SCHOOL GATE STYLE

Belfast-based, clothes-loving, shopping-obsessed, mum of 3. Wearable fashion on a budget for busy women

Saturday, 11 January 2014

The January Style Challenge 3 - The Perfect Crew Neck Jumper

January Style Challenge time again and it's item 3 - a black, crew neck jumper. Not oversized, not long lined. Just a bog standard, black, fairly neat fitting jumper that finishes at my waist. This is a gap for me as I have some lovely patterned trousers that I never wear in the day-time and I think this would dress them down a bit.
Now you'd think this would be an easy one to find but I searched Belfast without success. This House of Fraser Linea knit was one contender - reduced from £50 to £25. The neckline was a little lower than I wanted however:
Linea Tipped Jumper - Black

This one from Warehouse ticked all the boxes but it was out of stock in my size in store:
Black Quilted Crew Jumper - Warehouse
The Boden Cashmere Crew Neck is still in stock and is fabulous but the budget can't stretch to it at the moment. It would be an amazing buy and I will keep an eye on it on the off-chance it reduces or I get a good discount code!
Boden Cashmere Crew Neck
So in desperation, I googled and found this one in what looked a little like an old lady/Daily Mail style knitwear website - Woolovers. Despite my reservations, the shape looked good and I realised it was a merino wool/cashmere (70%/30%) mix for just £30 including postage! Now, I'll confess, this isn't in the sales...slight divergence from rules but I honestly couldn't find one reduced anywhere. But these are such a great offer and you can even buy two for £50 if you want a better deal but having read tweets telling me that their sizing was a bit random, I just ordered the one and kept looking as I honestly didn't have the highest hopes..
Black Crew Neck Jumper - Woolovers
It arrived a few days later and first impressions were great. It's beautifully soft and just the right weight. Tried it on (I bought a size M) and it sealed the deal. Perfect fit...wow. Now sorry I didn't buy a second!


White Shirt - Betty Barclay via John Lewis
Jeans - Gap Outlet (similar here)
Scarf - eBay
Boots - Boden (old)
It's a keeper - I'm really pleased it and look how wonderful it looks with my new white shirt too! I'm motoring through the 5 items and should be able to share the last two with you next week. I've already secured one and the other is en-route. Once again, I'm adding a linky for all my blogging readers who want to share their sale buys this January. I know some of you linked already to the last couple of posts but feel free to link again and please do click through to read other posts - there are some amazing bargains still to be found in the sales!
Ax
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38 comments

  1. Perfect crew neck and what a fabulous price! It sits lovely on you and looks great over the white shirt, it is tricky to get the right weight of fabric to sit well over shirts and it looks like you have nailed it. I love my Whistles sale cashmere navy crew neck I have worn it loads it is so cosy but washing it is a different matter such a faff! I have my eye on the Boden one too! X

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    1. Thank you - I think the bit of cashmere definitely makes the difference. It sits so nicely on! Ax

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  2. I love it Avril! A great wee find! :-) E x
    www.lifeatthelittlewood.co.uk

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    1. Thanks Emma and thank you for linking up again. LOVE that new Zara top you got in the sale! Ax

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  3. I love jumpers like this. I have one that is very old from Sainsbury's of all places but it ticks all the boxes for a simple black crew neck jumper.

    I cannot believe how long your hair is now!!! Looks amazing

    Fiona
    x

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    1. Thanks Fiona - I straightened it that day as I was in a hurry and I was a bit surprised at how long it had gotten!
      I actually never checked the supermarkets. See if Sainsbury's was online, I'd be all over it but I always get my groceries delivered now so I rarely go in! Maybe I should just take a peek sometime this week....Ax

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  4. This looks fab over your new white shirt. What a find! Well done! Lynne x

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    1. Thank you Lynne - I'm so pleased with it! Must show it off on its own with some patterned trousers soon. Ax

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  5. By heck Avril....another great purchase! You can't beat a classic black crew neck and crisp white shirt combo....love the whole ensemble on you! You've inspired me as I have a very similar scarf.....thanking you kindly! x

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    1. Thank you Michelle! It's a great fall-back look. I'm definitely going to have it on me a few times over the next few weeks! Ax

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  6. It's a great length Avril, actually it's a perfect length x

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    1. Isn't it? Loving the length. Of it was any longer, it would look sloppy on. Really thrilled with it! Ax

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  7. I love a good crew neck, so versatile, and that's exactly what my wardrobe needs at the minute - a good find:)

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    1. Thanks Rosanna - I'm so looking forward to wearing it loads. I've got at least 3 more outfits planned! x

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  8. Fab purchase Avril & like you say a good crew neck jumper is great for dressing down a smarter pair of trousers. Love how you've styled it too with the white shirt & leopard print...fab! Jane xx

    www.mymidlifefashion.com

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    1. Thank you Jane G! And thanks for linking up too....oh and I knew you'd love my scarf. You've inspired me with all things animal print as they look so amazing on you! Ax

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  9. What a great find, such a good price too. I love your outfit! xxx
    The Jolly Fashionista

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    1. Thank you Emma - I'm so pleased with it! And also loving your Norway updates at the moment. What a beautiful country, Ax

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  10. Ooh, love this. Just the perfect size as well. Will have to do a perusal of their site, because your'e right! It's amazing how difficult it is to find such a basic item. Have linked up to your sales linky btw xx

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    1. Thanks Helen and thanks for linking up too! Not sure what the postage will be to Ireland but as always, I'm happy to be your mule if it's expensive ;) Ax

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  11. Love this, it looks so warm too :) I've linked up again, thanks for hosting ...

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    1. Thank you Claire Justine - and for linking up too! Ax

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  12. Great find, looks perfect, it can be a battle sometimes finding something so specific. I too have recently discovered Woolovers, I was looking specifically for quality wool blend products within a strict budget, and I bought their long belted cardigan in bottle green for just over £30. It's warm and chic and I love it!
    P x

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    1. Thanks for the tip! I didn't look at the cardigans at all actually. Off now for another look! Ax

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  13. What a good price for wool & cashmere! Well found Avril x

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    1. Thank you Natalie - high praise indeed as I know you love your cashmere too, Ax

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  14. It's always when you are looking for a specific item that you come across these obsure brands or one's you never thought you'd buy from. As a huge capsule wardrobe fan, I am loving your items and can't wait for the rest! x

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    1. Thank you Sharron - great to find a quality item at a reasonable price. The last two essential items are in progress...one is sorted, the other is proving to be a bit elusive...hang on in there! Ax

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  15. I'd never heard of Woolovers either but your jumper looks and sounds great. I'll definitely go and take a look. I've got some patterned trousers that could be dressed down with a plain black sweater. Thank you Avril and thank you for hosting the linky again, Liz xxx

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    1. I think one of these jumpers would be perfect. That's another way I'm going to wear mine...so simple but effective! Thanks for linking up Liz, Ax

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  16. Gorgeous find Avril - I love it over the white shirt. I found mine at Uniqlo - a men's cashmere crewneck - before Xmas they were reduced to $60 here. Now I need to wear it over a white shirt:)

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    1. You so do - I tried the Uniqlo ones also but they didn't work on me. I have v short arms and all the men's jumpers (and shirts) just looked funny on me - I clearly needed to size down majorly but then this one arrived just in time! Ax

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  17. I love Woolovers. I know what you mean about them seeing a bit fuddy duddy, but get past that and you can see they have some good basic knitwear at brilliant prices. My problem is deciding what to order! And I was just looking at the last pic - that cashmere merino mix looks good!

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    1. It is good - it's lightweight for sure so it's not going to keep you super cosy but it's a lovely soft layer..and hopefully not too 'Swiffer-y' haha! Ax

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  18. Great outfit Avril! I have a huge list of things my wardrobe needs but always seem to forget them when I go shopping! Doh! Ax

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    1. Do a list in your diary Andrea - that's what I did and it stopped me buying all sorts of random stuff in the sales. Now whenever I think of something, I make a note...it's so simple! Ax

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  19. Nice one - and if it's any comfort, I have the Boden cashmere jumper and it's ok but not all that.

    Oh and after clicking on that Linea jumper I ended up buying a Mint Velvet leather jacket in their sale - thanks for that... I think! ;) *buys beans*

    Nic x

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    1. Haha - love the buy bean's comment! You better wear that jacket when I meet you - dying to see it! Ax

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