Friday, 8 February 2013

Gok Wan's Spring 2013 Collection

I'm a MASSIVE fan of Gok Wan. I love his TV personality, the way he makes women feel good about themselves and (some of)  his collections for Sainsbury's. I think his Autumn/Winter 2012 collection was his best to date.

I was VERY excited to take some time off work yesterday to speed shop at my local store - I was limited on time but with my credit card in hand I knew I would be ok to buy, come home and show and tell in the comfort of my home.  It took me 30 minutes to whizz around the store and I spent £235 - not bad!  It wasn't all on Gok's stuff because I'm going to be honest, I didn't like half of it.  I'm sad that there are some really weird pieces he's put into this collection. He has said that he's taken inspiration from the 90s to create this collection and it shows.

I was immediately drawn towards this top when I looked at the lookbook online and for £25 I thought it would be a brilliant day/night piece if styled correctly.  My local store only had the pink version so I bought it anyway to 'see' if the style and size were good.


But I have NO IDEA how to wear it - I tried off the shoulder but it wouldn't sit right, neither would the cowl neck - I tried, I played, I faffed, I pulled one side, I pulled the other but all the time it just didn't look right .. and don't get me started on the near neon pink colour!  The sleeves were really tight too and felt uncomfortable.



 So then I tried on the black dress which I saw straight away and with the drop waist it had a touch of the Victoria Beckham's design to it - instant love. It's simple and elegant in design. So I couldn't wait to try this on - I don't need another black dress but I would make an exception for this. That is, if I could get it on - it's SMALL .. I picked a size 10 and I struggled to get it on ...


When I did get it on and eventually do up the zip I felt it held me in but also I was having to suck in every part of my lumps n bumps to make it look ok - I managed this for 30 seconds, I could not do this for a whole night - so I will go back and try the size 12 as it really is a gorgeous dress.


This style of top is 'not me' - it's a colour I rarely wear and a baggy style that I don't think does justice for my shape. But I thought I would buy and try anyway. I was very disappointed that the heavy zip feature was too heavy for the delicate material and immediately I could see the zip altered the shape of the top - it kind of sunk into my cleavage .. so I then decided perhaps I should leave the zip open .. but I don't think anyone needs to see my cleavage at my age!


So then I went on to the perfect skinny jean - or so the label claims. They come in a lovely dark denim or black. They looked and felt perfect that's for sure so I picked up a 10 long.  As you can see - I can't do them up (yes those are my pants!) and I couldn't even get them over my feet - EPIC FAIL and not at all perfect for me!


So whilst I was there I thought I'd have a little look at the other Sainsbury's things .. I do love a bit of careful supermarket chic and I have bought a lot of items in the past from them.

This is a cream jumper with a lace front to it - I like it for an every day throw it on kind of jumper and it felt nice.  I will not be put off by the fact that ahead of me in the queue was an 80+yr old with a blue rinse also buying it ...... I won't I won't I won't (wonder what she's wearing with hers today?)!  Jumper is £25 so I'm actually going to return this and buy again when they have their 25% off - that's how tight I've become when shopping for clothes in supermarkets!


This sloppy grey marl tshirt/top is gorgeous and for £10 I'm just going to keep it because it's everything I love about a casual top.  Gorgeous colour, shape and £10 - what's not to love?!  I can wear it all year round too so that wins extra brownie points from me.


Now I do love this jumper and I make EVERY apology for the shocking bra shot (I really couldn't be bothered to change bra's - sorry)! But it does highlight the fine knit of the sweater.  It's cream and gold and stretchy - I think it makes my boobs look big so for that reason ONLY I am keeping it!  It was from Gok's last collection and in the sale and a bargain £12!


So from sheer excitement to a bit of disappointment .. this saddens me because I wanted to REALLY love Gok Wan's Spring 2013 collection.  I will go back and try the dress in a bigger size although that in itself is soul destroying - who wants to be buying clothes a dress size up?

Have you been/seen/tried some of the stuff?  What did you think?  Am I alone in being a bit sad and disappointed?

Fiona
xoxo


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23 comments :

  1. mymummylife8 February 2013 at 06:38

    I've been eyeing up that jumper in your last shot for a while - I think I might have to succumb at that price! Love the lace front jumper, too, even if it does mean joining the Saga brigade.

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  2. JackieS8 February 2013 at 06:46

    I like the dress, and once in a while a size up is not the end of the world. Pink top, zippy top not good, but I do like the cream, grey and stretchy tops.

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  3. Kaye8 February 2013 at 06:47

    The dress is great on you. But it's a shame the other pieces that you bought from the Collection were a massive fail. I agree with buying when Sainsbury's have 25% off too!

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  4. Avenue 578 February 2013 at 06:51

    @mymuumylife - I was honestly laughing when I spied her buying it too! Is it what they call a 'classic' jumper?!! I've picked up the gold jumper time and time and time again so this time I'm keeping it!

    @jackies - I know it's ok - it was really gorgeous when on. I think a lot of things are coming up small because I couldn't get the jeans on

    @kaye - I can't recall a 25% off this year so here's hoping there's one soon!!

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  5. Avril x8 February 2013 at 07:02

    Great post - well done you!! That beige top looks as bad on you as it did on me - and the creases!! Awful. Sizing was weird also. The Size S jeggings were like an age 9-10 so not surprised to hear about the dress being so small. It is the only bit I liked too but I don't need another dress so for me, it's a return it all and I'm not even bothering to blog as the photos are so tragic! x

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  6. Avenue 578 February 2013 at 07:05

    @schoolgatestyle - I'm pleased it wasn't just me too with the badly fitted zip top. I hate being disappointed as I usually like more than just a couple of his items.

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  7. The Flaky Fashionista8 February 2013 at 07:27

    Oh that's so disappointing. But the black dress is gorgeous on you. I wouldn't worry about going up a size .. I have a ridiculous variety of sizes in my wardrobe. So long as it looks well and fits properly, that's all that matters.

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    1. Avenue 578 February 2013 at 09:35

      It did feel nice one .. I would have liked it just a couple of inches shorter but the style was so good that I will forgive the small size and knee length!!!!

      Delete
  8. fashion-mommy8 February 2013 at 07:41

    Such a shame - great potential, but not so good in practice. I really wonder what has gone wrong with this collection - Gok is usually such a good judge of what women want.

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    1. Avenue 578 February 2013 at 09:36

      I'm wondering if he's so busy doing other wonderful things that someone else has had more of a hand in all of this than usual?

      The main TU range was more exciting and I had to stop myself from buying lots!!!!

      (only just worked out how to reply individually to each comment - what a pratt!!)

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  9. Unknown8 February 2013 at 09:17

    I am not at all familiar with Gok... maybe he's more known in the UK? As far as the mussed up sizing, I always find that so irritating. Designers should take more time assuring that sizing is on the mark, otherwise customers like me get much too sad.

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  10. Unknown8 February 2013 at 09:22

    Of course he's more known in the UK! I should have googled before posting my comment! :)

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  11. Avenue 578 February 2013 at 09:31

    @Martha Merrill Wills - I agree that it's annoying to have to buy a size larger than you are!

    He is well known here for making women feel good about themselves and his TV shows are at times inspiring - and then I'm left feel crap because I have to buy, in quite a few pieces, the next size up #ironic

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  12. Life, Loves and......8 February 2013 at 11:49

    I love Gok and I love his clothes,but unfortunately there is no saisburys near me...........booooohooo
    I particularly like your last 3 pics
    J
    http://lifelovesand.blogspot.ie/

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    1. Avenue 579 February 2013 at 01:49

      I am so lucky to have one close to me. I have heard they will be launching an online site soon - but they said that last year and it's not live yet!!

      Fiona

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  13. PoppysStyle8 February 2013 at 13:57

    Hilarious - love the pink bra shot:) The grey top is fab and is he trying to go AllSaints with the pink top???

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    1. Avenue 579 February 2013 at 01:52

      I promise NOT to wear pink bra with gold jumper when I go out!!!!!

      I wore the grey top last night - I love it and it had lots of other colours so I'm going to go and buy - http://www.avenue57.com/a57/look/5358/rubbish-pic.aspx

      Delete
  14. Style At Every Age9 February 2013 at 08:27

    Sounds like his sizing is ridiculous and for someone of my size, I wouldn't want to have to take a size up! It shocks me even more because of all he does to make bigger girls look good naked and he is all about embracing curves! I think Sainsburys need to use a different factory, I hope you link this post to Gok on Twitter, so he knows!

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    1. Avenue 579 February 2013 at 12:43

      I did send him my review on twitter yes and Sainsbury's PR .. I totally agree that if you're going to make women feel good naked then at least get your dress sizes right!

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  15. Alexandra Petersen25 February 2013 at 12:23

    That black dress looks incredible on you, get some Spanx!!

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    1. Avenue 5725 February 2013 at 12:25

      I don't think even spanx will help! I had to seriously breathe in!!

      Delete
    2. Avenue 5725 February 2013 at 12:26

      thank you by the way, hit reply too soon
      Fiona

      Delete
  16. Anonymous20 April 2013 at 23:41

    I know what you are saying about the dress size, loving this collection, bought the black retro skirt grabbed the size I am normally but need the next size up!

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