NOW CLOSED Tell House of Fraser what you think about the Mary Portas Collection and win a personal shopper session and £500 to spend at House of Fraser

[AnnMumsnet]

We've been asked by House of Fraser to find out what you think of the Mary Portas Collection

Here's what Mary says about the Collection: "Just follow the Pret-a-Portas cocktail = one part simple chic, one part edge, and decorate!"

What House of Fraser would like you to do is take a look at the Collection online here or visit your nearest House of Fraser* to check it out in real life, and maybe try some items on. Then they'd like you to come back to this thread and answer these questions:

~ What's your favourite piece in the Collection? Do you have more than one? Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to? If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention?

~ What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection? What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection? Would you like to see her take on a different style all together? Or would you like to see something similar but with a few key additions? If so, what would those additions be?

The team at House of Fraser and Mary (!) will read all of the comments submitted on this thread and the MNer whose feedback they find the most interesting will win a styling session with a personal shopper and £500 to spend at their nearest House of Fraser. Please see Terms and Conditions here.

Thanks
MNHQ

*Mary Portas is available at House of Fraser Oxford Street, Westfield, Manchester, Glasgow and Guildford

OH dear, I really wanted to like this stuff. I really like Mary and think that what she's trying to do is great - and I'm pretty sure I'm the target market. 48 and interested in fashion, but even more interested in flattering clothes, don't mind spending a bit on good quality clothes.
But I don't think any of this stuff would suit me - I am shortish (5' 4") and probably a bit fatter than I should be (size 12 on a good day) with biggish bum and small boobs.
I keep going back to shapes I know suit me, wrap dresses, A-line skirts, etc - would love some alternatives as very bored of those now, but don't think that this stuff is it.
Also live in the sticks so no chance of trying stuff on; not prepared to risk mailorder on what I've seen though.
What a shame. Did like the Tatty Devine jewellery though - but that's all.

DW and I have done this in tandem as I love seeing her dressed up in something that flatter her lovely figure! We looked on line at the clothes, not having a House of Fraser on our doorstep. I really thought that DW would look good in the Snake Panel Dress/Skirt as she is curvy and these would suit her very well. She agreed with my choices for her but she also liked the Siren Dress although she thought it a bit plain for the price. There was not much between the garish and the very plain which was a bit disappointing. DW really liked the Longline Silky Plackett Tee but that aside didn't think that many of the tops would really do much for the large breasted.

A lot of the clothes seem very fluid which makes them very wearable in theory. Think I would favour a lot more figure hugging clothes and DW thinks that you could do with more dresses/tops which favour the larger chested woman. I think that the criticism has been levelled at Mary's range that she designs for a size/shape similar to her own. DW agrees. DW is not plump but has a voluptuous figure and neither of us thinks that many of Mary's current collection would do justice to curves in a good way! She's missing a trick just targeting the slimliners with more boyish figures! We would expect Mary to design a fashion-forward collection for real women with real figures not just slim-liners who don't eat from dawn till dusk!

DW was quite surprised that the jewellery was relatively tame - would have expected bigger and brasher and bolder to counter the plainness of some of the dresses/tops.

Having done the Uniqlo family day, as a man I was quite reminded of their clothes when browsing this collection by Mary Portas. Can't quite put my finger on it but had a feeling of deja vu. A lot of the women who have the money and the inclination to buy Mary's clothes will have had children and the smoothness of line of some the dresses would be challenging for any women with a less than flat tummy etc... DW declared that some of the designs would have been just her thing in her slim (size 10) pre-children physique when she had the flattest tummy I've ever seen but wouldn't necessarily translate brilliantly to her now.

DW would really like Mary to produce a bold and affordable line that flatters women of all shapes and sizes in the same way that Vivienne Westwood does. She has the know-how and the marketing experience to do it and just needs to think stylish but sexy rather than concentrating on fashion-forward. At the end of the day women want to feel sexy and ultra feminine in their clothes, even on the school run, and this is what Mary Portas and House of Fraser should be aiming for.

Equally some of her shoe designs in collaboration with Clarks are very sexy (La Minx in particular) and I will be treating DW to a pair for her birthday! But some of the others could look positively staid on many women particularly those without a shapely ankle!

~ What's your favourite piece in the Collection? Do you have more than one? Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to? If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention?

I'm probably the target market as a 42 year old professional, but to be honest it was hard to see what I might go for. I'm short and very curvy and already have a load of fitted/jersey dresses, pencil skirts and V neck jumpers. Normally I would never go for baggy tops/dresses, high or bateau necks or narrow/peg trousers, which rules out 90% of the collection. I was intrigued by the no-brainer dress in the documentary and also in the little video on the site, I'd love to try that on with the leggings/boots/Armery, but I fear it would just be much too boxy for me. I would definitely need help or a consultation to pick out anything that might suit me or look better on a person than a hanger.

The main things I was drawn to was the Geo Shirt and the Animal shirt, I could see myself wearing those but there is similar everywhere!

~ What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection? What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection? Would you like to see her take on a different style all together? Or would you like to see something similar but with a few key additions? If so, what would those additions be?

It's well presented in that there is a person shot as well as a mannequin short of each item. I would like more items designed, or demonstrated, with different shapes and sizes in mind, that are wearable. It looks like the few fitted dresses are a token effort and look very dull when the rest of the collection is alive with colour and style. I feel I'm still condemned to my Per Una bootcut jeans .

I love the Aurora dress in cobalt - a true classic. Usually I would pick black but the blue looks amazing. I also like the Slub midi dress - stomach is my problem area and I think this would be flattering. I found the dresses on the whole were most attractive to me (nearly 40 size 12/14 5'6). The Aurora dress attracted me immediately but the dresses in general as they all look wearable - definitely the most appealing section for me.

As to what I would like to see in Mary's next Collection - more of the same where dresses are concerned. Not overly keen on the big baggy items especially with strong prints - sorry just not me! On the trouser / jean front some slightly less tight fitting ones would be nice - don't think they would suit me. All in all though when next near a House of Fraser I'll definitely have a look at the Mary Portas section - making a beeline for the dresses! Nice to see items with sleeves on to cover "bingo wings".

.. I am probably one of the larger ladies and needed to tick the box at the end of the sizing row..

To be quite honest most the fabric look like they are jersey or some kind of flimsy fabric.

When you have a robust "under-carriage" like me all the lines/stitching on your bra will show through with the fabric that Mary has chosen...

I did briefly look at the collection and there was probably only one thing that I thought would be a "maybe" possibly - but I can't even remember what it was now - so it wasn't obviously something that I would desperately seek out..

Sorry...

...ooops - apologies I haven't answered the questions - but I will leave that to the others...

Good grief i can't believe how bad this stuff is in this collection.

Shapeless dresses that couldn't flatter anyones shape, huge tents that just hang off the body. It comes to something when even the models look bad in the clothes they are modelling.

The patterns on many of the dresses are unattractive and overbearing. The shirt selection looks like the workwear section of Walmart.

Like someone else said, its no wonder it is being discounted so heavily, it obviously isn't selling.

Am a big fan of Mary Portas and she always looks amazing sadly her collection doesnt.

Ok the man choosing the wife's clothes on here is freaky

Love the collection, but in order to be able to give proper feedback, I would need to spend around £500 on some of the items, carefully selected for me by a personal shopper to get it right, and once I have worn those items, I could give you a proper opinion of it...

What's your favourite piece in the Collection? Do you have more than one? Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to? If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention?
The dresses have sleeves, so many stores have dresses without them. At my age I don't want my upper arms on display.Not very keen on the trouser styles and would like to have more options for lengths on the clothes. I liked the belts and scarves but think that the tights are too expensive.

Not one thing grabs my attention. What a disappointing collection. Nothing really goes with each other, there doesn't seem to be a "theme" to the collection at all. At age 40 I think Zara has the ideal clothes for me.

I don't think I liked anything

It all looked baggy, lots of harem pants that look good on no-one and lots of gaudy prints.

If I had to buy something, I'd probably get a t-shirt like this one but not for £40 Perhaps this is just not aimed at someone like me (I'm 34). Shame because I like House of Fraser.

PS DW was considering Mary's clothes line thinking about her school friend Mums, many of whom would form part of Mary's target demographic. She couldn't actually think of any who naturally wear the type of clothes that Mary has designed - even when they are doing child-free things. And there's a fair few affluent, slimline fortysomethings amongst the group!

DW likes slightly quirky and she doesn't really think that this collection necessarily addresses that. Hate to say it but some of the items wouldn't look out of place amongst the M&S Autograph Collection. That's not to disparage M&S, but simply to say it's done elsewhere on the High Street but cheaper.

DW has recently discovered the Damsel In A Dress range which do bodycon but sexy for women with real figures. They are not cheap for for a dress/skirt but because they make her feel and look good, she feels they are an investment and worth the money. I think if they were stocked side by side, DW wouldn't do more than cast a glance over Mary's range and head straight for the clothes that make her feel good and sexy - sorry.

I know not all clothes are going to suit all body shapes but at least acknowledge that not all women are tall sylphs. I think Trinny and Susannah and Gok Wan have done enough to ensure that most women of a certain age understand what should make them look and feel good - Mary owes it to women to continue and build on their legacy but not sure it's been achieved yet!

DW and I would happily volunteer to be involved in a focus group if you want any more feedback/input!

I wanted to like Marys collection too. And largely, I don't. I'm 39, tall, not exactly fat, but a bit wobbly. So pretty normal for my age really. And most of those things, I would look appalling in.

I'd hoped Mary would design flattering basics - so black trousers that made post pg tums look nicer and made you look taller and slimmer. White shirts of a length to cover your waistband well and shaped attractively. Perfect jeans.

But instead theres sack dresses (which only look nice on women shaped like Mary), weird prints and colours, and very little I'm prepared to spend that much on.

I do like the siren dress though - nice shape and sleeves, glorious sleeves !

Ah.

I might have some form of severe dysmorphia. I am v 'mature'. as MNers go - within the age group that I think MP has been championing, and I scrolled down the dresses in horror. No way! The suddenly I thought 'oh these look better' and it was the Whistles range.

I am 5'6", maybe 5'7", a size 12, and quite a square athletic shape. I like quite classic shapes, none of all that drapy, wrinkly, waterfally stuff - it scream 'forgiving' and 'middle age'. I shop in Jigsaw, Cos, Whistles. I like stuff by Sandwich, Marimekko when it is square and boxy and not too fanciful in the lentil weavery curtain sort of way.

In bags I like the Love Mary totes and the Queen of Shopper cross body totes. Accessories - no.

Look - my 80 yo mother would consider some of that stuff frumpy!

PLease - can we have classic, arty, smart and quirky clothing that is nevertheless not too short or tight?

My favourite pieces were the twisted bandeau swimming costume as it looks amazingly flattering and the slub box jersey tee shirts. I like some of the other pieces but I either don't have the figure to pull them off (i'm too short and dumpy - for now anyway ) or I don't have enough occassions to wear some of the smarter fitted stuff like the dresses to justify spending that much on them. I like a lot of the hosiery too but it is a bit out of my price range as i'm a klutz and managed to put my fingers through some M&S leggings this week so I wouldn't spend that much on tights to do something so daft again.

I would like to see some more clothes for a younger market, I think a lot of the pieces are too old for me (i'm 33) and maybe some bits that are more fitted but less formal. I like to wear prints and bright colours so would look at the collection more often if there was more for me (when a sale was on anyway, i'm not sure things are too expensive, i'm just poor!)

I'd be interested in seeing the collection in the flesh as I think some of the things probably look better in real life.

What's your favourite piece in the Collection?
I love how the Drape Jacket is suitable for all ages

Do you have more than one?
I love how the Cropped Jacket With Drape Collar would suit women of most sizes.

Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to?
Ray dress is good for hiding bingo wings

If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention?
It was the style. To be honest I was put off by the scary patterns/colour
choices.

What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection?
I like the modern classic cuts.

What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection?
In Mary's next collection, I'd like to see less scary prints/colours, and more classic tailoring

Would you like to see her take on a different style all together?
Different shapes could be nice, like an asymmetric dress.

I dislike how at present to shop this collection you have to know what suits you and what does not, therefore it is easy to go horribly wrong.

They've probably had to compromise to some extent on fabric quality/finish in order to get the prices within high street range. Prices are top of high street so too high for me. The clothes look like they've been designed for Mary to wear. She is tall with a boyish figure. I'm too short (5ft 4) so nothing appropriate. It's all been born out of confusing concepts anyway. Is it meant to be good clothes for real women or good clothes for older women, or clothes to make you look like Mary? If it's meant to be aimed at 'real' women then the concession is a bit too intimidating for that. And what's the idea of the olive oil and cushions etc?
I'm aware I only have negatives to say but I can't think of anything positive to say. Another Mary Portas programme idea was floated. She agreed to do it, she and the programme makers probably didn't see eye to eye/know what they wanted to achieve apart from ratings, somehow there ended up being a clothing line for the purposes of reality tv. Now we're told we want to shop there. It's bizarre.

The leather biker jacket immediately grabbed my attention. I seemed to be drawn to the dresses too - particularly the more fitted ones like the siren dress which looks absolutely gorgeous and the lorelec dress.

The items i didn't find appealing were the geo patterned blouse and trousers and i never think the peg leg style trousers look appealing.

So i guess, i like the more tailored/fitted styles best and the plainer colours rather than the patterns. That way I feel I can't go wrong with my choices - getting great style and colours that look good.

~ What's your favourite piece in the Collection?
I like the Jersey scoop top and the boyfriend knit cardigan, I also really like the shoe collection and the knickers.

~ Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to?
If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention?

The boyfriend knit cardigan both colours - i think because it flatters my body shape and i don't thinkthat the rest of the clothing collection would do, although its hard to tell because there are no photos of the clothes being actually worn!!!

~ What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection? The shoes.

~ What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection? Variety of jeans.

~ Would you like to see her take on a different style all together? I personally like the uniqueness that is Boden and I think Mary has her own uniqueness but the most 'edge' items would only appear to suit very tall slim people - but without photos of the clothes actually on models its hard to tell.

I want to like the collection I really do but... kitten heeled shoes? Leopard print ankle boots? Structure-less batwing dresses made out of curtains from the 1970s? A jump suit for £150??! Does anybody look good in a jump suit? The Lorelec dress, for example appears to be pulling across the model's thighs so I can only imagine what it would do across a mere mortal's. And the trousers? I cannot imagine someone my mother's age (Mary's target demographic) wearing them.

Right, I'll do my best...

What's your favourite piece in the Collection? Do you have more than one? Theia Drape Dress and the laser cut pencil skirt but both are overpriced IMHO. I also quite liked the twist bandeau swimming costume but I wouldn't buy it in orange or for £80. The knitwear also looks quite good but I'm a size 10. My mother who is mid 50s and a size 16-18 and 5'3 would not be able to wear it without looking even more chunky. The Aurora blue dress is a great colour and shape but does look like work wear and at £150 is a bit expensive for that.

Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to? If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention?
The love Mary shopper bags because they're a great shape, size and strong colours. £189 is a lot to spend on a bag that will only last a season or two.

What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection? Erm... The concept is brilliant but the execution is not. There is an assumption I think that tall, skinny, wealthy middle-aged women will buy and the reality is that most of us after time and child-bearing have softer, squashier bodies and need a bit of structure. I watched the Channel 4 programme about the making of the collection and the shop and even her focus group were saying she had the shapes all wrong.

What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection? Would you like to see her take on a different style all together? Or would you like to see something similar but with a few key additions? If so, what would those additions be?
More clothes designed to accommodate women with curves and older women. Less shapeless tents to be worn over tights or skinny jeans or leggings. Less all-in-one options and more pieces that can be mixed and matched. More structured garments. A few pieces that are less expensive because each is very heavily styled and if something's beautiful and well made and fits then it's worth spending the money on but if it's a fashion piece that will date then it's not worth those prices. It may be helpful to theme the collection more - eg work wear, holiday, casual weekend, girls' night out and create a capsule wardrobe for each with cross-over pieces?

will report back soon

What's your favourite piece in the Collection?
Not a big fan of what I've seen, but at a push, the twisted front swimsuit, and a couple of the more simple tunic dresses (not patterned). I didn't like the patterned stuff, personally I prefer more simple block colours (although I have bought less splashy and garish patterned clothing from e.g. Boden, Fat Face). The shape of the trousers may be fashionable now, but I prefer a boot leg or wide leg shape, and think it's more 'classic'.

I was surprised to see that the Beauty products were named 'cowshed' - whether this is a brand itself (a la Radley) or a product produced specifically for Mary Portas to sell at HoF, the name (however tongue in cheek and witty it might be) doesn't sit comfortably in the 'Portas' brand, which one would imagine to be more timeless and classy (especially given the pricing structure).

On that subject, the pricing structure is unrealistic for anything other than the odd 'treat' e.g. dress for wedding etc. The 'sales' prices are about what I'd pay for something at full price, and I've recently bought a lovely swimsuit for £30 from M&S, and would never fork out £80 for one.

~ What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection?
I think you're marketing to a specific group - Mary's fan base. I have read her columns the Telegraph magazine, but never watched the TV shows. I think she herself is a chic woman, her hair is always immaculate and she wears vibrant colours etc., but her look is not one I aspire to as woman in her early forties. I'm a bit more casual and not yet worried about my "upper arms" (!)

What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection? Would you like to see her take on a different style all together? Or would you like to see something similar but with a few key additions?
If she could cater for taller women, e.g. 36" inside leg, longer length sleeves, longer body swimsuits, she'd 'have me at hello'. At the moment, lanky women are woefully provided for: Long Tall Sally is overpriced and frumpy, and everyone else's idea of a 'longer length' inside leg, is at the most, 33".

~ What's your favourite piece in the Collection? Do you have more than one? Was there anything in the Collection that you were immediately drawn to? If so, was it the colour, pattern, style or something else that grabbed your attention?

I loved the dresses. It was the style that appealed most. They looked flattering to wear (not too tight!) and the patterns and colours were great. Reminded me a bit of Vivienne Westwood Anglomania in some of the shapes.I also loved the shoes. Being Clarks I'm assuming they are comfy to wear but are very stylish too.

~ What do you think is the most appealing thing about the Collection? What would you like to see in Mary's next Collection? Would you like to see her take on a different style all together? Or would you like to see something similar but with a few key additions? If so, what would those additions be?

Most appealing thing is seeing stylish and non-frumpy clothes for 40+ women - at last! There seems to be very little of it around! I would like to see more things I could wear to work, I work in an ultra conservative environment and could not see anything in Mary's collection that would suit - like a stylish tailored suit perhaps with a quirky twist like an unusual material or lining, or some unusual detailling.

I did like the court shoes that were none kitten-heel. They looked good for work and a reasonable price. More boots please!