Penneys Spring Summer 2012 Preview

Hi All,

Penneys (Primark) showcased its early Spring / Summer ’12 collection last week in Dublin. It is a pretty large and varies collection, as you’d expect from Penneys; this part of the S/S’12 collection will be in store between now and late February.

It comprises some great print designs – see the (amazing) cars, Dalmatian dogs, daisies and Hawaiian panther designs below; pretty pastel shades – including a pale turquoise called ‘Seafoam’; as well as some classically tailored pieces – see the tuxedo-inspired jackets below.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Pastels and Black / Knits and Leather

Or, layered up for in-between seasons…

Pastels have already become a massive hit this season; it might just be because they are such a massive change from the rock-chick, studded / sequinned looks that were so massive last season.

After a bit of window shopping last week, I saw that most of the high street stores have pretty pieces in dozens of shades; from off-white to dark pink and mink, and everything in-between. A lot of the looks / visual merchandising that featured the lighter pieces are put together with darker toned and black elements. I think this way of wearing pastels is a perfect for coming out of winter, before the weather warms up.

I’m not getting into that whole, not wearing white out of season thing, but some paler colours can look a bit to summery for winter. The fabrics that are used are also quite light; lace and sheer viscose need to be layered up with warmer fabrics in colder months.

So I mixed up these little cotton-lace culottes and polka-dot vest (worn backwards) with a leather jacket and boots, and a woollen scarf and cardigan. It also meant that the pastel colours of the shorts and vest was set off against the dark leather. The hand-knitted, Arran cardi mixed the two elements together perfectly.

More pics and outfit details at HerApparel.wordpress.com

River Island SS10 Press Preview

This afternoon River Island on Grafton Street previewed their SS10  collection and it was all about pretty, pastel shades, neutral tones and softer takes on the current 80′s punk and Tribal themes. I know it’s way too early for us to be thinking about our Spring / Summer wardrobes but it’s still nice to know what the more on-trend high street stores will be focussing on.

The collection was pretty and floral and there were lots of embellished, fringed and distressed elements. Fabrics were softer than the luxe and sequins we saw in ’09. Think denim-jersey, linen and cotton lace for clothing and soft suede on footwear. Colours were rich beiges and pale browns with subtle greens, pinks and blues. In fact the colour palette as  a whole was pretty neutral and feminine with some bold tribal prints and edgy pieces mixed in.

I really liked these floral pillazzo pants, (above and below) …

these fringed shorts and ladder-stitch jumper would be amazing festival pieces (if I were brave enough)… Plus the peep-toe knee-high wedge-boots are fab.