Well I just ordered something from the Portfolio range :-0

[CarryOnUpTheLiffey]

this in navy

I know I won't look like MH in it, but I think it's nice, despite the pasting the range got yesterday. This is the only thing I like. It's sold out by the way, so I'll have to wait.

I wonder if people will be saying to me, my grandma has that dress. I had a purple coat once, black fur collar from Next and dot cotton had it too.

It's how you wear it - at least it's not some weird print . You might want to experiment with different belts with it, too.

Yes, now I'm going to keep an eye out for some navy toe peep wedges.

PushUP leopard skin Bra, tons of bronzer, red lippy, obviously I bought it a size too small so my bum will be straining the material when I walk.

JOKE JOKE, I want to sex it up a little but subtly.

I'll have to wear BRONZE jewellery with it I think. hmmmmmm.

The Marie Helvin navy dress? Then I conclude you must look like Marie Helvin , no way on earth could I make that look presentable.

Re spotting Dot Cotton wearing your coat, Louise the one-time barmaid in Emmerdale (the one who used to be Marilyn in Home and Away) was wearing the same TopShop top as me; I was to realise that I had the same taste as a soap barmaid!!

I'm not sure about it Liffey. A different belt I think. Bronze accessories would be nice. I think the length will be key as to whether it works or not.

I like that dress. Not sure about the belt though.

I wonder if the belt is detachable,,, The buckle could be a bit too much, snaffle, don't want to look faux Gucci in a late 80s way. It'd be ok if I didn't remember the late 80s.

Heated, I wish! brown curly hair and that's where the similarity ends. I've been told twice I look like Sally field. Not an insult but she is 15 odd years older than me. I had to google her as well.

lol at the soap barnmaid.

I had similar taste to a soap chain-smoking holy roller pensioner!

At least it wasn't Liz out of Coronation Street!

Sally Field is petite and curvy if memory serves?

i hope that they said you were a classier version!

Carryon - I had that coat too! I was horrified when Dot Cotton got one and was in a huge mood about it! Then, as I recall she decided it was too extravagent and took it back. Phew! I think I was 19 at the time!

it was about 1997 wasnt' it? it was a great coat. I can't believe they thought dot would shop in next!

loads of people complimented that coat. it wasn't v warm tho, that was my only gripe about it!

No, it wasn't warm was it. It was like a thick jersey material. And yes it was the 96/97 A/W collection!

UPDATE.

I tried on the dress which had been ordered in to the shop. The buttons weren't matt bronze like they appear in the photo online, they were a yellowy cheap shade of gold, and the material seems like a very shiny flimsy jersey material. Ihad thought it would be a stronger material, like soft canvas or strong cotton.

Tried it on anyway and even though it was size ten it was huge and very unflattering.

Somebody must have been standing behind marie helvin pinching the dress in from behind with pins.

Oh no. What a shame. Can't say I am surprised though. The whole range is odd.