I predict Jack Wills not be selling many of these

Many consider Jack Wills to be the English version of Abercrombie and Fitch. Gorgeous cashmere jumpers, ridiculously cosy hoodies and softer than soft leggings all stack the shelves and startlingly attractive shop assistants parade around as if they've come straight out of a model agency. It is also pretty much standard that most people that shop there have more than a couple of pennies spare and are thus more than willing to pay the higher-than-average prices. The company are reknowned for their preppy and simple pieces, with The Guardian even declaring that they have managed to make the notoriously chav-related hoodie posh.

oooooh snuggly hoodies. Jack Wills, £69 - £89

So, with many lovely items to their name, it is therefore beyond me how Jack Wills can make and then charge £798 for this monstrosity of a dress.

Bows? Love them. Vivd pattern? Very this season. Tulle underlay? Who doesn't want to feel like a princess? Yet throw those three components together and it all adds up to one big no. There might be some people that like it; good for them. We all like different things, and I believe the world would be a very boring place without varying tastes. But even if you do like it, I have no idea how the price can be considered jusifiable!

Jack Wills as a clothing company are respected, but not as high fashion designers; many of whom often charge less than this for a beautiful dress. After having a scour on the wonder that is net-a-porter I have found, what I think (some of you are bound not to agree), are a few nicer examples of what some or all of your £800 could get you instead...

Rachel Gilbert, £600

Notte by Marchesa, £690

Alexander Wang, £730

Malene Birger, £200

I'm not saying it is ok to spend £800 on a dress as long as it has a Dior label stitched in the back. However, if you insist on spending that much then surely it makes more sense to go for something from an established designer, which will then in turn maintain it's value over the years should you wish to re-sell it as vintage?

Which option would you go for?

http://www.jackwills.com/

http://www.net-a-porter.com/

Cole The Shots

Forget world poverty and mass fighting, the big news today is that Cheryl Cole's debut solo single 'Fight For This Love' is set to be number one this weekend and hold the record for the best selling single of the year after shifting 200,000 units on it's first day of release alone. Anyone who watches X Factor would have to agree that Cole seems like a really lovely and genuine girl, and has definitely soared in public opinion over the last couple of years. Putting on an incredibly brave face when her husband's infidelities came to light earned her particular kudos with the notoriously difficult-to-win-over female audience and her feisty attitude towards Simon Cowell earned her respect from everyone else.

However, this does not make one worthy of the best selling song of the year, particularly when the song in question is, I'm sorry, undeniably bland and will no doubt have been forgotten about in twelve months time. Mrs. Cole doesn't have the best live singing voice by a long way, but this rather crucial factor is made slightly better by the fact she herself doesn't believe or try to convince you otherwise. However much critics or I may lambaste this song, the fact is that the charts are a reflection of the record buying public. Not that this is always a good thing by any means, but there is nothing anyone can do about it so we will just have to roll with the sometimes painful pop punches.

The UK papers were buzzing on Monday morning about her first solo live performance on the X Factor the previous night, whether it be criticising the fact that she mimed the second half of the song, or that she (incredibly) pulled off a better overall performance than Whitney Houston did subsequently. The fact is, everybody seems to be missing one major element in all of this and it's the one that concerns me most: where the hell did she get that jacket and how can I get one? Yes, the rest of the outfit was pretty shocking, with trousers slit to the hip being more than just a tad dubious, but we can overlook this because her jacket was so damn incredible. Four seasonal trends in one piece is pretty impressive, you have to admit. Shoulder pads? Check. Military design? Got it. Crazy embellishment? Definitely there. Stand out red colour? Absolutely. 
 
Yes, Cheryl may not have the best singing voice or songwriting team, but the song is bearable on the ears and almost respectable compared to some of the other atrocities that litter up the charts these days. Plus, she has a much-coveted stylist and I'd quite like to be her friend. That's good enough for me. 

Dress Me, I'm Your Mannequin

Celebrating 25 years, London Fashion Week closed yesterday with a celebrity laden Burberry show. As much as I love my fashion, I do find myself pondering over some of the outfits that are paraded down catwalks by various designers – is it art or are they just taking the p*ss? Many people argue that they are simply ideas for ready-to-wear collections to be inspired by, but some are so extravagant (one designer this week sent his models out with big balls of hair covering their heads so they resembled It from The Addams Family) that I don’t see how it can be adapted in any reasonable manner.


Luckily there are still some fashion houses out there that like to showcase more wearable pieces, whilst still maintaining a bit of an edge. Here are some of my favourite pieces from the past few days (nb: no copyright infringement etc intended with my using of any of these images!).

Burberry

Perhaps the most clamoured over show of LFW, Christopher Bailey’s Spring/Summer 10 collection didn’t fail to disappoint. Showcasing a palette of neutral hues and silky, draped material, the Burberry name has moved on a long way since simply being all about check.

 

Luella

The sweetheart of English fashion was all about the pastel colours this season, which suited her heart shaped designs and girly-girl cuts perfectly. Taking a lead from Marc Jacobs’ NY fashion show earlier this month, Luella added a noticeable accessory of an oversized bow in each model’s hair.

 

House of Holland

Helmed by quaffed maestro and Aggy Deyn’s BFF Henry Holland, HoH is perhaps best known for it’s slogan t-shirts (Fancy A Ride Sass And Bide, anyone?) but each time his catwalk shows manage to demonstrate that the brand is so much more than that. Renowned for bold patterns and stand out colours,Holland’s most recent offerings provided us with some great ready-to-wear pieces that still encompassed the elements he is best known for.

 

Erdem

Floral patterns have reigned supreme this year and Erdem are seemingly determined to have it continuing to do so in the next as well. Lace was also a big feature of this show and solidifies the feminine outlook this upcoming collection provides.

 

The depressing thing is that by the time I’ll be able to actually afford any of these pieces, the designers will be showcasing their Spring/Summer 2011 collections…