River Island

I worked at River Island on my gap year as a Christmas temp. I loved all my colleagues, except my manager who seemed to take an instant dislike to me. For that reason I don't go into my local store any more. I would rather spend my hard earned cash in another branch as to not aid her in meeting her targets. Petty perhaps but also very inconvenient because I am a fan of River Island clobber! I have issues with the quality, it's not great which is disappointing especially considering their prices seemed to have creeped up in recent years. I'd say the best time to shop in R.I is during the sales. They've certainly improved, I did attach a 'chav' stigma to their clothing for most of my school years and avoided the place like the plague but they seem to have got their act together and their casual wear has won me over. Meet the Parents for Sunday lunch is the theme for this entry. Enjoy x

You want to keep the outfit stylish but comfortable and this is a nice smock which isn't going to restrict movement in any way. Keeping the colours dark with this look because you don't want to come across as brash. The bird print is very cute, just team this with a black or perhaps red cami underneath and you're good to go! I'm a sucker for tucking clothing in and this is not different £34.99

Just because you're meeting your beau's parents for the first time doesn't mean you have to wrap yourself in shell suit. Remember you're dressing for your presumably reasonably new boyfriend and showing a little leg won't do any harm. Just make sure you don't buy a size that will be too small for you, and legs out...boobs in! Casual and smart so you'll be feeling comfortable £29.99

If you're scared of wearing shorts and bearing all then tights are a good option. Of  course if  it's not warm enough which lets be reasonable it probably wont be in England then an opaque pair of tights are your best bet £9.99

Yay brogues. These go with everything in the world ever. They're comfy and when they're new they're smart and when they're scuffed up they probably look even better than before! Flats would be a given when meeting parents for me, you don't want to trip up the doorstep and land flat on your face. Bad first impressions are not in at any time of the year £26.99

River Island jewellery, it's where they feel at home. They get it very right and I think it's their biggest pull, in fact their accessories are probably better than their clothes. I love this set, it looks like it's been thrown together from all over the place - just the way I like it. Will bring out the reds, yellows and whites on the shirt too £24.99 

God I love this. It's on R.I's website as recommended by Vogue. It doesn't take a genius to work out why. It's beautiful. The colour is glorius, the shape, the buckles, the gold everything about it screams understated style. Perfect with this dark outfit. The styling is in the accessories and this finishes off the outfit nicely £69.99

TOTAL 196.94