Julia's upbeat about fashion despite the weather!

Longchamp bags and local fashion shows! Bring it ON Julia....... (01590 610074)

Here we go again, April showers and May ones too!

A spring coat may be the answer, not long ago it was a jacket that would shield you from cold spring winds and showers, however a much bigger contender has now edged the jacket out of the fashion limelight.  The summer coat, with its ability to dress up anything from jeans to a simple shift, is the coolest way to beat our recent unseasonal weather.

Coats are this season’s version of the fitted jacket, but with such vibrant fabrics on offer a coat can revolutionise an otherwise simple outfit.

Look around – there are some great trench coats available and don’t stick to the classic colours, a trench looks fantastic in pink too!

The swing coat, terribly glamorous over your shift dress.  The duster, single breasted looks great belted or worn loose, alternatively a slightly ‘A’ line and fitted at the top coat is great for hiding any more ample curves you would rather hide.

We have a great trench available in Stanwells by Theory and look around the local boutiques for fun colours in all styles.

I dropped into Zimara on the Quay recently they had a great selection of ‘Blue Willis’ cotton knitwear.  The colours were fantastic – indigo, pale blue and pink, amazingly you can wash all these fabulous sweaters in the machine and tumble dry them too.  Great size range to suit all sizes 8 – 18.

Peering onto the High Street I don’t see many of you in smart shorts yet.  We have some fantastic cool wool shorts from Betty Jackson still in stock, they look great with heels and a smart short – a great alternative to a pencil skirt.

Moving on, it’s great to see Neat have expanded and doing so well.  Owner Wendy tells me the best sellers are in the shoe department.  There is a fantastic selection from flip flops to pumps and the most glamorous wedges.  I also spied some great “St. Tropez” baskets and fun straw cowboy hats for under £20.00!

It’s brilliant to see all the local fashion shops are getting together to stage a fashion show on June 28th at Elmers Court; Neat, Jaeger, Esprit and the Sports Bra Company to name but a few, are raising money for the Naomi House Hospice, tickets are £10.00 and are available from the above shops and Naomi House on 01590 677675.

We at Stanwells have had a great season with Longchamp handbags, sales have been helped by their great ad campaign featuring Kate Moss.  Wonderful linen and leather sacs plus squashy vintage leather in yummy ice cream colours – a few left girls, with a special 25% reduction on the remaining styles………..hurry down before you are disappointed.

Time to sign off until next month, when I am going to let you into secrets about the glamorous lifestyle of designer to the jet set “Alice Temperley” – exciting stuff!!

Julia (Stanwells - High Street, Lymington)