Well you may be loving the warmer weather and looking forward to the feel of your favourite flat strappy sandals as you rescue them from the back of the wardrobe (or if you are a how to dress for your body shape e-book owner) re-instate them in your seasonal storage swap!
But the fact is we in fashion land are covering the autumn and winter collections and last week I was trekking round various venues like the one pictured here to ‘check the offer’ as we say. Of course I had to drink some non-alcoholic cocktails and eat some marvelously manicured tasty tit bits, but I did it all so that you can have a bit of insight into next season.
River Island is one of my favourite high street stores because Richard Bradbury MD is very supportive of the charity Fashion Targets Breast Cancer – this for me acts as an attraction against a sea of indistinguishable mass market product.
I was absolutely bowled over with their accessories and recommend for all age groups a visit to a large ‘River’ any time you are looking for shoes or bags – they are well designed with personality and quality. And if you loved the much photographed Christopher Kane knitwear with large shiny discs you’ll find a high street version awaits you.
Principles also caught my eye with their ‘intelligent design,’ and I was impressed by the quality of the cloth and their thinking around designing for certain shapes. I can report that for autumn the high street have stayed with volume (which for an older or fuller shape is so flattering). Plus soft satins and old golds, creams teals and greys. High waisted trousers and fitted or cropped jackets are really taking off for autumn.
Principles in particular though had created an elegant yet edgy take I liked. 30 and 40 plus consumers can rely on Principles to take over where Whistles and Hobbs have tried to lead. (Of course Jane Shepherdson’s appointment to Whistles will allow for big changes but currently deary me)!
Still I know you are more interested in what I wore so bearing in mind that it was changeable weather (hot/cold/wet/dry) last week I had to be versatile. I am in my ‘fashion journo uniform’ – not too showy – mostly black as we’ve discussed in previous blogs.
But shock horror I’m wearing only one item from the current season, the rest a mix of about three autumn seasons ago. And actually that’s me all over. I do like to get good wear out of my clothes. I don’t throw things away especially when they suit my shape and work with what I already have in my wardrobe, so I just rejuvenate them with new accessories.
I’ve listed everything for you to see what I mean.
- Orange scarf: Brick Lane market and I have worn this to death since I bought it in September.
- Trench Mac: Gap, 3 autumn seasons old. It always comes out trans-season for me to ease the passing of hot to cold or cold to hot.
- V-neck Empire Line Dress: Almost Famous, 2 autumn seasons old. I love this dress and I mostly wear it over skinny jeans.
- Leather Riding Boots: Sniff Boutique, bought last September.
- Large cream patent bag: Marks and Spencer, current and only spring season acquisition (a press freebie actually if I’m honest).
Still there is plenty of time. I don’t really get to grips with summer clothing until June when the sales are on. Then I spend a bit of cash on new to go with my old. What about you?
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1 response so far
1 jules smith // Jun 4, 2008 at 11:43 pm
here in the land of Oz the chilly weather is starting to come through. we’ve had some much needed rain but alas I dont own a trench coat. lots of reasons why, needs to be lightweight as we have 5degrees C on a morning and can be 28c degrees by lunch. I am a typical hour glass shape with a big bust – 16E and the coats here just make me look so big I am 50 next year and want to wear a nice bright one but always opt for the dark colours. any tips for this feeling frumpy expat
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