Fashion

HARROGATE

Confidential

Wellies Just got Sexy

I remember when the only wellies that were available were black, but recently they’ve come in all sorts of colours, particularly pink. Which I have to say is a bit obvious. Then came along these babies.

Festival fans know Honchos for its brilliant clothes, its ingenious chairs, and its amazing hand-carved African drums.

Now Honchos takes the next step to holiday heaven with the Well-Lit-On boots – a radical range of festival wellies with dazzling designs, quality manufacturing values… and built-in torches - perfect for navigating those tricky late-night journeys from stage to tent.

Well-Lit-On isn’t Honchos’ only new line. The ever-popular Honchos ponchos are not only available in a typically stunning range of patterns and colours, but this year we’ve also thrown in the dice and incorporated favorite games like Draughts, Seduko and Twister into the fabric. Hanging around waiting for your favorite band will never be dull again and making new friends has never be easier. Game on!

Honchos famous Festival Survival Kit is another must-have this summer. Its for comfort-loving campers and includes a cozy Polar Fleece king size sleeping bag, wind-up mobile phone charger, radio-alarm clock and torch, a bottle and a first aid kit. All in one handy ruck-sack.

Now for some Classic Fashion Advertising! Kirk Originals seriously stylish eyewear from a company with a sense of humour and fashion sense!! Now that doesn’t come in the same package often.

Following the Tribe…

In a recent nostalgic impulse I had the honour of rediscovering last years summer wardrobe whilst visiting home and, let me tell you, it was not a pretty sight. In fact it was rather sorry looking due to the distinct lack of, well anything! It seems that the only things I deemed important enough not to sport throughout winter (or possibly donate to eBay) were a few tired looking skirts. Maybe they were in the wash.

So that leaves me with the (financially) dangerous task of re-stocking for the upcoming summer season. And believe me it’s upon us, the sun is shining and shopping is a great procrastination tool (anyone who finds themselves staring out the window at work is in need of one guaranteed)….

The big question that remains is with what?

Well sometimes ‘trends’ come along that just grab your eye, and I think the tribal look may have done that for me this year. Now normally I’m not a big one for prints, but these I may have to give a try (although a look in the fitting room mirror may put a dampener on such plans)!

Probably the first stop (for inspiration at least) is the new Marimekko range that came to H&M a few weeks ago. Just looking at the big bold prints and colours, that they are rightly famed for, should bring out the sunshine. But on the rest of the high street, the trickle of tribal can be seen everywhere, so maybe we need to ask ourselves, how brave are we?

Key Pieces:

•A sundress never goes amiss teamed with a long cardigan and sandals, or heels and a smack or red lipstick for a night out. Topshop has a great tribal print one for £32.

•The strappy top gets reinvented with beading detail and bold prints. Even better it looks great with a longer sleeve top underneath whilst there's still the common threat of a April shower. Try Urban Outfitters for a yellow and blue version at £26.

•Prints don’t have to be too in your face, even mixing up bright colours with some wooden accessories can be tribal if you want it to be.

•Don’t get bogged down with thinking the look is all about maxi dresses and long skirts, if you want to get your legs out don’t be afraid! Found a great dress but it’s too long? Just cut it short, DIY style.

•Alternatively a kaftan can look great over a pair of jeans, just cinch it in with a belt to accentuate your waist.

•Finally if it all feels a bit too flowing for your liking, structure it up with a blazer or denim jacket, whoever said trends don’t mix!

Finally no tribal outfit would be complete without the archetypical jewellery (wooden naturally) and a pair of sandals. And if you’re feeling brave, the point of having so many prints to choose from is to clash them. This is a season to pick and mix. Enjoy!

Jemma Crow

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Patricia Field – The quirky stylist to design a UK capsule collection

It’s finally here! We’ve been waiting for four long years, but the Sex and the City girls are back…and this time they’re on the big screen. The London premiere saw all four ladies posing together (any talk of bust ups was strongly denied) looking equally individual and stunning, just like their characters in the show.

Personally I am a massive fan of our heroine Carrie’s fashion choices so this movie marks the reincarnation of a sense of wanderlust for her wardrobe. Quirky, Yes. Outrageous, Probably. Eclectic, Most definitely. But there’s one thing you can’t call Carrie, and that’s dull. Having the sheer balls to mix such looks as a mans white shirt with a vintage leather belt and not much else requires, well obviously a good figure, but first and foremost a brilliant stylist.

Enter Patricia Field.

Her ability to subtly or outlandishly convey a mood or atmosphere through every individual characters wardrobe is perfect every time. The lady in question does have a shop in New York and an online boutique to rival the most established retailers, but where can us Brits get the look? Well here lies a piece of aptly timed good news. Marks and Spencer have announced their newest acquisition…a collection to be designed by the fashion goddess. Hang on, M&S with their sensible granny pants and boring shoes?! Well apparently so! It’s just the latest in the celebrity/high street collaboration circle, but will it be a match made in fashion heaven or hell?

Past celebrity collections that have graced our high street in recent years have left me slightly less than impressed to say the least. In fact I have reoccurring nightmares when I think back to all that tacky gold involved in the Giles Deacon/New Look collection, and that was just his first season. Equally the Kate Moss/Topshop alliance should be a match made in heaven, but all that it seems to produce is a broad array of hot pants in many colours and fabrics, suitable only for the most slender amongst the population (in fact maybe only La Moss herself) which is a disappointing glimpse into the wardrobe of one of the biggest style chameleons the UK has to offer.

But back to the M&S/Field collaboration which is something, past experiences aside, that I have high hopes for. M&S has seen a gentle influx of fashion orientated collections emerge over the past few years with the successes of the ‘Limited Collection’ and ‘Autograph’ ranges (we can gloss over Per Una) enticing even the most cynical of fashionista’s through their doors and helping to re-brand themselves to appeal to a younger customer. Field’s new capsule range could be the icing on Marks & Spencer’s already sweet cake, and I’m ready for a slice.

Now the collection is still in its early stages but it has been let slip that the 35-piece luxury range has been styled to fulfil the phrase ‘Destination Style New York.’ Field will focus the collection primarily on “to die for dresses spiced with high octane glamour and complementing accessories,” after al what more does a girl need. Field wanted to work with a retailer who understands women of all ages, and thanks to their canny design decisions over the past few years, she has definitely chosen a winner. Now all we have to do is wait until October, when the collection is released both online and in stores, to snap up our favourite pieces. I know what will be on my wish list for the winter season…

Thankfully the movie should inspire our outfit choices in the mean time whilst we’re counting down the days till October. After all our favourite columnist did once say, In a city of infinite options there’s no better choice than knowing you only have one. I’m ready to get carrie-d away, but only time will tell if the rest of the UK is.

Jemma Crow

Last month McNally was voted one of the Top 50 boutiques in the UK. Sharing this with the likes of Sarah Coggles and Matches.

So how come so many people don’t even know where it is. Well, it’s at the bottom of Cheltenham Crescent, opposite Est Est Est. So get down there, there are people coming down from Newcastle, just to get at her collections. A little bird tells me that she is soon to be stocking the Ed Hardy range and there’s a possibility that she might even do the mens range too!!

Hold on to your hats this is one boutique which is going places, check out the new collections which arrive on a weekly basis. What you see is what you get, Amanda carries no stock, so if you like it buy!

McNally Cheltenham Crescent Harrogate 01423 565225