When in Rome....

Although not in Italy, just thought I had better point that out. I am on my annual (sometimes biannual if I can scrounge enough annual leave together) pilgrimage to the States. That means I'm checking out American fashion. Over the years I had written off shopping here because the word I would use to describe it is SAFE. Even Him Indoors would agree.  Unless that is you were thinking of jeans or a t shirt with a moose logo or a really,  really upmarket purchase, I hasten to add.  But shopping for mere mortals who didn't need another pair of skinnies to add to their collection  (or said logo'd attire) then there wasn't much to hang your credit card on.  But all that's changed. With J CRew and Madewell  thank you for telling me Susie SoSo) and Anthropologie and at the higher end of the spending spectrum but not completely out of the question Rag and Bone and T by Alexander Wang. I could go on....

I should share with you my first outing of my sale purchase Michael Michael Kors shirtdress.  Michael Kors seems to having a moment in the UK. Those chunky gold watches that my daughter and her friends all love and if you stand still at any station or Starbucks and look around for a nano second I bet you'll see an MK tote. So I dipped my toe into the MK pond with this silk shirtdress   The gold buttons were nearly a deal breaker.... Erring towards bling territory. But as you can see I got over that pretty darn quickly.  The redeeming factor was that I knew it would go with heels, wedges and flats that I already owned.  I think it won't date too quickly. Those famous last words that make any purchase justifiable in my book. 

Shirt dress - MIchael Michael Kors still available at House of Fraser here

Orange wedges - Russell and Bromley

 Mulberry bag (old) 

Oh and by the way the bargain of the year award goes to my eldest who managed to snaffle a pair of black skinny JBrands for $55 down from $180. And they were just sitting there on a sale rail at Saks 5th Avenue. No bargain basement rummaging required. Perfect fit and a cropped length so a little autumn ankle flashing will be in order.

 Tomorrow I'm off to look at J Crew and I'll report back.