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Irish Examiner
24-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Irish Examiner
Nine pieces for your wardrobe inspired by crafts like crochet and embroidery
I like to get the most out of my wardrobe but when it comes to summer, I always feel a bit cheated. Is it summer outside or is it just spring in a fancy glass with two olives and a twist? Investing in feather-light pieces feels cavalier unless a sun-soaked holiday is on the cards, so I defer instead to interchangeable staples that lend themselves to layering. Lately, things have changed. The seasonal craft trend has had a makeover. Now rendered with clean lines and tailoring, details like embroidery, cutwork, crochet and appliqué exhibit a contemporary edge. Better still, you can wear it well past that two-week break. Here's how. Ecru jeans are the harbinger of good weather. Once spotted in the wild, you can safely emerge from hibernation. London-based brand Never Fully Dressed cleverly taps into this phenomenon with their cutwork scallop pair. Team with a tank top and sandals or add a suede jacket for extra wear time. Likewise, when the sun is in its rightful place, the ease of a matching set is unrivalled. Try Essentiel Antwerp's lace embroidery offering in pink and baby blue. The shirt alone doubles as a bikini cover-up with shorts or over a thin polo neck with wide-leg trousers. If your vibe is neutral and low-key, stay true to your aesthetic with a fresh spin on broderie anglaise. H&M's office-friendly midi dress (love that bolo-style belt) is worth a raise. As for al fresco fun? Accessories like an embroidered heel, a crochet bag or a raffia necklace (pay Zara a visit) ensure visual interest without the long-term commitment. Now that's crafty. Cotton shirt and wide-leg trousers with lace embroidery Cotton shirt (€195) and wide-leg trousers with lace embroidery (€215), Essentiel Antwerp Essentiel Antwerp, €195 and €215 'Enchanted' cutwork scallop jeans 'Enchanted' cutwork scallop jeans, Never Fully Dressed, €189 Never Fully Dressed, €189 Per Una cotton appliqué bomber jacket Per Una cotton applique bomber jacket, M&S, €105 M&S, €105 'Zoya' satin sandals 'Zoya' satin sandals, RIXO, €285 RIXO, €285 Raffia flower necklace Raffia flower necklace, Zara, €19.95 Zara, €19.95 Broderie anglaise dress Broderie anglaise dress, H&M, €59.99 H&M, €59.99 Crochet mini bucket bag with beads Crochet mini bucket bag with beads, Zara, €49.95 Zara, €49.95 Sequin and bead embellished shirt Sequin and bead embellished shirt, Essentiel Antwerp, €195 Essentiel Antwerp, €195 RIXO 'Sunday' wool-blend jacket RIXO 'Sunday' wool-blend jacket, MyTheresa, €328 MyTheresa, €328 Read More How to have fun with polka dots when dressing for spring


North Wales Live
22-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- North Wales Live
Boden's 'versatile' staple summer shorts with 'great fit and perfect leg length' now almost £50 off
Spring is here, which can sometimes mean two things - the weather is warmer and drier, and we are all gearing up for our summer holidays abroad. If you are looking for an item of clothing that could cater for both, then Boden might have an option for you - and it's currently on sale. The clothing retailer's Denim Shorts were £70 but are now £24.50, providing a £45.50 save thanks to this 65% off sale. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here. The white shorts are high-rise, and are fitted through the waist and hip with a straight-leg style. The clothing comes with a single stud button fastening at centre front waist with a zip fly. Boden's description of the shorts reads: "Woven with a little added stretch, these denim shorts hug the figure and hold their shape. Prepare to wear them all summer long." The shorts are available in UK sizes 6, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22. You can style the shorts with any coloured tops or blouses, such as this Per Una Pure Cotton Embroidered Tie Neck Oversized Blouse in a sea green colour for £39.50 from M&S. The shorts have received a rating of nearly 3.5 out of five stars on Boden's website, based on 14 reviews. One reviewer, who was happy with their purchase, remarked: "Lovely soft denim. Great fit and perfect leg length. These white shorts are perfect for holidays and warm summer days. Will coordinate with many different tops. Very versatile shorts." Another claimed they were of an "excellent quality" and added: "Great fit and quality can't wait to wear them in Australia". Another shopper left an extensive review and said: "I previously wrote a 3 star review on this item saying it ran huge. But I wanted to bump up the rating after trying another size. "To recap, my measurements are 29 waist 37 hip. Going by Boden's size chart, I should be a size 8. I was skeptical of this, so I sized down to a 6 for my first go at these shorts. "When they arrived, I discovered they were still so huge on me. But!!! I decided to give these shorts another shot. I bought a 4 and they are pretty perfect. "There's still a bit of gaping at the back, but not enough to try a size 2. When these shorts fit they are so worth it! Perfect length, color, feel. "They make me feel very cute. I would just size down 2 sizes. But I don't think you'll regret purchasing these if you figure out the sizing". Meanwhile, others also had an issue with the sizing of the shorts. One reviewer said: "These shorts are a perfect fit, everywhere except the waist. I own multiple pairs of Boden jeans and shorts all in the same size. "These made me question whether I'd grown two sizes overnight! Sizing up would make them baggy elsewhere. Unfortunately sent back - just too expensive to have got it this wrong, Boden." If you love Boden's clothes, you will like the clothes on offer at Marks and Spencer. But if you are worried it's a bit too cold to buy shorts just yet, you could purchase M&S' Pure Cotton Palazzo Cropped Trousers for £39.50. Alternatively, you could get shorts in many different colours at Next, such as the Mid Blue Utility Lightweight 100% Cotton Denim Shorts, which also come in bleach, pink, rinse blue and sage green colours - all for £26.


Wales Online
22-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Wales Online
Boden's 'versatile' staple summer shorts with 'great fit and perfect leg length' now almost £50 off
Boden's 'versatile' staple summer shorts with 'great fit and perfect leg length' now almost £50 off Boden's denim shorts were £70 but are now £24.50 in the sale The white shorts are high-rise, and are fitted through the waist and hip with a straight-leg style (Image: Boden ) Spring is here, which can sometimes mean two things - the weather is warmer and drier, and we are all gearing up for our summer holidays abroad. If you are looking for an item of clothing that could cater for both, then Boden might have an option for you - and it's currently on sale. The clothing retailer's Denim Shorts were £70 but are now £24.50, providing a £45.50 save thanks to this 65% off sale. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . The white shorts are high-rise, and are fitted through the waist and hip with a straight-leg style. READ MORE: Alex Jones's 'favourite' make-up must-have that 'leaves skin soft' is now 20% off at Boots READ MORE: Roman's 'flattering' jacket that's a 'summer go to' now 33% off in spring sale The clothing comes with a single stud button fastening at centre front waist with a zip fly. Boden's description of the shorts reads: "Woven with a little added stretch, these denim shorts hug the figure and hold their shape. Prepare to wear them all summer long." The shorts are available in UK sizes 6, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22. You can style the shorts with any coloured tops or blouses, such as this Per Una Pure Cotton Embroidered Tie Neck Oversized Blouse in a sea green colour for £39.50 from M&S. The shorts have received a rating of nearly 3.5 out of five stars on Boden's website, based on 14 reviews. One reviewer, who was happy with their purchase, remarked: " Lovely soft denim. Great fit and perfect leg length. These white shorts are perfect for holidays and warm summer days. Will coordinate with many different tops. Very versatile shorts." Another claimed they were of an "excellent quality" and added: "Great fit and quality can't wait to wear them in Australia". Another shopper left an extensive review and said: "I previously wrote a 3 star review on this item saying it ran huge. But I wanted to bump up the rating after trying another size. "To recap, my measurements are 29 waist 37 hip. Going by Boden's size chart, I should be a size 8. I was skeptical of this, so I sized down to a 6 for my first go at these shorts. The white shorts have received a rating of nearly 3.5 out of five stars on Boden's website, based on 14 reviews (Image: Boden ) "When they arrived, I discovered they were still so huge on me. But!!! I decided to give these shorts another shot. I bought a 4 and they are pretty perfect. "There's still a bit of gaping at the back, but not enough to try a size 2. When these shorts fit they are so worth it! Perfect length, color, feel. "They make me feel very cute. I would just size down 2 sizes. But I don't think you'll regret purchasing these if you figure out the sizing". Meanwhile, others also had an issue with the sizing of the shorts. One reviewer said: "These shorts are a perfect fit, everywhere except the waist. I own multiple pairs of Boden jeans and shorts all in the same size. "These made me question whether I'd grown two sizes overnight! Sizing up would make them baggy elsewhere. Unfortunately sent back - just too expensive to have got it this wrong, Boden." If you love Boden's clothes, you will like the clothes on offer at Marks and Spencer. But if you are worried it's a bit too cold to buy shorts just yet, you could purchase M&S' Pure Cotton Palazzo Cropped Trousers for £39.50. Article continues below Alternatively, you could get shorts in many different colours at Next, such as the Mid Blue Utility Lightweight 100% Cotton Denim Shorts, which also come in bleach, pink, rinse blue and sage green colours - all for £26.


Daily Mirror
21-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
'Marks & Spencer's tapered linen trousers are my office go-to – they're comfy and pair with shirts'
Marks & Spencer's £28 tapered linen trousers are a spring/summer essential, and Mirror shopping writer Grace's go-to for office days thanks to their comfort and versatility In my eyes, linen trousers are a spring/summer essential. Thanks to their versatility, they can be worn for so many different occasions, from beach trips to office days and alfresco dinners. And now spring is here and summer is on the horizon, it's definitely the time to add a new pair to the wardrobe. Marks & Spencer has one of the best selection of linen trousers in right now, but you'll have to be quick if you want to get your hands on a pair as they can sell out super fast. A few ofour favourite's at the moment include: the Linen Blend Wide Leg Trousers in Blue, £27.50; the Linen Rich Wide Leg Cropped Trousers, £27.50; and the Per Una Linen Blend Striped Drawstring Wide Leg Trousers, £45. I tried out their Linen-Rich Drawstring Tapered Trousers and was so surprised with the softness. They felt amazing on the skin, and gave a smarter look than some of the wider-leg styles I've tried. I paired the trousers with trainers so they looked more casual; however, they could easily be teamed with a pair of mules or Mary Janes to look more office-appropriate. They also pair amazingly with shirt s, which is not always the case when it comes to linen trousers. The tapered leg is what makes this pair a little different than the classic wide leg linen trousers, as it provides a more professional, and less beachy look. The neutral styles are selling out fast, but the navy and khaki colourways are still in stock in most sizes. However, we predict this won't last for much longer. I tested a few other linen trousers out and considering the affordable £23 price tag, I was really surprised with the fit and quality of this Bershka pair. They probably fit me the best out of all the others in terms of leg length and around the waist. I love the neutral sand colour, and they're also available to purchase in three other colours: white, black, and a spring-ready pale pink. Additonally, the barrel leg silhouette is the trendiest trouser shape of the season, and I love how the shape of this ASOS pair immediately made this pair look slightly different from the linen trousers we often see. Alongside the barrel leg, these trousers feature a stylish buttermilk yellow striped pattern that adds a bit of interest, and there was no sign of any underwear showing through.


Telegraph
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Lisa Armstrong's verdict on Marks & Spencer's spring collection
The new-season M&S collection is about to arrive in store. On Thursday, they unleash their fashion campaign on TV. It's safe to say, you'll be seeing a lot of the brand over the next few weeks, if not months, assuming they can deliver some big hits. But will they? I went to their showroom at the Marble Arch flagship store on London's Oxford Street to preview their key pieces. Here's my verdict. First thing to say is that if, like me, you're a stickler for good quality fabrics and balk at the amount of slimy polyfibres in so many clothes today (including from brands that are far more expensive than M&S), then you may be pleasantly surprised by what you see – or rather touch, because we all know that it's possible to make just about anything look good in a campaign image if the lighting's sufficiently magical. A word of reason: the uptick in fabrics may be because these are spring/summer clothes rather than any overarching ambition at M&S to leave synthetics behind altogether. It's much easier to find reasonably priced summer friendly materials than it is wool and sheepskin, so let's enjoy them while we can. The polyfibres will be back come winter. And let's be clear, there are also some this summer. I wasn't mad on a lizard print synthetic shirt (the organza silk one from Autograph on the other hand was excellent). I wasn't mad on the lacy number here either – seductive in the picture. IRL, not so much. Achieving net zero polyester is as realistic, M&S say, as achieving net zero emissions – or it is at these prices. Sigh. Surely it wasn't always like this? Or are we looking at the M&S of yore through rose-tinted specs? The 1970s were, after all, a bonanza of Crimplene. Drip-dry was King. I'd love to hear from those with reliable M&S-related memories. For now, linen rules. As does cotton, including some unbleached trousers. They also seem to have mastered the super-soft Armani-worthy suede jacket – M&S have several suede jacket styles, cropped, wrap and slightly longer in Per Una, Autograph and core. They top out at around £269 but look and feel far more expensive. Autograph Suede Jacket, £279 They've clearly been working on their blocks, as their cuts look much sleeker and luxurious. If your conscience won't allow you to wear real animal skins then you might be tempted by M&S's microfibre iterations. Until recently fake suedes and leathers have tended to disappoint IRL, but this microsuede is really very good. Synthetic, it nevertheless feels breathable and drapes well. Suede is everywhere in 2025 – because it strikes that balance we're all seeking between relaxed but sleek. I would seriously consider their microfibre jacket. Also welcome are all the British spring-friendly layers, from a sleeveless cream parka to an array of jackets in taupe, sand, chocolate and soft-khaki (very Max Mara). Included in this group is a cropped shower resistant 'trench'. You can tell there's an increasing amount of attention paid to quiet but well thought through design. The colours are the right shade, whether they're cherry red or lemon. Whole groups work together, and where individual items are meant to be layered, they're actually compatible or matching lengths. You can tell the design team are feeling confident – critical and commercial success will do that to a department. They're not just going for showy editorial pieces (easy wins if you have the barest clue what's in fashion) but really drilling down, focussing on details. They've gone wholeheartedly for co-ords, from this lovely balloon-hem skirt and matching top – perfect for summer parties, or style with denim on weekends – to stripy cotton and linen shorts, shirts and trousers which will be perfect on the beach or at balmy barbecues. Balloon? You read that correctly. After the success of barrel jeans (at one point, their most popular style) and carrot jeans (less exaggerated than barrel, but a similar shape), M&S have realised that women of all ages are not interested in wishy-washy frump wear, but want to look current and are happy to try out fresh ideas and new styles provided they're intelligently presented and look flattering. Denim is a highly competitive category that's steeped in mystique and snobbery but increasingly, M&S seem to have broken down the considerable resistance that some customers had to wearing M&S jeans. It's now, just about, cool to own some of their denim. You can't argue with the VFM, at around £29 for some pairs. There's plenty of choice too, as there is across all their trousers. There are many more skirts too than previous seasons, including this polka dot mini and the pencil silhouette (also red – there's quite a bit of it around) with white stencilling which makes it easy to pair with a white shirt as well as this stripy one. Tailoring is still a feature, 'but we've been looking at modern ways to be feminine,' says Lisa Illis, Brand Director. 'There's more emphasis on the waist, but it's all very gentle and comfortable' (note that this is also reflected on the catwalks). A word or six about those balloon hems – in layperson's terms, they're modified puffballs. Not 1990s style, but more subtle and sophisticated. I wouldn't be surprised if the M&S design team hadn't been looking at Sophie d'Hoore, an if-you-know-you-know Belgian designer whose understated avant-garde meets earthy aesthetic produces quietly striking, timeless clothes. I remember a long time ago a very highly paid consultant working for a rival brand telling me that M&S's avowed intent to appeal to all people was ridiculous. But I think they might be cracking it. It's not yet a rival to Zara, but for the moment, it has something Zara doesn't: the unexpected factor. If a stylish woman finds something terrific and fashion forward in Zara, no surprise. If she finds it M&S, kudos to her. These ballet-teacher shoes are a case in point: at £29.50, they're potentially this summer's equivalent of that 2019 Zara polka-dot dress. Ballet-teacher shoes, £29.50 For more classic customers, Jaeger is getting better. This summer they have a version of their hit winter kilt, complete with a matching shirt – more co-ord action and a good option for special occasions. Bags are squishy, sandals are flat or mid heel. There's a distant relative of The Row's jelly shoe – and some lovely little silk scarves which should appeal cross – generationally. They haven't forgotten the boho crowd either, with some pretty tops that look quite Sezane. That stylist who thought it was impossible to appeal to a wide range of ages couldn't be more wrong. These days, mothers, grandmothers and daughters often buy the same item – but wear it differently. As for those bikinis, I mentioned earlier. M&S has lots this summer, plus co-ordinating cover-ups in the form of oversized, breezy shirts. As a colleague remarked when I told her, 'isn't their swimwear known for being a bit staid?' That's all in the eye of the wearer. Others might call it supportive and concealing. That will still be there, but as Maddy Evans, previously from Topshop and now head of fashion at M&S says, 'we're finally seeing younger and younger customers coming in and we want to make sure we have what they're looking for'.