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Fantasy Shopping at Jarrolds

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Fantasy Shopping at Jarrolds

February 21, 2014
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  • Fashion & Beauty
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I do love a bit of fantasy shopping.

It’s like real shopping but without any of the “Oh I can’t afford to pay my bills” guilt at the end.

Here in Norwich we have a pretty amazing independent local department store called Jarrold, and they asked me to do just that, a bit of fantasy shopping.  Jarrold was founded in 1770 so has a long history. Its main store on London Street in Norwich was designed in 1903, with some nice remodelling in the 1920s that means it’s a grand and pretty gorgeous building. this is a photo I snapped on my phone last year of it all lit up for Christmas.

jarrolds

Jarrolds wanted me to come in and shop for some looks inspired by the London Fashion Week catwalks, they have an excellent range of brands and they were keen to prove how young, style conscious, people could create a great look from their in store fashion department.

This made me a little nervous as while I am ostensibly a fashion blogger I am neither particularly young, nor particularly style conscious. I like to think of myself as a crazy fashion maverick, creating my own style, well, not really, but it sounds good. Basically that is short hand for “I don’t really follow fashion, but I do like a pretty frock”.

I do not know what the key trends were at London Fashion Week this season, but I do know I like Orla Kiely, and after being sent a couple of photos of some of her snazzy A/W14 collection I decided to create some looks in my own style inspired by her mixing of neutrals, pastels and black.

orlakieely

My first choice was a polka dot spotted shift dress from Jacques Vert with a faux fur collar that came off of a Minuet jacket. The nude shoes (which I might go back and buy!) are form Carvela and I wore my own belt and tights. The shift dress has lovely slightly puffed sleeves, which aren’t very obvious on my arms sadly, and it also has a really pretty scalloped neckline if you wear it without the collar. I used a piece of wide ribbon as a hair band and I think it creates quite a 60s look.

DSC_3869

♥ Dress – Jacques Vert  ♥ Fur Collar – Minuet ♥ Shoes – Carvela ♥

Outfit number 2 I went with a similar colour palette of nudes with black, but I found a gorgeous dress with a bit of a 1930s vibe, which I teamed with a cloche style hat, a Lulu Guinness bag and my own belt again, those ribbon belts do nothing for me!

DSC_3882♥ Hat – Victoria Ann ♥ Dress – Jacques Vert ♥ Handbag – Lulu Guinness ♥

I tried on a gorgeous blue Hobbs dress, but not only could I not fit my arms through the sleeves (more on that another day!) but it made me look like a Blue Meanie, so for my last outfit I decided to go with more pastel colours and a 50s inspired style.

DSC_3887

♥ Hat – Vintage (mine!) ♥ Jacket – Minuet Petite ♥ Dress – Phase Eight ♥ Shoes – Carvela ♥

Interestingly a lot of the items I chose came from a section that it wasn’t suggested I look at, they weren’t the “high fashion” brands, but I one of things I love doing is being able to put together my own look from unexpected places. It’s one of the reasons that when I shop on the High Street I love department stores. When you shop in a one brand store you’re buying into one brands vision of a seasons looks, in a department store you can mix and match and find unexpected things to put something together all for yourself.

I got given a lovely little thank you card from Jarrolds, which I opened when I got home and found a gift card tucked inside as a thank you, so I’m excited to head back down there for a mini shopping spree of the real type again soon.

Which is your favourite look?

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17 Comments

  1. JarroldsNorwich says:
    February 21, 2014 at 8:54 am

    RT @Retrochick_uk: Fantasy Shopping @jarroldsnorwich : //t.co/9FvKhZLTT9

  2. JarroldsNorwich says:
    February 21, 2014 at 9:15 am

    Lovely article by @Retrochick_uk on vintage shopping at Jarrolds and #LFW influences. Doesn’t she look amazing!
    //t.co/WgO3rSWSVw

  3. Alison Hewitt says:
    February 21, 2014 at 9:20 am

    Alison Hewitt liked this on Facebook.

  4. imagineUKphoto says:
    February 21, 2014 at 9:21 am

    @Retrochick_uk @JarroldsNorwich I go with the last outfit – love the white with blue..! x

  5. Tracey O'Connor says:
    February 21, 2014 at 9:53 am

    Tracey O’Connor liked this on Facebook.

  6. Ailise O'Neill says:
    February 21, 2014 at 9:53 am

    Ailise O’Neill liked this on Facebook.

  7. Linda Revell says:
    February 21, 2014 at 10:06 am

    I love white ,but hate my legs,so always avoid such dresses,love the first 2 outfits with the opaque tights (my I can’t live without item) shall definitely be trying my take on this look .but also love the 3rd outfit too …I’m such a clothes junkie 🙂

  8. Ale says:
    February 21, 2014 at 10:28 am

    I love pois!
    //duecuoriinpadella.blogspot.it/

  9. Bonnie Worth says:
    February 21, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    Bonnie Worth liked this on Facebook.

  10. chrisdelahunty says:
    February 21, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    RT @Retrochick_uk: Fantasy Shopping @jarroldsnorwich : //t.co/9FvKhZLTT9

  11. Len Lambert says:
    February 22, 2014 at 2:37 am

    Len Lambert liked this on Facebook.

  12. Missy Vintage says:
    February 23, 2014 at 10:35 am

    oh I think the 2nd one is lovely on you.

  13. [email protected] says:
    February 23, 2014 at 8:33 pm

    I love the blue floral skirt. It would make me want to twirl. I think all look great. I too, like some vintage fashion but tend to mix current classic wear with some vintage pieces, like fur or brooches, jewelry… If you get a chance to check out my blog , stop by if you can at //www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com. thanks!

  14. Cathy says:
    February 24, 2014 at 10:59 pm

    Jarrolds is my fave, I’ve been going since I was little and once wet myself with fear at meeting Darth Vadar (the real one, with the real actor inside) in the toy department. Fond memories (or….not). *g*

    The cheese scones and fish & chips in the cafe on the top floor have always been my guilty pleasures! Whenever I meet up with friends I suggest we go there and indulge.

    I adore the Phase Eight dress, I might just have to pop along and try that one on!

  15. Gladys C says:
    February 25, 2014 at 8:52 pm

    Love number 2. The dress is very flattering and the lace detail gives it a romantic vibe.

    Gladys
    //sweetvintagelady.com/

  16. Catherine Anne says:
    March 2, 2014 at 6:35 pm

    that last dress you have on is gorgeous. love the silkyness and the print

  17. Terese says:
    March 31, 2014 at 9:18 pm

    Wow – I loved this post! My favourite outfit was the Jaques Vert and Lulu Guiness one – smashing!! Will head out to find that dress of rmyself as I feel I cant go on another day without it 🙂

About Me

Gemma
Incurable cancer, cocktails & fitness. Size Inclusive Personal Trainer, red lipstick wearer, cocktail drinker. Multiple Myeloma June 2021. Norwich, UK
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These photos were kind of a big deal for me. ad. LET’S RUN! It’s been a year. Just a photo dump from our birthday trip to @elmleynature Our trip to @elmleynature deserves a proper grid spot, and I’ll share more photos soon. Pugs. Great for cuddles, terrible guard dogs. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! Do you ever go out on your own? Happy Easter Chickadees!

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