I don't think all of this will be in the sale but I reckon about 50% of it will be - you should see the reductions if you click through and sign into your Sparks account or if you're reading this on Friday, the reductions will be visible without signing in.
Sharing them in the order I tried them on and I've used affiliate links throughout which serve two purposes - M&S know that you came to their site from here and if you buy and keep an item, I will earn a small commission (typically 3-5% of the price of the item - after VAT has been removed...so for a £30 purchase, I'll earn about 70p) It's not much but it does add up and helps to somewhat justify the time I spend online :)
Starting with a fabulous pink suit - the trousers first, they're a great fitting trouser for pears as they're a high waist. So often, 7/8 trousers are low slung and don't work with hips. I'm wearing the size 12 as I'm bigger on the bottom half and I have also gone for the short leg - my height (5'7") is all in my torso so short fit legs are always better for me when it comes to trousers.
And here's the matching jacket - this is the 10 and it felt a wee bit big so I'd size down. These colour block suits are so 'in' at the moment - perfect if you want something different for an occasion. The suit comes in a few other colour ways that you can see on the link.
And just to test wearability, I tried the trousers with my own denim jacket - I was genuinely surprised by how much I loved these. I normally avoid a bright bottom half!
Next up and ahead of our trip to London and the predicted heatwave for next week, I wanted to get a loose pair of slightly dressy shorts to wear around the city. These were the first ones I brought in and they're the same material as the dress I got in M&S last month. They're a gorgeous fit - I'm wearing the 12 in them but I think the pleating on them makes me look broader. These would be great on an apple or straighter figure:
These Per Una ones are a much better fit for me. These are the 14 by the way - ALWAYS size up in shorts. So many people tell me they can't find shorts that suit them and it's mostly because they're trying on their usual size. Always go up one or two sizes. There's something about the shortness of them that requires generosity in the fit.
And to visualise them for a city break, I added my denim jacket and a fab little bum bag - this has lovely gold detail on it making it a bit more special than a 'normal' bum bag:
And these are the shorts in the black colour way. I'm wearing the 12 here and you can't really see with them being black but they're not as flattering on me at all.
A little close up of the sandals that I was wearing in the shorts photos. They're leather and very
comfortable - I'm wearing the size 6 and full price, they're £25 and come in a few different colours:
And speaking of other colours, here are the orange ones worn this time with some Per Una denim shorts. Again, I'm wearing the size 14 - these are great...nice length on the leg and a lovely shade of denim that I think will get better the more you wash them
The orange in the sandals is so lovely and bright. The leather doesn't feel as soft as the leopard though so they might need a bit more wearing in
Just a couple of tops then starting with this poplin one from Autograph. Lovely quality fabric and nice detail...and you know how much I love wearing black in the summer!
Moving onto some denim and I really loved these straight cut jeans from Autograph. The wash is perfect for summer and they make a nice change from skinnies. They're well picked over online but it's worth checking in-store as there were plenty of sizes in Lisburn. These are the 10R but I'd want to buy the 10S for my shorter legs as they feel just an inch or so too long. Wearing with a gorgeous wee cream top with lace detail. It's blouse material in the front and jersey on the back. Comes in a few different colours and is less than £20. I'm wearing the 10 here and I'd say it's true to size.
These greige sandals caught my eye in Autograph. Very on trend and a fab colour. They're not as soft to wear as others I've tried but they're a beautiful leather so I think they'd soften up. Adore the heel detail - it's not red coloured - that's actually a metal trim that's picking up the colour of my next top.
And here is the top - it's the same as the cream one but in the red colour way. It's a size 8 and was a bit too neat on me:
Sandals
Just a change of top for the next one - love this warm pink colour. This comes up smaller than most M&S tops as I'm wearing the 12 and it wasn't too big on me for a change.
I wanted to try on some different white jeans. These are called the Relaxed Slim Cropped and they're mid rise. I'm wearing the 10 here and I like that you can turn them up. They were like a boyfriend jean really. Nice fit and not see through at all.
I kept the cami top on (they're great value and come in loads of colours. True to size) and tried these jersey trousers which are amazing and perfect for travelling or lounging. Less that £20 and so soft and easy to wear. Pockets too!
Onto a skirt now and I bought this one. It looks truly awful online but it's fab in real life. I've a few skirts in this style from M&S and I love them as they don't make you trip with the raised hem at the front, they're cool on hot days, they're not really a wrap skirt so don't expose you in full with every gust of wind and they're work appropriate! Need I say anymore? I always buy the long in these skirts as the regular length looks a bit frumpy on my height. I also size up in the waist for a bit more length.
Navy T-Shirt
Shoes - the Fran (sold out online)
Moving on to a few dresses and this one won my heart - it's such a gorgeous fit for a pear, a beautiful french navy colour, fully lined with that lovely broderie anglaise detail. Looks more expensive than it is and could be easily dressed up or down. Definitely passes my tesco/wedding/work test.
Next up, the boho frock I ordered home a few weeks ago in a size 10 that could have fitted 3 Avrils into it. This is the size 6 and even it's big on me (go figure)...but a much better fit and I bought this too. I think it's so fab to wear with a denim jacket and tan sandals
I've tried this next dress on before and loved but it's quite bare on the décolletage and back so I wanted to try it again with a t-shirt underneath. Not sure if it's me but it's a great way to get more wear from a strappy summer dress! Love the print on this one:
I got carried away then trying the same look under this pink floral slip dress. Doesn't work...I need the nip in under the bust. Lovely print though!
Next up, THE most perfect shirt dress. I'm asked lots about shirt dresses and about summer work wear and this ticks both boxes. The loveliest shirt fabric, not see through, perfect length, sleeves and pockets! What's not to love? Could be worn open kimono style too and it would be great with a tan leather belt, rather than the navy one supplied.
Another work option now - this is a black based dress with a pink and white print:
Then, I wanted to try on these maxi dresses again - I'd tried them before but it was so cold at the time and I couldn't think about a floaty light cotton dress. Another work appropriate one which can also be dressed down, it's a lovely style and a great print though I would prefer shorter sleeves
so I rolled the sleeves up in the other colour way - much better I think!
And finishing with a jumpsuit - this is fabulous and a perfect wardrobe basic that you'll wear again and again. It's wide legged, with a belt and easy to get on and off (important as we know with jumpsuits). Just a perfect item for a black tie event, a night out, work or even to dress down with wedges and a denim jacket. This comes up a bit big as I was able to wear the size 8 here. Bonkers sizing eh?
And there you go - my picks of what's in M&S at the moment. There's also the beauty box offer running while stocks last. It's £15 if you spend more than £40 and there's a lovely selection inside it - my favourite being the Shay and Blue perfume which is GORGEOUS! Worth it for this alone. Reviews aren't good online but I actually think it's more practical than previous ones. So far I've used the travel size sun cream, the Ren shower gel and the Emma Hardie face cream and they are all lovely.
Hope you enjoyed...good luck snapping up the sale bargains!
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