High Street Favourite: Hobbs

 

Up til now I've steered clear of the high street's grown-up shops - Hobbs, Reiss, Jigsaw, Cos, Banana Republic, Whistles - because of a) the expense and b) a bit frightened of them. God knows why. It's a shop, not an army. But no longer! I'm 31, I'm an adult, and it's time to start looking in them, rather than just assuming that because they're for adults, they are for tiny thin creatures.

I'm dipping a toe in with Hobbs, having peered longingly at their dresses, coats and other goodies for ages. Conveniently, it's also their sale, hoorah! They also have a permanent online outlet - I bloody love an outlet.

I completely adore this Talia horse jumper, and have just snapped one up at £44 down from £89 (sizes 14 and 18 remain). It will be the perfect replacement for my beloved H! by Henry Holland fox jumper which Sel posted about in 2011, and which is starting to look a bit tired and sad.

Hello dream dress! This swishy Bowood dress is £29 down from £79 and available in sizes 14 and 16. Love the wrapping, the skirt, the colour. Goodness.

Clearly can't stop at one dress. There are tons, and they are beautiful. This lot are all available in sizes 8 to 18, except Georgina, which is available in 10 to 18.

L-R top: Afia (£79 from £159); Geo (£69 from £139); L-R bottom: Invitation Jewel dress (£44 from £149) Georgina (£70 from £149).

Hobbs is brilliant for knitwear, and this Kew cardigan is £50, down from £75 in the outlet and comes in sizes 8, 10 and 16.

Oh lord, just ALL of the want. I should not be allowed anywhere near platforms or heels this high, simply for reasons of it then being immensely impractical getting through doors, but these Hazel courts are just scrumptious. They are £50 down from £169, and available in full and half sizes from 36 to 39 (that's 3 to 6 to you and I), and then in 40.5 (7.5).

(If you're an 8 or 9, Long Tall Sally have some pairs left of their *amazing* leopard print court, which is similar in style and extremely comfy. But again, doors.)

Just having a moment about this robin t-shirt. The scarf. The hat. The joy. It's £20 and in sizes S (6-8) and XL (16-18)

Going full-price, there's plenty to explore in the new in collection, but my favourites are shoes and accessories. This NW3 Carnival scarf has flamingos, elephants and ice blue joy writ large, for £39.

And for more flamingos, it's got to be this delicate flamingo necklace (£25).

And ending on a real wish list: these gorgeous Wynn loafers, which are £179 and go up to a 42 (8.5). Sigh. So pretty. Well done Hobbs.