SCHOOL GATE STYLE

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

Wednesday, 8 October 2014

By Request - TU at Sainsburys AW14

Last week Ingrid got in touch asking me if I wouldn't mind calling into one of the big Sainsburys in Belfast to see what the new season range is like. She lives a bit of a distance from a Sainsburys but was wondering if it was worth the trip having seen this photo in a magazine:
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Well - rant time now...when on earth will Sainsburys get their act together and start selling online? It's a strategic decision to stay in-store only apparently but given how well other supermarkets do online, it seems like a short sighted one. I rate the TU range highly but I don't always shop there so I sometimes miss new items coming into stock. Rant over - I made the trip over to the store in West Belfast, which has the biggest clothing range of all the NI stores.


So here's a quick selection of the things that caught my eye - I tried on what I could find in my size further down so keep scrolling! First up, a lovely raspberry red boyfriend fit coat with wool - this is the same coat that Louise Rednapp is wearing in Ingrid's photo but there were only big sizes so I couldn't try it on :(
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This is a grey jersey dress/tunic. Nice oversized shape and with pockets. Would look great with a big scarf and some ankle boots/tights:
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This blush coloured top is from the Gok range - which incidentally was very small and not particularly prominent. Wondering if this partnership is reaching an end? It, along with the cream top below, were the only stand out items from what they had in stock of the Gok range - it's trimmed in a gold fabric - lovely finish but sadly not a colour that suits me.
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This grey marl top with pleather trim was the one thing I would have bought if I could have tried it on (fitting rooms closed for maintenance) it is a lovely weight, rather reminiscent of Zara and very well priced at £12.
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These boots are a lovely colour..overall the footwear was quite good:
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This spotty top was a nice weight and again, had a pleather trim:
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This scarf is a great dupe of the Zara one that sold out really quickly last winter. It's a good big scarf too - great value at £12
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Some nice knitwear - including this cardigan. A bit Orla Kiely-esque?
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This dalmation jumper is cute - I'm not a fan of animal jumpers usually but did like this:
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And if you're a fan of Joules - there are tons of tributes to this equestrian brand (including the doggy jumper above):
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Nice striped breton here - a bit different with the blue neckline and a lovely weight of cotton for £8:
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So now to what I could try on while remaining decent at 10am on a Saturday morning! This jumper appealed immediately - love the print and the pop of yellow.
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...sadly too short. I tried on a 12. Long body strikes again but I think it's veering on cropped. Not a good look for many.
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This fur collar shawl was nice in grey
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But full marks to Sainsburys for the next two coats - first up this biker style mottled grey one with asymmetric zip. I tried on the 12 which looks a bit big on me - a lovely cosy coat for £40 (I think - from memory)
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And this blue one is LOVELY - would have bought in a heartbeat if I was the right colouring for it...wool mix/boucle style with popper buttons. This is a 10 and it was probably a bit neat on me - so size up!
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Phew - that's all the pictures! Hope it was a helpful round up. I was disappointed not to see the yellow coat that Ingrid took a picture of but will keep an eye out the next time I'm in.


PS the eagle eyed among you may have spotted that I'm wearing a sequinned top - at 10am on a Satuday morning. I was en-route to record the Belfast Community Gospel Choir Christmas CD and we were asked to wear Christmas jumpers, or similar festive clothing. Sequins always win over Christmas jumpers for a supermarket visit on the first Saturday in October :)


Ax

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23 comments

  1. Love the fur shawl on you ! I love shopping in sainsbury and checking out the clothing range , makes me look forward to doing the food shopping ! The nightwear range is very good too.

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  2. Utterly stunning Avril. The blue coat has my name ALL over it!

    I can't believe Sainsbury's have been so slow, I think I'd be embarrassed if I were head of online business development!

    I have spoken with them in the past, my dream job would be to work with them on an online store - imagine what fun!

    The last I heard from them was it's something they're rolling out in the near future. YAWN, heard that before

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  3. I shop in Sainsburys on a regular basis and have been disappointed in their clothing range the last few times I have bothered to have a nosy. Their basics (TU jeggings and vest tops) are always great quality and decent fitting, and I do like their nightwear range but apart from that nothing has inspired me recently.

    However I really do like the grey marl top with pleather trim you have featured though so will be hunting this down on my next trip! Thanks for making the trip & sharing your finds

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  4. I think Sainsburys have really upped their game clothes wise. I have the tartan scarf which I bought when there was 25% off so super bargainous! My only gripe is that, as someone who is very petite, the clothes are cut rather on the generous side. I love the raspberry boucle coat but even the 8 was massive on my small frame. My quest for a boucle coat continues!!

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  5. Love the jumper with the pop of yellow. Probably too short on me too though :(

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  6. Hi Avril,

    Love that blue coat on you and the grey marl top. Agree its ridiculous Sainsburys don't do on line. The one closest in Forestside is rubbish for clothes. I tend to go to Sprucefield, didn't realise there was a better one ! Angie Phillips who presents BBC N Ireland weather wears dresses from the Gok Wan range. Interesting there wasn't much of his stuff available. Thanks for doing the research, must have another look .

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  7. I popped to the massive Sainsbury the other side of town recently & had a good browse (well as good as you can get with a 3 month old & 3 year old in tow!!)
    Like you the jumper with the yellow trim on the collar appealed but it looked short on the hanger. I did like the look of that pale blue coat too but I don't need a coat this year. Overall there was quite a lot to like but I need to go back without the kids at 25% off time!

    They did tweet me months ago to say online Tu was in the pipeline... It's a long pipe I think

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  8. Avril, this is a great write up. I like the blue/pink coat. Sainsbury's do great yoga pants and workout wear.

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  9. Some really lovely items! It's so frustrating that Sainsbury's clothing in not yet available to buy online; I prefer online shopping over in-store shopping. I will make sure to visit a large store soon as some of these items really appeal to me. Thanks for sharing. xxx

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  10. I always really enjoy your shopping 'round up' posts, I must confess I gave never looked at Sainsburys, will have to make a detour and check it out.
    Sue x
    Bestfriendstyle

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  11. Well it seems they may be bowing to pressure...my friend attended their annual staff conference and it was announced that Tu will be available online soon. Not sure what their definition of soon is though. Love the raspberry coat, a little too bright for me personally but it doesn't stop me from admiring it. Thank you for doing the research Avril, I am such a lard ar*e and really should do my own x

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  12. Great post! Might have to call on you for this myself in future Avril ;)
    Love the blue coat on you I have to admit though the grey mottled one is gorgeous. I am serious digging on that Gok top but iffy about the sleeves, I do like the lining though!
    Sainsbury's are so hit and miss it's incredible. I'm yet to hear of a store that stocks any full collection, our local selection is beyond dire and they don't even bother to stock any Gok.
    I have heard that they are beginning to sell online soon, FINALLY, though I wonder how the prices will look online next to the item... always intriguing!
    Really enjoyed this post! xx

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  13. Love the shawl and the grey coat. They're stunning! I don't shop in Sainsburys so I never get to see their clothing range but often see things on others that look fab. Lynne x

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  14. Ingrid McCarroll8 October 2014 at 21:58

    Thank you so much for your wonderful review Avril - so very kind! I'm off on a mission for a pink version of the blue coat and the grey mark top with pleather...

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  15. Thanks for the round up. I like the cream blouse. We have a huge sainsburys near us but don't often get chance to go in but will make a trip this weekend. (Annoyingly the changing rooms are often shut, I don't think they have enough staff, annoying as I have often put back loads of things when this happens

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  16. You have to buy the shawl Avril! I've had some good items from there lately including some distressed grey skinnies (wear them ALL the time) and a cobalt blue cable knit jumper which is 100% cotton. Also a lovely burgundy suede look bag. Basically a whole outfit for under £50!

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  17. Loving this post Avril, I love the grey coat, the blue coat & that scarf! Can I ask which store you were in? Is it the one near IKEA? Thanks : )

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  18. Hi Juanita and thanks for your comment! It's the one in West Belfast - up where Curley's supermarket used to be. Really handy actually - just off the motorway at Boucher/Outer Ring and it's got the biggest clothing collection of all the NI stores - according to my sources. Going to check out the Sprucefield one later today so will report back! Ax

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  19. Thanks Avril : ) x

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  20. That colour blue looks wonderful on you. can't imagine why you would think otherwise.

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  21. Love this round up, I do not shop in Sainsburys as it is a little trek from me but I think I may have to visit now. Loving the tartan scarf and for £12!! Might have to build it into shopping for mouse traps visit!!

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  22. I love the grey fur collar shawl on you. I have quite a few bits and bobs, from Sainsburys, it is just displayed so badly. I also find that I have to size up, which is always depressing. I can't help myself from having a nosey when I pop to the larger Nantwich store. I agree with you that they are being incredibly short sited not to go online. H xx

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  23. Ooh they really have some nice stuff! I really want the red check jumper - they had it in Look magazine last week. X

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