The January Style Challenge 1 - The Perfect Parka

Following on from my post the other day, here's some more information on how my January Style Challenge will work. This month's challenge is to focus on finding just 5 classic essential items in the January sales. These items must fill gaps in my wardrobe and also give lots more mileage to the items I already have.

I'm as guilty as most for going into the sales and buying a bit randomly - items I like and that are well reduced mostly. And I have a tendency to go for bright colours or patterns and forget that the sales should be about looking for more classic items that your existing wardrobe can work around in order to give yourself more overall options.

My items are also based around my 2014 wardrobe resolution to dress down a bit more, so a couple of them are a big move away from my comfort zone - I want to push myself to try some new looks! 

My first item is a khaki green cotton parka. Now I've wanted one for these for ages and to date, have bought 5 and sent back 5 because they just weren't ticking the boxes I had. Now I know I have my navy Target Dry parka that I really do love but the truth is, I wear it ALL the time and it's a bit more functional than the one I'm looking for now. I'm thinking the khaki will open up a few more colour options for me and it's also a bit more along the 'dressed down' lines.

Here are a few options out there...some I have bought already and returned and others that were on the wishlist but out of budget. First up, one of the latter category...this fab Superdry one is exactly what I wanted. The furry lining is just gorgeous - I've seen it in the flesh. But why on earth do they not have a sale in Superdry? It just puts me off a brand if they see themselves as being above having a sale so on principle, I didn't try it on...though truth is, I knew if I did, I would have wanted it.

Super Desert Parka - Superdry

Next up, ASOS has been the source of several parka orders. Bless them, they really do have the best returns service which I've availed of often. They could show a few brands how to do online retailing better.

The first ASOS one is another budget breaker and not in the sale - indulge me:

Parka London Levina Parka - ASOS

But now a couple of more affordable ones, starting with the one I most recently sent back to ASOS - from River Island. It was the perfect colour and a good price but I wanted a bit more shape at the waist and pulling the cords didn't work so well. I also wanted my khaki to be a bit darker and the fur inside to be less creamy coloured. Fussy much?

River Island Parka - ASOS

River Island from ASOS again and I liked the colour of this one but not the black fur but it's a bit different to the run of the mill parka - well priced at just over £60 in the sale:

River Island Parka - ASOS

This next one is a total bargain and I'm regretting not ordering it. It's from Vero Moda and is only £35.50 in the sale...sob!

Vero Moda Parka - ASOS

The reason I can't order it now is because I already picked up this next one from Warehouse and I'm so happy with it after all my searching that I haven't the heart to order another one. I also think ASOS will pull the plug on all those free returns if I do! Now for some strange reason, it's not on sale in Warehouse but it is on ASOS? Strange. Size-wise there are only small sizes left on ASOS and only 14's on the Warehouse site but you might have more luck in-store if you like it too. Mine is a 12 (photo below!)

Detachable Faux Fur Parka - Warehouse

I'm really pleased with it - here I am wearing it today in a dressed down outfit when we braved the storms to go to the park. The kids were seriously in need of fresh air and exercise after a morning stuck indoors.

Parka as above
Jeans - Maison Scotch (old)
Scarf - M&S (old)
Boots - Mango..in the sale!
White Top - Uniqlo (SS13)
Grey Cardigan (just seen) - M&S (old)

and there you go - item one...in the bag! Now, onto item two...not proving as easy to find. I'll update you early next week! Now over to you - link up here if you've done a January Sales Essentials post already. Don't worry if you haven't - I'll have a linky on each post from the January 5 essentials.