, limited the types of collars you can have. In terms of the over-separation, it doesn't look as good, and I had rubs on my skin at the top of the frame for awhile, which has settled into a slight discolouring of the skin. Still, it was the best fit in a 30FF/30F that was neutral toned to go under my light silk dress, and for that it worked admirably.
Finally, its just incredibly stupidly unsexy. I knew this was at least likely even when I tried it on, but that is an additional negative in my book. I've had other plain bras that did look better, even if there is a limitation on how good plain can look.
Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 4
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 5
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 5
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 7
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 8 (With bras as a whole being ten, but having a skin tone one lower)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Teenagers, People with large breasts, People with small ribcages, People wearing thin clothes, People wearing light coloured clothes
Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Pantene Colour & Volume Shampoo
This is a slightly odd choice at the moment, and one I should possibly revisit later. I only have vestigial amounts of colour left in my hair, something I may need to change - its only anyway highlights. However they do say if you have any colour, then colour shampoos are good, and volume is equally something my fine hair needs. Its sadly also curly, so wants moisturising, frizz control, and to tame flyaways... you can see why I'm searching for a new shampoo!
It cleans fairly well, but not as well as others I've tried. It does add a little volume, but not as much as Aussie. It does absolutely zero in the other categories - though, to be fair, they aren't on the label. I can't say I see the point, it feels like just slightly not a normal shampoo. I may try again if I put highlights back in...
Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 4
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 3
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 5
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 5
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 2
*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Teenagers, People with coloured hair, People with fine hair
Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.
It cleans fairly well, but not as well as others I've tried. It does add a little volume, but not as much as Aussie. It does absolutely zero in the other categories - though, to be fair, they aren't on the label. I can't say I see the point, it feels like just slightly not a normal shampoo. I may try again if I put highlights back in...
Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 4
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 3
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 5
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 5
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 2
*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Teenagers, People with coloured hair, People with fine hair
Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.
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