Good Afternoon everybody -
Interesting debate on the benefits of High St versus 'designer. I do think that the definition of High St is becoming blurred these days with better made or limited edition ranges in so many stores. I've never bought from the designer collaborations with stores such as Hennes/\TopShop so cannot comment on their quality. The H&M 'Anna Del Russo' accessories range due out soon looks intriguing albeit a little 'vivid' for me. I'm interested in the Margiela collaboration soon out though. That's one worth investing in.
Preen for Debenhams is quite good- I bought a long print skirt from them last season which has longetivity. I haven't looked at 'Somerset' by Temperley in JL. I'm not too sure about Temperley. A bit 'trust fund' for me. (Hope i haven't offended anyone!)
Hobbs sale is always good- I purchased a pair of leather/nubuck pumps last year in orange/pink two tome and they have lasted. I got them for £40 down from £120 and although I realise that this is still not what many of us would call 'inexpensive' they are good enough quality to be re-soled and heeled and to last with care.
I won't buy clothes simply because of the label. Some labels I won't touch because they either sell items that fall apart/lose buttons (Plum Sykes wrote a fabulous USA Vogue article on the problems of designer buttons not being sewn on properly a few yrs ago). I also avoid Westwoods's lower price point ranges because she just churns out the same old, same old each season. Same bags, same cardigans with a logo which bumps the price up by £160, same 'bustle' skirts, same breast plumping draped neck tops/dresses and the fabrics in some of her R-T-W are awfully cheap looking.
Day Birger et Mikkelsen and the Malene Birger range have great reductions on the Outnet. I love Acne designs but they are grossly overpriced and uber trendy and ubiquitous. Same with Isabel Marant- loved her earlier work but when she became 'in', her prices shot up and I have been told there have been issues with quality control because of the challenges of increasing production for what was still, a smallish company. I do think Christopher Kane has 'grown' his fashion business beautifully and is responsible for a great deal of our new credibility in the international fashion world. As is Erdem, Jonathan Saunders etc.
Heimstone has good basics. Sportmax have great blazers, jackets and overcoats and they last and last. Less pricey than MaxMara, their 'parent' too. Toast, Goat, Old Town and Margaret Howell are cost effective and this season Paul Smith's diffusion lines have some great separates at mid High St (Hobbs) prices. Again, I cannot reiterate just how low the cost per wear of Helmut Lang pants are- I have pairs of straight legs from 1990's that I still wear. I just ensure they are washed and ironed inside out at low temperatures and hung properly on good pants hangers. Margaret Howell shirts and pants last too.
I'm a strong believer that if you want to buy a clothing classic, for example a pair of Broges, then buy from companies that specialise in them such as Church's (sales are great) or that manufacture in the great shoemaking towns where there is hopefully still pride in their craft. Buy Desert Boots from Clarks. Shirts from shirting specialists or again, Margaret Howell and her ilk who use these experts to make their shirting or tailoring. A wonderful gift for a special birthday would be to have a tailor make you a jacket or blazer or a full suit. Not as prohibitively expensive as one might think.
Dona
Love hearing about your Italian experiences. We go to the less 'well visited' regions of Sardinia each year (apart from the beach in the NW called 'La Pelosa'), at the beginning or end of the 'season'. Away from 'Costa Smerelda', there are not too many tourists and I have been in love with the island since 1987 when I visited as a mid term primigravida and was cossetted and loved to within an inch of my life by the locals.
We have been to quite a few of the islands- Elba, Capri, Lipari, Salina, snorkelling off the cliffs of Lampione and day visits to Marettimo.
I'd like to one day hike the 'spine' of Italy.
Being born Italian is to be born lucky.