Urban Outfitters opens in Brighton

After months of shielded building works, Churchill Square's old Borders store opened up as Brighton's first Urban Outfitters today. And it's well worth the wait.


The layout and offering of the huge upstairs women's section makes next door's H&M, and all of the other high-street chain shops in Brighton, look shabby and tired by comparison.

Boutique collections, a vintage section and homewares, books and gifts (check out this mini sewing machine) are presented as if in an eclectic designer bazaar, brought together by those with apparent excellent taste.

The dressing rooms are equally grown-up and spacious, and I spent an enjoyable ten minutes trying on some of the cutest Peter Pan collar pieces.


Left to right: t.b.a velvet antique collar dress, £150, Pins and Needles velvet collar blouse, £45, Cooperative school boy blouse, £42.

The shirt in the middle (currently sold out online) is so soft and versatile that it was swiftly added to my Christmas/January sales/whenever I have the money hit-list.

And to go with the 1960s/school-boy look I spotted some stunning box bags and satchels, such as the metal handle lady bag, flower tooled bag and old school olive satchel.

Of course, Urban Outfitters is that bit more expensive than its high street competitors, but the store experience and the unique pieces are worth saving up for.

M&S S/S 2011

Packed full of gorgeous vintage-style looks, it seems that M&S has raided the archives to inspire its s/s11 womenswear collection.

Chic and playful pieces recreate the styles of the roaring Twenties, swinging Sixties and bohemian Seventies, for directional looks that could help re-define your style for summer.

1920s

While the colours and embellishments may have been a bit fussy for Coco Chanel, I can imagine the famous guests at her chateau parties and Riveria trips wearing pieces not too dissimilar to these below.

Cute straw boaters, delicate beading and embellishment, sea-side stripes and pyjama-style satin trousers make for Art Deco elegance.






1960s

No doubt inspired by the Mad Men fever which has the fashion industry firmly in its grips, another of M&S's strongest threads looks to have taken Jackie O, Bridget Bardot and Audrey Hepburn as its fashion muses.

Choose from sophisticated swing jackets and shift dresses, gorgeous gingham, chic LBDs and monochrome and patent pieces.

Boxy lady-like bags, capri pants and canary yellow dresses also look set to be huge next season.










1970s

Boho is still beautiful for s/s11, with floaty chiffon shirts, bell sleeves, maxi dresses, jumpsuits and wide floppy hats proving that the 70s revival wasn't just a flash-in-the-pan trend last summer.

Stella McCartney-style denim skirts and dresses make for classic casual looks and layering slouchy jumpers over maxis brings this trend into 2011.

Elizabeth Lau cape coat from Oxfam

I put in the time, so it's only right that I should come across some extra special pieces in charity shops every now and then. And yesterday was one of those occasions. A brand new Elizabeth Lau coat, £49.99 in North Street Oxfam! This is why I spend half of my life riffling through second-hand clothes.


Having done all my Christmas shopping this month, I'm knew that I was without resource for such luxuries as summer coats in November, but I had to try it on, and it fit so well and looked so cute - the leather collar, diagonal button holes and polka dot lining add really unique detailing - that I came up with a plan.

The new husband didn't know what to buy me for Christmas, and for a while there he didn't know what he had bought me for Christmas. I saved him a job. How kind I am. And how thoughtful and clever he is to have got me a Sixties-style coat, with on-trend cape shaping, from one of my favourite designers and still have money left over for a few little surprises.


The cape coat has now been stashed away by said husband - who was quite pleased not to have to do his own Christmas shopping - but I'm so excited about it that I did some online research and came across Carrie of WishWishWish styling the Sherlock summer coat with cute Orla Kiely pieces. Exactly how it should be worn. I think there may have to be a few more layers involved in my outfits though as very much doubt I'll be able to wait till summer dress weather to wear my bargain find. I can hardly wait a month...

Lanvin for H&M - inspiration from the past

I haven't been blown away by Lanvin's collection for serial collaborator H&M - a few too many corsages and bling details for my liking. I may be in the minority of people who wouldn't want Carrie Bradshaw's wardrobe - more specifically, I'd take the wardrobe, possibly turn it into a study, but she could keep the clothes.

However, the presentation on the homepage reminded me of the Theatre de la Mode exhibition I've recently been researching for a piece I'm writing on the history of the little black dress.


To celebrate France's release from German occupation in 1945, and to reinvigorate creativity in an industry heavily restricted by wartime rationing, the top French designers of the day, including Jeanne Lanvin, presented their designs on Elaine Bonabel's wire dummies.

Premiering in Paris' Theatre de la Mode, the show exhibited collections by designers such as Balenciaga, Balmain and Nina Ricci, and finished its world tour in 1946 at the De Young Museum in San Francisco.

Looking back, as well as the obvious Eighties influence - acid brights, tulle skirts and OTT detailing - the inspiration for Lanvin's highstreet collection can be seen in much earlier pieces by the French fashion house.

I love the floral detailing and va va voom volume skirts of these evening dresses from online archives, though perhaps a little bit more expensive than the H&M pieces...


Image source


Image source


Image source

Brighton POD

Trawling vintage boutiques, charity shops and flea markets for original retro gems may be the perfect way to spend a weekend for many lovers of past styles, myself included. But you don’t have to spend your days hunting for that elusive perfect piece to get the look you want for your home.

Brighton POD, which stands for Promoting Original Design, does just what it says on the tin, acting as a shop window for a selection of Britain’s independent design talent.

As well as cute ceramics, contemporary lighting and unique jewellery, there are some fab vintage-inspired homewares on offer that add fun twists to classic designs.

Get the vintage look for less effort with our pick of some of the best pieces from the site.

Get the 1950s look


Clockwise from top: Three-tier cake stand, £32.95, I Love Retro; Decoupage seaside trinket box, £65.00, uoldbag; Pin up girl cushion – Maureen, £37.00, Crumpet & Skirt; Talulah A3 print, £10.00, Nicky Snow; Tin coasters, £8.00, Nicky Snow; Large vintage embroidery cushion 2, £35.00, random retail.

Get the 1960s look


Clockwise from top: Atomic coat rack, £15.95; Pink flowers wall sticker set, £17.95; Trimphone, £36.95; Set of three flying ducks, £16.95; Kitsch cuckoo clock, £17.95, all I Love Retro.