Review: Daisy Street Mom Jeans

Following weeks of hope, prayer and cross-country wailing, Daisy Street's stocks of their sell-out Grayce mom jeans were finally replenished recently, with a frantic 2am transaction securing me the last acid wash pair in my size! Since I'd already tried out the Topshop versions for research purposes, I thought I may as well give you my thoughts on how these measure up...

In terms of fit, I'd say these come up quite small - significantly smaller than the Topshop versions (which I know are generally considered a small fit themselves), so, if you're unsure, curvy of hip or thigh, or between sizes, definitely size up (my Daisy Street disco pants are size 8; these are size 10). They're also cut fairly slim for mom jeans - slightly relaxed rather than baggy and oversized - personally, I quite like the more streamlined feel, although, in an ideal world, I'd have an oversized pair too. What did scare me at first, though, was the effort it took to squeeze my heels through the tiny ankle holes!! Thankfully, they soon loosened up sufficiently... however, I did find it a little strange that the turn-ups are actually sewn up (the probable cause of the heel issue)! You could quite easily unpick the stitches if you wished, but, since they are still long enough to tuck into boots come winter (I've turned them up once or twice more for the pictures below), I am leaving mine alone for now. They sit slightly higher on the waist than the Topshop versions, which I like, and I believe they are also slightly longer, even with the enforced turn-ups, which may make them more cold-weather-friendly.

My pair appear slightly darker than the image on the website, with the acid wash less pronounced than I expected - however, the actual shade is very "wearable", and not at all disappointing.

The denim is very thick, much like the Topshop versions. It takes some time to get used to the unwieldiness of "real" jeans after so many years spent living in stretch fabrics, but, once you do, they're pretty comfortable... If you're after the '90s look, they definitely feel authentic! Actually, the first thing that struck me when I tried these on was how much they reminded me of something I would have worn a decade ago... Swap the heels and hi-tops for Adidas Superstars, turn down the turn-ups and these photos could be of me at 16! Is anyone else over 25 struck by a faint sense of ridiculousness at the notion of clamouring for the very things we threw off en masse when Britney Spears introduced us to the excitement of thong-flashing in elasthane-enhanced denim-hybrids? Back in the dim and distant past when "mom jeans" were simply known as "jeans"... In any case, this realisation doesn't in any way diminish my excitement at finally getting my hands on these, or my enthusiasm for trying them out with every other item in my wardrobe!

Hi-Lo

Jeans: Daisy Street, Top: Primark, Blazer: F&F, Shoes: Boohoo

Varsity Casual

Jeans and Jacket: Both Daisy Street, Top: Topshop, Trainers: River Island

Have you welcomed mom into your wardrobe?

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Hell for Leather: Introducing the Autumn/Winter Skort!

A couple of posts ago, I was sharing my white skort's summertime adventures with you, and pondering the possibilities of purchasing a more wintry version... Since then, autumn has rather unceremoniously ousted summer from London for who-knows-how-long, causing my crisp white ensembles to be passed over for more gothic garb (although the monochrome love-in persists unabated - do not be alarmed). But the reign of the skort continues! Mummy Muses spied this leathery lovely on the Daisy Street website and kindly purchased it for me as an early birthday present (and yes, I am already wearing it, a full 2 weeks in advance, oops!). 

Skort: Daisy Street (Available Here), Shirt, Boots and Leather Bralet (Under Shirt): All Primark

This little beauty will see me right through to spring with opaques and boots, but, for now, I'm making the most of the last few days of tights-free weather! Made from a wonderfully stretchy material, it's soooo comfy (though, being kinda in-between-sizes, I did go for the larger size, which was the right decision).

I am, as the title says, going hell for leather with even more gusto than usual this season - in addition to the brand new high-rise leather trews I currently sport as I type, I finally found my perfect varsity/baseball jacket (below), fortuitously styled up with the skort on the Daisy Street website! Monochrome, leather-sleeved and under £25; I have been waiting a loooong time for this combination! 

Skort and Jacket: Both Daisy Street, Hat, Top and Trainers: All Primark

Will you be skorting on into Autumn/Winter?

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The Quest for the Perfect Disco Jeans...

Disco jeans, tube pants, high-waisted skinnies - whatever you want to call them, I have been in search of the perfect pair all year. Not much of a jeans girl in general (with the wealth of other options available for encasing one's legs, they usually strike me as an obscene waste of half an outfit, unless they happen to be brightly coloured, patterned or smothered in gold foil, pearls or the like), I nevertheless find it impossible to avoid the allure of the high-waisted, bodycon "disco" silhouette on any garment, and if anything is going to prove a more versatile wardrobe staple than the disco pant, it may well be the disco jean...

But while it's now easy as pie to snag a good quality pair of disco pants at a bargain basement price, high street dupes for American Apparel's disco pant sibling style, the Easy Jean, are still running to play catch up.

I have tried, and rejected: River Island's Tube Pants, Topshop's Joni Jeans and Primark's Super High Waist Skinny Jeans. Now, I know there are zillions of satisfied purchasers of all the above out there, but, for me, the RI and Primark versions aren't stretchy or "disco-ey" enough in structure, whilst the Jonis are far too stretchy and legging-like. Oh dear, I am starting to sound a little like Goldilocks here (and yes, I do have the same problem with porridge)...

The Contenders...

Based on extensive visual assessment of the other options available online, I decided to order Missguided's Cessie Stone Wash Disco Jeans (above right, and below), back in May. Exactly what I was after in terms of look and fit, except for one tiny problem - I couldn't sit down in them without the weird popper button fastening unpopping itself and the flimsy zip ripping open in the middle! Now, I'll admit, I may have been able to avoid this problem had I sized up to fit my hips rather than my waist, but the fit on the legs and waist was perfect - if only the material had slightly more "give", or the fastenings were more sturdy! I'm hanging onto them for now, in the hopes of one day losing the elusive half inch which may fix my zipper issue (I'm pleased to report that the popper, at least, is now holding its own!). But, in the meantime, the search continued...

Jeans: Missguided, Top: Primark, Boots: Peacocks (Past Season)

Last week, my quest took me to New Look's kids' section - at 5'7, I'd never imagined I could get away with childrens' jeans, but, bolstered by excitement over my recent teen buys, coupled with desperation re: the (lack of) disco jeans situation, I figured it was worth a try, at least! Imagine my excitement on discovering these acid wash age-14 beauties (along with some gorrrgeous age-13 skinny denim dungarees, to be featured imminently!). They may be a little shorter on me than intended, but I'm actually finding the slightly cropped length rather chic, in a Parisienne-type way! They're also a little lower-rise than I usually prefer in a high-waisted garment, but I'm embracing the '90s vibe! These are much softer, thinner and stretchier than the Missguided versions, making them super comfortable, whilst they still look like jeans, rather than leggings! Loving them with crop tops and trainers for a casual feel, and tucked-in tops with heels or brogues for a more grown up look... These are definitely going to be an all-year-round wardrobe staple - watch this space! 

Jeans: New Look (Teens), Top and Trainers: Both Primark

Jeans: New Look (Teens), Top: Dorothy Perkins, Jacket: Daisy Street, Hat and Shoes: Primark

Has your denim gone disco?

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Transitional Monochrome - How to Wear Come Sun or Snow

By now I think we're all aware that monochrome is "in", no? I'm not sure it's ever been "out", and it's certainly always been one of my failsafe looks, but this season's mono-mania has inspired me to get a bit more creative, and, in the absence of any weather bearing the slightest resemblance to spring, popping a black and white ensemble together is the easiest way to channel a new season vibe, even if we can't pack our woollies away just yet.

Hounds vs. Stripes

Dress, Belt, Blazer and Boots: All Primark, Hair Band: New Look (I think! Past Season)

If I hadn't bought this dress and blazer at the same time, I probably wouldn't have thought to put them together, but clashing monochrome patterns is one of the safest, but most impactful, ways to combine contrasting prints. I nabbed both in the Primark sale - the blazer for £7, and the dress for... £1! It was the last of its kind, marked £7 but missing its belt, so the manager agreed to reduce it to £5, but on scanning it found it had already been reduced to £2, so, short of giving it away, there was nothing for it but to give me a 50% reduction!! I always think monochrome goes hand in hand with a '60s look, so the belt, boots and beehive polish it off perfectly for me.

Hounds vs. Hearts

(or Paddington Bear vs. the Everlasting Winter of 2013)

Dress (As Above), Coat and Shoes: All Primark, Hairband: Accessorize

And this is how I'm working the monochrome print clash whilst actually leaving the house in any of my other ensembles would encourage stalactites to form on my eyelashes...

Velvet vs. Wool

Top: Missguided, Skirt: Marks & Spencer (Past Season), Boots: Boohoo (Available Here), Headband: River Island, Rucksack: Peacocks (Past Season)

Another '60s inspired look... velvet and woollen fabrics add a cosy-luxe feel, whilst a flash of tummy takes the look into the new season (addition of substantial coat clearly necessary if actually venturing out in the current climate though!). This age 12 M&S kids' skirt has been one of my staples for years now - I've never seen such a cute dogtooth skater designed for adults!

Sheer Abandon

Skirt: Primark, Boots: Boohoo (Available Here), Jumper: Morgan (Past Season!)

Another texture clash combining winter and spring; snuggle and glamour/goosebumps.

Sharpening My Pencil

Skirt: River Island (Past Season), Top: Forever 21 (Past Season), Shoes: Primark (Current)

Another of my most satisfyingly good value houndstooth sales purchases of all time (a River Island skirt for £10 = RESULT), this pencil skirt has served me faithfully for a year - equally perfect with a jumper and opaques, classic shirt or crop top, depending on meteorological conditions - a true monochromatic hero buy!

With a Bow on Top

Dress and Shoes: Both Primark, Hair Bow: Peacocks

Teaming my first "illusion" panelled dress with my first faux-hair bow for a ladylike-but-fun look!

All Tied Up

Top: New Look (Past Season), Skirt, Socks and Trainers: All Primark

And here is my first attempt to tie my own hair in a bow! It makes me feel a little Harajuku Girl, especially combined with the socks! This is a peplum top which I've already featured a couple of times, cunningly disguised as a humble striped tee!

Riviera vs. Disco

Top: Quiz (Available Here), Disco Pants: Daisy Street (Available Here), Shoes: Dorothy Perkins (Past Season), Sunglasses: Accessorize (Past Season)

I've craved a pair of high-waisted capri pants for years, if not decades, so, this time, I decided to go DIY - turn my disco pant hems up - et voila! The sunglasses may be rather optimistic, but call it a rehearsal for summer...

Are you seeing everything in black and white this season?

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