#tryiton

Despite the ease of buying clothes online, there's nothing like shopping IRL. I can't resist a good browse around the shops, plus being an awkward size and havin' super small feet (serious #smallgirlproblems over here...), finding the perfect fit is so much easier in store, rather than the faff of ordering and returning multiple sizes online. I'm not the biggest of spenders, but when I do part with my cash, my purchases always feel much more special and considered when I make them in store - plus who doesn't love a little shopping spree every now and then?

Last weekend my mum and I popped to The Bentall Centre in Kingston - a local spot during my college days - on the hunt for some new Autumn pieces. Let me tell you, it was a very successful shopping trip...

We arrived bright and early at The Bentall Centre, and oh it felt very nostalgic to be back - I used to spend hours sitting in the Starbucks on my long college lunch breaks, and going late night shopping on Thursdays with my mum. 

First stop was & Other Stories - within minutes I picked this dreamy cropped turtleneck jumper. I was a little unsure of whether it would suit me, but as soon as I tried it on in the very instagrammable changing rooms, I was sold! Saying that, I didn't get it straight away - it's more than I would usually spend on a jumper, particularly such a trend led piece, but after mulling it over for an hour or so, I rushed back to store to make sure they still had my size!

Next up, New Look! Mum and I headed straight to the coats, trying them on in various styles, sizes and colours. Over on my Instagram Stories I asked whether I should get the burgundy or mustard version of this longline coat - the results where almost even, with mustard just coming out on top. Well, in the end I caved and bought both, sizing up in the mustard and going my usual size six in the burgundy.

My feet are a small size three, sometimes a size two - so shoe shopping has always been a bit of mission for me, to say the least. Luckily I tend to find that New Look are true to size, so I tried on a few pairs. Some were too big, some too high, but these were just right! They look a little big in the photographs, but after wearing them for nine hours on Tuesday I can safely say they are a pretty darn good fit and comfortable, too.

Two things on my must-buy list were a new bra and a lipstick - both items which definitely need the try before you buy treatment. Walking into Bentalls, a massive department store inside of The Bentall Centre, I was drawn to the shiny Charlotte Tilbury counter, and after several swatches later, I walked out with the fanciest lipstick I now own - Very Victoria. 

Then the new bra hunt began - I headed into Boux Avenue and picked up what I thought was my size, a 32B - but after a speedy bra fitting, it turns out I've been wearing the wrong size for years... I'm in fact a 28DD! I'm wearing both the new bra and lipstick in these photographs - I feel like a new woman!

Last up, H&M! I was on the look out for jeans, but in the end I stumbled across these snazzy trousers. I wasn't sure if they'd fit me, but look! They do! And they make my bum look good too, if I do say so myself...

After good few hours shopping, with heavy arms, tired feet, and bags of newness, mum and I went for a late lunch, then headed home to try on all of our purchases. Again!

Love Jazz x

Paid post in collaboration with The Bentall Centre for their #TryItOn campaign. 

As always, all opinions are my own.

Photography: My mum, Barri-Jayne!