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