Dress up for winter: cold season fashions
THE BAROQUE Chapel in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham was the venue last night for Marks Spencer’s winter show in which the stained glass colours of the building’s lovely 17th century windows were reflected in the “jewel” shades of the season’s new coats – cobalt blue, bright red, cerise, purple, yellow and teal.
In an otherwise wintry line up of chunky grey cardigans, tunics and lean T-shirt dresses, it was a collection that took its own view of the current vogue for tartans, plaids and tweeds – traditional country wear in the modern urban mode.
A belted tweed jacket with a leopard print blouse, cord skirt and high boots is a handsome if conventional foursome and though the long-tiered tweed skirts from Per Una seemed more Westwood than MS, a cute pinafore in soft plaid with a white inset shirt was a wearable alternative. Shorts with plum silk blouses offered youthful options.
The show was divided into eight self explanatory “scenes” including “Work Smart”, corporate black, navy or grey suits and dresses in quality plain or pinstripe wools with feminine detailing. “Folk” was quasi-bohemian in style with printed dresses, leather parkas and biker jackets which at €309 were the most expensive items in the whole collection. Evening wear teamed black with purple as in a black cape over a purple top and leggings and included a demure black semi-sheer polka dot dress with back buttoning. In these thrift-conscious times, it was safe and affordable.
MS are to introduce for the second year running 20-30 selected high end items to its Grafton Street and Lisburn stores from Autograph Exclusive in mid October. This is a more expensive, high-quality range in luxury fabrics and embellishment limited to runs of 250 pieces.