Best of Both Worlds
Above: New colours, new cuts - Gil Bret
Above: Catherina Hepfer's understated separates
Above: Take one great coat...InWear
Above: Town casuals by Betty Barclay
Never believe the London-centric view that one can only shop successfully in the metropolis. If they would but admit it, women who inhabit the capital often make some of their best fashion finds in the shires. In Dorset, look no further than the buzzing streets of Bournemouth and towns like Poole and Dorchester.
The difference lies in the style of shops and shopping. London stores must appeal to the masses with the latest, most publicised, youngest and often most expensive fashions.
Locally stocked...
Counties, however many cities, towns, villages and hamlets they possess, have to have a more local, personal set of shops. Their buyers know their area. National fashion magazines concentrate on collections available in London or universally. We, on the other hand, make sure that the collections you see on these pages are stocked within your county by at least one independent fashion boutique. And to help you find what you want in Dorset, we offer the country’s only personalised stockist advice service, as you will see below.
This month we look at the contrasting selections available for town and country dwellers and visitors this season.
City style has always been dominated by black. But black doesn’t have to be super smart and tailored to work well. The sharp corners have been knocked off black by our penchant for wrapped fronts, belted coats and dresses, and different shaped pants from super wide legs to cropped suit trousers. Choice of cut and shoes make black personal, and adding white creates whole new looks.
Going soft...
City girls are wise to the softer effects created by the endless variations on brown and grey, taken a stage further by metallic finishes into bronze and pewter, and a new finish that manages to mix khaki green with gold. Off duty they will wear, and thoroughly enjoy, all that fashion has to offer, working especially well with neutrals that spell RELAXING in large letters!
Country folk do not, as some might suspect, live their lives in jeans, wellies and quilted jackets. Even if they do, the jeans fit perfectly, wellies are printed with humorous designs, candy stripes or masses of flowers, and the quilted jacket will be carefully shaped to flatter their figure.
Trousers are, it could be said, the uniform of the casual dresser and the summer’s must-have is a pair in white. They could be super slim white jeans, though pristine denim is not the easiest to wear well. Try instead tailored cotton whites, parallel pants or an understated shade in the realm of stone-cream-biscuit as a base for all kinds of tops.
These are short and smocky, longer hip-skimming tunics, colourful collared cotton jersey tops or crinkled variations of any of the above! Sleeves are often three-quarter cut, belled or flared and some have a tab and button to fasten when they’re rolled up. But once again the winner in the ‘anyone can wear it’ stakes is the wrap-top, neatly belted or knotted, sometimes fixed in just the right position. And the key to top marks is in the maths – why wear just one top when you can wear two, or even more?
And make sure you have a coat ready at all times in April. If you’re addicted to classics, stick with a neutral trench, pick a great shape and belt it tight. Or perhaps seek out navy because it’s certainly back.
Need advice on stockists? Please note this editorial is a guide only and we cannot guarantee what is pictured will be in specific stores. All collections featured are stocked in or around Dorset. Need more information? Write to Fashion Editor Jane Garner, PO Box 608, Shrewsbury SY1 IWQ, call her on Tel: 01743 271615 or email dorsetmagazines@janegarner.co.uk