Frump to Fab 2021

Floss

chanie said:

...Going back to covid.  I’ve noticed that so many people aren’t wearing their masks on public transport and in shops. I definitely think we are in for a rough winter.  I don’t know if I mentioned it, but I have a chest infection and had to isolate while I took a PCR as I was coughing loads. It was getting better, but I went into the office on Thursday and Friday and I think the commute has made it worse. I think a visit to the Pharmacy is needed.  

Chanie, I work in a hospital and there are a few chest illnesses going around - one is a nasty chest infection and the other is the classic RSV winter chest virus which usually arrives in October/November but has been around since July this year. I think a visit to your pharmacist is a good idea x

maman

Hope you feel better today @chanie. Like @Floss said, definitely get it checked out as you maybe need an antibiotic. 

That's interesting about the coats @helensbiggestfan. I understand that they need to be striking to be on tv but I often think the white ones are totally impractical!  I suppose it's a sign of wealth that you don't care about cleaning bills but I'd be afraid to sit down anywhere. 🤣

I've barely worn a cloth coat this last couple of years. I remember wearing my black velvet coat to a funeral but that's about it. 

Last winter I lived in my duvet coat as it was lightweight but lovely and warm. I tried to smarten it up a bit with various scarves but I'd love to replace it when I can find something better. When it's not quite so cold I wear my quilted biker style jacket. That's a couple of years old now and has been worn to death. I think I'll give it a wash while it's still OK for line drying. Then there's my Puffa parka which I wear when I need a hood. All my fashion decisions on coats seem to have been influenced by Covid and what's suitable for long walks. 🤣 I'm sure as we start going back to the theatre ad to restaurants then some of my dressier outfits will come out. 

It's much the shame with shoes as I've worn Skecher type shoes for walking and now they're fashionable with dresses I seem to wear little else. 

Reading that, it feels like I'm one of the people who've slopped about in leisure wear for 18 months. There is some truth in that but I have kept up with all my beauty routines and healthy eating so I don't feel bad about it. 😉

sukeyboo

maman said:

Reading that, it feels like I'm one of the people who've slopped about in leisure wear for 18 months. There is some truth in that but I have kept up with all my beauty routines and healthy eating so I don't feel bad about it. 😉

I really am someone who has slopped about in leisure wear for the last 18 months and not exactly stylish leisure wear either 😱 - I am trying to change that now though. Like you maman, I have kept up with my beauty routines so at least my skin looks good. 

The last 18 months have had a positive effect with my weight - I have gone from 9st 5lb down to 8st 9lb but my OH has said I am starting to look a bit too slim now, especially in the face so I just need to maintain now.

I know I have only just started posting again but I would also like to thank LL for starting this thread as I have lurked for several years now and love hearing all the tips and support you all give each other - I hope to be able to contribute from now on too.

helensbiggestfan

Well seeing as I usually pay somewhere between £5 to £10 (my most expensive) for my wool coats  I don't worry too much about them. 😂.  Tbh I can't say I've noticed the white ones getting particularly dirty.  Natural wool does seem to be quite forgiving and quite robust, although of course I wouldn't wear them on public transport, especially buses.  

We have a local dry cleaner who does two big coats for £20 or 4 items for £20 so not too bad, but most of the time I find a good brushing and maybe the odd spot cleaning is usually good enough.  Collars on white coats can be a problem area with staining from make up and Perfume and even just the likes of the oil secretions from  our skin, so I always wear a scarf between my skin and the fabric.  

Actually one of my grandmothers was in service and she always taught me not to use dry cleaners too much because they were too rough on fabrics and would literally knock the stuffing out of a garment (shoulder pads, interfacings etc).  

If you think back to the "olden days" when all fabrics were natural rather than synthetic there were no dry Cleaners anyway.  Valets and ladies maids were very adept at cleaning garments, brushing them, airing, pressing etc. Clothes must have taken quite a battering, city streets were filthy and pursuits like riding to hounds, shooting parties etc in all weathers must have been rough on clothing too.  That's why traditional tweed was used for country wear because it is so hard wearing and robust.  

I have tried duvet coats but they make me look ridiculous. I look like the Michelin Man (tyre advert)  so regrettably not for me.  My foul weather coat/country pursuits coat is normally a waxed Barbour type or a warm lined Burberry type trench coat. And if it's really cold, well I do like my faux furs and faux shearlings. 

 I'm still wearing my husbands waxed coat.....I think it's indestructible.  😁.  

I think a lot of us got into the habit of "relaxed dressing".....I even bought myself some leisure wear.  😱😂.  

Went for my massage.  She was a bit zealous so I  have been recuperating by watching some podcasts of spoof clips of Downton Abbey. So funny.  It's brown bin day tomorrow, so just going to prune some overgrown shrubs.  Then a nice simple dinner. Lo carb of course. Really fancy some French bread with lashings of butter......😞. Hey ho,  needs must.  

Wednesday2000

I had a nasty chest and lung infection back in 2009, that was the year I stopped smoking completely. I was never a proper smoker but I started smoking with my friend when we were out drinking. 

Maman - I wear my Skechers all the time too! I was saying that the other day to people. They just go with almost everything I own.

That is good on the weight loss front Sukey. I don't think I have weighed that light since I was about 15 years old!

LL - I can't wear duvet coats either as they make me look huge. I need something nipped in at the waist with a belt.

My husband finally got the Covid pass to work so that is ready for tomorrow. I might get to central London early tomorrow and go to Next to look for some jewellery. I was going through my box the other day and thought I could use a few new pieces as I wear necklaces every day.

maman

Just out of interest @Wednesday2000, where do you think you might need your vaccine passport? 🤔 It's still a confused picture at the moment. Sajit Javid was saying yesterday that the government won't be requiring them for nightclubs and events but I think that Premier League football clubs still intend to introduce them. That was why I downloaded mine but not been asked for it yet. 

Wednesday2000

Is that what it is called a vaccine passport? I got an email saying for the concert venue you needed the Covid pass, or evidence of a negative lateral flow test or something else that I have forgotten. You need one of the three options to get inside. I haven't been asked for this anywhere else.

My uncle said his son had two concerts at the weekend and he needed the same information to show them to get inside as I do.

Actually, I might text him to ask if they definitely asked to see it when my cousin went in. 

Wednesday2000

He said my cousin said they just glanced at it as he went in. I would have thought there would be huge queues if they checked every single one.

maman

Thanks @Wednesday2000. I expect the venue is asking for the proof of vaccination to show they are taking their Covid responsibility seriously. That's good. ☺️

sheilavw

on the subject of dry cleaning I remember as a child my late Mum taking our best coats to the dry cleaners. She had to remove the buttons first, then they had to be sewn back on