I have to admit, I don’t get invites to many fashion collection launches. Mostly because the fashion I do on here tends to be vintage and obviously, you’re not going to get much time travel going on.
Plus, I’m a clothing nightmare. Long body, short legs. Big bum, little waist. I’m not a fan of animal print, and did the 90s already (and don’t fancy much revisiting it again). To call me fussy, would probably be an understatement. I know what suits me, I know what I like, and that’s not always what’s on the high street.
But I mix and match. I put vintage pieces, with secondhand pieces with modern pieces. Fashion is there to be played with – so in my wardrobe are clothes from Primark, Wallis and New Look, sitting side by side 80s C&A, 70s designer and 60s homemade.
So when Warehouse and Manchester Arndale invited me along to their first blogger event, showcasing their Autumn/Winter 2014 collection, I was as curious as anyone else. Fashion over the last few months has been heading towards that late 90s Gap phase, all pale blue denim shirts and leggings. Were we set to continue down that path?
Arriving to Prosecco and a shop full of pretty things is never a bad thing – add in a red carpet for our inhouse runway models (all models were staff) and one or two familiar faces. We were soon eagerly browsing shelves, flicking through racks and pondering outfits.
Our host for the evening was Dan, who introduced us to the event and the new Warehouse online platform ‘Tales of the City’. Housed on their blog, it’s the hope that this will offer a place for the Warehouse customer to go to for everything from fashion to life and career, easily accessible online with weekly updates and a twice annual print magazine.
He also introduced us to the collection for Autumn Winter through casual, work day and evening, taking us from walking the dog, through hitting the office and off out for drinks.
Lots of pastel pinks feature this season, as well as ‘fly girl’, a very nineties look focussing on sporty parkas and softly draping lines.
Into the work wear and things got rather interesting, with lots of leather, prints and a little fake leather thrown in too. I’m not sure whether I’d feel comfortable wandering around my day job in a leather mini skirt, but I know lots of ladies who have the legs for it. Sadly, none of them me!
I did, however adore this pinafore look, very 1960s and with their butterfly print blouse, it would look stunning. However, a try on revealed it to be much too short for me (darn this big bum of mine) and definitely a no.
Even though it’s so darned pretty. Sigh.
The evening saw more ‘co-ords’ coordinating tops and skirts, that can be mixed and matched and worn together. This green outfit went down a storm with the bloggers in store, and I saw several wandering off later to give it a try on. 
I did adore this pink faux fur jacket too, looking lovely atop another leather dress with statement necklace.
Given all the above and my own very picky nature, some may wonder if I managed to make it out of the store with anything in a bag.
You have met me, right?
I decided to go outside my comfort zone and, despite my firm belief crop tops aren’t my scene, bought one. This cropped t-shirt with it’s floaty sleeves reminded me very much of the 1930s and I could easily picture it atop tailored trousers or a pencil skirt.
In fact, I wore it on my next visit to Selfridges, where I met one of their senior make up artists, Debbie. Paired with a second hand t-shirt dress underneath and an impulse buy yellow jacket, I was very impressed. Throw in a little Ruby Woo and I was good to go!
Secondly, I bought a skirt that normally I’d have deemed far too short, but actually, I think I just about get away with. The fabric is a gorgeous lightly stretchy cotton and do you know, I think it might just do this big bum justice…
I think, for a lady who walked in a little wary, Warehouse you just might have converted me – I think I might have to give my credit card a little workout…
This event was held by Warehouse and Manchester Arndale and, as such the drinks and cupcakes provided on the evening were free of charge. Each blogger was additionally allocated a £50 giftcard to spend.
The photographs were supplied by Tim Lock.
I need to pay Warehouse a visit. I hadn’t even realised they were in the Arndale! I think it’s always a good idea to push yourself out of your comfort zone with one piece each season but something that you know will work with other items you own. You look fab in the top teamed with the yellow jacket.
Thanks honey – not everything was me – but there were a couple of bits, that I think I’ll be popping back for. And got tons of compliments on the yellow jacket – an impulse buy!