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Original poster

Have we talked about Mary Portas' new collection, and if not, can we?

65 replies

EllaDee · 08/10/2011 12:10

I know, I know, I should never have expected it to be anything good. Write up in the Guardian:

www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/2011/oct/07/mary-portas-melanie-rickey-fashion-power-couple-intervierw

Is it just me who thought that, um, if you have 100-200 to spend on a dress, it's not especially hard to find one, and the real 'gap in the market' is finding decent grown up clothes for less than than? What did you think to it?

OP posts:
cyb · 08/10/2011 18:04

No ,more stylish than Vorders

Hi cornueax

lec0rnsillk · 08/10/2011 18:05

hiya cyb Smile
you know I was admiring Carol Vorderman in the paper the other day. haven't been feeling myself lately though.

AnnetteProfit · 08/10/2011 18:06

YOU ARE THE SECOND PERSON TODAY TO SAy that to me abotu cos.
i said it loks weird, she said TRY IT ON.
so there i am
just did " bored on phone to mum" zara order that might be polyster heavy

AnnetteProfit · 08/10/2011 18:07

why the fuck isnt corny on twitter

its fun there
much much

i know noddy ne likez pas

AnnetteProfit · 08/10/2011 18:07

there are MEN there cornoid.
and we meet them for drinks and have high jinks

AnnetteProfit · 08/10/2011 18:07

( not in rhyming couplets, in jeans)

lec0rnsillk · 08/10/2011 18:09

Men and drinks you say.....

noddyholder · 08/10/2011 18:09

I have had a field day in there! Everything looks good which for me is rare. Bought a lovely grey crepe jersey batwing top with sleeves toght from elbow to wrist and gathered hem. The dresses are super flattering and the flat shoes and ankle boots are great Coats lovely too and really good cheap jewellery OK advert over

noddyholder · 08/10/2011 18:10

BTW I do have a twitter just don't 'do' it.

ggirl · 08/10/2011 18:10

ah twitter
sometimes is good
other times i feel like i am talking to myself
bit weird
cyb always talks to me though

yy that dress is so Carol Voldemort

lec0rnsillk · 08/10/2011 18:12

Has CD had a facelift? She is in very good nick.

lec0rnsillk · 08/10/2011 18:14

vorders here
I like her hair - she isn't menopausal blond. I may copy her.

ggirl · 08/10/2011 18:20

think she looks great
she looks better in casual stuff

Original poster
EllaDee · 08/10/2011 18:20

Mmm, I feel I may have been a bit mean then. I'm not actually in her target market, I was just hoping it'd be grown up clothes that were nice because despite being 27 I don't actually enjoy looking like a teenager at job interviews! And I do like the look of that Aurora dress - it's just it looks quite similar to the same black dress in French Connection (chapter), and LK Bennett (pricier and a bit 'older'), you know? And the sack is awful!

OP posts:
Original poster
EllaDee · 08/10/2011 18:21

Chapter?! Cheaper. No idea what how I got that.

OP posts:
Original poster
EllaDee · 08/10/2011 18:22

The thing is, I want to love this but it looks as if you'd need immensely long legs for it, right? I'm 5'4 and I can't see it working.

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Mary+Portas+Dress+ponte+v+neck/153568040,default,pd.html

OP posts:
cyb · 08/10/2011 18:25

Shorties were trying it on instore. With heels its a v flattering under the knee pencil dress

AnnetteProfit · 08/10/2011 18:35

oi ggirl i talk to you

noddy do it do it do it

omnishambles · 08/10/2011 18:35

I dont really get it - for work stuff then there's already austin reed/lk bennett dresses already. Isabelle Oliver also good and then anglomania for something slightly more pricey - this collection looks to me like a mishmash of lots of other stuff.

keepingupwiththejoneses · 08/10/2011 18:37

I think the collection is ok, but v expensive, £95 for a shirt is far too much. There are loads of places to get clothes for that price range and as a lot of people on here have said the gap is in the lower price range.

Original poster
EllaDee · 08/10/2011 18:39

I'm not sure I believe there's such a thing as a 'flattering under the knee pencil dress' for someone my height! But if you say so ... will give me an excuse to try it on. Grin

OP posts:
higgle · 08/10/2011 18:46

I just don't see that the shop/collection is needed - Whistles, Phase Eight, Boden, Brora, Toast, Coast, Hobbs - and Boden, Ahem-all have lovely clothes that are fine for anyone concerned about their arms.

A lot of the Mary Portas things are not good for shorter people or anyone who wants to minimise the width across their shoulders, they only look really good on people the shape she is (Oh wouldn't it be nice to have a shop full of stuff for wide shouldered short arses like me!)

I have not noticed many elasticated waists in the better class high street shops. I'm sure her shop is perfectly lovely, but just can't understand why she thinks there are no clothes about suitable for women late 30s/40s and above when it is very clear there are.

noddyholder · 08/10/2011 18:53

She has 'borrowed' from other designers I think! There is no need for special 40+ clothes the shops are full of suitable clothes!

ggirl · 08/10/2011 19:15

agree that she is catering to the giant skinnies
and yes it's ££ for everyday clothes

and annette -yes sorry you do dahlink Smile

cyb · 08/10/2011 19:17

I agree nodders there are PLENTY of things around for those with a modicum of style and self awareness

Not sure anyone would got to Mary P's shop and buy up everything- its all quite costumey, not enough basics