Friday 10 May 2013

Mmmm MATALAN!

I absolutely love Matalan - I have quite a few items from there and I love them. In the past 2 years they have really grown up and they are now one of my first choices when I go shopping. It helps that our local one is big, it's easy/free to park and the staff are great.

I was approached by Matalan to take part in their £50 blogger challenge this month. The basics are you get £50 (vouchers for instore or online) and you have to create a look within budget for the said topic of the month. Previous topics have been ChinaBlueMonochromeMummies and  WorkWear. This month it's Wedding Outfit. Yippee I shouted with glee - I love a good wedding outfit. I don't know anyone that is getting married, I haven't attended a wedding in years but I do love getting dressed up!

I chose to select my outfit from my local store. I still like touching and feeling and sometimes clothes sizes do not match traditional dress sizes, so I knew I had to 'go in'. The problem I had was there was SO MUCH to choose from. Seriously, Matalan have every trend and style and size covered. There were ROWS UPON ROWS of EVERYTHING and I spent a good few hours walking around and around and around picking things up and matching them with other items.

The outfit I finally chose was this one:

Top – £12 – can’t find online, bought in local store
Skirt – £14 - Can’t find online, bought in local store

I absolutely LOVE the yellow top - it's going to be worn so many times by me - with jeans (blue or white) or with the skirt again. Would do well for a summer work meeting too.



Whilst wandering around I saw this maxi dress - it's amazing on but if you're shorter than I am (5ft 9) then forget it, it's going to be too long. I had really high nude heels on too.  The dress was online last week but I guess they sold out because I can't find it on there now.

Dress - £35
Shoes - £14


Now I'm a sucker for a shift dress and this one leapt out at me whilst browsing. I also totally love the necklace and the shoes matched in well with the side panels (stone) of the dress. I added the jacket too because it smartened it up immediately for a wedding.
Necklace - £10 (I kid you not!)





I know I know I know this is over the budget set but I couldn't refuse a show and tell! Still, at £69 it's a bargain. The necklace will be worn so many times over for so many other occasions as will the jacket.

So go on, take a look at Matalan - you will find something. Remember my amazing paisley chino's? Still available to buy for £10 - TEN POUNDS!!!

I couldn't find this in my local store but it is online - I wish I could have styled this one - AMAZING - and more amazing is the price - £16!


There are 3 other bloggers taking part - hop on over to Matalan and check out their looks - also you can vote for the outfit you think is best ...  Click here to vote.

Have you ever considered Matalan as a shop to go in? I didn't until a few years ago and now I'm hooked!

Fiona
xoxo





19 comments :

  1. Wow some great outfits Fiona. I really love that yellow top and can't believe the price of the cream jacket & necklace - gorgeous, will definitely have to check out our local Matalan x

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    1. I can't wait to wear it with white jeans and tan heels !

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  2. I tried that china blue dress and was awful fit on me. The maxi is stunning x

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    1. I couldn't find it in my local store today, I wanted to try it

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  3. Hi my dear! Thanks for your lovely comment and ditto, you look stunning in this ensemble and I've just voted for you too! I tried on the paisley trousers yesterday but they only had a 10 which was too tight-boo! I love the china blue dress you featured here and the maxi dress looks really lovely too! Have a great weekend xxx

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    1. Hey you! I had to upsize in the jeans, I should have said!
      Have a good one too

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  4. Ive not been to Matalan for years - it's quite a drive for me from where I live, but I think I will for that yellow top - love, love love!!

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    1. You HAVE to go, there is some tat but there are some really good finds too

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  5. Just voted for you, mainly because you are always so chirpy, but your outfits were the best too! I want to hate Matalan as I'm not a high street girl. But I have sold all my seven and j brand jeans on EBay and kept only the matalans, they fir like a dream for me!

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    1. LOL brand jeans for Matalan ones! For the price of their clothes you honestly can't go wrong!!
      What a lovely thing to say 'so chirpy' - that's made my day thank you :-)

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  6. Loved your final look Fiona and all the other things you got are a amazing, I recently hit Matalan for the first time in years and got a few great bargains but I did have to hunt a bit to find some gems, I was really surprised with the quality too it's great for the price, ill be voting for you too by the way!

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    1. It's my new favourite store - you are right, you have to really look to find but there are gems there!

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  7. You look fab Fiona and well done for finding SO many fab outfit options in Matalan. I'd never have thought. Off now to check out that boucle jacket - looks fab on you. Have a super weekend! Ax

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    1. Thank you Avril! I loved the outfit - it's not a colour I would usually choose but it jumped out at me!

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  8. Hi Fiona - not usually a blog commentator but this is just to say a big thankyou for finding those great paisley jeans. I bought a pair online (14 sold out so went for 16) and they are the best fitting trousers I think I have EVER bought. They are totally fab and look great with brougues, ankle boots, supergas and espadrilles. T shirt when it's warm (never) and even a tunic jumper when it's colder. Keep up the good work!

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    1. oh what a lovely comment - thank you!
      I had to upsize in mine and I agree they are AMAZING aren't they? For the price as well I am astounded they are as good as they are. I'm going to wear mine tomorrow!

      Thank you again :-)
      Fiona

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  9. This is such a great post Fiona! You've put together some lovely outfits here! The maxi & shift dresses are gorgeous on you & I really like the last outfit too! I think you are going to give the other girls a run for their money on this one! ;) Ax

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  10. The maxi dress is gorgeous, love the pleats:) I love Matalan, always manage to find something!

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  11. Great choices .. and wow, amazing prices. Only wish there was a Matalan where I live :(

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