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Shopping for'posh frocks' in London

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Shopping for'posh frocks' in London

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Old Oct 29th, 2005, 09:26 AM
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Hi Countrymouse, still here. This is Brown's online but the pictures do not do justice. It's located several doors down from that wonderful cosmetic line "Moulton Brown."

http://www.brownsfashion.com/
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Old Oct 29th, 2005, 10:07 AM
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thanks Cig
I'll log on to their site.
We thought we'd try the big stores on sunday then move on the the maller boutiques on the monday, that is if we haent struck gold at one of the big stores. If we do we'll go on the London Eye instead! Have you tried it yet?
CM
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Old Oct 29th, 2005, 10:16 AM
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Dear cig
By the way, we met up with the rest of the grooms families today and they seem a very jolly bunch. all of the mums have decided to keep each other posted as to what we decide to wear for the big day and also we have found out that there will as we will be limited to numbers of gueats at the castle we are having a really big party at Lilleshall hall (another lovely venue in the area) ten days after the wedding to which 300 guests will be invited, so I'll need a second outfit for that! I'll be in shoppers heaven!
Have you ever been to a winter wedding? if so what did you wear?
I'll keep you posted when we find something.
Thanks again.
CM
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Old Oct 29th, 2005, 10:30 AM
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iut sounds so exciting!!!! I've haven't been to a winter wedding in years but with Velvet so big even for day wear. I'd most likely wear a Panné Jacket and a skirt of wool.
IT'S SNOWING HERE!!!Big flakes so that looking out the window it looks like one of those glass globes you turn over.
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Old Oct 29th, 2005, 10:56 AM
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Congratulations Mouse!!
Much good luck and happiness to the boy and his bride

I will day dream that we are going to the wedding and plan the hat that I would wear
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Old Oct 29th, 2005, 11:34 AM
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Dear cig
Just popped over to the Browns site. It looks good and I'll definately give it a look. The jacket idea sounds great but unfortunately I have very sensitive skin and anything 'woolly' makes me itch
so I'll have to try something else.
It's snowing there, how cool! We havent had any 'proper' snow here in ages. I much prefer a real snowy winter to the incessant drizzle we often experience.
They do reckon though that we are about to have the coldest winter here on record so we may get some yet. My only hope is that it stays away long enough for me to get on the plane to Tenerife on the 13th december.
Thanks for the good wishes Scarlett. I was going to e-mail you this weekend to give you the good news. I'd love to see your posh hat! My only regret about the wedding is that because there are so many families involved we will only be able to have six guests! at the actual ceremony. Still I'll try and post some photos so you can all see the results of your suggestions for my outfit. Appanrently the girls have all decided to go for full on 'fairytale' dresses so i cant wait to see them. They havent decided yet whether the gents will be in top hat and tails. I hope they do as I've always fancied a night in a castle with a 'toff'!
Luv
CM
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Old Oct 29th, 2005, 12:16 PM
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Velvets and the Panné velvet aren't wool and you pair them with a choice of fabrics, chiffon, silk, blends anything that goes with the cut. Have fun shopping.
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Old Oct 30th, 2005, 06:43 AM
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Hi cig
I obviously didnt word my reply properly, I know velvet isnt wool but i referred to the wool skirt you mentioned.
I rather fancy an embroidered velvet jacket or I did see one last week which had an insert of lace at the cuff which was really special but it only came in black and I think I'd prefer something more colourfull, perhaps in emerald green or deep blue. For the dress your suggestion of silk or chiffon appeals if I can find one that matches the jacket. We havent seen the party venue yet so I dont know how warm it will be in there but we intend to visit both venues around the same time this year to guage what it will be like.
Its a pity I didnt know about it when i went to Malaysia earlier this year as I could have had a great outfit made there for a fraction of the cost of the UK. I did have a lovely silk dress made but it would be too summery for a winter wedding.
Thanks again cig for taking time to reply. Have you checked out the www.rowtoncastle.com site yet? I'd be interested to see what you think.
regards CM
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Old Oct 30th, 2005, 08:12 AM
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CM, it is a lovely location, and it looks like it's out of one of the many English programs I loved watching, "To the Manor Born" or one of the films. It also looks like Jane Seymore's home.
In other words, Wonderful!
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Old Oct 30th, 2005, 10:27 AM
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Reading this makes me want to crash a wedding

Mouse, I love the idea of velvet and lace in a big old castle with a toff
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Old Oct 31st, 2005, 01:55 PM
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Dear cig and Scarlett
Glad you liked it.
I wish you could both be there on the big day, but i will try to post the photos and i promise to give you the full run down.
I wont be on line for a few days from tomorrow as I'm at last sending the computer in for a much needed upgrade, but I'll be back!
thanks again for all your help and good wishes.
TTFN babes.
CM
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Old Oct 31st, 2005, 02:20 PM
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Brown's is good, but it's small, and the assistants irritate me there immensely, and I don't care for the family who own it much either. One of them turned up to a funeral of an uncle of mine dressed in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

I recommend going to Harrods or Harvey Nichols. Harrods has an amazing selection of formal/evening wear, and the staff are very good. Book a personal shopping session if you can - you'll enjoy it.
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Old Nov 7th, 2005, 09:51 AM
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Thanks m kingdom
We are going to try Harrods and Harvey Nicks on the sunday.
Will keep you posted if I find anything.
CM
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Old Nov 11th, 2005, 11:40 AM
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CM, I'm an Australian living in London. Have been here for about 4 and a half years now.
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Old Nov 14th, 2005, 05:16 AM
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Gooday Luckycat!
What a change of scene for you coming to cold england from such a lovely warm place. I have friends who have emigrated to Australia and they are always e-msiling during our winter saying how they are just off to swim in their pool and making me very jealous, but you must enjoy it here to have stayed so long, so I dont feel so bad about living here now! In fact I dont think you can get a prettier place to live when the weather is good.
Thanks again for your invaluable tips and if you think of anywhere else let me know. We are going to visit the castle at the end of the month to see how it will look on the day which I'm looking forward to as although weve seen the outside, the day we went there was an 'exclusive use' wedding going on so we couldnt see the bedrooms etc.
We used to live in London when we were first married ,back in 1974, and my husband is a londoner and I still feel a frisson of excitement when we go back for a visit. Living in the countryside is lovely and I'm especially enjoying travelling to work at the moment through the country lanes as it has been so mild that the trees have only just started turning and everywhere is red and gold, but I do like to return to the big city to shop as we dont have the choice here.
Many thanks again
regards CM
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Old Nov 14th, 2005, 10:37 AM
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Harrods, Harvey Nichols, or Whistles
303 Brompton Road
London SW3.

You are bound to find something nice there, Good Luck!
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Old Nov 14th, 2005, 11:04 AM
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CM,

I noticed when walking past today that Arcadia (the one where you have to buzz to get in) has changed its name to Acquaint....I swear it was called Arcadia 2 weeks ago!
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Old Nov 17th, 2005, 10:56 PM
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Thanks Lucielou
Also thanks luckycat for that update. I've never had a 'personal shopper' before! you do realise you now have a job for life!
Many thanks
CM
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Old Nov 18th, 2005, 12:25 AM
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The wedding is '4th December 2006'? Instead of buying ready mades, you have time to do custom. If you really want to stun the gathering, why not buy in Paris? Money no concern? Rodeo Drive! LA.
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Old Nov 18th, 2005, 03:24 AM
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CM,

If there is one thing I know about, it's shopping in London! So let me add to the list here and expand past posh frocks in Covent Garden. If you have time you can check out these places.

Tabio - Neal street, Covent Garden for the best socks and stockings ever. Mostly from Japan and pretty pricey though.

Neal Street for shoes generally

Tomcat Leather, also Neal street for jackets, boots and shoes. It's a little store but the guy who runs it is really really nice.

India Rose - Neal street for funky t shirts

Mango - Neal street for all sorts of clothes (not sure if you have that in the states though)

If you're into vintage or retro, 'WOW! Retro' on Mercer street, Covent Garden, is the place or the second hand designer store on monmouth street, the name of which escapes me but its up near Orla Kelly.

For really really different stuff, head up to the Stables Market in Camden town where you will find stylish to gothic (fairy goth mother if you please!) to flashing fluorescent club clothes that normal people wouldn't be caught dead in (Cyberdog).

I could go on and on but I better reign myself in or else I'll be here all day making a long long list!
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