Two things you really ought to consider adding to your wardrobe to make it SS17 rather than SS16 (although there are things left over from last year that you can still wear – culottes, massive pale blue shirts, your Arizona Birkies) are ruffles q.v. and also florals.
Of course, anyone who is clever enough to put away favourite clothes that are no longer in fashion, (rather than just chucking them out to charity like me), will be able to pull out a lot of florals and ruffles from the 80s/90s.
There is also a lot of talk about “power dresses” at the moment, which are broadly midi-length flowy dresses with a large floral print with sleeves – to be worn with a black polo neck and boots now and sandals later.
There aren’t that many in the shops yet – I don’t know if that’s because spring stock hasn’t really come in yet or what.
I WAS in M&S yesterday though and was wowed by their collection of floral prints. They’ve really committed to this trend. The fabrics and design were great but as is so often the case with M&S the cut was really disappointing – huge and gapey under the arms and tight across the chest. I can’t really imagine what shape they think women are – huge swimmer’s shoulders and no bosom?
There were two that were wearable, though – this short navy jersey high-necked dress with lovely floral sprigs – really nice with a denim jacket and white trainers in the spring:
£19.50
And this rather mad thing; with its belt and pyjama collar it’s a bit like wearing a dressing gown – but it was really flattering, it felt very modern and grown-up, I loved the print and the fabric was a good weight and fell nicely.
£49.50
This skirt I also tried on and liked – it is an almost identical copy, I think, of a D&G skirt (or is it Dior?) anyway if you’re into this kind of this thing is great. But it was one of those things that I couldn’t imagine where I would wear it.
£49.50
I love that middle one – it’s like a William Morris design. When I saw the cover of The Essex Serpent I thought I’d like a fabric with that print.
I like the M&S designs, but I always find the cut and finish SO disappointing. Someone ‘in the know’ told me their mark up is x9 rather than the standard x3 which would explain a lot.
However they do the best range of kiddy shoes (under size inf 12) called walkmates. Fabulous quality for the price.
Omg. I actually *do* have massive swimmer arms and a sad pancake bosom. I’m off to M&S.
I’m so glad that you mentioned the bad cut of M&S dresses – I thought it was just me. I was in the Nottingham store last week and got very excited about two longish floral dresses. I tried them on and although they fit perfectly almost everywhere, something very strange was happening under the arms – as though my armpits should be half way down my body. Such a shame – otherwise they were perfect. I bought some socks instead.
There is a lovely pleated floral skirt at Massimo Dutti at the moment..
Ha!! I find M&s cut often suits me just fine; have fairly small tits and short chunky upper arms, winning combination I’m sure you’ll agree?! (All genetically thanks to my mother!) I usually get enraged in other shops that their lovely shirts, dresses etc button up and fit just fine over my chest, yet strangulate my stupid dinner-lady arms! I’ve considered Lipo 😂
I have huge swimmer shoulders and a big bosom and find M&S fits great generally….
I love the new long sleeved and mid length dress trend at the moment!
I’m going to direct you to this dress I saw in the Oxford Street Warehouse the other day. It looks a bit meh on the model, but it was gorgeous when I tried it on. http://www.warehouse.co.uk/gb/clothing/dresses/sidney-floral-wrap-dress/028409.html?dwvar_028409_color=76&position=35&cgid=dresses
Now I do have a bosom and they were popping out in what I regarded as too unseemly a way. This and my lack of sufficient funds following an unscheduled trip to the Dior concession at John Lewis, made me put it back on the rack. But as soon as next month rolls around I think I’m going to buy it and style it with a yellow body suit.
this is GREAT
Haha. I didn’t catch the sarcasm on first reading and was just excited that someone was making women’s clothes for those of us with big shoulders and a small chest.