Starting from (near) scratch

[KnottedYet]

A lot of my tops and tights came from Target and were pretty inexpensive. I don't know what the UK equivalent of that sort of store is though

Marks & Spenser?

[hebe]

I did check M&S online, but there wasn't anything that I really liked. Thank you for the suggestion though, much appreciated.

I found this place today, which is based in my home county and has some lovely things - www.minx-girl.com I need to choose now!

[Rebecca19804]

+Minx-girl.com!
I get their newsletters and have bought some fantastic top-brand stuff in whenever they run one of their fabulous sales! There are always items in the Sale section of the website, year round, though if there isn't an official Sale going on, stock runs really low and you won't necessarily find the size/colour you want.

One thing that really makes Minx-girl.com stand out is the customer service. Debbie is the 'head Minx girl' and she is always available to chat with over the phone when you can't decide between a choice of several items or need advice on fabric, fit, etc. She spent half an hour on the phone with me one Sunday afternoon discussing 3/4 length 'baggies' - I went with her recommendation and love them.

One thing hebe - they don't have a shop you can visit (or a catalogue as stock changes so rapidly) - it's strictly Internet with mail order delivery.

And yes, I trawl eBay a lot too. Set up automatic searches on categories or brands you're interested in - makes it easier to run a fresh search whenever you want, or to sign up to automatic e-mail notifications when new things are listed.

oh and yes, +1 on merino base layers AND socks. Makes so much difference in these English winters.

Happy shopping!

[lph]

Oh, and don't forget that you can post a query on the "free gear" board with your sizes and see if anybody has something they could give a new home. Sometimes you just have a garment lying around that's a tad too small or short or something, but too worn to sell, too good to throw away.

[Kerry1976]

My next gear-get will be gloves. Was reminded again today how much I need them - my palms got sweaty! As a newbie, I'm slowly trying to also get a cycling wardrobe - I generally use my running shirts, socks and shoes with either my one pair of cycling shorts or one pair of cycling knickers.

[hebe]

lph, I didn't think of that, thank you! I have been sent a jersey by a very generous TE-er and was hugely touched. It's a lovely jersey, too

Kerry, it does seem to take a while, doesn't it? Not much of my running gear still fits, sadly.

I absolutely love the wool top I bought, but am not really sure about the knicker. The chamois feels as if it's not quite right, and waggles when I walk. Plus it keeps catching on the saddle. The chain came off my bike today and jammed under that disc thing on the rear deraillier, and I was really not liking the knicker by the time I'd pushed the bike home.

Rebecca, that was a very reassuring endorsement of Minx-girl, thank you. She's been very helpful to me over the last couple of days, and I have a longsleeved jersey, winter tights, wrap-round skirt and a base layer on the way. Her site is just so nice, and no customs charges to pay!

[Owlie]

Sounds like the knickers are a little big. I have a pair of shorts that does that too--moves around, catches on the saddle nose.