The sun is shining and the sky is blue, it’s no wonder there’s a smile on my face and skip in my step this week – Spring is slowly starting to show its face! Hallelujah!
I’m under no illusion that we’re not out of the woods yet, there are undoubtedly some more grey and miserable days to come before the seasonal shift truly sets in, but we’re off to a promising start. Despite it being pretty chilly, my weekend was all about country walks and an al fresco coffee or two, enjoyed from behind rose-tinted sunnies – how long has it been since we’ve had to break out the eyewear, darlings? Too long in my opinion. It’s such a little thing isn’t it, the excuse to don sunglasses, but it really has put me in the mood for the oncoming season and all the satorial loveliness that comes with it.
The girls and I have been busy getting the shop organised and revitalised now that the sale is over, and gosh, we are proud of how it looks. It’s a total breath of fresh air. Clean, crisp and uncluttered it really does show off the new collections. Of course, new pieces arrive almost daily so you can be sure we won’t be resting on our laurels for long – there is so much I have yet to share with you!
Keen Instagrammers will have spotted my post about the new Weekend by MaxMara arrivals – namely the cotton and jersey dress which comes in sand and navy. Such a beautiful and practical piece, it has definitely been a hit in the store. And there’s much more where that came from in my edit of the Weekend SS18 collection.
With an athleisure style, neutral colours and the signature butterfly detail, the original sportswear DNA of MaxMara still holds its sway over this collection. When it comes to fabrics you’ll find relaxed linens, cottons and yard-dyed fabrics, in the same two distinct palettes as the dress I mentioned earlier. The myriad of sand and blue pieces pair easily together, as both light and dark ends of each colour spectrum feature. A smattering of beautiful patterns can be found across the board too, as well as the classic cornflower blue and white stripe which pops up in various designs – the freshest of which is the divine ORFEO ruffle sleeve, poplin dress with matching embroidered belt.
Versatile separates make an appearance too, from T-shirts with pleated details, frills and matching passementerie to the comfiest looking denim. The pieces are very easy to incorporate into your existing wardrobe, the collection as a whole really does allow itself to be adapted to suit you.
I know I’ve been talking to you a lot about Ted Baker lately – mainly because his SS18 looks are perfect for Valentine’s Day dressing – but there is much more to Ted this spring than what I’ve revealed so far. Entitled ‘In The Palace Gardens’, Ted’s womenswear for the season embodies all the majesty of British royal palaces and their magnificent surroundings.
Co-ordinated tonal dressing and colour blocking rule Ted’s palace for SS18. Prim shades of rhubarb pink, mint green and imperial yellow take centre stage with accents of richer teal, rust and antique gold shining through. It wouldn’t be a Baker collection without a bold photographic print and this season bold blooms and geometric chevrons are resplendent.
The cuts offer you something different too with aysemmetric shapes, soft frills and elegant pleating running throughout. Showing off the fun side of ruffles is my absolute favourite, the NEMERA blue and white stripe dress. Of the same family as the SABIYA ruffle top above, the dress fits to an absolute T. It’s one of those pieces you’ll love to wear and that loves wearing you. It’ll be popping up on Instagram this week so make sure those peepers are keen.
The oplent feel of the ‘In The Palace Gardens’ collection is reinforced by the fabric choices – think lavish satins, lustrous jacquards, delicate lace and fluid chiffons. The EICIO dress – which is currently in store in nude pink rather than rust colour shown below – is so effortless and graceful, the perfect example of how to do grown-up frills in a luxe fabric. Embellishments pop up too – Ted loves the finer details don’t you know. The noble pearl can be seen across the collection, on collars, cuffs and bags. Speaking of bags, a fresh and fun spring vibe is personified in the SALIA bag. I just love it! So much so that the store will be stocking it in both nude pink and yellow.
It’s amazing what a little sunshine – whether the real deal or in bag form – and some fresh clothing cuts can do to lift your mood isn’t it?
Ta-ta for now,
Agatha x