Archive by Alexa verdicts?

[StrawberrytallCake]

I've just bought one of the slip dresses with the cardigans and the black playsuit - what do you reckon? I'm unsure if I've just impulse bought but picking up tomorrow so will check quality and fit then!!

link

[faustina]

The trench is HUGE. I am still dithering about keeping it. The six fitted me (and my top half is so not a size six), but I took that back as the eight is loose and that's the look I'd go for. I agree it's not a formal coat. If I keep, I"ll wear it unbelted. I think they said the waist was high to elongate the figure...?

[leedy]

Trench is actually pretty roomy - I'm a 12 but often have to go for a 14 in fitted coats to not pull across the chest/arms as I have both a) massive bricklayer's shoulders and b) boobs, and the 12 fitted me fine. Though, as I said above, not flattering on me at all.

Tried the red floral dress in a full length mirror and with a slightly different bra and I think I'm going to keep it - the colour is incredibly good on me, the print is pretty, and I can live with the bodice being a little loose.

[ilod27]

Those that bought the trench coat - is it true to size?

It's sold out and I'm contemplating getting one from eBay but want to make sure it will fit

[enjoyingscience]

The lydia gingham trousers have arrived and I actually love them.

I didn't think I would, but they fit great, and have had loads of compliments on them.

[leedy]

Dress also mysteriously seemed to make me look somewhat flat-chested and I'm a DD/E cup, maybe because it's quite loose in the bodice (though fairly tight in the shoulders). Though again, will need to check in a proper mirror.

[leedy]

I also got the red dress with white flowers and am dithering over it as well - haven't seen it in a full length mirror yet (just arrived in work) but even in the work loos mirror I'm not 100% sure about the bodice or the sleeves. The fabric is lovely, though, and a great colour.

The trench is awful on me - I love the colour, but the too high waist means I can't belt it without looking weirdly rectangular, and without a belt it looks like I'm wearing a dressing gown. Also agree about the flappy sleeves.

[Love2dance]

I got the pie crust blouse and really like it. I can wear to work or for casual look with jeans.
I also got the red dress with white flowers but that will have to go back. It's been designed to hang loose - like the too-big vintage tea dresses one would wear as a slip of a girl in the 1990's (not that I was ever one of those). It is almost right, but on me fell the wrong side of the line into looking dowdy. A better fit in the body/bodice and slightly shorter puff sleeves would have made a difference. If it was cheap as chips I would keep it and have it altered, but it ain't.
As for the mac, I see it's sold out online but I tried it on in store and whilst it is good quality and superficially looks really good, the belt has no holes so the belt can slip and lose its fit; the waistline and belt loops are set too high so it does up at the bottom of the ribs rather than the waist; finally, the sleeves aren't long enough and flap about. Fine if you like that look, but I wear a smart mac both for smart casual (with jeans etc) but more often, for work over a suit. I tried it on over a smart jacket and the bottom 2 inches of my suit jacket were showing - and that's before any sleeve rolling to show the lining.
Back to my vintage Burberry which I picked up second hand for less than £50 and which has lasted me well over 10 years now...a shame because I love the olive green colour.

[Floisme]

I thought it was a one-off but according to this there's a winter collection coming too:
www.theguardian.com/fashion/2016/apr/17/alexa-chung-marks-spencer-fashion

[HMF1]

I was in M&S in Glasgow today & they had the collection at the front door. Didn't look like they had many takers. Some of the collection looks better in real life but a lot of it doesn't. The navy trousers are not good quality at all & the blazer looks awful as does the pleated skirt. The cardigans felt nice & the colours looked OK although if I am going for a short cardi I am looking for a crop the trench looks good & the dress. The pie crust shirt comes in 2 lengths & the longer length just looks like a work style smock with a frill. I bought a skirt from autograph but I won't be buying anything from the Allexa archive.

[niminypiminy]

I've just decided I'm going to go for the lemon cardigan - I love lemon, it's a colour that really flatters me and is surprisingly hard to come by. And the shape of the cardi will be good with the cropped wide legs I'm liking at the moment

[Floisme]

Oi I quite like the trench coat Great colour.

I think that floaty red dress is lovely too. It's no good for me but it would look fab on someone tall and slender and firm of body.

[ExConstance]

She wore the hideous trench coat to the Erdem London Fashion week show, I wondered then why she was covering up a rather nice dress with such tat.

[Floisme]

I don't think it's a horrible collection - I'll always have a soft spot for slip dresses - there's just very little there for me. It's all too short, too high necked or too floaty.

I'd be interested to hear what they navy, wide leg crops are like if anyone's got them? They won't be in my local store and I haven't got the energy to send for them when they're polyester.

[Lucked]

The worst thing is the myrtle jumper I think, looks awful and short on the model. The slip certainly brings back good memories but I was a rail thin teenager when I wore them and there wasn't really many places to shop. If I was in my teens or twenties now I wouldn't go to M&s.

The Edna shirt I would consider.

I have so many issues with the cut and length of clothes in M&s, even when I see something I like it doesn't fit right.

[PresidentCJCregg]

Why does the model have her mouth hanging open as if she's about to start drooling?

Not really helping the overall Shite Chubby Lady Di effect.

[AwkwardSquad]

Just bought the Edna shirt, it's really nice and and good quality cotton. It's the kind of thing that Toast do but at £135 not £35. Very pleased with it.

I tried on a little vest too - pretty but way too short. Shame.

[GertyTheGert]

Right. A confession. I ordered in size 18 the long-sleeved multi-coloured mini dress because I now have a 60's bob and thought well I'd give it a try, so ordered for next day delivery in store. Laugh? One look at it in real life and I immed queued at the returns counter. The pattern is in vicious colours and in VERY large print like cheapo Etam circa 1966. What did the M&S lady say as she looked at it (neatly folded up) - oh is this a new tea towel Marks are doing??! When I said errr no its an Alexa Chung dress she said crikey the pattern is awful - and as she unfolded it, she could not help but make an Urggghhhhh expression. See? I did say in a previous post, M&S maybe should ask a cross section of their staff FIRST before ordering 5,000 shite items!!!! AND why give these gross items names? Make them seem more fab?!!!!!????????

[bopfactory]

Well I picked up my order today - the boots are nice, but the Lillie jumper wasn't great on me - the neck was far too high and tight (had trouble even getting it over my head!) It had the overall effect of making me look at bit matronly (I'm only a C cup) - I imagine it would look far better on someone taller with less boobage (i.e. Alexa-shaped).

[StrawberrytallCake]

So I picked up the playsuit, dress, cardigan and a sundress (not Alexa) today and after just trying on have decided I'm keeping it all! The dress and playsuit look lovely under the cardigan and with the right shoes (not boots, or clumpy imo) and accessories I think they will be perfect.

[StrawberrytallCake]

Didn't pick mine up today - will have to wait for the disappointment tomorrow!

[MagnifiMad]

niminypiminy said exactly what I came on to say. Disappointing.

[squoosh]

LitteRedSparke the woman in that photo you've posted looks so ridiculous!

[bopfactory]

I've just ordered the Lillie jumper (which appealed as it's 100% cotton - I hate acrylic!) and the Nellie boots... picking up from store tomorrow so I shall report back!